Erelis
The raiders and riders of the Aer
The uppermost layer of Uranus, the Aer, is ruled by vehicle-cities. On a planet with no ground, where the islands are always falling towards the inhospitable Mares, vehicles provide the closest thing to stability. The denizens of these vehicle-cities call themselves the Erelis, meaning the people of the eyries.
The Erelis consist almost entirely of Sirenes, Harpids, and Humans. Even though humans have been part of the Erelis for countless generations, they are considered and treated like newcomers. The Erelis consider oddities to be a danger rather than a curiosity.
It is extremely rare for people from other planets and moons to move to Uranus. They are not welcome.
Dependencies and threats
Eyries cannot grow enough food to sustain themselves, nor do they have any way to get new resources onboard. They rely on the islands for food and resources. Some of the Erelis subsist on trade networks, others force nearby islands into a system of vasselage, while still more survive by raids and piracy. It is likewise necessary to have an exchange between eyries. Warlords often arrange marriages and trade sons to secure alliances between eyries. Stronger warlords can demand the surrender of talented crew. Even though these exchanges are vital and desired, those who find themselves aboard foreign eyries are treated as suspicious. It is a lonely and isolating experience.The Erelis say that you come of age when you realize that there is nothing but a thin hull between you and an endless fall. When the illusion of invulnerability breaks, perhaps after you saw a friend sucked into a storm, or felt your city in free fall after an attack. When you learn to watch the skies, and know in your heart that the glimmer on the horizon is just as likely to pirates or a dangerous skybeast as it is fresh game.
The Erelis need to be vigilant. Sharp eyes keep constant watch, for danger, for omens, for betrayal.
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Given how dangerous their living state is, I don't blame the Erelis for being wary of newcomers :(
Maybe, but think about how it must be for the people kept at an arms length. You've been around these people for years, decades, maybe even raised kids with them. The hull is no thicker where you stand. If anything you've got even more reason to be wary, because the people around you do not trust or value you. It's not right to treat people the way the Erelis do.
Solaris -— a sapphic space opera
Creator of World of Worlds | Camp Chill | Comment Carolers
Yee that's true too; I meant more like I get where Erelis are coming from, but not that I agree with their attitude twoards foreigners. (I guess I didn't communicate that properly XD)
Hehe no worries! I get what you mean!
Solaris -— a sapphic space opera
Creator of World of Worlds | Camp Chill | Comment Carolers