Upawic

The people living in the wild lands of northern Treal are a hardy folk. The landscape is frigid, the fauna is deadly, and whispers of ancient magic pepper the forests and mountains. Amidst this untamed region are nine nomadic tribes. They are called the Upawic.

The venerated tribes have been living off this land since before the vikiri arrived. While untrustworthy of outsiders and their technology, they are more than happy to welcome any who accept their customs of survival, ferocity, and reverence. Primarily orc, over the years a decent sized population of qos and human have made the ancestral lands their home.

In total there are nine tribes, and while they each boast different styles, traditions and values, they all still consider themselves to be one unified people. This is solidified in their triennial pilgrimage to their camp-settlement of Nine Horns, located at the mouth of the Itli river. It is during this week-long celebration called Ki’Kia that the tribe members mingle, trade, tell stories, and most important, bless the Gathla (ceremonial horns) of their sister tribes.

The Nine Tribes of the Upawic

Gaenuth

Gathla: A caribou antler painted with giant's blood.

The Gaenuth are talented bushcrafters. Their region is the northern end of The Adlewood, where they spend their time wandering the deep pine forests. They build and craft tools and weapons used by the tribes. Considered to be the friendliest of the tribes, they have the most diverse families.

Viase

Gathla: A wooly rhino horn etched with runes.

The Viase, which translates to ‘steward’ or ‘retainer’, are the only permanent residents of Nine Horns-Horns. It is their task to look after their moot-home; maintain the structures, keep out thieves and raiders, and utilize the magic gifted to them, by the Rechan. During the Ki’Kia, they act as the humbles hosts, cooking and performing for the other tribes.

Amdec

Gathla: A narwhal horn with a golden tip.

The Amdec are the fishers and sailors of the nine tribes. They build rudimentary yet effective craft for not just angling, but combating the vikings and frost giants of the White Waters. Skilled watermen, they are patrol the Be’Atmay gulf, which leads to Nine-Horns. A truly dangerous task, the Gathla have become a stoic and capable people.

Piac

Gathla: An arctic jackalope antler adorned with seamint leaves.

The Piac wander the least of the tribes, staying relatively close to Nine-Horns. The Piac are talented storytellers and musicians; crafting instruments and spinning myths and legends. Along with this, they are talented healers and brewers. They keep the culture alive, and even will send an elder to Vikira every year to remind the Vikiri that they are to share this land with others.

Ommath

Gathla: A mastodon tusk wrapped in black wool.

The Ommath are the great hunters of the Upawic. Roaming the plains at the foot of the Stoneclaw Mountains, they follow the migratory paths of the mammoths. These mammoths have incredible value to the Upawic, as all the tribes use various parts from the beasts. The Ommath is the largest of the tribes, and some say is the oldest.

Eadram

Gathla: A remorhaz mandible coated in ash.

The smallest and most reclusive of the Upawic, they make their home in the Stoneclaw Mountains that overlook the tribal homeland. Durable and versatile, the Eadram fight off monsters and mine for precious gems and metals. They have a network of valleys, caves, and passes that make them quite adept at mountaineering.

Eyaki

Gathla: A white dragon fang shrouded in frost.

Eyaki translates to warden, as the Eyaki have the dangerous burden of wandering the Tundra of Usten Yor. A desolate landscape, the Eyaki are the greats of survivors. But ancient task is to keep a keen eye on Vetrigaph. They watch for signs of both the volcano erupting, and signs of their ancient enemy, the dragon Vetrigaph waking from his slumber.

Rechan

Gathla: A frost worm tooth covered with bone charms.

The Rechan wander over all the Upawic lands, and this is because they are honored with the task of blessing the lands in pray. In a way, the Rechan act as the priest or shaman tribe. This practice is centered all around their edene’gak (godly friend) Wintergreen. During the Ki’Kia, Rechan elders lead the blessing of the Gathla.

Vrindrann

Gathla: A sabertooth tusk strung from leather.

The Vrindrann are the greatest warriors and protectors of the nine tribes. Their homeland is the furthest south, near Djurin'Or’Or. They defend their sacred land from unwelcome invaders and settlers from the south, as well as patrol the forests of the The Adlewood, keeping it safe for hunters and gathers.

History

Much of the history of the Upawic is muddled by myth and folklore. Primarily they use an oral tradition for chronicling their history, but in accordance with their culture, truth and fiction are one in the same.

What little is known is that the tribes have been roaming the regions of Treal for well over a thousand years, as ruins and artifacts bearing their Nine Horn regalia being found in dig sites all across the continent. This makes the Upawic one of the oldest still thriving people groups.

Demography and Population

~10,000
47% Orc
32% Qos
19% Human
2% Other

Government

The governmental structure of the Upawic is rather simple, each tribe is autonomous, with a single chieftain at the top. How their chieftain is determined varies from tribe to tribe. During the KI'Kia, these chieftain will meet, and discuss their people as a whole. Rarely sweeping decisions are made, however.

Territories

Currently, Upawic covers much of northeastern Treal. Specifically, the lands between the Stoneclaw Mountains and The Spine of Treal, butting pup against White Waters.

Geography

• Boreal Forests

• Hills

• Mountains

• Tundra

Military

The military force of the Upawic is generally decentralized, with each tribe brandishing their own cadre of warriors and druids. The Upawic are known for their ferocity and prowess in the wild. If for some reason all nine tribes united their forces, this small number would be a dangerous army.

Champion the Gathla

Founding Date

Sometime in the Second Era

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe

Capital

Nine Horns

Demonym

People of the Nine Horns

Ruling Organization

Upawic

Government System

Tribalism

Power Structure

Confederation

Economic System

Barter system

Location

Treal

Neighboring Nations

• Vikira