It is Diondas, 21st of the Month of Life, in the year 96
Komanali Tribes
The Komanali (or the People) are elven nomads that traditionally hail from the Great Basin region of the Northern Continental New World. They are less commonly found in the south where their distant kin reside, but are everywhere else travelling from place to place and adaptable to every biome and area in clans.
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The Komanali travel in relatively small clans with herds of animals and camp wherever they find suitable areas. They travel light and gain resources by hunting local wildlife, which they use for the manufacture of huts, armours, clothing and household items. Komanali culture revolves around an ancestor-worshipping culture that the more modern factions have left behind.
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The Komanali are the natives of Northern Awenasa, and view the House Elves as foreigners and invaders, whose way of life and gods are an affront to the natural order. Although their origin is northward, they have since spread across all Awenasa but can be found in significantly fewer numbers in the South.
“It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story.”
- A long-held belief about their oral history.
Play As...
Komanali
General Characteristic
Race
Elf
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Language
Command, Komanali
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Height
162cm - 195cm (5'3 - 6'4)
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Hair Colours
Browns, Brunettes, Black. No Blondes or Gingers
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Eye Colours
Dark Colours, Deep Browns, Earthly/Clay Colours
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Skin Tone
Overall Tawny, Deeper Rich Browns
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Ethos
Bellicose & Communal
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Naming Convention
North American Natives
Komanali Rundown
Themes
Northern Native Americans (Comanche mostly), Animism, Tribal RP, Underdogs with new opportunities​
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Aesthetics
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North American and Canadian First Nations
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Unique Aspects
Tribals with gaining importance, Old foe is floundering
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General Attitudes Towards
Attitude Scale:
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Allied
Friendly
Cordial
Neutral
Unfavourable
Antagonistic
War
Gallia:
Unfavourable
Dumanon:
Friendly
Great Houses:
Antagonistic
Azuchi:
Neutral
Daurans:
Neutral
Asturias:
Unfavourable
Custodes:
Unfavourable
Banen’Rhûn:
War
Dynasty:
Neutral
Sasanshahr:
Neutral
Ancient Dwarves:
Neutral
Amu-Tep:
Neutral
Turak:
Neutral
Komanali and Aether Users:
The Attuned are known to the Komanali in a divisive manner. It is an absolute fact that some of the greatest warriors, and most significant wise-women of their history have been kinned with the Aether; but these rare icons have been considered unique instances of Komanali blessed by their ancestors; Spirit-Blessed becoming a common name for them. As most Attuned do not reach this level of power; and many fall to some degree of darkness; powers along these lines are regarded with wariness and distrust. An Attuned Komanali is more likely to be shunned than accepted - unless they can prove themselves a wise incarnation of their clan's beliefs and ancestral ways.
Similarly, they regard the Aether Users of Dumanon with a justifiable wariness and distrust. The ways of the Imperium, though intriguing and useful for the Komanali, are often considered dishonourable - and overall, they believe Aether in other cultures must come from a different place, rather than precious Ancestor-spirits.
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Komanali and Demons:
Though lacking in written history, the Komanali do not lack for oral stories that, to the learned listener, are often about the demons their society has faced and cast down over the millenia. The Komanali are often unaware of the import of these foes, and instead merge these understandings to be a part of their wider knowledge of the various hostile animals and creatures of Awenasa. They subsequently treat all demons as they would these creatures; if it is a threat to the tribe, it should be killed, and swiftly.​​​
When creating a Komanali, there are a few important things to consider:
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What clan were they, or are they a part of? Try and find an existing clan on the server to join. Being alone and clanless is dangerous, and those that are often resort to banditry or settle in the cities. If you are alone, aim to be adopted by a clan.
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What station do they aspire to? While the only formal positions are usually Chieftain, Wise Woman, and Medicine Man, clans may have specific needs or wants. Warriors, hunters, treasurers, gatherers, healers, and so on.
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Are they a Komanali of the Northern Nations, or the Plains Nations?
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Who are their ancestors? Are they from a line of chiefs that have fallen from favour? Or the distant descendant of a great warrior, or venerable medicine man?
