OC-tober day 2! This time some Saurian coast shenanigans.
Scaler is being a typical big brother and giving a friendly joke at his sister, Toolmaker, who is holding a sleepy White-feather.
Tribespeople names might confuse some people, so gere's some lore. When a tribemember hatches, they receive a "Child-name" , which is driven from the little one's personality and physical characteristics, like size or colour. When the tribemember grows, they receive a " Moult name" which reflects their role in the tribe or skills they have accomplished.
For example, Toolmakers Child name was "Fairy nose". This is because for some reason, fairies (moths, as we call them) often landed on her head and snout. This was seen as a sign of good fortune, and fertility. When she grew older, she quickly learned to craft tools with great skill, and so got the Moult name: Toolmaker.
Scaler's a bit different. He is the oldest of his clutch, and was quickly noted to be quite smart. He did have a knack of saying snide remarks ( he has never grown out of it) and so was named "Harpoon-tongue". As he aged, his skills in fishing and angling were noticed, and as his Moult name, he was named "Scaler". However, after losing his leg in an accident, he got a nickname: "Single-foot". Most of the time he is called that, and he even refers to himself with that name.
The naming thing is a bit wonky, however. While Toolmakers daughter, White-feather is still a hatchling, her husband, Darkface still has his Child-name, as he hasn't done anything significant in the tribe for now. Not that Toolmaker cares though. After all, she has a handsome spouse who makes good tattoos.
The Mogoi tribe is well known for their aetheric affinity and connection to magic. With this boon, Asajin’s family bloodline has another: the ability to see the future in vague bits. It seems prevalent only in the females of her fabled blood, and unlike the Echo, they can control when to see the future as they get older. This is how they avoid their enemies. They live well by bartering beautiful jewelry crafted from hidden gold mines all about the Steppe that they glamour to hide from other tribes.
The Mogoi are modeled after their goddess, Mogoi, depicted in books and their tribe’s lore as a naga with 3 heads akin to a hydra, though benevolent and kind to her people yet ruthless to her enemies. There is a belief where if one of the Mogoi is cut down, two more shall take their place if they were found worthy by the goddess. And thus, bore twins in the next cycle of rebirth.
Much akin to Astrologians, the Mogoi tribe have a distinct and seemingly unique affinity to the stars and sky of the cosmos. They rely on cloudless skies for the most powerful of rituals and spells, and those among them that have mastered this art and can part the sea of clouds are renowned as Astromancers. While they do not dabble in cards, they have a similar arsenal to those of Sharlayan’s Astrologian. However, it is not outside one’s possibility to channel power and foresight within cards, they need only a manner of objects. Asajin prefers runes carved into bone of Xaelan alphabet. These individuals are considered the mystics and highly respected within the tribe. When one is to be named an Astromancer, they hold a midnight ceremony on the fullest moon and part the clouds to reveal the Umbral Sea, the night’s sky that has its darkness most populated by the many stars within the galaxy.
In its recent years, the tribe has adopted Raen refugees within its tribe and taught them the tribe’s ways without prejudice. They have shared cultures with one another, and have an idea that Mogoi is the Xaelan counterpart to Seiryu, despite no evidence pointing toward it in any scripture. Most Raen try to tell the Mogoi their goddess may not exist, it is not me with much welcome. And adventurers that hear tale of this fear she may be primal, though one never summoned.
Due to once being targeted and having over half their population decimated by the Dotharl tribe, the Mogoi decided to split the tribe up into three parts where they all converge once per Era to discuss their paths. When someone is near, Asa’s grandmother is able to sense such. Once the eldest of the line is laid to rest, the other assumes the role as Elder Seer and has the sole responsibility to warn the other two clans via message spell.This is how they have evaded the nasty Dotharl for many more moons to come.
Laughter filled the night air as the Tribe began to gather. It was a scene that was repeated nearly every eve as Nhaama began her ascent into the sky to rule while Azim rested. This was the time of thanks and prayer, a time of joy and celebration. Music joined the voices and laughter to take the vibrancy of their joy to the heavens above. They did not know if others did such, nor did they care. In the eyes of the Sunir they were the chosen, the blessed. Those who watched and waited for Nhaama’s people to come into their own so that they might rejoin them.
