Paumotou

Generalities

Paumotous are humans with peculiar features: brown skin, blood red eyes, white hair and slightly above average strength. This last difference come with a drawback: if they overdo it for too long, they can momentarily damage their muscles and nerves, leaving them paralyzed and in quite some pain. Worst case can be death.

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Geography and climate

They live in the Paumotou's archipelago , who has around 200 inhabited islands . The capital, Te'avaro, is on the main island with some other major cities. The main island is home to a bit less than half the Paumotou's population. Other islands are called after their biggest city. The archipelago is 1100 km to the south of the Usingen peninsula. So roughly a 8 to 10 days travel if conditions are favorable. The closest island is Cy'erith island. Most of the islands are volcanic, with lush vegetation and a hot and humid climate.

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History

There is no actual evidence of when and exactly how the Paumotous reached the archipelago but some old legend talk about a long and perilous trip throughout the ocean many millenia ago. There is also no evidence that they came from the Great Continent. At first, the archipelago was divided in multiple alliances but four centuries ago, an ambitious ruler, Aoearoa, started unifying the numerous islands. Although he didn't achieve his goal, he set the motion and it wasn't long before the whole archipelago was unified under the same banner. The actual king of the archipelago is Orava, son of Manua. The current dynasty seized the power around two centuries ago after a few decades of civil war. The kingdom has then been pretty peaceful although some troubles have appeared here and there throughout the years.

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Religion

*have yet to be detailed*

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Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Auerii, Fa'auea, Haina, Heiata, Herenui, Ilona, Kahaia, Luana, Manava

Masculine names

Aitu, Fano, Haupea, Honura, Keitapo, Mahemu, Peva, Rotui, Tehanue

Family names

Son of *father name* , daughter of *mother name*

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Paumotou

Average technological level

Alphabet, basic engineering (wheel, metallurgy, big buildings), sailing

Common Dress code

Practical when working

Pretty revealing for festivals and important celebrations

Funerary and Memorial customs

Cremated within the day to avoid any disease spreading. A small part of the ashes is added to a jar where ancestors' ashes are already kept. The jar itself is in a small room where Paumotous come pay their respect to their family and ask for guidance.

Historical figures

Aoearoa, first man to try to unify the archipelago.

Uravini, first man to successfully unify the archipelago.

Tereua, founder of the actual dinasty.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

A fit body is often considered ideal by both genders but many men are also interested in curvy women.

Too skinny is often considered sickly but too much overweight is a no go either.

A beautiful body is quite important for both men and women so their hygiene level is pretty high.

Some tattoos can be a plus.

Gender Ideals

Both men and women have access to the same jobs / responsabilities without too much distinction. You do find more men in physical/manual jobs.

Courtship Ideals

Both gender are free to take the lead in seducing their beloved. Courtship often involve friendly taunting/challenging to various activities (be it sport, music, art) to create proximity.

Relationship Ideals

Most of the Paumotous are monogamous but polygamy is not unheard of and not frowned upon. Both the king and the queen have harems for example.

Homosexual relationships are also pretty well accepted as body worshiping is quite an important part of the Paumotous culture.

Major organizations

The Paumotou kingdom

The Tuamotou guild (officially hired as militia to keep the cities peaceful and unofficially to take care of political opponents)