Revision as of 02:46, 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.

History

Xochitla, the "roving garden" of Prasino, was established from the scattered remnants of Ysteria's people and connections with no precise establishment date, just known to be sometime around the time Ysteria became known as Prasino Kolaz.

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.

They are nomadic, but not necessarily because they are following a food source so much as following a set of locations they just cycle through. This means that while they do not regularly farm or care for livestock like a more settled community, they have groomed some growing locations to encourage more of a particular plant that they find useful. For livestock, at best they might have a type of feathered raptor they use as a beast of burden or hunting partner.

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/Watchers
  • Hunters (Raptor Trainers)
  • 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.

Ysteria's Throne: The site used as HQ for Prasino Kolaz, originally it was a grand temple homestead for Meizarae and her guild. After falling into ruins it had been picked back up by guilds here and there, the site last used (as of 2018) by Elysium. Another bout of strife has made the place almost completely derelict now, but Xochitlans will still regard it as an important place historically and spiritually. It is the home of the Mother (see above, Religion).

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.

OOC: Playing a Character from Xochitla

• Their language is mostly Hindi with some Nahuatl for important nouns. Greek is rare, used by the Gurus and Chieftain in meetings at best. Skaldic Trade is rough, but enough to get them by for transactions with travelers. See Prasino Kolaz for the 'official language' names for these if you are going to ICly talk about it.
• Names are in Nahuatl or Hindi
• The village is constantly moving, staying no more than a couple of nights.