Arikiri (Camurai)

"Many would consider the Camurai primitive or godless savages but to underestimate them would be a most fatal mistake" - Sareni General

After centuries of slavery, subjugation, and conflict the Arikiri peoples, who once spanned much of Teldara , were reduced to a handful of nomadic caravans and clans. In the late Guild Age several of these clans banded together to form the Camurai tribe in the plains of eastern Teldara and worked closely with the Sareni of what would later be Valaren. While the Sareni expanded across eastern Teldara the Camurai had two choices: start yet another war in an attempt to establish territorial dominance, albeit a rather weak one, or seek peace and alliances. They chose the latter and aggressively pursued autonomy with the Sareni. Eventually the two groups came to a compromise, the Camurai were free to move across Valaren but long-term settlements required charters from both the ruling Valen monarch and from the lord of the lands they wished to settle. From this agreement a sense of hope and kinship was born. At first many Sareni were skeptical of their new neighbors but over several decades this alliance would strengthen through hardship and conflict, eventually most welcomed and respected their Arikiri allies.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Noraka, Nuru, Kona, Konahu, Ingana, Nafaya, Ralazay, Zala

Masculine names

Nelu, Sanon, Tanu, Tsahak, Tuska, Vanu, Vawto, Zoto

Unisex names

Velu

Family names

Sava, Konu, Kom'itan, Va'ite, Utai, Nala, Hasa

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

The Camurai hold skill, community, and wisdom/experience in high regard and consider them to be the foundation of their tribe. First and foremost, the Camurai have a very strong sense of community and will do whatever they believe to be necassary to preserve the lives of its members. Wisdom and experience serve to better our choices and is especially necessary for members with roles that require leadership and command. Wisdom and experience also lend themselves to third pillar, skill. Skill is what provides resources for the tribe. Whether in hunts, politics, or mercantilism skill is paramount in sustaining the health and power of the tribe.

Common Dress code

Compared to other races, Camurai clothing is a bit more revealing, especially during temperate weather. Consisting of cloth made from local plant life and cotton from livestock, their attire becomes more elaborate as one climbs in power and influence. It is typical for those of higher standing to wear decorative adornments such as feathered headpieces, large and numerous beaded necklaces and bracelets, and occasionally, small bone piercings. For most, loincloths and a thin shirt or short jacket allow for comfort and mobility. During colder weather the Camurai use collected furs and thicker layers of cottonous materials. For armor, the Camurai frequently make use of bone and leather. On occasion they will make use of metals from Valareni traders or from donations.

Art & Architecture

The Camurai frequently practice Tekki, the art of weaving fabric strings into elaborate designs and tapestries. These designs can vary greatly on the subject they wish to display, from landscapes to monumental historical moments. Music also plays a major part in ceremonies and celebrations. Pan pipes, drums, and horns are commonly accompanied by etheral or heart pounding chants and songs. Given their more nomadic lifestyle the Camurai mainly use tents for homes and structures. Despite this the Camurai still find ways to express themselves through decorative Tekki and other smaller decorative trinkets. Some of the larger more permanent settlements have several stone/wood structures but tend to share a similar style to that of Valareni architecture with Arikiri adornments.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Upon one's birth a priestess from the Sahashan, tha main religious body of the Camurai, joins the family in blessing the child. The newborn also receives the name of the parent of the same sex until they pass the Trial of Taka te Utai, in which they choose their own first name and retain the family name.

