The Village of Morningside

        This village is composed almost entirely of washed-up or salvaged ship wreckage. As Morningside is the closest lutrai community to the Coral Maze, they generally have first pick of the lot, and it shows. The sandstone holts here have been upgraded with artifacts such as Erdani furniture, sail cloth, glass windows, and a countless assortment of other baubles and effects, most of which have been put to creative, if utterly misguided uses. Curiously, it is this common misunderstanding that has prevented outside influences from changing aspects of local culture. What's more, these items typically break before becoming too entrenched in village life. Elders here are very wary of what is brought back, typically confiscating anything dangerous. Weapons, gold, and anything associated with war are all thought to be haunted by 'evil spirits', who feed upon death and suffering.

        The chieftain of Morningside is a retired chainbreaker named Osee. Many of the village elders are, in fact, part of his old network, who fled the Tamaran islands with many slaves in tow in order to found what is now a thriving, fully-recovered community. Osee still operates in conjunctions with other more able chainbreakers, whether receiving and rehabilitating freed slaves, teaching the tricks of the trade, or simply providing information, and Morningside has become a haven for not only the lutrai freed from bondage, but occasionally other races as well. A small number of humans, elves, and koba have been absorbed by the tribe, and are treated just like any other lutrai, even if they can't swim as well. They have all learned to speak the native tongue of the lutrai and the koba, though most still retain the language of their birthright, or that of the Empire.

The Others

        Those rescued by Osee's chainbreaker network often have nowhere else to go, even the non-lutrai. They have adapted to life on the islands with relative ease, considering their conditions prior to emancipation, and though a few still lament life without civilization, none can dispute the value of freedom from the gorgish slave guilds. Eight humans, four elves, and a scattering of others make up only a small fragment of the population, but their influence can be seen quite clearly in both the architecture and the local dishes.

Mokatalis: A skolish gladiator rescued from the Atlas Arena, Mokatalis is certainly the most physically imposing of the villagers. Well over eight feet tall, he is a gentle giant with very little to say, having given up the sword for the sake of his rescuers and their way of life. He is painted in lutraic runes, and has been known to join their games from time to time. Mokatalis is very protective of his adopted tribe, though he often seems aloof and removed from the general cheer of the otter-folk.

Loril and Falco: A young elven couple rescued from czath headhunters, Falco and his betrothed, Loril, were among the first to set up in Morningside. Though a little embarrassed to be living in a sandstone holt, they have adapted very well to their new surroundings, and added their talents to the general pool. Falco crafts masterful instruments of all kinds, while Loril teaches archery to hunters and chainbreakers alike.

XXL: Certainly the most unusual of the non-lutrai villagers, this N-frame emerged from the unsettled coastal foothills when Morningside was first being constructed, and inexplicably began to assist the effort. Though it was quite unsettling at first, it was clear that the Machine meant the settlers no harm, and gradually they came to accept XXL as one of their own. Formerly a light construction model, the Machine has adapted its routines to village life, and the lutrai have painted its metal frame in the bright colors of the Equinox tribe. Unfortunately, XXL speaks and understands only the Creator tongue.

Fractal: Those gorgs who cannot afford Machine accountants typically settle for hoomiku. Fractal was one such slave accountant, keeping track of vast quantities of money until her master's pleasure ship sank in a storm off the Tamaran coast. Freedom has changed her a great deal; the once reserved and bookish girl now enjoys sailing and games just as much as her lutrai friends. Fractal helps plan new constructions, such as the sailcloth windmills, and has built a small observatory up in the foothills.

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