Claskel Tribal Zu'aan

History

Long before the Claskel tribal zu'aan, the Sam'ome Frozen Land had once been a large mass of land that had been struggling at the hands of its old kin’toni leader Vikentiy Morozov, who had declared himself to be ‘Supreme Leader’ and believed that everyone should be equal. Although his beliefs were liked heavily by many labourers, the reality was soon revealed that Vikentiy did not care about his people and only focused on himself and the elite; this angered many workers that were forced to struggle for basic necessities due to the deception of a leader they thought they could trust with allowing them to live a secure life.

Therefore, protests took place which involved many labourers advocating for the idea that they should also be eligible for the luxuries that the rich had, and this caught the attention of the Sokolov family. The Sokolov family were a wealthy family that had many businesses in the Sam'ome Frozen Land, with one of the biggest being the mining industry where they would have to depend on manual labourers to extract useful resources. Hence, the Sokolov family saw an opportunity that would heavily benefit them; this was the fact that they saw the workers as a strong force that could be used to boost their wealth and status.

And even get them higher than the already high positions they were in in this society. Using many techniques such as secret armies and propaganda that would be distributed under the code name ‘Winter Rose’, the Sokolov family soon found themselves in a powerful position which enabled them to take their biggest course of action – an attack on the palace of the Supreme Leader Vikentiy Morozov. During the spring of 4E 120, Maxim Sokolov and his brother Ruslan Sokolov (both sons of Slava Sokolov), led an army of over 5,000 zu'aan workers to fight against Vikentiy and his forces, with the battle lasting for about two weeks.

The first week of this fight was one that made it seem as though the Supreme Leader was indeed untouchable, but after re-strategizing and attracting more workers to the cause the remainder of the clash was in favour of the Sokolov family, with the third sibling Afon Sokolov bringing his forces to the battle. Putting the palace under siege, Vikentiy and his closest men were eventually forced out and then executed, whilst the Sokolov family took occupation of the palace and declared themselves the monarchy and renaming the clan as the Claskel tribal zu'aan.

Now that the tyranny of the Supreme Leader Vikentiy Morozov had been abolished, the new Claskel clan was able to thrive with workers receiving more rights and better pay, as well as equal eligibility for all members of the nation; in other words, the false promises that Vikentiy had made were fulfilled by the Sokolov family. Meanwhile, the Sokolov family live a wealthy lifestyle similar to that of Vikentiy, with the leadership of multiple regions of the Sam’ome Frozen lands being distributed amongst the family members.

Psychology

During the rule of Vikentiy, the wealthy were able to live luxurious lives and not have to worry about the basic necessities – in fact, many of the rich believed that the Sam’ome Frozen Lands was the best place to live due to this: there was a lack of war, drought, famine, and other awful issues (at least in their eyes). Contrastingly, the manual labourers and other workers of the Sam’ome Frozen Lands were not as fortunate and would often spend long hours toiling away – often doing strenuous tasks like mining in the northern mountain mines or clearing thick layers of snow.

Once inspired by the possibility of having better opportunities despite doing this type of work, the labourers were disappointed and left feeling betrayed when the realisation came that they had been fooled by Vikentiy. Holding a burning sense of resentment, the workers grew a hatred for the Supreme Leader and would often go on strike or protest to superiors about this; this was usually useless, as the wealthy felt no concern since they already had the luxuries that they desired. Yet, after the change in rulership to the Sokolov family, everything changed as the workers soon started getting what they had dreamed of having – a sense of security in living and having the necessities.

Whilst happiness grew throughout majority of the population, there was a sense of disgust from a minority of the elite, who felt in a way the same sense of betrayal that the workers felt, but this time from the Sokolov family: they saw what the Sokolov family had done as dangerous to the socioeconomic structure and possibly stripping them of the luxuries they had easy access to. Furthermore, many of the workers soon left their old jobs and the more educated ones could go on to get better opportunities and find career paths that they may enjoy or feel passionate about, and the Sokolov family were in full support of this.

This was because they saw that the Claskel clan would be able to grow if many of the workforce could shift from simple but strenuous manual labour in the mines to other jobs such as blacksmiths, merchants, and many other careers.

One zu'aan comments on this when he says ‘I remember back in the day the struggles of the mines. It was painful work. Painful! Every time I would return to my home I would feel the ache in my body, tormenting it. Then just as it dies down, fades away, another day of work! Another day of aches! So painful, I will never forget that.

Now I work in the marketplace as a merchant, and I am much happier here. Thanks to the great Sokolov family, may they be praised, I can now have my rest, such sweet rest! And furthermore, may pay has increased, and there is no longer that looming fear of not having food to eat, not having water to drink, not having the necessities to live. Thank you, Sokolov family. I can not say that enough!”

