Morobori

The Morobori were an ancient Hanaan sub-ethnicity that inhabited the isolated Kalmora Valley in the Amarok Peaks of Western Namoria until their tragic demise in 301 RE. Known for their extreme isolationism and unique cultural practices, the Morobori maintained a distinct identity separate from other Hanaan groups for over a millennium.

History

The Morobori are believed to have originated as a splinter group of the larger Hanaan people around 1200 BRE. Following the event known as the Great Sand-Rain, which brought The Hunger plague to the region, the Morobori retreated into the secluded Kalmora Valley. Their apparent immunity to the Hunger led them to believe they were divinely chosen, resulting in a culture centered around isolation and purity.

Language

The Morobori spoke an archaic dialect of the Hanaan language, which had diverged significantly over centuries of isolation. By the time of their discovery in 298 RE, their language was barely intelligible to speakers of modern Hanaan dialects, requiring specialized linguists for translation.

Social Structure

Morobori society was highly hierarchical, led by a Council of Elders and the hereditary position of High Seer. The High Seer, a descendant of the original Asha'kal, served as both spiritual and temporal leader of the Morobori people. The society was divided into several castes:

1. Seers - Religious leaders and keepers of Morobori traditions
2. Warriors - Defenders of the valley and enforcers of isolation
3. Cultivators - Responsible for agriculture and resource management
4. Artisans - Creators of Morobori art, tools, and structures

Religion and Beliefs

Morobori religion centered around the belief that they were divinely chosen and protected. Key elements included:

• Worship of the Valley Spirit - A local deity believed to safeguard Khal'Mora
• Veneration of Ancestors - Particularly the original High Seer Asha'kal
• Ritual Purity - Strict codes of conduct to maintain divine favor
• Prophecy - The High Seer was believed to communicate with the gods

The Edict of Seclusion, carved on the Pillars of Eternity, was a cornerstone of Morobori religious law, forbidding both entry to and exit from the valley.

Culture and Customs

Morobori culture was characterized by:

• Isolationism - Contact with outsiders was strictly forbidden
• Communal Living - Resources were shared among all members of society
• Oral Tradition - History and knowledge were passed down through storytelling
• Ritualistic Art - Cave paintings and sculptures depicting their isolated history
• Seasonal Festivals - Celebrations marking important agricultural and astronomical events

Notable customs included:

• The Twilight Vigil - An annual ceremony reaffirming their commitment to isolation
• Rite of Passage - Young Morobori would spend a week in solitary meditation, after which they'd be welcomed back into their community to further enforce familial bonds.
• Moonshadow Ritual - Use of the sacred Moonshadow flower in religious ceremonies

Economy

The Morobori maintained a self-sufficient, closed economy based on:

• Terrace Farming - Cultivation of crops on the valley's slopes
• Hunting and Gathering - Utilization of the valley's natural resources
• Artisanal Crafts - Production of tools, textiles, and ceremonial items

Notably, the Morobori had no concept of currency, instead relying on a complex system of communal ownership and obligation.

Demise

The Morobori culture came to an abrupt end in 301 RE during the event known as the Morobori Incident. Faced with the prospect of Namorian rule and more importantly exposure to the plague known as the Hunger, the vast majority of the population chose ritual suicide. This event marked the extinction of Morobori culture, with only fragmentary knowledge surviving through archaeological evidence and the memories of a single survivor.

Legacy

The tragic end of the Morobori has made them a subject of fascination for historians and anthropologists. Their unique culture, maintained in isolation for over a millennium, provides valuable insights into the diversity of Hanaan peoples and the potential for divergent cultural evolution. The Kalmora Valley remains a site of scientific interest, particularly for its apparent resistance to the Hunger plague.

Parent ethnicities

• Hanaan

Related Locations

• Amarok Peaks