Stevie Lambert: (via JWB)

2026-05-08T10:19:26Z

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{{Infobox:TwilightAgeGroup
|Type = Zu'aan tribe
|Name = Arcillaris Tribal Zu'Aan
|Parent Groups = N/A
|Descended Groups = Unknown
|Areas Controlled = [[Aedwigar Flood-Meadow]]
|Date Founded = 4E 401
|Date Disbanded = N/A
}}

==History==

This group was founded by Ferlenldr Ilbelkyr and lives in the [[Aedwigar Flood-Meadow]] region Ferlenldr Ilbelkyr. Loved her people with passion and knew they must rule. The Ferlenldr Ilbelkyr are named after daughter of their leader. Arcillaris des Terra Mortus. “People of the(dead) ground” (Literal translation not possible) During the great tribal wars the daughter of Ferlenldr suggested that they tunnel under the castle instead of through the hard walls. This tactic proved so successful that the tribe became known as “sappers” or “tunnelers”. With stealth and determination they could undermine the existing structures bringing down buildings and fortifications seemingly by magic.

It became common for the Arcillaris to “attack” a fortification long before the arrival of diplomats. Spreading fear in their wake the diplomats could simply “wave their hands” and walls would collapse at the meir gesture. The Arcillaris where hated and feared by all they encountered, their reputation spreading like the wake of a ship. The Arcillaris became known as a tunneling race and created vast networks of tunnels spanning the region. Many tribes fell and were assimilated by the simple threat of “the worms of Hell” appearing at the door. What made them such proficient tunnelers remains unknown though some sources have pointed to “old world” technology or a possible alliance with kin'toni races who could, with their enhanced strength, clear earth in record time.

It was during the peak of their reign that they encountered the [[Sobreiro Shrub Swamp]]. Here it was near impossible to tunnel as the earth was too wet and would collapse instantly. Further more, the Sobreiro where educated in the ways of chemistry and used a heavier than air swamp gas to flood the tunnels effectively killing thousands of the Arcillaris. After the crushing defeat at Teanemen bog the Arcillaris retreated to their ancestral homelands. Unfortunately for the Arcillaris the Sobreiro were a vengeful and determined tribe. Unbeknownst to them the Sobreiro pursued over land, determined to destroy any who would dare attack their home unprovoked. Using the same gasses employed at the Teanemen bog, the Arcillaris were completely wiped out.

History remains to tell us if it was in fact, a genocide. No prisoners were taken by the Sobreiro, not even those that had been enslaved by the Arcillaris. Upon the dawn of the 44th day nothing remained of the Arcillaris but smoking tunnels and corpses. The Sobreiro returned triumphant and mark this day as a holiday. Much like Halloween of old the Sobreiro reenact character plays of tunnel monsters rising to steal children and foul the fields and water. The children are encouraged to “blow” handfulls of flour (see swamp gasses) at the “monsters” to chase them away. The monsters drop treats as they flee which the children collect in home made skulls made from bog clay and reeds.

While there are occasional rumors of mysterious tunnels appearing in far off forests, most believe the Arcillaris were completely wiped out by the Sobreiro. Some believe that the daughter, Arcillaris, survived and was driven “underground” where she has rebuilt her empire. A kingdom underground were none who visit ever return.

==Psychology==

The Arcillaris all carry a feeling of “manifest destiny”. Believing that they have a divine right to rule the surface world. Not shy of work they are known as hard toilers of soil and rock. Strong tendencies of closeness in tribes they sleep communally and all adults have freedom to parent wayward children. Also, for protection. The deep fear remains of attack by Kin’toni. One adult always remains awake, taking shifts of 4 hours if enough adults a present. Otherwise 2 hour “sleep watch” shifts are set by the most senior member of the group. To fall asleep during your shift is a terrible, social, crime. There is no law, only social shunning and a steep drop in social status. Not being asked to take a shift is considered a sign that you are not ready for adulthood.

Arcillari are quiet in general. They are not quick to anger or react. They do have a mesianic worship of their leader and would wreck terrible vengeance (ie. “lose their shit”) if some one or tribe were to threaten their god/queen. This excerpt comes from a popular folk song. “Enemies welcome for slaves they will make." "Threaten the queen and their lives we will take.” While quite comfortable in close spaces many of the Alcillaris tend to be agoraphobic in full daylight. Generally only the Hell Boar even see the surface but occasional specialists may be brought up. Only Arcillaris and the Hell Boar Elite are aware of the Arcillari/[[Erath Hauu Kin'toni Clan|Erath Hauu kin'toni]] alliance. The general population believing that they are protected from the kin'toni by the “magic powers” of Arcillari herself.

