Cidrae
Smol and soft
Heya! So this is an idea I've had in my head for the longest time - not entirely this, but parts of it, some parts are new obviously - and it has taken a lot from actual people living in Siberia. I've always been obsessed with Nenets people and how people live or used to live there, but I've also changed quite a bit.
It doesn't have a plot yet, I've been thinking of some ideas but before I go too far or put too much time and effort to it, I want to hear your opinions! Also any ideas would be awesome. ^^ Please give me constructive criticism too, this is all new to me.
Thanks!~
Just a work title too!
On Akna tundra lived three clans, back before Akna was part of Kilalurak. They were relatively peaceful clans, each living their own lives in their own ways, and mostly only getting together to trade once a year. Each of the clans lived different lives, one of them were nomads, travelling with their herd of reindeers through the year. During summer they camped at the same place, but during winter they migrated through the frozen tundra. Reindeer herding was their way of life. They called themselves the Kilaun, and their totem was reindeer. One of the clans lived close by Lake Saghani, herding sheep and goats and fishing. The clan called themselves the Buryats, and their totem was a raven. Third clan lived by the Manirak Mountains, hunting and herding reindeer. They called themselves the Maniraks, and their totem was a bear.
Once a year, during the summertime all three of the clans travelled to the Manirak Mountains, to trade and share news, putting aside whatever bad blood there might be between families or individuals. Hurting another man during these times was forbidden, and anyone going against the law would be executed. For traders it was the time to sell their goods, buy tools for the coming year and change information. Women usually bought fabrics, wool, and things needed at home. The Kilaun still lived in yurts, as they were easy to pack and move, but both Buryats and Manraks built houses of wood, stone and leather.
Younger generation of course used these summer celebrations to connect, to find husbands and wives, and it wasn’t unheard of that some girls got pregnant during these weeks. Bastards were treated well enough if the family was wealthy enough to feed an extra mouth, things got trickier if not.
The Kilaun were used to much colder weather, spending some parts of the year on cold tundra and only descending to the taiga during summer. The Buryats lived through the year around Lake Sirmiq, where climate is milder, although even during summers it won’t get much warmer than +17 °C (63 °F). Around the Manirak Mountains summers are mostly around +20 °C (68 °F), but it does get warmer too. Although none of the clans could be called farmers, the Maniraks do grow some vegetables and even fruits on occasion. The Buryats mostly just grow for their own needs, but they have plenty of pine forest around their homes to gather berries and mushrooms.
Animals that could be found and or hunted included the wapiti and the musk deer, and of course smaller prey like forest rabbits and pheasants. Northern Akna, closer to the sea could be found seals and killer whales too. At tundra you could meet polar bears and amur leopards, closer to taiga amur tigers, brown bears and black bears, not to forget packs of grey wolves that could be found all over Akna - both hated beasts killing the herd and revered spirit animal. None of the animals were protected, as long as the hunter would do the killing and what comes after with reverence. It’s very important to all of the clans that animal’s spirit passes on, especially if it happens to be their totem animal.
The Kilaun
The Kilaun live most parts of the year in Northern Akna’s tundra, close to the sea and the glaciers. They are hardy people, most of them of dark hair and mongol-like features, but because people of other clans have had children with Kilaun men and women there are fair haired people too. Most of the Kilaun are short and stout, they have thick hair and straight, white teeth, and one shouldn’t try to out drink a Kilaun - they know their drinks. Especially warm mare’s milk or kumis is their speciality. To their friends, Kilaun are hospitable people, and they pride themselves for taking care of their own family from crib to grave, even though to strangers they might appear distant or even cold. They also breed dogs, similar to our Samoyeds, Tikaani are dogs with thick double-layer fur, curled tail and small, pointy ears. They are bred to guard the reindeers and yurts, and to pull the sleds. Tikaani can endure the most extreme weathers, and can be found from all three clans - but only the dogs from Kilaun breeders are the ‘real’ ones. Being gifted one of them is a great honor, especially for someone of another clan.
Reindeer herding is the main way of living for the Kilaun, and family’s wealth can be seen from how big of a herd they have. The leader of the Kilaun clan is a Chief, who decides on things like when to move or where to go next, they also have the say in judging if a crime was to happen. There can be both male and female Chiefs, but most of them are male. On spiritual level, the clan Shaman decides. Similar to our priest, Shaman weds couples, names children and looks after the dead, so their spirits will move on and not stay and haunt the family. Shamans can also speak to the dead and foretell events, although it’s a skill in itself to translate what their words actually mean - telling future is tricky science, and most Shamans are very vague about their words. Next in line is Shaman’s apprentice, who’s training to become the next Shaman. They do everything from running errands to studying what their future job will be. Shamans and their apprentices are forbidden to marry, and even if there can be male Shamans, they are usually females.
