Qitanni (Key-tah-nee)

In a frozen desert of ice and snow, no one expected to find much living there. We never expected to find an entire people.

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor

In the lands to the extreme south, inside the ice-choked waters of the Patuiq Strait, the tribal Qitanni makes their home inside the radiant Hascona Cliffs. The mix of traditions is eclectic, but for the Qitanni it blends well. Their traditions and practical methods survival are uniquely suited to the harsh land of the Glacialis Continent.

But how they came to settle there is a mystery.

An Impossible Origin

To ask a Qitanni how they came to settle in the underground cliff-dwellings of the Hascona Cliffs, most just shrug. A few will say they are 'from the wave' while either pointing to the sub-zero waters of the Patuiq Strait, or even the ice covered Mөс Ocean.

Many Windtracers argue that reference means the Qitanni arrived by boat from the Nerhet Sandsea. But Qitanni stories have no mention of the sandsea at all.

Other Windtracers suggest that the Qitanni may have descended from surviving Ancients driven out of the Natoce Ruins. Some of their oldest myths talk about multi-armed monstrosities from the Deep Pits, stalking the unwary during the coldest days of winter on moonless nights. The resemblance to the Natoce ruin beasts encountered by Windtracer expeditions is too similar to ignore.

Everyone overlooks the large number of sunken ships in Patuiq Strait. No one's explored those wrecks, but carefully crafted spells revealed the ships vary in age. What if the Qitanni are descendents of shipwrecks over the generations and this area is nothing more than a 'ship graveyard'?

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor

A Determined Quiet

The Qitanni are a non-violent and deeply spiritual people. They can be considered a 'quiet folk' who value rational thought and to arrive at a solution to a problem. This deep, stoic calm reflects their desolate, snow-covered homeland. They call this philosophy Utavou, or The Way and Means of Reason.

This isn't to say they are unemotional or cold, the Qitanni are nothing of the kind. These are a deeply passionate people that, because of their philosophical beliefs, are not prone to emotional outbursts. But those emotions run deep, echoing their dwarven, gnoll, and genasi cultures from the distant past.

Despite their peaceful stance, the Utavou indicates that there are times violence is necessary as a last resort. When that happens, the Qitanni reaction is swift. A violent response from a Qitanni is done with an equal measure of ferocity and remorse, because violence became the solution.

One of the best expressions of their deep passions is in their devotion to the clan-pack, their term for a tribe, hard work, and their craftsmanship. Qitanni scalebead belts, scrimshaw, or water sculptures are some ways they release those passions and creativity. Scalebead belts are full of bright colors and patterns. Their water sculptures are unique in how the material is shaped, not carved, so that the finished statue seems to flow, yet figurine is motionless.

Qitanni and the Great Collapse

Knowledge of, and opinions on, the Ancient Order are not a strange concept to the tribal Qitanni.

Their information on the Ancient Order comes from stories and records passed down through oral, and some written traditions, among the tribes. Holy monks preserve these legends and stories, teaching them to the younger generations to ensure the wisdom isn't lost.

But, as Windtracer expeditions discovered, for the Qitanni, the Ancients are a cautionary tale.

To the tribes, the Natoce Ruins is not an opportunity to learn. It is a graveyard. A monument to the hubris of the Ancients who sought to control the elements and nature until the world was out of balance.

According to Qitanni legend, nature itself lashed out and broke the leash it suffered under. The Great Collapse resulted from the Ancient Order refusing to live in harmony with nature and the elements. It is one of the key foundation stories that they built their philosophy on.

The Qitanni will not stop visitors from exploring the Natoce Ruins, but they will warn them of delving too deep otherwise they will suffer the "Fate of the Ancients". Any that persist in exploring the ruin, and survive, are always welcome back. This is so the Qitanni monks can tend to the wounded and hear the survivors' stories. They then add those tales to the collection of other cautionary legends of the Ancient Order and the danger of living "out of balance with reason".

Paths of Magic

To the Qitanni, magic is both a wonderful and dangerous thing. All magic practiced by the Qitanni is elemental with a heavy influence of earth and water elements.

