Latra (Lat-rah)
Alka that dwell in the peaks of Kirru, the latra resemble coyotes. While much more cunning than a standard alka, the latra prefer to scavenge and raid, taking what they can from the the surrounding territories and utilizing the materials to create grand monuments and new technology.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Being a bit more cunning then traditional alka, the latra are often able to much easily pick up other languages. They often pick up Auren, if just to easily taunt the caravan guards of the Svanti Empire.
Culture and cultural heritage
It is believed by the latra that in the ancient beginnings of the Svanti Empire, the Eleyai approached the latra and petitioned them to aid in the construction of their steam engines, only to betray them and take credit for the work after it was done and casting the latra out of their empire. The latra now work to protect themselves from an unjust empire that seeks to destroy them and erase their history, building immense walls and nearly impenetrable fortresses to repel the empire.
Average technological level
Utilizing steam technology stolen from the Svanti Empire, the latra have built their own, small-scale airships that are much quicker than the Empires large and bulky ones. While the energy on these Raidships doesn't last nearly as long, they use this increased speed to easily catch up to and retreat from the targets of their raids.
Common Etiquette rules
The latra have many tribal rules, especially around respecting objects, but most differ from tribe to tribe. Some raiding parties minimize casualties of their attacks, only taking items that they view as rightfully theirs, while others slaughter the targets of their raids without discrimination or hesitation.
Common Dress code
A latras fur is short compared to most other alka, and thus the latra often wear longer clothes designed to help protect them from the cold and the high altitudes of the mountains. Due to their constant work with metal, stone, and steam, many latra also can be found with protective gear such as goggles, helmets, or large gloves.
Art & Architecture
The latra have perfected the art of building fortifications, as they have many fortresses built into mountaintops that are neigh impossible to take by force. Many latra incorporate art into their buildings and contraptions, as they view creation as a form of self expression. The latra fortress of Shūgēsu holds a entire hall of sculptures depicting what the latra claim is the true history of the realm that has been systematically erased by the Empire.
Common Customs, traditions and rituals
The latra express themselves through noise, having a variety of different pitched yelps that often sounds like laughter to others. Such yips convey everything from excitement to fear, and this has caused many of the Empire to calling the latra "Laughing Bandits".
Birth & Baptismal Rites
Latra pups are born very helpless, needing constant caretaking by the mother until around 3 years of age. Latra mothers often construct elaborate cradles or pens, often with separate sections for each pup, to help manage them until they are able to function normally.
Coming of Age Rites
An alka male is not considered an adult until they have gone on their first raid, while and alka female is not considered an adult until they have built or contributed to the building of something noteworthy. Young latra are notably very reckless and aggressive, especially with each other, and thus a latra usually forms its lasting friendships later in life.
Funerary and Memorial customs
A deceased latras family or close friends will construct a statue of the departed, either in a family home or inside the base of their raiding party. While they do so, the latra is only permitted to eat the flesh of the departed, as they believe that eating the flesh will allow them to capture the essence of the dead and perfectly eternalize it in statue form.
Common Taboos
Aiding the Svanti Empire is treason for the latra, as they have not forgiven them for supposed ancient crimes. Destroying a creation belonging to another unprovoked is inexcusable, and is likely to get a latra shunned from the rest of their pack.
Common Myths and Legends
A majority of the latra worship Iu-Sen, the alkan goddess of buildings and fortifications, but can occasinaly be found worshiping other members of the alkan pantheon.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Like normal alka, part of the latra's beauty ideals are conveyed through scent, with the scent of females who have been working in a steam-shop or other mechanical area being particually attracive to males.
Gender Ideals
Latra females are the builders, caretakers, and inventors of latra society, and are well respected for their work. Males are the fighters, raiders, and defenders of the society. Both roles are seen as equally important, but are kept relatively separate with little overlap or interchangeability.
Courtship Ideals
Latra males often bring females gifts of scavenged parts and raw materials from their conquests. Should the female find the males gifts and accomplishments suitable, she will take the parts and forge a sign of their union. Such creations vary depending upon her tastes and the materials provided, but paired rings, statues depicting them, or a weapon crafted for the male are common creations.
Relationship Ideals
The latra are close with each other, with raiding parties often acting as large, extended families. Few outside races have good relationship with the latra, as their constant raids against the Svanti Empire, as well as their strange customs and insistence that their history is the correct one is hard for most races to accept. The latra often harbor escaped Bekuma, who also harbor intense resentment against the Empire.
Major organizations
The latra balk at joining organized governments, instead preferring to form raiding parties of various sizes. Such parties often compete with each other, but at intervals will work together to perform large scale operations against the Svanti Empire.
Random Latra Homelands
| % Rolled | Homeland | Trait Gained |
|---|---|---|
| 01-60 | Mountain Fortress | Skymetal Affinity |
| 61-80 | Valley | Bandit |
| 81-94 | Forest | Toilcrafter |
| 95-00 | Unusual Homeland | (Roll on Unusual Homeland table) |
Encompassed species
Related Locations
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