Aklandi
Those from below, exiled to the ash lands.
It is said that the Aklandi (or Aklanders as they are sometimes referred to as) have lived harsh lives again and again, under the cruel beating of an uncaring sun in a land of death. Few know the full story of these people however, and fewer still have bothered to archive it. It is said that long before the Underdark Cataclysm ravaged the Drow people, the house of Aleanviir stood proud, albeit not the largest one. They were primarily a mercantile house, using trade lanes to bring in profit. However, it is said a rival house, House Haen, had a disagreement over certain trade routes. Tempers flared, and blades were drawn, but unfortunately House Aleanviir lost this war. Being effectively exiled from Drow Society, they were forced to flee the Underdark, and traveled along the routes. One of these paths was a now long forgotten pathway that land to a point in the Badlands (eastern most Nilush) known as the Ashlands. This land was an ash wasteland, where little life thrived, but life still existed nonetheless. These Drow came to live amongst the Ashlands, with the sun not being as overbearing in this place due to the semi-frequent shade from clouds.
Lolth had no power over them, they were some of the few Drow to be free of the web of the cruel Underdark gods. With this, they discovered to see the world for what it was. It is said that doing so, allowed them to see the spirts of the world in all things. Most importantly however, it healed their sensitive eyesight slightly, allowing them to not be as effected by the sunlight as their fellow Drow kin. They used this new boon from the spirts to help them survive, become skilling in hunting the dangerous chitinous creatures and wearing their bones as armor. They grew into the nomadic tribes they are today, and have since taken to traveling around their home of the Ashlands, a sacred place to them, and sometimes out into the wider world. They can be seen either trading as nomadic merchants, or selling their services as warriors and assassins'.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Aklandi speak Uncluni, a language believed to have evolved from Undercommon. It is only really spoken by them and so few people actually know how to speak it outside of their group, so much so that it can be useful when Aklandi need to keep something secret.
Culture and cultural heritage
The Aklandi are as diverse amongst their tribes as any other people, however like many diverse groups there are some similarities. The Aklandi are a proud people, but not full of grandeur like their Drow cousins. They are but one part of the world, and they will return to it in time. They are great warriors, riding atop strange creatures or stout ponies across the Ashlands, and slay the many dangers that exist be they beast or deranged barbarian. Their time traveling has led them to adopt a rich but mobile culture, where most things are designed and purpose built to be able to be moved easily. They are also a very family oriented people, with keeping close to kin being considered something to strive for at all times. It is said that a lone Aklandi is a truly sad soul, for the only reason they could be alone is if their family and tribe were lost to this world.
The Aklandi also boast an animistic religion, a massive divergence from the Loth worship amongst the Drow. They believe in spirts being all around the world, in all things, and so one must take care in their actions lest they anger them or disturb them. They must also be warry of evil or malicious spirts that seek to harm the living world, so that they can go about their day. While they have no gods some frequent spirts that come up are Deagron the Sun Spirt, and Mothri the Ash Mother. Deagron is considered both a powerful but sometimes harsh or cruel spirt, representing the sun itself. In the Ashlands, the sun does not beat down as harsh as in other places, but that doesn't mean its not any less deadly, for overheating can kill an Aklandi fast if they are not careful. Mothri is considered to be the ashen soil itself, and is believed to be the mother that all Aklandi were born from, and will return to her embrace when their ashes are scattered back into the land.
Most outsiders will mistaken the Aklandi for standard Drow, which is something the Aklandi annoyedly accept is partially right. They, however, simply wish to travel the land, finding it more comforting to be on the move than staying in one place, and trade with others or sell their services as warriors or assassins'. Such rugged people living in harsh conditions have turned them into potent warriors, and it is said that they can move silently across the ashen soil, perfect traits for a hardy warrior or stealthy assassin.
Common Dress code
Chitin is a staple of Aklandi clothing, as many of the creatures in the Ashlands are covered in the stuff. It makes for good armor and is said to imbue the person with a portion of the creatures spiritual energy. Long robes and other such clothing is also typical. While they do not have the same cultural sensitivity to showing their face like other Drow, they do commonly wear masks for just simple fashion or to try and scare or draw in spirts.
Coming of Age Rites
The Great Walk is the coming of age ritual for the Aklandi, in where they must walk across a great path to and back to their tribe alone. It is said the singing of spirts can be heard on the wind, and temptation lurks with every step. Any deviation from this path leads to them simply vanishing, never to be seen again. Successfully navigating this path means they are welcomed back as a full member of society,
Funerary and Memorial customs
Cremation is the most common form of funeral, in where they scatter the ashes across the land. It is their belief that these Ashlands are made from the countless dead ancestors of the world, and returning them to the ground amongst their family is a comfort to their soul.
Common Taboos
Typically, visitors are given a bowl of strange green soup. It is utterly foul tasting but tastes alright, however, refusing this bowl is considerd a highly offensive action.
It is also taboo for an Aklandi to not first raise a closed fist when entering an establishment for a brief moment, as a way to give honor to the spirts of the building before entering
Ideals
Gender Ideals
Amazingly for a group descended from Drow, the Aklandi are a egalitarian people.
Major organizations
The Aklandi live in nomadic tribes that migrate primarily within the Ashlands. However, some have been known to migrate across the continent of Nilush, seeking trade opportunities and other such quests
Related Locations
