Pa’li

Many of the Pa’li have never set foot on solid land. And yet they have seen more of the world than almost any land dweller. Their city atop the waves never stops moving. It consists of many enormous bipyramids made from an alloy - the bottom pyramids, called the lii, extend down beneath the waves, while the top halves, the paa, tower into the sky, the widest part keeping the shape upright and stable. The unit as a whole is called the aal. A hydraulic chute at the center of each aal passengers up and down to different levels - a more reliable method than stairs due to the motion of the water.

The paa are translucent, and that is where the Pa’li have their common area: markets, meeting places, businesses. Lush hydroponic gardens. The lii are opaque with windows, and those are where the Pa’li have their private residences. The natural light that reaches there is filtered by the water, and it is dark and quiet. Pa’li regard their personal living spaces as places of calm and rest. They may keep a small stash of drinking water and dry snacks, but most meals are taken above the waterline.

Pa’li architecture contains very few completely flat surfaces. The motion of the waves, rather than being prevented, is instead accommodated. Floors are rippled and ridged, with intricate patterns that help to stabilize people and objects. Pa’li clothes many pockets with drawstring closures, and they tend to accessorize with belts and sashes for more storage capacity. Seating is similar to what land dwellers would call bean bag chairs, and beds are similar to their hammocks. Cooked food is mostly eaten out of cone-shaped containers, either with the hands or with the mouth directly. Fruits are eaten whole, peel and all, only the pita saved and taken to the hydroponic gardens. The most popular Pa’li dish is cubed fish and seaweed, cooked and tossed with small pieces of fresh seasonal fruit.

The Pa’li are of course excellent swimmers, and all forms of sport involve the water (it is considered bad manners to run around inside the aal). Individuals travel by means of stand-up paddle boards. Groups travel on rafts, which may or may not be covered. There is never a particular hurry to get anywhere; the main motivator is the weather, and the Pa’li are skilled enough at meteorological forecasting to make their movements well in advance.

Electricity is obtained from solar panels on the paa and from hydropower rotors at the bottom of the lii. Communication between aal’ is sent via messenger drones that also serve to monitor the surrounding area for weather phenomena and potential threats.

The Pa’li have a rich written tradition, for which they use a paper made from papyrus and seaweed. Their stories center around the values of community, patience, and creativity.

The main hub of every aal is the level just above the waterline. This is the widest common area, and it is where performances and special events are held. It can hold every resident of its aal in addition to some visitors from other aal’. In Pa’li performances, the performers take the center of the room, rather than one end, so that they can easily be seen by everyone present.

The school curriculum covers biology, math (geometry and trigonometry in particular), history, technology, and the arts. As adults, most Pa’li choose to specialize in gardening, fishing, building, design, tech, or a type of performance. Others may choose to become teachers or parents. Parents are not expected to take jobs outside of child rearing, though many continue their work when their children are older.

Some Pa’li believe that the world is made up of one giant round ocean surrounded by a rim of barren land. This stems from the main religion’s myth that at the bottom of the sea lies an endless maw, breathing in and out, and all life and the water come from its breath. One day it will breathe in again and all life and water will dwindle into it again, then be cycled back out eventually.