Tonight, however, was different than what usually happened. Nhaama graced the sky with her full splendor giving rise to an even greater celebration, one that started with the telling of the origin to the young of the Tribe. So it was that the adults and elders of the Sunir gathered before their bonfire with their instruments at their side while the children sat themselves before them. The crowd did not move or part now until the Khatun made her way through their ranks to come to stand between the two groups.
<”Nhaama blesses us with her beauty once more, and so we remind ourselves of how we came to be. Hold well this tale, for it is the history of our Tribe and people.”> she called out to the children in front of her.
Behind her the adults and elders brought their instruments to the ready and started playing a soft tune with a firm beat, something to tell a tale too. Combining this with the crackling light of the bonfire and the swell of the ocean nearby created an almost hypnotic effect to any, especially the young who were now held in thrall of what was transpiring.
<”Many seasons back, before the children of Azim and Nhaama were born, Azim and Nhaama shared the sky together. There was no Sun or Moon, just happiness and bliss. Yet in this happiness chaos was born, for without Sun and Moon there was nothing to govern the passing of time and season. So the Mother of All split Azim and Nhaama apart, though it pained her to keep the two lovers seperated, and created both Sun and Moon. Azim, burning bright as ever, was set to look after the Sun and rule over all while its light covered the ground. Nhaama, whose beauty was ethereal, was set to look after the Moon and rule over all when Azim’s light faded from the world.”>
<”Though they abided by the wishes of the Mother of All it hurt them deeply to no longer be able to see each other. So they used all the power they could gather and created children of their own. It was their hope that through their children they might once more be reunited with one another. Azim, who knew only light, created Au Ra with scales of white that were brilliant to behold. While Nhaama, who knew only darkness, created Au Ra with scales of black that shone with the fierce beauty of onyx. For awhile in the land of our birth both those of light and those of dark lived peacefully, fulfilling the wishes of their parents.”>
<”Alas, as all things must, this peace came to an end. Though the first of the Au Ra knew the wishes of Azim and Nhaama, those that came after did not. With only stories told to them by their forefathers they began to question why they lived with those that were so different. Eventually their purpose became forgotten the like Azim and Nhaama were split by the Mother, so to did their children become split apart.”>
<”The first of the Sunir were Khans of the Dusk before the great sundering. Leading our people in prosperity, but when fighting began and even bonds of different tribes started to shatter they left the heart of their home. They went North where they could watch and wait, eventually melding with the Angura until that tribe too fell to corruption. Now all that remains of the blood of the Khan of Khans flows in our veins. We are all that is left of those who still remember our past. Be proud to be Sunir, but also remember it is our duty to avoid spilling the blood of Nhaama at all costs.”>
When those final words were spoken the music began to cease and the children were left with faces of wonder. Despite the fact that not even the one who told the story knew if it was true or not, those children would fight to the death saying that it was. This was how the Sunir kept their tribe together, through any and all obstacles. This was how they survived.
This is a headcanon collection thread about the Au Ra Khatayin tribe. This is not intended to be official for all. Anyone interested in joining up with this are however very welcome to do so!
“ A tribe which largely remains unseen, hunting goats in the mountains for nine moons of the year. The remaining three are spent at the foot of the great north range, where they survive off the dried meat they stocked.”
Trigger warnings: Slavery, violence.
This take on the Khatayin tribe incorporates the fact that they appear as enemies in a fate, and the more grim notes of the Au Ra lore. The slavery culture is roughly based on the historical practices of vikings.
Last Updated: 14/06/18
Tribe Name:
Khatayin
Residence:
Various mountain ranges in the far reaches of The Azim Steppe. The travel time to Reunion can be anything from a week to several weeks on horseback. The tribe migrates between several semi-permanent tribe stomping grounds, all nearby to outsprings of The One River.
Societal structure:
A Khan rules the tribe. The Khan’s position can be threatened, but this is rare.
Following the Khan, there is a pecking order:
Blood relatives to the Khan -> Elders -> Seers/Shamans -> Teachers/Mentors, Herders -> Guardsmen -> Traders, Crafters, Laymen -> The Chronically Sick -> Slaves.
However ones deeds can also influence where one is in the pecking order, and not even blood relatives are excempt from the shame of being a liability to the tribe.
