Pelaines are seafaring people who reside on the Isle of Sea and Sky, a rugged island off the west coast of mainland Asteria. They founded the land after arriving more than 5000 years ago and are the people from which Islenians and Tylonians descend. Pelaines are dark of skin and hair, with bright blue eyes and slight frames. Pelaine people may be born with the gift of foresight, passed down through generations within families, and these people are known as Seers. A Seer wears a Gem of Foresight embedded in their forehead through which they receive visions of the future. A handful of Seers are chosen by Destiny every generation to become Oracles, who the Master of Light uses to directly communicate with the world.
Both men and women Pelaines are trained to fight with knives, particularly with large, curved blades called Salimores, a unique Pelaine weapon. They have a fondness of golden jewellery, and wear eye, nose, ear and lip rings with linking chains. The men prefer moustaches over beards, and Pelaine clothing is made from soft blue and navy colours. The Pelaines are ruled by a Sovereign who resides in the capital port city of Olden and whose family crest is the symbol of a leaping deke, a deer-like animal sacred to the Pelaines. To show deference to another, Pelaines give bows of respect and hand gestures of goodwill. A Pelaine low bow requires a person to kneel and stretch their arms flat to the ground, face lowered, while a hand to the heart with an offered palm outward is a gesture of health to the receiver and is often used for formal partings.
