The Namexia Tribes
Collected by Jaeden Ebonthorne of the Namexia, September 1126.
Recently we lost one of our own, Maruan. With her passing, I think it is time these courts knew about where she came from: her flock, the Namexia tribes.
Members who have come to court as of Autumn, 1126: Maruan, Breanna Felbourne, Avery Felbourne-Winterheart, and Jaeden Ebonthorne.
The Namexia are a nomadic tribe of predominantly elves (but also fey and beastkin) who are located in the Badlands, a lawless and barren land between Albion and Cymrija, ranging from the Dragonspine mountains to Cornwall.
Not having anything to grow or cultivate, our tribes tend to be scavengers and hunters.
The Namexia are predominantly followers of Nethras in all of her aspects as we have followed her for centuries. We protect an ancient tree held deep within the Dragonspine mountains. It is said that this is where she was born and lived, before she became an ancestor. Nethras teaches us to toil and we see no reason to live in soft easy places.
We are strongly familial but live in ‘Flocks’ not families. We are territorial and tend to be hostile to outsiders. However there are exceptions, such as an alliance with House Corvidae.
Tribal duties and strictures are based on ability and skill not family or friends. Unlike other tribes all children are deemed to belong to the Flock they are born into with the whole flock seeking to look after them. Until they are fledged (have killed their first enemy in battle) they are the duty of the whole Flock and have no duties, after fledging they must aid the flock equal to their abilities.
However, the Cataclysm of 1106 altered our lands and the dreams of Nethras drove us to send some members of our Flocks to the outside world.
Traditions
The Namexia follow a strict set of rules during our lives as not following them could easily result in death. Any who meet the tribes will be expected to meet and observe these customs without explanation. People don’t go into the Badlands; this is one of the reasons why.
All of these are oral traditions, the Flocks have no written language.
The Flock
Your flock is your family defend them as if they are your blood kin The strongest of the flock shall protect the weakest
The wisest the naīve The nimble the clumsy
Each of the Flock amounts to little and is flawed but together there is nothing that can defeat us. Harm one of the Flock and we shall all take vengeance
A Feast of Crows
There are old pacts between the House of Corvidae and the Namexia tribes. A Corvidae may share food with any flock and seek sanctuary within it. Any member of the Namexia may seek protection from the Corvidae.
A Council of Crows
The Namexia do not have a legal system; all matters which a Flock cannot sort out within itself are brought to a Council of Crows. The Oldest and Wisest of the Namexia are called together four times per year to resolve any issues brought before them. This Council can also call the Namexia to war if there is a sufficiently large injustice to the Flocks. To be called to the Council the individual must be deemed to be the wisest of their Flock.
The Mating Dances
Twice per year the flocks gather together for the Mating Dances. These great parties last for many days and are where Flocks find matches between their young so as to strengthen their flocks and bind them together. The couples get to choose their partners and if at the end of the mating dances they are happy with each other they will return to one of their flocks for 1 year and the other for the next to choose which to make their home.
The Plane of Bones
The Namexia honour their dead and their lives by telling their tales. These are told each year upon the Plane of Bones, a small valley in which all of the Namexia are left to have their bones stripped by the Crows and carrion birds.
Song of the Namexia (Common tongue followed by the Namexian tongue)
People of the wild lands Yu-wi hna drog tiri People of this great land Yu-wi hna ay-kwa ti
United we stand tall and proud Warbarth ni do-ga kwo-dee United we are family
Warbarth nay-luh Namexia
Elaboration on The Badlands
It is said that any border not marked by nature is an ugly wound that is often exploited by opportunist raiders on both sides as no map will show the border precisely. These deep borders are often referred to as ‘Badlands’, a loophole in nationality, mean they exist apart whilst they lay firmly unclaimed.
It is a matter of convenience for both Dragons and Harts to leave this area lawless and loosely claimed as a dangerous buffer to future invasion. No living army can exist without food or water and whilst the land is rich, the farmers gave up and moved on long ago. The majority of decent communities lead a nomadic, almost tribal existence with larger communities grazing cattle for the mobility offered but most surviving by other means.