Kallijae

Kallijae

(Organization)

Type

Tribe

Headquarters

Northwestern Mwangi Expanse

Scope

Regional

Structure

Tribal

Members

Kallijae elves

Source: Heart of the Jungle, pg(s). 14 (1E)
The Mwangi Expanse, pg(s). 52–61 (2E)

Kallijae are a tribe of Mualijae who inhabit the north-western jungles of the Mwangi Expanse. They oppose the Gorilla King of Usaro. They have largely settled in and around Lake Ocota in small conclaves, with many clustered to north and northeast of Usaro.

While many Kallijae settlements are temporary and often rebuilt, there are two major settlements: Haven, the largest settlement and the island in the middle of Lake Ocota, and Bere Nibi in the Bandu Hills.

Government

Each Kallijae community is led by a council of six, who make major decisions for the community and lead them into battle, including against their charau-ka enemies in Usaro. Each council of six is composed of Kallijae who have shown the greatest self-mastery and purity from corruption, and these councils lack formal names in accordance with Kallijae avoidance of titles or prestige. When the council is unable to come to a unanimous decision, they seek the insight of the youngest acolyte that is mature enough to understand the situation. They believe that youth and naivety can provide clarity that might be hidden from the council's wisdom.

History

Kallijae believe that the "ancient evil" that the Mualijae must guard against resides within themselves. They worry that elves' extremely long lives could lead to them becoming disconnected from the world, and they would lose the ability to even recognize evil. While their numbers were great when they first split from Mualijae, the constant battles with charau-ka have taken their toll and diminished their numbers.

Kallijae settled near Usaro, partially because Angazhan was a reminder of what they could become if they failed, and partially to be the first line of defense to guard against him and his charau-ka. They maintain a moving base of operations just outside of Usaro named First Stand. First Stand has been destroyed countless times, and its Kallijae have learned to travel lightly with few material possessions. They frequently braid their meager possessions into their long black hair.

Kallijae history is primarily passed down via oral traditions, though a few Alijae consider it their duty to write down Kallijae history.

People

Kallijae generally have very dark skin with long densely coiled black hair. Their clothing is relatively muted compared to the other Mualijae, but does still possess many bright colors from the vibrant dyes of the Mwangi Expanse. They typically avoid outward displays of wealth, avoiding most gaudy jewelry and bright trinkets. They do use gemstones as foci for their meditations.

Meditation

The heart of the Kallijae worldview is rooting out evil from yourself and others. To this end they have developed many forms of meditation, ranging from mundane breathing control, through the use of foci gems, to the use of a primal magic ritual known as the Unburdening.

Kallijae happily share these techniques with outsiders as a way of reducing the spread of evil outside of Kallijae territory.

Taloses

Among the Kallijae, talos geniekin children are rare but prized. Most often offspring of umanyano aiuvarins, Kallijae elves perform the Unburdening that can make these taloses' bodies as strong and resilient as their visible metallic affiliations.

References

For additional as-yet unincorporated sources about this subject, see the Meta page.