Tore'e

1. Introduction

Tore'e are exceptional seamen perhaps the best on Majik. Their ships can be found moored at every port of the known world. Many are born far from their ancestral home often in the shadowy corners of ships or in the up stairs rooms of a wharf tavern. However all Tore'e are proud of their heritage and most return to their isle of Torell. Those who live on the Isle of Torell are commonly called Fisher people because fishing is a common occupation. Most Tore'e however prefer to transport cargo and passengers, mostly between Eastern Isles and Minartan. Their ships are small, durable, quick, can sail both in deep sea and up larger inland rivers and have, with the sure hands of a Tore'e crew, the almost magical ability to weather the harshest of storms.

Their ancestral lineage originates with the peoples of Thalamon. They came to the eastern Islands with the Zrei'gu'aiuo elves. The small tribe of the then Thalamon people started out as laborers and servants helping the elves cross the wilds of Minartan but through constant swindling by the dark elves they slowly became slaves to them. They reached Lanuin and stayed there for about 600 years as slaves to the elves at which time they rebelled and left Lanuin to settle on Torell. Since that time no Tore'e has set foot on Lanuin.

Sea life has made Tore'e strong and sturdy. They have weather beaten tanned skin usually blond, white or gray hair, bright green, blue or gray eyes and average a height of 176 cm for males and 165 cm for females. Tore'e don't need large cities because they spend most of their time at sea. They live in small wooden cities and villages on the coast of the Torell islands. They are peaceful people who see war either as a threat to business or an excellent opportunity for it. Though should the need arise their small fast ships are easily rigged for war. Tore'e aren't interested in magic but they are fanatic worshippers of the sea god Azoon and are shadowed in his favor.

2. Appearance

Tore'e have strong, fit, muscular builds due to the hard work required of all mariners. Their weather beaten, dark tanned skin and blond, white or gray hair often makes them look older than they actually are. This is betrayed though by the Tore'e deep set bright blue, gray or green eyes which appear ever young and hold an adolescent arrogance. On land the sea faring people of Torell move clumsily and appear out of place, but on the open sea, standing on the prows of their ships, they are as sturdy as rocks and move about deck with a sure foot during even the most turbulent of weather. Tore'e are seldom fat, which is mostly due to the hard labor required for sailing ships but also due to scurvy, dysentery foreign strains of influenza and cholera that often run rampant aboard ships and leaves sailors bodies toothless bald and wreaked. Men often wear beards but keep their hair short and often shaved. Women also keep their hair short. Average height of Tore'e males is 176 cm and weight 80 kg. Average height of Tore'e females is 165 cm and weight 60 kg.

2.1 Clothing, Weapons & Armors

On land and sailing in the waters near Torell the Tore'e wear drab brown spotty rain gear consisting of wide hooded long coats, boot covers and legging that is water sealed with rubber grown in the jungles of Zamurdi and human urine. Indoors and under the rain gear they wear wool sweaters and pants which are dyed with bright colors. Most common clothes are trousers, soft boots, sweater and cap which protects them from the sun. In warmer climate clothing is usually made of cotton and is warn loose. Also boots are not necessary in warmer climate and most prefer to go barefoot. Tore'e enjoy wearing gold and silver and both male and female adorn themselves with armbands, necklaces, bangles, rings and earrings made of these precious metals.

Tore'e prefer trade over war and do not support a permanent navy. However, their ships are often filled with weapons & armor. For hand to hand combat they prefer small short bladed weapons such as cutlasses, scimitars or daggers which are light weight, easy to carry and quick to unsheathe. They rarely wear armors but some who offer mercenary services as cargo guards do wear leather armor, and arm themselves with bows, pikes and heavier bladed weapons. All of the arms employed by the Tore'e is of foreign craftsmanship being that the lands of Torell lack any skilled weapons smiths.

