Djala

The Djala people are pygmies from the Southeastern jungles, their skin is pale with round black patches and no hair anywhere on their bodies. The vast majority have a dark patch surrounding each eye, but the colouration pattern of each Djala seems to be unique. Anyone who has heard of the Djala is aware of their reputation as skilled and docile slaves and servants, explaining why individuals and small groups might be found anywhere in Creation (usually in servitude). If they bother to examine this reputation most believe it is because their small size makes successful revolts unlikely and a cultural tendency to respecting hard work and skill gives the enslaved something to cling to when far from home and very afraid.

Savants are aware that this reputation is more of an unreasoning tradition that started because under the Shogunate (and possibly earlier) an artificially modified group of Djala known as Minikin existed in every city as slaves tasked with maintaining the wonders of the age. Smaller than the Southern Djala (averaging less than 3 feet rather than the Southern 4) all traces of them vanished with the Contagion. So it follows that enslaving Djala is no safer (let alone more ethical) than anyone else, and small does not mean harmless. The Varang city states are to the north of the tribal lands and (believing that Djala are destined for slavery) launch frequent slaving raids south. The Guild also commonly enslave Djala, but are more likely to do so by bribing one tribe to raid another. In recent years rumours have started to spread of organised cabals amongst the enslaved. increasing willingness of tribes to help their neighbours against slaves, and a mysterious liberator who frees Djala slaves and leads them to the White Refuge, a perhaps mythical community deep in the tribal lands that slaving expeditions might be able to reach, but never leave.

Djalan tribes are spread over several permanent villages and several more camps that might be heavily populated or empty at different times of the year, both types of settlements are camouflaged and hidden. While various kinds of dangerous animals can be found in the homelands, the skilled hunter of the tribes treat them as a good source of food rather than a threat. They worship the Incana and local forest spirits, and their shamans tend to be skilled thaumaturgus as well as diplomats. Young adults often go on a pilgramage taking plants and seeds from one area to another, continuing on through many of the tribal lands.