The Soa

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> The Soa
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> "*There are no bigger fish and no smaller fish, you will find only **sharks.**"*
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> -Jasoa, The Voyager
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The **Soa** are a ocean species of *humanoid water nymphs* that maintain a wider civilization known as **Alo'tua**, or *The Wave of God*. The Soa are a fiercely individualistic and independent sea people that originate from the Te'soa Atolls, a group of miniature archipelagos that form the tip of Akire's Chain. *[Heavily inspired by Southeast Asian and Polynesian cultures]* Soans are a collective community, who believe in working towards the equal benefit of all citizens and improving everyone's happiness. They find unity in solidarity, strength in diversity, and achievement in knowledge as their core tenants. Where there is a lack of political unity, there is a great amount of communal unity via the practice of rituals, festivities, and events carried out in the name of practicing their unique culture(s). The Soa are known for being the fastest sailors in Averya, due to their societal worship of the Ocean, and drawing their bloodline from the salty body of water.

## Regions

### Te'soa

Recognized as the birthplace of the Soa, and also known as **motherworld**, the **Te'soa Atolls** are a collection of miniature archipelagos at the end of the Akire Island Chain. It is famed as where all Soans originate from, coming out of the ocean and first stepping foot on land. It is the ideal location for the worship of The Ocean, due to how much water surrounds the Atolls. Te'soa is home to several small overland and underwater volcanoes that formed these Atolls, which gives the island its fertile and soil-rich environment, flowing with raw minerals and fresh fruit. Due to how little wood can be lumbered, the architecture of Te'soa is fit with stone reliefs and structures. As a political entity, it holds importance to the Soan identity as it the **Sacred Territory** in which all Soans may channel their greatest powers from.

#### Status

Currently (as of May 19th, 2023), Te'soa is home to the Tefemotu, It'la, and Sara Moha Civilizations.

### Sora

Also most commonly referenced as **Sora Island**, Sora holds the largest community of Soans outside of Te'soa, and is believed to be the first proper settlement. Settled 1,500 years ago, it has existed independently from the It is the birthplace of the School of Aninsula, and also the resident of the Moyai, *Laule*.

#### Status

Currently (as of May 19th, 2023), it is considered abandoned and under Hajima authority.

## People

   Although widly diverse in beliefs and practices, the Soa are **one species** and **one race**, so can be generalized into one section.

### Physicality

Although humanoid in appearance, Soans can take the appearance of any form through riggorous meditation and practice. However, most Soans appear as humans, with the only difference displayed by their hair, which depending on their personality, can change in form and movement. However, most common Soans are **athletic and agile, with bright colorful eyes**. It would be incredibly rare to find a Soan who isn't, as much of Soa's culture requires an individual to always be training/toning their body, and always energized (which changes the tone of their eyes).

#### Coloration

Soans are **dark reddish-toned**, and their skin nominally changes hue depending on how much sunlight a Soan may receive. This color does not change, even if a Soan practices a different *Mana* as all Soans are have said to come from clay. A Soan's hair can be colored in any shade & number of color, depending on their personality. The same applies to their eyes.

#### Height

A Soan male normally stands between 5 and 6 ft. (around **167 cm**.), whilst a Soan female stands taller at 6 ft. (**182 cm.**). The height difference is not known, and even more surprising this has minimally changed gender roles. However, this has led to Soans having more female warriors than male warriors. In some instances though, a male Soan can be taller than a female due to genetics, or even practicing in a different *Mana*.

#### Lifespan

Commonly, Soans never make it past the age of **fifty**, however depending on their standard of living, they make it past a few decades afterwards. However, Soans who dedicate their being towards always improving their minds, bodies, and specifically touching into certain *Mana*, they may double their life expectancy or even obtain eternal life.

#### Shapeshifting

The divine blood of the Ocean Goddess, Autua, is instilled in all Soans, gifting them their most recognized feature: Shapeshifting. Certain *Mana* can bestow a believer the abilties of their deity, along with their physical forms. A Soan may grow smaller, or taller, depending on how deeply they worship their *Mana*. However, not all Soans may look alike at the end of their "transformation", as their personalities also play a role in Shapeshifting. Depending on their emotional stability, their physical appearance may look radically different, or synonymous with their deity. Yet even the most emotionally capable Soan may display unique features only possessed by them.

