Water Clan

Known for their versatility and malleability, the water clan includes members in many corners of the world. From the frigid north pole to muggy swamps, the water clan has settled in climates that would be inaccessible to other races, by learning to make their environment work for them.

Most members of the water clan stand between 5 and 6 feet tall. Their skin is usually darker than that of other human races, ranging from dark brown to deep tan. Both men and women alike wear their hair in longer styles, pulling it into traditional ponytails or knots. The water clan can typically be found wearing shades of blue, adopting the color in connection with their affinity for waterlacing.

Like most human races, a water clan member's individual lifespan is most often less than a century. However, the traditions and ideals of the water clan have stood the test of time, flowing and changing as society changes. With a long oral tradition of story-telling, tales of the water clan are passed down through generations, imparting wisdom and guidance as the clan continues to evolve.

Most waterlacers hail from the water clan. Waterlacing is seen as an exclusive ability of the water clan, and its practices and forms are seen as paramount to the continuation of the water clan. Many waterlacing masters travel around the world, visiting as many water clan tribes as they can, and learning as much about the various applications of waterlacing as they can. While nonlacing water clan warriors dress in polar animal motifs and use makeup to intimidate their enemies, waterlacer fighters are typically more subdued, dressing in simple clothes and allowing their abilities to speak for them.

The people of the water clan are the most likely to be those who live in the harshest of environments. The largest groups of people from the water clan currently reside on what remains of the Great Glacier after its retreat, in the Vast Swamp, and Gonghegua City. The people of the water clan call these places home, and rarely encounter others. Only those members who seek out adventure and travel are likely to have many meaningful interactions with other people. This makes the trinkets, weapons, and crafts of the water clan exceedingly rare in other areas of the world, and highly sought-after prizes.

The water clan does try to be welcoming and inclusive to others, while still setting themselves apart from other groups of people. The water clan trusts easily because they can endure the sting of betrayal more easily than others, and are often pleasantly surprised by those who genuinely deserve their faith.

Fire Folk. "The fire folk have a bad reputation, but only some of it is deserved. They can be gruff and quick to anger, but they're also just naturally boisterous and a lot warmer than people might expect."

Air Monks. "Air monks are great fun and fast friends. They've always got a great quip or interesting story to tell. Not being able to eat meat, though? I'm not sure about that."

Earth Kin. "The earth kin are so warm and welcoming. They don't have as much of a warrior tradition as we have, but not everyone needs to be a warrior."

Obake. "The obake are seldom heard from and seen even less. There are stories about obake who can waterlace as well, and who live under the ocean or under rivers. Are they lost tribes of the water clan, transformed into animal shapes?"

The people of the water clan usually form tight-knit communities that rarely venture beyond their own borders. Those of the water clan who do choose to travel are typically warriors, artisans, or traders. These members of the water clan still stick to the oceans and seas, keeping a connection with the water whether they are waterlacers or not. Warriors may be attempting to keep the peace between different factions of the water clan, or amongst different nations. Artisans and traders know the value of quality water clan goods, and know what it takes to make a profit from them.

Water clan names are bestowed on a child by its parents at birth. Due to the water clan's long oral history, many names are reused through the generations. Children are often named after famous warriors, hunters, or spirits in water clan lore. Water clan names favor hard consonants, especially "k" and "q" sounds.

Most members of the water clan do not have family names, relying only on a single name to identify themselves. Most communities in the water clan are small enough that no members in a single area share the same name.

Male Names: Aariak, Aassanaaq, Aippaq, Aklaq, Aklark, Amaruq, Anik, Ilannaq, Inuksuk, Irniq, Kanguq, Kumaglak, Nasak, Natsiq, Oki, Pakak, Petuwaq, Qajak, Qimmiq, Siluk, Taktuq, Toklo, Tulimak, Ugalik, Ukiuk, Unnuk

Female Names: Aluki, Anniagruk, Anyu, Apaay, Aputi, Availuk, Chikuk, Etsuuya, Higalik, Iqaluk, Kallik, Kunik, Naaqtuuqn, Nirliq, Nuniq, Nuvuk, Opik, Pikatti, Pimniq, Qaaynak, Ticasuk, Tikaani, Tupiq, Tuuq, Uki, Yakone