The Rendine

The political structure of the Rendine are that of a monarchy with an oligarchy.

Their governing council is called the Conclave. The Conclave is a group of eleven representatives, coming together to create and pass laws. They can also vote to remove and veto such laws. A representative's job is to work for the people of Nauticus and ensure their rights are safe. The odd number is to make sure there is never a tie in any vote. The Conclave has been known to use the Spire's wisdom and prophecies to help guide them through their decisions. The Spire often picks from the Imperials for the Conclave, through their future sight. Although, the Spire has picked from the Royals and the low class families. This often keeps things in order.

The only thing that can overturn the Conclave's judgement is the Royal family. The royals consist of Arasan, the king, and his wife, the Arasi. Their children are princes and princesses. The oldest male child will always have claim to the throne first, however, if no male child is born in the Arasan's reign, it will fall to the firstborn female, in which a tournament of her suitors will fight for the honor to be her Arasan.

The Imperials are their noble caste. These tend to be those of the Royals who did not have claim to the throne but grew up in the opulence of the lifestyle. Many marry outside this caste, bringing those middle or lower into the fold.

Being a somewhat socialist society, most do not go without when they live in the city proper. Everyone having access to food, housing, etc. Those living outside Nauticus have to tend to fend for themselves in those basic rights.

Rendine are not opposed to slavery, in fact, it is used as a punishment system.

It is unlikely a rendine slave ever becomes more than that again. This is how family lines soon become slave lines, because a relative or close ancestor committed a crime and now one must pay for them. Legacies are important to rendine and to have one stripped away in such a fashion is the ultimate punishment.

Slaves are bred and sold within Nauticus and outside of it, as well.

As a society, knowledge is revered. They are scholars. Historians and scientists are positions of well repute within their culture. Libraries and museums are prevalent, along side institutes of higher learning. Because of this, they hungry to know more about all things. The unseen places of the sea and the life of the landwalkers above.

Their magic falls into that of the arcane. Raw in power, but can be refined and used in many applications, such as power grids, portal systems, general sorcery, and batteries. Due to this, they have sophisticated magical technology, such as vehicles and databases. Rendine strive for modern day advances every day, leagues passed their counterparts on land who have only mastered steam and gear works technology.

The Rendine are a religious culture, being polytheistic. Many lesser gods and spirits make up there pantheon, but there are two major deities that they are centered around.

The first is known as Lun'kai. She is depicted as a pure white Rendine with golden markings, gems embedded over her form, and her eyes a bright, comforting blue. She is the waves, the moon, the light, the lifeblood, and magic. She is life. She is a mother. Her gaze is soft, but her judgement and decision making is as cool as the light that she brings. Lun'kai's beauty is nothing to be compared to. She is eternal, righteous, and just.

The other is called the Maw. The devourer, the consumed, the darkness, the whisperer. Seen as a fierce, dark entity, he was once known as Mah'lau. He was the shadow and guardian of Lun'kai, until she cast him out for trying to whisper domination and destruction in her ear, wanting to conquer the seas to devour the land. First, he was depicted as a strong ebony Rendine with red markings and eyes, a large red gem in his chest. Now, he has tentacles from his back, his gem ripped from his chest, leaving red scarring in its wake, mouth filled with razor teeth, jutting from his muzzle. When one hears his call, however, it is neither menacing or fear inducing, but soft, sweet, coaxing.

The myth goes that they were the first Rendine to exist. They were once lovers. The first Arasan and Arasi. It was torn asunder with Mah'lau's hunger for more. It is rumored that both still live among their devout. The Maw stealing those of Lun'kai. But these are just myths...

Other gods and spirits come in a variety of depictions and myths. More will be added when they are created or when players create them. Please feel free to add yours.