Highlanders
Atop the Chancel Plateau live the Highlanders, one of the oldest Kin cultures still extant. Human and gnoll pastoralists living in adobe cities around the plateau's infrequent water sources. Heirs to the ancient Nommo Kingdom of the days when the highlands were green with plants and blue with spring water.
Culture
Shared customary codes and values
Anything Alone is Incomplete- The Highlanders live always in paired families, one human and one gnoll. Being that humans are active during the day and gnolls the night, this serves to avoid any wasted time. They share two meals one in the evening and one in the morning during which time they can share happenings as one family prepares for the day and the other for sleep. This outlook extends to most elements of life. A single food element is unfit for consumption without mixing into a larger recipe, just as much as if it were raw. Any task worthy of being considered a true profession will have at least two individuals with specialized roles in its execution.
Anything Unrecorded is Lost- Highlanders are keenly aware of the impermanence of accomplishment and memory. As such they make an effort to record and commemorate all major events in their lives, in writing, wall painting, mask crafting, or tattooing.
Art & Architecture
Highlanders are known for adobe and brick structures that cool in heat of the sun but retain heat on cold nights. These buildings give the impression of being one with the ground leading to rumors that Highlanders simply call them from the earth through magic. All but the most sacred buildings are decorated with wall art by their inhabitants, while temples are left austere save for marks left by natural phenomena. These wall paintings usually take the form of events from a shared collection of mythological stories, though they will also include depictions of exceptional events in the painter's life.
In the realm of personal art all Highlander holidays have associated masks and dances as a part of their celebration. Individuals may also take to wearing a mask at all times upon induction into a mystery cult devoted to a particular Highlands deity.
Related Organizations
Related Locations
Medieval Mali
Other Medieval West Africans
Media Inspiration
Yeelen (Film)
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