Ikwiikwii
Unassuming Predators
The Ikwiikwii have had a long path towards looking like they do now. As their legends state, they used to be sentient Owlbears who roamed The Pale, competing at every turn with the Ursine, who they saw as strong rivals. But when the Long Winter came the Ursine went into a deep slumber in secret caves only they knew. And so alone and in the harshest of colds, the Ikwiikwii struck a deal with an Esmer in their most desperate hour. The Esmer allowed the Ikwiikwii to live in exchange for worship and so, over time, the Ikwiikwii morphed into smaller, more agile creatures.
So says the legend. How true the story is remains unclear, though the Ursine swear to remember the Ikwiikwii as owlbears before they slept. What is clear now is that the ikwiikwii are avid predators that live deep in the forests and lakes of The Pale. They are accustomed to the cold and have a lifestyle that makes use of everything that's available for survival.
The Ikwiikwii are good friends of the Ursine who they see as friendly neighbors. While the Ursine are the muscle of the wilds, the ikwiikwii are its eyes, ever watchful of Dwarves, who often venture into the wilds for timber, game, and patrols.
The Ikwiikwii are a race on the brink; not many cities remain and those that do live perilously. This has been in part due to lasting skirmishes against the Dwarves, who do not shy away from using gunpowder against their enemies. The Dwarves, too, have performed politically fueled purges of Ikwiikwii societies and despite the cunning and talent of the ikwiikwii, their inability to retaliate due to the strength of Dwarven Strongholds has taken a toll on their populations. The feud has also lasted a long time, even before the Ursine reappeared, meaning the Ikwiikwii have taken the brunt of this invasive settlement since time immemorial. It is for this reason that encounters between Ikwiikwii and Dwarves are often violent. The Dwarves call them "The White Stalkers" and Ikwiikwii often shave their victims and hang them from the trees to warn other Dwarven patrols not to interfere in their lives. Though sometimes an effective deterrant, 'Baldings' have also historically led to violent acts of retaliation resulting in many deaths.
Ikwiikwii generally settle on cities birthed from Black Sequoias; enormous trees that grow massively wide and tall. As the tree grows, the ikwiikwii manipulate and shape around its growth, forming rooms and passageways of great complexity. Ikwiikwii generally crowd these settlements and populations outside these cities are nigh inexistent (with the exception of a few diasporas that live amongst thew Ursine).
Ikwiikwii are known for their special Ale , often known as 'Feathered Ale' or 'Owl's Ale'. This ale has renown amongst all Wild Races -- and even some City Races. Its strong body and warming feel make it popular in communities living in the cold and, to some, it is the direct rival of Dwarven Ale. Though favor of the beverage is left more to a matter of opinion, this Ale was developed as a means to survive the harsh winters that strike the pale, warming the ikwiikwii during their restless duties.
Ikwiikwii cities are thought to have an arcane 'beating heart' to them. What purpose it holds is unclear to all save select Ikwiikwii druids or important members of their society. This 'Heart' is often speculated on by students of the arcane but despite numerous expeditions secretly tasked with retrieving one, none have ever been successful in their attempts. The 'Sequoia Heart' remains a mystery.
Ikwiikwii are Esmer cultists, gifting sacrifices to the Esmers whenever they can. Due to their survivalist nature, Ikwiikwii deem that individuals that have committed great crimes or children born with curses or undeniable imperfections are to be sacrificed to the Esmers to preserve the survival of their kind. This rite (Winter's Offering) is performed every year in the last weeks of winter, to usher in a prosperous and forgiving spring.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alaqua, Bly, Chenoa, Dyani, Istas, Kaniya, Meda
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First names are derived from real-world Algonquin names
Masculine names
Adahy, Bemidii, Chaska, Enapay, Hakan, Lapu, Nawat
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First names are derived from real-world Algonquin names
Family names
Ikwiikwii typically carry two names: a family name and a proper name. Unusually, the proper name comes last, right after the family name which typically describes some sort of feat that gives credence to the family's legacy and reputation.
Longclaw, Greysky, Highfeather, Strongwater, Dimhunter, Slowfoot
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Last names are a combination of an adjective and a noun mushed together.
Culture
Average technological level
The Ikwiikwii are generally credited with pioneering the technique of flowing the arcane through one's body to cause it to excel and overcome. This technique was later renamed and diversified as the 'Monk' technique and it is now widely used throughout the continent by virtually all races.
Common Etiquette rules
Ikwiikwii are mostly quiet. But this must be understood with nuiance. It is not to say that Ikwiikwii do not often speak, but their legacy as stalking predators means that they are adverse to loud noises and rousing celebrations. When an Ikwiikwii eats, moves, grabs, or touches, it is with as little noise as possible. A stoic Ikwiikwii is seen as the ultimate ideal, but as long as an Ikwiikwii does not cause a rabble it is considered polite.
Cleverness is seen as an admirable trait and it is often seen as more agreeable to show cleverness than it is to show intelligence. This distinction is important to Ikwiikwii.
