Boarfolk

Female Gahori Names: Bohkra, Huragka, Pohko, Suruk, Solkuh, Torthal, Vulkra

Male Gahori Names: Bakhor, Dorok, Gorrut, Gorkon, Hohkul, Jhonk, Martok, Nakhot, Sokth, Hohkul

The Gahori tend to incorporate porcine grunts, snorts, and squeals into their language. This has led, whether consciously or not, to an influence on the sounds used in their given names. They can sound somewhat guttural, with strong consonant sounds, and common use of “o” and “u” sounds.

Over the ages, many philosophers of many races have tried to determine the purpose for which they exist. Is it to help others? To create a legacy that will outlive you? To get high and have fun? None of them have ever found an answer that was universally believed. The same is not true, however, for the Gahroi. Gahori society and culture are solely centered on the fulfillment of their urge. Their capitol, which is located in Anoma’s largest desert, is filled with spots that trigger it. As such, the entirety of Gahori civilization exists to complete the grand, unfinished work their urge lays out the blueprints for. Almost every Gahori is born, trained, and then worked to death in the pursuit of its eventual creation.   In Gahori society, the individual is virtually non-existent. Gahori are born, trained, and then sent out to work themselves till death or old age. What little free time they have is spent resting and recuperating, so that they do not die of exhaustion and thus they may grow ever closer to the eventual completion of their civilization’s project. Nothing else matters in Gahori culture. Mating is not for love, but for making more Gahori to help the completion of their great work. Eating is not for pleasure, but for sustenance. Praising the gods (or rather, god, in Gahori society) is not out of any vain hope of getting into a heaven-like place, but to ensure the completion of their grand project. And, while some corrupt Gahori who seek pleasure above all else do exist, most are killed horribly if they are ever found out.   This is not to say that the Gahori cannot experience these emotions, however. Most of them merely live in a society where they are conditioned away from experiencing them. Exiles from that society, be it voluntary or forced, do happen occasionally, and they often become completely unable to function when removed from the framework of their old life. Most die within the first month, but some, very rare individuals, manage to find others that will help them, or find a way to help themselves, and go on to live relatively normal, albeit haunted, lives. Most still keep with them most of the cultural aspects of the society in which they were raised, namely, a rejection of individuality and a firm belief in hard work. They also, typically, adopt a new stated purpose, which can range from poetry to more construction work, atop of the other hotspots for their urge that dot anoma.   The Gahori have a strong belief in working hard to lift up those around them. They are well known for their determination and endurance while working towards a common goal. Their spiritual beliefs center around building upon the past- both accomplishments and failures. If a Gahori meets failure, they are expected to double down and use the experience to inform an amplified attempt towards their goal. If they meet success, a faithful individual is expected not to dwell overlong in celebration, but to look forward to the next project.   Gahori too weak to build or quarry stone are tasked with teaching the young how to do so, those Gahori who are taught to fight only fight to protect their homeland and fellows, so that the great project may one day be finished.   Almost all Boarfolk speak Gahorian and Common.

Religion

Their main religion is worshipping and dedicating every breath to their master (or 'maker'), Bomani, in efforts to keep their tie strong. They also have a strong desire to commune with their fallen elders, seeking their wisdom and knowledge in efforts to continue to serve their purpose. Therefore most of their daily religious rituals are surrounding ways to connect and communicate with those that are seemingly beyond the Prime Materia. Additionally they upkeep the buildings created by those of early Gahori kind, those areas becoming hallowed ground for all Gahori. Some temples are dedicated solely to be used for religious purposes, with grand columns and intricate carvings within the architecture itself.   After their ‘master’ left them physically, they were desperate to find ways to communicate with their illusive master. However, a group of Gahori boasted the fact they had finally found a way to connect with their master once again after the tie had been severed for years upon years. The best way those Gahori found was ceremonial consumption of a sacred and highly cultivated plant of the Gahori, the Traum Cactus. Every Gahori home has a very limited garden of the fast growing plant, ensuring a steady supply of the plant.   The mediums of Gahori nations are in charge of building and maintaining the temples dedicated to their ‘master’. These temples importantly include vast gardens of this sacred plant, that are meticulously taken care of by the mediums. The trampling or destruction of these gardens is considered the worst crime someone could do against the Gahori.   During the rare occasions a Gahori leaves the deserts, provided they are not disillusioned with their faith, they believe their ‘master’ has sent them on a journey to complete a grand building project elsewhere upon Anoma. Even more rarely, they may bring others to help them accomplish their task given to them by their ‘master’.  

Family

For Gahori, parents are not the ones in charge of raising and teaching their children. Once they are able to be away from their mother, around 3 Ages, the Gahori children are sent away to the elderly Gahori of their city. These children grow up together, being taught the beliefs of Gahori and the necessary building blocks to be a strong and worthy Gahori. Some of these lessons include the history of their creation and how it leads to their current goal, the proper respectful traditions to Bomani, and basic architecture. These children are also taught the importance of building on the past, and the strength of working together with their fellow Gahori. It almost teaches a point of view that helping others helps oneself.   Once their training is completed at the age of Adulthood (14 Ages), the newly trained Gahroi are sent out into society, never to see their family again. Eventually, with time, they may choose a mate of their own, but these unions are never (at least superficially) out of true love, but merely for the purpose of creating more Gahori for the furtherance of the project.

Due to their desert origins and thick fur, Gahori prefer to make their garments out of the lightweight linen that can grow rather well in the oases of the Anoman deserts. Their casual garments are rather loose, draping over them with ropes to keep their garments more secure and closed. They rarely use complicated designs within their garment, preferring strong and sturdy pieces of garment with the few dyes available to them in their environment. Utility, over appearance, is heavily valued in Gahori society. Their work outfits tend to be more form fitting to ensure their clothes do not get snagged into materials and tools. They may also wear protective leather garments in order to keep their bodies safe from the materials they are working with, such as a blacksmithing apron and gloves.   On hot days, or during hard manual labor, most Gahori will take breaks though to enjoy bathing in pools of cool water or medicinal mud baths, if available. Otherwise, they will generally make do with wearing dampened bandanas or other styles of head cloth.

Accessories

They rarely ever create accessories, as dedicating too many workers to the decorations of one's body could be seen as a waste of valuable time and resources. Gahori at most wear simple bronze or copper bands for bracelets or simple chain necklaces. A rather odd phenomenon however is they seem to loathe having their ears pierced or touched.

The cultural art of the Gahori comes in the form of great buildings, carved murals, and feats of masonry. It is common for them to carve specific patterns, likenesses, or constellations into their works to invoke the strength of the spirits and gain their favor. Artistic figures are rarely crafted for their own beauty, but instead are worked into everyday objects and buildings at every opportunity. Songs, stories, and entertainment are rare in Gahori society, and what little do exist are used solely to venerate their mysterious creator in the hopes that he shows them how best to complete their work or to teach their young how to build.

Creation Story

For Gahori, they believe their origins come from a rather vaguely described ‘maker’, a master that could take on many forms to address the Gahori. While they are unsure of exactly the nature of their master, during their cultural infancy it was known their ‘maker’ gave them the vague task to build. After they were given this task to build, their ‘master’ left with a single promise. If they were to finish the ‘maker’s’ building plans, they would return to them.   Because of this, Gahori feel an instinctual urge to make things in order to bring back and honor their ‘master’.

A great Gahori city lies in the midst of a vast desert, its location unknown...