Moxtli

The tribes of Moxtli formed on the first summer of 1783AC, sometime after a few hundred Gehennan spirit-seekers of the tribe Cruxati followed the divine spirit Saekanis to Esshar. Rituals of appeasement followed and a mass calling for all beastkin to gather and aid to prevent the celestial god from unleashing a calamity that might wipe out all life entirely. Partially successful, the black wolf was lulled into a state of passivity and the deadly winters that wrecked the western nation normalized once more. The communities that formed in the process decided to stay with the aid of an ally in Myllenoris, with many thousand beastkin settling and making a home in the fertile, southern lands.

Society

History and Neo-Tocathianism

After the some few hundred members of the Cruxati arrived upon Esshar, many of the Beastkin who were out of touch with their nature, or even those who had been transformed into Ookami by the Black Wolf all flocked to these Tribesmen to learn the ways of their ‘roots’. Though this wouldn’t be the only contribution to what the beliefs of the Moxtli eventually became.

As the growing mass of Beastkin began to settle in the southern lands of Esshar, especially in the heavy forests where for the most part they could live undisturbed in these wild and unclaimed territories. Their greatest support through this period of confusion and settling were those of Myllenoris, the Aschean-blessed Teraphim who remained after all others had departed making small pilgrimages into the newly born Tribes of Moxtli. It was as a result of this cultural influence from the Aschean faith that the idea of ‘The Balance’ became more important than ever before to those who worshipped the duality of the Divine Wolves. It was to be their purpose, to ensure another Pandemonium Chase would never occur upon Esshar again.

The primary tenets of the Moxtli faith share many similarities with it’s progenitor, they are as follows:

• People have a right to what they can defend. It's cowardly to take something from someone unless in a fair contest of strength.
• Only a powerful warrior can lead a Tribe, and only an apprentice may become a Shaman.
• Children born out of wedlock should not inherit belongings unless they prove themselves more capable than their siblings.
• Your spirit will be tormented for an eternity if you fail to uphold a sworn oath.
• Those who kneel must serve as slaves. A dignified warrior does not bow their head. They serve their superiors on the battlefield without question. Moxtlian warriors prefer a strong beat of the chest or a tight arm shake as a show of respect.
• Sacrifice is an act of love and devotion. All things require sacrifice, and nothing is free. It's an honor for an enemy to die as a sacrifice rather than in battle.
• The Balance must be preserved at all costs, even when our lives may be lost.
• Fleshcrafting or any other practice that is a direct mockery of the abilities of the Divine Spirits to alter or create life is to be destroyed, and those who commit such atrocities are sacrificed to honor and appease the Spirits.
• Killing an animal for sport is frowned upon, especially if it's a wolf. Hunting to feed is encouraged, however, with the tribes making use of every part of the animal, from their bone to the fur. Communal hunting parties are common and necessary for survival.
• Spirit-dancers are a unique practice of runewriting that involves calling upon the invisible wisps in the air and garnering strength from them in a ritualistic dance.
• In lieu of the Gehennan teachings of Tocathianism, sacrifice, whether the traditional method of a ritualized tribute, or simply bloodletting, is an act of love and devotion to the world. Properly carried out, the release of a person's life essence can help to feed and nourish the soil, with the preferred method of burial keeping the body whole and in tact. This typically involves engraving the rune of a spirit into an object or the flesh directly, a symbol that acts as a gateway to the netherworld and allows the proper transfer of life energy to the domain of the target.

Structure

While many Tribes within the Moxtli exist, an agreement founded upon the very birth of the assembling Beastkin was that there would be peace among their own. To decide this, while many Chieftains do technically exist, they only make internal decisions in regards to their own Tribe.

As of the year of 1858 A.C, the hierarchy within Moxtli consists of the following:

Voice

The Chieftain of the tribes that represents the tribes with internal and foreign affairs. It is integral for the Voice to maintain the traditions of Moxtli and ensure that all of the people of Moxtli contribute to their home. Although the Voice is not expected at every ceremony, ritual, and sacrifice, it is ideal for them to be present in order to to represent the will and strength of Moxtli as they are usually the strongest the tribe has to offer. Obtaining the position of Voice is accomplished by either an honor duel with high stakes against the current Voice with the Head Shaman as witness, or passed down through their will. The former is particularly recommended over the latter given Moxtli culture.

Head Shaman

The most experienced in the arts of the spirits, performing most rituals and serving as the epitome of knowledge when it comes to the spirits and the spirit realm. They hold a higher place in society, even if they don't use strength as their primary way of proving their worth. They hold a seat on the council, advising the Voice along with the War-Chiefs. They witness and declare the victor of any honor duels that take place, announced said victor to not only the people, but the spirits as well. This position is usually permanent, similar to the Voice, however it is far more common for the Head Shaman to pass their position down to an apprentice they have mentored, though challenging for the position of Head Shaman may still occur with good reason.

War-Chief

Three dominant warriors of Moxtli that have proven themselves in the face of combat and those that would lead the Moxtli warriors to battle given the circumstances arise for it. Their duties include but aren't limited to toughing up the warriors, bringing in sacrifices for rituals, and taking care of internal affairs within Moxtli. They are also advisors to the Voice as part of the council. Anyone may replace a War-Chief through an honor duel with the intent of taking the position, which must be witnessed by at least the Head Shaman.

Warrior

Moxtlian warriors are the tougher side of the tribes. They may be anywhere between ruthless savages who boast of their strength to calm and collected, preferring to show their might through their actions rather than words. The foundation of Moxtli's army and are divided into three sects; scouts, hunters, and warriors.