3. History

Tore'e ancestral lineage originates with the peoples of Thalamon. There they resided in the western Delgrain forests near the Chain of Eldhelomin mountains as a small tribe of hunter gatherers. They came to the eastern islands with the Zrei'gu'aiuo elves, over a thousand years ago, during the Zrei'gu'aiuo's great hundred year migration to Lanuin. The small tribe of the then Delgrain forest people started out as laborers and servants helping the elves cross the wilds of Minartan but as generations of the human tribe came and went and through constant swindling by the Zrei'gu'aiuo they slowly became slaves to the elves. When they reached Lanuin the human tribe had grown in size but had lost all of their freedom.

Six centuries passed on Lanuin as the Zrei'gu'aiuo's aversion to human contact slowly led them to become absent masters. The humans were given more quarter in their daily lives and allowed to worship their own gods, slave master their own people, everything so long as the dark elves did not have to look at the human scum. It was at this time that the Tore'e began to master their seamanship skills being given the responsibility of sailing trade ships to the main land and the elven kingdoms to the south. Slowly discontent festered in the ranks of the humans and when the elves, whos' perception of time is slightly askew, finally began to tighten their grip it was to late.

The humans rose up and a bloody slave rebellion soaked the soil of Lanuin red. The war lasted for ten years and casualties where high, nearly half of the elf and human populations being killed. A peace was found about three hundred years ago when the humans sacked the Zrei'gu'aiuo's precious capital city of (NAME NOT DETERMINED YET). The humans were given the wild lands of Torell and three magical sea clocks that keep perfect time. Since the rebellion no Tore'e has set foot on Lanuin and no elf, Zrei'gu'aiuo or otherwise, has been allowed upon Torell soil. The location and possession of the seaclocks is unknown but believed to be still among the Tore'e people. The value of the clocks is immeasurable for with perfect time latitude can be fixed and the crossing of the Gray Ocean becomes possible.

4. Culture

Almost all Tore'e are either sailors and traders or fishermen and most travel to far off seas for years at a time. Some Tore'e have never even seen the isle from which they originate. Those Tore'e who hold permanent residence on Torell spend most of their time at sea fishing or handling local trade with the continent and the eastern isles. It is common for the skilled Tore'e to higher out their services to other foreign ships and lands as captains, pilots, navigators and common crew

Because of their sea life Tore'e have little need of large fortified cities and prefer to live in small open settlements of wooden construction. The homes in their towns of Hascron and Engarox are simple and well built. Simple, because of the little time they actually spend in their homes and well built because of the many skilled carpenters who also work in the shipyard. The Tore'e don't have many laws or taxes, they follow common trade laws.

As a people Tore'e are not hostel but are seen by those who trade with them as usurers and greedy because they extract high prices for their exotic goods and impeccable services. They are also viewed as highly honorable; it has been said at nearly every port in Majik that "Any man who claims he's been cheated by a Tore'e is a liar". Tore'e are both proud and sensitive about their reputation and take great offense to any slander to their name as well as any pirating and theft of transported cargo by fellow Tore'e. They have been known to go to extreme lengths to hunt down any rouge Tore'e ships and sink them giving no quarter to pirate ship's drowning crews.

Tore'e show little interested in magic, scholarship or literature but most of them can read and write. They are fanatic worshippers of Azoon god of the sea making large and valuable sacrifices in their temples which is believed to be the main reason why the sea gods tend to favor them.

4.1 City Life

Tore'e have only two permanent cities on the islands of Torell for most of them prefer life as traders and sailors. Nearly all Tore'e who decide to live more stable lives as fishermen, tavern keepers and ship carpenters reside on the Torell Islands. All Tore'e, including those born far from the isle who have never seen Torell eventually return to Torell following a deep rooted mystical pull. Some say say it is a magical curse cast upon the Tore'e when they were enslaved by the Zrei'gu'aiuo as a means of preventing escape.

Most Tore'e who hold permanent residence on the islands live within its two cities. Cities are mostly built from wood because there is very little stone on the islands or any skilled masons. People who live in the cities spend most of their time at the sea fishing and trading on the continent or south with the elves and generally only reside on land for winter when the heavy winter storms make sailing difficult and dangerous.

