The Bhediya

One of the mor prominent nomadic groups in the Dune Sea, Bhediya is an overarching term for a group of multiple tribes descended from refugees from Judas, now the Wasteland. During most of the year, the individual tribes can be found traveling their own routes across the Dune Sea, stopping around trading post and unclaimed oases as necessary. When the winter months arrive, however, they coalesce to create a massive, sprawling tent city near one of the Dune Sea trading posts, the port city of Lark'Hélez, or outside the Heart of the Desert itself. Here, the Bhediya capitalize on trade both with one another and with the more sedentary folks of Lark'Hal, tel stories from the past year and of the more distant past while beneath the stars, and celebrate occasions such as marriages, births, and coming-of-age ceremonies.

In the current season, the Bhediya have made their tent city just outside the Northern Gate of the Heart of the Desert. During the mornings and evenings – when the sun is not so brutal – the Bhediya travel into the city to set up stalls, tarps, and carts in the Northern Market Square. At night, lights and fires can be seen from the city's walls as the Bhediya dance to the beat of traditional drums. Generally welcoming of visitors, it is not uncommon to find a clearly out-of-place city dweller attempting to "sneak" amidst the tents. While they may pretend to not notice, the Grandmothers always know and, even if they don't... they will always find out.

Karakorum

At the center of the temporary "city" stands a large and colorful tent often adorned with banners bearing the sigils and markings of the various tribes. Within this tent, the Bhediya leadership often reside during the day with their "doors" open. It is here that they offer their advice during the day and tell stories at night. Although guards are generally posted at the entrance, it is more for show than for fear of any serious threat. Inside, the tent is furnished with furs, leathers, patterned cushions, and colorful rugs upon which the grandmothers and shaman sit. Tables are littered throughout and are kept stocked with food, paper, ink and pens, candles, incense, and various other objects and tools. While they may be older and in a privileged position, many of them much prefer to keep themselves busy with whatever crafts speak to them. The center of the tent features a fire pit and a hole above it to allow smoke to escape. Drums are tucked to the side during the day, but are arranged at the outer edge of the empty space around the fire pit to provide accompaniment to those that wish to dance along to the tells, songs, and poems told when the moon rises.

Bhediya Leadership

While the individual tribes are united, their leadership usually combines into a commune of shamans or priests and the collective of grandmothers, formally referred to as the Yassam. When separate, the tribes usually follow the advice of their tribal shaman and grandmothers, but also to experts who have proven capable at navigating the Dune Sea. Leadership is therefore flexible based upon the task at hand with the shaman and grandmothers generally overseeing all affairs to various degrees.

The Yassam – Collective of Grandmothers

For those women who have lived a long life, have survived and thrived amidst the often-brutal desert, and who have wisdom to share with and guidance to give to the next generation, retirement often means joining the Yassam. While not a formal governing body, they are respected and often looked to for advice given their experiences. This is particularly true when the Bhediya gather in one group. With the full Yassam present along with all the shamans and priests, large matters of concern are brought forward and discussed.

During their younger years, members of the Yassam need not have been involved in “politics” explicitly. Many of the grandmothers were artisans, craftsmen, storytellers, orators, negotiators, survivalist, or shepherds. Their unique blend of experiences allows them to provide often incredibly helpful and insightful advice for the Bhediya people as a whole.

Bhediya Shamans

Often looked to for guidance and leadership, the shamans – like the Yassam – are generally older members of society who possess more spiritual and religious wisdom. They all share a particularly strong connection with what is considered to be the “spirit of the Desert”, which could be Lark or a connection with the innate spirit of nature itself.

Bhediya Stories & Legends

The following are a few stories, tales, legends, and/or myths that the Bhediya share around their fires, sing to the beat of drums, or reenact around the fire. They represent facets of their heritage that they have attempted to maintain or reclaim after being forced from much of their nomadic range in what is now the Wasteland.

The Moon & The Mother of Art

In this beloved poem, the moon had grown fond of lingering above a beautiful grove of trees that blossomed in pink, red, and cream colored hues. The moon could think of nothing more beautiful and thus chose to linger as to never leave the sight. In the desert, the sun lingered, awaiting the moon. And with no reprieve of night, the sun scorched the ground. And so, the Mother of Art set out to find the Moon and found her lingering over this grove. She pleaded with the moon and convinced her to leave the sight behind.

You ask what if I leave and the grove has withered, But what if you leave and the grove remains? For the grove needs the warmth of the sun to blossom. And what are you missing by staying here? Will you not always have the blossoms  Their colors, hues, and scents, As a memory fonder than all?  To carry with you across the sky?
What of the sands that glitter like diamonds in your moonlight? What of the reflections you cast across the rolling seas? What future delights do you abandon by staying here?

The Mother of Art leads the Moon across the sky, bringing the cool night to the desert once more. We should enjoy the present moment, but should not linger so long that it becomes the past and we miss out on our future.

Gold is What We Behold

This work – written by a Bhediya who lived in the land of Judas – tells of the treasures of the world. For every delight of gold, glitz, and glimmer, the writer says more and expresses more love for the natural wonders in their wanderings: the red rocks, the cool breeze, how the mountains sing as the wind passes through them, or how the mountains have stood the test of time, holding unknowable secrets. He tells of how the water cuts through the rock and forges new paths. How it carves the rock away to leave bits that sparkle like gold. The City of Fortune may have been covered and adorned in all manners of gold, but the hidden treasures – the hidden reflections and essence of gold – are found all around.

The Bhediya Wedding Dance

Traditional dances are a core part of Bhediya culture and there are specific steps for a variety of pivotal occasions, ceremonies, and celebration. There are multiple variations of the dance for weddings, but one of them is believed to have been danced at the one Bhediya wedding held in the City of Fortune. Although the dance remains, the details of the wedding itself have been lost to time. Some stories say that it was Judas himself who was married to prominent member of the Bhediya. Others say that Judas merely oversaw the wedding between two members of the Bhediya – an act of friendship between the City and nomadic tribes. While the history behind it may have been lost, the dance persists… always to the beating of drums.

The Copper Mountain Goat & The Ivory Sand Seal

Originally a comedic writing, it is most often performed as a dance or an improvised dialogue where a mountain goat – a common means of travel in the rocky terrain around the City of Fortune – and the sand seal debate. Given that it is from the perspective of the animals themselves, it is often performed for children or for intoxicated adults looking to laugh.

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe

Location

The Desert of Lark'Hal

Neighboring Nations

• The Royal Genasi Families

Notable Members

• Lakshmi

General Tents

Karakorum

Grandmothers

Battsetseg ("Settie") – One of the eldest of the Yassam and a practitioner of the arcane. Despite her old age, she totes around a multitude of books, scrolls, and old clay tablets. 

Mirza – While not the eldest of the grandmothers, she is often called to speak on the entire Yassam's behalf. Generally a no-nonsense individual, some of the other grandmothers whisper about how Mirza is notorious for letting some things slide... if funny enough.

Odval – One of the youngest and newest to join the Yassam. She has a knack for cooking and is often participating in her discussions among the Yassam while hovering over a cooking pot or rotating a roast.

Shaman – Khasar

His unique connection to the spirit of the desert came through tribal tattooing, an art form that he believes is reliant upon the honest intent of the artist.