The Kilaun worship the elements and their ancestors.
The Buryat
Compared to the Kilaun, who seem unfriendly almost with their stern look, the Buryat are much friendlier clan. They are taller and with slightly darker skin and brown hair - again, there are Buryat who look different from this, but most of them. Because Lake Sirmiq and its surroundings are much milder in climate, its people are milder too. They smile easier, tell stories and sing, and Buryat carpenters are well known for their decorative styles. Waters of Sirmiq get warmer than the air during the summers, and it’s the time of year when everything seems to circle around the lake; men fishing, women washing clothes, children playing and swimming - and helping around their parents. Only the herders would be further away, at the plateau with the sheep and goats. The wealth of a man, for Buryat, is counted more from the amount of children they are able to feed. If a couple can’t have a children of their own, adopting isn’t unheard of.
The Buryat is lead by a Chief too, who decides on important matters and acts as a judge. Relationships between clans are also part of Chief’s duty to keep. Chiefs are decided by a vote, where everyone is nominated, but more often than not it’s from the same family as the old one. Shamans work in similar way too in all three clans, but in Buryat and Kilaun they are held in much higher regard than Manirak.
The Buryat worship the elements, most of all water. The ancestors and other elements come after.
The Manirak
From a group of people with all three clans, Manirak can be spottest easily. They are tall, like Buryat, but with fair, thick hair and painted face. Similar to war paint, Manirak people draw lines and dots across their faces with red ochre paint and white paint made of plants. Despite this sometimes intimidating look, Manirak is one of the friendliest clans, with mentality that anyone not proven to be an enemy is a friend. But if you get one Manirak mad, the fury of their whole family is on you. They are fiercely loyal friends and allies, and for their ancient practices of hunting and surviving in the forests and mountains, a competent and feared enemy. The wealthiest man of the clan is the one hunting the biggest beasts and with the most pelts, and to marry a Manirak woman, a man has to bring a bear’s head to her father. Then, underneath the head, they will be married, and the skull will be placed above the hearth of their new home.
Most Manirak are hunters, but they are also known for herding reindeers - different from Kilaun reindeers, whose hides are thick and coarse and ideal for clothing, Manirak reindeers have tasty meat, they are smaller and their fur is short and soft.
The Manirak also have a Chief with power over most important things in the clan. Shamans hold little power in their community, as Manirak mostly worship the Manirak Mountain. They believe it has a spirit of its own, that it’s a goddess that was placed on earth to look after her people. That’s why Manirak people honour every plant and berry they pick from the forests around the mountain too, and thank the goddess for taking care of them. Elements are revered too, of course, but Manirak Mountain is above all.
The Life in Akna
None of the clans are at war with each other, but all of them know that it’s not an impossibility either. Smaller families at times go at each other, but none of the Chiefs want to have anything to do with it. There are no guns or swords, Manirak usually fight with bows and arrows or small axes, Buryat with spears and maces, same for the Kilaun. Murders happen from time to time, mostly for grudges that all of the clans know how to hold, but rarely as the punishments are severe. Although the evidence is rarely found.
Families consist of a man, his wife and their children, and sometimes grandparents or great-grandparents. At times some men might have more than one wife, but it’s not that usual, even if mostly accepted. Homosexuality is fairly rare, but also accepted, as long as the couple can make a living on their own. Especially in Buryat culture adopting is fairly common, and couples of same gender often adopt children without parents - in a tough world as Akna, there are many orphans. Transgenders are equally rare, but not seen as a bad thing. Most people see it as something that was meant to be, and accept it like they would accept someone left-handed.
The Magic
The magic that the Shamans have and use is given to them by the earth and the elements. Earth is a thinking, living being to all people of Akna, but only the elements each have their personalities.
Some people are born with a gift. There are healers, seers, guides and zoolingualists. Healers can ease pain and learn to heal illnesses and injuries by putting their hands on others. The most healers can be found from Kilaun and Buryat clans. Seers can see snippets from the future, things that are going to happen or -can- happen, or can even talk to the spirits. Most seers can be found from Buryat and Manirak clans. Guides naturally know their own life path, as well as others’, they also make good Shamans as they can give accurate advice to people about how to live their lives. Most guides are found from clans Buryat and Manirak. Zoolingualists are people who can talk to animals and understand them, at times it means that they can read animals and tell when they’re in pain, long before other people notice, and being able to calm down an angry or potentially dangerous animals. Sometimes it’s almost literally talking to animals, and understanding their way of communication. Most zoolingualists can be found from Manirak and Kilaun people.
It doesn't have a plot yet, I've been thinking of some ideas but before I go too far or put too much time and effort to it, I want to hear your opinions! Also any ideas would be awesome. ^^ Please give me constructive criticism too, this is all new to me.
Thanks!~
Just a work title too!
