Deus In Machina - The Metalweavers of the Nomad Fleet

Species of the Galaxy/Ethereals/Bestiary of Sprout.md

@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Even on a galactic scale, Sprout's fauna is particularly bizarre, beautiful and
 ### Volthound
 
 >"It's not my volthound, it's my associate."
+
 -Kepler XVI, Trailwarden
 
 Danger Level: Medium
@@ -49,6 +50,7 @@ Hootos are occasionally tamed as mounts to traverse the deep rainforest, though
 ### Dweller
 
 >"During one of our excursions outside the village, I must admit, I made the mistake of wandering off a little too far from our group, distracted by a type of flower I had not seen before. I was so lost in my thoughts that I did not even notice Kepler approaching before abruptly yanking me back onto the trail. Rude, I thought to myself! But I did not have time to voice my displeasure before I noticed the rock I was standing right in front of had eyes, and it was staring right at me."
+
 -"The Tourist's Survival Guide to Sprout", Vedika Bakshi
 
 Danger Level: Variable
@@ -88,6 +90,7 @@ Moondrifter skin is highly sought after for its extreme conductive properties an
 ### Gutterpede
 
 >"The most punctual public transport I've ever been on, and not the worst smelling either!"
+
 -"The Tourist's Survival Guide to Sprout", Vedika Bakshi
 
 Danger Level: Minimal

Species of the Galaxy/Ethereals/Culture.md

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ None of this is to say that Ethereals do not have a distinct culture. While the
 ### Rule of Nature and the Uplifting Schism
 
 >"Subjugation sows reprisal. Prosperity demands harmony."
+
 -Ancient Ethereal Saying
 
 Life on Sprout is full of dangers. Massive creatures, dangerous plants and harsh, unpredictable environments are only a few of the many problems the Ethereals always had to contend with. The countless failed attempts at taming the wilds have given the Ethereals a deep reverence for the environment they live in: it seemed nature was intent on teaching them that the planet was not theirs to conquer, and so they learned to find their place in the ecosystem. 
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ Everything would change after the Day of Fire. In no time at all, the ethereals
 ### Tourism
 
 >"These days I spend most of my time making sure tourists don't get eaten by wild animals. Can't digest them, gives them a tummy ache."
+
 -Kepler XVI, Trailwarden
 
 Following the uplifting Sprout became a popular tourist attraction due to it's beautiful and unique environments. From scientists and adventurers to families on vacation and net influencers chasing their new viral story, the gold rush to discover this new and exciting planet seems to never end, with mixed reactions by the locals.

Species of the Galaxy/Moths/Culture.md

@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 ### Names
 
 >"Whatever."
+
 -The first moth to be granted Terragov citizenship, Whatever, choosing their legally recognized name
 
 Names hold significant importance within moth culture. According to folklore, names are inextricably bound to the owner, like a key to their soul that must be protected or face terrible consequences should anyone with ill intentions discover it. In more modern times, revealing one's own name has become a symbol of great personal trust. It is a matter so rarely discussed that it's not unheard of for some moths to forget their own name.
@@ -14,6 +15,7 @@ To allow identification within human society, moths are eventually required to p
 ### Fleet Day and the Festival of the Errant Lights
 
 >"You can't be lost if you don't know where to go. So follow the wind, for it knows the way."
+
 -Old Mothic Proverb
 
 Fleet Day, one of the most anticipated festivities of the fleet, sees all of the fleet mothkind congregate around the various capital ships for a rare day of merry leisure. It is also a rare occasion for outsiders to witness the fleet's bustling life, as during the festivities they tend to be more tolerant than usual to tourists.
@@ -33,3 +35,23 @@ The otherwise prohibitively expensive amount of heating required for any convent
 Sparkweed stems and leaves can be either chewed or dried and steeped in hot water, while the roots are smoked akin to a cigarette (called "Afterburners") thanks to their spongy structure acting as a natural filter.
 It has a mild euphoric effect and gives a feeling of warmth. High dosage poses no particular danger, although long term excess tends to cause "the shakes", a persistent sense of anxiety and shivering. This condition can be easily remedied by stopping consumption for a few days, though it is widespread enough to have contributed to the moths' reputation of always being on edge.
 What little is known about its origins has been passed through generations: it would grow exclusively in the scorching waters of volcanic geysers and was a staple for enduring the freezing temperatures of the planet's colder side.
+
+### The Creed of the Metalweavers and Shiplinking
+
+>Now repair<br>
+>Tell a prayer<br>
+>Ask the 'weaver of this cage<br>
+>Let 'er see us to our old age
+
+-Mothic Shanty
+
+Metalweavers are believed to be otherworldly spirits which can possess machinery (typically spaceships), ensuring their continued function and bringing protection to those around them. They are depicted as amorphous figures of fire and light, weaving an infinite web of metal. 
+
+The process of enticing a Metalweaver to inhabit a vessel starts with the construction of a small shrine to which each member of the crew will offer objects of personal value. The ship will only be considered protected once a full year has passed. Because of this, crew is often reluctant to serve on so called "Unbound Vessels", brand new ships with no service history, but what needs must.
+
+The cornerstone of the Creed is the Shiplinking Ceremony: once a year, each crewmember will receive a chainlink forged from scrap metal from the ship they are currently serving on, engraved with the ship's name and year of service, which will then be joined with the links from previous years to form a chain, a symbolic reminder of the  their pledge to the Metalweavers and record of the history of their service in the fleet. Once an individual passes away, the two ends of their chain are permanently joined together.
+Even among the less zealous members, Shiplink Chains are a popular way to flaunt a long career, occasionally carried around or worn on their uniform.
+
+Each crewmember's service pledged to the ship's Metalweaver is to be fulfilled after the person's passing, for as many years as they demanded the Metalweaver's protection in life. Although the Creed's origins predates the creation of the fleet, it unsurprisingly exploded in popularity ever since, with some of its conventions and ceremonies becoming pillars of its culture. Even the more skeptic individuals may make their pledge either out of solidarity for their fellow crewmates or due to peer pressure - after all, if these are all fairy tales you have nothing to lose, right?
+
+As each soul pledged to the Metalweaver strenghtens its protection, ships with a particularly long or notable history may be granted the status of "Archvessel". Such vessels are highly regarded and the fleet will go to great lenghts to keep them functional even in cases where it would be more efficient to decommission them, though they may not always maintain their current assignment depending on their state. One such vessel is the HKF Somere: a once a mighty military carrier, now still serves as one the fleet's main supply ships.