 A Pearl Betwixt Empires, vol. 1 |
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It has been well over a century since the Imperial Geographic Society has last conducted a survey of the citizens of the island of Cathnoquey. Initial surveys took place during and shortly after Emperor Uriel Septim V added the realm to our Empire during his ill-fated expedition to Akavir. The chaos of this time obviously prioritized military matters, which meant scholars could ill-afford to better understand the cultural customs of this fascinating land. What work they produced has provided us with tantalizing enigmas but not, alas, clear answers.
Though our Empire continues to seek to bring all Nirn (and beyond) under its beneficent rule, our current sovereign, Uriel Septim VII has wisely chosen this to be a period of consolidation rather than expansion. Thus, it is the perfect time in which to better understand the myriad cultures of which our Empire is comprised, particularly those that are often overlooked.
As an independent scholar, I chose to undertake a voyage to Cathnoquey in 3E 414 in order to learn more about this distant Territory.
The Flotilla-Cities of the Chimeri-quey
Much has been made of Cathnoquey being an example of Man and Mer living in peace. It strikes me as peculiar that any citizen would cite this as remarkable—is not our own Empire an example of the same? Regardless, Cathnoquey has long hosted co-existing cultures: the Chimeri-quey and the Keptu-quey (older documents refer to them as the Men-of-Keptu-quey).
It is by fortuitous happenstance that my vessel (a carrack whose Nord captain traded furs for wasabi) crossed paths with one of the legendary flotilla-cities of the Chimeri-quey. My first impression was surprise that such an ungainly assemblage of wood and tarp, of barnacle and iron, could even stay afloat, much less survive on the open waters of the Padomaic.
The flotilla-city I saw, whose name translates roughly as Shining Net Spread Across the Waves, is in fact a marvel of self-sufficiency. Let me explain:
A typical flotilla-city consists of anywhere between twenty and forty vessels. There will be four or five core vessels of enormous size, larger even than Imperial galleon (though much slower). The core vessels are of ancient construction. Indeed, much of the wood has rotted away, the hulls held together by a framework of shells and jagged barnacles that give these ships the appearance of mountains moving upon water. The crustaceans living amongst the fossilized hulls have a mutualistic relationship with the crew and have been known to aid in the defense of the core vessels during emergencies.
The core vessels are connected by networks of planks and bridges so that, from a distance, they almost appear to be one. Reflecting the egalitarian tendencies seen in Cathnoquey as a whole, the core vessels are open to all. Provisions are stored in the immense holds and traded to other Chimeri-quey in exchange for goods or labor (though Imperial drakes are accepted, they are somewhat unusual -- I do not think that the tradesmer from whom I purchased a delicious mahi-mahi was especially pleased that I chose this method of payment).
More remarkable still are the long nets of kelp and other vegetable materials that sprawl across the flotilla-city. These slimy and glistening strands connect the core vessels to the smaller ships, and act as mobile farms. Many Chimeri-quey work on the kelp nets, plucking nutritious leaves with which to garnish their dinners. Thicker strands act as walkways so that crew from one ship can cross over to another.
Water remains a difficult issue for the flotilla-cities. Smaller sea plants symbiotic to the kelp nets have been bred to absorb and desalinate water (much like the sadrith mushrooms favored by the Telvanni). The ships themselves are designed to collect as much rainwater as possible, with even the sails cleverly designed to funnel liquid to waiting barrels. Chimeri-quey engineering ensures that there is enough water to get by, but the ever-present threat of shortage means that strict population control measures are required.
As many as two-dozen smaller ships make up the outer vessels. The outer vessels are notable for their heterogeneity. Some are fishing ships with strong sails and immense hulls, who will detach from the city in order to harvest from teeming waters. Others are carefully insulated forge ships that specialize in light manufacturing. Swift traders may go to distant shores for unusual goods. There are also small warships of good quality.
While the core vessels have allegedly stayed afloat for centuries or millennia, the outer vessels are essentially normal seagoing ships. The Chimeri-quey have incorporated ships from a wide variety of cultures into their flotilla-cities, so one may see Nord longships, Akaviri junks, and others. I was assured that all ships are obtained by legal purchase. The idea that the Chimeri-quey might seize ships and kill the crews is understandably offensive to them.
Shining Net Spread Across the Waves has fifteen outer vessels, though a sixteenth had recently been lost in a storm, its sinking (with all hands) still mourned by the city at the time of my visit.
Outer vessels may detach from the flotilla-city for months at a time. It's not unheard of for ships from one flotilla-city to dock at the kelp nets of another, and eventually become part of the new host. The precise calculations that isolated outer vessels use to find flotilla-cities appear to be a closely guarded secret.
