Sea Father's Chosen (The Athair Mara)
Overview: The Athair Mara (Sea Father's Chosen) are one of the most legendary mariners of all time and the true founders of the nation of Prealith. It is their influence that made Prealith into a meritocracy and a premier trading nation. However, their influence also gradually turned the southern part of Prealith into Slavers' Bay and the Robber Coast. The Athair Mara's homeland is a barren and relatively resource poor piece of isolated coast across the Eastern Ocean - so they turned to the sea. The Athair Mara became not only consummate sailors, but also the most feared naval fighting force. While their marines were relatively ill suited to large scale land combat, pirates and other nations would steer clear of Athair Mara merchant ships, let alone their warships/raiders. Athair Mara boarding techniques were fierce, unforgiving, and brutally effective - especially combined with unequaled seamanship. Their ships became even more feared when their contingents, which included the Sea God's clerics, were augmented by the surviving pockets of Dawntreaders that they found. No one is sure why the Athair Mara went out of their way to find the shattered remnants of the Dawntreaders, but it became obvious to other ships when Athair Mara tactics could include punishing arcane attacks as well. The vast majority of these Dawntreader refugees (some were even slaves before bought and freed by the Athair Mara) were brought from the East and settled in Prealith - which became more of a homeland to the Athair Mara then their true origin place.
Player Characters: The Athair Mara have ancestral ties with every group/class except for the Magelords. The sea going wizards of Prealith are descended from a mix of Athair Mara and Dawntreader ancestors shipped in by the Athair Mara. They tend to specialize in magic suited for ocean travel and combat. The Wanderers were likely passengers on Athair Mara ships when they arrived and apparently the relationship was very friendly... Those of Athair Mara descent are fighters, rogues, clerics, and just about any class. However, the more Athair Mara blood an individual has, the more likely he/she is drawn to the sea.
Appearance: A traditional Athair Mara has very dark brown skin, prominent jaw, cheekbones, and nose. Their hair is quite curly and black or dark brown. Athair Mara people tend to be well muscled and somewhat stocky in build. They are of average height or a bit shorter (their build makes them seem a bit shorter). Athair Mara sailors favour elaborate tattoos and light or no armour. They prefer short heavy swords.
Locations: Salt water or any land adjacent to salt water.
Known Characteristics: Fierce warriors and canny traders, the Athair Mara are the world's premier sailors, marines, and traders. The Athair Mara identity is totally centered around life on board a ship. Captains have unquestioned authority during times of action; but all captains are elected to their office by their crew and the election is confirmed by the other captains of the fleet. Unbiased merit is their only yardstick. The same holds true of all other positions on board. Athair Mara crews are well known for adopting sailors from enemy vessels who demonstrate extreme competence and/or bravery. If that trust is betrayed, the punishment is brutal; but, it says a lot about Athair Mara society that the new crewmen almost never betray that trust. There are far more cases where an adopted crewman rises to the level of captain or above... The Athair Mara run their governments the same way and established that pattern for Prealith. Athair Mara women enjoy complete equality with the men. Unlike some other human races, the Athair Mara care neither about ancestry nor appearance; to them, the here and now is all that's important and how able and worthy the person is that is standing before them. As a result, the Athair Mara have the most 'relaxed' attitude to relations between the genders.
Rumoured Characteristics: It is rumoured the link between the Dawntreaders and the Athair Mara go back to their first ventures out from the Athair Mara homeland. Also, the Athair Mara are reported to have known where to go exactly to follow in the steps of the Dawntreaders.
Human Genetic Groups (Overviews)
Player Characters: The Athair Mara have ancestral ties with every group/class except for the Magelords. The sea going wizards of Prealith are descended from a mix of Athair Mara and Dawntreader ancestors shipped in by the Athair Mara. They tend to specialize in magic suited for ocean travel and combat. The Wanderers were likely passengers on Athair Mara ships when they arrived and apparently the relationship was very friendly... Those of Athair Mara descent are fighters, rogues, clerics, and just about any class. However, the more Athair Mara blood an individual has, the more likely he/she is drawn to the sea.
Appearance: A traditional Athair Mara has very dark brown skin, prominent jaw, cheekbones, and nose. Their hair is quite curly and black or dark brown. Athair Mara people tend to be well muscled and somewhat stocky in build. They are of average height or a bit shorter (their build makes them seem a bit shorter). Athair Mara sailors favour elaborate tattoos and light or no armour. They prefer short heavy swords.
Locations: Salt water or any land adjacent to salt water.
Known Characteristics: Fierce warriors and canny traders, the Athair Mara are the world's premier sailors, marines, and traders. The Athair Mara identity is totally centered around life on board a ship. Captains have unquestioned authority during times of action; but all captains are elected to their office by their crew and the election is confirmed by the other captains of the fleet. Unbiased merit is their only yardstick. The same holds true of all other positions on board. Athair Mara crews are well known for adopting sailors from enemy vessels who demonstrate extreme competence and/or bravery. If that trust is betrayed, the punishment is brutal; but, it says a lot about Athair Mara society that the new crewmen almost never betray that trust. There are far more cases where an adopted crewman rises to the level of captain or above... The Athair Mara run their governments the same way and established that pattern for Prealith. Athair Mara women enjoy complete equality with the men. Unlike some other human races, the Athair Mara care neither about ancestry nor appearance; to them, the here and now is all that's important and how able and worthy the person is that is standing before them. As a result, the Athair Mara have the most 'relaxed' attitude to relations between the genders.
Rumoured Characteristics: It is rumoured the link between the Dawntreaders and the Athair Mara go back to their first ventures out from the Athair Mara homeland. Also, the Athair Mara are reported to have known where to go exactly to follow in the steps of the Dawntreaders.
Human Genetic Groups (Overviews)