Menelocheno Tribal Zu'Aan

History

The Menelocheno zu'aan clan were founded by a zu'aan leader named Haptsinn Eadwigae. He hailed from the ancient city of Hamdrae which was plunged into a religious war that sent many of its occupants fleeing to the outskirts of the region in search of a more peaceful life. His family were among these refugees who escaped to the Wegivart Alpine Tundra. He led an isolated life in these regions for much of his youth until te same religious fanaticism began to creep into their new settlement and interfered with the peace.

Haptsinn was forced to flee once more and was this time, rescued by a band of hunters who discovered him in a pitiable state- both malnourished and sustaining a severe frostbite on his right hand that had to be amputated. Haptsinn served this band for five years as a sign of gratitude for his care and would eventually find himself at home among them. These hunters would willingly integrate him among their members and he would slowly become an indispensable part of the clan.

His vast knowledge of the technologies back in his old city of Hamdrae made him a valuable asset to the hunters who found created many new inventions under his supervision. He would slowly build his reputation among them and would eventually assume a leadership role among them. He established these hunters into a clan that he named the Menelocheno Tribal zu'aan and settled in the wild mountainous lands of the Wegivart alpine region. The Menelocheno homeland was distinctive for their use of wood to craft small wooden hutments that were adorned with chalk drawings and animal skulls.

The mountainside was dotted with these cozy little homes that were naturally insulated against the weather and helped them live far away from any outside interference for many years. The Menelocheno did not have an aggressive policy or indulge in exploration like most of the tribes in the region. They were content to just sit back and grow domestically. This policy would eventually change when the region started facing increasing attacks from the new kin'toni tribes.

With the possibility of the kin'toni hordes intruding into their lands at the back of their minds, the Menelocheno began to fortify their own settlements with wooden palisades and towers to fend off any advances. This policy was also followed by the training and drilling of the clan members in the use of all varieties of weapons. A portion of these hunters were kept on standby at all times, to meet any incoming threats. The clan was already used to violence and brutal methods and welcomed their conversion into a semi militaristic clan.

They would be tested many times during the kin'toni outbreak but emerged out of the whole ordeal stronger and better prepared than ever. A great part of their success could be attributed to their understanding of their rough terrain and opportunities for ambushes and traps. Their quiet success during this period helped them build their legacy in the region and established them as one of the major clans in the region.

Psychology

The Menelocheno were mostly composed of hunters from the Wegivart alpine tundra region. Their psychology also reflected their origins as they had very highly developed hunting instincts and an urge to stalk their prey. These senses made them very effective in their role as hunters which was a vital requirement to their survival, since these tribes rarely carried out any agricultural practices. The Menelocheno clan were psychologically wired to get a release of endorphins into their system when experiencing the thrill of a hunt.

Their hunting traditions were more than a survival necessity, it was also a recreational activity that was required to release stress and provide a feeling of elation and achievement in their lives. They were very sophisticated zu'aan with a taste for quality and luxury. They traded for many exquisite craft from all over the continent in exchange for their meat and animal products and were known to have a sharp eye for a deal. They had a deep sense of fellowship and would regularly forfeit their individual needs for the good of the entire group.

This was evident in their behavior and way of life as they resided in communal houses where all property was shared and communal harmony was encouraged. Meal times were also a communal effort with the entire community coming together to prepare and devour feasts. It was a norm for everyone in the clan to know each other on a personal basis that led to a very warm and family environment within their settlements. They were great patrons of art and were known for their appreciation of many different styles of traditional art and architecture.

This was linked to their love of luxurious and exquisite creations and they would regularly become addicted to collecting many rare treasures and pieces of art. They also released their creative sides on their houses which were carved with beautiful designs and had complicated shapes carved along their wooden edges and beams. They were naturally curious and were willing to learn more methods and means to improve on their designs and creations. They were very eager learners and the aptitude to absorb many new ideas and concepts.

Their fascination with new ideas made them very accepting of different cultures and people and gave out a very friendly and welcoming aura. The Menelocheno were very rational and willing to adapt to new ways if they were better than their current. They were very open minded and went through many cultural changes during their entire time as a clan. The clan also had a strict aversion to religion. They regarded the religion as a very restrictive practice that was only useful in causing discord and enmity between different cultures.

The Menelocheno had been atheists for so long that they could no longer comprehend the belief systems of the other zu’aan in the region. The Menelocheno were regularly described as godless or heathens by most of the other clans of the region. This peculiar trait was down to the influence of their founder, Haptsinn Eadwigae- who had very terrible experiences with religion.