The concept of the flotilla-city should be of keen interest to the Imperial Navy. Lengthy supply lines strain any invasion effort of the lands beyond Tamriel, but think of what our legions could do when supported by self-sufficient fleets!
Finally, there is the shore-khan's ship. In truth it is little more than a glorified scouting vessel that always sails a few days ahead of the flotilla-city, using messenger pigeons to relay news to the main body. It is considered a dangerous assignment and a burden of leadership.
St. Veloth at Sea: The Chimeri-quey
The descendants of the ancient Chimer look much like the modern Altmer, though smaller of frame and rougher of demeanor. While the Altmer praise luxury, the Chimer embrace hardship and danger. A settled life is anathema to these doughty mariners and they pity those who spend their lives on land.
It is unfortunately difficult to get clear answers about the history of the Chimeri-quey. Responses are often evasive. One I frequently heard was that: "who is to say, these days, so long after the departure?", accompanied with a slightly embarrassed smile.
Regardless, St. Veloth is still venerated, his visage reproduced on hull and sail. Though I cannot be completely sure about this, my understanding is that the Chimeri-quey think that the best way to honor St. Veloth's virtues is to maintain a nomadic existence. Sedentary life leads to decadence and stagnation, as they believe has happened with both the Altmer and the Dunmer (one wonders what they think of the more rugged Bosmer).
The open sea, perhaps, provided a better option for nomadism than could Resdayn. Here, there are no Nordic barbarians or Dwemer automata. Simply the endless seas, harsh and cruel but not without succor for those who know its secrets.
Shrines to the so-called Good Daedra can be found throughout the flotilla-city. Each ship has at least one, typically an icon of brass and semiprecious stones that honors Mephala, Boethiah, and Azura. More attention seems to be given to Azura, but again, it is difficult to be sure given the reticence the Chimeri-quey show when it comes to religious matters.
The fundamental unit of Chimeri-quey society is the crew, which consists of several interrelated families. Upon reaching adulthood, a Chimeri-quey will receive a tattoo on the sole of the right foot, the design unique to their ship. This way, they will always walk the deck of their home no matter where they go.
Marriage always occurs between Chimeri-quey of two different ships. The husband moves to the wife's ship and becomes a part of her family. Though the father is the head of the family in domestic issues, the role of ship captain typically goes to a mother. She will determine who among the crew is sent to the Wave Council, and delegate responsibilities for the maintenance and running of the vessel.
As mentioned, resources are always scarce. If the population grows too large, Chimeri-quey will depart for other flotilla-cities, or as crewmen on non-Chimeri-quey ships. The latter choice is considered a hardship, and many sad ballads are sung about Chimeri-quey who had no choice but to make their way among strange crews.
Yet not all Chimeri-quey find the experience disagreeable. I met one (initially from a different flotilla-city) who spoke of his days serving in the Imperial Legion and proudly showed me his papers of honorable discharge. Another had made a tidy fortune doing "something-or-other" (she refused to elaborate, though seemed pleased with whatever it was she’d done) in Solitude.
Decisions for a flotilla-city are made by the Wave Council, a collection of elected representatives who meet on board of the core vessels. Each outer vessel gets one representative, while a core vessel receives two. Meetings occur once a month. The most important responsibility of the Wave Council is to determine what materials the flotilla-city needs. For instance, should more food be required, they will determine that one of the outer vessels devoted to fishing will go out on an expedition. Officially, a two-thirds majority is required for any decision, but it is rare (suspiciously so) for the Wave Council to not have a unanimous consensus.
The shore-khan is a nominal leader elected by the Wave Council. They will be the face of the flotilla-city to the outside world. In all cases, the shore-khan is chosen from the crew of a core vessel, as outer vessels cannot necessarily spare anyone for the purpose.
Though great honors are given to the shore-khan, their job is a bleak and dangerous one. By custom, no one may hold the position for longer than ten years, by which point they gratefully return to the fold. Former shore-khans enjoy great esteem among their crews.
The insular nature of the Chimeri-quey means they are not well-integrated into large Imperial society. Yet this may be beginning to change. Traders from Tamriel are no longer so rare in the Padomaic Ocean, and Chimeri-quey merchantmen now dock at ports throughout the Empire. Indeed, Chimeri-quey have begun exploring the Empire of which they are a part (doubtlessly, a few have been mistaken for tattooed Altmer). Their steadfastness and nautical skill make them assets as citizens, and I predict they will only grow in importance as Uriel Septim VII (and his successor, whoever that may be) extends the Empire's catholic reign.