Skyborn

Skyborn are the ethnicity native to the island of Skyhome, a unique island supported by an earth, water, and air crystal.
The presence of three of the foul elements allowed the Skyborn to develop in a very friendly environment where simple agriculture, small scale fishing, and even animal husbandry could be practiced. Skyhome was once characterized by open fields, grassy plains, and only a few small forests on its northern side. This meant that food, water, and space, while not as abundant as on some other islands, was rarely in short supply. This allowed the Skyborn population the chance to grow steadily, without much in the way of competition or environmental hazards. In the modern Skies however, the entire surface of the island is now home to the largest city in the Skies, which serves as the central point for ship building, trade, and resource processing. 
By far the biggest influence on Skyborn development was that when Skyhome rose above the clouds, so to did the city of Urgontur , a settlement originally built by the Precursor Race. After several generations of instability and chaos, the Skyborn returned to the city after spending half a century shunning it. This resulted in an explosion of knowledge, scientific and magical rediscovery, and historical restoration, as among the ruined city were discovered several libraries containing secrets lost during the Fracturing. The current of Skyhome actually sprouted from Urgontur, before spreading over the entire island.
The rediscovery of so much lost knowledge ignited a flame within Skyborn culture which has not extinguished since. While the rest of the skies had fallen into medieval states, the Skyborn had steam power, advanced medicine, improved farming techniques that didn't rely on elemental magic, gunpowder, and a deep understanding of mechanical engineering. Literacy exploded, as the knowledge gained required both general and specific education. Reconstruction on the city of Urgontur spurred political restructuring, which resulted in the creation of the The Parliament, a regulatory and governing body of ostensibly democratically supported members who work to preserve and protect Skyhome.
Skyborn are mainly comprised of Sapie and the Kissed, specifically Kissed of earth, air, and water. Skyborn physiology hasn't changed much in the years since the Fracturing, and so, Skyborn see themselves as the true inheritors or successors to the Precursor Race.

Culture

Common Etiquette rules

Skyborn can come off as somewhat brash to the other people's of the Skies. Skyborn are suborn, creative, intelligent, and constantly moving from one thing to the next. Some view this as a powerful work ethic, while some see it as flightiness and instability.

Common Dress code

Skyborn clothing aesthetics are heavily influenced by a number of texts that were discovered in the libraries of Urgontur, as well as portraits and other texts retrieved from the surface. This has lead to a disjointed collage of different fashion sensibilities reconstructed from these found cultural texts. Since Skyhome is the manufacturing center of the Skies, the Skyborn have access to all kinds of materials they use to replicate the clothing of the past.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

While few of the traditions created by the Vonmaki survived the Renaissance, one of the few that did was the Birth Pilgrimage. When a child is born and it's attuned element is discovered, the parents take that child to the nearest Source Crystals of a matching element. There, and only there, the child can be officially named.
In recent years, this has caused tension as some fire attuned children are born parents of different ethnicities. The lack of a fire Source Crystals on Skyhome generally means parents of fire attuned children need to complete their pilgrimage on another island. Further confusion comes to parents of Kissed children who are considered "Blessed", i.e, those born with some combination of two elemental attunements. Which crystal they should make their pilgrimage to is a matter of great debate in public spheres.

Funerary and Memorial customs

In the age prior to the Sky Ships, when the Skyborn were still ruled by the Vonmaki, who disposed of the dead by flinging them off the side of their home island. It was only after the Renaissance and the beginning of surface expeditions did the people of Skyhome realize to their horror that their dead had been reanimating on the ground below, congregating in a massive hoard of undead just below the clouds. After that discovery, cremation became a more popular from of disposing of the dead.

Common Taboos

While magic is not generally illegal in Skyborn communities, it is generally upon or discouraged in public. Many Skyborn still hold resentment against the Druid King and the Vonmaki who ruled over the people of Skyhome for a century using magical might to justify their rule and silence opposition. Some see this as a hypocrisy, as much of the technology Skyborn hold dear is built upon the harnessing of elemental energy, the same energy harnessed to perform magic. However, most Skyborn see no contraction here, seeing the two practices as meaningfully distinct.

Common Myths and Legends

A few Skyborn follow the teachings of the Empyrean Ascendancy , a small religious order who modeled themselves on the dead beliefs of the old world. They believe The Air Titan is the savior of all life in the Skies, and venerate it as a living god.

Encompassed species

• Sapie

Related Locations

• Skyhome