The Tchamut (ch-AH-mutt)
I was told, by them-who-knows...
In the deepest part of the Glaine Cuan there exists, to this day, an impact crater. No. no, not the Impact crater, just an impact crater. Yes, yes, very mature, lads. Yes, yes, we all love impact craters. No I do not have this impact crater's address...no, Watkins, I do not know if this impact crater has a sister. Yes, yes, they're all impressive, so just pipe down and listen up Krœnburg or I'll have your earlobes tied together. Now, then.
Far inside @Taisha's famed Glaine Cuan, there is in fact a crater made by a fast falling object or objects. It is told by the Singers that this is the exact spot where six powerful dragons, huddled together after a devastating battle, fell to Tellus. It is a long tale, and a sad one at that, so we will discuss it further at another time. Suffice it to say that according to the Singers' oral traditions, this is the time that the Glaine Cuan was formed. Stop sniggering back there, Collins! Yes, yes, I said 'oral'. Good gods, lads. Take a deep breath and collect yourselves.
The forces let loose by the impact1 were profound enough to vaporize organic matter for many hundreds of miles, and to liquify the sand and rock debris in a much closer radius. The The Bardic College Campus's Telli- and Para- geology departments are simply rife with research papers done on the subject, and it is accepted science that the Landzide Mountains are indeed of such a configuration that it could feasibly have been formed by some unimaginably colossal force pushing against the tectonic plates in a single, traumatic event; as opposed to the slow grinding of time which usually does the job. Wolf Volcano lies among the tallest of the range's peaks, it's famed cone slowly leaking poisonous gases and sinister looking smoke. This crater, however, is reported to be of a completely unique configuration. Almost perfectly hemispherical, it is of a size and depth that could contain the entire city of Craysilt. The smooth glass of the walls curve away and down at a gentle angle, from the perspective of a person standing there, and is generously provided with a plethora of tunneling cave systems exploding away from the theoretical center of the spheroid that would fill the depression. The Telligeology Department has concluded that this is the result of a steam explosion caused by a mass of silica being liquified with nowhere to go, and then coming into contact with an equal mass of water.
It is much like the mirror-image of a theoretical billiards ball with a bunch of pins sticking out of exactly half of it.
It is within these cave systems that an odd group of desert dwellers have lived for and unknown amount of time. They say it was just a few hundred years after the crater was actually formed that they moved in. A monastic order following a strict set of tenets and principles, it is they who are called upon in the very rare instance that there is an otherwise unresolvable dispute among the Singers. Other than that, they ride with the clans as protection and are much the reason that scum and villainy have not simply plundered more tribes. Opposed to the clans' usual motley array of vibrant, some would say 'gaudy', color and displays of both feathery lace and and actual feathers, the Tchamut wear all blue. Periwinkle blue, to be precise; garments created with undyed Aralind Silk. It is also reported that these are priests, although they wield blades and ride horses. Their horses are wondrous, smart beasts! They train, night and day, with nary a saddle or bridle, bit nor barding. Rumors also say that they can shoot their horse-bone bows bows from horseback at a full gallop. Accurately, even. Their curved blades are unique, folded steel...artwork forged using a secretive manner in the volcanic depths of their deep desert home.
Lastly, for today, is their martial prowess in close combat. There are two things to note; the first being that they fight with a weapon in each hand. A weapon that reports and rumors tell us seem like extensions of their own arms. The second is that they can fight in close combat in unison with their horses! From what I understand our source was witness to a Tchamut display while traveling along the Paven Way, embedded doing anthropological research with a Singer clan in northern Taisha. They were attacked by ogres! Several of the brutes, she said, who fell in a matter of moments! It was such a traumatic event that she was only able to recall all of it later, after a good cry, some laudanum and a cherry tart. Your assignment is to read chapters forty three through fifty four inclusively, and summarize their society using salient points and the provided prompts.
Structure
The chain of command follows a strict seniority policy.
Culture
A martial culture of abstinence and strict adherence to principle, they are still each their own unique person with their own personalities.
Public Agenda
To protect and serve the Singers's tribes as they wander all the corners of the world.
Assets
The Tchamut have equine companions of great stature and girth, which seem to be far more intelligent than any 'normal' horse. Their training and care is, in a word, stunning.
History
The Singers never used protection of any kind, and are sworn pacifists. Therefore, after the Travelers awoke and Vekhetmiradonalax-Myra began travelling with the Tortina Clan. They were waylaid, and Myra could not allow harm to come to them. She very quietly vaporized the attackers with a thought, and immediately set out to form the monastic order to protect the clans as violence rose in the world.
Territories
Anywhere a clan of Singers travels or gathers. There is one Tchamut per clan.
There are nine active Tchamut at any one time, with up to twenty more in reserve, along with their families and the peripheral industry necessary to survive in the deep desert.
There are nine active Tchamut at any one time, with up to twenty more in reserve, along with their families and the peripheral industry necessary to survive in the deep desert.
Military
There is no official military. They are shamanistic monks, they are no army.
Religion
Each of them worships in their own manner. It is said they 'worship' Vekhetmiradonalax-Myra. This is untrue.
They are trained by her.
Agriculture & Industry
They have hydroponic systems and weave shade cloth out of spider silk when necessary. Their sword making technology is a closely guarded secret that involved Vekhetmiradonalax-Myra herself.
Trade & Transport
Their only trade-in-stock is the protection of the Singers as they travel.
Education
Tchamut training does not necessarily start young. Many are not called to service until later in life. So their education is the standard advanced reading and mathematics taught by the Singers to all of their children.
Infrastructure
The obsidian cave systems within which they live have been beautified and reinforced over the aeons. Magnificent arches and causeways offer glimpses into the genius that was at work behind the architecture of the place. The cave systems are eminently defensible, and cleverly vented for air circulation.
1 Ff=μkFN
Seirbhis Agus Dìon (Protect and Serve)
Maps
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Rhegev: Sgàinead
A city arranged around a crater; a hole punched into the glass of Glaine Cuan from underneath by a massive bubble of hydrogen gas that was released when the Sea of Glass was created. It is a small town by all measures, with between 1,800 and 2,300 residents at any given time. It is where the Blade Priests, known as Tchamut, train and live when not travelling with a tribe of Singers.
Type
Religious, Monastic Order
Capital
Alternative Names
Bladepriest, veiled one
Demonym
Tchamut
Government System
Gerontocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Traditional
Currency
Precious metal coins in varying denominations based upon the Stilton Ounce measuring system.
Major Exports
Their only export is protection for the Singers.
Major Imports
They purchase much of what they need directly from the Singers, who often just give them to the order in exchange for friendship and protection.
Legislative Body
They all get together and ponder their issues every three years.
Judicial Body
The eldest seven of the monks.
Parent Organization
Location
Related Traditions
Related Professions
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Manufactured Items
Notable Members
Related Species
Related Myths
Related Plots
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