An Excerpt from Chronicles of the Nestless: Shadows in the Realm Chapter 1: Introduction. Published by one of the Star Nest's most prominent Caeologists, Iobar Malinowski, this book unravels the mystery of the Nestless Caeli. Chronicles of the Nestless examines their previously misunderstood world and pulls it apart to explain their motivations and reality.
THE NESTLESS. Across the expanse of Visla, there exists a group of caeli untouched by the reassuring embrace of a nest. Known as the Nestless, these caeli are a disparate collective of individuals bound not by bloodlines nor a shared code. For those who reside within a nest, their choice to seemingly embrace a life of vagrancy and chaos is an unfathomable one. It is not so simple as making a choice, as we discovered. Some bear the scars of exile, while others carry the weight of crimes, their footsteps stained by the blood of their misdeeds. In the end, the reason boils down to expulsion from their home nest.
Indeed, for those who willingly step into the abyss it's not a simple matter of wanderlust. Even traders, those nomads with itchy feet and pockets full of coins, long for a warm bed to rest after their escapades. Yet, the Nestless do not return to safety. For some, they are plagued with an inherent emptiness, a void of identity that defies settling down or finding acceptance within a nest. Those who actively choose this path often find solace among other misfits – criminals, extremists, and those who defy the norms. The Nestless are a motley bag of those that have rejected society or been rejected by society.
A heavy curtain of stigma shrouds the Nestless, casting them as outsiders—risky, unpredictable, even perilous. Within nests, uncertainty looms, for one never knows if the silent trader is a fellow citizen or a shadowed figure from the margins. Trust, in the world of the Nestless, is a commodity as scarce as their next meal. Life as a small trader or beggar becomes the norm, where survival hinges on concealment or adaptation. Seeing a good opportunity for recruits, syndicates of pirates beckon to those daring enough to sail the tumultuous seas of lawlessness.
There have been attempts at a greater Nestless Guild, however all have failed in the face of internal discord and external pressures. In my opinion, seeking to unify individuals whose only shared value is a distaste for rules was always an uphill battle. However, the Free Traders Guild, a clandestine network of criminals turned merchants, has been thriving since accepting the Nestless amongst its' ranks. It is a shadowy congregation of criminals and escape artists that operated more like a thieves' guild in an elaborate disguise. Under the guidance of shrewd leaders hidden across the nests their influence has solidified their name gained infamy. Despite its illicit origins, it offers a glimmer of hope for those seeking refuge from the fringes of society.
Yet, every alliance with the shadows carries a price. A tryst with the Free Traders Guild entails a dance on the edge of legality. The benefits, though, are tantalizing—a network for potential reintegration into nests, guild halls offering refuge in nests, and the illusion of a semblance of belonging. However, the cost could be your life and those of your family.
THE NESTLESS. Across the expanse of Visla, there exists a group of caeli untouched by the reassuring embrace of a nest. Known as the Nestless, these caeli are a disparate collective of individuals bound not by bloodlines nor a shared code. For those who reside within a nest, their choice to seemingly embrace a life of vagrancy and chaos is an unfathomable one. It is not so simple as making a choice, as we discovered. Some bear the scars of exile, while others carry the weight of crimes, their footsteps stained by the blood of their misdeeds. In the end, the reason boils down to expulsion from their home nest.
Indeed, for those who willingly step into the abyss it's not a simple matter of wanderlust. Even traders, those nomads with itchy feet and pockets full of coins, long for a warm bed to rest after their escapades. Yet, the Nestless do not return to safety. For some, they are plagued with an inherent emptiness, a void of identity that defies settling down or finding acceptance within a nest. Those who actively choose this path often find solace among other misfits – criminals, extremists, and those who defy the norms. The Nestless are a motley bag of those that have rejected society or been rejected by society.
A heavy curtain of stigma shrouds the Nestless, casting them as outsiders—risky, unpredictable, even perilous. Within nests, uncertainty looms, for one never knows if the silent trader is a fellow citizen or a shadowed figure from the margins. Trust, in the world of the Nestless, is a commodity as scarce as their next meal. Life as a small trader or beggar becomes the norm, where survival hinges on concealment or adaptation. Seeing a good opportunity for recruits, syndicates of pirates beckon to those daring enough to sail the tumultuous seas of lawlessness.
There have been attempts at a greater Nestless Guild, however all have failed in the face of internal discord and external pressures. In my opinion, seeking to unify individuals whose only shared value is a distaste for rules was always an uphill battle. However, the Free Traders Guild, a clandestine network of criminals turned merchants, has been thriving since accepting the Nestless amongst its' ranks. It is a shadowy congregation of criminals and escape artists that operated more like a thieves' guild in an elaborate disguise. Under the guidance of shrewd leaders hidden across the nests their influence has solidified their name gained infamy. Despite its illicit origins, it offers a glimmer of hope for those seeking refuge from the fringes of society.
Yet, every alliance with the shadows carries a price. A tryst with the Free Traders Guild entails a dance on the edge of legality. The benefits, though, are tantalizing—a network for potential reintegration into nests, guild halls offering refuge in nests, and the illusion of a semblance of belonging. However, the cost could be your life and those of your family.