Also known as “Drifters” or “Floaters”. The
Sea Gypsies are a race of humans that live almost entirely on their ships. They
spend their lives sailing the
Sea of Chaos, the
Sapphire Main and the
Henari
Sea. They range along the southern coasts of
Ithria and western coasts of
Qeshir – from
Karth to
Anquar - always moving, always trading.
No one knows for sure how many sea gypsies there are. Scholars estimate their numbers to be between one hundred and two hundred thousand, although some believe it may be as many as half a million. An accurate count is impossible because of the geography range of this race. While they live on their ships and spend much of their time out at sea, some sea gypsies have integrated themselves into other populations, usually in coastal towns and villages.
The average sea gypsy ship is a sleek schooner with a fore and aft mast, rigged in the Mercian style. A typical ship is 50 feet long and will carry about 15 to 30 people. The sea gypsies travel in extended families. Everyone on one ship is considered part of the family. This means cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and any vagabonds the ship may have picked up. Large sea gypsy clans may travel in as many as twelve ships that travel in packs. There are certain social rules governing a ship/family. The eldest mariner (male still physically capable of sailing) rules the family clan. Large sea gypsy clans sometimes adopt insignia which members will wear as tattoo or work into jewelry.
The sea gypsies. are considered untrustworthy by many mariners, little better than pirates. The sea gypsies often sail around the thousands of small islands in the Pirate Isles. Sea gypsies frequently visit Seven Kegs.
The Sea Gypsies have developed a rhyming cant full of slang terms and odd expressions. This cant is called Sea Talk. It is based on a modified form of Ithrian Southern. Most people who speak Southern can follow Sea Talk, though with some difficulty.
This page last updated Monday, October 08, 2007. Copyright 1990-2008 David M. Roomes.