Most skills such as trade, ship handling and fishing are learned at sea but there are also some craftsmen within the cities who often take apprentices. Both cities have large shipyards which built excellent ships that are sold to both Tore'e and Foreigners. Mercenary services can also be purchased in Engarox which offers cargo guards. There are numerous taverns filled with guides, navigators and other seamen. Cities have also many shops and markets which offer a wide range of goods and exotic foods.

Temples, mostly through rich people, run the cities, they are responsible for maintenance, public sanitation and order. Tore'e cities do not have schools. temples are responsible for basic teachings such as writing and reading as well as converting pupils into worshippers of the sea god Azoon.

4.2 Law And Order

Tore'e do not have much in the terms of written laws, instead they rely more upon their deep sense of honor and tradition. This honor extends to every part of Tore'e life, a person is nothing if not his word. If a Tore'e brakes a deal, steals, or lies he will be shunned by all of Tore'e society and cast out never allowed to return to the Islands of Torell or to deal with fellow Tore'e. This facet of Tore'e society is in direct opposition to the structure of the Zrei'gu'aiuo elves' society to the north on Lanuin and is considered by Tore'e as the last rebellion against their former masters.

Each city is lead by a city council which consists of all it's inhabitants. The council decides punishments and votes upon legislation. The City councils sit once a month, however to have legal power council meeting must have at least 30% of all citizens present. If legislation gets majority votes behind it, it's accepted and even those who are not present must obey the decisions made there. Legislature at council rarely deals with taxes.

4.3 Sea life

Though all Tore'e originate from the Isle of Torell, many of them are born at sea or in the upstairs of a marine tavern far away from their homeland. Cities are resting spots for most Tore'e, safe havens from winter storms or were they can empty bulges, reseal hulls, buy supplies and hire new crews for their ships. Many Tore'e are born at sea, live at sea and die at sea. Children learn the art of trade and sailing as well as reading and writing from parents, seamen and passengers.

Tore'e sea farers are honorable people who respect trade pacts and common sea law. Of all Seafarers Tore'e are the least likely to practice piretism and view such behavior as abominable. This does not mean that they don't, from time to time, smuggle contraband. Tore'e abhor slavery and will not engage in their transport. Tore'e will attempt to liberate any slave ships they come in contact with if they have adequate forces. Tore'e sailors tend to be more fanatical in their worship of the sea gods than those who hold permanent settlements in the isles.

4.4 Food & Trade

Tore'e are excellent sea traders and perhaps the best in the world. They travel to nearly all ports of the known lands of Majik. They produce little on their home land that is exported but instead buy cheap from foreign lands and sell it where it is in demand. The Grain fruit and spices produced in Althianon is sold throughout the world as well rubber grown in Zamurdi are but two examples. On the Islands fish is a common staple produced there some wool and lamb is grown as well. Most house hold do tend gardens of vegetables but all other foods are imported and usually sold at above average prices found elsewere in Majik. Few smiths live on the islands and the vast majority of the metal items owned by the Tore'e is produced elsewhere. Most trade in the Torell islands passes through Engarox where the main port of Torell is located. The city of Hascron is a larger city though and most fishermen reside here. Most ships are built here as well which are one of the Tore'e main exports. They sell their fine and expensive ships all through the the three known continents of Majik.

4.5 Military

Tore'e are not warriors but this doesn't mean that they are incapable with weapons. Even if they don't have military training they use their weapons quite well and what they lack in melee combat, they win in ship battle. Their small ships are very fast, surprisingly durable and easy to arm with small catapults or ballista. In sea battle they often easily evade both shots from larger ships and the ships itself and at closer range fill those ships with burning quarrels from their ballista.

