Marakan

Small Town: Population 1,126 (100% ettinor)

History

Marakan is not nearly as ancient as other Ettinor settlements, but it has outlasted several towns and villages far older than it. It has long been known for being excessively fortunate, avoiding many natural disasters and catastrophic Wellspring anomalies, despite being the closest settlement to Estrea's Wellspring since Koranir fell to the Bakari nearly a century ago. Located southwest of Estrea's Wellspring, surrounded by expansive mountain ranges, Marakan is truly isolated. There were once other smaller settlements around it that allowed them to trade amongst each other, but all other settlements in the region have long since been wiped out. Established in the mid Upheaval period by a group of Kidokinor who have religious beliefs that most other Ettinor find strange, this tribe migrated to such a remote location not to escape persecution or conflict, but because the Wellspring is central to their beliefs.

While Marakan has avoided most of the catastrophic disasters that have plagued their brethren to the north, it has not been free from strife. The steppes surrounding Marakan have an abundance of monsters, some of which rival the Bakari in the level of threat they present. One such creature, known as the Velanamoki, have been a recurring threat that has driven several crisis events in the town's history. The Velanamoki are arachnid creatures that spit acid which they use to dissolve a creature's insides before devouring the viscera that remains, and then tearing their skin into threads of leather that they use as webs in their lairs. They communicate with loud chittering that unnerves the Kidokinor who describe it as a profane song. The creatures have an extremely long breeding cycle and disappear for decades at a time, with the Ettinor doing whatever they can to prepare for their return, setting traps and using long burning materials to cleanse their hives. In the early Restoration period, there was a member of the Ossak Nekoki who located a new hive with an unprecedented number of the creatures, and warned the town of their coming; but one of the town's elders, a woman named Navina, dismissed the man's claims believing he was exaggerating. The hunter rallied support and called for a vote to unseat her so that he could rally the few surrounding settlements that were left to attack the hive before they awoke. However, this led to a feud and infighting amongst the townsfolk, distracting them long enough that the hive awoke and immediately swarmed two neighboring settlements, which were wiped out. The Velanamoki made their way to Marakan and attacked in the night, killing more than two hundred and dragging many more away to their hive, including Haken Navina. The hunter, called Ivunaki by the Ettinor's oral histories, led a group to the Velanamoki's hive and employed a taboo Soulbinding ritual to flood the hive with necrotic energy by consuming the spirits of the Ettinor killed by the creatures, which wiped them all out. This action was heinous to the elders of Marakan, and since then the practice of Soulbinding has been outlawed in town. The victims of the Velanamoki in this event are honored each year with warriors gathering fangs from the Velanamoki they have killed and adding them to an effigy made from them outside the cave where the hive was destroyed.

Late in the Restoration period, an aggressive elder of the Hakeni ma Shunil sought to bring the surrounding settled tribes under Marakan's leadership, claiming that unity would make the region safer from creatures such as the Velanamoki. When the other tribes inevitably resisted, Marakan used their superior number to begin taking territory from the other tribes, forcing them to either relocate; or to die. Several tribes were wiped out, including the Tutanak, who lived just south of Estrea's Wellspring. However, this tribe had developed a unique form of magic similar to the kind used by the Filamentors of Kantor. Though most of the tribe was wiped out, some remained, and began to plot their revenge. The Tutanak infiltrated Marakan using their magic to skin the faces off of Ettinor they had killed with Acroniten knives, capturing their animate Flow and using it to bind the victim's face to their own, assuming their identity. They began to assassinate important figures in Marakan, including several elders, including Haken Ranik, the elder who had started this campaign of violent annexation. The Tutanak tribe came to be known as Hebar Adukeni, or "face thieves", and were hunted by the warriors of Marakan, who eventually learned how their magic worked and discovered a way to thwart their disguises. It took over one hundred years to be rid of them, but eventually they stopped appearing. Many in town believe they simply went into hiding, and that they may walk among the townsfolk to this day. If the town's fear and hatred of Soulbinding wasn't enough, the discovery that Acroniten was a key component of the Hebar Adukeni's magic led to it being outlawed in Marakan; a law which stands to this day.

