Children of Ash
We were tempered by fires of war, to stand against all who would oppress us.The Children of Ash live on the shores of Aurora Bay, and have lived there for longer than can be clearly remembered. In the past, they were an existential threat to any settlements which existed within the region. Modern-day residents in the human settlements know them as a serious (but relatively minor) blight to be wary of. At most times of the year, the Children keep to their own lands near Aurora Bay, guarding the ruins of Parseil rather viciously. Such protection has allowed many in the region to know their home can be found on the shores of the lake, but not precisely where it is. Those who get too close often are subject to waves of attacks until they either leave or are slain, be they seasoned adventurers or modest laborers getting lost away from the roads.
We came from ashes of our past, to visit fire and death upon our oppressors.
Together we stand against the world, and our enemies shall be broken instead.
Accept the ashes of our fathers, drink of the burning water, and be one of us.
Adventuring guilds have long considered the Children a formidable enemy on the strength of both variety and numbers. Numerous different tribes compose the Children of Ash, and thus support each other when needed. The most recent challenge against the Children has resulted in the foothold of Varinas Hall being reclaimed, but it is a tenuous hold at best. Children of Ash are absolutely fanatical about ensuring no outsiders can be a threat to their home, and simply pinning down survivors so they cannot leave is insufficient.
History
Several hundred years ago, before the ascension of the Rhyliss Empire, a great host of monstrous tribes were unified under a being called "The Lord of Ashes". Very little is known about this figure beyond their function as leadership of the so-called 'Ashen Horde'. The Horde swept through much of the lands between the Broken Spine mountains and Aurora Bay, sacking cities and driving survivors to shelter in the ancient city of Parseil. While the refugees might have considered the city a safe haven, they were proven wrong as the Horde breached the walls and took control of the city. A pitiful fraction of people managed to flee the fall of Parseil, and survive to rebuild some settlements within the local region. Most of these would fall victim to various hardships, leaving the Ashen Horde to rule the area as they desired. What they seemingly desired was to possess the City of Moonlight, and solidify their hold on it. The Lord of Ashes seemed to vanish from history here, and the Ashen Horde became inactive except to viciously guard their new home.It would surprise scholars to know the Horde was composed of species which normally hated each other, and yet they did not turn on themselves once in charge of Parseil. Rather, they had enough space inside the city to avoid fighting for territory and enough supplies to survive without raiding each other. The forced alliance of the Horde gave way to grudging acceptance of others being "useful", and after many generations this became wary cooperation. Goblinoids and orcs showed each other enough trust to begin sharing secrets of cultivating food needed for long-term survival, from livestock to fungal crops. Gnolls would use their skills to hunt game outside the city walls and return with fresh kills, trading surplus food for labor. The coins and valuables inside Parseil when the city fell became tokens to signify debts or favors owed rather than face value. Steadily, the Horde transitioned into an actual populace living within the ruins, taking on a new name: the Children of Ash.
Culture
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
"I have come seeking those who would serve the Lord of Ashes, and offer gold taken from the city vaults. Will you answer the call to serve the Lord, and assist me on the long road ahead? You have until the moon's light returns to meet me for the journey."
Debts to Others
Treasure which remained inside of Parseil, and proved to have no functional use besides expected value or aesthetic appearances now serves a different purpose. When one of the Children performs a service for the community, especially the Ash-Sworn, they are given a specific type of object depending on the significance of the task. For instance, copper coins are given for routine tasks which benefit individuals or small groups among the Children. Gold coins are given out by the Ash-Sworn for services rendered while braving great risk to the participant, and are valued higher. These tokens are traded among the Children for goods or services, usually at an agreed exchange between individuals. A copper coin might buy the assistance of another Child to repair a home, or to trade for basic needs such as food or water. A gold coin would hold the meaning of a significant debt indeed, usually one which is as valuable as the life of the one given the coin. Precious stones have different meanings depending on the type of stone, and the size of the stone will mark how important those debts are.The many subtle rules of these exchanges have nuances which cannot be fully explained, only understood through living amongst the Children. The important part to the Children is knowing the 'debt tokens' must be honored when the need arises. Most evaluations of these 'debt tokens' are settled individually, though the Ash-Sworn or lower leaders have the right to step in and adjudicate any disagreements about the debts being settled. When one of the Children dies holding these debt tokens, the Ash-Sworn collect any which remain and assess how many debts they held tokens for. After this is done, the Ash-Sworn will give some tokens to the surviving family for their coming hardships. It is considered a sign of great honor to die and possess no debt tokens, as it is seen to be a sign of an active community member. Conversely, those who seem to hoard significant tokens (or even keep them from raids outside the city) are seen as being a drain on the Childrens' resources without giving back an equal share of effort to the others.
