Domains: Nature, River, Unity
Specialties: Federation, Nomads
Race: Human/Tortle
Cities:

Mossrock: Originally a large sheltered cove worn into the limestone cliff face. Famous for the roaring waterfall that plunges from the cliff edge into Mossrock Lake. The tributaries that trickle down the rock on both sides are lush and verdant, giving the jutting rock point it's name.

While the Cove is still the political and cultural center of the Confederation, the "city" is actually a series of semi-permanent encampments adjacent docks, shipyards and workshops.

Rushwood: Less impressive that Mossrock, the town of Rushwood sprang up from seasonal timber camps.

The demand for straight grained hardwoods became so high among Confederation families that it justified permanent habitation. The Foresters of Rushwood are their own political faction within the Confederation and are guided by a small circle of Druids that tends to the local population.

Leadership: The Moss Rock Confederation is nominally led by the the Tortle Elder Ollum, the oldest speaker of the Council of Elders, which is comprised of representatives from the various Families.

Heros:

Sean Skipstone: Middle aged Male Human, Ranger III. Something of a folk hero and the subject of many popular tall tales and songs.

Konuun the Broad: Young male snapping Tortle, Fighter II. Goes into battle with a Lucerne Hammer that was supposedly a gift from a distant King.

Grandmother Moira: Elderly female human, Druid I. Said to be related in some fashion to over one hundred descendents. Serves of the Council of Elders when in Mossrock.

Culture: The Families that have agreed to the Moss Rock Treaty are predominately a coalition of Human and Tortle Tribes, and have banded together for mutual protection, trade, and cooperation.

Hard learned lessons about too many of their people gathering in one place for too long, and the effects on the local eco-system, has led to a rich oral tradition and ruleset describing when, how and in what ways the local environment is to be harvested to maximize sustainability.

The result in a culture that prefers to travel river systems and coastlines, based on season and frequency of use, in order to allow different sections to recover from their seasonal camps. These camps are generally "amphibious", with family groups living out of coastal encampments aboard large, shallow drafted family vessels or temporary structures made out of mud or reed thatch.

A number of annual meetings and festivals allow them to come together for important announcements, decisions, trade and ceremonies, such as marriages, births and funerary rites. Apart from these events, most Families prefer to remain by themselves unless special circumstances dictate otherwise.

It is notable that despite their loose confederation, the bonds that tie Families together are strong and often multi-generational. Inter family warfare is generally rare, but not unknown and traditions are in place to minimize actual casualties, as their people are not known for their fertility and have trouble replacing their numbers.

Appearance: Human members of the confederation run the gamut, as they are generally descendants from more established populations.

While the founding tribes may have tended towards more pale complexions, reddish brown hair and green or hazel eyes the current population is remarkably varied.

The Tortle population is generally dark green, brown or buff colored with a predominance of families resembling large Snapping, or Loggerhead turtles.

Day to day dress varies depending on the season and location, but both groups seem to prefer drab earth tones and multiple layers of sturdy garments to ward off weather, insects, and the cold where appropriate.

Architecture: Buildings in the Confederation are nearly always temporary, unadorned and practical structures not intended to last more than a year or so. Mud and thatch are the most common materials, and they generally serve as temporary workshops for food storage or preparation, and crafts that require large amounts of space like rope making or carpentry.

Boats are a very different affair, and are often constructed to "heirloom" standards by families that can afford it. It is not uncommon to find three generations inhabiting the same vessel, living and sleeping in close quarters. While hull designs, carvings, ornamentation and features vary from Family to Family, and even more so from Tribe to Tribe, there are a few things that seem consistent across the Confederation.

The "typical" family craft in the Confederation is a shallow draft, lozenge shaped vessel with a light but sturdy shell that forms a roof. The space between the shell and the railings are sometimes equipped with storm shutters to keep out severe weather and vermin. The typical family craft is two decked, with the families stores, tools and keepsakes stored in the lower hold. The upper deck is for day to day living, cooking, and working.

All but the smallest vessels have multiple airtight partitions built into the lowest hold to curtail the risk of a catastrophic breach in the hull.

Navigation is done via a combination of push poles, oars, mechanical paddles or wheels and sometimes a series of stubby, collapsible sails in coastal regions.

Wealthier families naturally have larger vessels, more specialized craft, or simply more of them.

Religion: Ancestor worship features prominently in the Confederation, as does Animism.

Each River is generally thought to have its own unique spirit, and knowing the temperament of each is part and parcel of any Captains education.

A facet of this Animism is a strong element of sustainability and conservation running throughout the Confederation. It is considered practically sacrilegious to leave a Camp a mess after vacating it for the season, to take wildlife that is pregnant or too young to reproduce, or to take more than is healthy for the local eco-system.

Warfare: Being a Nomadic people the Moss Rock Families can rarely afford the cost or space for dedicated weapons or armor. Despite this they are used to being self reliant, and make do with what they have on hand. Harpoons, gaffs, pike poles and crossbow quarrels, all often barbed, are employed in both fishing and defense.

Armor heavier than leathers is rarely seen.

Dedicated pirates, raiders or defense forces often employ grapnels, pavise shields and a sort of small ship mounted ballista sometimes fired from recessed mounts.

The barbed ammunition of these larger weapons is designed to be tethered and winched in with a capstan, so that enemy vessels may be brought alongside and boarded.

These more professional warriors are also infamous for their use of poisons. Incendiaries are normally avoided as boats are worth a small fortune if captured.

Arts: While not renowned musicians, most Families have many personal "River Songs" on hand which often include complex intertwining lyrics.

Catchy work shanties and weather songs are also mixed in for entertainment. Where instruments are used they are normally simple drums.

As paper records are easily damaged or lost in their native climate, they rely on a rich oral tradition to relay important historical events, family deeds or histories, and directions to some of the more far flung or esoteric passages.

Some Tribes are also known for intricate carvings, most especially on boats, but also scrimshawed onto bones or ivory, and into common house hold goods like combs, utensils, hair pins and the like.

A spirit of cooperation and loyalty is deeply woven into the very social fabric of the Confederation, and while actual laws are few and far between, traditions for meeting, parting, taking in guests and trade are all widely adhered to.

A Family that violates these cultural norms may eventually face ostracism or exile without the need for any sort of  official proclamation or trial.