Steppe Tribes
Elders have said many times; man must not take more than he gives. He must not try to reach for stars he cannot grasp. He should not try to make better already perfect design.
When the star fell, we knew man was too much. Too bold.
Before big settlements–called “cities”, crowds, people fighting to control more than even the nature around them, there were stories of true people. Our ancestors did right by the laws of true nature. They worked for the land, bled for it, and respected it. But these old ways were washed from the selfish man’s world. He demanded more things, bigger things, and things that would give him more control over his world.
The true people were forgotten. Some were infected by the selfish man’s ideas. They were seduced by the easy Tec–the convenience. We lost many to such ways. But among us there were still many who held onto our true selves.
While I do not remember the fall of the star, I do remember the elders’ stories. They say only the wise and strong knew what to do. Many of the selfish men did not know how to survive without their Tec. They did not remember what the land once was, and died quickly because of their own arrogance.
At first we had no home left. The cities were overrun by the greedy who took all they could carry and ran, or made up settlements that jealously horded what they had. We knew better. The few of us that first came were tired but strong. They had hunted escaped animals–still healthy and fat from captivity. Using skills passed to them from their elders they remembered how to use all of the beast for clothing, oil, and food. They had good sense unlike the selfish man, abandoning the ground to settle higher and further from places that still had what the selfish man was used to–what he would kill for.
We recognize the wisdom of our own. In this way we have been independent yet unified. Unlike the selfish man, the tribes know each of our kind survives best and different in their own way.
Elder Jobi made home for the hunters near an abandoned zoo. She was smart to keep many of the animals living and breeding, protecting them against marauders and killing them only when needed to support her kind. She gained respect as one of those who had been swayed by the selfish man’s ways but still kept tradition. She can be found when the tribes need weapons to match the changing world.
Elder Kattak came from a land far across the sea, but was trapped here when the star fell. He brought with him a fierce spirit, resistant to the modern Tec, but firm in knowledge of defense. His small family quickly bred into its own tribe which he took to ground but wisely trapped and barricaded against intruders. Kattak welcomes only the strong, challenging any who might come upon his land. It is said the weak do not survive. His people are especially prejudice against the selfish man, but can be called upon to defend the tribes with unmatched ferocity.Steppe_tribe
Elder Nasay is a rare kind of herbal master. Her painted skin and ageless beauty make her a strange one already. She, too, came from another place but was trapped here
as the world was broken. She may not speak our way, but she can heal any sickness. Only she and her son Hotan know this skill, and their small but useful tribe is the only one that needs no walls to keep away the plants or bugs. It is unwise to go to see them. When called upon, they must leave their settlement to visit others.
There are others who can be found to help us remain free and many. When we first began, we were more distant. Many did not think other groups would help. But our roots are stronger than our fears. The world changed meaning we had to change, too. Now we are stronger than most. The nine surviving Elders join together many times to talk about how to keep us safe. There is no tribe higher than another, we are not the selfish man; we work together. Survive together. But the elders know best, and have seen more of the world. They will guide us so that we do not repeat old mistakes or offend the natural design.
Core Beliefs
- It is important to explore, this is the only way to reconnect
- Elders know best
- Knowledge comes from the past; tradition is vital