If you are a Chieftain:
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What laws and customs does your Chieftain establish for the clan? Some clans may take a more democratic approach to laws, and others may not have written laws at all and only agree upon customs verbally. How you handle this is still indicative of your Chieftain's leadership: what some view as fair, others may view as weak.
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You are open to being challenged, with reason. How does your Chieftain establish himself as a leader? How does he deter his followers, even those who may be physically stronger than him, from betraying him?
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What is the ancestral lineage of your clan? Every ancestor matters, though some more than others. Don’t make your ancestry too restricted; ambiguity allows others to add their input. The grandest few are critical, however.
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​​If you are a Wise Woman:
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Who taught your character to become a wise woman? Did they spend time with another clan, or apprentice with an elder?
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How does your character interpret dreams, visions and hallucinations? Do they throw bones and runes, or use their own intuition?
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Consider seeking out other wise women and medicine men on the server, so that together, you might better protect the Komanali people in Nahas.
“I often doubt humans - the great gift of horses seems wise beyond them.”
- Nadua, first Kindred to Chieftain Pahayoko.
The History of Komanali Tribes
The Plains and Northern Clans have different stories of their creation but all Komanali agree that the lands of Northern Continent of Awenasa are theirs, and always have been theirs.
In those times, millenia ago, they made peace with the spirits, learned the gift of fire, and spread themselves far and wide. The lack of a written language has all but assured that these times are forgotten, and all that is remembered of them are the scrawlings upon rock and stories passed from generation to generation through oral tradition. The history that a Komanali might know is often sparse, restricted to tales that are ensured to pass from generation to generation.
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Everything else is passed down orally and typically collected by the wise women or medicine men of clans, though are taught to everyone as a core part of entertainment. This usually includes the legends of their origin, notable battles from their clan history, and a few notable events from the broader world of the Komanali.
The Elven Dark Age which followed the defeat of House Soletera gave the Komanali some reprieve and time to rebuild. The Great Plague has been seen by many who seek revenge for ancient wrongs as an opportunity to strike out against the Houses once more. This desire has been hindered by the emergence of the Banen’Rhun has prevented the Komanali from exercising revenge. But, with the arrival of humanity, this status quo has been upset as both the Great Houses and the Komanali find new allies to continue their feud.
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The other important story of Komanali history is far more recent. The introduction of them to the people of Dumanon. In the very early days of human discovery of the new world, Dumanon explorers came across Komanali, and in order to survive the harsh conditions of the continent, they often traded for vital supplies. Illness passed thoroughly between the colonists and even ravaged the Komanali who dared to do dealings with them, but ultimately, both sides learned the value of the other as an honest and fair partner. Without the help of the tribespeople, the first explorers would’ve died horrific deaths; and the next ones would not have treated the nomads kindly.
This relationship expanded as Dumanon gained a proper foothold. Rather than disregard the humble tribes, commanders and more importantly, the Marquis Heolstor, continued to see their value as allies. The Marquis developed a close relationship with the Chief Pahayoko, of the largest tribe at the time - known then as the clan of the Diving Eagles, and now as the Scorched Hoof tribe.
Pahayoko is a partially legendary figure now, for his strength and honour have been greatly exaggerated, but nonetheless, he was a man of fantastic strategy which relentlessly impressed the Dumanon Marquis. After two decades of trade and even war together against other tribes and Elves who wanted to be completely rid of the humans, the Dumanon leaders decided to make a grand gesture to the Diving Eagles clan, one which would benefit them both.
Often the first and most important of tales told is the arrival of Navak. Though the story differs from tribe to tribe, the core story aligns through various tribes.
Long ago the Komanali stood proud in Awenasa, masters over all land. Until a great fog cleared and there from it emerged a new land south of the sea. From this land came Navak, a preacher from the distant land, he travelled across the great channel which now bisects Awenasa in two, landing where the capital of the Elven Dominion of the Great Houses, Acrebera, now sits.
Navak did not arrive alone, he brought a vast host of proselytizers, the Navakuin, meaning follower of Navak.
