Lynx Tribe (Dune Specters)

NOTE: This is a player created sect established in 2013, very Egyptian-inspired and on the fringes of the tribe.

"For if you cross my purpose, so severe shall be my wrath that vengeance will not be feared." ~ X'shah Zinbhe, current chieftain.

[edit] Details Culture Rumors OOC Notes GENERAL INFORMATION To outsiders looking in, “Dune Specters” are a self-ascribed sect of nomadic Seeker of the Sun miqo’te under the Caracal totem with a thousand malm-wide streak of zealotry and a penchant for maximizing the proficiency of their warriors at all costs. Long ago, several vagrant Lynx families willfully relocated to the sands of the southern Sagolii on sabbatical, seeking spiritual enlightenment under that harshest conditions of Azeyma’s gaze. Their philosophy, as well as their descendant brood, has festered in the blazing dunes since. Most Dune Specters other Seeker of the Sun encounter are members of the aggressive warrior caste, and as such, Sunseeker society has painted them with this brush. For their part, the Tomb Rot have done nothing to mitigate this misunderstanding. If it keeps resource poachers off of their heels and it occludes the true nature of the sub-group, all the better for them. It is unknown if the original Dune Specter founders achieved their initial goal. What is known, however, is that they and their clutch of progeny have garnered a particular fierce reputation as pests, savage warriors, tomb guardians, supernatural extinguishers, prophets, and madmen. APPEARANCE Dune Specters come in many shapes, sizes, and colors although most are incredibly physically fit due to a life of conditioning to defend against skirmishes and protecting territory. All born into the bloodline and not absorbed into the sept, however, possess the following traits: ■ Stubby tails. ■ Tend to have powerful legs a long leap. ■ Appearance inspired by the real life caracal wild cat. ■ Ghoulish pale eyes that seem to illuminate with a soft glow. ■ Slight sexual dimorphism; females tend to be short while males taller. ■ Black-blotched, tufted ears which are used for subtle huntspeak communication and to detect the direction of the wind before the kill. CULTURE Dune Specter generally roam the vast sands of the Sagolii on aetheric leylines as guided by their priestesses, only settling in one place for a short period of time as to not dry up precious resources. There exists particular oasis or caves that they revisit often and it is not uncommon for them to roost at these particular locales several times a cycle. Due to their migrant lifestyle, members of this sub-group live an exceptionally plain lifestyle and do not encumber themselves with superfluous wealth or acquisitions. With their chocobo and drake-steeds only able to ferry a certain amount of weight at a time, they are predisposed to storing extra materials and useful possessions deep in caves or at base camps for retrieval later in the cycle. CASTES Dune Specters are at birth structured into three distinct castes with specific duties integral to survival and their ultimate quest for enlightenment. Be as it may that the whole system would topple if one of the triad should fall, the reality is that due to the emphasis on religion in this society one obvious caste is generally revered above the others. Opinion varies from miqo’te to miqo’te: the members of one caste may consider themselves superior or perhaps pity the lower and speak out for them as essential to survival. There are plenty of members of the lowest caste that advocate they are the true unsung hero and that the “highest” caste is merely sitting on its laurels and will have a day of reckoning. ■ The Conclave: This caste is composed of the chief, religious figureheads, and their sycophants. Seeing as the purpose of this sub-group is driven by devotion to Azeyma, this caste is generally considered a “cut above of the rest” by both members within and without. ■ Warriors and Hunters: The primary duties of this caste is to advise its elders and the conclave caste on matters that pertain to defense of Dune Specters as a whole as well as stand as acting bodyguards of the conclave caste. In truth, the conclave caste is simply holding the leash of a predatory caste of well-disciplined soldiers who may or may not obey any particular suggestion given to them. Wise conclave caste members choose to guide rather than command, else these predators turn on the leash-holder. While hunters are not exclusive to this caste, the best of the best usually are incorporated into this caste. ■ Laborers: This is considered the “lowest of the low.” This caste is a collective of skilled craftsmen and back-breaking laborers that are necessary for the survival of