Wildlings

Wildlings Category: Weight: Varies Height: Varies Eye Color: Green, blue, brown Hair Color: Brown, Black, Gray

History

The term “Wildling"[1] is used to describe the group of tribals which emerged in Axios sometime during the early 1600s. It’s unclear when exactly they began to appear to the world, or where they came from, but by the 1630s they made their presence known during an effort to reclaim land from the collapsing Holy Orenian Empire. When the isles were rendered inhospitable in the following decade, the Wildlings boarded rafts of their own and went to follow the Descendants.

Political scientist Bell Sano holding a Wildling youth, 1598.

Axios

As is spoken by Wildlings and recorded in the book, Wildling History, the tribal people resided on the isle of Tahn in Axios long before the Descendants set foot there. They enjoyed prosperity, with vast amounts of open land and an abundance of animals to be hunted, until the first of the vessels from Vailor arrived. It's recorded that the largest tribe's leader drew the Wildlings away in fear, and sealed them deep within cave systems at the heart of the land. After decades spent withering away in the caves and the nearby forests, the old leader was killed and replaced by a stronger Wildling. They led the starving remnants out into the world, to finally see and retake what was left of their ancestral home.

Atlas

Scarcely any of the people were seen after the journey to Atlas. It's assumed that their numbers were decimated during the trip, for reasons ranging from lack of food and clean water to an outside party which might have enslaved the less able-bodied. The greater part of those who'd managed the journey to Atlas settled in caves near center of the continent. In the wilderness around those caves, the Wildlings hunted and attempted to indoctrinate the various peoples who were near. As happened in Axios however, the Wildlings were unable to remain. The Vaeyl's efforts to chill the realm had killed many beasts that the tribes hunted for survival, and pushed them ever northwards until they were upon the seas yet again.

Geography

As a people that relies upon hunting and foraging, Wildlings tend to refrain from building any permanent structures. They utilize deep cave systems, crude tents, and other quickly-erected awnings, with the caves tending to be centrally located amongst the latter. The tribe’s Wild Man may designate other places to stay as is needed, but these locations will most always be found in temperate or cool climates. Even in times of need, Wildlings have a tendency to avoid swimming and humid regions. The water easily seeps into their hair and can take days to dry, during which time their heat is sapped and limbs are weighed down. They avoid excessively hot climates for similar reasoning, as especially for ones with darker hair, the sun makes those regions intolerable. Of course, as their hair does little against bitter cold, they'll scarcely venture into any icy territories either.

Axios

In Axios, the most prominent Wildling tribe was nestled amid a range of mountains near the center of the isle of Tahn. "The Valley," as it was called amongst the people, sat within the bounds of the Holy Orenian Empire, which had shifted its capital to the nearby Adelburg following the destruction of Johannesburg. After a conflict with the encroaching humans, the Wildlings withdrew from The Valley and took up refuge in caverns hidden elsewhere across the island.

Atlas

During their stay in Atlas, the largest Wildling tribe found a place for itself near the center of the main continent. The tribe's activity there was perhaps the greatest since pre-Descendant Axios, though still only a fraction of what it had been. From their new home the Wildlings were able to organize special areas, including ones for paintings, rituals, herblore, and even livestock. It remained like that for the decades until the Vaeyl began to chill the land, after which the Wildlings were again weakened and forced elsewhere by lack of food.

Society

Wildlings generally live in tribes of no more than eight, among that count their esteemed leader—the Wild Man—in order to reduce the hunting and gathering necessary for survival. Whenever a tribe exceeds eight heads, the Wild Man divides its members in half and appoints the strongest elder to become chieftain of the newly formed tribe. They then part ways and continue to grow separately, repeating the process indefinitely. Any descendants living among them are considered to be weaker and so less costly than true Wildlings, and thus may contribute—within reason—to tribes already hosting eight Wildlings.

The sketch of a Wildling adolescent, posted in Adelburg during the main tribe's campaign for "The Valley," 1631.

The Wild Man is the name of—as well as the title bestowed upon—whichever Wildling takes the lead of a tribe. The Wild Man designates roles, indoctrinates the young, and has a strong presence concerning most affairs with outsiders. In larger tribes, the strongest Wildlings sit just below the Wild Man as elders, where they serve as both advisors and warriors. In the event of a dead, missing, or flimsy Wild Man, the strongest member of a tribe is encouraged by these elders to oust the leader and assume control.

Around other cultures, Wildlings are naturally curious. They’ll often strike their chest or bow their heads as a gesture of mutual understanding, if there seems to be common ground between the parties. In many cases, Wildlings are regarded by outsiders as simple minded. They make no attempt to deny this fact—in part because they fail to comprehend what a simple mind really is. A certain respect exists for orcs and other strong individuals, as they’re seen to be blessed with strength from their ancestors.

