Rikkien

Rikkien is a fictional Indigenous people created for use in speculative fiction and tabletop role‑playing settings. They are described as living in the archipelago of Rikka, a chain of coastal islands in the northern seas. In-world, the term Rikkien refers to the people, their language, and their cultural practices, and it is used by outsiders as the name of the community.

The Rikkien language, also called Rikkien, is presented as polysynthetic with complex verb morphology and a rich oral tradition. It is depicted as central to identity and social memory, with storytelling playing a key role in historical transmission and education.

Society is organized around kin-based clans, with traditional leadership shared by a council of elders and a steward elected from among the youth for a term. Emphasis is placed on communal land and sea resource stewardship, with customary laws governing fishing rights, harvests, and intergenerational obligations.

The economy centers on coastal and intertidal resources: fishing, shell craft, canoe building, and salt production. Seasonal voyaging facilitates trade with neighboring communities, using double-hulled canoes and navigation based on currents, winds, and ecological signs. Artistry includes wood carving, beadwork, and woven textiles featuring geometric motifs that carry symbolic meaning.

Historically within the fictional chronology, the Rikkien migrate from a mainland region after rising sea levels and later engage in exchanges with outsiders, producing a dynamic of cultural contact and occasional conflict. In contemporary works, the Rikkien are used to explore themes of sovereignty, ecological stewardship, and intercultural interaction, emphasizing resilience and adaptation within a coastal maritime context.