The cities of Elzano and Ravesso are in constant organized chaos: the water jammed with barges and gondolas; the quays thronged by sailors, merchants, porters, customs officials, tourists and pilgrims; the whole scene is a spectacle of chaotic unloading, shouting, hefting and petty theft. If a citizen of Portavas is after a calmer approach to life, they usually move to the Galene Islands. Just as busy, but perhaps not as frantic.
Crucial to The Republic of Portavas’ zeitgeist is the belief that parts of the world have not yet been discovered, and if they have been, they are forgotten and their secrets should be rediscovered. In recent years since the Fading, this belief has grown to include the idea that there may be places beyond the mist, and people cut off from the existing known Realms. Perhaps even areas of Portavas that were lost and the Fading has caused them to forget.
Maps, charts, and navigation skills are in the Nation’s blood. They represent freedom, but also control over the greater world. Much like the keeping of financial ledgers and books, maps record and preserve history. After losing so much, their importance in the culture can not be understated. For this reason The Republic is staunchly anti-colonialism, and against indentured servitude. The freedom to travel, grow, advance, trade, influence… These are all considered birth rights for all people. Acts of genocide or mass violence are seen as distasteful. The Nation would rather assimilate peoples cultures into them, rather than eradicate them. Land grabbing and claiming territory is not something they are interested in.
“The Price” is a common term for an expected social act in which each citizen is culturally encouraged to partake in. The Price is the act of giving back to the Nation and to the people. It can be as simple as acts of charity, or volunteering, but also acts of kindness when kindness is difficult. However, The Price works both ways. It is also taking what is owed when swindled or scammed. A pound of flesh is just as good as a pound of pearls in many cases.
Flags are used as quick ways to identify Families, Crews, and Merchant Houses. The symbols on each flag are very specific to the group. Many people will embroider or paint their groups flag on their clothing or weapons as a way of identifying each other on the field. Most images are nautical, animals are usually ones found in other known Nations. Occasionally more exotic images are used but this is rare and a reflection of times past and forgotten places. Flags are displayed with pride on each camp, and carefully folded for travel back to the ship when it is time to move.
If a Crew works for a larger Merchant House, they may be one of many. It is often the case that a Crew will have its own identifying Flag, as well as a separate flag for the Merchant House they sail for. Multi-family Crew may choose to have a smaller triangular flag to display under their ships flag, if a single Family is also a Crew, one flag usually serves.
Food is understandably dominated by seafood. Seaweed is used in almost every dish. But with trade comes the opportunity to try a bit of everything. Dried meats and fruit, as well as honey preserved grains are a staple for long voyages. Oil preserved vegetables are nearly always at hand in any household. Sun-dried tomatoes, garlic stuffed peppers, roasted artichokes, pickles, onions, fermented cabbage, all hold up well over long periods of travel.
Music is a mix of instrumental, guitar or string instrument, drum (or rhythmic clapping), and a hand held percussion instrument – such as an egg shaker, Cabasa, or castanets. Songs are often similarly rhythmic in feel, with a focus on travel, the love of the ocean, and morality tales of biting off more than you could chew; as often is the case in both love and business.
National Festivals
The Festival of Salt
This festival celebrates the bounty of the salt harvests, and is marked by a week of rest for the salt farmers. Salt can be purchased at a lower price than the rest of the year at this time, and there is a grand parade of giant salt sculptures, pulled across the land to eventually be sunk into the waves of the sea; a return of part of the bounty taken each year. The sculptures are pulled on sleds by organizations, merchant houses, schools, crews, and villages who pay for the privilege to do so. It is believed that sinking salt back into the sea will bring you luck in the coming year’s trade. Then a large feast is held, often shared among all taking part and observing.
Smaller similar parades happen across the world on this day for the citizens not at home during the celebration. A gift of salt will be given to all friends, and allies, and smaller symbolic sculptures (often just white clay) will be marched through town, to eventually sit at the center of a grand feasting table.
Armada Day
On this day all ships are cleaned, painted and decorated for a grand water parade. Ships take part in sailing races, crews compete in rowing competitions, and there are prizes for best decoration and longest distance traveled in a year, among other categories.
For citizens not at home this is a day to decorate their camps and their tents. Flowers, banners, bunting, flags, shells, pearls, beads; many people decorate according to a theme. Competitions like a sports day are held, including the “Boat Race” where people dress up as boats, usually with boxes around themselves, worn like fishing waders. There is a race, an obstacle course, and a “boat beauty pageant”.
The Feast of Pharos
Otherwise known as the “Night of Beacons”. This is a day for hope and remembrance. During the day citizens take time to remember those lost or missing at sea, those who have gone to the other side before them, and those they miss who may not currently be home. Songs and stories are told in their honor, and often performances take place recounting pivotal moments in Portavas’ history. At nightfall, great beacons are lit on the shore of the cities and islands to symbolically guide those lost at sea, so they can find their way home. While it can be seen as a somber festival, it also has elements of National pride and personal triumph. For those not at home, fires are lit in the evening, some grand, some as simple as a single candle. It’s not the size of the flame but it’s light that guides.
OC note: Sky lanterns and Fireworks are not allowed and must not be brought.
Realm Festival
Commonwealth Night
For those who happen to be in Hammerstadt in autumn, either by accident or design to avoid the strong coastal winds at that time of year, Portavians are included in a celebration of the Commonwealth and all the riches they have between them. Along with Urdrevan bands who shelter their beasts of burden in the agricultural district of Klarasburg, the port district of Corvolis ends up a home-from-home for Portavians, who are encouraged to set up impromptu market stalls in the streets during the day and once the sun has set, tourists and locals alike flock to see plays, singers, storytellers and entertainers of all kinds from across the Commonwealth perform on street-corner stages and tavern taprooms.