Kiimataari

The Kiimataari are coastal nomads. Clans of about fifteen to forty live in holtships (known for their indigo sails) that sail up and down the coast, fishing, whaling, diving for salvage, and trading at ports. Some of them have established permanent residences on land, but these "hardfeet" are somewhat estranged from the seafaring majority. Many find work as sailors on ships that take them around the world, but they somehow always manage to reconnect with their clan. They dye their fur in wild colors and patterns resembling tattoos, and pierce rings through their ears, noses, and tails. The primary language, Haagai, has a Finnish feel to it, although the sounds are going to be more based in Luganda. There'll also be a sign language that they use to communicate underwater or privately.

Kiimataari are natural swimmers and can hold their breath and dive fairly deep without pain. They're muscular, but their long torsos and comparatively short limbs mean that they're equally, if not more, comfortable in the water than on land. The weapon of choice is the Dduaala (one that chops; chopper), a thick one-handed machete that can cleave off limbs, or the Ikuanola (one that gores; gorer), a barbed whaling spear. They’re competent carvers and weavers, and they love making friends and learning other people’s stories. They’re fiercely loyal, especially within their clan, and have strong ideas of ethics--even those that practice piracy (not uncommon) live by a strict moral code. Think Omar from The Wire--he fucking kills people, but he never swears and children are not to be involved in gang life.

Kiimataari spirituality is semi-monotheistic, with the sea viewed as the progenitor--that from which all came--and a clan’s ancestors as links to the primordial spirit of the waters. All Kiimataari are buried at sea if possible--those that die on land are to be put to the nearest source of water. They’re deathly afraid of dying on the land--their eternal spirit will be unable to commune with the sea if that happens.

-2 Str +2 Wis