Revision as of 00:30, 11 June 2020

One of the few nomadic tribes that can be found in the depths of Prasino Kolaz. Many of the inhabitants are descendants of the healers and herbalists of members of Verdant Crescent (Kataprasino Fengari) when the jungles were known as Ysteria. Few traditions and tidbits of culture dating that far back remain, however. This may be because of an entire language difference between what was more common during Ysteria's time than Xochitla's which was founded after the fall of Virtuosos.

Culture

Xochitlans are made up of all shifters and anthros that can handle the climate, typically jungle or swamp based, and are very in tune with their traits and instincts. Rituals play a major part of their lives, having a ritual for almost everything in addition to the expected life-milestones. They also are very communal, with very few things not culminating in a tribe wide celebration and few things are considered privately owned.

Hierarchy

They respect the Tapestry's political system and will defer to the laws set by the head guild of Prasino Kolaz, but largely keep to themselves and focus on maintaining the natural history they preserve with their everyday life. That being said they have their own system:

The only role that is gender locked is Chieftain, which is male only.

Chieftain The chief is determined by a number of factors depending on the situation. Often it is passed down through the generational line, but in the case of an unfortunate end with no heirs the Gurus of the tribe will select a champion each and a series of contests will determine the next Chief. Potential candidates will have to succeed in a task given by each guru and be the first to do so. In the event of a tie, they will fight... possibly to the death.

Guru The best way to describe Xochitla's guru system is that it is a recolor of the guild system that is Tapestry-wide. These are unregistered to the Choir, and thus do not qualify for progression the same way guilds do. For the tribe, gurus are esteemed and almost worshiped for their experience and knowledge. Being part of a guru's "school" determines your job and position in the tribe itself. How a guru runs their group varies, with some treating it more like a harem of wives and others like an apprentice boot camp.

Tribesman The rest of the tribe in general. They are all divided up between the gurus as their life devotion.

• Shaman - Guru Devadas
  • Ritual/Ceremony leaders
  • Healers / Witchdoctors
  • Spiritualist guides

• Strongmen - Guru Bagubhalan
  • Guardians
  • Hunters
  • Gatherers

• Crafters - Guru Avynash
  • Weavers
  • Builders
  • Weapon making (no metal)
  • Tanners

Social Celebrations / Rituals

There is no marriage in Xochitla in the traditional sense of the Tapestry, and even the declaration of a life-mate is dubious and usually polygamous. All things are shared, including the duties of raising children.

Sacrifices are uncommon but not unheard of in a ritual, whether it be as extreme as one of their own; usually an ailing tribesman, or a hunt becoming a live capture in order to more systematically kill it as part of one. The size of the sacrifice is dependent on the intention of the ritual. For example, a hardship year where the Chief wishes to do a ritual to protect their village, they may opt to sacrifice a tribesman, however a sacrifice of that weight would not be appropriate for celebrating someone's coming-of-age.

The dead are not buried, but rather taken care of for the month as is custom across the Tapestry, so that The Skald may by chance bring the person back. After this, they are hauled away from the village and left for the jungle to reclaim. Depending on the death, some tribesmen in response to their instincts may opt to devour the body with no recourse.

To an outsider, it might seem like rituals are made up on the spot, as many things can be substituted for others for the same effect and a lot of it is for the show; aware from the passed-down teachings dating back to Ysteria: The Skald wishes to be entertained.

Religion

They do believe in the Skald, and revere the Maestro at their deepest root, only ever referring to her as Maan (mother) in casual conversation. Proper references include "Tetlaocoliliz Tenantzin" (Mother of Mercy and Compassion) or "Tlaocolnantli" (Mother of Sadness and Afflicition). This is in reference to the fact that while a Maestro, Meizarae was a healer and when she became a Virtuoso she was quite the opposite.

Sacred creatures and places

Rok Liontari, lizard-like lions with stone scales and five eyes, have their own temple ruins that are tended to by Xochitla at certain points of the year, these revered beasts saved Meizarae's people from basilisk threat when they were domesticated. The descendants are thanked to this day and the visit from one in their travels is considered a good omen. They are highly protected, as the general trade or poaching of one is a grave offense. That being said, there is the incredibly rare occasion that a Chief will agree to gift or sell a Rok Liontari to someone they feel is worthy. This Rok Liontari is usually 'unusual', perhaps more reliant on the tribe than it should be, and there would be expectations involved when it comes to the owner. Not only does the owner need to be trustworthy and special, but the Rok Liontari will have to be brought back at a certain point in the year for its chance to father the next generation at its migratory gathering, a place easy to find as that is the temple tended to by the tribe.

Trade

When encountering outsiders, tribesmen of Xochitla will trade in various services from being a guide through Prasino to specialized healing techniques to straight up prostitution. Physical goods include jute fabrics made from the plant fibers around them, exotic meat from creatures in the area, and herbs for health or death-dealing, raw or pre-mixed as necessary.