4.6 The Zrei'gu'aiuo Elves

The Tore'e were once swindled into slavery by the Zrei'gu'aiuo but through a bloody rebellion regained their freedom some three hundred years ago. Tore'e have a vivid written and oral memory of this experience. Because of this the Tore'e are very protective of their lands and people. They act aloof to strangers and even more so to non Zrei'gu'aiuo elves. They have no contact with the Zrei'gu'aiuo despite their close proximity to the island Lanuin. They stay well away from their ships but do spy on them from time to time. Information of ship movements of the Zrei'gu'aiuo is spread quickly among the Tore'e. Each of their ships names is known as well as common shipping lanes they take. Small sea battles have occurred in the past but usually are just some fired arrows and few ships have sunk on either side because of it. No elves are allowed on Tore'e and the sea god priests use magic to test suspicious foreigners for any illusions or disguises.

4.7 Philosophy & Temperament

To other races, both human and otherwise, the Tore'e are viewed as distant and sullen. They do not speak of their personal lives to strangers and generally only talk of trade. The reason for this is that Tore'e distrust outsiders and view them as lacking honor. Their society as a whole is still deeply scared from their ancestral experiences as slaves of the Zrei'gu'aiuo elves. They were tricked by the elves into slavery and see getting to entrenched with foreigners as a risk to their freedom. They do view the Zrei'gu'aiuo with much disdain and greatly distrust all elves. They do trade with the elves in the south but keep such transactions strictly business level and rarely spend more then a night at elven ports. They do not have any dealing with the Zrei'gu'aiuo and will refuse to transport anyone, regardless of the price, to the island of Lanuin.

Among fellow brethren Tore'e are more relaxed. They drink, boast of their travels and engage in merriment. In general when in the company of their fellow Tore'e are like any human and engage in normal social relations. Although Tore'e are mistrusting of strangers they will give out information obtained from their travels freely but in such a way that it will not elude to their personal experiences. Instead they will give descriptions of lands and peoples as if reading from a text book.

5. Religion

The Tore'e are fanatical worshipers of their sea god Azoon. In response to this worship Azoon is very giving to his followers bestowing them with good waether for sailing and magic for the priests. In day to day life a typical Tore'e will pray to Azoon about five times a day. Three of these daily times are designated by the church and are required by all good Tore'e if they want fair sailing and a place in Azoon's Paridise under the Ocean after their deaths.

The church of the Tore'e is a very powerful entitity on the Torell islands and in the lives of sailing Tore'e. As stated eirlier the church has control of the local city governments and priests usualy head dicusions and debates at council meetings. At sea a priest is traditionaly designated to each Tore'e ship. Upon the ship the priest will tend to the spiritual needs of the crew and will help in the day to day tasks of sailing. The ship's priest is usaualy considered fourth in command under the captain, the pilot, and first mate and in fact shares in a small percentage of the ships earnings which goes dirrectly to the church.

Athough Azoon is the excusive god of the Tore'e he is is not worshiped exclusivly by Tore'e. Many sailors pay homage to him and worship him as their exclusive god. Missions can be found at most major sea ports around the world of Majik. At missions priests of Azoon convert new worshipers but also play a key role in diplomatic trade relations with forign ports. Priests of Azoon are very educated and are tought to speak several languages. As such to often act as translators for Tore'e captians trying to sell thier goods. The missions also keep relations with forign ports. If the local port athority wishes to discuss trade relations with the Tore'e they will first go the local Azoon mission. Tore'e traders also use the misions to glean information about trading, customs, local laws, and good inns to stay at. Of course the Tore'e will also worship there and almost always contibute a small sum of money to the missions coffers.

The head of the Azoon church is located at Griklen temple. At the temple sits the churches Hierarcy and where policyies regarding the administaration of the missions are decided. Most priests study here for a time in their early years to learn the ways of Azoon. Although there are non-tore'e priests few are allowed to advance to the upper tiers of power within the church. They do come to Greklin though to study and are common within the missions.

Cerimonial worship of Azoon is conducted weekly by all worshipers on the last day of the week. It is a formal afair conducted by a priest and consists of reading, prayers, a sermin, and drinking of water that contains a drop of blessed sea water which represents the blood of Azoon.