On Akna tundra lived three clans, back before Akna was part of Kilalurak. They were relatively peaceful clans, each living their own lives in their own ways, and mostly only getting together to trade once a year. Each of the clans lived different lives, one of them were nomads, travelling with their herd of reindeers through the year. During summer they camped at the same place, but during winter they migrated through the frozen tundra. Reindeer herding was their way of life. They called themselves the Kilaun, and their totem was reindeer. One of the clans lived close by Lake Saghani, herding sheep and goats and fishing. The clan called themselves the Buryats, and their totem was a raven. Third clan lived by the Manirak Mountains, hunting and herding reindeer. They called themselves the Maniraks, and their totem was a bear.
Once a year, during the summertime all three of the clans travelled to the Manirak Mountains, to trade and share news, putting aside whatever bad blood there might be between families or individuals. Hurting another man during these times was forbidden, and anyone going against the law would be executed. For traders it was the time to sell their goods, buy tools for the coming year and change information. Women usually bought fabrics, wool, and things needed at home. The Kilaun still lived in yurts, as they were easy to pack and move, but both Buryats and Manraks built houses of wood, stone and leather.
Younger generation of course used these summer celebrations to connect, to find husbands and wives, and it wasn’t unheard of that some girls got pregnant during these weeks. Bastards were treated well enough if the family was wealthy enough to feed an extra mouth, things got trickier if not.
The Kilaun were used to much colder weather, spending some parts of the year on cold tundra and only descending to the taiga during summer. The Buryats lived through the year around Lake Sirmiq, where climate is milder, although even during summers it won’t get much warmer than +17 °C (63 °F). Around the Manirak Mountains summers are mostly around +20 °C (68 °F), but it does get warmer too. Although none of the clans could be called farmers, the Maniraks do grow some vegetables and even fruits on occasion. The Buryats mostly just grow for their own needs, but they have plenty of pine forest around their homes to gather berries and mushrooms.
Animals that could be found and or hunted included the wapiti and the musk deer, and of course smaller prey like forest rabbits and pheasants. Northern Akna, closer to the sea could be found seals and killer whales too. At tundra you could meet polar bears and amur leopards, closer to taiga amur tigers, brown bears and black bears, not to forget packs of grey wolves that could be found all over Akna - both hated beasts killing the herd and revered spirit animal. None of the animals were protected, as long as the hunter would do the killing and what comes after with reverence. It’s very important to all of the clans that animal’s spirit passes on, especially if it happens to be their totem animal.
The Kilaun
The Kilaun live most parts of the year in Northern Akna’s tundra, close to the sea and the glaciers. They are hardy people, most of them of dark hair and mongol-like features, but because people of other clans have had children with Kilaun men and women there are fair haired people too. Most of the Kilaun are short and stout, they have thick hair and straight, white teeth, and one shouldn’t try to out drink a Kilaun - they know their drinks. Especially warm mare’s milk or kumis is their speciality. To their friends, Kilaun are hospitable people, and they pride themselves for taking care of their own family from crib to grave, even though to strangers they might appear distant or even cold. They also breed dogs, similar to our Samoyeds, Tikaani are dogs with thick double-layer fur, curled tail and small, pointy ears. They are bred to guard the reindeers and yurts, and to pull the sleds. Tikaani can endure the most extreme weathers, and can be found from all three clans - but only the dogs from Kilaun breeders are the ‘real’ ones. Being gifted one of them is a great honor, especially for someone of another clan.
Reindeer herding is the main way of living for the Kilaun, and family’s wealth can be seen from how big of a herd they have. The leader of the Kilaun clan is a Chief, who decides on things like when to move or where to go next, they also have the say in judging if a crime was to happen. There can be both male and female Chiefs, but most of them are male. On spiritual level, the clan Shaman decides. Similar to our priest, Shaman weds couples, names children and looks after the dead, so their spirits will move on and not stay and haunt the family. Shamans can also speak to the dead and foretell events, although it’s a skill in itself to translate what their words actually mean - telling future is tricky science, and most Shamans are very vague about their words. Next in line is Shaman’s apprentice, who’s training to become the next Shaman. They do everything from running errands to studying what their future job will be. Shamans and their apprentices are forbidden to marry, and even if there can be male Shamans, they are usually females.
The Kilaun worship the elements and their ancestors.
The Buryat
Compared to the Kilaun, who seem unfriendly almost with their stern look, the Buryat are much friendlier clan. They are taller and with slightly darker skin and brown hair - again, there are Buryat who look different from this, but most of them. Because Lake Sirmiq and its surroundings are much milder in climate, its people are milder too. They smile easier, tell stories and sing, and Buryat carpenters are well known for their decorative styles. Waters of Sirmiq get warmer than the air during the summers, and it’s the time of year when everything seems to circle around the lake; men fishing, women washing clothes, children playing and swimming - and helping around their parents. Only the herders would be further away, at the plateau with the sheep and goats. The wealth of a man, for Buryat, is counted more from the amount of children they are able to feed. If a couple can’t have a children of their own, adopting isn’t unheard of.
