A Great Exodus
Before the Dusk Crusade, wayang lived in small cavern villages on the coast of the Edge of the World. These water carved stone caves opened directly onto ocean and the wayang became adept boat builders and sailors. Their size and ability to move deftly around a ship made them natural sailors.
When the Dusk Crusade roiled across the land, a demonic necromancer attacked these coastal villages, reanimating the wayang victims for further conquest. And so, the wayang set out on a perilous exodus, gathering their fleets and moving along the coast to find safe harbor. The small group grew in number as they sailed. The group finally found portage in a bayou along the Amin Coast. Rather than build new homes which they may need to abandon, the wayang simply connected their flotilla of ships with gangplanks. Thus, the city of Blackship was born.
When the Dusk Crusade roiled across the land, a demonic necromancer attacked these coastal villages, reanimating the wayang victims for further conquest. And so, the wayang set out on a perilous exodus, gathering their fleets and moving along the coast to find safe harbor. The small group grew in number as they sailed. The group finally found portage in a bayou along the Amin Coast. Rather than build new homes which they may need to abandon, the wayang simply connected their flotilla of ships with gangplanks. Thus, the city of Blackship was born.
The Floating City
Blackship is a collection of old boats which are permanently rafted together and connected by boardwalks. The oldest and largest ships lie in the middle of the city and are passed on to the oldest child who maintains their family name. Because there are no roads or avenues, the decks of all ships within the city are open to any who may need to pass through them. The culture of community created by this reality is one of neighborly comradery, though sometimes of this manifests as factions, cliques, and insider groups.
Crafter’s Fen
While much of Blackship is anchored in the water, the fens along the bay are filled with makeshift forges, old women sitting in chairs working on looms, jewelers mounting precious stones, mages crafting magical amulets, and chefs filling the air with smells of cooking fish. Because of Blackship’s vulnerability to fire, all forges and the like must be used outside the main city. Where the craftsmen set their forges, a bustling marketplace emerged. Now you can find almost anything your heart desires in the Crafter’s Fen. However, weapons, especially powerful magic weapons are not often available in Blackship.
The Buoy Shrines
Many in Blackship do not worship a specific deity, choosing instead to offer prayers to many gods at different times. In order to accommodate such worship, Blackship established the Buoy Shrines. This weathered mass of small shrines near the ship’s center is where many go to give offerings or pray to a specific deity. The shrines are mounted on buoys around a small platform where offerings are throws, and feature carvings or statues of deities. These statues are not permitted to have colored paint and brightly colored offerings are expressly forbidden in order to prevent them from being confused with buoys used for navigational aids. While some within Blackship worship a specific deity, the practice is often frowned upon and many of the faithful hide their devotion, worshiping at small shrines in their homes.
Fiddler’s Green
Burial in Blackship is a heavily ritualized affair. Because of the hordes of undead who forced the wayand into exile, the residents of Blackship are quite wary of burying whole bodies. Instead, the bodies are cremated on shore and the ashes are taken in a ritual procession to the ship known as Fiddler’s Green. This ship contains a garden blessed by Matsura, and as such so violence may not take place near the ship. The Fiddler’s Green departs at midnight, after which the boat sails far into the ocean and deposits the ashes.
Crafter’s Fen
While much of Blackship is anchored in the water, the fens along the bay are filled with makeshift forges, old women sitting in chairs working on looms, jewelers mounting precious stones, mages crafting magical amulets, and chefs filling the air with smells of cooking fish. Because of Blackship’s vulnerability to fire, all forges and the like must be used outside the main city. Where the craftsmen set their forges, a bustling marketplace emerged. Now you can find almost anything your heart desires in the Crafter’s Fen. However, weapons, especially powerful magic weapons are not often available in Blackship.
The Buoy Shrines
Many in Blackship do not worship a specific deity, choosing instead to offer prayers to many gods at different times. In order to accommodate such worship, Blackship established the Buoy Shrines. This weathered mass of small shrines near the ship’s center is where many go to give offerings or pray to a specific deity. The shrines are mounted on buoys around a small platform where offerings are throws, and feature carvings or statues of deities. These statues are not permitted to have colored paint and brightly colored offerings are expressly forbidden in order to prevent them from being confused with buoys used for navigational aids. While some within Blackship worship a specific deity, the practice is often frowned upon and many of the faithful hide their devotion, worshiping at small shrines in their homes.
