Those who dwell in or travel through Godsbreath understand the truths underlying life in this land. #### Community and Consensus Each community in Godsbreath is self-governing, with intercommunity and regional disputes settled at the annual Meet. Held in Promise during the Awakening Festival, this public forum between community leaders seeks majority consensus on each issue raised. The Meet continues until all items are resolved or half the participants leave. Crime in Godsbreath is rare, and justice in this land focuses on making the wronged party whole. Decisions on how to make amends come through groups known as sevens—assemblies of the seven people who are closest at hand when an accusation of criminal behavior is made, but who have no direct stake in the outcome. For the most severe wrongs, offenders are banished to uninhabited islands, though they retain the right to travel to the Meet each year to seek reconciliation with the larger community. #### The Gods’ Tale The influence of the deities who founded Godsbreath is captured in the Covenant tales—verses of the _Awakening Song_ that tell stories of the gods’ past exploits and share signs of their current influence. The bright colors found on homes throughout the region each honor a Covenant god, and many people craft and carry charms to invoke a favorite god’s protection. #### Proclaimers and the Covenant The Proclaimers of the Covenant are the acolytes of Godsbreath’s deities, tasked with promoting worship of the Covenant and maintaining the _Awakening Song_ as a living history of this land. They take turns traveling throughout Godsbreath, listening to deeds of local renown that could be added to the _Awakening Song_, sharing stories from other regions, and challenging people to live up to the Covenant gods’ example. The Covenant is a pantheon of deities with a particular interest in Godsbreath. They have varied alignments and interests. This local pantheon is for you to define and might include gods appropriate to your campaign’s setting or deities unique to Godsbreath. #### Shared Stories Stories are the glue that binds Godsbreath together, tying its people to their ancestors who helped shape this land and passing down traditions and beliefs through all the generations since. Most people here begin conversations with “give a listen” or “tell me true” before exchanging stories—the more captivating, the better. Although this sometimes encourages exaggeration, Godsbreath’s people believe you can hear truth in the telling of any tale, and all enjoy the art of a well-crafted boast. Stories of all kinds are shared around the evening fire in the heart of each community, while folk dine on roast rabbit and hog, spoon bread, hominy, rice and gravy, corn pone, or crawfish stew. Especially captivating tales might be memorialized on a grass-woven story basket from the Nightwater Isles or added to a Ribbon family’s fireside quilt, creating invaluable heirlooms protected at all costs. Truly extraordinary stories might even be captured in song by one of the Proclaimers of the Covenant. Having a story chosen is a great honor and can make alliances and invitations to adventure easier to come by. #### Names Most folk in Godsbreath go by a single name—often a nickname picked up in their youth instead of their given name—preceded by an honorific reflecting their age, profession, or standing in the community. Those too young to have an honorific may be addressed without one, though it’s often wise for strangers to use a courtesy honorific—Miss, Mister, Cousin—as a sign of respect. The following are examples of common given names in Godsbreath: **Feminine.** Aba, Bilah, Diya, Emilene, Essie, Sukie **Masculine.** Cato, Ellis, Kumber, Mobe, Saffran, Sogo **Gender-Neutral.** Deland, Holston, June, Madel, Winter **Surnames.** Godskith, Grayshore, Hilltop, Longkin, Riveridge