Culture

As the Supreme Leader Vikentiy grew in unpopularity, many zu'aan workers showed off their artistic talents through their designs of propaganda that would show Vikentiy in ways that were satirical and humiliating. This came in the form of wall art that would be put up in common public places, pamphlets that would be secretly distributed, defacing statues of the Supreme Leader, and through poetry that would mock him. Therefore, these zu'aan chose to show off their skills in the arts, which continues to this day but instead in ways where they can express themselves as a result of more freedom of speech.

Often, it can be seen how many labourers chose a more artistic route in their career with a lot of art displaying the Sokolov family in high positions and giving them an empowering presence. The diet of the Claskel tribal zu'aan consists of lots of meat. Hunting is necessary for survival and most members are trained in the skill so that they are capable of surviving in the frosty wilderness; since many hunters use bows, archery is also a popular sport with many contests happening every year. Fishing is also common, and many competitions and fishing festivals are held yearly as a way for people to come together and be able to enjoy freshly cooked fish.

As well as celebrating with fish, wine is also drunk heavily during these festive periods. Alcohol is a key part of life in the Claskel tribal zu'aan since it is often used to provide warmth – this has been a practice even since the time Vikentiy was ruler. However, during his time the wealthy were able to have the finest of wines and champagne, whilst the workers often had to make their own at home or buy it from underground dealers due to the costly price of alcohol; even then, the best they could get was cheer liquor like beer. Vikentiy saw these underground dealers as an issue for the economy.

And even tried to put a stop to it by imposing restrictions and having people actively searching for these bootleggers. Nevertheless, Vikentiy was unsuccessful and when the Sokolov family came into power the prices of alcohol balanced out in a way that meant even the workers could afford it. Finally, the clothing of the Claskel tribal zu'aan consists of fur coats that are made out of resources from animals that are hunted, and these coats are usually worn in thick layers to provide warmth. They also use leather to make thick boots that enable them to walk through the snowy terrain with ease, although these boots are sometimes not worn by zu'aan who prefer to protect their feet using layers of cloth wrapped around them so that they can have extra manoeuvrability.

Government

Supreme Leader Vikentiy Morozov had risen to power as a result of being voted in by the workers, who saw him as a saviour as the Sam’ome Frozen Lands struggled to provide for them. However, they were yet again disappointed when they realised that the promises Vikentiy had made were broken, and in fact, found themselves to have worse living standards than before – this caused feelings of animosity and bitterness, as well as instilled a sense of hopelessness. Then the Sokolov family took a stride, which intrigued the workers whilst also leaving some to be cautious in hopes of not repeating their mistake.

As the Sokolov family secretly raised their army, they soon became popular and became more than just a wealthy family of merchants and businessmen, but also a whole opposing force to the Supreme Leader that even managed to bring him down and then establish themselves as the new rulers – which may at first seem like an issue. However, this did benefit the residents of the land though, as many of them got what they wanted – the promises they had been desiring. An excerpt from Ruslan’s speech was “To the Sam’ome people, of the nation I originate from, I would hope to share pleasure in announcing this to you.

For long, you have been subdued and suppressed as a result of the unruly actions of your awful Supreme Leader. But from this day forward, I would like to deliver you this promise, one that is in fact true unlike the lies of your previous rulers, that the workers shall gain the benefits they have dreamt of in these Sam’ome Frozen Lands, which shall now be called Claskel. They shall be guaranteed those necessities to survive - this includes food, water, clothing, shelter and much more. Now, I would like my father to comment on this new monarchy and the hopes for our prosperous future.”

In fact, the Sokolov family was truthful, as most of the population began coming together and vast improvements could be seen in the society in all aspects. The Sokolov family was also able to entrance the public by giving them ‘their dream’ – a new kin’toni empire that ruled within a kin’toni world, standing high and strong and born out of a great union of all its nations. Since the Sam’ome Frozen Lands were so large, the father Slava Sokolov made himself the monarch of Claskel and distributed the land amongst his family. He kept control of the central area and the palace alongside his wife.

And granted the northern mountainous regions to his son Maxim, the eastern plains to his son Ruslan, the southern land and glaciers to his daughter Alisa, and the west to his son Afon. Now they all work together to successfully rule the Claskel tribal zu'aan, with each region doing its own part to support the cause and all following the same guidance from the central area where King Sokolov would deliver his orders from the palace his sons had liberated for him.