Magic is a part of a Qitanni's life. The Hascona Cliffs play a large part in this, as all Qitanni grow up behind and around the prism-like cliff face with its flowing veins of magic. Magic that is elemental in nature.

Qitanni describe magic in terms of 'paths'. Each element is a path that a practitioner follows, with only a few ever able to become a true Element Shaper, or mage who has mastered all the elemental aspects of magic. Those who follow a path carry the title of that element, such as Earth Shaper, Fire Shaper, Air Shaper, and Water Shaper.

There is no restriction on learning magic among the Qitanni. The 'restriction' comes through the intensity of study that the Holy monks prescribe. It's a rigorous schedule not suited to just anyone, with physical and mental training for all but one day out of each week. The remaining day is to let the mind and body rest and prepare for the new week.

During this training, each student is expected to take up a second trade or craft. This could be baking, fishing, hunting, or other trade useful to the clan. Once their training is complete, each Shaper Monk mage carries a deep understanding of the magic path they follow, and how to include it within the daily life of their clan-pack.

Encompassed species

• Dwarf
• Genasi
• Gnoll

Related Locations

• Hascona Cliffs
• Talanook

Demographics

The demographics of the Qitanni are rather narrow due to the remote location of their home. But these demographics have been expanding over time due to trading with the peoples of the Nerhet Sandsea.

Dwarves (37%)

Gnolls (35%)

Genasi (25%)

Other (3%)

Separate But Together

The Qitanni lack a strong central form of government. They are a collection of clans, or 'clan-packs' as they term it, that are bound by one philosophy and culture. It's the dedication to that philosophy that acts as a guiding 'rule of law'. This leaves the 'Pack-Chief' and their chosen seconds to manage the well-being of each clan-pack in the harsh Glacialis environment.

There are times where clan-packs must meet to decide on issues that face all the Qitanni. This Great Council is as close as the Qitanni comes to a central body that decides on governing rules. Decisions of the Great Council are binding to all clans and are reviewed once a year.

Rules governing theft, or other such actions are handled by the clan-pack that was wronged. Each clan-pack maintains their own laws, which are written down and the scrolls maintained by the holy monks of the Qitanni.

Lorekeeper Notes

Dolthor's notes from that last expedition... they are amazing! - Lorekeeper Gwelunis Istril
He's already looking to lead another group back down there.  - Lorekeeper Ihodis Jenro
I'm thinking of signing up! - Lorekeeper Rudigar Brockhouse
Rudigar, really? I didn't think you liked snow very much. - Lorekeeper Gwelunis
I've had a change of heart! Of course, I'll go. - Lorekeeper Rudigar
That's the spirit!  - Lorekeeper Ihodis
Besides, after seeing one of those water sculptures, these Qitanni must have a keen insight into a proper snow cone! - Lorekeeper Rudigar

Customs of the Qitanni

Names and Naming

Qitanni have a complex view on names. To them, a person's name reflects nature and the elements as well as a window into that person's journey in life. Who they were and who they might become.

It is true that each clan-pack carries its own name such as Brinefist, Tideflute, Rarthuk, or Grithsson. However, the clan-pack's name isn't considered part of an individual's name. It is simply part of where they are from. Like a location.

Among the clan-packs, Qitanni have a single name which is selected at birth by the parents. They take inspiration from many sources. It could be a vision-inspired, or because a bad magic storm that swept over and out to sea that day. Names also reflect the parent discovering their child. Such as who the child might represent in nature or from the past. Also, who the child might become.

In daily use, a Qitanni will simply use their given name with no mention of their clan-pack. Under more formal situations, they will use the suffix T' combined with a parent's name and either 'san' for 'son' or 'dettin' for 'daughter'. This is followed by A' combined with their clan-pack. The T' translates to 'of' and A' is 'from the' such as in Bala T'Shondettin A'Grithsfir.

The Qitanni place no separation between 'male' or 'female' names. To them, there is no such concept as a 'male' or 'female' name.

