Varekai

Race	Percentage (~4000mi², ~20 000 people)
Human	60%
Halfling	20%
Lizardfolk	5%
Other	15%

Varekai is a small territory on the eastern side of <XXX>. Its borders are loosely drawn by mighty rivers, with many smaller ones snaking their way further inland, where they form a labyrinthine landscape. The River Familias hold dominion over the waters, various yeomen tend to the marshlands. While technically Varekan, the common people that settle the land feel more like foreigners than anything else, they are entirely self-governed, serving under no crown, though it is only by the grace of the Familias that they can enjoy such a life.

The River Familias

1. Family above All - True allegiance can only ever lie with family, be it by blood or bond. Swear your life away only if your heart deems it so.
2. Tradition - Take heed of those who came before you. Respect the customs of the land. Dare not to cross a river without a gift. In tale and deed, preserve our way.
3. A life is worth more than a Death - Do not sink a boat when you can take it. Show mercy to your enemies, for you might one day be at theirs.
4. Revere the Mother, Respect the Father - Go with virtue, but remember that darkness lies just around the corner. You cannot right every wrong.
5. Pride - live life with your head held high. Stand tall against those who would try and make you kneel.

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Overview

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Brought to these lands from distant shores, they are the sole rulers of every river and brook, all without an inch of land to their name. It is their firm belief, that the River Mother guided them here, from certain extinction, and if they were to abandon their gifted domain, never again would they have a home. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t set foot on land – everyone likes to stretch their legs, visit old friends. Nearly every river-farer has gone on an inland adventure at least once in their life. They just tend to come back, eventually.
A Familia is collection of Tseras – individual households – that sail, dine and fight together. No race is discriminated against within the Familias, though humans and halflings are the most prevalent. The head of the Familia, often referred to as Vaida or Voivode, oversees every household under their fleet. These can consist of everywhere from a couple to over a dozen boats, and their total inhabitants can range from around twenty, to over a hundred river-farers.
They live off fishing and trade with the yeomen and their nation-neighbors, though ferry services, in times of civil or foreign conflict, can prove to be just as lucrative. However, it is not their mercantile prowess that comes to mind when one speaks of the Familias, rather, their taste for celebration. Home to many a performer and bard, the Familias engage in annual and even monthly celebrations. To see, or rather hear a winding fleet of river-farers, singing and dancing throughout the night is an event that you learn to love in Varekai.

The Boats

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Most river-folk are born and raised on a boat. As such, a boat should represent the people that it houses, be it by shape, purpose or decoration. They tend to be relatively small, however, in order to navigate the river-ridden landscape. When warfare is unavoidable, most will refrain from sinking a boat – it is not only an insult to history, but a complete waste, too.
The first boats were built for the sea and the Familias hold this fact in high regard. Some claim that they sail the very same boat that their ancestors arrived in, though it is far more likely that they've preserved but a piece - a board, a railing or if they're lucky- the figurehead. This leads to them treasuring these parts as near-relics.

1. Barge: Most proper Tseras reside within these types of boats. They allow for a comfortable voyage, as well as hold plenty of space for living. Its lesser variant is the Keelboat.
2. Knarr: An alternative to the barge, this ship is heavily reliant on sailing, and is said to have retained the old design of the Familias’ predecessors. Some say these ships might even be able to handle open sea.
3. Raft: The least of the “housing” vessels, rafts are highly customizable, easy to construct and maintain. Quite exceptional for ferrying, too. They are the unjustly-earned stereotype for the Familias.
4. Fishing Boat: Mostly used for small-scale transportation between boats or to the shore and back. In dire times, a river-dweller might be found sleeping in one, though only out of necessity.

Naming Traditions

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Inspired by Romani Gypsies.
Family Names: Badžo, Mirga, Karela, Goral
Masculine Names: Danior, Duke, Vano, Timbo, Patrin, Menowin, Pyramus, Gillie, Paul
Feminine Names: Vadoma, Roma, Florence, Lavinia, Ethelinda, Kezia, Hester, Leonora, Theodosia, Selina

Look and Feel

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The Look

• General: The river-folk prefer clothing that exudes confidence or a sense of power. In warmer times, they often wear white, open-collared shirts. They pair these with vests, scarfs, hats, metal jewelry and brackish belts. In colder climates, however, they enjoy large fur coats and pelts, topped with dangling chains to show their signature audacity. Makeup is familiar to both ladies and men, though mostly for showmanship purposes. In some sense, they may resemble river-dwelling pirates, though the Romani Gypsy influences shine through in their taste for ornamentation and polarizing colors.
• Feminine Style: Sari-like skirts; tight lowcut, sometimes puffed-sleeve blouses; bras that act as pocketbooks for cigarettes, coin purses etc.; hair put up in a chignon or bun; pocket handkerchief or larger style scarf on the head; barefoot or in flat shoes; entertainment-flamenco dress that is calf-length; bright polka-dot material
• Masculine Style: darker clothes to contrast their white shirts and colorful scarfs; sleeveless, sometimes checkered or lined vests; pocket handkerchiefs or neck scarfs; loose fitting pants; bare footed or calf-high boots; puffed sleeve shirts, sometimes with beautiful ornaments; various types of hats, often brimmed;

The Feel

The river-farers are hot blooded and fun-loving. They have a strong sense of pride and loyalty to their Familia, though it is not by blood alone. Particularly liked individuals could be called brothers or sisters. Spouses could be taken from any part of the world. The Varekai are highly superstitious, but in the most respectful of manners - they treasure every tradition, be it theirs or their neighbors. Travel is their default state, so sitting around either physically or metaphorically goes against their very nature.