Culture

The Menelocheno's culture was known for its vibrant and very lively traditions. The citizens were among the most creative zu'aan tribes and engaged in many artistic undertakings. These were visible from the moment one entered a Menelocheno settlement. They had a distinct look to their wooden buildings which were hand crafted and designed with sculptures and shapes that stuck out of their edges and corners. These works were filled with a lot of many small details and a sharp observer would be able to pick out the meticulous care that went into the carving and creation of each figure.

The Menelocheno prided themself in their craft and kept their methods and techniques well-guarded from the prying eyes of foreigners and aliens. This interest in art went way beyond simple creation and design, they also indulged in the buying and trading of many exquisite pieces of art or historically significant creations. Their culture had an affinity for luxurious or aesthetically pleasing designs and the clan would trade far and wide for many of their interesting articles.

These objects occupied a place of honor among their communal homes where families would often gather to witness and marvel at the stories behind these creations. This was one of the favorite pastimes apart from hunting, in the Menelocheno culture. Families would gather around during the coldest days for heat while admiring and working on their own pieces of art and crafts. The Menelocheno culture was also renowned for its association with hunting in the region. They were known to be very efficient hunters who could take down their prey using minimal weaponry.

They were particular about this requirement since the unblemished skins and fur were extremely valued for a wide variety of purposes. They also relied exclusively on meat and some wild berries for their diet since cultivation was almost impossible in the cold conditions of their habitat. Apart from their dietary requirements, the animals also provided them with bones which they regularly used to carve their bone weapons and tools, or figurines and other decoration ornaments. These completed pieces of art adorned many of their homes and walls.

Children from as young as five would be allowed to participate in these bone carving sessions as it was considered more malleable and friendlier tool to work with than the hard stones and expensive wood that was used by the more experienced artists among the clan. Fur was also a valuable commodity in their culture since most of their outer clothing was made out of it. It helped them deal with the temperatures that could often fall to freezing levels in the winter. They were connoisseurs of fur and could judge the quality and determine the manner in which an animal was killed based on its fur.

Fur was also a major component of their trade with other clan, and was regularly traded with other clans for art and crafts. Being primarily hunters, the Menelocheno prided themselves on their handling of weapons and would regularly participate in communal competitions and events to hone their skills and for enjoyment.

Government

After forming the Menelocheno zu'aan clan, Haptsinn Eadwigae would become its first leader. This would be the first form of government experienced by the Menelocheno, who had previously been just simple hunters. Haptsinn would utilize his deep knowledge of the administration structures and systems to construct a similar institution for the Menelocheno zu'aan clan. He was able to implement his systems without much obstruction since he had their respect and they were willing to work with his ideas.

They willingly submitted to his authority as their leader and allowed him to rule as he saw fit, while providing advice and suggestions that could improve their systems. He sat at the head of the government structure of the Menelocheno with a loyal band of advisors and seniors of the clan under him. They took care of all the laws and policies within the clan and created many smaller institutions under them that took care of the more personal matters within the clan.

The most characteristic feature of the tribe's government was their disregard for religion and their attempts to suppress it at all costs. Haptsinn was adamant about this policy since he did not want a repeat of the situations that arose within his previous zu'aan clans where the citizenry got involved in a zealous religious war that ripped apart the clan and led to their destruction. He feared that religion would give rise to extremism and cause another collapse of society. The government thus restricted the practice of religion within the clan members who were only allowed to have loyalties towards their leader and the clan.

The Menelocheno government was also known for its very passive policies and did not engage in aggression towards their neighbors or indulge in colonization attempts like most of the tribes in the region. They were content to just sit back and grow domestically. Their interactions with other clans were mostly related to their fur trade in exchange for many precious arts and crafts. Unfortunately, this policy would eventually change when the region started facing increasing attacks from the new kin'toni tribes.

With the possibility of the kin'toni hordes intruding into their lands at the back of their minds, the Menelocheno began to fortify their own settlements with wooden palisades and towers to fend off any advances. This policy was also followed by the training and drilling of the clan members in the use of all varieties of weapons. A portion of these hunters were kept on standby at all times, to meet any incoming threats. The clan was already used to violence and brutal methods and welcomed their conversion into a semi militaristic clan.

The government encouraged a society that was equal and fair and went out of its way to help the less privileged members, such as orphans and the handicapped to become equally productive members of society. Their communal housing policies of the government along with the presence of many group activities played a part in helping the clan achieve these goals.

