Highland Condor Tribe

From RPC Library
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Exclamation mark.pngThis article or section contains speculation, opinions, or observations that may or may not be supported by official Square-Enix lore. It does not represent official lore or any sort of community consensus.

((Work in progress. All of the below subject to change.))

The Highland Condor Tribe is a particular sect of the T tribe that makes its home in Outer La Noscea, nestled in the breeding grounds of its totem. Its people are characteristically hostile to outsiders and known for their propensity to plunder, leading to conflict with neighboring civilizations.

File:Temblem.png
Highland Condor Totem


Tribal Details

Location: Upper to Outer La Noscea
Race: Miqo'te
Clan: Seekers of the Sun
Tribe Indicator: T' (Pronounced tuh)
Tribe Beast: The Highland Condor
Tribe Leaders: The Throned
Tribe Size: est. 35 individuals
Breeding Nunh: T'khan

Common Appearance

While no tribe is possessed of an entirely homogenous people, years of tribal isolation have led those of the Highland Condors to possess a unique appearance that renders them quite distinguishable. In particular, these Seekers very commonly sport lightly-tanned skin and hair colors that resemble those of dust and grain and, somewhat uncommonly, rust. The color of their eyes ranges from sunbright yellow to a deep, rosy pink, but is never anything but a warm hue. Top-heavy proportions are common, as are long-furred ears and slim, medium-length tails tipped with tufts at their end.

Members of this tribe commonly wear light leathers that allow for enhanced mobility over protection, with the usual manner of dress leaving a great deal of skin exposed. Because of this, it is typical for the skin of these Seekers to be peppered with freckles and streaked with scars. A feather singular feather is worn in the hair at all times, its color and shape signifying the individual's rank and role within the tribe.

Tribal Structure

Leaders

The Throned

Members of the Throned wear clusters of cream-colored breast feathers near the base of their ears to denote their rank.

Nunh

The Flock

Those who do not live within the central dwelling are known simply as the flock. Each residential hut spirals outward from the center according to the social standing of the individuals therein, with the most powerful and influential near the center and the tribe's outcasts and sickly near the very perimeter, rendering them susceptible to raiding. It is not uncommon for those living at the very edge of the settlement to succumb to famine or plague, especially under the currently-reigning regime.

Scavengers

Near the very center of the tribe's settlement live the members of the tribe known as scavengers.

Owing to the nature of the tribe's totem animal, its people prefer to scavenge than to hunt, relying instead on the kills of the neighboring predatory wildlife for subsistence. As such, these Seekers are known omnivores with a tendency toward a more herbivorous lifestyle when meat is scarce. This does not, however, mean that the Highland Condors are necessarily cowardly; in fact, during the spawning seasons of La Noscea's endemic prey animals when the herds are especially populous, the tribe's hunters will actively seek out the older animals to swiftly slaughter for themselves.

Groups of scavengers generally number two to three individuals, predominantly adolescent females. Each party will scout out a specific assigned area surrounding the settlement, responsibilities for each zone rotating between parties day by day. The members of each party, however, are static, providing one does not fall to illness or injury. In the event that this happens, one individual may choose to substitute the other.

In order to become a scavenger, one need only volunteer. However, should a scavenger prove to be craven or otherwise unreliable, the Throned may take punitive action, at times relieving the scavenger of his or her position entirely. This results in the individual being sent to live near the tribe's perimeter.

To signify that they are scavengers, each wears a gray-and-white-streaked flight feather at the end of a frontal lock of hair.

Nestkeepers

The remaining members of the tribe, known as nestkeepers, are responsible for rearing the tribe's young and tending to domestic needs, including the administration of salves and the crafting of tools and clothing. Specific duties are not necessarily assigned, but rather taken up as the need arises. It is not uncommon for a singular nestkeeper to be skilled in all manner of trades, though others yet prefer to master one skill in particular.

Most nestkeepers, perhaps unexpectedly, are male, being that the scavenger troupes are comprised predominantly of women. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are also technically classed as nestkeepers, though their duties may be suspended as they attend to their own unique necessities. Pregnant women in particular are often seen in the direct shelter of the Throned, keeping to the central dwellings for protection.

All nestkeepers don a golden-bleached tail feather in front of their ears to distinguish their standing.


Culture

Rituals and Superstitions

Omens

Perhaps one of the most unique things about this particular sect of the T tribe is its collection of superstitions. Over the course of the tribal diaspora, perhaps due to various forms of hardship endured by its people, the Highland Condor tribe has accumulated a substantial sum of various views regarding both foul omens and supposed bringers of fortune.

In particular, any living being possessed of especially dark integument, whether skin, scales, feathers, or fur, is seen as a harbinger of famine. Animals of this nature are ritually slaughtered at the center of the tribe and "purified" with an offering of white feathers. The carcass and offering are then burned in a great fire that reaches as high as the heavens, a sacrifice to Azeyma to assure no harm will come to the tribe for crossing paths with the beast.

People, especially miqo'te, with this particular blight are immediately driven from tribal lands, the rare exception being those born to the tribe itself. Then again, it is exceptionally rare for such an occurrence to arise; as such, each occasion is treated differently, according to consensus by the current Throned.

Birth and Naming

At birth, depending upon the time of day, each cub is assigned a particular sort of name, each with its own distinct meaning. Those born at dawn are given names beginning with O; these children are seen as beings born blessed by Azeyma Herself and are said to foretell a period of tribal prosperity. Children born at mid-day are given names beginning with K and are said to be destined to become great warriors. Lastly, those born at dusk or during the night are given names beginning with N and are said to be Menphina's messengers, born with an innate ability to commune with ancient spirits.



Unique Traditions

Music and Dance

Hunting Techniques


Relationship with Neighboring Communities

History

Before the Great Migration

Exodus and Tribal Schism

The Calamity

The Seventh Astral Era

Members

Nunh

T'khan.png
T'khan Nunh - Currently-reigning nunh and a veteran warrior known for his mercilessness and greed. Since his succession to the status of tribe leader, many hardships have befallen his people, not limited to famine and infanticide. Unfortunately, few are brave or strong enough to challenge his leadership.


The Throned

T'koh.png
T'koh Tia - Reigning nunh before T'khan's succession and one of the tribe's most elderly individuals, despite his youthful face. He is known as the tribe's storyteller and is responsible for the education of the tribe's young in both practical and creative endeavors. Despite this, he maintains a very strict attitude and fiercely defends T'khan's regime.
T'nasha Koh.png
T'nasha Koh -
T'ohto.png
T'ohto Koh -
T'kihin.png
T'kihin Khan - T'khan's firstborn daughter and head of the scavengers, T'kihin oversees all aspects of hunting and gathering as well as the preparation of food for consumption. Perhaps the most kindly and charitable of the Throned, she occasionally sneaks food from the central dwelling to those living at the very outskirts of the settlement.

Others

Tkehe.png
T'kehe Tia - An expatriate of the tribe, outcast at birth due to an unfortunate case of atavism that caused him to inherit black hair and fur. Viewed as an ill omen by the rest of his people, he suffered severe abuse by the hands of many before he finally left to lead a separate life.