Changing like the wind, the mercurial politics of the Rovers
Nami's primary followers are nicknamed Rovers on the Wind, or simply the Rovers.
Much like Nami herself, the Rovers are hard to predict and impossible to contain. With how chaotic and undisciplined they are, many view the concept of a political Rover as being an oxymoron, but as individualistic as they are, there is a unified philosophy uniting the Rovers even if the Rovers themselves don't always see it.
Nami loves freedom and abhors stagnation, and she wants to keep things on Scarterra interesting. The Rovers act as Nami's agents of Nami's will on the material plane even as they follow their own drives and desires.
Nami, named by Zeta Gardner
If we Rovers have a unified political goal that they strive for, that goal is to maximize personal freedom. Like Nami herself, many Rovers detest stagnation, so sometimes they will shake up the status quo, I don't find that particularly necessary myself. Scarterra has enough disparate elements stirring the pot in it that Scarterra avoids stagnation without our help."-Lynnet of the Fumayan Roversby me with Midjourney"The Rovers are not anarchists....okay most Rovers are not anarchists. We recognize that some law and order is needed for society to function. Most Rovers will show polite deference to a king or queen and we don't flout the law just because we can. In general, we believe that the rulers who rule best, rule least. Most Rovers have a live and let live attitude towards others and we get offended and belligerent when leaders meddle in people's lives beyond the minimum needed for a society to function.
Execution
When a king or queen or any authority figure oversteps in the eyes of the Rovers, they will engage in disobedience, and this disobedience is not always civil disobedience. Their actions start as a nuisance and then gradually escalate in scope and scale as long as their targets don't take the hint and reform their errant behavior.
Whether using social violence or physical violence, the Rovers are very difficult political enemies to face. Unlike the rebellious acts of the Lanterns, the Rovers are not very careful about avoiding collateral damage. Unlike the rebellious acts of the Testers, the Rovers are very difficult to buy off or intimidate.
The Rovers have a nice side too. If they are reasonable content with society's status quo with regards to personal freedom, they engage in acts of charity and kindness, not because they feel morally obligated to do so, but because they enjoy doing so. Nami is the patron of all travelers and many Rovers honor Nami by showing hospitality to others. Most Scarterran hospitals are at least partially sponsored by Rovers.
The Rovers are the most mobile and well-traveled of all the main Nonagon factions. They commonly help those on their good side by running messages for free or at steep discounts.
Knowledge is power and they can turn their penchant for collecting secrets to help rulers that they do like.
Whispered Rumors finished version by Zeta Gardner
The Rovers have some overtly violent members that have a penchant for arson and theft , but the Rovers aren't limited to physical acts of violence. Many are very proficient in the art of social combat.
The Rovers are fond of humbling proud people, and can wield humiliation as a weapon. The Rovers are well-traveled and well-informed. The Rovers can bring an enemy low without engaging in physical violence by airing out all of their target's dirty laundry for all to know.
Components and tools
Most Nami worship rituals have a celebratory aspect to them which reinforces Nami's wish that Scarterrans don't take themselves too seriously. Nami is also the goddess of wine and beer, so Nami veneration rituals frequently involve the consumption of alcohol.
On the surface this makes the Rovers seem like self-indulgent hedonists, but there is a practical purpose to this as well. It creates positive feelings in people's hearts and minds towards Nami and her Rovers, and goodwill is a useful political tool that any priesthood can use to wield soft power.
by me with Midjourney
Aleesia of the Fumayan Roverscomissioned portrait of Aleesia the Satyr by Zeta Gardner"We Rovers often don't take most things seriously, but we take our beer and wine seriously. The best beer and wine is made by Rovers or those who are trained and supervised by Rovers. Alcohol can spread Nami's desire for freedom and interesting times by loosening tongues and inhibitions, but on a practical level it helps loosen purse strings. We don't get a lot of donations compared to the rest of the Nonagon, so our temples and bishoprics rely on selling wine and beer to pay our operating funds. Without the income from the adjacent winery, the Tapukeah Zeyvem Memorial Hospital would have closed years ago."
The Rover's Ultimate Weapon?
by me with Midjourney
Primary Related Location
Related Organizations
What About Rovers among nomadic peoples?
Male Kionus Satyr by Zeta Gardner
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