Careful sacrifice of condemned criminals or captured prisoners keep the kin'toni in check. The Erath Hauu kin'toni of the surface keep the existence of Arcillari a secret from others of their kind. As long as the Kin’toni are fed the general population need not know. Having Kin’toni allies has a great many advantages, not limited to having a personal death squad at her disposal. Arcillaris is a pragmatic leader whose ultimate loyalty is to her people despite being turned. Living underground has affected the mentality of most Arcillari in negative ways. Many have come to see depression as the natural state. Lack of sunlight has caused a spike in prostate cancer, dementia and schizophrenia.

Most women experience postpartum depression and a midwives duty after the birth is to remain with the mother for “one cycle” (month) to help the new mother through these dark times. Employing luminescent crystals, tinctures and as well as simply taking over when the mother needs more sleep. The husbands role is less critical at this time though still expected to change diapers and carry the newborn for some time each night.

==Culture==

The Alcillari are, in fact, alive and well. After their defeat it was decided that it was time to retreat to the “great room”. A kingdom that they were already near completion at the time of the attack. The Alcillari faith is absolute and all pervasive. Non doubt her power and divinity. The people are quiet except for particular rituals called “Risings”. At such rituals pre chosen candidates for the Hell Bore enact a ritual death by smoke only to rise again as direct servants of Alvillaris. Large droning crystals are played much the same way as wetting your finger and rubbing it around the edge of a wine glass. At such times the vibrations are trance inducing and many return home with faith renewed.

Parents of the chosen gain status in the community but are bittersweet since they will lose a child to the surface. The Hell Bore may only visit home during the festival season and may not speak of anything they did while away. Alcallari’ keep slaves captured from the surface but they are generally well treated. Full awareness that they are real people deserving of respect, “It’s just that, well, I own you now.” Slaves may believe that they may overpower their Alcallari’ owners. Generally this is true. There are no chains, no fences and no threat of punishment if a slave were to escape. Slaves are simply told, “You can not leave. The earth will crush you for your sin.

Those who leave are unforgiven. They never return.” Those break the rules, or especially try to escape to the surface are corralled as sacrifices for the kin'toni allies, Erath Hauu. The maze of tunnels guarded by the Hell Bore are near impossible to pass without an experienced guide. In fact the people themselves would be hard pressed to find a way out. Giant crystals are often integrated into architecture and even the lowliest Alcallari’ adorn themselves with precious stones. Real wealth is expressed by possession of bioluminescent plants and creatures of the dark. A glowing koi pond, for example, would be a sign of extravagant wealth. The people are quiet. Content to wait for now, believing that one day they will return to the surface but since things are really pretty good right now there isn't much reason to bother.

The use of fire is frowned upon, except for black smiths, since air is precious. Other ways to cook have been developed including the use of metal rods that carry heat from the lava beds below. Alcillari’ clothing, even formal wear, has patches or re-enforced parts at the knees and elbows. High ranking officials and tribal leaders always wear some small symbol of a shovel on their person as a constant reminder of why they are alive. Regular working class citizens carry actual tools for digging at all times. Though collapses are rare at this point the danger is ever present. All are taught from youth specific drills in the event of cave ins. If an Alcillari’ is offended he may say, “You dig to the fall. May you be taken!”

==Government==

The Alcillaris are a benign dictatorship that presents as religious monarchy. The unquestioned leader of all is the original daughter of Ferlenldr Ilbelkyr. In order to cement her alliance with a kin'toni clan allowed herself to be turned, only to slay her “parent” and take control of both clans. Alcillaris maintains a focus on the clan and a manifest destiny. Most of the population believe her to be an immortal by divine right, only the inner circle know the truth. Regular tributes from the surface world (sacrifices) keep her and her kin'toni allies alive. Alcillaris is a disciplined and careful leader who keeps her bass instincts under tight control. She, however does not involve herself in the ‘day to day’ running of the kingdom.

Instead she has a hand picked “Counsel” of people she trusts to make decisions on her behalf. They are nine who decide by vote the various things that must be done. She does retain veto power and even the power to instantly kill any of the nine who displease her. The nine are regularly rotated since governing takes people away from business etc. Alcillaris has a small network of children spies that she uses to help her choose new candidates for government. The Counsel of 9 run the underworld. They deal with the mundane daily needs of a community along with more extreme cases of law or inter-house disputes. The counsel is rotated every 3 years, but often past representatives are called back into service.

