Chatha

Chatha is a society of fire genasi that resides in the Ashmounts of Ashun. It is ruled by a council of elders from their capital of Ora Nanda.
The fire genasi of the Ashmounts are the result of the link between the material plane and the elemental plane of fire that is centered inside the Kal'ask volcano. After the gods imprisoned the fire titan Abanasi, the people residing around the Ashmounts were influenced by the titan's power and became fire genasi.
Today, a faciton of Chathans known as Fire Eaters protect Kal'ask and its surrounds from intruders. The boundary between the material plane and the plane of fire is at its weakest inside the volcano and Fire Eaters believe it is their duty to prevent another Collapse by ensuring Abanasi remains imprisoned.

The Mathra

The Mathra is a council of elders that runs Chathan society. Their primary role is seen as deciding who will be permitted into the Ashmounts and what activities are permitted there, such as mining. While the Mathra is also responsible for determining some Chathan law, their power to implement laws is limited. Chatha is a very traditional society and changes to laws do not happen frequently. When they do, it is often done at a more local level than the Mathra.

Culture

Chathan culture places a strong emphasis on tradition and duty. The memories of the devastation of Chatha during the Collapse are passed on to each generation, reminding young fire genasi of the importance of keeping the fire titan sealed away and the dangers of the Ashmounts.
Chathan fire genasi view becoming a Fire Eater as the noblest path one can take. Becoming a Fire Eater means foregoing having a family or personal wealth and living one's entire life roaming the Ashmounts as a warrior. It is viewed as a life of noble guardianship and sacrifice.

History

Before the Collapse

After the gods imprisoned the primodial titans in their planes, the Ashmounts were an incredibly dangerous place that made them impossible to settle. The level of volcanic activity resulting from the influence of the fire titan Abanasi covered the entire region in ash and largely prevented life in the region for several centuries.
Over time, the volcanic activity reduced. Though ash was still spewed across the region, it became possible for the area to be settled. Humans and dwarves eventually settled near the Ashmounts, and over time they were morphed by the influence of Abanasi into the fire genasi.
The fire genasi embraced their fiery abilities and settled further into the Ashmounts. While the level of ash would be toxic to most races, the fire genasi were able to tolerate it and settle further into the volcanic region. They formed the nation of Chatha and built several large cities throughout the Ashmounts, growing complacent from the relatively low volcanic activity.

During the Collapse

When the fire titan Abanasi was released from his prison, he ravaged the Ashmounts. Chatha was devastated as their cities were destroyed by lava plumes and crushed by the fighting between Abanasi and the giants.

Post-Collapse

After the Collapse, the remaining Chathans returned to their homes to find them completely destroyed. The devastation brought a big change to Chathan culture. They believed their duty was now to prevent the return of Abanasi by guarding the Ashmounts. They rebuilt many of their cities at the base of the mountains, beginning with their largest city, Ora Nanda.
A group of fire genasi formed, naming themselves the Fire Eaters. They became an elite force of warriors in Chatha and dedicated their lives to roaming the mountains near Kal'ask to keep watch over Abanasi's prison.
Today, most Chathan cities are on the outskits of the Ashmounts where they are less vulnerable to damage from volcanic activity. The Fire Eaters, meanwhile, live nomadic lives in the peaks of the Ashmounts.

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Demonym

Chathan

Government System

Gerontocracy