The Terraphobes
The Terraphobes are a sea-based community created to comfort those with an intense fear of solid ground. Some members are born and die at sea, never setting foot on regular earth.
Why Avoid Land?
Terraphobes consist of an ever growing fleet of ships. The first Terraphobes claim that they founded the fleet after a series of horrifying encounters on the continent of Navilon. They embody the name in its most authentic sense, and other people will occasionally join after experiencing similar stories. More commonly, however, people join either for a sense of adventure, belonging, or to escape someone on mainland who wants them dead. Terraphobes are an inclusive group of people. Since the entire foundation of the fleet was based off of trauma, the leaders and elders understand people of all backgrounds wanting to escape their homes. This "escape" oriented mindset has led to a gradual shift in the leadership of the Terraphobes. Where once they we an incredibly cautious and small group of people, now they are constantly on the move and looking for new discoveries. Still, the Terraphobes maintain their inclusivity and try to find a welcome spot for anyone who is willing to help work on the fleet.Trade
With their core value being to avoid land, Terraphobes encounter a couple of logistical difficulties. Many of the people aboard the Terraphobe fleets are excellent craftsmen, and their artistic style is seen as very rare and collectable. Terraphobes also never have a shortage of fish. When the Terraphobes pass ports, they send a signal ship first. It's typically a small vessel manned by a four man crew that flies a bright and identifiable Terraphobe flag. When the main fleet arrives, trade ships will sail out and shout offers across the open sea. Terraphobe representatives will then board their boats, negotiate deals, and rowboats will sail back and forth, carrying the goods being exchanged. Individuals often get little say in the items that the representatives buy, which forces them to live light and minimalistic.Customs and Manners
As mentioned earlier, Terraphobes live with very little personal belongings. Outsiders may see their comradery as cult-like. The close living quarters that a ship provides has conditioned Terraphobes to be very comfortable when close to one another. They don't mind doing things that would otherwise be seen as unhygienic in front of each other. This less flattering part of the Terraphobes is often not mentioned when main-landers talk about them. Terraphobes have a lot of safety nets in place as far as triggering subjects are concerned. They typically come off as overly apologetic and extremely thoughtful. They hug in order to greet each other, and find physical contact as the easiest way to comfort someone. It's highly taboo to talk of the main land on the boat. People are not encouraged to share their pasts, and people who inquire are shunned. Terraphobes in non-leadership positions don't usually look at interactions beyond the surface level, and rarely open up about anything that happened before the boat. Generally speaking, the Terraphobes are pacifists as well. They are armed in the case of self defense, but have never, in recorded history, started a fight with any ship unprompted. They are extremely avoidant of conflict, and other ships in general.Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
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