The prestige is great but so is the risk. Continuously poor judgement by any counsel member could lead to being, “sent down” by Alicarris or worse, a personal visit by her… Being sent down simply means a loss of the position. A visit means probable death. Most laws are enforced by social pressure. All Alcillari’ are deeply reverent of Alcillaris and feel that if they were to break a law it would be known instantly. In a community this close knit, it’s very difficult to steal something and not have someone notice later. Interestingly adultery is quite common but nobody talks about it as it’s not specifically a crime against Alcillaris. The Hell Bore serve as enforcers of the counsel. They don’t often “come down” to the city and their presence is a sign that something serious is happening.

They have complete autonomy to enter homes, search or arrest citizens. They prefer however to spy on people, often in disguise for a time before making a move. Hell Bore have been known to occasionally capture “the most likely suspect” and feed them to the Erath Hauu rather than go to the trouble of a full investigation. If it later turns out that this didn’t remedy a situation they will take many others. The Hell Bore have a “secret quota” of citizens that must be taken, if and when surface dwellers have not been captured in sufficient numbers to feed the Erath Hauu. Very content at present, it would take a monumental threat to stir them to action.

==Military==

The Alcillaris have a military that also serves as a police force. While they haven’t needed to maintain a full army for many years, they do maintain a kind of commando/hit squad that are feared throughout the kingdom. Specializing in tunneling, surprise attacks and traps these “Hell bore” have been known to lie in wait for days in order to capture or kill a fugitive. They patrol the tunnels to the surface and can collapse any tunnel they believe could risk the kingdom. None but a select few are permitted to rise to the surface. The generals are keenly aware of their vulnerability to surface attacks by gas or smoke and wish to keep all contact to a minimum.

The Hell Bore Elite forces have melded with a living crystal matrix. While not powerful as such the bonding with living crystal is a painful right of passage that marks each elite specifically with a crystal growth on the base of the skull. Relentless training with kin'toni sparring partners (in secret) has produced a terrible and fearful death squad. These Hell Boar elite can act in concert, seeming to see what each member sees and able to act as one. These elite are devastating in combat as they can see and hear and predict what others do even in the dark. Of course there is a price. The elite cease to be human and after 11 years as a combatant must return to the crystal to “re-join” and complete the life cycle. They have enhanced speed and toughness, more than human, but can be disoriented by sharp ringing sounds such as bells or rhythmic music.

The Hell Boar will occasionally surface in order to secure new slaves or discourage others from coming to near a tunnel. Furthering the goals of manifest destiny. The Alcillari’ are steadily creating a spy network using dummy kingdoms to send diplomats to weaker kingdoms. Capturing each one at a time, taking tribute for the queen but maintaining the cloak of secrecy. The Alcillari’ could not win a toe to toe field battle, instead relying on fear, assassination and guerrilla tactics against a mightier foe. The elite can be identified by a crystalline growth at the base of the skull. While not accustomed to field battle craft the Alcillaris are patient and tend to choose the fight rather than rushing into battle.

Many a foe has been lulled into a false sense of security believing the Alcillaris had been defeated when in fact they were merely choosing the moment of the enemy demise. Though in practice the Alcillaris will avoid open warfare where subterfuge will suffice. As mentioned, the Alcillari’ are sappers. They will undermine specific fortifications and enemy defences. This would be devastating if they in fact had a general infantry to push through after the collapse of a wall. Years of living underground have weakened the Alcillari’ health and most would have difficulty doing battle on the surface. Not that they are physically weaker, just that they have innate tactics that favour underground tunnels.

There are insufficient Hell Bore to launch any kind of concerted attack against anything larger than a small clan. The Alcillari’ would be a potent force if aligned with another clan of surface dwellers.
The Erath Hauu Kin’toni allies are similarly predisposed to stealth warfare rather than open battle.

==Religion==

The Alcillari’ believe in a literal earth Goddess who is Alcillaris. She resides in a cavern made entirely of glowing crystals and bioluminescent creatures. While Alcillaris is kin'toni, her discipline is such that she will not ever consume her own people. She has a symbiotic relationship with the living crystals of the the deep (see Hell Bore) that contributes to her youthful appearance. Immortality, Prophesy, strength and healing are among her abilities and in the past has used her people to “cause” earthquakes in specific areas such as small towns or whole cities.
Her word is not questioned. She is the one who brought us to paradise under earth.

Alcillaris believes strongly in the need to dominate the world. But she has the long view that only an immortal can have. She cultures her people to this outlook along with a basic moral code. Zealots may become spies(acolytes). Elites who join the crystal are revered in throughout the kingdom, but are more spoken of than seen by the general populace. Everyone keeps a crystal in their household and perform daily prayers in its presence. In addition a “devil” figure in the form of a dragon that breathes poisonous gas on the non believers is part of the mythology. Obviously harkening back to their defeat by the Sobreiro and the use of swamp gas to flood the tunnels. This history of loss is kept alive in the faith instilling a constant awareness in the people of the dangers of air pollution or attack by air.

