There are those who follow the commands of gods and nations, and then there are the Grimm. A culture that has already once rebelled against the system. Now they live free, by whatever means they wish.
No gods, only ancestors
The culture that lives in Grimnest is aptly named the Grimm. Just like the land itself, the Grimm claim no deities or gods as their creators or benefactors. And if you were to ask the average Grimm, they’d tell you they don’t care either. Instead, through the eons, the Grimm have come to rely on the spirits of their ancestors to guide and protect them.
For many Grimnest natives, their origin story starts the day Salos Lafitte, the first pirate, destroyed the sovereign crown that the kings of Grimnest had worn. Declaring that there will be no king is a line that young Grimm love to repeat while playing games. The origins of piracy are more instilled in their blood than the service of gods, and it works out fine for them.
Guardian Spirits
When the Grimm needs help, it’s not the deities who come to the rescue. It’s their own family, their ancestors of old. Some Grimm families with particularly ancient ancestral spirits can call them down as powerful Guardian Spirits.
For those that stay in Grimnest, being visited by long-dead relatives is a part of everyday life, and it’s an expected part of life. Sometimes it’s the little surprise that comes from seeing that favorite auntie that passed, coming to give you advice while getting groceries. Other times it’s seeing five generations of grandparents at a family wedding. The connection the Grimm have with the dead is deeper than any other culture on Tikor.