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“Your desires and your heart have a very real impact on my world. So I’m here to correct your mistakes.”
- Kosal, Court of Dreams dreamer.
To the south of Hunlua and Yonakai rests a place where tales tell of strange and beautiful creatures, appearing as men and women with strange eyes and hair the colour of flowers. According to local legends, these people were once loved ones whose karmic debts went unpaid, causing their spirits to be warped by a dreamscape beyond the veil before being returned to their world through the roots of a great tree. To some extent, this is true, as the original Soben came from a world made of dreams and nightmares that touches this one in the realm that is felt in both sleep and the edge of death, with some believing that it is a place where the souls of the dead visit dreamers.
Their world is a strange one, influencing the Soben not only in mind but also in spirit and appearance, with some taking on the appearance of those that have passed (even unwittingly taking on the appearance of those that have recently died as some strange cosmic copy). Those that reside on this island are the descendents of these Soben, who carry the traditions of their forebears. Torn from their own world, they see this world as a dream world, a false world they have been banished to because of some misdeed of their ancestors that tipped the karmic balance of their lives for good or ill.
This has led to many of them seeking to bring balance to the scales of karma with others, some even going so far as to influence evil into an early grave or encourage kindness by rewarding good deeds with gifts. However this quest for balance means that while they may seduce an evil man into the jungle to his death, they are just as likely to lure a man who has done too much good to balance the scales.
Appearance
Appearance
Influenced by the Dream, many Soben tend to have the faces they wore in their "past lives", along with their names; however, their bodies have gained a strange mutation of horns that resemble the branches of a tree, strange eyes, and hair that could be from any part of the rainbow; however, their memories (of their past life, if they have one) are long gone and will never return to them. For the most part, except for their unique features, the Soben will somewhat resemble their Hunluan and Seutai neighbors, though generally with much more tanned skin.
Their clothing tends to consist of brightly coloured lengths of cloth that are worn in many different styles. From simple robes wrapped around them to pants, their clothing is quite versatile.
170-190cm in height.
Lifespan
Lifespan
Many Soben will live up to 130 years of age if they have had good lives.
Religion & Beliefs
Religion & Beliefs
The Soben see a balance of the world that must be maintained, for both good and bad. As they have perceived their lives as outcasts for unbalanced karma, they have taken it on themselves to correct the balance of the world. Because of this sense of balance, some attribute this to Ouros, and there are perhaps enough shrines to support this.
Geography
Geography
Kaohnei Soben is an island just off the southern coasts of Hunlua and Yonakai. Much of the island is filled with tropical jungle, while in the center lie a few mountain peaks that have been overgrown by the jungle as well. The beaches of Kaohnei Soben are among the best in the world, with palm trees a plenty and warm waters that entice many to enjoy them.
Society
Society
The Soben are led by the council of balance, which consists of the leaders of the island's largest towns. These people are responsible for maintaining peace within their lands, as each oversees the region around their town, ensuring that their people survive. Most Soben have some proficiency in growing or gathering food, with many being fishermen or tending to crops during the day and doing their best to ensure that they maintain a balanced life in all aspects.
Architecture
Architecture
Soben homes tend to be thatched huts made of wood and palm, often set off the ground. Stone buildings tend to be important structures and usually communal, as well as being incredibly ornate.
Wealth & Trade
Wealth & Trade
The Soben are not wealthy people; to them, money is a distraction from balance, though a necessary one. Textiles and pottery are common exports, as the Soben have their own unique styles.
Slavery
Slavery
The soben see slavery as a deficit in the balance of their lives and do not participate in such acts. Some will go as far as to attack slavers and attempt to free slaves as an attempt to right the imbalance they perceive it to be.
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