So, I was flipping through Stormwrack, and I found the race that was in the excerpt which made me want to buy it in the first place, the Darfellans. So, here is my interpretation of how their culture should work. Because, let's face it folks, lycanthropic orcas are just a really dumb idea.
In ages past, humans have settled the coast. Simple fishermen with nets and spears making a simple living off the sea. Oftentimes, they would build shrines from coral and the bones of their catches, in reverence to the great spirit of the sea which provided for them. Now, over many years this simple respect developed into an entire religion with churches, clergy, and riuals in abound. Upon noticing this practice, the incredibly enevolent deity of the ocean approached his followers and inquired of their willingness to join him in the waters. When the people responded with a unanimous yes, he granted their wish. Given new forms of great strength and durability, along with an amphibious nature, the people of the coast became the people of the sea.
In current times, the Darfellans inhabit the clear blue waters off the southern coasts, dwelling in coral palaces and relishing in their favor. ere they continue a peaceful existence living off the bounty of the sea and trading with the shore-dwellers for worked metal and other goods.
It should be noted however, that some of the hardier Darfellan have chosen to dwell in the northern seas, in hidden caves amongst the shoals of the rocky coast. Here, they live out a warriors existence, carrying out an endless war against the Sahaungin. skilled in battle, they train their whole lives in an effeort to contain this sanguinous threat inside the cold, black waters of the Sea of Storms.
All Darfellan continue to follow the Master of Waves and Mistress of Tides to this day, despite the fact that only the Master gave them their forms and blessing.
So, thoughts?
I am so tempted to replace Darfellans with Half-Sea Giants in Ferakoss, you have no idea.
And while your writing skills are undeniable, Nat, you haven't really put much weight on the 'keep the darfellans' side.
I guess I wasn't so much trying to convince someone to keep them as giving them a better backstory. I personally think lycanthropic orcas are really dumb, as mentioned earlier. I will most likely use Darfellans in my new setting, and if I do, this is how I would do it.
I think it is a cool idea that takes away the silliness you mentioned. However, I hope you don't mind if I steal this idea for the sea-peoples near my Republic of New Edom. I had been kind of wondering how they saw themselves and this gives me some sense of that.
No problem at all, I'm just glad somebody read it. You might consider checking out my interpretation of Sahuagin, since you mentioned some issues on how to use them in your setting. I'm pretty sure there's a link at the top of this page.
In reality what you wrote was the race's origin. This will have almost no impact on the race itself. The only real content you provided is this:
Quote from: Natural 20Darfellans inhabit the clear blue waters off the southern coasts, dwelling in coral palaces and relishing in their favor. ere they continue a peaceful existence living off the bounty of the sea and trading with the shore-dwellers for worked metal and other goods. All Darfellan continue to follow the Master of Waves and Mistress of Tides to this day, despite the fact that only the Master gave them their forms and blessing.
So let's see...
1. Darfellans live off the southern coast.
2. They live happy, quiet lives.
3. They sometimes trade with surface-folk.
4. They worship two dieties.
Is that it? What about diet, culture, architecture, politics, society, art, trades, personality or language?