Tongzhis

Tongzhis are a fictional ethnolinguistic group featured in contemporary fantasy and science fiction, as well as some role-playing game settings. In these narratives, the Tongzhi language and culture originate from a coastal archipelago called the Tonghri Chain, where communities form a network of trading hubs connected by maritime routes. The name Tongzhi in their tongue is interpreted in various stories as “binding the seas” or “people of ties,” reflecting their emphasis on networks and cooperation.

Biology and society: Tongzhis are broadly humanoid, typically 1.6 to 1.9 meters tall, with varied skin tones and physical variation corresponding to regional lineages. They are adapted to a maritime environment, with strong upper bodies for rigging, efficient breathing for long sea voyages, and eyes tolerant of salt spray. They inhabit island towns and floating markets, using channels and causeways to move between communities. Their economy is trade-based, with crafts, navigation services, and fishing as principal sectors. Family groups are organized into clans governed by a council of captains who rotate leadership based on seamanship and governance merit.

Language and culture: The Tongzhi language is described as tonal and uses a syllabary script inspired by shell engravings and coral glyphs. Oral tradition—epic sea songs and navigational logs—forms core education and legal memory. Cultural practices include ritual voyages, ship-naming ceremonies, and communal feasts that mark harvests, weather, and successful voyages. Social life centers on collective decision-making, shared property, and mutual aid during long sea crossings.

Reception and appearances: Tongzhis appear across novels and tabletop RPGs as merchants, navigators, and explorers. They are used to explore themes of migration, intercultural exchange, and the ethics of trade, with ongoing discussions about representation and world-building in speculative fiction.