Ugru (oog · roo)
Demographics
Most of the population of Ugru are Goliath, Ugruvean born and raised, however there are also a handful of passing Frost Giants that enjoy the company of the Goliaths. The Goliaths native to Ugru are Hill, Stone, Strom, Cloud and Frost Goliaths. No Goliath type is exlusive to one tribe as they are all mixed. The only missing Goliath type is the Fire Goliaths, it is unknown if Fire Goliaths were ever part of the early stages of Ugru.
Most Frost Giants are known to all Goliaths by name, as a Frost Giant tries their best to integrate into Goliath society in their short time visiting Ugru.
Government
Ugru is a council based Chiefdom. The current chief of Ugru is Ilnuk Frightheart Thulupine, who has been the chief of Ugru since the year 992.
Every intercalary year, a new chief can be crowned, the tribes of Ugru have multiple trials and rituals that need to be completed for a new chief to rise. Each tribe can pick a warrior to be entered into the trial, if no tribe puts a warrior forward, the current chief can remain chief unless they choose not to, in that case the tribes can either redo the trials and select warriors or the current chief's tribe selects a new chief from their tribe. The trials start with a simple battle of endurance, tribesman test each warrior, with each tribe having a specific job to test for the next chief.
Anakali - Trials of Temptations & Sacrifice
Nola-Kamune - Trials of Courage & Will
Ranu-Bakan - Trials of Peace & Mercy
Thulupine - Trials of Strength & Endurance
Vuma-Thunuk - Trials of Honesty & Confidence
Every intercalary year, a new chief can be crowned, the tribes of Ugru have multiple trials and rituals that need to be completed for a new chief to rise. Each tribe can pick a warrior to be entered into the trial, if no tribe puts a warrior forward, the current chief can remain chief unless they choose not to, in that case the tribes can either redo the trials and select warriors or the current chief's tribe selects a new chief from their tribe. The trials start with a simple battle of endurance, tribesman test each warrior, with each tribe having a specific job to test for the next chief.
Anakali - Trials of Temptations & Sacrifice
Nola-Kamune - Trials of Courage & Will
Ranu-Bakan - Trials of Peace & Mercy
Thulupine - Trials of Strength & Endurance
Vuma-Thunuk - Trials of Honesty & Confidence
Defences
The main advantage of Ugru is its height, being 18,000' ft high (5486.4m) only a few beings can even begin to fathom trekking the mountain with an entire army by their side.
Most defenses of Ugru are built around the environment, where every pillar of stone could be an outpost of archers or a positioned catapult. However, once a war has been declared, the forces of Ugru would only need moments before they were divided into groups and weapons were administered, Captains would immediately be chosen and each group would be led into battle. All adult goliaths (regardless of sex) fought in times of war. Only children and infants were expected not to fight.
Favoring hide and leather armor, Ugruveans were always agile in battle despite their large sizes. They would also never cheat or undermine a foe in battle, they always preferred fair-play and never attacked a hopeless opponent, finishing off a fallen foe, taking hostages, and attacking civilians were considered distasteful and unfair.
Districts
The most worked on area architecturally is "the religious grounds" where most churches and temples are placed, governmental tents and buildings are also scattered here where they are used for meetings and battle planning.
Guilds and Factions
Tribes:
Even though most tribes have specific jobs and skills they were proficient in, it is never frowned upon if a member of a tribe is interested in a job usually occupied by another tribe.Anakali
The tribe responsible for Temptations & Sacrifice, the Anakali are the wisest tribe in Ugru, often leading religious ceremonies, weddings and funerals. Skywatchers were almost always Anakali.Nola-Kamune
Courage and Will defines the tribe of Nola-Kamune, natural born adventurers, Nola-Kamune has many notable warriors and scavengers that have progressed Ugruvean society by introducing newer concepts and risky ideas. Captains and Dawncallers were usually Nola-Kamune.Ranu-Bakan
Do no underestimate the Ranu-Bakan, even though they are the tribe of Peace and Mercy, they are still as formidable as the other Ugruveans. Ranu-Bakan have the most formidable fighters, and their willingness to resolve issues peacefully is the main source of their strength. Adjudicators and Lamentors were usually Ranu-Bakan.Thulupine
The tribe of Strength and Endurance, only a fool would challenge a member of Thulupine. Having the strongest brutes in battle, Thulupine are always ready to defend Ugru. Thulupine were usually warriors and captains.Vuma-Thunuk
Honesty and Confidence surrounds Vuma-Thunuk, always being trusted with plans and messages they often bring the tribe together for secret celebrations. Vuma-Thunuk were usually Tent-mothers or Dawncallers.Societal Roles:
Chief: The primary authority figure of the other Chieftans. The chief also chose who filled some of the other key roles in the tribe. Chieftan: Each tribe had a Chieftan with one of them being the main chief. Each Chieftan was responsible for their tribes, however the wellbeing of Ugru is always placed above the wellbeing of an individual tribe. Captain: Two captains were assigned to each of the important jobs each morning. These jobs included hunting, gathering, cooking, and scouting. The captains then built their own teams and set out to achieve their task. Two captains were assigned to each task to encourage healthy rivalry. Skywatches: Often the most experienced druid or shaman of the tribe. Skywatchers made sure that resources were not over harvested and game animals weren't needlessly slaughtered. Skywatchers were often exempt from the teams that the captains assembled each morning. Skywatchers also oversaw festivals, rituals, and celebrations. Dawncaller: Responsible for guarding the camp overnight and alerting the tribe if there was