Sargo

The weed-thick seascape of Sargo lies beside the Sargasso Sea and supplies much of the weed that clogs it. Its tribe of the same name are gatherers who move food plants from Sargo's undersea jungles to beds near their homes, skilled gardeners who raise many exotic kinds of sea vegetation.

Cut off from the wider world, they meet regularly only with other Antillans and with the Makara of the Sargasso, the Tritons' ancient and relentless foes. Their constant fighting explains their isolation: they distrust all foreigners deeply, and an outsider can hardly ever build a useful relationship with them.

Because war never stops in Sargo, the culture prizes martial skill and the warrior's life above all, and dying in battle, especially against the Makara, is the only worthy end. They are honorable but hot-tempered and quick to punish any insult, and they never break their word. Status rests wholly on fighting ability and is settled by non-lethal duels: winners rise or hold their place, losers fall, and anyone wishing to keep a rank must beat at least one lower-ranked challenger each year. Duels are usually fought with net and trident, the aim being to trap or entangle rather than injure. Fights to the death between Tritons are rare, but intruders are sometimes challenged to them.