The Buryat is lead by a Chief too, who decides on important matters and acts as a judge. Relationships between clans are also part of Chief’s duty to keep. Chiefs are decided by a vote, where everyone is nominated, but more often than not it’s from the same family as the old one. Shamans work in similar way too in all three clans, but in Buryat and Kilaun they are held in much higher regard than Manirak.
The Buryat worship the elements, most of all water. The ancestors and other elements come after.
The Manirak
From a group of people with all three clans, Manirak can be spottest easily. They are tall, like Buryat, but with fair, thick hair and painted face. Similar to war paint, Manirak people draw lines and dots across their faces with red ochre paint and white paint made of plants. Despite this sometimes intimidating look, Manirak is one of the friendliest clans, with mentality that anyone not proven to be an enemy is a friend. But if you get one Manirak mad, the fury of their whole family is on you. They are fiercely loyal friends and allies, and for their ancient practices of hunting and surviving in the forests and mountains, a competent and feared enemy. The wealthiest man of the clan is the one hunting the biggest beasts and with the most pelts, and to marry a Manirak woman, a man has to bring a bear’s head to her father. Then, underneath the head, they will be married, and the skull will be placed above the hearth of their new home.
Most Manirak are hunters, but they are also known for herding reindeers - different from Kilaun reindeers, whose hides are thick and coarse and ideal for clothing, Manirak reindeers have tasty meat, they are smaller and their fur is short and soft.
The Manirak also have a Chief with power over most important things in the clan. Shamans hold little power in their community, as Manirak mostly worship the Manirak Mountain. They believe it has a spirit of its own, that it’s a goddess that was placed on earth to look after her people. That’s why Manirak people honour every plant and berry they pick from the forests around the mountain too, and thank the goddess for taking care of them. Elements are revered too, of course, but Manirak Mountain is above all.
The Life in Akna
None of the clans are at war with each other, but all of them know that it’s not an impossibility either. Smaller families at times go at each other, but none of the Chiefs want to have anything to do with it. There are no guns or swords, Manirak usually fight with bows and arrows or small axes, Buryat with spears and maces, same for the Kilaun. Murders happen from time to time, mostly for grudges that all of the clans know how to hold, but rarely as the punishments are severe. Although the evidence is rarely found.
Families consist of a man, his wife and their children, and sometimes grandparents or great-grandparents. At times some men might have more than one wife, but it’s not that usual, even if mostly accepted. Homosexuality is fairly rare, but also accepted, as long as the couple can make a living on their own. Especially in Buryat culture adopting is fairly common, and couples of same gender often adopt children without parents - in a tough world as Akna, there are many orphans. Transgenders are equally rare, but not seen as a bad thing. Most people see it as something that was meant to be, and accept it like they would accept someone left-handed.
The Magic
The magic that the Shamans have and use is given to them by the earth and the elements. Earth is a thinking, living being to all people of Akna, but only the elements each have their personalities.
- Fire is a female, a fiery woman with short temper. You shouldn’t ask fire for help if you were to hurt someone else - she might accidentally burn down your own home while at it. But she does get things done efficiently.
- Water is a male, a steady yet powerful element. It can carve itself through stone if given enough time, and without it, there would be no one on earth. If someone needed advice for a longer aim, water is the one to pray for - but beware, or you might drown.
- Air is a male, a fleeting, happy spirit that is eager to help. Air pushes people to the way he wants, and at one time he’s there, the other he’s disappeared. Powerful no doubt, but unreliable, and you never know if he’s telling you the truth or not.
- Earth and Soil are two different beings. Earth is the one people are living on, but Soil is the element, a female spirit as calm and steady as Water. Not being able to do actively things like the rest of the elements, Soil is a guide, and it blows life into the dead.
Some people are born with a gift. There are healers, seers, guides and zoolingualists. Healers can ease pain and learn to heal illnesses and injuries by putting their hands on others. The most healers can be found from Kilaun and Buryat clans. Seers can see snippets from the future, things that are going to happen or -can- happen, or can even talk to the spirits. Most seers can be found from Buryat and Manirak clans. Guides naturally know their own life path, as well as others’, they also make good Shamans as they can give accurate advice to people about how to live their lives. Most guides are found from clans Buryat and Manirak. Zoolingualists are people who can talk to animals and understand them, at times it means that they can read animals and tell when they’re in pain, long before other people notice, and being able to calm down an angry or potentially dangerous animals. Sometimes it’s almost literally talking to animals, and understanding their way of communication. Most zoolingualists can be found from Manirak and Kilaun people.
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