Skorbs

Skorb Culture

Skorbs are a peculiar people. They don't care too much about lands or nations, as long as they can live close to the sea. They won't give loyalty to one kingdom in particular. They keep to themselves on land, but they are known to be skillful, knowledgeable, and consummate sailors. Sailing seems to be their only pursuit. This is not completely true. Let me step back a bit.

It's easy to physically spot a skorb because of the white markings they are born with. Let me emphasize that these are birth markings, not painted symbols like the blue markings on my assistant's face. The warrior tradition of Barika's people is to wear their family's seal on their faces, even if one chooses not to be a warrior, like Barika has. Her blue markings match the color of her hair, and are only placed on her face. Skorb markings are permanently scattered about their bodies and face. And each skorb has their own unique pattern of markings. Even half-skorbs have some markings, but they are not completely covered by the white patterns. Full-blooded skorbs stand apart. They have found a secure home among the Sunni in South Mbali. Before the Sunni uprising, skorbs had to move numerous times along the Western coasts. They sought land close to the sea, and needed to have a place to dock their fleet of ships. Many leaders have sought to use the skorbs for themselves. Kings have attempted to force the skorbs to be a navy for them. They have been severely taxed for the land they've lived on. And they've been run out of places because they've refused to be subjugated under one nation. It's easy to see why they've found a home with the Sunni, who were formerly subservient to Krull.

In Sunni, a good portion of skorbs remain throughout the year to care for their crops and homes. But during the Storm and Fire seasons, most skorb travel the seas around Mbali. During this time, you may see skorbs in port cities around the whole of Mbali. They are a people of adventure. Skorbs sail on both their own ships and they sail for others for the right price. The most prudent captains seek to have at least one skorb sailor on their ship. Skorbs have even been a part of many tragic voyages through Greater Skorbak and the Dark Sea.

When Harvest Season comes, most skorbs seek to return home. There they have a great two week long harvest celebration. Many stay home through the Moon Season and help with the Planting season, before embarking back out in the beginning of the Storm season. But this does not include every skorb sailor, some head back out to sea directly after the Harvest Celebration.

As with other ethnic groups, there are many more traditions and practices of the skorb that make them unique. I'll come back to this entry and add these along the way, but this introduction to the skorb will have to suffice for now.

-Dulamah