Sorowen Goliaths
" Of all those in the five tribes, of all the mighty chiefs that have come before or after, none could match the wisdom, nor the prowess of Dolder-kan. The router of the puny humans, and the true unifier of the five tribes, may his memory fade into legend, and live on in our tales and hearts forever." - Tardak Ironeye
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
All the five tribes speak common, giant and Tol-Goli, but each tribe has their own dialect and derivative of Tol-Goli, the Thota speak a language called Bua, but all their writings and runes are in Tol-Goli. The Senatla speak and write in a language called Leleme, but their runes are still in Tol-Goli. The Setsomi speak Molomo, the Lelapa speak Ka Khutso, and the Mohlape speak and write in Lerata.
Culture and cultural heritage
Survival and tradition are the core cultural values of the five tribes but how they interpret these values differs between the tribes. The Thota see survival in the strength of the tribe and the tribe is only strong when they work together, and they are only as strong as their weakest link so they emphasize teamwork and activity above all other things. The Senatla see that the strength of the tribe comes through their leaders, and that the right or wrong leader can make or brake a tribe, because of this their trials to become a chief are far more brutal and rigorous than all the other tribes. The Setsomi cling to the ancient traditions and values of the first goliath tribe, they are seen as the keepers of the 'old ways' by the other tribes and their ways are generally kept secret from the other tribes. The Lelapa find strength in independence but realize that individuality is a slippery slope when a group is needed for survival, luckily their tribe only consists of three major families each only 10-15 goliaths in size, but with this small number comes a great deal of specialisation, the members of the Lelapa tribe are though to be some of the best hunters, scouts, chiefs, shepherds and warriors among the tribes, and their presence within the other tribes is always noticed. The Mohlape are the smallest of the tribes only comprising of two extended families with roughly 14 people in each family, they delve heavily into the aspect of combining strength and relying on each other to ensure the survival of the tribe. They are fiercely loyal to each other and all strive to be the best selves they can possibly be, their acts of honor and combat are legendary among the tribes, and they are though to be the most underappreciated tribe.
Shared customary codes and values
Goliaths of the five tribes share several customs and values with each other, the chief of these being the value of honor, and strength. If a goliath dishonors themselves or is seen as weak of heart, body or mind to the tribe they can be exiled, shunned or beaten until they toughen or die.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Beauty in the eyes of the goliaths of Sorrowel is a very alien to those of the typical races of the continent. They see beauty in deeds, and through the actions of one, and not the skin or flesh of others, though they still have carnal desires neither male nor females dress or act in accordance or to promote these desires. A woman of the tribe who does her part to help the tribe and who serves her fellow tribesmen is seen as beautiful and a woman worth courting. On the opposite side those who neglect their duties and choose to carve their own path or act in the detriment of the tribe are seen as ugly of heart and are typically shunned by the rest of the tribe.
Gender Ideals
Survival is the primary goal of goliath society, roles within the tribe are assigned to those who can best fulfill them and are not assigned based upon the gender of the person that they are given to. Males and females within the tribe are seen as equals, everyone must work in order to make sure that the tribe can live another day.
Courtship Ideals
When goliaths prepare for courtship they make sure that their name is one of respect and honor within the tribe, a name that generates snickers and whispers is seen as one of the greatest betrayals to ones self within goliath society. When goliaths of the five tribes court the males usually compete with each other by completing tasks of increasing difficulty and honorability, all in an attempt to seem both the strongest and noblest of the males, and that is generally the one who the female will choose, though it is sometimes found that the most humble and well spirited of the goliath men is chosen.
Relationship Ideals
Goliaths mate for as long as they can remain compatible in the eyes of either partner, if it is seen that they are not compatible the two split, and are free to seek other mates within the tribe or among other tribes.
Major organizations
The five tribes are spread across the Goliath Wastes and range in size, with some numbering in the hundreds and others only having numbers akin to that of a large extended family. The largest and most respected of these tribes are the Thota, they were once led by Dolder-kan, the great hero of the five tribes and the first goliath to unite the tribes in over four generations, they are known for their cunning warriors, and their creative use of the Bison as both herd animals and creatures of war. They live in the southern regions of the waste and are called by the other tribes, the Wardens of The Wastes. The remaining tribes range in size greatly with the two largest being the Senatla and Setsomi and the two smallest being the Lelapa and Mohlape.
Encompassed species
Related Locations
Comments