Taínem
Inventive Survivors
The Taínem do have their own place in Boricubosan society despite not being numerous or wielding macigs, supernatural powers or impressive metallurgy., They have however learned before any other ancestry how to bend the land to their will in both matters of hunting and farming, combining both in order to feed their population and ensure that the land remains cultivated and fresh, techniques which they learned from the Eldest originally, but perfected and soon made their own. The taínem people are by far the most adaptable people on the archipelago as well, being able to fit nearly any role and travel to any location on the archipelago and be able to survive there despite seeming scarcity of food and water or dangers the location might pose.
Creation
When the taínem people first came into being, sprouting out of the ground where the Anabaguas planted them, they immediately looked around and smiled. They knew for a fact that the land was ripe with a variety of means for them to survive, but also many dangers: poisonous plants, wild animals, tropical storms. And so the first of the taínem got to work, building cities in every location they could: in the caves hidden away on the land, in the jungles alongside the Eldest and the Coquían, and on the coastal borders of Boricubos, where most of them stayed. This diversity in where they lived did not bother the first taínem, and nor does it seem to bother the taínem who live on the archipelago today. The taínem people actually live quite happy lives, being able to freely switch what they do at a moment’s notice. When a potter grows tired of their job, they can choose to become a farmer. When this farmer grows tired of this job, they can become a hunter. This suits the taínem people well.
A Peaceful History
The taínem people held the utmost respect for the land and held the Anabaguas in such high regard that they would not do anything without their approval first, quite similarly to the Coquían. This allowed the three ancestries to live in relative harmony with one another. Even the taínem who lived in coastal cities were able to easily get along with the Baracúden who lived in the waters directly next to them and occasionally helped fight against Sahuagin and Adaro threats. Overall, the other ancestries of Boricubos were not bothered by the presence of the taínem, and in many cases were pleased to have them as allies.
Progress
This was, of course, before the arrival of the Hurákani and the Wolákani to the archipelago about 400 years ago. When Ataba and Yokaho created these two ancestries, the taínem immediately became infatuated with the wolákani, who seemed to promise a new way of life for the taínem: progress, industry, and new technologies were all at the fingertips of the taínem. All they had to do was ask for help in learning them. And so, the wolákani quickly found a place in taínem coastal villages, where they were welcomed with open arms in exchange for the knowledge they possessed concerning different technologies, such as windmills, and most importantly, how to create magically enhanced materials. The production of these materials was very important to the taínem way of life moving forward, as they used it in their tools, weaponry, and when the war in the heavens broke out, some even took to wearing magical armor to better protect themselves.
More than any other ancestry, the taínem were most affected by the arrival of both the Hurákani and the Wolákani. The wolákani brought with them the knowledge of the gods, including the knowledge to create magically enhanced tools and weapons. The taínem, without natural weapons of their own, relied primarily on bone weapons before, which were brittle and would be destroyed after only a few uses. While this was fine, as all ancestries tended to do the same, these other ancestries also tended to have built in mechanisms to defend themselves besides crafted weapons. A wooden spear with a bone tip would do little to fight off a shark, especially if it were to break midway through the fight. More so than the weapons, the taínem were grateful for the wolákani’s tools, which allowed them to expand their cassava farms to even greater expanses, and windmills, which allowed them to process grain more easily.
Disconnected from Nature
This increased usage of technology, however, came at a cost. The taínem people are no longer as in touch with the land and jungle as they once were, and have begun clearing small portions of land near the edges of the jungle in order to expand their farmland. Though farming is a lot less difficult than hunting and gathering, the deforestation of the land, no matter how small, upsets the Eldest and Coquían both. Though they have not taken any action against the taínem, they have begun to trap the jungle in order to prevent the taínem from venturing too far within and spoiling its natural beauty with their new wolákani allies.
Taínem Adventurers
It is nearly impossible to say what type of adventurer a taínem would be, as it depends almost entirely on their place in society. Hunters become druids or rangers, emissaries become bards or champions, spiritual leaders become clerics, and warriors become fighters, rogues, or barbarians.
