Sea Kerks and Marsh Kerks
"There are barbarians, and then there are the Horns. Barbarism implies there is a chance of saving them through teaching, but these horned beasts? It would like trying to teach a lion to curtsy." -Rosari General of Marsh Kerks
"Kerkia is ruled from Kerkwall, the Empire is ruled from Alganwall." -Common Sea Kerk Saying

Of the various Kerkian cultures, the 'water kerks' are the most distant from the distinct clan system found in the hills and mountains of Kerkia. The two cultures have a long and dedicated history of resisting the central authority of their rulers, but always finding a way to be subject to them regardless. Kerks normally despise the water, and they hate sea travel most of all. Kerkians often rely on others to ferry them, wether that be gnolls or otter folk. Yet, water kerks are unique in that their cultures revolve around the water and thus often are given some protection from a central authority. Although both called water kerks, the Sea Kerks and Marsh Kerks are two extremely different people with very little relation outside of the similarities of their passive rebellion. Yet, both peoples play an intensely important role in the Kerkian Leadership, while at the same time being at odds with it.

Marsh Kerks have a long history of living freely in the Couslandic Marshes, having driven out early Oturan colonies and making the land their home. Marsh Kerks are known primarily for being their own domain, their clans holding ancient customs once present in the Kycer, despite their conversion to Illumination. Most Marsh Kerks don't consider the Leadership their rulers, but look instead to the Horns who have ruled the lands since purging the Marshreeds during the Kycer's heyday. The Horns are a Blackguard family, known for it's large and strong warriors and often produce some of the best soldiers for the Kerkian Black Army. Not all Marsh Kerks wear horns on their helms or are as tall as the Horns, but many Marsh Kerks have a reputation of savagery and brutality beyond even most Kerkian standards. To most Kerkian clans outside the marshes, the Marsh Kerks are looked down upon as the last barbarians on their peninsula, and are often too afraid to tell them otherwise.

The Sea Kerks are considered an opposite of the Marsh Kerks. Where the Marsh Kerks are poor, the Sea Kerks are intensely rich. Where the Marsh Kerks are considered uncivilized, the Sea Kerks are considered 'too civilized'. The Sea Kerks come from the people who settled the southern tip of Kerkia, especially amongst its coast. The most notable feature of the the Sea Kerks is that they wear feathered caps, a staple of their ancient clan customs which continued into the current day. Sea Kerks are the only Kerks known to actively use ships, and their ports tend to remain open to others, being the least xenophobic and business minded of the clans. Sea Kerks tend to work closely together and innovate to be above their neighbors, their richness allowing them access to the best clothes, newest weapons, and impressive armor. Sea Kerks are the most resentful of the Kerkian peoples, often known to complain often that their lands are used to fund the empire's many schemes, without much of their say in the matter.