Common Traits

While Wildlings may be of any Descendant blood, they all share similar features. Most notable of these features is their being covered in hair. From adolescence onward the tribe’s leaders assist in growing a Wildling's distinct coat, only trimming it when the length becomes a hindrance. Other common traits include fitness and eye color. Similar to their hair, both male and female Wildlings receive aid from the tribe's elders in order to maintain muscular bodies. Wildling eyes are typically a dull green or brown color, though between the tribes (and depending on the Wildling's Descendant race) it's possible for a wide variety.

Magic

Magic is typically regarded as taboo. Especially after the thanhium bomb’s demonstration at Johannesburg—an event which is claimed to have ushered in the end of Axios—Wildlings have been ever cautious of sorcerers. Whenever misfortune strikes, magic users and their ilk are among the first to be blamed by the tribesmen. Yet while most Wildlings would speak that they stand against those who wield voidal magics, the same treatment is not always extended to the patrons of deities. Many deific magics fit within the ancestral beliefs of Wildlings, which leads to such things being viewed with tolerance if not with a degree of respect.

A trio of younger Wildlings during their attempt to slay a bear. - Zdeněk Burian

Economy

Mina-based economics mean very little to Wildlings. The coins are normally treated as odd-shaped pebbles for throwing, though that isn't to say that Wildlings don't understand value. Frequently they'll make efforts to barter with respected outsiders, and are unafraid to part with their coin in exchange for items bearing great practical value.

Religion

Wildlings have a belief system which revolves very heavily around their ancestors. They see every action on the part of themselves and others to bring about favor or scorn from the tribe's ancestors, who then manipulate the world according to their satisfaction with the state of things. Whenever there is unusually heavy rain, for instance, it is believed to be caused by the actions of others making the ancestors unhappy. When hunts are successful and food is in plenty, it is attributed to the strength of the tribe and how its actions have redeemed the rest of the realm.

Wildlings believe that all who die are sent to their ancestors, where they are then granted power over parts of the realm based on their honorable deeds in life. A strong Wildling may ascend to the skies and control the winds, while a weak or cowardly Wildling may be given power only over the insects that scurry beneath people's feet. This belief contributes to the Wildlings' general acceptance of Deific magics, as they can be explained by the user drawing power from their strongest ancestors.

Artistry

While utilitarian as a whole, many Wildlings find themselves using forms of art to express themselves. As limited as their vocabulary and as backwards as their society, their minds still race when considering the legacy they leave behind.

A tribe rendering praise to their Ancestors and fellow Wildlings after a successful hunt. - Zdeněk Burian

Art

Wildling art is typically restricted in color and can be difficult to find. The making of such art requires pigments to be gathered from sources such as plants and animal parts, as well as someplace quiet and secluded for the production. This all takes up time and resources which could be put into more useful pursuits. As well, Wildlings run the chance of not returning to any particular location or keeping track of their painted works. It is only in places and on items of great significance that Wildling art might be found.

Literature

Specimens of Wildling literature are exceedingly few. Only one document is known to exist to date; a conventionally untitled book filled with illustrations of Wildling history, as well as that of the isles of Axios. Dozens of copies have been produced and circulated since the first discovery.

Apparel

Apparel for Wildlings is somewhat liberal. By nature, the thick hair of their body serves as a way to keep warm. Within the culture there is a sense of dignity however, and so they’ll cover the necessary parts of their bodies with rags, furs, and the occasional stolen article of clothing. Painted faces and bodies are common among the younger ones in tribes, but Wildlings are taught to disapprove of items worn solely for their appearance. Items with sentimental and ritualistic value are excluded from this view, allowing for animal and Descendant skulls, charms commemorating the dead, and other such items to be worn by Wildlings.

A tribe's Wild Man in typical Wildling attire.

Language

While somewhat begrudgingly, most Wildlings speak a form of simple and broken Common. Very few Wildlings are literate to a worthwhile extent, and instead rely upon forms of art to express their most complex ideas and emotions.

Random Tidbits

• While the spoken food preference of most Wildlings would suggest that they are carnivorous, they commonly resort to wild berries and mushrooms during months of poor hunting.
• Wildlings do not grow their hair naturally, and must undergo special rites before they receive their coats. These rituals are also performed for the clipping of elven ears.
• Not all Wildlings have the same length of hair. Depending on the region in which a given tribe resides, its Wild Man may instruct for it to grow longer or shorter.
• While Wildings tend to steer away from the cold, did you know that some Elves prefer that climate? Read more about the Snow Elves here:[2]

---