Both men and women can be priests and marrage is allowed among them.

6. Language

The language of the Tore'e is a guttural form of Tiala which is the common tongue spoken by elves. They speak this language because of the heavy influence the Zrei'gu'aiuo had upon them during their enslavement. The Zrei'gu'aiuo, at the time of the Tore'e's slavery, would not let them speak in the Zrei'gu'aiuo's own language Zadicc viewing it as a desecration to their fine language. Instead forced their slaves to learn Tiala preferring it over the Tore'e's long forgotten ancestral human language. The only Zadicc word in the Tore'e's vocabulary is the word "Tore'e" which is what the Zrei'gu'aiuo called the humans, after the slave rebellion, as they left Lanuin for Torell as freemen. It translates roughly as "Shit of Torell" "Tore" being the Zadicc word for Torell and "'e" being a common euphemism spoken by the elves to describe humans meaning in literal terms, "shit". The Tore'e know full well what the meaning of their name is but keep it as a badge of honor to remind them of the price of freedom.

Tore'e hold vast influence over the sea trade of Majik and because of that the Tore'e guttural form of Tiala is commonly spoken at all trading ports, human or otherwise.

7. Torell

Torell is small forest island located south-east from Lanuin. Unlike Lanuin, Torell is mostly covered with deciduous forest with some grassy plains in the north. Weather in Torell is mild for its northern location and wet all around the year. the Isle is surrounded with shallow rocky shores, as Lanuin is, making it very difficult to approach Torell from any direction. Only the Tore'e, who inhabit the isle, know how to tack the shallow waters surrounding the isle.

8. Role-playing

Names
In the words of Beregar "I demand names that has preferably have nothing to do with any real life languages. Structure of name must be suitable for their language (check words). If I, or preferably players of this race find some person using unsuitable names there will be punishment of some sort, like creation of new character. Should same person continue violating these rules and I'll see personally that he or she won't play Majik anymore."(Although I probably don't have that kind of power:) )
Battle
In general the Tore'e avoid violent situations and prefer diplomacy to war. If pressed though they can use a sword. The Tore'e prefer light weight weapons such as daggers scimitars cutlasses etc. They also employ bows when on ship and engaged in nabel battle and use balistia as well often lighting the tips of arrows or bolts with fire in the hopes of seting the enimies sails and ship aflame. Armor is generaly a liablity in navel warfar and mostly avoided.
Religion
The Tore'e are fanatical devotees of their god Azoon. They pray often and at least 3 times a day but usaly 5 times. On the last day of every week the attend mass conducted by a Azoon priest if such a mass isn't possible they will conduct a simple mass alone or among other Tore'e. They are also expected to give 30% or more of their earnings to the Azoon church. This is often done at missions at forign ports. The first stop for any Tore'e at port is the local mission if one exists, there they can expect shelter a place to pray and magical help if the Tore'e need healing and such. They also can get help with deplomacy, translaitions and reach possibible trade contacts through the priests there. The missions expect to recive contibutions from any passing Tore'e with profits to be shared but will also help any Tore'e that is down on his luck. All of this holds true for any dovout worshiper of Azoon.
Magic
The only magic that the tore'e use is religiuse in nature or purchased items. As of the writting of this text no known Tore'e majitians exist. Such a Tore'e would be considered an afront to the Azoon church and to his fellow Tore'e
Philosophy
All Tore'e are entrepunuers at heart. As such they make almost the perfect adventures. They seek fame and fortune through travel. Although most travels are prefered to be by sea it is not inconceviable for a Tore'e to travel inland for adventure. Tore'e are exeptionaly honerable and view lying and cheating as the most lowest of sins. They are also very intorverted among foregners. They distrust stangers to a fault. It is impossible for a Tore'e to ever truely trust a non-Tore'e. They are even more distrusting of elves and would never show true freindship to one.
Joshua Corning
Last modified: Fri Oct 8 04:28:56 PDT 1999