### Culture

The culture of The Soa is centered around having unity in diversity.

#### Calendar

The Soan Calendar, known as the **Telagi Cycle**, is the ancient old way that the Soans told time, and still do. It works as so:

> 1 Real-Life Day = 52 Fortnights
> 1 Real-Life Week = 1 Year
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This practice, however, does not take into consideration the seasons that mainlanders experience, which would be winter and spring. This calendar was only made for the Te'soans to prepare for the Dry/Wet Seasons.

#### Art

**Colors** are the artistic focus of The Soa in many ways. A good example of this is **Pottery**, as Soan culture has perfected the quality of their clay and glazing - vases are integral to the way of life of Soans, as it's been the staple of storing goods to be ferried offshore. However, the Soans have found ways to change its coloration, giving noteriety to Soan craftsmanship as being the best location to learn how to create vases. Such use of color can also be seen in **Petroglyphs**, **Clothing**, and **Paper**.

#### Literature

Writing began under the Tefemotu Civilization, when Itou technology provided the means as to turn sugar cane skin into parchment to write in Itou characters. Before that, however, hieroglyphs were written on clay tablets in order to communicate ideas, stories, concepts, and histories. And before hieroglyphs, petroglyphs detailed events ranging thousands of years ago. Soan literature writes in the form of **epics** (detailing great deeds of great efforts of a people), **folklore** (detailing the legends of great mythical creatures and gods), and **studies** (offering knowledge on certain topics).

#### Music

**Gamelans** are a musical instrument that is primarily used by the Soa, along with **drums** and **flutes**. Music is necessary for rituals and celebrations in Soan culture.

#### Professions

**Sailors** are the prime profession of a Soan, as it is in their blood to travel the open seas. **Fishing** is the most wealthy profession for Soans to make a living, whilst also feeding themselves, their loved ones, and their communities. **Artists** are recognized far and wide as legendary if they hail from Soa, due to the availability of colors predisposed.

### Personality

The average Soan can vary in personality, but their personality may alter their physical appearance, and draw them more to a *Mana*. However, all Soans may share these attributes...

#### Common Likes

The average Soan is usually very **calm** and collected. They are passionate, but even the most extreme Soan can have their quietest moments. The Soans are extremely **emotional**, however. Pragmatism is not a common feature amongst the Soa, as it is a common trait to be **passionate**, and achieve one's goals no matter what fear or disposition one is at. **Adventurous** is the best way to describe a Soan. as they are always patiently looking forward to their next campaign.

#### Sexuality

It is not uncommon for a Soan to be seen with multiple husbands *and* wives, as the family unit is not something the Soans practice. Rather, it is the community that takes care of the people, not-so-much the parents. Most Soans, as a result, are familiarized with the community as a whole and there is less desire to keep families isolated. Sexuality is not something that really exists, as *love is something that can be shared with anyone* that a Soan may desire. Even outside of the Soan community, it is not uncommon to see Soans living with foreign bloods and having families with them. What is the most unique aspect of Soan sexuality, though, is how the use of **Face Paint** displays how they wish to attract a partner. A Soan may be looking for a female, and paint their face with colors that specify they are searching for a woman. And the same is true for a Soan searching for a male. If a Soan is searching for someone with a specific personality though, the patterns on their face and their color choice reflect what type of person they are looking for.

#### Tattoos

Accomplishments, personality traits, beliefs, or various forms of expression can be translated through a Soan's body tattoos. A Soan *never* tattoos their face, legs, or arms, strictly keeping tattoos on their **torso, chest, upper arms, and back**. All tattoos are arranged in repeating patterns.

## Civilizations

### The Blackstone Petroglyphs [4,000~ to 400~ Before Alo'tua]

Before the advancement of a writing system, history was detailed through the usage of illuminated paint on blackstone slabs. The illustrations describe the

## The Kai

> *"A drop can only spawn a ripple. The kai shall **wash the world away**."*
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**Kai** translates to "sea", and in Soan it has a wider meaning of being part of "**one body**". It is customary for all Soans to regard themselves as being ungovernable; to forcibly tether or hinder another Soan from unleashing their potential is pushing against Kai and self-destructive to yourself and your people.