trouble. At dawn, they sung or bellowed tales of goliath bravery or heroics to wake everyone up. Dawncallers were assigned daily and given less work throughout the day so they could rest and be alert at night. Adjudicator: Adjudicators settled disputes. Unless urgent, an adjudicator would hear disputes after the evening meal. Tough decisions were often settled with a contest of the adjudicator's devising. If a goliath appealed against an adjudicator's decision, the chieftain had to settle the dispute, but would also have to dismiss the adjudicator from their position. Adjudicators also acted as referees for sports. Tent-mother: The only sex-specific role in the tribe because one of her jobs was to be a wet-nurse. Chosen by the chieftain each morning, the tent-mother was responsible for care and teaching of the tribe's infants and toddlers, as their parents were often busy with other responsibilities. It was also tent-mothers who decided when young goliaths were old enough to start contributing to the tribe (usually around the age of 10). Lamentor: Responsible for determining when a member of the tribe was too old or weak to serve as a productive member of the tribe. Good lamentors would then approach the individual to explain their decision and consult the chieftain. Once it had been decided, the lamentor prepared a long chant to commemorate the goliath before the tribe exiled the old or weak individual from the tribe.Tourism
Leisure:
Goat-Ball:
This involved the use of a stuffed goat hide, which was tossed around by two teams (usually four a side). The two teams would jump around on several raised platforms (usually rocks or logs) trying to pass, intercept, and hit each other with the goat-ball. Any participants that were hit by the goat-ball were out of the game. Participants who fell or were knocked from their platform were also out. One team lost once all their players were out.Stubborn-Root:
One goliath was chosen to be the "root" and would have to defend a ridge or peak from the other competitors (similar to king of the mountain played by children in towns and cities).Cliff-Climb:
A simple cliff-climbing race. Most races involved climbing up a cliff and then climbing back down. Participants could choose to fall part of the way on the return climb to save time, but risked injuring themselves. The winner was often the best of three races. Particularly skilled climbers would often handicap themselves by wearing backpacks full of stones.Natural Resources
Peactor:
The Peactor is an animal native to Ugru. Domesticated by the early Ugruveans, the Peactor is now rarely found in the wild, however its population is large and it is nowhere near becoming extinct.
Peactors have the same lifecycles of domesticated turkeys, living for around 10-15 years, and laying one batch of 5-10 eggs every year.
However, Peacators are also used as a form of transportation for goods and carts, but they cannot maintain the weight of an adult Goliath.
Ugruveans are protective of the Peacators, especially in recent years, where Kender and Gnomes have been found trying to sneak into Ugru to steal a few Peacators. Unfortunately, Peacators cannot live outside of cold and mountainous areas, their feathers are adapted to the cold and their feet need constant shaving outside of rocky areas.
Peacators are also known for their delicious meat, at least according to Ugruveans. Peacator meat is tough, however Ugruveans have adapted the way they cook it. Peacator meat is a lean, low-fat meat that has a strong, gamey flavor. It is typically cooked as a roast or in stews, and can also be ground for use in sausages. The meat is typically cooked slowly over low heat to keep it tender, and can be seasoned with a variety of spices to enhance the flavor.
Peacators are rarely cooked however, especially those that are in their prime and are able to assist the tribe in carrying goods, however once a Peacator is slightly past its prime, it is best to be eaten. This way the Peacator meat is still lean and dark.
Peacators are mostly cooked for weddings and religious ceremonies, but their eggs are eaten year round. Even though the peacators only lay eggs in the spring, their eggs can last up to 10 years under packed snow, making them a daily staple in Goliath cuisine.
Peactors have the same lifecycles of domesticated turkeys, living for around 10-15 years, and laying one batch of 5-10 eggs every year.
However, Peacators are also used as a form of transportation for goods and carts, but they cannot maintain the weight of an adult Goliath.
Ugruveans are protective of the Peacators, especially in recent years, where Kender and Gnomes have been found trying to sneak into Ugru to steal a few Peacators. Unfortunately, Peacators cannot live outside of cold and mountainous areas, their feathers are adapted to the cold and their feet need constant shaving outside of rocky areas.
Peacators are also known for their delicious meat, at least according to Ugruveans. Peacator meat is tough, however Ugruveans have adapted the way they cook it. Peacator meat is a lean, low-fat meat that has a strong, gamey flavor. It is typically cooked as a roast or in stews, and can also be ground for use in sausages. The meat is typically cooked slowly over low heat to keep it tender, and can be seasoned with a variety of spices to enhance the flavor.
Peacators are rarely cooked however, especially those that are in their prime and are able to assist the tribe in carrying goods, however once a Peacator is slightly past its prime, it is best to be eaten. This way the Peacator meat is still lean and dark.
Peacators are mostly cooked for weddings and religious ceremonies, but their eggs are eaten year round. Even though the peacators only lay eggs in the spring, their eggs can last up to 10 years under packed snow, making them a daily staple in Goliath cuisine.
Founding Date
751 AF
Alternative Name(s)
Sentry of the North
Type
Village
Population
1000 - 1100 (Around 200 per tribe)
Inhabitant Demonym
Ugruvean
Location under
Owner/Ruler
Additional Rulers/Owners
Characters in Location
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