Religion
Before the war in the heavens began, the taínem were perhaps the most eclectic when it came to their faith, worshipping all gods, from Ataba, to Yokaho, to Guabanca and her children Boina and Maroyal, and especially Maketaori in order to ensure that their Zemi were properly cared for and remained stable. The only god that they did not worship was the now dead god Guacando, who they believed went against the fundamental philosophies of the taínem: peace and discourse over war and discord.
After the war began, however, the taínem began to worship Yokaho and Maketaori almost exclusively. They worship the first god in an almost cautious manner, because although Yokaho declared war on his mother Ataba, most taínem believe that this war is not about them, and simply want to stay out of it the best they can. They worship Maketaori because of all the dead that they lost in the past few years due to the war, hoping that they all become zemi or restful spirits rather than undead or evil spirits.
Basic Information
Ecology and Habitats
The taínem can live anywhere on the archipelago of Boricubos, from the caves deep within the jungle, to the jungle itself, dealing with the harsh weather and environment. But most often, the taínem live in coastal cities, which are usually side by side with Baracúden cities underwater. Before the war in the heavens started, these two groups lived together peacefully, but since then, the taínem have been moving farther and farther inland in order to avoid conflict with their once friends.
Additional Information
Social Structure
Each taínem village and city is run by a Cacique, who usually holds the title of village elder. They attempt to rule fairly and justly, usually gathering the opinions of all of those under their domain before making any important decisions. Sometimes, there will be a single cacique for multiple cities or villages, and they are interconnected by trade or familial relations. The only time a taínem cacique abandons their position is either when they die or when the village votes them out of the position, and even then there is usually a set line of lineage, but if there are no direct offspring of the taínem cacique, the entire city or village holds a vote to see who will become the next cacique.
The position as Cacique is inherited on the female line of the family.
- If the Cacique is a woman, the next in line is the eldest child of hers or one of her siblings. This means the role will not necessarily be passed to her own child; it would go to the eldest cousin and that way stay in her family even if she herself has no children. An adopted or biological child makes no difference but it has to be a child of her generation.
- If the Cacique is a man with a wife the position goes to her family like previosly explanied.
- In any other case the settlement votes
Civilization and Culture
Naming Traditions
Taínem have names that translate directly into the Common tongue as either beautiful things in the world, or as aspirations any parent would want for their child.
Female Names
Agucati, Bajaril, Cajayan, Ectorem, Guabina, Itan, Karayan, Niten, Rahem, Sarobeya
Male Names
Araguacin, Bijiritan, Caciken, Futitol, Guamin, Iririn, Lukiom, Nanakil, Rien, Yarorin
Common Dress Code
The taínem are humans, and they show it in their plain features. They are usually very lean, yet muscular, and stand 5 ½ to 6 feet tall, though there are some that are both shorter and taller than this height. Their skin is often covered in either paints symbolizing various cultural or religious symbols, while their bodies tend to be covered in tattoos representing the same, yet in a more permanent and personal fashion. This paint and tattoos tend to be colored white to reflect easily on the taínem’s dark tanned to black skin tone.
Unlike many of the archipelago’s residents, the taínem pose a real risk of burning themselves due to the sun’s beaming rays, and so they tend to wear more clothing than the other ancestries do, usually settling on cotton clothes that cover their faces and upper bodies, as well as a cloth around their waists for decency.
Common Myths and Legends
The taínem people are by far the most numerous in all of Boricubos, and what they lack in magical prowess like the Iguacas, the ability to move from sea to air like the Hurákani, or even the advanced knowledge of metallurgy such as the Wolákani, they make up for in tenacity and sheer numbers.
I have been the cacique of my village for thirty years now, and each year I seem to have my faith tested just a bit more. Now, with Yokaho asking me to go to war with my Boricubosan brothers and sisters, I cannot be sure of my decisions anymore. For so long, we were told that peace and unity was the way forward, but now even this very notion is being strained. Is this a test from the gods? If so, it is one that we are failing miserably, with so many dead already due to the countless battles we have been in. Are we truly supposed to fight others, solely based on their ancestry and patron gods? If so, then I want no part of this, even if it does mean I lose my divine gift. Yokaho forgive me, I cannot do as you ask of me.
Stats
- HP: 8
- Size: Medium
- Speed: 25 Feet
- Ability Boosts: 2 Free
- Languages: Common, Taínem (Uncommon: Any other language spoken in Boricubos)
- Traits: Humanoid, Human
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