The Coral Tribe
My small foraging tribe named the Corals live deep within a
cave. The cave is underneath a planet whose surface is covered in ice and snow
all year round. The only way life could survive on the planet was by moving
underground, which is just what the Corals did. The caves lie far beneath the
planets surface and is dark, but covered in beautiful cave crystals. The weather
is also always around 60 degrees and the Corals never have to worry about
storms. The corals themselves are a small alien species with nearly no pigment
in their skin due to the lack of light, but they do create their own light with
torches around the caves. The Corals have no gender or age. They don’t die as
long as they have food and water and have existed on the planet from the beginning
of its time.
Food- They eat a small diet of grown plants, milk, and
cheese. They grow their own crops in their regulated climate, which allows
farming to be relatively simple. The plants also offer food to the creatures
that live there. Water is always plentiful since there is a stream that trickles
through the cave. The creatures on the planet also provide milk and cheese.
Dominate trait of culture – The culture is focused on peace
with the cave and its creatures. They know that every resource is precious and
no one ever wastes any food or provisions since they have no reason to die
unless they run out of resources. The tribe has an established leader, but
everyone lives with the same amount of food and shelter. There is no level of
class, everyone is seen as equal and is expected to work and contribute to the
tribe.
Its opposite trait -
Establishing new lands and territories. The Corals do not wish to move
on from the cave unless absolutely necessary. They believe their home is sacred
because living in the cave is the only way they can survive on their planet. The
Coral’s are not very interested in finding other planets to live on, they are
very peaceful and want to remain where they are.
Complimentary trait – The tribe is still hospitable and are
interested in trading with other tribes or visitors who know of them. They seek
to benefit both sides by offering and receiving what the other doesn’t have. The
Coral’s especially love trading cave crystals for new foods.
Language and body talk- They speak their own language as
well as sign language to best communicate with visitors. They use drawings to
communicate.
Crime- Destroying crop life, harming other corals or
animals. Punishments include exlusion form tribe events and unpleasant jobs
like cleaning up after animals. The goal is to learn and grow from mistakes, so
the tribe does not believe in a jail system. They instead believe in knowledge
and restoration of the mind and spirit. Only if a coral is unfixable then they
will be banished to the cold climate on the surface.
Responsibilities – Since all Corals are genderless and
ageless, they have a rotation on who is the leader. Every one hundred years a
new leader is elected to give the previous leader a rest from overseeing the
Coral tribe. The leader then assesses everyone’s job in the tribe and allows
Corals to move to a different position if they wish. For example, if a Coral
wants to work as a crop harvester instead of a cheese maker, then they can
switch to that role with the leader’s permission and proper training.
Defense - Tribe
members are all required to be skilled at archery. The Coral’s are not very
fast, so being able to hide and shoot from a distance is crucial.
Family – There is no official family system. All the Coral’s
they have close friends they enjoy being with, but overall the tribe is like a
giant family who shares one large sleeping area, food table, and living space.
Clothing – The tribe wears glowing hats they make from a
special glowing bacteria that is smeared across the hat made of woven plants. The
Coral’s also love to decorate themselves in different luminescent fungus that
grows around the caves. They also make jewelry from their favorite crystals
around the cave.
Sexual regulations – There is no such thing as reproduction
since all the Corals are genderless and ageless. They have no sexual desires or
needs.
Holidays – Work is 6 days a week with rest and relaxation on
the 7th day. The Coral’s are not big into holidays except for when
they elect a new leader every century or when they have visitors from other
planets. They dance, play music on ceremonial drums, and feast on foods only
prepared on special occasions such as cheese cake.
Food preferences- Everyday food consists of root vegetables,
plants, milk and cheese. Any plants that take a long time to grow are
considered special treats and other desserts that are difficult to make such as
cheese cake and ice cream.
Manners –Tribe members can normally eat 2 full bowl helpings
respectfully, but must wait for everyone else to eat before getting thirds.
Must finish everything that you put on your plate. All the Coral’s eat meals
buffet style as a group.
Status – There are assigned jobs to each tribe member, but
every member and job is regarded as equal.
Stages of life- No stages, Coral’s are ageless.