Shaman

A Shaman is one who is attuned with the spirits as they propagate the knowledge to the tribes people, reminding them how important it is to keep them appeased. The primary teachers of Moxtli culture, they take part in most rituals and are further subject to handle the lesser honor battles between tribes-people to declare a victor, similar to the Head Shaman. They advise what the best course of action for the people may be, and are prime devotees to the Divine Spirits and the Patron Spirits of Moxtli as well. Anyone can become a Shaman once they learn how to attune with the spirits, so long as they are appointed by the Voice or the Head Shaman, preferably both.

Citizen

Citizens are the general people of Moxtli, generally part of an individual tribe. The non-combative class, these people are the merchant and labour class, as well as the general population. Citizenship in the Moxtli Tribes is not difficult to attain; all one requires is the will to support the Tribes and residence within Moxtli territory.

Other Cultural Notes

• Humans and other races while they may be distinct minorities are not forbidden from being part of the Tribes, while some racism does exist towards those who are non-blessed, they are by no means excluded and have the same rights as any Beastkin.
• Any outsider seeking to join the Moxtli must be accepted by a Tribe and will be asked to complete a task to prove themselves by one or more members of the Council depending on circumstance and person.
• Any form of artisan who does not participate in active combat is no less a member of the Tribes as a result, their skills are necessary for the Tribes to flourish and so they’re to be as respected as any Warrior. Especially if a proactive effort is made on their part to contribute.
• Scars and tattoos are often left in full view when possible, a display of either religious significance or pride in their wounds accrued in battle.

Religion

The Divine & Patron Spirits

While worship of Asena and Saekanis is the most primary faith within the Moxtli Tribes, it is not exclusively the only faith found. Many worshippers of Ixchel lurk within the forests in the form of Naguals or otherwise. Though even aside from these Divine Spirits, many other smaller Spirits are worshipped or respected all the same. Most faiths are localized to specific Tribes or areas, in the wake of the Maloti Tribe’s sacrifice of their own Spirits to appease Saekanis into leaving Esshar and effectively ending the plague event known as the Pandemonium chase.. Those very same Spirits became much more well known and revered by a majority of the Tribes, if not even adopted as Patron Spirits. They are:

• Xotonal - The Vulture, one of the most overall powerful of the four Spirits her domains are primarily survival, death, and honorable sacrifices. It’s not uncommon to hear her name invoked before ritualistic sacrifices as well, especially on any day where the appeasement of Saekanis is celebrated. For the moment, she remains the only one among the Patron Spirits still in a deep slumber.

• Ixtlitli - The Weasel, the most tricky or cunning of the four Spirits. Beneath this Spirit are the domains of mischief, trickery, and expeditious travel. Their name is often invoked both when trying to deceive or when wishing someone a fast journey. The Weasel was brought to life once more by the efforts of the Maloti Tribe in the year 1803 AC.

• Eznite - The Bear, the most massive of the four Spirits. His domains are war, revelry, and proving oneself through honorable combat. His name is often invoked before battles, but also to watch over particularly important duels of honor. Most festivals or celebrations are another place where the name of the Bear will leave the lips of many. He was reawakened by the efforts of the Moxtli in the year 1805 AC after a great hunt and feast were held in his honor.

• Tlalli - The Toad, the wisest of the four Spirits. His domains are intuition, oaths, and spiritual attunement. Often used invoked in smaller rituals where no blood is shed, many call upon the Toad for inspired wisdom. Though many seek out this Spirit for the sake of gaining a greater understanding of Spirits themselves. After a trip deep into the realm of Spirits and many harsh trials passed, Tlalli’s presence returned to the lands of the Moxtli in the year 1802 AC.

• The Weaver - The Spider. A new addition to the Pantheon of the Moxtli Tribes as of 1857 AC, the Weaver-Between-the-Cracks-of-the-World - short form referred to simply as ‘the Weaver’ - is a Primordial of Cunning and Hedonism. Followers of the Weaver - known collectively as ‘the Children of the Weaver’ express a very individualistic ideology within the Moxtli’s wider society, with the main tenets focused around embracing life and its pleasures, and acting in cunning manners with the aim to remain consistently entertained. Worshippers are fond of tricks, ranging from harmless to somewhat less so.

Shamanism

There are no real restrictions when it comes to who may pursue the path of becoming a Shaman, it is however the choice of the teacher to accept a student. This is normally decided by some means of a test, which depending on the Shaman could be something as simple as meeting a Spirit, or as hard as capturing an enemy for sacrifice.

However, when such a test is finally passed and the student has proven themselves the teaching may begin in earnest. While many ways of the many Shamans within the Moxtli are open for many to see, there are also many talents and aspects of ritualism that are kept closely guarded. The foremost among these more secretive practices being the art of Spirit Dancing, the potential strength of such a skill is the reason for such tight secrecy.

When a student reaches a point of satisfaction to the Shaman they may declare them to be their true Apprentice, a role as important as any Warrior in the Tribe given that it means when the current Shaman passes or reaches a point they can no longer perform their duty they will take their place.

The duties of a Shaman are an integral part of Moxtli culture, even if the method is likely to vary slightly between some Tribes:

The handling of any rituals or sacrifices in relation to one’s Tribe, or to assist the Head Shaman in greater rituals. The teaching of the younger Tribespeople. Actively advising the Chieftain of their Tribe, and offering the insight of the Spirits. Ensuring the continuation of the knowledge of their Tribe by means of an Apprentice. Oversee any Honor Duels, and declare the clear victor.