When an ikwiikwii sees something being done incorrectly he is expected to point it out. Now, this is not in the political or symbolic sense (an ikwiikwii is not expected to lecture others) but rather in the functional sense. If an ikwiikwii knows an ale must be brewed for three weeks, for example, and sees someone do it for longer or shorter, he is expected to point it out without fail. This is what is polite.
Art & Architecture
Ikwiikwii enjoy choral music the most. A typical song will feature a lone singer and sometimes a solitary melody to accompany it. But generally, Ikwiikwii music features only voices and is enjoyed in silence.
Coming of Age Rites
The Cave Guard
An old rite that lends tribute to the alliance between the Ikwiikwii and the Ursine, the Cave Guard is when, during the harshest parts of winter, some of the more vulnerable Ursine hibernate. Hibernation spots are often remote and so a small camp of Ikwiikwii camp out for the duration of winter, in defense of their Ursine brothers and sisters. It is not uncommon for elder Ursine to come swap stories with the young, eager Ikwiikwii, a tradition that spans countless generations. The rite is not considered gender specific, and in theory all kinds of talents can be useful during 'The Guard'. A hunter would make an obvious choice, but a tailor could prove useful in crafting tents, blankets, and warmer garments. No Ikwiikwii of the same tribe as the participants can visit the Guard while in progress, and any kind of aid is forbidden, lest all of the Ikwiikwii fail the rite. What's more, any friendly visitors who may wander into the rite are expected to be provided for, which can lead to additional difficulty. Rival tribes often take advantage of this, showing up in relatively large groups to be catered to. Though a nuisance to participants, this tradition is important, as it allows Ikwiikwii from different tribes to meet and for potential romantic partnerships to form.
In its most base form, two things are required from participants: To protect the sleeping Ursine at all costs; and to survive with what tools one has and can find. Everything done in the rite must be in total service of these 2 tenants. It is not unheard of for dangers to appear in the midst of the rite: Wild animals like wolves and owlbears can wander into cave entrances; harsh snowstorms can barrel down the site; earthquakes and cave-ins can harm the sleeping ursine; Dwarven patrols or hunting parties can stumble upon the site. Whatever danger comes, the young Ikwiikwii have to be able to defend the site -- or die trying. This is the supreme oath the Ikwiikwii make when they take on the rite. Abandoning the site is considered extremely shameful, and though it is not immediate grounds for exile or punishment, it can bring the family -- and even more importantly the individual -- great shame. All who abandon the rite are renamed "Blackfeather" and their feathers are permanently turned black through a magical technique known only to the Ikwiikwii, akin to tattoo-making. The process is painful and often done in public. Blackfeathers are then considered part of the same family, are stripped of any true familial bonds, and live life as pseudo-pariahs. Seen less as criminals and more as untrustworthy. Blackfeathers are still expected to give to the community and the guilt over failure often works as a fuel to do more, as seen in figures like Blackfeather Miakoda (who invented The Miakoda scouts) and Blackfeather Taborri (who discovered the cure for the Dwarven Plague).
On the other hand, young Ikwiikwii often long for these dangers, as success against dangerous odds during the rite can bring great honor to an individual and his family. If the feat is seen as admirable enough, an Ikwiikwii's family name can even change (if it does not already hold great prestige).
Funerary and Memorial customs
The Ikwiikwii bury their dead in sites where they will plant trees. Family members that die at the same time are buried in the same sites. The more prestigious the dead individual the more important the tree that will be planted upon the site. Leaders and heroes are buried in the Black Sequoias (Or Blackwood trees) from which the Ikwiikwii spawn their cities. A sacrifice of game is often offered, for restful and uninterrupted slumber of deceased individuals. Ikwiikwii necromancy is therefore notoriously difficult to undertake.
Common Myths and Legends
The Ikwiikwii believe they were once Owlbears, much like the Ursine; sentient and strong. But when the The Long Winter came, they struck a deal with an Esmer who changed them over time to allow them to survive. Only those loyal to this blessed Ikwiikwii kept their form, the others succumbing to the wilds, and turning into savage, unthinking beasts again.
Some lorekeepers have suggested that, if there really was a Long Winter, the Ikwiikwii could have changed over time themselves, as opposed to by the grace of a diety. The credence of the myth, however, was boosted by the Ursine, who claim to have memory of when the Ikwiikwii were like Owlbears
Historical figures
Ideals
Relationship Ideals
Due to hardships in the past, the Ikwiikwii give birth once in their lifetime, caring for whatever children may come. Though the hatching of eggs is greatly celebrated, children-less parents are not seen with disdain.
An Ikwiikwii's partnership is an intimate and sacred affair. Ikwiikwii mate for life and partners are meant to stick by each other no matter what comes (in fact, relations with other mates, though rare, does not take away from the partnership bond and must be upheld even in this circumstance). Partnership is more important than even leadership and the gods. Parents without children, are therefore expected to uphold this tenant the most, as well as leave a lasting legacy to the Ikwiikwii society.
Though all ikwiikwii are raised to eventually seek out a mate, ikwiikwii are not forced to be paired off. However, the society does place immense pressure on those who are alone, as they must provide for the community twice-fold.
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