Valeer

The Valeer are the militaristic peoples who inhabit the oceanic islands of the Fractured Skies.
Valler inhabit a strange form of island that is comprised mainly of water. In defiance of natural laws, these bodies maintain a round, occasionally oblong shape as they hover in the sky. Water does occasionally break away from the main island, and upon such a break it quickly becomes subject to the normal laws of gravity and plummets to the earth below, or otherwise evaporate under the light of the sun. Chunks of rock, free floating coral, or other solid substances float within these orbs of water, rarely drifting anywhere near the edges. The Source Crystals of a given island produce enough water to not only maintain its supply, but also to grow it.
Initially, the Valeer were restricted to small chunks of rock that floated near the surface of their island homes, or the corral reefs that poked out above the water. Over the course of generations, and after a number of Conjunctions saturated the survivors with the power of elemental water, the Valeer began to transition into the aquatic peoples that we know today.
Since the beginning, the disparate tribes of the Valeer were fiercely territorial, competing over what scraps of land that they had. This continued well past 100 AF, when the Valeer completed their aquatic evolution. After their transition, while they were no longer bound to the air and land, this tension only expanded as powerful groups began conquering whole islands and solidifying power. The knowledge of other islands further facilitated the propagation of "us-versus-them" mentalities, leading to a culture in which might makes right, violence is common place, and the world is divided into allies and enemies. The encounters with other Valeer tribes from other water islands during Conjunctions firmly solidified this understanding, long before they were exposed to the other peoples of the Skies after the advent of Sky Ships.
Some Valeer cultures resemble aristocracies, with strict cast systems dictating the social roles of its citizens and their purpose in keeping the state functioning. Others are arranged into a confederation of tribes which feud with each other almost as much as they do with other nations. Some organize themselves as mercantile nations who sell both fish and mercenaries to the various powers of the Skies.
Violence is an ever present problem within Valeer culture, and the place and nature of violent tactics is an ever growing concern. The spilling out of violence into other corners of Valeer culture is rampant, and often leads to sub-cultures of familial trauma and abuse.
There are three varieties of Valeer: The Hjaric, the Kissed, and the Shobu. The Hjaric are the most common form of Valeer, and more closely resemble Sapie and Kissed than the other races of the Skies. They are distinguishable by their webbed hands and feet, blue-green tinged skin, thick blonde-green or blue-red hair, and shark like teeth. The Kissed, known as "The Mother 's Chosen" in most Valeer cultures, resemble both Hjaric and Sapie, but are easily recognizable by their elemental influences. Namely, they are almost always visibly wet or glistening, smell of salt or brine, and their hair shifts in color as it grows. Shobu are the most radically unique form of Valeer, being humanoids who slowly develop an assortment of aquatic mutations over the course of their lives. Some Shobu only experience a few such mutations and closely resemble the Hjaric, while others develop extra limbs, grow a protective coating of crustacean-like chitin, or develop other appendages borrowed from other sea creatures. Some of the eldest Shobu are so mutated that they no longer share any physical resemblance to their cousins, appearing to be a aquatic chimera of half a dozen sea creatures.

Culture

Average technological level

The Valeer are a unique people, as they have rejected the technological advancements of the other islands, shunning most technology based on Source Crystals as sacrilege. Valeer use manual labor for almost everything, and reject only the most basic shaving practices for the production of shards. Their unique environments has as-of-yet prevented any Valeer island from fearing occupation by any force beside another Valeer tribe.

Common Etiquette rules

The Right of the Guest is the most solemnly upheld facet of Valeer culture. The Right can be invoked at any time one finds themselves within the territory or home of a Valeer, particularly Valeer nobility, at which point the host can either affirm or deny the request for lodging. Hosts are expected to treat their guests with upmost courtesy and protect them to the best of their ability. Guests, likewise, must obey their hosts customs and submit to their authority so long as their remain their guest. Openly breaking the Right of the Guest has serious social costs for both a host and a guest, as if one is known to be such a violator, their Right will most likely never affirmed ever again and lose the trust of those around them.

Art & Architecture

Stone is a precious and scares commodity on the islands which the Valeer inhabit, as such, a tradition of multi-coloured coral carving and coral based construction has lead to a unique form of architecture. The druidic order known as Men of the Waves use their elemental magic to stimulate the growth of the coral, and providing the carvers with tools that allow them to shape the coral without killing it. After hundreds of years of practice, carvers have been able to create vast living under water mega-structures which accommodate hundreds of people, all constructed out of a single growth of coal. As such, much of the construction is meant to evoke naturalistic elements, avoiding hard comers, straight lines, and harsh angles. Instead putting emphasis on rounded walls, naturally occurring gaps to let in light, and wavy patterns. Buildings are decorated with kelp, seaweed, and strategically placed undersea growth. Fish, eels, and other small marine life are allowed to swim freely through Valeer settlements, as they provide both aesthetic enjoyment, and a ready source of food.

Common Myths and Legends

Central to the the culture of the Valeer is The Tale of Father Ocean told by the Men of the Waves, a cult which worships the The Water Titan as a living god and despises The Earth Titan as demon.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

In terms of beauty norms, Valeer culture tends to promote the visibly athletic and the muscled. Lives spent constantly swimming and generally cause all members of society to be at least somewhat physically fit, but those who gifted with larger muscles are seen as more capable and hardier than others. Valeer culture also commonly equates physical strength to morality, believing that those blessed with such features are meant for great things.

Relationship Ideals

Relationships within Valeer culture are built on a massive level of trust. An oath given is a sacred thing to a Valeer, and to break one's word is to tempt excommunication and dishonor. Extenuating circumstances can allow for some wiggle room, but betrayal of any degree requires cunning and forethought. It is a great hypocrisy of Valeer history that a culture so focused on honor is coloured by traditions of military betrayals, political treachery, and violence.

The siege of Castle Bolog, 233 AF:
And yay, it was in the third day of the siege of Castle Bolog, that War Chief Kjilagar threw his off his armour and approached the topmost gate, holding only his spear.
The rebellious Yorpiva clan, at this act, did not fire, fearing some treachery or some tactic they had not yet spotted.
The leader of the Yorpiva in the Castle, and indeed the leader of the clan, Norvu The Usurper, too removed his armour, took his trident, and went out to meet Kjilagar outside of the gate.
What was said between those two is unknown, but shortly, the men of both sides did watch as the two men engaged in single combat for a period of two hours.
At the end, Kjilagar drove a near mortal blow into the Usurper, who despite his baser nature, fought with honor beyond a man of his breeding. At this Kjilagar's men did call out in victory, and rushed forward to dismember the rebel, but were stopped by their leader. Kjilagar shocked his men by taking the Usurper and returning him to the base of Castle Bolog, allowing his men to retrieve the wounded giant before his life water had completely drained away.
Two days later, Norvu limped out of his stolen Castle, prostrated himself before War Chief Kjilagar, and begged him to take him and his men into his service.
For the rest of his days, War Chief Kjilagar knew no man more loyal than his trusted Lieutenant Norvu.

Encompassed species

• Shobu