They sent out many envoys to the clans to spread the word of the Elven Gods, mortals of such power ascendant in their splendor. - The Komanali were a hard people to convince, but some eventually turned their back on their ancestors to adopt these Gods of Elves. This divergence caused a great many rifts within the tribes, until at last they banished and banned the Navakuin from returning.
The tribes uniting in such an act was rare, but it was not without consequence. Those Komanali who accepted this new faith all but revolted against what they saw as tyrannical chiefs and drove the tribes into a thousand years of war.
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During these turbulent years, the Great House's war hosts arrived and aided the Navakuin, gradually occupying the land the Komanali called home. The tale often ends here, and as such, many Komanali hold a grudge against Navak and his followers, the House Elves, viewing them as invaders, having pushed them out of their ancestral lands.
Though it is still the case that Komanali can still be found in the wilds surrounding the cities and towns of House Galasaar, House Kitzra and House Daramos from which Navak hailed. - To tribe storytellers, Navak is a boogeyman, fiercely represented as a shadow that corrupted the souls of once nature-attuned tribesmen.
At a great ceremony and celebration, at the height of summer where many Komanali clans had come together at the great camp of Pahayoko’s people, the Marquis and his men took part in the traditional goings-on with the natives. And at the end of the night, they revealed unto the tribe and everyone else in attendance, a gift of five hundred purebred horses. This honoured the Komanali people, who saw the respect that the humans gave these beasts, and saw fine enough their uses. It took a long time for them to learn how to properly care for and train both themselves and the mounts to work in tandem, but soon they were a true force to be reckoned with on the backs of the horses.
From there, Dumanon continued to trade the animals to all of the Komanali tribes throughout the continent - horses became a staple in both the Plains and Northern Clans, though they are most favoured amongst the plains peoples, where they became intrinsic to their way of life. The relationship between the Komanali and Dumanon has only deepened since, as trade between the Komanali and Dumanon has become exceptionally common, with both sides gaining greatly from their partnership. This relationship has at times grown in to an explicit military alliance, as several Komanali clans joined Dumanon in its war with House Galasaar, sating their desire for revenge against the Navakuin.
Komanali Creation Myth
The believed origin of the world is a short one, passed on through generations of oral history. It may differ slightly between clans, and may now be far different from how it had once been, but generally the main idea is kept to.
It is a belief that once, the world was only inhabited by the Great Spirit. And that this spirit, one day, collected swirls of dust from the four cardinal directions in order to create the Komanali people. They were given the strength of mountains, the speed of wind, the grace of water and the determination of fire. Unfortunately, creating them in turn created something else; a shape-shifting demon-spirit, born accidentally from the first shadows the Komanali cast on the earth.
The Great Spirit banished this foul entity into a bottomless pit, far far under the earth where nothing but stone can be tormented by it - but, its reach did not end as it should’ve. Instead, through will alone, the demon-spirit shaped itself into a thousand pieces, and now those small fractures take refuge in the fangs and stingers of poisonous creatures, using them to cause harm whenever a chance arises.
“All who have died are equal.”
- A long passed on proverb.
Komenali:
Civilization & Politics
Komanali clans are hierarchical, and revolve around a Chieftain and the clan’s Medicine Man or Wise Woman, followed then by the most skilled and eldest of the clan’s warriors, who are often considered to be the Chieftain’s brothers and protectors. Other roles of high importance are those who count and organise food, the lead hunters, and in more recent generations, horse keepers.
Rare clans may be led by a female Chieftain, but this may cause offence with other tribes and often results in repeated challenges to the Chieftains power, both internally and externally. In some clans, the Chieftain may decide the laws for the clan, while other clans may not have official laws at all and rely more on a general understanding.
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The customs regarding who leads the Clan vary between groups and across nations, though generally, one can become a Chieftain so long as they are of that tribe, and best the current Chieftain in an honour duel. In practice, this process is often hereditary, with the Chieftain being bested by one of their sons when they are of age, and time is right. It can be the case that someone other than the Chieftain’s son may challenge his rule, but to do so is often understood to be extreme, and the consequence for defeat is often exile. The Komanali, however, believe that the Chieftains of their tribe, even if they are of different bloodlines, all interconnected, and as such, whilst a Chieftain may not be directly related to another, he may still contact his spirit as though he were his ancestor.