Common Names

Krikk, Mex, Bryldielle, Grannik, Tidemin, Snuth, Sireth

Common Clan-Pack names

Stonn, Avari, Foamstelk, Dregsear, Bronfur

They also have no qualms about reusing names, even for twins. There is some subtle difference in the way a name is said for each person that, for the Qitanni, makes each use unique. I've yet to figure it out. Hopefully, I'll decipher this on the next expedition.

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor

Clothing

Qitanni clothing is a layered system of garments that are focused on allowing the wearer to survive in the frigid environment of the Glacialis Continent region, but adaptable for different seasonal needs.

Traditionally the outer layer is made from treated animal hide and fur, such as Frost Elk or bear. This layer comprises a parka, trousers, mittens, and boot lining. Hide comes from animals brought back during hunting season. Using the animal hide is believed to allow the Qitanni to maintain a connection to nature and therefore preserve balance.

Processing the hide into usable material takes two weeks, where the leather is treated and oiled so that it is both strong, pliable, yet weather proof. Once done, the leather is fashioned into clothing layers. Younger members of the clan-packs are always involved to teach the younger generation some of the necessary survival skills.

These outer layers are often plain and cast in shades of gray or white. This is to provide the wearer with camouflage as well as protection against the cold.

Inner layers are more brightly colored. Thinner and more flexible, these are made from Ice Wyrm and Snow Squirrel hide and the woven fibers of the Flow Kelp. They sew inner layers with 'scalebeads', small beads crafted from the Ice Wyrm scales, that change color once heated to bright blues, greens, reds and so on. The beads are sewn into representations of animals, weather patterns or other important events from their legends.

Not all Qitanni clothing goes to use with the clan-packs. Once the clans have created what clothing they need, the rest is prepared, braided, or otherwise fashioned into trade goods traded twice a year at the southernmost ports of the Nerhet Sandsea.

Patterns and designs are unique. It is rare that any two are alike and each clan-pack has their own particular designs they favor. Some of these designs are images from their legends and myths. Others are reminders to the wearer of certain survival skills to use when in the wild.

Crafts and Trade

Clothing is not the only item the Qitanni make to trade with their distant northern neighbors in the Sandsea.

Ice Wyrm scales are rare outside of Glacialis. In many places they are barely a rumor, but in parts of the Sandsea they are an exotic find. The Qitanni have recognized this.

Scales from the enormous reptile are prized by the Qitanni for their durability. What isn't used by the Qitanni to make their insulated brigandine armor, is also used as a type of armor plate for their travel tents.

But some is always set aside to use for the creation of bowls, leather covered bucklers, and more.

Then there are the water sculptures. These are small animal and spirit totems created through 'water sculpting'. Despite the name, the process is not magical. In fact, it is a type of alchemy.

The Qitanni use a precise mixture of crushed Crysalis Vines and crystal powder from the Hascona Cliffs to fashion a thick liquid that feels like bread dough. This ‘dough’ is kneaded and shaped under flowing cold water. As the material hardens, it traps water in channels formed by the 'sculpting'. Once complete, the water inside remains in motion, constantly flowing.

As for the figurine, once complete, the figurine looks made of glass but has the strength of steel.

Unfortunately, Windtracers who learned this technique discovered that the process cannot be used to fashion weapons. The finished attempts refuse to hold an edge. Neither are they able to discern what process or means keeps the trapped water moving.

Last of the common Qitanni trade goods is scrimshaw.

Frost Elk, Ice Wyrm teeth and discarded wyrm-scale are all material for this amazing art. The Qitanni work the materials into either long knives from the wyrm teeth, weapon grips, or even flutes. Despite the best efforts of the Windtracer expeditions, they were unable to find out how the Qitanni scrimshaw are able to maintain a cold aura, even after being brought back to warmer regions.

Trade goods are taken by boat from the Hascona Cliffs across the frozen sea to the Nerhet Sandsea ports.

This trading arrangement for the Qitanni is vital. In return for these craft items, the Qitanni are able to acquire plant seeds they grow in underground gardens that line the areas closest to the window-like crystals of the Hascona Cliffs that look out over the Patuiq Strait.