Since the event known to the Ettinor as Somvukolai, which brought the Bakari scourge from the west, Marakan has been cut off from the other tribes due to Koranir having fallen to the Bakari, cutting off trade routes. The other tribes of Gothir presumed that Marakan had been lost long ago, their luck having finally run out; but after a group of Ettinor made their way from Marakan to Suvatha to trade for necessities five years ago, news spread that the town was still alive and well. The town's survival during this turbulent time is thanks to one Ettinor by the name of Kogano who lives in a small hut along the Matak Namir. Outcast from his brethren for his unnatural abilities, Kogano is hated by almost all in the town, despite his presence being the very reason the Bakari have not wiped them out decades ago. Kogano is a powerful Soulbinder who used forbidden rituals to extend his life; a practice considered unforgivable and cowardly by the Ettinor; and has protected the town with his abilities ever since. Though the town far outnumbers Kogano and could remove him if they so wished, they appear to fear him, having none in town who have any experience with Soulbinding and not knowing the full range of his power. Despite being over 200 years old, Kogano looks only middle-aged. Because Kogano can extract the souls of the Bakari as they die, they have been unable to regenerate to return to attack the town again. Because of this, the Bakari avoid the town, focusing their efforts on "easier" prey.

Government

Marakan is overseen by the Hakeni ma Shunil, or "circle of elders"; three Ettinor responsible for establishing the law of the town and enforcing it. Most Ettinor would be willing to take up arms against those that threaten the peace in their town, but the town elders have a group of dedicated warriors they can call upon if there is dissent or a criminal who needs to be dealt with. The three Hakeni currently sitting on the council are Haken Doluk, Haken Nuatil, and Haken Gegomar. Each of the Hakeni brings different perspectives to the council, with the locals believing that views that are too similar mean the council is open to cooperative corruption. Each of the Hakeni must hold the other two accountable for their decisions, with the understanding that if one of the Hakeni is believed to be a threat to the town, the other two can kill them. If this happens and the one under attack survives or kills his attackers, their judgment is considered correct, with Estrea having guided their hand to ensure their survival. The Hakeni serve for life, and are elected by popular vote, with the locals voting for those they believe are the most wise. Strength alone is not a major factor in being elected, as strength cannot make decisions for the town. In many cases, the locals have explicitly avoided voting for warriors, believing that strength and wisdom are opposites.

Economy

Marakan is in proximity to a handful of valuable resources, such as large Acroniten deposits in the mountains, unique food such as the Matak Ussokin, and skilled trappers who were sought for their knowledge on how to capture or kill large beasts. However, the town has never been an economic powerhouse due to its remote location, and the hazards involved in getting there. Due to being cut off from northern Gothir after the fall of Koranir, the town now has zero trade and is totally self-reliant. In addition, due to the town's aggressive history, there are very few villages in the surrounding region left to trade with. Though the locals do not use coin, they have a simple currency in the form of teeth from the Obati; a nuisance of a creature that roams the steppe, killing the local wildlife which the Ettinor use for food. The teeth decay after a few years, so continuous controlled hunting of the creatures is important to maintain the value of the teeth while keeping their population controlled so they do not go extinct. Haken Nuatil is the elder in charge of monitoring the supply of these teeth to ensure reasonable prices of goods. She must monitor those who hunt the creatures to ensure they are not over-hunted, which would inflate the economy.

