So tell me more about Tjardek's living structures and Sorstan's magpies. :D -- Tjardek's #1 Fan
Oh man, let’s see if I can get a little bit of world-building up in here!
I’ve been thinking about ‘noph dwellings for a while now, and though it very much depends on the habitat, most of the woodland ‘nophs will build with stones of varying sizes, coupled with dug-outs and live trees. Some pallanophs are almost human like in their habits and will fell trees (I’m going to have to come up with methods as to how they manage that) and make almost cabin-like structures that may lean against hillsides or be free-standing, but a lot of woodland ‘nophs prefer a less destructive approach, where they plant sapling trees of fast growing and flexible nature (I feel like birches would work, but I need to read more, also they likely have their own special tree species unique to their world) and basically plant them to form living walls. They tend the trees, gently prune, tie, and stake, often meticulously weaving them together while providing them fertilizer (blood and bones from kills in particular, along with composted mulches). In a handful of years, the trees are grafted to one another to create a sturdy roof, after which point the framework of the living dwelling is finished and the trees are more or less left to continue their growth. Insulation (exterior) is composed of interwoven pine boughs/needles, or mats of living vegetation.
Some pallanophs might get a little ornamental with their grafting. I imagine Tjardek enjoys adding little embellishments with his growing trees: He’s grown some very nice ornamental windows for the dwelling they all share. As for how Tjardek came upon this unusual craft, I imagine it turned up just before adolescence, when Sorstan acknowledged his brother’s dangerous temper and decided to turn his energies to more positive ends. I imagine there was a conversation that went something like this:
Sorstan: “You need to think about things that DON’T make you angry. What are those things?”
Tjardek: “You. Sometimes… and mom.”
Sorstan: “OTHER things. Don’t get smart at me.”
Tjardek: “Alright… the trees, they don’t gossip, for one thing. And they’re quiet, unlike your birds.”
Which brings us to Sorstan’s birds! False magpies (they’ll get a better name someday?) serve as a messenger service if you don’t want to/can’t send a message in person. The magpies are wicked smart and have excellent verbal memory, so can recite a message pretty reliably. Magpies have a strong tie to pallanophs, as the pallanophs supply food, nesting, shelter, and protection for their services. Sorstan and Tjardek mostly work together as border rangers (they escort ambassadors from other tribes, report movement of pallanophs within and outside of the tribe, and protect the tribe from aggressive rogues, among other things) but both of them need their side hobbies to relax and unwind. Sorstan regularly feeds most of the village’s birds scraps and special treats, checks and treats them for any parasites, illnesses, injuries, etc., and plays Big Brother during fledging season, where he dutifully climbs trees to return clumsy chicks to their nests. He also teaches them pallanoph words to increase their innate speaking ability: persistent coaching and encouragement yields the best messengers, after all. To make a long story short, he is the ultimate bird friend.
(I’m totally cheating by giving them jobs/hobbies that are relevant to my interests… ahahahah, worldbuilding, bit by tiny bit!)
