Quetzpa

Chela's Chosen Birthed in blood We answer his call to war we will smash our foes just as he smashed from his shell Matzi's grace shining down on us. Our scales painted like our patron. Yuum K'iino's Chant

Eldest People

Carrying the distinction of being the first documented draconic peoples, the Quetzpa hold high esteem in their cultural heritage. With the moniker of "Chela's Chosen" they are deeply tied to this image. Their day-to-day life is focused on the goal to revere their patron, as well as survive in the strange desert ecosystem so many of them call home.
The oldest texts refencing them are dated at 8200 AE(Arrival Era) from the Hekat peoples of modern day Khemkavan. These texts, while not fully deciphered, detail extensively of dealings with the reptilian warriors of the tribes;

"........in great number they came, screeching 'Yawoc! Yawoc!' which means {UNKNOWN} or 'War! War!' in our tongue."
"Khem's priests stood before the shamans of the Chela, their orange and red scales clad in white powder-dots. They asked them 'Why do you do this?' to which the shamans replied 'To honor our Thraamok, who craves battle.'
"{UNKNOWN} roared in the holy temple the Hekat were constructing, shaking the stones that had not been set with mortar. His weapon a large shard of the inscribed crystal obelisk that stood in the center of the town. 'Chela calls for Yawoc,' he said, knocking a statue to the ground. 'I am shall fight the bravest among you, and should you lose, I will take what is theirs as my own."

Daily Life

Living in such a harsh environment such as the desert has made the Quetzpa one of the many groups of nomads that travel across the lands, stopping along the Enephraten river that travels from north to south. this as well as the few oases that dot the sandy dunes provide much of the food and water that sustain their tightly knit communities.
A common day for the tribesmen encompasses the morning rituals to Matzi, Chela, and Yuumesh, as is customary among all tribes. The rest of the day is a mixture of foraging, tracking, hunting, or other necessary tasks. When at war with another group, the non-combative survival tasks are taken up by the children and spouses that do not participate.
The leader of the tribe, usually the oldest among the members, will convene with any trackers, the Yuum K'iino, and the strongest warrior to determine the actions of the tribe. This council is considered a formality, and the tribe leader (usually called Elder) has final say so on all matters. they will determine where to travel, which Thraamok requires their worship/offerings, when to go to war, etc.

Battle Practices

When an Elder has decided on 'Yawoc' or war, the able-bodied and mature members of the tribe (starting at age 12) will be given the instruments of war that have been used since their forefathers time, as well as the traditional garb. A white powder fashioned from a mixture of plants that grow along the Enephraten is applied in jagged asymmetrical designs or dots (depending on the specific tribe) along their body. this, a headdress made from Water-Skimmer feathers, and soft leather shoes to protect their feet, are all they wear. each warrior is also given a sling, a makwahuitl (a club lined with crystal shards) and a small buckler shield, usually depicting the insignia of their specific tribe. This helps members recognize each other when in large raiding groups that encompass more than one tribe.

Naming Traditions

Masculine names

• Akampacitli
• Chicawatta
• Kima'poca

Unisex names

• Cipak
• Cikapli

• Qoutatei

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Draconic(Quetzpa dialect)(Any Draconic speaker may understand this language sufficiently, but only with a roll of 10 or more on a D20) Elder Draconic(A Draconic speaker may attempt to comprehend Elder Draconic and succeed with a roll of 15 or more on a D20)

Shared customary codes and values

1. "Warrior's fight with all their strength"
2. "No Quetzpa shall dishonor Chela by backstabbing or deceiving an opponent."
3. "Children are exempt from the call for Yawoc. Neither shall they participate or be sacrificed."
4. "Should Chela will it, we will band with warriors of another tribe. Should it be spoken, Yawoc against their enemies will be taken."

Common Dress code

• A Leather belt made from Axocatyls, with strips of hemp-woven cloth to protect their legs from the sun
• Many-Tails fur woven in intricate patterns. used for nightwear, when it is very cold.
• Long shrouds that fit around their frilled heads, with small attachments to cover their snouts during desert storms.

Common Taboos

Killing children, dishonoring Chela through deceit, murder, theft, or sacrilege.

Historical figures

Monteshuma Xapat: A legendary force, a Lizardman that bordered on being worshipped as a son of the Thraamok Quetza Murro(the person the tribe was originally named for). He was said to be over six feet, and could rip the large crystals that dot the landscape apart with his hands. He marched a band of warriors all the way across the Enephraten river down into the Khemkavani lands to the walls of Nivenah, calling for a duel with their strongest warrior. The tales of him even say his voice could command thunder, making the earth shake from his booming roars.