The Harkoma

The Harkoma are navigators and explorers. They do not have cities, instead living on clan ships in the Bein Ocean.
== Culture, Beliefs, and History ==
The Harkoma almost solely worship the god of wind, Ikait, with minor tributes to Cera. They believe that Ikait controls a sailor's fortune, and to bring good luck one must make sacrifices to the god. Blood sacrifice is the most powerful, bringing with it good health and fair winds. This eventually resulted in human sacrifice by capturing other ships and giving their lives to Ikait, leading to hundreds of inter-culture battles.  
The Harkoma began to die out as more and more of the clan ships were lost to such battles, until the practice of human sacrifice was banned by the Tauro clan, which eventually rose to greater power among the Harkoma until they were the equivalent to royalty.  
Nearly a century after the banning of human sacrifice, the Torpaq clan attempted to overthrow the Tauro clan and were banished from the Bein Ocean. The Torpaq clan went on to found Pogol City. The Harkoma continue to practice sacrifice for luck, using animals they capture on unexplored lands rather than humans of captured ships.  
Once a year the clans gather for a celebration where they count lives gained and lost, compare spoils, and recount tales of newly explored lands. This is when inter-clan marriage contracts are signed and often carried out. 
== Economy and Trade ==
While the Harkoma trade prolifically, they prefer not to weigh down their ships with bullion. They instead collect wealth in the form of more immediately useful supplies such as fresh water, rope, and new ships. The cargo from a single clan ship can provision the crew for nearly five months at sea, if need be.
The Harkoma primarily trade in pelts and curiosities from lands unknown to the coastal cities bordering the Bein Ocean. Their most popular items are the deep blue pelt of the soialla, fire glass from the mountains of Ahnnim, and weaving from the spider-like creatures of the Betta Isles. The products of Harkoma trade are found in nearly every artist's or clothier's shop along the West Coast.
Category:Sovereign People