Notable Locations

• Matak Namir - The primary water source in Marakan is the "blood river", which runs from the mountain where Estrea's Wellspring resides. The river runs red, with the cause being unknown; but the locals believe that it is the blood of their goddess, Estrea; and that it is a blessing bestowed upon them to prevent the coming of the void. There is a species of cactus that grows along the river called Matak Ussokin, or "blood cactus", that is used frequently in the local cuisine. The skin and flesh inside is a deep red color and has a sweetness like melons grown in Arak. The water seems to have a strange effect on the local wildlife, causing them to act confused and attack the Ettinor, despite not being dangerous enough to cause any actual harm. The Ettinor seem to be immune to this, perhaps due to their inability to contract disease or sickness from what they eat.
• Ossak Baidak - This plateau located just east of town, is the site of an odd atmospheric anomaly known as Vetek ma Loban which has fueled the religious beliefs of everyone in town. The anomaly appears randomly every few years in the sky above the mesa, looking like a vibrant purple and midnight blue tear in the sky. To reach the top, the Ettinor have constructed thousands of stairs running along the side of the plateau made from the bones of their dead. Atop the plateau, there are a species of vulture which the Ettinor have bonded with, as they are capable of rudimentary speech. The Ettinor have taught these vultures to locate carrion in the surrounding area, which the Ettinor share with the vultures. The vultures are believed to be messengers that will portent a cataclysmic event associated with the anomaly above the plateau which the Ettinor believe is a tear in the protective magic in the sky holding back the void beyond their world.
• Masaka ma Ossak Dogamel - Located in a valley east of town and north of Ossak Baidak, this barrow overgrown by thick vegetation is the final resting place of the legendary weapon maker Masaka. The barrow is labyrinthine, with twisting passages and walls made of bone which contain deadly traps invented by Masaka himself. Masaka was renowned for his skill working with Acroniten and for his unique voice, which was capable of banishing spirits; an incredibly rare ability that is associated with Soulbinding. Masaka was unusually graceful for an Ettinor, but was plagued by illness, and died young at the age of 28. The barrow contains some of the Ettinor's most honored dead, and it is said that it contains Masaka's greatest works; a prize for anyone with the mettle to make it to the end.

Culture

Locals in Marakan are a very religious people, with their beliefs largely inspired by the Vetek ma Loban, or "mouth of the void", an atmospheric anomaly that appears randomly above Ossak Baidak east of town every few years. The predominant religion in town is the Kaonidani, who believe that this anomaly is a hole in the protective magic that holds back the void in the sky outside of their world. They believe that eventually this tear will rupture and allow the void to consume all of Gothir if Estrea's Wellspring goes quiet. The Kaonidani believe in the Adina Kanoren, or "divine resonance", which will bring life to the Wellspring and mend the tear in the sky. The Kaonidani meditate atop Ossak Baidak, chanting and intoning, trying to find the Adina Kanoren that will save their people. The vultures atop the plateau are believed to be connected to the Wellspring, and that they will portent the end if the divine resonance is not found in time.

The steppe surrounding Marakan is very dangerous, and there are many places the Ettinor do not venture. Though there is little to the west of the Matak Namir but mountains, they do not cross to the other side of the river because across the mountains to the west is the home of the Bakari. The Ettinor are not skilled sailors, so while they will ride simple rafts along the river to fish and locate resources along the riverbank, they avoid the open sea. Caution must be taken when traveling the main road south, as a pair of twin peaks flanking the road are known to be a nest for the Lugimari; a type of eagle that can rain down its pinions upon travelers, skewering them with the extremely sharp and hard bone inside. Besides the mountain where Estrea's Wellspring resides, the Ettinor largely avoid the mountains, as the Bakari have been spotted there on occasion. Most of the hunting done by the Ettinor is done east of town, past the Ossak Baidak. Much of the town's infrastructure is made from bone, hides, clay, and the grasses found in the steppe.