There are basic codes of conduct such as no stealing, adultery, murder with one acception. Any who pollute the water or air can be subject to harsh punishment including the “immortal death”. Where a citizen is pinned underwater with the face just at the surface. Most drown, some survive to low tied only to be nearly drown again. Family of the criminal can petition for a “mercy” that is either a breathing tube placed in the mouth or a boulder dropped on the head. Alcillaris is the living deity in this society and can change any rule at her whim. She has, in the past, repealed a “no outsiders” law in order to allow a particularly adventurous and charismatic visitor from the surface to stay and to prevent him from being “given to the snake”.

Some become consort to Alcillaris for a time but never return to the surface and the tunnel by which they come is collapsed. Alcillaris will attend large rituals blessing those that approach. She is always attended by Hell Bore at least 2 Kin’toni in costume and will pass out treats to children that she sees. The Alcillari’ see her as a real, actual god on earth. She knows that the status quo cannot be maintained and sees the suffering of her people. Eventually she must change the narrative and bring the people to the surface again. Likewise the Kin’toni, while respecting her ability to rule chafe at the constant pretending to be a goddess.

==Miscellany==

The Alcillari’ are a surprisingly mellow people having not had to fight the remaining tribes for countless ages. The Hell Bore and Erath Hauu keep the surface entrances well protected shielding the general inhabitants from the terrible realities of the surface. Some of the Hell Bore are disillusioned but continue to serve out of a sense of duty. The spy network may grow comfortable in their surface lives and resist actions required by the underworld. A combination of disillusionment and personal wealth can corrupt spies into resisting orders that might call them back under or spoil what they have built on the surface. Though without a doubt, once roused by the presence of the Hell Bore or word from Alcillaris the Acolytes(spies) will return to a state of zealous focus.

The question will not be why, but when the queen will feel the pull to the surface world. Alcillaris is a compelling and just leader, aside from the occasional assassination of those she disagrees with. Her power is terrible but she seldom reveals it to her people. Instead she allows for some rebelliousness, believing that those who challenge her are most likely to make good leaders. She has a deep love and trust of children. She will occasionally sneak away from her sacred dwelling to watch children at play, ask their opinions and hand out candy. She has a special disguise for such adventures in order to hide her Kin’toni features. She suspects that at some point she must die. That her people must rise against her in order to carve out a new destiny.

But for now she abides and looks into the eyes of the children for the next great leader. The remaining possibility would be the death of Alcillaris or natural disaster that drives the people to the surface. It is inevitable that the young will wish to see the surface, to explore and question authority. It’s possible also that the Hell boar might be vulnerable to corruption by surface dwellers. Trading precious stones for items not found in the earth. Erath Hauu kin'toni are shadows to the Alcillari’. Counsel members are aware of the relationship and of course keep quite. Alcillaris is the linchpin of this giant machine. It is her power that keeps the Erath Hauu from doing anuthing stupid. She keeps the 2 clans in balance. So far it has worked out well for both clans but will only last until her death or revolution.

The mineral wealth of the average Alcillari’ would make a king of any other clan. They have no awareness of this. Gold, gemstones etc. are valued for their innate properties, not for looks. Capturing/killing an Alcillari’ would yield significant loot for the robber. Children play a game of marbles that are often made from smoothed pieces of quartz. Occasionally other jemstones such as fluorite, pyrite, malachite and labradorite will be used. Children will ask their parents for such objects as it requires the use of specific tools to shape the gemstones into spheres. Parents generally make a show of reluctance in helping to make them but actually take joy in the creation of marbles that will gain prestige for the children.

Children play a game of marbles that are often made from smoothed pieces of quartz. Occasionally other jemstones such as fluorite, pyrite, malachite and labradorite will be used. Children will ask their parents for such objects as it requires the use of specific tools to shape the gemstones into spheres. Parents generally make a show of reluctance in helping to make them but actually take joy in the creation of marbles that will gain prestige for the children.

{{NearbyGroups
| Centre = Unknown
| North = Unknown
| Northeast = Unknown
| East = Unknown
| Southeast = Unknown
| South = Unknown
| Southwest = Unknown
| West = Unknown
| Northwest = Unknown
}}

{{CrossSiteAttribution
| User = [https://www.deviantart.com/fckhed fckhed] (Deactivated Account)|
| Holder = fckhed
}}

[[Category:5th-century Twilight Age zu'aan tribes]]
[[Category:fckhed's contributions]]

Arcillaris Tribal Zu'Aan - Revision history

Stevie Lambert: (via JWB)