Coming of Age Rites

The Trial of Taka te Utai First proposed by one of the greatest hunters of the Arikiri in the Glory Age, Taka te Utai. The trial has served as a rite of passage among the Arikiri and Camurai for centuries. Before the trial individuals aren't considered full members of the tribe and accompany their parent(s) on hunts and scouting missions. Once an Arikiri reaches the age of twenty they are given the opportunity to hunt a beast of great strength with a seasoned hunter and return with a trophy. If the seasoned hunters deems them ready the young hunter is accepted fully into the tribe and the day of their return is one of celebration. The newly accepted hunter is then afforded the chance to choose their first name. If they fail however, they are afforded one more chance but if they fail again they are branded outcasts of the clan and are believed to be cursed by Taruk, lord of hunts.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The Camurai have several funerary and memorial customs dependent on the age, status, and cause of death. The most common is a ceremonial cremation, in which the corpse is cremated upon an alter decorated with items that represented the individual. This is reserved for most individuals that have passed during hunts, from age, natural causes, etc. This custom complements the Camurai's more nomadic lifestyle and they believe as the ashes rise so to does the spirit as it travels to its final resting place. Burials are for those who pass before the age of twenty. The Camurai believe those that have yet to complete the Trial of Taka te Utai aren't full members of the tribe and as such are not attuned and connected with their deities, especially Taruk. Because of this the Camurai bury those that have not lived long enough to attempt their trial believing it best to give their body and young soul back to the earth itself. For those within the tribe that hold higher positions of power, such as a chieftain or Voice of Shiri, or have garnered great respect a massive ceremony is conducted. Most, if not all, Camurai gather together to cremate the deceased and participate in synchronized chants and prayers for a safe and welcomed journey to their afterlife.

Common Taboos

The Camurai detest few things but do so with a passion. Abyssal magics, like most cultures, are forbidden and practicing it is considered an ill omen. It is sometimes considered so vile that some Camurai attack demonstrators on sight. During hunts taking pleasure in inflicting pain and suffering upon game is frowned upon as hunts are viewed as a sacred relationship between a hunter and prey. Greed is a particularly despised desire as the Arikiri have struggled for centuries and selfishly consuming resources is known to harm the overall wellbeing of the tribe.

Common Myths and Legends

The most well known legend among the Camurai is that of Vek ra Taruk, the cursed of Taruk. As the legend goes a young and arrogant Arikiri hunter challenged the great Taruk to a hunt. The hunter claimed he could kill any beast quicker and with far more proficiency than that of a god and as a reward he demanded divinity. Taruk accepted the challenge and if he were to succeed he would claim the soul of the hunter. The two set out at midday to hunt a Great Orksa, formidable beasts that terrorized many of Teldara's inhabitants. After several hours the pair came across two male great orksa battling over territory. Now all that was left was to see who could claim a kill first. Initially the hunter let loose dozens of arrows, all piercing the mighty beast but what he hadn't realized was he was already destined to fail. He stared upon the mighty god as he knocked a single arrow. Once loose the arrow struck the orksa with such raw power that it was felled in a single shot. And as its body hit the ground the hunter's soul now belonged to Taruk, for one cannot beat the embodiment of the hunt at his own game. From that point on many a hunter would claim to see a shadowy figure stalk hunting grounds forever condemned to fail. This tale is told to younglings and any arrogant would be hunter, to remind them to not only respect Taruk but too also not overestimate ones abilities.

Ideals

Gender Ideals

The Camurai are more traditional thus males tend to hunt, scout, and lead war parties. Females serve as spiritual and political leaders, preferring to guide and are more active among their people and families.

Courtship Ideals

When a male Arikiri of the Camurai clan wishes to court a partner he must first pass the Trial of Taka te Utai, a right of passage and the recognized transition to adulthood, at twenty years of age. Then the male chooses a partner and invokes Taruk's Proposal, the female can either decline if uninterested or set a target the male must track and kill. If he fails he is unable to marry and must wait one year until he is allowed to invoke the proposal again. If he succeeds he must return with a trophy from the kill. If the trophy is in acceptable condition the pair then proceeds with the marriage in which their union is blessed by the Voice of Shiri.

Relationship Ideals

Camurai ideally mate for life. Males are the hunters, merchants, warriors, and militaristic leaders and are rarely home, while females tend to children, farm and cultivate, conduct ceremonies and prayers, and serve several political roles. It is expected of males to provide resources for the families survival but it isn't unheard of for females to participate in hunts.

Related Organizations

• The Court of Crows
• The Structure of the Ne'wale Isles