Days of the Dark Moon
At the end of every lunar cycle, when the moon is black in the sky, the Ash-Sworn move among the Children and inquire as to what their number have done to benefit their peers. These discussions often are when silver coins are handed out to signify services which benefit the whole of the Children rather than individuals. When these days have passed, the Ash-Sworn may visit again to give special instructions to those among the Children who show talent beyond the ordinary members. The consultations during the Days of the Dark Moon are what inform the Ash-Sworn of needs for the community, and after such times raiding parties are organized and given goals to fulfill while outside the city. A Child who possesses a silver coin may pass it back to the Ash-Sworn to refuse service in these manners, though it is usually frowned upon by their peers.In the time of these days, the Ash-Sworn conduct a few specific rituals unique to them. They keep these rituals secret from those who are not involved, and a gold coin is given to those not among the Ash-Sworn whose assistance is needed. This is given with the understanding of silence about what has transpired, but usually the gold coin will find their way back before the next time of the Dark Moon. There is one other significant event during the Days of the Dark Moon: it is the only time exiles are permitted to make a case for returning to the fold. Exiles must wait at pre-arranged meeting places for Ash-Sworn to meet with them and conduct an interview to determine if the exile is ready to return. Those who fail this interview may not attempt it again, though it is thought to be quite rare an exile seeks to return and has not earned the right to do so.
Symbols of Belonging
All of the Children of Ash are expected to carry two things with them on their person. One of these things is a brass token which has the image of a flame on one face and a rune on the other. The second thing they are expected to carry is a glass (or ceramic) jar with a gritty grease paint within, made from animal fat and ashes taken from the central place of worship in Parseil. The token is similarly made at one of the old metalworker shops in the city, and some of the goblinoids knew the secret to creating and working brass. Since brass is not useful to make weapons out of, it is instead repurposed into the tokens showing the owner is dedicated to the Lord of Ashes. When exiled, this token is collected and defaced to show the owner is no longer protected as one of the Children.The paint, on the other hand, is always kept at hand. Outsiders believe it to be some form of war paint, but it holds more significance than that. The ashes are given by the Ash-Sworn to crafters who mix various animal fats into a thick paste, which is then applied to the body in a fashion determined by each of the varied tribes of the Children. For instance, goblins tend to smear circles under their eyes and dab a bit along the bridge of their nose while gnolls rub it into the fur along their forearms and shins. Even those exiled are permitted to keep the ash-paint with them, as casting it aside shows the individual truly has turned their back on the Lord.
Common Taboos
From a variety of beings, the Children of Ash have codified a loose set of laws passed down through oral tradition and enforced by the Ash-Sworn. While each group of people are allowed to handle their own personal habits and traditions, there are three major taboos which have only two possible penalties: death or exile.
Do not harm another who has taken the oaths to join the Children. The law here is simple, and it is broadly applied at times to include injuries which are not physical in nature. For instance, theft of necessary goods or the denial of needed assistance also may fall under this taboo. Whether an uncommon offense qualifies as "harm" is left entirely to the Ash-Sworn to determine, but various leaders amidst the other species may weigh in on the matter if they outrank the people involved. This is perhaps the most lenient taboo, unless the "harm" done led to death; exile for a period of time is the preferred punishment for lesser offenses, but the taking of a life requires a life be given in turn.
Follow the words spoken by the Lord of Ashes above all else. Orders which come from the Lord of Ashes are to be followed without question, and the Ash-Sworn are the ones trusted to deliver these orders. While it is not known if the Lord still resides within Parseil, it is considered a breach of this taboo to outright question the veracity of the orders passed down from the Ash-Sworn. Rumors have begun circulating the Lord passes orders in such a fashion due to being occupied with a work more important than ruling the city, and it should not be interrupted.
Those who surrender and show interest in joining the Children must be spared, so they may prove their devotion. The Ash-Sworn are not entirely happy with this rule, but if they were to draw a hard line then it would unsettle many of the young ones who have yet to swear an oath and become "true Children". Thus captives have become converted and folded into the culture here, often bringing new knowledge and skills to be shared among the people. It is believed this is how some of the Children display an ability to harness arcane magic, to a degree which is frightening to those who have witnessed it.
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