Chapter 02 / Life in the souli
A people measured by usefulness
To understand the Banu, begin with the souli. These guild-like, non-blood families shape work, identity, education, and reputation. A young Banu is raised inside a living trade organism, trained toward a craft, and measured by what they can contribute.
Their culture treats history differently than Humanity does. Dates and origins fade when they cannot help a deal, but routes, contracts, technologies, documents, and wanted lists survive because they are useful.
Even the question of a homeworld remains uncertain. Many in the UEE point to Bacchus II, site of species-wide Gatherings, but a Banu may name the world where they were born, the ship that carried them, or the souli that made them.