Water is a precious resource in Marakan, with only the Matak Namir providing the only clean drinking water, with the Ettinor being fortunate enough that they are immune to its effects. Waste of water is punished severely, and it is used very sparingly in cooking. Food options are limited, with the majority of food being animals and creatures hunted in the steppe, and several herbs, flowers, and root vegetables. Without access to trade for spices, and few available nearby, food is mostly consumed for sustenance rather than pleasure. However, there is one food that the Ettinor love; the Matak Ussokin, or "blood cactus", which grow along the Matak Namir west of town. This red cactus is filled with sweet juice that satiates a craving many do not realize they have until they try it for the first time. There are two ways the food is typically consumed, either as Doramik Ussokin, or as Ussokin Mokat. The drink known as Doramik Ussokin is refreshing and typically chilled in root cellars underground after the cactus is juiced, with many adding Bovatuk root, which numbs the mouth and produces a burning sensation. Many will add a few drops of blood from their most recent kill as a ritual to celebrate their victory. The food known as Ussokin Mokat is made by wrapping meat in a thick dough and slowly roasting it in a ground oven, and topping it with mashed Matak Ussokin paste once the dough has cooked. This variation on a classic Ettinor dish is saved for special occasions, much like Doramik Ussokin, as Matak Ussokin is too scarce to consume on a regular basis.

The town's isolation has led to some stagnation of culture, with inspiration for new stories being scarce. The last century has been particularly difficult, with young locals considering braving the journey to northern Gothir if only to have something more to do than simply hunting, gathering, and subsisting. The Kaonidani firmly believe that their place is here and in the importance of their mission to seek the divine resonance; but the younger generation has become disillusioned and believe that they are wasting their lives here. Some have taken to exploring the jungle to the east in the hopes of finding an alternative route past the Bakari given their avoidance of the trees; but many do not return. Older Ettinor have tried to bring back older traditions and stories to keep their children entertained. When Ettinor reach adolescence, they are expected to choose a path; that of the hunter, the defender, the scout, or the artisan. Fewer young Ettinor have chosen the path of the artisan, wanting to do something exciting, which has led to several traditional Ettinor crafting methods becoming endangered as the older Ettinor die without passing their knowledge onto apprentices. The Hakeni ma Shunil believe that this generational crisis could be the end of the town if not addressed soon.

Defenses

While Kogano protects the town from the Bakari, many of the Ettinor living in Marakan are accomplished warriors in their own right, able to fight off the other monstrous creatures of the steppes around them. Given that one of the most problematic creatures in the steppe are giant lizards which the Ettinor have learned have difficult turning sharply, the town is arranged with straight and narrow roads between buildings with many side roads and alleyways so that if these creatures find their way into the town, they can be led down alleyways while other warriors circling around behind them to ambush them.

The town is surrounded by numerous traps, as the Ettinor are not expecting visitors any time soon. There are massive pit traps to capture creatures that can then become food for the locals, as well as other subtle and deadly traps invented by the legendary Masaka. Tunnels have been dug underneath the town to use as shelter from the Bakari in emergencies, as well as a way to move about discretely. These tunnels lead to a handful of large chambers held up by stone and bone which can serve as temporary refuge. Finally, the Ettinor of Marakan have created a unique weapon not found anywhere else that has been incredibly useful in dealing with the creatures of Gothir; the Ludanak. The Ludanak is a staff with a long rope at the end connected to a heavy spiked ball. This is used like a really long mace, utilizing the Ettinor's incredibly long reach and strength to deliver devastating blows, usually targeting the head.

Crime

Within Marakan's territory, few crimes are more serious than that of Soulbinding. While most Ettinor consider Soulbinding to be a cornerstone of their culture, and revere those that possess the ability; the locals of Marakan outright reject it as unnatural, believing that to channel the dead is to desecration of the dead, and that to beckon the dead is to withhold their spirits from Estrea. Those who practice Soulbinding can expect a swift execution without trial, with one exception; the Ettinor man named Kogano who lives along the Matak Namir. He is outcast from their society for his sacrilege, and the only reason he has not been executed long ago is because he appears to be the town's only defense against the Bakari scourge. Since his appearance in the town, the Bakari have learned to avoid it, fearing Kogano for the same reason the locals do. The locals avoid his hut, and those seen speaking to him are shunned. Additionally, due to the incident with the Hebar Adukeni centuries ago, Acroniten is outlawed in town; and thus the locals no longer mine for it. Those that are caught in possession of it are either put in labor camps or are exiled.