Rhiann'tsu

The Rhiann'Tsu originated far to the east of the plains and, forced from their homeland because of famine, wandered westwards where game appeared more plentiful. And as their skill with weapons increased, so did their respect for the land that provided them with sustenance. Rhiann'Tsu custom had long held that one singular spirit contained the life force of the planet and that each individual was but a part of that spirit, plucked from it at birth and returned to it at death. Grateful for the bounty provided to them by the plains, the Rhiann'Tsu sought to bring himself or herself closer to the world spirit, or Nembatha. The leader of the Rhiann'Tsu council, a woman by the name of Kasina, was especially fervent on establishing a relationship with the World-Spirit that had been such a common belief with their ancestors.

Rhiann'Tsu culture states that Kasina was given a vision in which the World-Spirit beseeched that each adult from the tribe make a journey to her resting place. Once there, she would bless them with communion. After revealing the vision to her tribe, it was decided that groups would go in search of The World-Spirit's resting place, so that the tribe would not be left without protection. Kasina herself was chosen as the first to go, along with two others whose names are unknown.

Kasina and her two comrades set off eastwards, towards the Shalindral Mountains that lay between them and their homelands. The traveling was light and game was unusually plenty, but still Kasina felt a sense of unease. History is unclear after this as to the exact details of her journey, for Kasina refused to speak of it throughout her life. What is known is that Kasina returned several months later. By her side was a wild jozhal. Her companions, too, had animal partners.

As whispers ran amok throughout the tribe, Kasina called a tribal council. There, she proclaimed that the World-Spirit had fulfilled her bargain and motioned to her jozhal companion. This, she said, was the World-Spirit's gift, that each individual find his or her own link to her and, through it, the individual spirits of the land. To Walk to the World-Spirit's resting place as a group would bind the tribe together more closely. She concluded the council by stating that Kasina had died during the journey and that from this point on she would only answer to Spiritchaser. As more adults Walked, it became tradition for them to return, though often they did not return at all, answering to a new name and with an animal companion by their side. As this tradition took hold and became an entrenched part of the Rhiann'Tsu culture, names took on a new and significant meaning.

Ironically enough, the Rhiann'Tsu excelled at fighting, become skilled hunters and scouts. They became extremely pragmatic but never lost the romantic exuberance for life. Their artistry excelled along with their skills with weaponry.

A council of six women governs the Rhiann'Tsu. Council members are chosen based on the merits of their particular roles in the tribe, be it hunting, artistry, medicine, or storytelling and those that server on the council do so for life. This is most likely the reason the Rhiann'Tsu have remained fairly tolerant of the numerous other cultures that survive off of the plains, as any decision that would affect the tribe significantly must be agreed upon by the majority of the council.

The Rhiann.Tsu of present are a remarkable mixture of savage ferocity and remarkable beauty and are renowned for both their skill with weapons as well as their skill in the more creative pursuits.