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Wise Women and Medicine Men are responsible for the physical and spiritual wellbeing of their clan, and as such, they are the Komanali equivalent of doctors, but also the priests of their society. They are also responsible for keeping the clan’s history and retelling it to the next generation, and, within those youths, selecting an apprentice to follow them in their role once they die. A clan who’s Wise Woman or Medicine Man lacks an apprentice is a clan whose future is in jeopardy. However, it is not uncommon that when this happens that the Clan now lacking a Wise Woman or Medicine Man may send an aspirant to the title to a neighbouring group of Komanali and, as thus it is often the case that the Wise Women and Medicine Men see themselves as loyal to all Komanali, meeting regularly with one another to better provide for their own clan through the trading of knowledge and medicines.
The priestly function of Wise Women and Medicine Men primarily involves guiding their fellow clanmates in communicating with the spirits of the natural world and the deceased. They achieve this through the usage of black wash and other alchemical mixtures. A Komanali may seek to do this to receive advice from their ancestors, to gain aid from the spirits, or to be granted a vision quest, a task deemed necessary before further communion with the spirits can continue.
Clans
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Contrary to the perceptions of the Old World, and even the House Elves, Komanali political society possesses some levels of organisation. Clans can vary in size, from a small village, thirty or so Komanali, to a larger town, possessing within it several different tribes either confederated or conquered. Often, clans find themselves bound to one another through pacts and oaths, and the Komanali of a region will often camp together at the height of spring in a large celebration known as a Pauau. Though these clans each have their own laws, these larger ‘nations’ of Komanali often agree with one another more than they disagree, and in times of war can find themselves assembling into a single entity, led by a War Chief selected by the various individual clan leaders.
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Clans are no strangers to currency and trade. Money has value even to these nomadic people, and they will gladly engage in trade with other clans or even foreigners, provided they show adequate respect. Trading fairly with someone who shows offence is considered a weakness. Coinage was very new to them, but they were quick to understand its importance in modernised trade.
Should someone break the laws of a clan, exile is the most common punishment for extreme offenders. With their homes lost to them, they often become bandits or join other outsider groups - no other clan will willingly take in an exile, but groups entirely formed of exiles may. Should they instead abandon their culture wholly and leave for the cities of the Elves, they are no longer considered Komanali. Instead, they are known as Navakuin, an insult synonymous with coward or traitor. Navakuin are despised by the Komanali, who view them as akin to the conquerors and invaders that took their lands, while the Elven Houses look down on them as an insignificant underclass.
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The naming of clans usually comes from a striking description of its people or warfare. Some in recent years have been renamed to involve horses, such as the Thundering Hooves clan. Others include the clans Loud Wolves, Far Walkers, and Foothills People.
The Nations
Generally, both culturally and politically, the Komanali are split in two, with the Clans of the Great Plains possessing a great affinity for horses and greater contact with the House Elves, whilst in contrast the Clans of the Northern Forests are less nomadic and have a greater trading relationship with Dumanon. In recent times, both the Plains Clans and Northern Clans have come under threat from Banen’Rhun raids from their mountain strongholds.
Plains Clans
The Clans of the Great Plains of Northern Awenasa are spread from coast to coast, living on lands claimed by House Daramos and Kitzra but also the great untamed Plains of the west for which they are named. Some of the Plainsfolk have even dared to cross the great sea between Southern and Northern Awenasa, occupying the plains around that coastline, such as the Nahas Frontier.
The people of the Plains are far more migratory than their Northern relatives, as they are able to travel further on account of their proficiency with horses and the general flatness of the areas in which they live, though they generally travel and camp in the same places as they have done for hundreds of years. The Plainsfolk are the most numerous of the Komanali, though the sheer vastness of the lands that they occupy rarely means that such a number is brought to bear, except during the annual spring Pauaus, where it is claimed a hundred thousand might gather to celebrate another year. Though all Komanali hold some grudge against the House Elves, the Plainsfolk are more tolerant than their Northern brethren, and thus do at times trade and make deals with the House Elves, though these are often small exchanges of furs and meats for medicines and iron and short term agreements to face common foes.
