Yajul
The Yajul (YAH-zhul-zhul) people wander across the north-eastern region of Southern Tolesh. They can be of Amirian or Al-Saif decent. They are primarily nomadic, but some have settled into small permanent villages. The basic family unit is called a “Tent”. A Tent normally consists of a paired couple (sometimes poly-amorous), few unpaired adults, and all the associated children. The multiple family units are loosely grouped (typically by a common ancestor) into a Tribe. Tribes are headed by a sheikh, who is usually the common ancestor that the tribe is based on. Tribes generally come together once a year for a festival and to decide disputes etc. (a family reunion of sorts). Yajul are typically fiercely loyal to their family “I fight my brother. My brother and I fight my cousin. My cousin, brother, and I fight the stranger”.
Yajul are usually sheep, cattle, goat, or camel herders, with camels being the upper tier. Yajul can be quite rich, although they rarely show it outwardly. The lone exception is jewelry, as richer Yajul will sometimes wear jewelry to show their station, this is most seen with the most prominent female of the Tent. They also may dress up in rich garments for special occasions. They typically have a lot of their wealth in livestock. Their nomadic lifestyle (as often a permanent dwelling is a sign of wealth) often causes them to be mistaken for poor people.
Yajul typically are peaceful and friendly. Yajul will shelter and feed a friendly stranger for 3 days. At the end of which the stranger will be asked what they need and, if reasonable, it will be given to them. The stranger is expected to make their own way after that. Curiously they are known smugglers (often causing governments to dislike them) and they often engage in raids, called Ghazwa (campaign), against other tents, tribes, caravans, or countries. As they are often rich, and peaceful, these activities seem out of place, but the Yajul seem to do it more for excitement, or for glory than anything else. If a leader at any level calls for smuggling, or declares a Ghazwa against others, it is not bad/illegal in the Yajul’s eyes. Bandits, pirates and the like (including other tents or tribes), that raid and steal all without an official edict are loathed by Yajul, even if they might rarely deal with them when they are smuggling.
Yajul pass information orally throughout their society, with poetry being the most revered form of art. They know much about the seasons and stars and directions. They are well versed in animal husbandry, particularly for the animal their Tent is associated with. They are also very adept at natural medicines. Their specialty is a scorpion anti-venom they developed, the formula of which is closely guarded.
Yajul are usually sheep, cattle, goat, or camel herders, with camels being the upper tier. Yajul can be quite rich, although they rarely show it outwardly. The lone exception is jewelry, as richer Yajul will sometimes wear jewelry to show their station, this is most seen with the most prominent female of the Tent. They also may dress up in rich garments for special occasions. They typically have a lot of their wealth in livestock. Their nomadic lifestyle (as often a permanent dwelling is a sign of wealth) often causes them to be mistaken for poor people.
Yajul typically are peaceful and friendly. Yajul will shelter and feed a friendly stranger for 3 days. At the end of which the stranger will be asked what they need and, if reasonable, it will be given to them. The stranger is expected to make their own way after that. Curiously they are known smugglers (often causing governments to dislike them) and they often engage in raids, called Ghazwa (campaign), against other tents, tribes, caravans, or countries. As they are often rich, and peaceful, these activities seem out of place, but the Yajul seem to do it more for excitement, or for glory than anything else. If a leader at any level calls for smuggling, or declares a Ghazwa against others, it is not bad/illegal in the Yajul’s eyes. Bandits, pirates and the like (including other tents or tribes), that raid and steal all without an official edict are loathed by Yajul, even if they might rarely deal with them when they are smuggling.
Yajul pass information orally throughout their society, with poetry being the most revered form of art. They know much about the seasons and stars and directions. They are well versed in animal husbandry, particularly for the animal their Tent is associated with. They are also very adept at natural medicines. Their specialty is a scorpion anti-venom they developed, the formula of which is closely guarded.
All people inhabiting the north-eastern peninsula of Sothern Tolesh speak a language known as Sutuna (Suhl-too-nah) [Our Voice]. It is a “dialect” of the Common Tongue exclusive to the peninsula. It is composed a series of words, facial expressions, hand gestures, etc added to the Common Tongue. It is very useful in identifying other people from the peninsula and conveying information to other natives. It is forbidden to write in Satuna for secrecy, and as such it has no written component (Speak Only). Every year when a tribe meets, they are given two or three special words/expression/gestures by the elders to use when speaking Sutuna. These “codes” are called Rumuz Sawtuna [Codes of Our Voice] or simply Rumuz (roo-moo-zun). These change every year. You can still speak in Satuna if you do not know these codes, but natives will not fully trust you if they don’t know you.
+1 to Medicine Checks (+2 if in Southern Tolesh desert environs)
+1 to Animal Handling on domesticated animals (+2 for your specific animal)
+1 to Performance checks involving Poetry outside of Southern Tolesh.
+1 to navigation checks in desert environs when you can see the stars.
