Zephyrean
Unbeknownst to nearly all of the groundlings, a network of flying islands stretches between Pax and The City of the Lights.Formally known as The Tigenes, the Zephyrean Islands are the homes of the Zephyrean folk, who have thrown off the shackles of solid ground. Choosing, instead, to live and fly amongst the clouds, hidden and separate from the groundlings below, they make their lives and livings above the clouds, preferring to live free, in the air, than to be landlocked and beholden to some king. The peoples of many different races live here, yet they are Zephyrean one and all.
Naming Traditions
Family names
Bedelian, Genevieve, Gorky, Gorton, Chatham, Tipple, Whipple, Hall, Blount, Capman, Tiller, Wing, Forelock
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
Their culture, at least on the surface, is sunny and friendly, although that only goes so far. Zephyreans distrust groundlings immediately, believing (usually correctly) that the groundlings will immediately be searching for some angle to use the islands to their own advantage, which would (in the Zephyreans' viewpoint) end the Zephyreans' way of life forever, destroying yet another bastion of freedom on Tellus.Cloud Nine
Shared customary codes and values
The innovative Zephyreans pride themselves on their adaptability, using their various backgrounds and the rich diversity of peoples and cultures that came together to live above the clouds to their utmost advantage on a daily basis. They see themselves as self-sufficient stewards of their environment, and wholeheartedly believe in one of the region's most popular aphorisms; "well-informed is fore-warned".
Common Etiquette rules
Personal space is incredibly important to the Zephyreans, who deeply value freedom and personal expression. Also, weather being as unpredictable as it is, offering shelter during a storm is not only expected, but those who do not are often mocked, and ostracized. Waste management and hygeine also have more of a focus, among the Zephyrean islands, than in many places on the ground.
Art & Architecture
Zephyrean art revolves around skyscapes, and delicately curved skylines. Doughty airships vie with the female form as the most common theme in popular portraiture. The architecture, while seemingly innocuous from that of the groundlings, places far more emphasis on economy of materials than their terrestrial counterparts do. That, and securing buildings to the bedrock of their islands to prevent houses being abjectly blown away by some unforseen and sudden storm.
Foods & Cuisine
Food is mainly cooked using solar concentrators and convection ovens. The ingredients themselves are either grown in environmentally controlled greenhouses, or imported surreptitiously from groundlings cities. The taste palate is as varied as the population, but as a general rule Zephyreans enjoy light, airy dishes, and fresh, crisp vegetables. Their main source of protein is mutton, sheep being somehow more suited to the weather and constant sun than many other farm animals. Pork, also, graces their tables, but it is in far less proportion than mutton. Beef is considered an excess of the exceedingly wealthy.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The Zephyreans flys colorful flags and banners on feast days and other holidays, taking advantage of the constant breezes to throw a riot of beautiful colors all over the islands.Tramdol
Tellus' Standard Reference
Gnomish Air Glider
Vehicle
Very Rare Not required
This item, when launched from a sufficient height, offers a Fly Speed of 20' per round. The vehicle cannot fly upwards independently; it only glides downwards. It can make gentle turns, is fully steerable, and nearly silent in its manner of operation.
The Air glider has an AC of 12, and 35 Hit Points. It immediately falls out of the sky when these hit points are expended. There is no stealth penalty for using it during covert operations.
With a wingspan of 17', this lightweight glider can be easily launched from an airship, or the side of a considerable cliff. The rider straps, prone, into a harness that hangs from a collapsible framework made of milled bamboo poles and Aralind Silk tensioners. The control arm hangs down in front of the rider, who steers left and right using a combination of body movement and aerodynamic control surface manipulation. An Aralind Silk fabric is stretched over the framework to form the wings and control surfaces.
Once the rider is done with it, it folds up into a surprisingly small, briefcase-sized package with a convenient carrying strap.
Once the rider is done with it, it folds up into a surprisingly small, briefcase-sized package with a convenient carrying strap.
Cost: 3,000GP
Weight: 12 lbs.
Tellus' Standard Reference
Gnomish Airship
Vehicle
Very Rare
AC: 15, HP: 300, threshold 15 (hull 175, threshold 7 (gas bag 100 (aerofoils 75 (steerage)Speed: 50' (9 MPH), 200 miles per day
An airship, employing a variety of methods of flight and steerage. It uses masts with aerofoils, a gas bag, and gnomish hapdidic lift generators, all working together to keep the machine in the air, and operating at safe parameters.
The vehicles are chock full of gnomish surprises, such as soft-serve ice cream machines cleverly occupying otherwise useless niches, and warm water bidets in the head. The crew quarters are furnished with luxuriant beds and relatively spacious quarters. There is, of course, very little privacy aboard any vessel, but enough can be carved out to make it just a bit more bearable.
Cost: 73,000 GP
Weight: Lighter than Air//1,500 Tons
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