YUTANI (plural unspecific );  YUUTA (singular unspecific)

The Yutani are a curious race of small nomadic humanoids who trace their ancestry to Faen of water as much as Elves identified with Faen of Wood.  Their culture describes a great love affair with the sea, sailing, beach combing, and coastal exploration. They have an innate nomadic wanderlust and an avid interest in traveling and cartography. Most Yutani claim to be born on a ship at sea, (or, very near to shore), and will remain on the ocean or near a coast to end of their days. They tend to travel fast and light and never miss a chance for either profit or adventure.  Only traveling inland to specific purpose or by official requirement.
 It is this love for sea faring travel which defines their acceptance in the subculture present at all ports, as they can be found in most coastal areas of the Known World.  Even the basis their most profound spiritual belief revolves around a triangular love affair between two titans Heliod and Nyx pursuing the favor of a third Thalassa - each succeeding equally but contending forever.
Physical expression of their faith's dogma associated with these stories can be most obviously seen by through ritual scarification and skin bleaching - which mark their bodies with raised white dots in ornate spirals and geometric patterns. Brash and bold, Yutani live in small, interdependent tribes who regard each new interaction with the potential of celebrating life.  Death will arrive eventually but the knowledge of WHEN is fully obscured, so until that fateful day - life should be spent LIVING in worth while fashion.

Physical Description:
The Yutani are proportionately similar to human adults, although they are approximately half average human height; hence the slur. Yutani however cannot be readily confused as human children.  At least, not without significant change in dress, make up, and attitude.  Another failing in reality is the head to body size ratio ... which is vastly different from adult to child, regardless of race, and *this* is primary hurdle of any such a disguise. The native range of coloration for a Yuuta is the same as any human.  Hairstyle worn is tied closely to Yutani ideas of status, the majority of both sexes will wear hair off the neck... except when courting.

Society:
Most Yutani pay more than passing lip service to their loose governing body (the first twelve) establishes cultural mores and trade philosophies rather than attempting to literally govern any one community.  Forming small, tightly knit tribes, each yutani lives a communal existence, sharing what they have with their friends and families. Their culture seems free spirited to most outsiders, but there is an underlying respect for role in the largely matriarchal communities. However, certain roles within the community are exclusive to a specific gender despite any apparent social playfulness.
Marriages are typically limited to a 7 years term which may be renewed by mutual consent. It is possible for any party to 'opt' out of a marriage - as long as an obligation amount is provided to the one not leaving. The obligation amount is accessed by a Wavedancer.  Any children produced by these unions are the responsibility of the entire clan.
Not unlike their spiritual beliefs their own domestic relations can be quite complex and may not conform to the human expectations of one wife and one husband. Although it would be unique to have a union of more than three adults in a marriage; and scandalous for there to be less than two wives in any union greater than three participants .
Community Roles:  - Cargomaster, Windfinder, Sailtender, Deckmistress, Bladeracer
Alignment and Religion: Yutani culture guides its members toward neutrality and seek the balance found in how water acclimates with its surroundings. Although they can be of any alignment.
Clans: (Icon)   - Catelar (White Sail), Shodein (Furled Pennant), Somerin (Calm Water), Dacan (Sharktooth), Rossiane (Anchor) , Tekanna (ShipsWake), Jubai (Bridge), Selanne (Cargo Net), Zaidda (Belaying Pin),  Gelyn (Cargo hook), Shalon (Graven Bell), Toagra (Cutlass)