Nemequene (ny-my-quy-ne)
by hughpierre
Zipa Nemequene Bacatá (a.k.a. Jaguar Bone)
Artifacts
Honey Corpse
This is a candy making tradition among the honey people that cannibalizes their dead by turning them into various consumable medicine. Nemequene's body is preserved at one of the tombs beneath the honey towers. Pieces of him are not yet considered ready to be consumed.Holy Books & Codes
Code of Nemequene
Nemequene installed an excessive code based on the traditions and customs of the third quadrant people. It was a pseudo-legal guide that compiled the people's cultural norms into punctually re-enforced laws. They were prepared, reformed and enforced according to Nemequene's whims at the time. Part of the code is targeted at regulating moral behaviour such as dishonesty or sloth. There are only about a dozen laws listed in the code and the consequences of breaking most of them was death. The code is purposeful harsh and did not forgive its ignorance as an excuse.Mental characteristics
Accomplishments & Achievements
Revolt of the Bees
This was a surprise, impromptu, ambush by the honey people; where they brought in many of the fleshly bloomed desert flowers into their homes and around innoit barracks. These flowers attracted wasp bees, from the honey towers, whose stings are lethal to those unaccustomed to them but merely cause raised bumps on locals. Being poisoned and disoriented, a mass uprising had an easier time violently ejecting the occupiers from their lands.Taboos
Honey Wrestling
In a decision of collective spite, the whole of the valley went against Nemequene's strict ideals for his people and became much more decedent.Before Nemequene, the honey people wrestled with their rivals in the desert mud and consumed their honey conservatively. After his death and the implementation of his code was considerably relaxed, many moved to conclaves closer to the towers to cater to greater demand for sweetness. The honey hunters devised clever use for their collected excesses that evolved into new customs and beliefs.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Liberation
It was the zipas who were the first to skirmish with the innoit's army around snake lake, sometimes with help from the others, other times without. During one three-way conflict, the honey people found themselves unwilling to continue fighting the innoit, so instead invited them in. Once the innoit were past the choke point that kept them out of the valley, they had an easier time violently surpressing all the people.Social
Reign
Desert Confederation
After the suprise uprising, Nemequene ruled a de-facto independent realm for 24 years. The confederation consolidated the rules of the zipas, zaques and iracas in central Hananhallpa under Kamachina. After he died, the Sun Court sent an emissary to Nemequene's nephew to establish the current status-quo: the Third Quadrant maintains a de-facto independence from the rest of the Four Corners in exchange for official recognition of the Sapa's supremacy.Contacts & Relations
Eternal Enemies
It is curious, that for all the devastation wrought on the valley, the Innoit never reached the height of an 'eternal enemy' in the minds of the locals
Michuá
As a general, Nemequene used his strong hatred for the emerald people to motivate his troops in repelling the zaque who dominated his young adulthood.Quemuenchatocha
As Michuá's successor, he and Nemequene continued the zipa/zaque tradition of absolutely hating each other.Family Ties
Predecessor
Saguamanchica's rule was marked as an expansionist time with frequent clashes with the zaque Michuá at the time.Successor
When Tisquesusa succeeded his uncle, he was able to roll back his predecessor's harsher edicts.Hobbies & Pets
Mud Wrestling
Mud wrestling in the Flower Desert is as popular a sport as ever; and is a prerequisite to joining military units. Competitors wrestle in dirt mixed with matico, achiote and salt to help heal injuries faster. Bearing this in mind, wrestlers begin their training and competitions by covering themselves in dirt to create better friction between them. It is reapplied as they sweat to maintain their grips and locks. Matches can last an hour. The red clay is considered sacred to the people and is distributed or sold to communities in Kamachina, Mukuku and Suamox as a healing agent.
Ethnicity
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Previously Held Ranks & Titles
Age
44
Circumstances of Death
Arrow Wound
Birthplace
Place of Death
Children
Current Residence
Honey Tomb
Gender
Male
Eyes
Dark Brown
Hair
Black
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Grayish Brown
Other Affiliations
Comments