The importance of horses to the Plainsfolk cannot be overstated. Replacing dogsleds as their means of pack animal, the Plainsfolk can now range further, travel quicker, and generally live better lives. Thus, a horse is to be respected as a life giver, a provider for the tribe, killing one or allowing one to die through negligence is seen as a severe crime, and when times are particularly tough and food is short, the sentence can often be exile. The Horse has also given the Komanali a singular advantage over the Banen’Rhun, as it allows for them to simply break camp and retreat into the vastness of the plains should they detect an imminent raid, thwarting many hot-headed Banen Captains who do not take due caution to prepare for such an attack.
“A man or woman with many children has many homes.”
- Wise Woman Kak’wet, of the Mountain Walker tribe.
Komanali:
Faith
The faith of the Komanali people is based on Animism. For them, this means that they consider everything to have a spirit or soul. The earth, individual trees, mountains, clouds, the sky and so on. These spirits are thus owed respect, and should be both feared by the Komanali as not to invoke their wrath, but also loved and worshipped for their role in the natural order. The spirit of a horse is considered to be very important to the Plains Nations, as a rider can personally be bonded to it, allowing them to become stronger than ever in battle. Likewise, it is believed that a similar relationship can be formed with wolves, or mountain lions, though cases of this are much rarer. This reverence for the natural world feeds in to their disgust with their House Elven cousins, who hold no such value in things the Komanali view as sacred.
The most important thing to this faith is fire. Each flame has its own spirit, and they believe that each newly lit fire is inhabited by a great and powerful ancestor. As such, it is outlawed to ever suffocate, drench or stamp out any fire under any circumstances. It is a grave disrespect to do this to other’s fire pits; if someone does do it, it is expected to be dealt with in an honour duel. Fires must be left to die on their own, when the ancestor desires to leave, even if the flames are destructive and uncontrolled. To be burnt by flames is often taken as a very important sign; a blessing or, depending on circumstances, a grave curse.
A central part of every camp is a holy fire pit; known as the Spirit Fire, Soul Fire, Shaman’s Fire, and other similar phrases. This fire is not even to be left to die on its own, but rather constantly stoked, and it is a common job for aspiring shamans to be charged with. They must keep it lit all day and all night. This fire is where they meet, pray and counsel as a clan. Great and small marriages are held here, births are performed in the tents nearest to the pit, and when a body must be burnt it is with a flame taken from the Spirit Fire by torch.
Fire is intrinsic to how the Komanali commune with the Spirits. Fires are understood to also serve as a beacon in which the clan’s ancestors remain anchored to the material world. Further, offerings to the spirits are burnt, given over to the spirits to strengthen their connection to the offeror. A Komanali may have many objectives when communing with the Spirits, but most often, they seek advice or guidance from their ancestors. It is, however, not uncommon for the Komanali to beseech the Spirits for aid in various tasks, such as ensuring their yearly migration is unharrassed by predators, that the rains come full and fast, or that the winter will not be harsh. Though onlookers are often sceptical, the Komanali have genuine faith that such things can be asked for and are received.
“Navak are a continued insult to Mother Nature. Their blood can feed the soil this spring.”
- Chieftain Quanah, of the River Followers tribe.
Komanali:
Norms & Culture
Though the Komanali appear to the eye as a modest people, they are stubborn in their ways, as their connection with the spirits, nature, and their ancestors is a source of immense pride. This stubbornness is evidenced in their relationship with the House Elves; even after thousands of years of contact, they still form two exceptionally distinct cultures. As such, their culture possesses an innate rejection of the beliefs and cultures of others, as many Priests of the 21 and One, and the Divine Court, have learned the hard way. Though this xenophobia extends to other cultures, it is far more lax than religious disagreements, as instead, the Komanali prefer to live separately amongst their own people than to live amongst the Navakuin, Dwarves, or Humans.