Military

Originally, the armies of Supreme Leader Vikentiy wore a crimson red waistcoat with golden buttons and a black beret made of fur as a uniform and used long swords made of iron as weapons. The members of the military were plenty in numbers as there were many incentives set up to keep the armed forces powerful, however, large portions of them did not seem suitable: many of them enjoyed the benefits of being part of the military excessively and ended up gaining an alcohol addiction and then acting indecently. Therefore, Vikentiy found himself forced to ask generals in the military to choose their best men.

And only the best of them were allowed to work in the palace as guards; these men would have to be intelligent, strong, disciplined, and capable of performing their duties. After spending two years, Vikentiy had managed to select all the men he desired to protect him in the palace after putting them through rigorous testing. From then on, trials would be held yearly to increase the numbers of military members in these roles. However, this all changed when the Sokolov family came to power as they altered many aspects of the military.

With the first addition being a set of principles that must be followed or else you could not become a part of the army; in fact, this resulted in many losing their careers in the armed forces due to their undignified pleasures and actions. Another significant alteration was to the uniform, which they replaced with a snow-white coat instead of the red (to aid the military in camouflage) and a fur cap that went from milk-white to charcoal grey in shade depending on rank. All soldiers wore a white rose to remember the struggles of the Sokolov family and pay respects to those that fought for them in order to allow for this better way of life.

Political scientist and historian Serafina Nikolaeva remarks the white rose to be ‘a symbol of hope now for the workers and those that struggle. It helps to bring unity and show that through numbers there is power, and through union, there is potency, strength, and vigour. Ultimately, the Sokolov family have shown their morals and beliefs to the public and instilled them in the society of Claskel in hopes of making it prosper.’ A key aspect of Claskel military culture is the dagger that they must carry around, and it is said that it can only be drawn, when necessary, since once it has been unsheathed the blade ‘shall be stained after drawing blood’.

The symbolism is of that of the fact many zu'aan lives were lost during the invasion of Vikentiy’s palace, and the Sokolov family saw it as respectful to the zu'aan lives lost due to a zu'aan against zu'aan battle; the Sokolov family believe in union and their ‘dream’ of a zu'aan empire made through the union of zu'aan, so felt that the remembrance of the sacrifice of all the zu'aan lives during that battle is essential.

Religion

Under the rule of Vikentiy, religion was prohibited as he believed that it would cause conflict and disobedience to him; instead, he made it so that all praise went to him as he was Supreme Leader. Therefore, many statues were built to pay respect to Vikentiy, and there were often celebrations in the street, which used to bring everyone together and be a time to rest and show their appreciation for their ruler. But as the workers realised the deception, they soon avoided these festivities and they only become popular amongst the wealthy, who would celebrate in their finest outfits and with their best wine.

As well as succulent rich food prepared by the greatest of chefs. Meanwhile, some workers would wreak havoc at these commemorations whilst keeping their faces disguised; this was often done by stealing food and drink from the kitchens of the rich, as well as defacing the many statues of the Supreme Leader that once stood tall and imposing, but are now shattered and non-existent, faded into history. Once the Sokolov family came into power, all these restrictions were instantly lifted as the family believed in being able to have freedom of faith and knew that many of the workers would be elated by this decision.

Whilst many religions were reclaimed in the Sam’ome Frozen Land, some of the workers followed in the footsteps of their past actions and saw a prophetic nature in the family and believed that they were special saviours sent to free them from the tyranny of Vikentiy. Therefore, they produced idols out of gold and silver of the members of the family, made lavish paintings of them that were hung in their houses, and created literary works such as poetry that would describe the family in a good light. Some of the other deities in the region include the frost spirits.

Which some kin’toni members believe were the form that was taken when someone died in the Sam’ome Frozen Lands so that they could travel to a new realm in the afterlife, and also the ice goddesses that overlooked the land, providing them with sustenance and hope in their lifetime, as well as guidance for a way of life. Idols are made to commemorate these deities, which are often made using metals for the body and then silk or other luxurious clothing to drape the figure; some of these sculptures were even made using ice and then kept in really cold conditions to stay preserved.

Many pilgrimages would take place across the Sam’ome Frozen Lands to visit the shrines and temples all around the land, with the largest and most grand temple being in the central area near the Sokolov’s family palace. Worship of the moon is the most prevalent faith in the region, with the majority of lunar worshippers believing that the moon is actually a giant grey wolf that comes at night to shield them from the kin'toni. Since they hold this belief, grey wolves in the region are seen as sacred animals and are often looked after well, and their fur is usually reserved for the wealthiest or most pious in the Sam’ome Frozen Lands.

Miscellany

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