Cannesh
Cannesh [Can-nesh]
Sheep Pastoralists.
Life is led by the sheep and
by the goat. The hunger of their sheep and goats always keep Cannesh on the move
from their summer to winter camps and back. They are nomadic within the steppes
that have come to be called after the people who live within them. Both Cannesh
men and women are known for their rattling jewelry and colorful clothes.
Cannesh tents are known to
be colorful on the inside, where many blankets are hung. These tents are
circular. It is believed that the tents are circular to mimic the circles that
the young women dance in praise of the Divines in communal feasts and offerings.
Sheep & Goats
The Cannesh talk directly to
their flocks, singing songs to them on cold winter nights. The children know
that the sheep they take care of is their life. The sheep is used as a healing
animal. When a person is sick, depressed, and lonely or upset, one form of
healing is for them to spend time with the sheep and goats in the pasture.
Young children herded the
sheep and goats, and young girls were taught the skills of shearing, carding,
spinning, and weaving. Women wove clothing and blankets. Goats are used for
milk, meat, hides and cashmere. Cashmere is an important cash item.
Shearing season is an important time. The wool was used for weaving or sold at
nearby villages and populations to obtain products they don't have or are unable
to create themselves (like agricultural goods).
Most of their implements and
artifacts were made from the hides, bones, and sinews of sheep and goats.
Cannesh slept on sheepskins. They made their carrying sacks from wool blankets
sewn together. They ate every part of the animal—lung and liver, head and
heart—even the blood, which they boiled and mixed with wheat mush to make gruel.
Community
It is extremely uncommon to
encounter a Cannesh alone. This has to do with the harsh nature of their nomadic
lives and how the Cannesh see themselves as solid unit that can overcome any
challenge together. This idea is also seen in the extended families of Cannesh
from one village, or relatives always moving and camping together. They believe
in unity and there is strength in it.
Socially the Cannesh are
known to be a kind people, especially to visitors, which was a weakness taken
advantage of by the Holy Camarian throne. The Cannesh once traveled much further
then within the steppes themselves, but have been stripped of ancestral rights
to lands, water sources, and grazing areas outside of the steppes. The Cannesh
are now considered a Vassal State of the Holy Camarian Empire.
Protection of the camps is
overseen by the men. But the women have their importance as weavers, dancers,
and elders. To show interest in a girl, a man must give his kerchief (head
covering) to the girl of his choice. She will then fasten it over her hair if
she agrees to marry him.
Marriage is a simple
ceremony of holding hands before a fire in front of witnesses where love is
pledged between each other. As there is little social stratification or
hierarchy among the Cannesh, they are far more prone to marry for friendship,
love and enjoyment. Feasting and drinking takes place, with camps participating
in singing and dancing in praise of the 15 Divines. Worship of Nanqa is not done
separately nor is it hidden; the Dark God is included in the dance circles.
Spirituality
The Cannesh also worship several ancestral heroes. These heroes are often
individuals who have sacrificed their lives to protect animals, or who have
performed acts of great valour for the well-being the community. There are rock
sculptures and rock reliefs of these individuals and Cannesh hope to become such
a hero. Cannesh also believe that when they die, each member of the camps will
become a star in the night sky, forever watching over their people.
_______________________
Additional Traits:
Dancer's Feet:
Your people's spirituality is shown in dance. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Acrobatics and Perform (Dance.)
Stargazer:
You spent your youth staring at the night sky, revelling in your ancestors. You gain a +1 trait bonus on Knowledge (Arcana) and Knowledge (Nature) checks. One of these skills becomes a class skill for you.
All Original names and references to the story they are from are Copyright of Nathanial Davidson.