The obvious exception to this is trading and commerce, things not unknown and rather regularly practised by the Komanali, as it forms an important pillar in their inter-clan relationships. Though the average foreigner will be treated with some distrust, traders and merchants receive a much warmer welcome in Komanali camps, where the Clansfolk are expected to be far more polite to them, less the Clan receive a bad deal. This stems from a long history of trade with the Elves of Kitzra, who likewise abandon most of their values at the boundary of the Komanali’s camps, but it has also been reinforced by their relationship with Dumanon, as without such a good relationship between Chief Pahayoko and the Marquis Heolstor, the gift of horses may have never been received.
The Komanali possess a custom of honour duels. Many of their oral stories feature them as moments where the hero or the underdog triumphs over a villain, though the reality of such duels is less romantic.
If a Komanali feels that their honour has been slighted, they may request a duel, and should they decline, the matter will be seen as settled in favour of the one who was slighted, as to deny such a request is seen as cowardly, a likely equal dishonour. It is also the case that duels often decide who leads Komanali clan though the practice of it differs from clan to clan, as it is more common in larger, more belligerent tribes than smaller, more pastoralist clans Honour duels are often conducted without weapons, armour, or use of the Aether, as to use any of these things as an advantage is seen to be dishonourable.
It is always the case that to challenge a Chieftain, the challenger must have a legitimate reason to question their authority, rather than simply being physically stronger. Further, defeating a Chieftain in a duel or spar that is not explicitly about their role as a Chieftain does not make the victor the leader of the Clan. As mentioned previously, the way that most Komanali clans select their new Chieftain is through a rigged duel, where-in the Chieftain will purposely lose against the son that he would like to succeed him.
Their children are considered the most precious gift, given by nature and the love of the parents. Women are treated exceptionally well once their pregnancy begins to show, and when it is her time, clans will typically have a designated safe place just for her. This must involve a dirt ground as it is considered very important for her to remain connected to the earth throughout. Boys, when born, are referred to as the birth of “Your close friend,” to their fathers, and are praised more than girls - a whole tribe will celebrate the addition of a warrior to the clan. Most often, parents do not name their children; that honour befalls the highest wise woman or medicine man within the camp.
Camp customs vary between the Plainsfolk and Northfolk of the Komanali. Whilst all camps possess a central fire, the Plainsfolk prefer less permanent structures, such as tipi tents that can be disassembled and carried on horseback to the next camp spot come time to migrate. In contrast, whilst the Northfolk utilise tents for the same migratory reasons as the Plainsfolk, they prefer to construct semi-permanent structures such as long houses and stores to protect themselves from the harsh weather of their homeland. It is not uncommon for the Plainsfolk to likewise construct small stone structures or wooden cabins, but they do so far less, and mostly to store valuables or food in a protected shelter.
Komanali have a different preference for wealth than most other cultures as it would be unrealistic for them to haul around heavy furniture or possess ornate palaces. Instead, they place higher value in utility, a strong, mythril knife would be worth more than a golden chain, or, a pair of good walking boots superior to an ornate dress. The exception to this rule is turquoise as they believe pieces of turquoise come from the sky, combining with the earth after falling to the ground. These are occasionally known as skystones, and used in jewellery that would be considered the pinnacle of a Komanali’s collection.
Their clothing is often simple and adorned in ways that other cultures may consider humble. Sturdy pelts and cloth will see them through most of their lives, but they are not adverse to colour. In fact, the Komanali have a wondrous talent for making paint and pigment from the world around them, and as such their clothes often hold an element of striking colour. Green-blue cloth dyed to match the tones in a raven feather suspended from a Komanali girl's hair; or red paint on the skin of a warrior to match the cuts of fur from an orange fox or wolf.
Its also very common for men in particular to have piercings and tattoos, or to at least paint their body with pigments. There is no clear trend for how a Komanali may be painted, apart from that black is always used as a colour for war. This extends beyond bodily decoration and also into adornments for armour.
The Komanali, traditionally without a written language, have long relied on oral tradition to preserve their culture and history. Whilst some have gained literacy in Elven, it remains uncommon among their people. However, a quiet revolution has begun in recent years, as a small group of Medicine Men and Wise Women, collaborating with human scholars, have embarked on creating a unique, written form of Komanali. This linguistic innovation is but one facet of a broader cultural transformation sweeping across Awenasa. The Komanali find themselves at a crossroads, as their culture and ways have become increasingly challenged by a new generation, that while maintaining their deep spiritual connection with the land and their ancestors, are also eager to embrace the technologies and ideas brought by human to the Old World. Where once advocates of tradition could dismiss such changes as mere House Elf influence, they now face a growing movement that seeks to blend their ancestral wisdom with new knowledge. In the most radical sects of this movement, there is a whisper of a united Komanali nation, one that might one day stand as an equal to the Dominion of the Great Houses.