Fiddler’s Green
Burial in Blackship is a heavily ritualized affair. Because of the hordes of undead who forced the wayand into exile, the residents of Blackship are quite wary of burying whole bodies. Instead, the bodies are cremated on shore and the ashes are taken in a ritual procession to the ship known as Fiddler’s Green. This ship contains a garden blessed by Matsura, and as such so violence may not take place near the ship. The Fiddler’s Green departs at midnight, after which the boat sails far into the ocean and deposits the ashes.
Governance
Blackship is a deeply communal city, and any wayang who lives within its borders may offer a rule, law, or measure for consideration. The wayang who presents the rule may elect to send the measure to The Ballots or to the Captain's Council.
The Captain's Council
Any wayang with the means and time to do so may sit upon the council and offer their opinion on a matter being discussed. When the Captain’s council debates a matter, each member offers their opinion on the subject at hand, going around the council chamber from oldest to youngest. Council meetings begin at sunrise and end at dusk. Those who have not spoken when the sun sets are simply denied input. After two days of commentary, the council presents a third round of opinions and casts a vote. If a yes or no vote is less than 60% of the council, the law moves to The Ballots for consideration.
The Ballots
Any wayang present in Blackship may claim a vote in The Ballots. This ancient vessel is blessed with generations spells for truth, unraveling illusions, fairness, and neutrality. When a law is submitted to The Ballots, or passes there from the Captain's Council, a copy of the law is posted in the Wayang language for all to read. Dissenting or supporting opinions are often penned by the Captian's Council and others, and placed with the law in questions. At the end of each week, before the weekly Gam, all Wayang of Blackship come to the Ballots to cast a vote on each matter at hand.
The Captain's Council
Any wayang with the means and time to do so may sit upon the council and offer their opinion on a matter being discussed. When the Captain’s council debates a matter, each member offers their opinion on the subject at hand, going around the council chamber from oldest to youngest. Council meetings begin at sunrise and end at dusk. Those who have not spoken when the sun sets are simply denied input. After two days of commentary, the council presents a third round of opinions and casts a vote. If a yes or no vote is less than 60% of the council, the law moves to The Ballots for consideration.
The Ballots
Any wayang present in Blackship may claim a vote in The Ballots. This ancient vessel is blessed with generations spells for truth, unraveling illusions, fairness, and neutrality. When a law is submitted to The Ballots, or passes there from the Captain's Council, a copy of the law is posted in the Wayang language for all to read. Dissenting or supporting opinions are often penned by the Captian's Council and others, and placed with the law in questions. At the end of each week, before the weekly Gam, all Wayang of Blackship come to the Ballots to cast a vote on each matter at hand.
The Gams
The people of Blackship celebrate the end of each week with an elaborate feast known as a Gam. Huge dishes are set out on the decks of each Wayang's home ship; the wealthiest members of Blackship often compete to create the most elaborate and delicious dishes, with some even hiring specialized cook mages to animate or sculpt elaborate creations of spun sugar, frosting, or cake. . Members brings their own plate and utensils, and walk through the city, eating and conversing.
Each Gam is accompanied by a sermon given by a member of the community. Any wayang can offer up a sermon, and topics are voted upon each month at the Ballots. The most popular sermons also honor specific professions or categories of people, who are given small, inexpensive gift bags which contain cookies, candy, small toys, tools, or coins. People come from far and wide to participate in certain Gams, usually those which honor them. It is both unlawful and deeply taboo to require someone to work during a Gam, and those businesses who request such work often are unable to find workers or customers.
Each Gam is accompanied by a sermon given by a member of the community. Any wayang can offer up a sermon, and topics are voted upon each month at the Ballots. The most popular sermons also honor specific professions or categories of people, who are given small, inexpensive gift bags which contain cookies, candy, small toys, tools, or coins. People come from far and wide to participate in certain Gams, usually those which honor them. It is both unlawful and deeply taboo to require someone to work during a Gam, and those businesses who request such work often are unable to find workers or customers.