Dune Specters as a whole. Whatever children are produced with the nunh or multiple nunh generally are raised by their mother to perform a family-line specific labor: weaving baskets, blacksmithery, armory, et cetera. MATING & BREEDING The sept takes a pragmatic approach to breeding and considers romance a hindrance to the survival of Seekers. While this might be odd to outsiders, they embrace the approach, touting that building a foundation brick-by-brick has far more structural integrity than a random bout of passion. Oddly enough, Dune Specter culture does romanticize fairweather summer romance but does not promote long-lasting attachment, instead promoting the survival of the next generation over such fleeting flights of fancy. Traditionally, women only lay with the nunh to conceive kits, and are allowed to lay with whatever lover they please so long as effective practices of birth control are employed. A few common exceptions exist that encourage strong children. The first being that priestesses are freely permitted to select a male outside or within the sept for insemination so long as she ultimately favors the nunh. Extending this jurisdiction—priestesses are afforded the power to arrange couplings between women of the sept at their discretion and strong candidates. The second method of conception is gifted from the leaders of the sept to the individual who performs a great deed for the greater good of his people. This is a rarely granted boon, usually reserved for the greatest of warriors. As for the responsibilities of "Nunh" itself—a Tia must demonstrate favorable attributes to the female populace first—common traits being that he is a nurturing type, sensitive to the needs of the women, and capable of providing many resources for kits. Being one of the strongest males is the icing on the proverbial mating dance cake. Red hair certainly helps, as it is the favored color of Dune Specters, as they believe is it the same color as the hair of the goddess. Often, Dune Specter Tia joke among themselves that the trial-by-combat between two Tia for the position of Nunh is for the amusement of Dune Specter women. They are not too far off the mark. DIET In the unforgiving conditions of the Sagolii, one eats whatever happens along to survive. Snakes, reptiles, scorpions, birds, insects and small mammals prove easy prey. Gathered about enjoying a delicious meal together is a favorite pastime of these desert-dwellers, as it builds strong bonds between family and sub-group members alike. Animals that have a high fat content are specially prepared during celebrations. Water is a scarce commodity in the desert, as such, the Dune Specters siphon it from wherever they can. Waterholes, oasis, collecting morning dew; name it and it is done. When resorting to cacti for a source of hydration, members are advised to boil it before consuming it or mix in herbs to counteract the effects of the toxic acids and alkaloids. CLOTHING The nomadic lifestyle requires easy-care garments that also incorporate traditional fashion. Long robes shield the skin from the sun and elements, and when worn loose, offer a convection-style of cooling. Turbans or shrouds wrapped around the head prevent windburn and blasts of biting sand during the day while providing warmth when the temperatures nosedive at night. Linens tend to breathe the best when near the skin. Interestingly, black proves to be a popular linen color. When worn loose, the color absorbs body heat as opposed to white linen reflecting it back. TIME AND MEASUREMENT Dune Specters know only the desert. They survive by discerning patterns in their environment and its ever changing elements, thus they began to develop a concept of time based on a succession of recurring phases. To them, time is cyclical—and not linear— coiled with periods of decline and renewal. They look to the stars at night to tell the hour and the sundial or shadow dial during the day to decipher the bell. Viewing their world as they do the seasons and its cycle of changes serves the purpose of cosmic balance and inspires a sense of security from the menace of change and decay. They view their individual as playing out in a trajectory of “pregnancy, birth, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age, and death.” This concept permeates Pale-eye society to the point that those who do not opt for a fire dance at death bury their dead as follows: kits buried at the base of a mountain slope, followed by children and adolescents mid-slope, then adults and elderly at the highest point of the mountain or hill. RELIGION One of the unifying characteristics of Dune Specters is their devotion to Azeyma. Veneration to the goddess is the lifeblood of the sept; the backbone