KATPATUKA

Spoken languages:

Thnétos (Common/Human Language)
Demek

Demonym:

Katpatukan

History:

The tribes of the of Katpatuka are a semi-nomadic people and have roamed the mountains and valleys of their westward nation since anyone can remember. Brief border disputes with Tyritáke are common, but the nomadic Dohmbani people are adapted to the hostile landscape that is Katpatuka, and most foreign invaders are forced to abandon their prize when the winter snows arrive, and much of the available food becomes virtually non-existent.

Ethnic Ratios (Best Estimate)

68% Anthrôpoi Bloodlines
13% Entomon Bloodline
10% Poétés Bloodline
9% Other Bloodlines

Climate and lifestyle:
The core values of a Katpatukan are taught through stories, tales and superstitions. Most prevalent are those involving the treatment of food, goods and services. Each tribe has its own rituals, but common themes include giving sacraments before meals and after a culling. The population of every tribe also contains an oracle, a revered figure that seeks guidance and omens from the turning of the planets, stars, and the signs from the Kthonos itself.

The Country experiences hot, dry summers and cold snowy winters. Rainfall is sparse. Due to the mountains that create the Katpatukan/Prosphorian border, rainfall is sparse, and the region is largely semi-arid.

The Dohmbani seem to follow a transhumance pattern of movements and settlements. Tribes are like large families, and fulfil different roles in the overall culture. Among the more mysterious of foreign cultures, those of Katpatuka are said to be one with the land itself. Stories are told in Prosphoron that those of whom the Entomon bloodline runs strongest have gained the ability to meld into the the surrounding rocks and mountains, and the exact population of the country is unknown.

Food is stored from what edibles are freely available during the year’s season, and settlements of Katpatukans rotate their dwellings so that food is fresh, with each settlements producing a particular type of foodstock. If times are lean and the settlements become empty or dwindle, the country’s entire state of culture changes. Some tribes will venture south into Prosphoron to trade, others come down to raid. Raiding is especially common in spring for the mountainous regions, when the lands are lush and fertile, and the abundance calls to those who lack a bountiful food source.

Diet in this region is made up primarily of meat from livestock such as goat, horse, and oxen along with small game animals such as hare, partridge, and boar. Dry-climate fruit is eaten; cactus such as prickly pear and pitaya are prized for their water content, along with sweeter fruits including pomegranate and dates. Grains such as wheat, barley and oats are occasionally eaten, but reserved primarily for the feeding of the herds when food grows scarce and migration begins, or to be stored away for emergency purposes; they do not grow as readily there in the dusty soils.

Society:

Tribal structure:

Porok - Are most often seen raiding
Beshinek - Agricultural tribes, that move with their herds.
Kypkak - Artisan traders: Smiths and Metalworkers. May come down to Prosphoron.
Ghankali- Insular tribe, most often seen when raiding
Veghos - Appear to be Artisan traders with various goods.

Katpatukan names: Adalet, Ali, Almas, Aliye, Arda, Aasil, Azra, Bahar, Barq, Boran, Ceren, Daud, Delara, Esma, Essa, Eren, Gamila, Gül, Haidar, Hikmet, Jalil, Mert, Mithra, Miraj, Nadire, Naz, Nergis, Nousha, Parisa, Parvin, Pirouz, Qizmat, Rhidha, Roshan, Veda’at, Yezim, Zekki, Zhiya

Culture:

The country’s behavior is reinforced by Shame. Bad behaviour reflects on the family of those involved, and the Tribe as a whole. Wrongdoings are therefore judged by their own tribe, because they in turn will be judged socially by the other tribes for not only what has happened between the accused and those also involved, but how the Tribe itself has chosen to deal with the transgression. Expected behaviour is instilled into Katpatukan children from birth, as missteps of the more severe in nature have affected the relationships of some tribes for generations.

Arranged marriages occur in Katpatuka. For the Dohmbani, this occurs in the springtime to avoid the chance of inbreeding within the tribe. Among the people of Katpatuka, it is the custom of a suitor to send certain previously stipulated gifts to the parents of the person whom the family wish their child to marry. If the initial gifts were accepted, negotiations would begin to discuss the marriage agreement between the families. A dowry is not an uncommon part of this agreement, though it is paid by the couple’s parents with optional donations from their families, and is used to assist the new couple to set up their own dwelling, rather than a form of payment for exchange of property. The bearing of children or consummation of the marriage contract is not forced upon the newlyweds, as it is expected that they will fall in love and bare children in due course, and many do. Contrariwise, there are those who have remained together for many years without consummation of their nuptials, and their parents are content to wait for them, believing children will come in due course when Zamada wills it. In some of the Dohmbani tribes, reports have emerged of discreet affairs with extramarital lovers used to produce the children that the Marriage has been unable to provide otherwise. There is little proof that can be provided of this however, so such tales are assumed to been formed from malicious rumour.

Clothing:

Katpatukan clothing is made of light, filmy linen or cotton layers for surviving the summer heat. A headdress or scarf is used on the head, neck and face to keep off the sun, while long open robes, long, wide-sleeved jackets, and Kaftans are most commonly seen. Thick woolen or hide clothing (made after the seasonal cull) is worn during the colder months, shawls may be layered over this.

Religion:

Main Religion of Katpatuka: Zamadism (Teachings of the Divine Zamada)

In Zamadism, the main aspiration is "be among those who renew Existence. To make the world progress towards its intended Perfection".

The basic maxims include:

Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
Though we come from different ways, we all walk one intended path in life.
Doing Right because it is the Right thing to do, brings beneficial rewards in many ways.

Zamada - Androgyne Creator of the Universe
Kshathros - Lord of Good Thought
Emerinti - Master of Immortality
Asha - Lady of Pure Speech
Orvutaat - Maiden of Wholeness
Manun - Lord of Good Purpose
Urmaiti - Lady of Devotion

Places of note:

Ancyra (Capital)

Deep within Katpatukan Territory, the capital of the country is known as Ancyra. Here in the protective walls of the fortress city, the majority of civilised Katpatukans spend their lives. It is assumed trade agreements with the Dohmbani keep the city supplied, as it’s inhabitants do not share their nomadic ways. The Temple of Zamada can also be found here, and pilgrims of Zamadism are known to brave the hostile terrain to reach the Capital for worship, and no-one knows what occurs inside.

Bakhshopolis Limestone Hot spring

A wonder of natural beauty, Bakhshopolis boasts it’s natural hot spring as something of a tourist attraction, bringing admiration from prince and pauper alike. Flutes of purest white rock cradle pools of purest blue water, warm enough for all to bathe in, depending on one’s tolerance, each looking like a cloud suspended from the sky. The more heated pools are found near the top of the mountain, the cooler ones below. The spring is rumoured to have magical properties, as those who have bathed regularly in its waters have found relief from all variety of aches and pains.

Korama (large City)

Explorers and traders who have found safe passage through Katpatuka tell of Korama, a city where it’s inhabitants dwell within sophisticated abodes carved into the very walls of the mountain. Sitting regally high above the earth, its inhabitants have watchful eyes over the surrounding countryside, making the city difficult to capture as every citizen performs the role of city guard. It is suspected that the Nobility dwell in the higher up living spaces, while the lower cast reside closest to the earth.

Please note:

Because Katpatuka is a foreign nation to Prosphoron, which is our main country setting, the above has been written according to the knowledge and viewpoint of a Prosphorian person. Katpatukan natives will have information which is not available in this guide.