Pithians

The Pithians are a group of monkeys who are said to be growing and evolving into the inklings of mortal civilization, moving quickly from animals into a potential new society that can stand among all others. They live in the Pithian Bamboo Forest towards the Eastern Coast of Elone.

Governmental Structure

It is unclear if the Pithians have achieved a government yet, or even a society of any notable sort, though it can be said that they are still in many ways not beyond the realm of th beasts. This leads to most accounts of them being taken for research, kept at a distance, where people observe the progress of their civilization.
Many scholars consider the Pithians to be a lovely subject to observe the beginnings of civilization and how evolution plays a role in the growth of a society. However, they fear to get too close to the Pithians for fear of the Basalt Demons revealing their positions and telling the Pithians to kill or attack them.

Basalt Demon by RovaRed

Anti-Basalt Pithians

There have been some things noticed in terms of how Pithians treat the Basalt Demons. Some Pithians are seen to show signs of greed by treasuring Basalt, and this is when the Demons are at their strongest influence, exploiting that greed.
Other Pithians, then, push back against this greed, creating factions within the Pithians. The Basalt Demons are only one form of division found between them, but it is the most notable. Still, even in the Ant-Basalt factions, there may be those that fall into the greed or lust for power.

Settlements

The Pithians are not believed to have any permanent settlements. They are nomadic as it currently stands, though they will stop for short periods of time. It is said that during these times, they are at their most inventive, and if a scholar can find a settled Pithian faction for any period of time, it is said to yield the best research data.

Pithian by Jarhed

Basalt Structures

While the Pithians themselves do not have settlements, it is said that there are structures they have created out of Basalt. Some say that through here, they can communicate best with Basalt Demons, and perhaps even that Basalt Demons can physically come to Totania through these temples to them.
There are fears that these Basalt temples may be portals to the Void itself, but scholars do not destroy them, as to do so would ruin their research by introducing another variable.
Often, for this reason, scholars come equipped to study the Pithians with strong warriors. For Draconians, they will often bring soldiers or mercenaries from Bortan as muscle.

Technological Level

It is said, as it stands now, that the Pithians have entered a Stone Age, where they are able to make tools out of stone, wood, and bamboo. These tools are mostly used to aid them in getting food and fighting against rival factions of Pithians or any perceived threats, like outsiders.

Pithian by Jarhed

Basalt Demons

It is said that in the Pithian Bamboo Forest, there are Demons from the Void itself, called Basalt Demons. The basalt found in the forest is said to be treasured by the Pithians, and many believe this is thanks to Demonic voices that speak from it, convincing the Pithians to do wrong.
Some say this keeps the Pithians in a more regressed civilization, while others believe all it does is cause chaos that would otherwise not have happened.
One thing the Basalt Demons have a hand in are terrifying creations made by the Pithians. Inventions with dark power behind them, statues of horrific subjects, or any other item in Pithian hands that radiates a Demonic energy.
The Basalt Demons are said to be serpentlike, terrifying creatures that can get their voices into the minds of any around them. Many debate whether the Demons themselves are actually present around the Pithians, or if they simply whisper into the ears of them from a distance, even from the Void itself.

Religion

It is uncertain whether Pithians have a religion that centers around any of the Gods. Of course, some factions center themselves around Basalt Demons, so if they are worshipped like Gods or not is unclear.
Some say that Pithian civilization is inherently centered around Papatūānuku, the Goddess of Nature, or Mayowa, the Goddess of Beauty (specifically natural beauty), however since they have yet to develop ways of speaking with non-Pithians, there is no definite way to know for sure.

The most prominent use of stones for the Pithians is to crack nuts. For this, most tools and weapons they make are based around blunt force. Hammer-like objects. However, one Beastmastery scholar from Dembar observed an incredible phenomenon at one point.

"I was on the edge of the Bamboo Forest, and I watched the creatures trying to take down a tree of Bamboo. There were rival Pithians atop it, and they wished to attack them. I knew there were three options here: Either they fled, chopped down the bamboo, or found a way to attack from a distance. To me, the former seemed the only true possibility.
Yet before my very own eyes, I watched them throw sticks up the bamboo. Once they realized they could do this, I observed them take a rock, sharpening it and placing it on the stick. Then, with a makeshift spear, they threw it up the tree, impaling rival Pithians. I watched the invention of the spear... and I never turned back. I fear what further advancements they make, and fear for my own safety around the Pithians."