Kijovu (Termites)

## *The Ashen Ones*

Out of the hive-minded insectoid races of Onnen, the Kijovu are the most friendly. In contrast with the Aqwe (ant) and Almarha (wasp) tribes, there are no feral members and the Kijovu hive-mentality is more cultural than literal. The name of their tribe means 'ashen', referring to their pallid appearance. Their social structure bears the great similarity towards human society as over the years they have established an extensive subterranean empire reaching far and wide across the Sandawe savanna. All members of the tribe are humanoid in appearance, walking upright with similar features to the Aqwe. Outsiders often mistake them for ants as a result.

## *Social Structure*

The majority of the denizens in the Kijovu empire are divided into three major groups: workers, soldiers, and scholars. The empire is led by the Queen-Mother and a council of chieftains who lead the three subclasses. The chieftains are matriarchs who direct those under their leadership and give counsel to the Queen-Mother when decisions that will affect the entire empire are made. In contrast to human kingdoms, there is no formally established royal bloodline or nobility. Should the current Queen-Mother die, a new queen will be chosen from a select list of mature female candidates rather than the queen's children. To ensure that the empire's chain of command is never broken, chieftains and suitable matriarchs are groomed as secondary and tertiary queens to replace a fallen regent. The Queen-Mother chooses her Consort upon ascending to the throne, whom she mates with for life. As such, the citizens of the empire hold the Queen-Mother in great reverence as she is truly the mother of their tribe.

### **Worker Subclass:**

The worker subclass is composed of all labor occupations that do not involve combat or scholarly study. Every Kijovu begins as a worker as an adolescent unless they show exceptional talent or develop into soldiers. The most common occupation is agriculture as there is always a need for more hands in the fungal fields surrounding Jiwe'Mnara that feed the empire. Workers make up the majority of the empire's population and work around the clock to provide for everyone. While other races may view workers as the lowest class, they are given the same treatment as soldiers and scholars within the Kijovu tribe. Rather one could say they are the most important members of the tribe as their efforts support the other subclasses. The three subclasses hold a mutual respect for one another, aligning with their communal culture.

### **Soldier Subclass:**

Soldiers are the backbone of the Kijovu empire's defense. Their population numbers are determined by the needs of the people, and any Kijovu can undergo metamorphosis into a soldier when necessary. Standard soldiers are distinguished by their powerful mandibles, larger heads, and thicker chitin. These changes grant them greater martial prowess and endurance in combat. Occasionally there are specialized units that possess the ability to create secretions to poison or immobilize enemies.

Bands of soldiers are dispatched in scouting parties and patrols to keep the empire's borders safe, monitoring the labyrinth of underground tunnels that act as escape routes and a second line of defense against invaders. Groups also routinely venture to the surface to check on the areas around the entrances into the Taram-Cahaya desert. The majority of the military remains within the capital walls, keeping watch over Jiwe'Mnara.

The armor and weapons they use are crafted from the bone and chitin of the bodies of creatures that inhabit the sunless desert, though they have begun to incorporate metal into their armories through trading with surface-dwellers. Soldiers use a variety of weapons and armor types along with simple spells.

When traveling within Taram-Cahaya, soldiers often ride tamed versions of local fauna as they are perfectly adapted for the subzero temperatures and near complete darkness. Fighting Kijovu soldiers in their home territory places enemies at a severe disadvantage. If the soldiers don't finish you off, the desert and wildlife will.

### **Scholar Subclass:**

Kijovu scholars are poets, musicians, historians, medicine men, teachers, ambassadors, and shamans--all in one. Known within their tribe as 'jali', these wise sages are tasked with the spiritual and intellectual side of Kijovu culture. The history of their tribe is passed down from teacher to student in the form of songs, stories, and dances as it is their responsibility to remember important events. When one seeks advice for any problem, they consult the jali. The soldiers go to them for blessings and spiritual protection while the workers call them to perform rites for good health and abundant harvest. The jali carry decorated staves carved from hardwood, bone, or ivory as a symbol of their station. Many are fluent in the languages of other tribes and are called forward as translators and negotiators in diplomatic situations.

### **The Queen-Mother and Chieftains**

The epithet 'Queen-Mother' is an honorary title rather than a literal one. The origins of this title come from an earlier time when the termites were divided into many tribal bands, warring with each other. The matriarch who united the termite tribes under her rule was known as the Mother of the Kijovu, the Great Queen. Beneath her guidance the separate tribes became one and rapidly colonized the Sandawe underground. The chieftains of the former groups were allowed to remain as they understood the needs and minds of their people, their positions elevated as advisers to the first queen. Termite culture changed as a whole as they embraced a communal mindset that enforced cooperation and unity. When divided they were weak, but they were strong together. Despite living in one of the harshest environments in all of Onnen, they were able to flourish and prosper.

## *Kijovu Culture*

The Kijovu are a communal society with no prejudices regarding occupation. Everything is done for the good of the tribe and not a single waking moment is wasted, while resources are shared equally between all sub-classes. In fact, Jiwe'Mnara is known as the 'city that never sleeps' as there are people active at all times of the day. It is rare to see the Kijovu at rest, let alone asleep. Yet despite their incredibly industrious nature, they live very long lives. Their culture welcomes outsiders and you might see the occasional mantis or beetle, however most find it hard to keep up with their non-stop work ethic.

Jiwe'Mnara is a bright and bustling city in contrast to Taram-Cahaya's pitch darkness. The buildings are colorful and lit with patches of luminescent fungi that act as light fixtures. Murals and mosaics detailing myths and the Kijovu empire's rich history are everywhere. The phosphorescent pigments used to decorate their buildings and famous ceramics are derived from the countless varieties of fungi cultivated outside the city, and are used in almost every aspect of daily life. One important use of these pigments involves the creation of ceremonial masks worn by the jali. The jali use masks in rituals and dances to symbolize different concepts and figures, while above ground they wear them as a mark of their class. Kijovu ambassadors are known to possess at least a dozen different masks for various occasions. A jali's experience can be measured by not just the number, but the complexity of the masks they own. Song and dance are an integral part of Kijovu culture. As they live in darkness, they have adapted a greater sensitivity to vibration and light. Kijovu dances include highly decorated costumes accentuated with glowing pigment and body paint along with rhythmic stamping and chants. Movements in dances are exaggerated, almost theatrical, to demonstrate feelings and actions of the story that is being told. When the jali perform, everyone gathers.

Performances are one of the many ways that the tribe comes together outside of their routine and hold the spiritual purpose of creating an atmosphere where all souls commune and become one. The core of the tribe's spiritual beliefs lie in the concept of an universal soul that dwells in all things. The soul of the Queen-Mother is a part of the people, while the souls of the people are also part of the Queen-Mother. The Queen-Mother and her people are one. This communitarian view can be confusing to outsiders, however this does not mean the Kijovu do not possess individuality. Through their history they have learned that to grow and thrive, there must be coexistence and harmony--with the land and with others than themselves.

## *The Abada's Horn*

The Abada's Horn is a major landmark in the Sandawe savanna, a great earthen spire jutting from the ground. The only entrance is from the top, leading downward into a spiraling labyrinth of tunnels and dead ends that eventually lead into Jiwe'Mnara. The Horn marks the presence of the Kijovu empire on ground level and doubles as a monument to where the unification of the termite tribes took place. This monument can be seen for miles and is a common reference point for travelers and nomadic tribes that live in the grasslands above.