THE AVANI ASHOKA - SHI TRIBE

The Avani Ashoka [ earth without sorrow ] tribe, are one of the many tribes that are a part of the Shi clan that inhabit the extensive mountain labyrinth. They live in the lowest levels of the mountain, and are completely below ground. As such they are taxed with the job of being in charge of the burial of the deceased and construction of the elaborate and trap-filled chambers. However, they do not perform rites upon the deceased of other tribes, as it is believed that each have their own customs. For their own dead, they will cleanse the body of toxins and embalm the body. They remove all of the vital organs, which are then stored in jars near the deceased. However, the family of the deceased are given an urn, which contains ashes from a section of the deceased’s hair. They garb their dead in silken robes, which come in a variety of styles, but underneath that they are coiled in the bandages which are the Shi wear proudly, typically black, terracotta or white.

Furthermore, the Avani Ashoka are self-reliant. Like many tribes of the Shi, they have crafted their own magical irrigation system. The water is often disrupted or absorbed in increments depending on the day. They rely upon how the desert alters between scorching days and frigid nights, which causes condensation to gather underground. They have designed an underground reservoir should the system become unstable or cease to function. Unfortunately, due to the unstable nature of light mana, a system which produces artificial light is beyond their power and as such they rely on phosphoric mosses and plants that produce a natural bio-luminescence. Their secondary method is to rely upon lanterns and torches. For food, they trade with friendlier tribes and grow some crops. Their crops are kept in a grotto, inside which they have carved a series of narrow slits in the walls to allow both the sun and moon’s light to filter in.
The grotto also acts as a mid-point, being in between their dwellings and one of the gateways to the outside world.

Currently, they are being led by a council of thirteen [13] elders. These elders are the descendants of the Baseem and Shiwho witnessed the fall of their proud empire and as such they hold a prejudice towards outsiders. They know for being highly superstitious and adhere to the belief that those whom can use healing artes are sacred. One of their more radical beliefs upon is that these mages are the reincarnation of Rem. Fortunately not all adhere to this belief. The elders’ teach and train their children at the age of five [5]. Amongst the Shi, they are revered for their ability to create deadly poisons, healing salves, and their respect for the earth. However, a few greedy clansmen in years past have resorted to selling some of the tools of their trade, which have been used for political and underground assassinations.

However, in spite of their prejudice to the outside, they do allow some to leave the village and explore the outside world. To leave, they are promised to silence. This particular clan has elite squads, which are used to hunt down those who go rogue, or are labeled traitors or heretics. This is done because of the elder’s belief that the future generation can bring them back to their former glory.

To make clothing, they selectively breed the spiders that dwell within the depths of the cave and have defanged them in order to collect their silk. Those who they do not use are often used for herbal remedies and intricate meals or kept in special chambers and siphoned of their neurotoxins. However, a larger majority of their clothing comes from cotton, which is grown inside the grotto.

Finally, they have access to rich earth full of mineral and ore, from which they are able to craft weapons. They have a plethora of crafting styles. The most prominent is a style which is believed to fairly old and possibly from the Xihe when they once traded. They take molten blades and place them in earthen sheaths, primarily clay, which are stored under high pressure as they cool. They specialize in bladed weapons such as swords, but they also can craft shields and polearms.

- provided by aya