The Seven Northern Tribes of Quassus

Overview

There are no Kingdoms, principalities, or major "Free Cities" in the northern lands of Quassus. The lands are the home of several tribes, and seven of these are particularly well established and influential. While none of these tribes possess the economic and military power of their southern neighbors, they do possess unrivaled knowledge of their mountainous and forested corner of the world. Minor earthquakes are more common in this region making the establishment of grand settlements a particular challenge. Instead, the seven tribes have adopted either a nomadic lifestyle or have contented themselves with simple, easily repaired constructions for their villages.

The Tribes

Jäger

This tribe is known for their unusually intensive training of their hunters, also called Jägers. Every tribal member begins training at an early age where they learn how to track and identify prey. Later, they learn all the fine points about wielding bows, spears, and javelins. Oftentimes, the Jäger in training will choose to specialize in a particular type of weapon. In the final stages before receiving the coveted title, and namesake of the tribe, all trainees are challenged in a series of trials. These trials range from hunting and felling a monster to timed races across the mountains. When a trainee has passed each trial satisfactorily they become Jägers. Then, they can either remain to protect and care for the tribe or to embark on a kind of pilgrimage across the wilderness to seek to further the honor of their particular clan. Some of these adventurers will bond with certain wild animals along the way.
Because Jägers trained so intensively and for so long they are desired by their skill in tracking and their knowledge of the immediate northern wilderness of Quassus. They are considered to be the ideal ranger by many. Many have attempted to emulate the skill-sets of a Jäger but often fail to achieve the nuance that only a lifetime of training can provide.
Members of this tribe live an entirely nomadic lifestyle, often following the migration patterns of small herds of animals. Jäger camps have been spotted across the northern continent.

Fleur

Widely considered the best herbalists in the northern regions as well as possessing an unusual talent for growing anything. Their gardens yield quality fruits and vegetables that are desired across the continent. The business of trading their desired resources have made the Fleurs among the most wealthy in the north. The tribe also produces the most beautiful flowers seen so far on the continent; so much so that Queen Shava Lunaria arranges for the purchase and delivery of flowers grown by Fleur gardeners.

Kivi

Said to be the greatest miners of the northern regions, Kivi have an impressive record of unearthing rare minerals and metals. The Kivi have established their home in an ancient Dwarven ruin. In fact, the majority of the tribe's demographic are Dwarves, and most are seeking a restoration of their old ways. That is to say, they want to reestablish the stone masonry and jewelry business of their ancient forefathers.

Droméas

This tribe produces the fastest runners on the continent. The how is not a mystery, exactly. The tribe organizes marathons where runners run from one point on the continent to another. The greatest of these happens every five years, a continent wide marathon that involves running from the frozen north to the shores of the Occulus Sea to the south.

Marinaio

This tribe is defined by their highly skilled fisherman. The tribe has amassed a veritable treasure trove of knowledge concerning the behavior of various species of fish that swim in the cold waters of the north as well as the south. Ships and crews of their ilk can be found in practically every port on the continent. In fact, they possess the largest fleet of fishing ships. Their ships come in all shapes and sizes depending on their intended use. Some are small canoes meant for recreational fishing along small rivers. Others are large vessels meant to hall large catches of salmon, crab, and swordfish.
In addition to possessing an uncanny knack for fishing, almost every member of this tribe are highly capable swimmers. They can swim faster and longer underwater than most other peoples, especially their Elven members.

Isbrytare

Known by most for their ice breaking trade. They the tools, skills, and system needed to collect ice from the northern wastes and transport them to clients across Quassus. They utilize spells that preserves the ice they mine beyond its natural melting point for a desired period of time. The utility made possible by un-melting ice has made it a highly desirable commodity. Many have attempted to replicate the Isbrytare's spells with varying degrees of success. To date, the Isbrytare maintain a strong position in the ice trading market.
Isbrytare are also known for the large igloos they can construct at a whim and preserve with their icy spells. The Isbrytare's largest village, which is also their most active market, features a keep made of ice that is not only preserved against the environment with which it is located, but also strengthened. Lunaria has expressed interest in the workings of these spells as have Helia. The tribe has yet to release their secrets.
The tribe's knowledge of the Northern Arctic Wastes is vast. Members of the tribe are often sought after as guides to help adventurers travel across the icy terrain of the wastes, which include chasms and caves that are constantly changing.

Bijela

This reclusive tribe prefer to reside in the mountains. Little is known of them and their ways. Current speculation is that they are scavengers; specifically, scavengers of ancient technology. There is some evidence of this as their bows and spears are made with unusual materials as well as having particularly high utility.
They have established relations with the other six tribes, mostly seeking safe passage across various lands. In return, they will occasionally offer various resources in payment, mostly gems. They never share any of the more exotic items many suspect is in their possession, though many have tried to strike a deal with them. Many believe that, should a formal alliance between the tribes occur, then the Bijela may be persuaded to finally share their hidden bounties. Perhaps it will even be a condition of membership. This may be difficult since the tribe has a history of only talking when they want to, a point of friction with practically everyone else.

Structure

Each tribe makes its own path in life from the others. Only occasionally do they find need to either make deals with one another or to engage in combat over land or resource discoveries. Combat is particularly likely to spark over ownership of freshly discovered ancient ruins. However, this mode of conduct is set to end one way or another in the face of an ever changing world.

Northern Alliance

While the seven tribes have established relations with each other to varying degrees, and not always with benevolent intent, the current status quo is increasingly strained. With the rising power of both the Queendom of Lunaria to the southwest and the Kingdom of Helia to the southeast, the seven northern tribes have begun negotiations that could lead to a formal alliance uniting the tribes into a new continental power. This alliance would provide for mutual protection as well as mutual economic benefits.
None of the tribes are in favor of establishing a strong, central authority to coordinate the activities of this new power, instead preferring a confederation arrangement. Some have expressed concern that this arrangement cannot sustain unity among the tribes in the long run as there would be two many potential points of fracture between the tribes, points that can be exploited by foreign influences. Many others believe that preserving the individual identity of their tribe is more important and that pushing for a more interlinked society will only lead to a homogenization of culture at best, dominance of one particularly influential tribe at worst.
The Free City of Centrum is in favor of such an alliance as it would lead to the establishment of a more robust trade network. The city has sent envoys to each tribe in order to promote the benefits of forming such an alliance. Helia and Lunaria have made no formal comments concerning the possible establishment of a Northern Alliance.

All artwork is by starfarertheta unless otherwise stated.

Type

Geopolitical, Tribe

Alternative Names

The Seven Winds

Location

Quassus Continent

Controlled Territories

• Northern Arctic Wastes

Note(s) from the Archivist:

I wish we could get some artifacts from the reclusive tribe. I bet they have found a lot of good stuff. - Archivist Rena
The Bijela? Edward and I tried to find them last year, and the year before that. We didn't catch so much as a glimpse of them. It's like they know when someone wants to meet them and they have strongly dislike it. - Archivist Tharivol
I can try finding them myself. - Archivist Rena
Go right ahead, I think I've had my fill of traveling over mountains for the next hundred years. Or seeing snow for that matter. - Archivist Tharivol
I haven't, you still owe me an Igloo. - Archivist Edward
For the last time it was an accident! - Archivist Tharivol