Isinmi

Set adrift upon a scattering of verdant islands and volcanic peaks, the Isinmi people are a culture forged by the tides and shaped by the breath of a god. Known across the world for their reverence of balance, beauty, and the great waters that birthed them, the Isinmi live in close harmony with the will of Odo Aye, the god of life, said to dwell in the depths of the sea as a colossal carp-like being.   It is from this deity that their culture draws its name and lifeblood, and from the Ebun Odo, the sacred fish whose annual inland spawning sustains their people, their politics, and their spirit.  

A Pact of Sovereignty

Isinmi governance is unlike most other nations, cyclical and fluid like the waves that surround them. Their ruler, known as the Fisher King, is not a monarch for life but a steward for a season, chosen through trial, tested by the sea, and guided by vision.   Each King must travel to Okunmo, the Silent Pool, a place deep in the jungle where Odo Aye is said to speak most clearly. There, they fast, fish, and meditate for days. If the god blesses them, through a dream, a vision, or a catch, they return to lead. If not, another is chosen. This ritual of kingship, called the Casting of the Line, is as sacred as any coronation.   The Council of Isles, composed of elected elders and leaders from each major island or territory, manages governance day to day. The king serves as tie-breaker and spiritual authority, empowered to veto but only rarely doing so; such is the weight of Odo Aye’s will.  

The Rhythm of Seasons

The Isinmi calendar is woven around the tides and the seasons, marked by three major festivals:   Ebun Rise (start of the spawn): The largest celebration of the year. Villages decorate boats with feathers, fish scales, and floating lanterns. At dusk, thousands of people wade into the river mouths, singing songs meant to summon the great fish. No one casts nets until the elders declare Odo Aye has arrived, marked by the sighting of the silver-scaled Ebon First.   Festival of Driftwood (after the spawn): A more introspective, artistic festival celebrating renewal. Families float carved driftwood effigies down rivers bearing wishes, prayers, or memories of lost loved ones. It is also a time of marriage and naming ceremonies.   The Tempest Watch (mid-storm season): Less joyful but fiercely communal. Islanders gather for music, storytelling, and food storage preparation. Magic-users bless boats and homes. It is also a time when historians and songkeepers remind the people of the Turmoil, a calamity caused by those who plundered ancient powers best left sleeping.  

Life and Death Rites

Birth is seen as the soul swimming upstream to be reborn. Babies are presented to the sea within their first seven days, carried in ceremonial canoes with waterweed wreaths. The waves are believed to carry their names to the god, who returns them through a dream to the child’s parents.   Death is seen as the final return to the deep. The body is wrapped in oiled sailcloth, adorned with river pearls or small driftwood totems, and laid to rest on a funeral raft. The Sinking Songs, slow, haunting melodies sung in harmony, are performed as the raft is set alight and pushed to sea. If the tides carry the ashes far, it is a sign the spirit has been welcomed home.  

Cuisine: The Ocean’s Table

The Isinmi diet is a vibrant symphony of smoked fish, tropical fruits, fermented sauces, and coastal spices. Signature dishes include:   Odo Broth – a slow-simmered fish soup rich with turmeric, lemongrass, and smoked tomatoes.   Palm Rice – sticky rice steamed in palm leaves with sweet plantains and crushed nuts.   Firefruit Glaze – made from a spicy-sweet fruit resembling mango, used on grilled fish or fowl.   Cloud Jelly – a translucent dessert made from seaweed gelatin, coconut milk, and fruit preserved in honey.   Cooking is deeply communal, and large stone ovens called mokabi serve as gathering places, especially during the festivals.  

Fashion: Tides of Elegance

  Isinmi clothing reflects their tropical climate, reliance on natural dyes, and love of intricate handcraft. Everyday wear consists of wraps, light tunics, and netted vests made from sea-hemp fibers, often adorned with colorful beads or stitched shells.   Ceremonial wear, especially for elders, fishers, and kings, includes flowing garments dyed in indigo, rust, and pearl white, featuring symbolic embroidery of waves, fish, or volcanoes. Feathered cloaks from sea birds and carved driftwood jewelry are prized.   Children often go barefoot and shirtless until puberty, when they are gifted their first Thread of the Isles; a handmade sash or belt representing their family’s island.  

Faith and Fear of the Deep

Despite their easy smiles and seafaring spirit, the Isinmi live with a healthy fear of the past. The Turmoil, which shattered half their kingdom, is whispered about more than spoken aloud. Their jungles are littered with the ruins of a golden age; some submerged, some sunken into craters, others choked with vines.   These ruins are sacred and patrolled, but not explored. To the Isinmi, they are both warning and wound. The ruling priesthood, called the Wadebound, teach that meddling with what lies below could awaken sleeping gods or curse the islands anew.  

A People in Balance

Though isolated and diminished, the Isinmi remain resilient, with a soul braided in water, wind, and memory. Their voices are the echo of waves. Their wealth is in pearl and spice. And their power lies not in swords, but in knowing when to cast the net and when to let the current carry them.   Still, tides shift.   And in quiet corners, there are those who argue that a net is not enough, that spears may yet be needed again.  

Major Cities & Settlements

Okuto-Nla – Capital and spiritual heart of the nation; built around the wide delta where the Ebun Odo spawn begins. Known for its towering temples, floating docks, and annual royal trials.   Ijara – Former second capital, now half-sunken and partially ruined from the Turmoil. A site of mourning and pilgrimage.   Sepele – Main port and trade hub with connections to Zeder and the Sea People. Bustling, loud, and vibrant.   Oke Ire – A highland city on a volcanic island, home to mineral springs and the Temple of Still Waters, a major religious site.   Aroko – A jungle city hidden deep in the interior, home of the Wadebound scholars and guardians of the ruins.   Ilé-Orun – A remote village near the sacred pool where future kings undergo the Casting of the Line ritual.  

Geography & Climate

Island Type: Archipelago of ~40 islands (7 large, 12 medium, 20+ small)   Terrain: Tropical jungles, coral-lined shores, river deltas, inland lakes, volcanic highlands, a few arid scrubland areas.   Climate: Tropical wet-dry; prone to storms and seasonal monsoons during the Tempest Watch.  

Major Religion

Faith of the Deep Current – A spiritual tradition centered on the reverence of Odo Aye, the god of life and the sea.   Gods:   Odo Aye – The life-giving carp god of the ocean, fertility, wisdom, and sacrifice.   Aje-Ninu – Spirit of tides, fortune, and trade.   Eranmi – Guardian of the dead and the sunken world.   The Forgotten Scale – A mysterious forbidden force said to have broken the balance and caused the Turmoil.   Clergy: The Wadebound – Priests and scholars of Odo Aye, who also act as keepers of lore and ruin-guardians.   Sacred Sites: Silent Pool (Okunmo), Temple of Still Waters, the Sunken Crown of Ijara.