on which Dune Specter culture is built. From birth their lives are enriched with teachings that condone the practice of possessing a synthesis of the body, mind, and spirit. Every sun they wake up they strive to put themselves in tune with the rhythm of the universe as Azeyma proclaims it, accepting the cycles of birth and death as natural order. Their spiritual beliefs are shaped by their environment, and in order to survive the unforgiving trials of a desert nomadic lifestyle, it is ingrained in them that justice and order, not chaos, is the will of Azeyma. Each Dune Specter child is taught unwavering respect for their elders, as without the guidance of the leader and each other, they will truly perish in the cruel wilderness. The Heart-Soul Tomb rot believe the heart to be the center of thought and memory. It is highly associated with intellect and is considered the most important organ in the entire body, never burned or removed from the body at death, as its presence is crucial to enter the afterlife. Another noteworthy concept is that Dune Specters believe happiness sits in the belly, especially after a warm meal, and many will refer to how another has “filled their belly with laughter.” Uraeus & the Solar Barque Dune Specter lore does not lack the quintessential tale of the solar deity crossing the skies in a barge. Azeyma, in most of their depictions, is painted as a riding freely across the skies during the day on a tamed Uraeus of great shining scales. This depiction of a woman riding a scaleskin is a subtle influence on the Dune Specter psyche; the feminine taming the masculine and riding his strength through the heavens. While the goddess may be a woman and representative the feminine, her journey is completed on the back of the masculine entity positioned between her thighs, thus presenting a balance of the sexes. Women are proud to carry their father’s name while he in turn respects the feminine-aspected nature of their goddess. RUMORS N P C Some of these rumors are untrue, speculation, or are greatly exaggerated. ◢ Common Rumors - Easily overheard. Use these freely! ■ "I heard they've a temple in th'Goblet from one've th'pretty blondes. Should've visited by now, but me wife might not be none too 'ppreciative of me bein' around all them pretty shrine attendants o' th'priestess." - Yaever, stall owner. ◢ Uncommon Rumors - A little more difficult to hear. Use sparingly or ask first! ■ "I heard the high priestess was born during an eclipse." - M'jabha, priestess. ◢ Rare Rumors - Very rarely overheard. Please ask before using! ■ "The Hands of Azeyma are an extension of the priestess' will into the darkness. Those aren't attendants, boy. Those are assassins." P C Feel free to add your own rumors to this section. ◢ Player Character Rumors - Some of these are more rare than others! ■ "Rumor." — Rumormonger. OOC NOTES OOC INFORMATION Player Notes: This sept of tribal miqo'te was founded by a couple of friends interested in the tribal scene in late 2013. It's just a bunch of friends havin' fun! While we welcome role-play from all walks of Eorzea, if you wish to make a Dune Specter along with us, it helps to get to know us and us to get to know you to see if we mesh well. Of course, other Seeker are also welcome to be inducted into the sept via organic role-play. Of note is that their chosen totem, Caracal, are by (my choice) not actually Lynx. This was done quite on purpose to set them apart as outsiders of the Lynx tribe.

☀ INFORMATION ☀ » —————— ›☼‹ —————— « At-A-Glance ■ Sept Name: Unknown to outsiders. ■ Aliases: Dune Ghosts. Sagolii Specters. Tomb Rot. Xealots. Pale-eyes. Dune Witches. Dune Sirens. They Who Drank the Dark Waters. ■ Type: Nomadic. ■ Territory: Land within the deep Sagolii & Highlands. A Goblet temple. ■ Patron Deity: Azeyma. ■ Governance: Chiefdom. Dramatis Personae (PC) ■ X'shah Zinbhe: High Priestess & sept chief. ■ J'tehn Nunh: Justicar. Acting warmaster. Nunh. ■ X'heshek Vizinh: Champion of Azeyma. Offensive lead. ■ X'kataya Razinh: Shrine attendant. ■ X'nim Vizinh: Shrine attendant. J'tehn's assistant. ■ X'khalara Haqqisekh: Hand of Azeyma. ■ X'reshet Tia: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'baaywt Vizinh: Beastmaster. ■ X'varn Tia: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'zavir Tia: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'bayek Tia: Champion of Azeyma. Scout, patrol. ■ X'shuyet Etki: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'varn Tia: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'hekete Keket: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'baaywt Vizinh: Beastmaster. ■ X'akhen Tia: Champion of Azeyma. ■ X'sengi Genj: Shrine attendant. ■ X'yan Kakate: Shrine attendant.