Military

The Menelocheno zu'aan clan were forced to organize a dedicated military soon after the kin'toni outbreak when kin'toni hordes began to crop up around the region. The news reached them through their many distant trading partners who informed them about the kin'toni and their overwhelming attacks. It gave them an idea of what to prepare for and made them realize the desperate situation they were currently on. The news would force them to make adjustments and create new policies for the overall defense of the clan.

The clan's military plans would start with a complete overhaul of their social system and the creation of a full-time military. Haptsinn would use his traditionally strong rhetoric to drive the clan into action- warning them about the incoming kin'toni hordes and the impending destruction of all their lands and lives if they failed to take action. His talks would have their intended result and led to an increase in the recruitment rates among the still nascent Menelocheno military.

He was forced to make rules to accommodate many of the disabled and sickly among the clan who were just as eager to serve in the military as the rest of the clan. The overwhelming numbers that the plan attracted were the first signs of the plans success which would only increase with time. The Menelocheno had always been known for their hunting skills and were historically skilled in the use of their hunting weapons and equipment. Thus, it was not a big adjustment for them to adapt their weaponry skills for a military purpose.

They were instead drilled on battlefield discipline and military tactics and strategy to ensure that they could stand up against overwhelming numbers of kin'toni. They invited many survivors from armies of other clans who had faced the kin'toni in order to get a better understanding of the mysterious adversary they were about to face. These lively sessions helped them piece together critical bits and pieces of information and helped them paint an accurate picture of what to expect from the kin'toni.

They would spend nights in discussions involving all members of the ranks in tactics that would be effective against such a physically superior enemy. In the end, their wooden palisades and stakes surrounding their settlement as well as their defensive emplacements would play an important role in their successful defensive efforts against the kin'toni hordes. The Menelocheno were known for their well-crafted weapons and equipment that used a mixture of quality woodwork, bone work and stone. They were crafted by lifelong craftsmen who had perfected their craft over generations.

These weapons had great sentimental value and would be passed down from generation to generation. They were very expensive and required a great deal of manpower, resources and time, to create a small batch, this contributed to their value in other markets where they were seen as a sort of status symbol and artifacts that were only available to the wealthy. As hunters, the Menelocheno had a preference for various kinds of ranged weaponry such as longbows and catapults while they also carried their elaborate short swords for personal defense.

Religion

The Menelocheno were known for their atheistic principles and their disregard for any kind of religion or beliefs. They categorized the zu'aan beliefs as dumb superstition and were particularly condescending towards any clan who held religious believes, ancestral worship or believed in an afterlife. They did not tolerate these beliefs within their own members and created very strict laws prohibiting anyone from attempting to spread religion to their masses. The Menelocheno's disdain for religion started from their leader, Haptsinn Eadwigae's early days as a citizen of the ancient city of Hamdrae.

His perfect upbringing would be torn apart by the sudden upheaval of religious sentiments from within their ranks. The religious fanaticism among their clan would lead to a split of the city into two major factions that were at each other throats. The situation would lead to a charged atmosphere that devolved into hostilities out in the streets where the two warring sides battled it out with each other. This civil war would rage on for many years and killed much of the Hamdrae population while sending the rest fleeing to the neighboring countryside in pursuit of a peaceful way of life.

This was Haptsinn's first experience of religious fanatism and the evils associated with it, he would make sure to preach about this event when he convinced the elders of the Menelocheno to abandon religion and start a new clan based on principles of atheism. His second bad experience with religion would come at the hands of the second settlement that he joined after his escape from Hamdrae city. He would encounter a similar position in this refugee settlement as well.

Here, the people would organize themselves according to the principles of a new religion with a Head Priest to lead them in all military and government affairs. Their situation would begin to deteriorate in the absence of contact and without the light of civilization to keep them sane. The group began to resort to grisly rituals, sacrifices. and all sorts of savagery. Many members of the group were driven mad by the practices, including Haptsinn's parents. He escaped the religious colony after his own parents designated him as a human sacrifice to their God.

He was on the run for months and barely surviving when the hunters, who later became the Menelocheno rescued him from his predicament. These traumatic experiences were deeply etched into his minds and left him with his signature hatred and disregard for any form of religious practice within the clan. He discouraged any religious studies due to his fear that religion would give rise to extremism and cause another collapse of society. The clan members were only allowed to have loyalties towards their leader and the clan.

The Menelocheno were known as heathens among the more religious zu’aan clans in the region who detested their ungodly ways. A few clans remained appreciative of their new approach to religion and actively made contact with and sought to maintain cultural links with them to help the spread of their principles.

Miscellany

Nearby Groups

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