Quick facts
Government - Tribal/diarchy
Religion -
Ethnicity - Selkie
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Earth equivalent - Arctic circle
The arctic selkies are two groups of selkies that mainly live off the northern coasts of Kessix and Hylden.
GOVERNMENT
Most seafolk don't have a larger government to speak of, but the same cannot be said about Selkies. The two bands of selkie, Kessixian and Hyldenic, have two distinct governments. All selkies are represented by a confederation, with eight clans of Kessixian selkie and five clans of Hyldenic selkie. The rulers are mainly determined by clan affiliation and have no set territory, with the exception of the Fjollvan clan of Hyldenic selkies. They follow the tradition of the Vityr of the Fjollvan islands and control a territory consisting of the shallow protected waters of the islands. Practically, however, most selkies remain within a certain distance from land or islands, and choose to stay away from waters that aren't regularly occupied by their own clan.
Kessixian clans: Pebble, Seaglass, Ringed, Whale, Kelp, Polar Bear, Sunback, and Lighteye
Hyldenic: Full Moon, New Moon, Grey, Sandy, and Fjollvan
CULTURE
Selkies are known for being the most social of the seafolk with the exception of merfolk, living in large clans that can have around 150 selkies at a time. Each selkie maintains a network of trading partners and romantic partners, since selkies are notably relaxed in their relationship attitudes. Marriage is not a formal ceremony in Selkie culture, since each selkie usually has anywhere from 2-5 partners at any given time. Children are raised by the entire village, but live with their mother and associate with her family.
Selkies are lovers of art, and since they are one of a few primarily non-nomadic seafolk, they keep a lot of tools and objects in their roosts. this can include woven mats out of sea-grass or traded textiles; cups, containers, and sculptures out of rocks and bone; and collections of ceremonial clothing.
Kessixian selkies usually forgo clothing outside of ceremonial purposes, but Hyldenic selkies, due to strong contact with the vityr of the Fjollvan islands, wear clothes of hide or braded rope. Ceremonial clothes are usually very decorated with a mix of bone beads and detailed knotwork. Kessixian selkies decorate themselves instead with tattoos on their fins and arms.
Selkies are fishers by nature, and many spend most of their time hunting in pods. These pods are often more close-knit than the rest of the community, containing one or more partnered groups. Young selkies are allowed to join hunts at the age of 14, and are usually given tasks like carrying nets or herding fish. Older selkies tend to small gardens of kelp and seagrass, which are eaten or turned into nets and baskets.
Younger children are brought up by the village and taught by elders. In order to be considered self-sufficient, selkies learn how to weave, prepare fish, forage, apply basic first aid, and defend themselves.
Children and adults play many games, the most popular of which is played with a ball of woven seagrass stuffed with kelp and pebbles so it sinks slowly. The group splits into teams. The teams pass by dropping it to a waiting selkie until they make it to one of the end goals.