Gnúmans
Gnúmic: Kagnúm /khaːknuːm/
The gnúmans1 are the largest Vevúni tribe inhabiting northern Karatvánamb Forest in western Túlmikkía, and the rulers of the kingdom of Gnúmá along the lower Ivak River. Their main settlement is Arasógnú, capital of Gnúmá, and one of the largest on the continent.
The city of Arasógnú only loosely follows this traditional plan due to stretching across both sides of the river Ivak, with Kán Island acting as a sacred site in place of a normal plaza, and the pasture is located along the river banks. Most houses there are also arranged in circles, forming neighbourhoods of sorts.
Commoners drink soured antelope milk or, to lesser extent, tederan-style banana beer, while raffia palm wine is enjoyed by the aristocracy. Corn beer imported from Vagalkan or, more recently, Ænadó are also consumed during special occasions among those who can afford it.
Like other sylvan and certain savanna vevúni, an important part of their combat training comes in the form of traditional martial arts, focused on overpowering their foes as quickly as possible. Nobles tend to be particularly adept in this field as they are more likely to encounter enemies up close.
The gnúmans1 are the largest Vevúni tribe inhabiting northern Karatvánamb Forest in western Túlmikkía, and the rulers of the kingdom of Gnúmá along the lower Ivak River. Their main settlement is Arasógnú, capital of Gnúmá, and one of the largest on the continent.
Culture
Apparel
Clothes are generally woven from raffia fibres, save for those for monarchs and other gnúmans of high status, whose garments (ceremonial ones especially) are made from animal skins, particularly mountain lions, or cheetah and buffalo hides obtained from tribes on the Gnákan Savanna. Those who can't afford those instead use shell beads, fangs and feathers to adorn their clothing and for making jewelry.Art
Architecture
Homes in Gnúmá are similar to those used by most tribes within Karatvánamb Forest, being longhouses with domed roofs, made with woven raffia fibres covering a wooden frame. As in other vevúni communities, villages are usually encircle a common pasture, with a ceremonial plaza centered on a pillar to the west, itself surrounded by homes of aristocrats, and entered through an eastern gate.The city of Arasógnú only loosely follows this traditional plan due to stretching across both sides of the river Ivak, with Kán Island acting as a sacred site in place of a normal plaza, and the pasture is located along the river banks. Most houses there are also arranged in circles, forming neighbourhoods of sorts.
Sculpture
While gnúmans fashion masks of all sorts, similar to tederans, they tend to be use more as heraldic devices rather than for ceremonies. Instead, a wide variety of wooden, stone or metal sculptures are used for ritual purposes, both for actual ceremonies and to keep evil spirits at bay.Cuisine
Gnúman diet is similar to that of other vevúni, particularly sylvan ones, featuring mostly domesticated eland antelopes and prairie chickens, fish and other aquatic creatures, wild game, peanuts, yams, fruits (especially raffia fruits) and various spices, particularly alligator peppers and uziza.Commoners drink soured antelope milk or, to lesser extent, tederan-style banana beer, while raffia palm wine is enjoyed by the aristocracy. Corn beer imported from Vagalkan or, more recently, Ænadó are also consumed during special occasions among those who can afford it.
Technology
Ironworking among the gnúmans is based on centuries old traditions, as their ancestors were among the first vevúni to adopt the use of iron from the tederans, and their tools and weapons are considered second only to those of the latter. The ore is acquired from tribes who mine for in the Hík Mountains to the south.Warfare
Gnúman warriors generally rely on bow and arrows in combat in addition to daggers, while nobles often carry war clubs and traditional throwing daggers instead, either on foot or horseback. Rather than metal armour, the latter are often equipped with headbands, cuirasses, bracelets and greaves made of shell- or hardwood beads, which are believed to have supernatural properties. Oblong leather shields are common, painted with heraldic or apotropaic devices.Like other sylvan and certain savanna vevúni, an important part of their combat training comes in the form of traditional martial arts, focused on overpowering their foes as quickly as possible. Nobles tend to be particularly adept in this field as they are more likely to encounter enemies up close.
1Original icelandic: Gnúmar, singular: Gnúmi.
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