Marriage, Social Status & Sexuality
Marriage is a life bond between Komanali people but does not always strictly include just one man and one woman. Polygamy and Polyandry are both practised by some clans, but not all - generally, this will depend on a Chieftain’s discretion. It is a common but not always enforced notion that widows will marry the sibling of their deceased partner, whereas in other clans people remain faithful to the spirit of their dead spouse.
Someone bonded to another does have more worth in a clan than someone single, and everyone is expected to make this bond. Spouses are referred to as ‘Companions’, ‘Kindred’, or ‘Twin-Spirits’ depending on the clan - never wife, husband, or mate. The latter is exclusively used for animal pairings.
Women tend to be given gatherer roles, and can also serve the clan as Wise Women of high importance, lesser healers, child carers and organisers of food. All men are expected to be warriors, many are expected to be hunters, primary healers, cooks, and others as Medicine Men. Women can prove themselves to be worthy of the warrior title, however, and many have throughout Komanali's history. Some are encouraged from birth depending on the will of the Chief or even prophecy from spiritual elders.
A unique aspect of Komanali gender culture is that of the Two-Spirit person. This is someone who occupies both male and female aspects of clan-life, and finds a strong identity with both - they may be weavers, which is considered a feminine role, as well as a hunter which is considered masculine. They may use gendered pronouns or neutral ones and often are encouraged into a life of spirituality within the clan. Their presence is actually considered lucky, particularly with regard to helping other people find a kindred spouse.
"The raiders in white, across the pass!"
- A scout's warning after sighting Banen Rhûn raiders
Komanali:
Reputation & Interactions
The Komanali Tribes suffer from a great deal of stigma over their comparatively uncivilised way of living. Often they are looked down upon, misunderstood and underestimated because of the commonly held belief they are quite backwards in their level of civilisation. There are few who can appreciate their culture for what it is and fewer still who do not actively look down upon them.
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Despite how many see them, and how they will generally interact with other races and cultures that are too far removed from their own. They have cultivated a fierce reputation as naturally gifted horsemen in a relatively short amount of time. The gift of horses from Dumanon has greatly increased their prominence in the north of the New World.
With Humans
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The Komanali see humanity as invaders, and it is hard for them to not maintain this understanding as they deal with their kind through diplomacy and war. Most human factions are severely disliked, but one has earned their respect above the others.
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Dumanon has had a long-standing trading relationship with the Komanali, despite various issues over territory and conflict arising. The greatest gift given to the tribes from Humanity has come in the form of horses gifted or traded to them by Dumanon.
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Consequently, Gallia has drawn their ire for gifting the same animals to their rivals the Elves. Asturias is too far from their tribes to be a real threat, though the stories of their actions are not far from their ears.
With Banen’Rhûn
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A contender for the control of the Northern New World, the Komanali tribes are often harassed and caught in conflict with the raiders of the North who seem to descend upon them to sack their clans without provocation.
With Amura
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The Komanali have little to do with the Amura, little reason to hate them beyond their uneasy appearance. Thankfully, the Amura have yet to prove themselves a threat and this has allowed neutrality to remain.
With Elves
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The Great Houses of the Elves have long looked down upon the Tribes, and conflict has often arisen when the two groups meet. Intermitted violence occurred long before Humanity arrived and still continues as the bad blood between the two groups harms the possibility of them working together in the face of Humanity.
With Dwarves
The Custodes have been used more than once by the Elves against the Komanali, and not being able to compete with the Great Houses to hire these Dwarves has resulted in them being resented.
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This resentment is not carried over to the Ancient Dwarves whom they have far less hostile exposure to.
Author: Hugh-Gi-Oh & Oakbug & Afric
Contributions by: Hokan
Page Created by: Hokan