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Common Etiquette

Qitanni Greetings

The Qitanni have an unusual method of greeting that stems from their frozen environment.

Because the temperatures require anyone out in the snow to be dressed for warmth, most of their body is covered. Smiling or body language can be used but the most common method is for a person to hold up one hand, palm out, to the person they are greeting. The opposite hand is pressed against the wrist of the upraised hand.

My best understanding is that it indicates you're not hostile. A rarity in Glacialis.

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor

Courtship

As anywhere, the Qitanni have their own traditions around courtship.

These traditions are an unusual mix of a dowry with the display of being a competent provider, yet allowing a flair for the creative.

When one of the Qitanni intends to court someone, they begin what's called 'stoneweaving'. This is a long process where the suitor composes an epic poem of at least three stanzas and then crafts the major scenes from that poem in a scalebead sash. The composition may take days to weeks for the suitor to craft the sash, and the poem.

Once complete, the suitor will approach the person of interest and recite the poem in the evening outside their home. The poem must be read one stanza per evening until it's complete. Often these poems tell stories of great cleverness or bravery, with the hero outwitting their opponent.

If the person who is being read to is interested in being courted, they will light a candle and chant a melody they feel suits the poem being read aloud. But if they are not interested, they light a candle then blow it out.

Those who accept the suitor's offer are given the sash to seal the bond. Sashes that are rejected are burned as the Qitanni feels each sash must be unique to each relationship. Anything else suggests a lack of balance in the suitor which is looked down on.

Weapons and Hunting

The first Windtracer expeditions that met the Qitanni thought the Qitanni didn't use metal weapons was because of a lack of metal. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The Hascona Cliffs are rich with veins of metal. But this metal is too soft, like silver, or too poor a quality to use in crafting any kind of weapon. As a result, the Qitanni use different materials with effective results.

Qitanni bows are a composite of Frost Elk horn and driftwood that is backed by a braided cable of Crysalis Vines. The result is a bow that resists breaking and can rival the power of a longbow. Arrowheads are made from the Hascona Cliffs crystal and gently shaped into hunting arrowheads or a barbed variety for fishing.

The 'long knife', found in many northern cultures, takes the form of the 'long fang' among the Qitanni. Fashioned from the fangs of an Ice Wyrm, they lace them with metal from the tunnels in the cliffs, giving it a crystal appearance with a faint ice blue aura. This braided metal lacing provides extra strength to the sharpened ivory knife, allowing it to be almost as strong as a steel blade.

These weapons may seem exotic and primitive. But one Windtracer expedition had the rare chance to witness the U'chon'ta, or the Season of the Ice Wyrm.

This is a seasonal hunting event where the clan-packs send their best hunters after the gigantic ice wyrms as they migrate across Glacialis. In the frigid cold, steel becomes difficult to wield. There have been some records of metal breaking. Qitanni weapons, combined with the hunter's skill, are especially suited to bringing down a dragon-sized ice wyrm.

Other weapons such as the war spear, war hammer, and more are also used by the Qitanni. But these are not weapons for hunting, they are weapons of war and therefore a last resort.

Just because the Qitanni choose reason over violence doesn't mean they don't understand it. They understand it all right. All too well.

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor

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The Never-Ending Journey

All cultures have a ritual for birth and for death. It's the same for the Qitanni.

For these people, life is a path. A journey. Birth is merely a change from where a person was into this life. Death is that person moving on their journey to another place.

Births and deaths are celebrated using water. In this way, a Qitanni enters and leaves this part of their journey in the same manner. Newborns, once bathed, are placed in a reed basket and allowed to float down one of the underground streams that pass through the Qitanni settlement, recovering them once they have passed by the holy monks and current leaders of their tribe.

During funerals, the deceased is bathed then dressed in their warmest clothes. Then they are placed on a small raft set with a complete campsite, including wyrm scale brazier with a warm fire. This raft is slid into the Mөс Ocean, sailing past the holy monks and the clan-pack's current leader.

If I understand it right, they believe the waves carry the deceased onward to their next life, just as the waves brought them to their people.

— Windtracer Muildir Dolthor