Editing Gloria-Etalia (section)

=== Storm Islands ===
Races: 100% Modern Storm Islander Human, ?% Fish People
Government: Collectivist Theocracy

=====History=====

It is said that long ago, the ancient Westrasi ancestors discovered the Storm Islands when they were still learning to sail.
This was before the Great Storm surrounded the islands. A number of ancient Westrasi emigrated to the new lands, and were welcomed by the natives: an albino race of humans. They interbred with the Westrasi, creating Modern Storm Islanders. When the world became tumultuous, and the people began to war with each other over the riches of the earth, The Druids of The Storm Islands raised the mighty gale that surrounds the islands to this day.

=====Government=====

Although lacking an official government, there is a universally adhered to social order, based very much around the spiritual beliefs of the islands inhabitants. Islanders born with primarily albinid traits such as pale white skin, silver eyes, and white hair, are believed to be sacred by their peers. Known as the ''Cloud People'', they are trained as societies rulers and druids, and tasked with protecting the island through ''Storm Magic''. They hand down the teachings, rulings, and judgements, and lead their people forward in times of uncertainty. There are not many rules to stifle the lives of Storm Islanders, just basic social contracts. A Storm Islander may not kill another Storm Islander, unless it is in self-defense. A Storm Islander may not go out of their way to cause harm to nature, if they gain no resource from their actions. Storm Islanders are expected to actively participate in the well-being of their society. This includes taking some profession, whether it be whaling, or beer brewing. It also includes the duty to spar and train for combat on a regular basis with their peers, to act as a standing army and aid the men at arms in a time of need. It is said that a Storm Islander that violates these social contracts is sent to sea in a small boat.

=====Culture=====

Trade with Storm Islanders, as well as the conquering, and resource extraction by greater empires; has been staved off by impracticality, because of the constant fog and storms surrounding the island, making travel to and from the Island, treacherous at best. However, they are not outwardly hostile to any un-enterprising outsiders, and are quite welcoming, and even more fun. The plants, animals, and even mineral make up of Storm Island, have evolved in a unique way, because of the inhospitable climate. The Storm Island Sheep, and the Storm Island Seal, are bigger, fiercer, and hardier than elsewhere in the world. The sheep provide wool, hide, meat and dairy, and the ram's horns are fashioned into instruments and drinking horns. The seals provide meat, furs, and a large supply of rich fats; used for anything from candles to preservatives, soaps, and more. The only known birds on the Storm Islands are large scavenging corvids, and fish eating sea eagles. It is uncertain why so many fish and whales live in the extremely stormy waters around the Storm Islands, it is as if they are swept there. There are many trees in the Islands, but all subspecies evolved for the climate. Broadleaf trees harder than the hardest mainland oak, growing twisted and gnarled, and Conifers which can bend completely in half without breaking. These unique woods are the backbone of Islander culture. They form their spears and bows, their storm-weathering architecture, and the only boats that can withstand a fishing expedition on their stormy seas. The unique climate, and the volcano on Cloud Island, give the Islands a unique black iron, that looks almost, iridescent in certain lights. Storm Islanders are warriors, farmers, and fishermen. They live hard, and recreate hard. They have an insatiable appetite for their dark ales and whiskeys, made with wild tasting herbs that grow there. Some are brewed with rarer herbs, that cause much stranger effects. There are even stranger fungi. The Islanders are hard, but fun loving, and ever adaptable because of their environment. A Storm Islander can be thrown from a fishing boat, climb back aboard unshaken, and share a good laugh about it. Storm Islanders cover themselves in tattoos. They mark status and deed, as well as personal beliefs and virtues. A deed for a Storm Islander may also count a funny anecdote. There are three inks used. The most common is black, from charcoal, The indigo woad ink is reserved for those more well off, or those committing greater deeds, and the rarest, a crimson ink, is reserved only for the Albinid Druid family, who will often mix in blue and black ink purely for aesthetic reasons. Most Islanders have hair ranging from Brunette to Dark Blonde, as well as many shades of Red, especially Reddish Blondes and Browns. Grey and Hazel, are the most predominant eye colors, and many tend toward a paleness. They tend to be anywhere between 5'4" and 6'2". Although Albino Islanders are mainly born within their own group, when this phenotype manifests among the other islanders, they are married into the druidic family.

=====Religion=====

The Storm Islanders don't believe that Gloria-Etalia abandoned us. Rather, they believe she sent angels here to lead us. Storm Islanders believe that their people expressing the albino phenotype, are Gloria-Etalia's angels, repeatedly reincarnated. The albino druids are the emissary to god, and what they say is the word of god. If the way Storm Islanders live contradicts what people believe Gloria-Etalia stands for, it is because that is what she said before, and the Storm Islanders know what she says now. The sleeping volcano on Cloud Island is the site of ceremonial power for the druids, and it is rumored that the magic they do there protects the island with it's fogs and storms. Although not part of their religion, they believe the fish people from the west to be supernatural beings. They may bestow a boon upon you, for a price.

 ''The Lore behind the Lore: The Native Storm Islanders were inbred descendants of scientists from the ancient advanced civilization. The geo-thermal energy from the volcano was long ago utilized to power a HAARP like machine within the volcano. The inside of the volcano was sealed off to become a safe chamber, housing the HAARP, like how people seal nuclear reactors. This machine was used to utilize wind currents to keep the inhabitants of these islands safe from nuclear fallout, and to keep the dust from totally blotting out their sun. The Veil of Storms was lifted when Gloria-Etalia came to earth, and the initial Westrasi migration was welcomed as much needed diversity to their gene-pool. The veil was raised again when Gloria-Etalia left and the peoples of the world began to clash. The Druidic class pass down the knowledge of the HAARP to keep the Island safe, and upkeep the infrastructure as much as they can. Noone in the setting except the highest ranking members of the Druidic Family would know this.''