Cultural Norms:
- Each Khatayin proves their worth and lays their claim to their role in the tribes society through a coming of age ritual, circa age 14-16, sometimes later.
- Upon coming of age, they are considered an adult, and may lay claim to slaves, partake in the consumption of Kumis, and other such things.
- Slaves are captured on raids, but these only happen a few times a cycle. The Khatayin target weaker tribes and individuals.
- Slaves can demand their freedom, however they have to fight their way out - an road that is often deadly. Slaves are otherwise treated poorly until they submit and are picked by a member of the tribe. Here-on-after, their quality of life is not the best, but they are not treated like expendable dirt.
- Slaves can ascend from their position in life, but this is very rare. Historically it has only happened for slaves showing potential for magic- E.G Shamans and seers.
- Having a slave is considered a vital step in attracting a life-mate from the tribe. Slaves are distributed per the pecking order, and secondly per where there is need. If is common for laymen to have many, whilst the top of the tribe only have a select few. This is in part to lower the risk of a threat to the Khan.
- As eluded to, The Khatayin select one partner for life. Divorce does not exist. No one cares about the gender composition of a couple, same-sex relations are not unheard of. Childless couples, for whatever reason, are often expected to help mind the other children in the tribe.
- The tribe is sizable enough not to have too many problems with in-breeding. New blood can end up joining the tribe during the three-moon descent, without risking capture, as the tribe is more peaceful on the ground.
- When an elder becomes too old to be of any use to the tribe, they are expected to stay on the mountain the following winter- which they will not survive. Similar is expected of the critically but doomed ill, those who cannot be saved & who pose a significant risk/liability to the tribe.
- During the three-moon time at the foot of the mountains, The Khatayin hold a ritual to remember, mourn and celebrate the ones they lost that cycle.
- The Tribe as a whole has not made a move for Eorzea, but one could theorize they may be more open to people going on pilgrim-like journeys to see the world.
Current PC Members of the tribe:
Akhutai Khatayin (Herder, Younger Brother to Tarkhan)
Tarkhan Khatayin (Mentor, Older brother to Akhutai)
Muunokhoi Khatayin (Shaman)
Notable NPC’s:
Stories of Tribe Members: https://goo.gl/YJWtsu
Who to contact for joining:
MeanderingMind#8375 on Discord. We are also present in The Game of Dawn Thrones discord/ls.
Cryodrakon boreas is a recently described giant Azhdarchid pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Canada. It was a huge animal, with a wingspan of around 10 meters, and about as tall as a giraffe! It was probably a voracious hunter of small animals with occasional carrion, and here one is munching on a troodontid. And although the Late Cretaceous was warm, the winters may have been a dark and gloomy time of the year.
What does this mean for Saurian Coast? Well, Striders have now been described as an actual organism rather than a speculative one, so it will have an even more prominent role! For the tribespeople, this means being in awe of their size and strength, but keeping fledgelings far away from them.
Here's a portrait of Seen-All the shaman when he was younger. Quite the looker he was. Before the name "Seen-All" was given to him, he was known as Wild-eye. And he travelled the world to find more knowledge. On the way, he met Scaler (now Single-foot), and earned the nickname "Wild-Eye the tattooed lady". The times have caught up to him, forever, and he had a drastic change in personality.
In an earlier post I stated that the Tribes don't really have "boogeymen", since they already have Striders ( Giant Azhdarchids).
Well, scratch that. All cultures have some kind of monsters, and the Tribes are no exception.
So say hello to Vhakaaro Kino, an evil spirit with traits of a Strider and a Triber. It is a creature of legend with the ability of giving nightmares and malicious thoughts to both tribe members and animals alike.
It is blamed for things like depression, insomnia, insanity, driving predators to attack camps, and driving tribers against each other. It's attacks can be deterred, however, with shining stones and by putting certain ferns in campfires.
Some cave painting-inspired drawings of Cretaceous reptiles! The idea behind these was basically thinking: how sapient beings would view and depict the animals living alongside them? More may come in the future.
These are actually drums used by the Tribes to contact spirits, with each animal representing its spiritual being. For example, the turtle is the spirit of fertility and wellbeing, while the Azhdarchid pterosaur is the spirit of change. Drums vary between tribes, as some worship some spirits more than others.
