Vanasa

The largest of the Felkata populations, the Vanasa are a nomadic group that travel the realm from region to region according to the change of season and availability of resources and food. They are a tribal group comprised of several familial clans that travel together and exist in harmony with each other. They are hunter gatherers by nature but sometimes farm wheat and beets often pitching their yurt tent dwellings by water sources for fishing and farming patches. They prefer to move around rather than settle in one spot for too long out of fear of either exhausting resources or becoming too reliant on what is around.

They remember the tales of their ancestors of why they fled the homeland and in an effort not to repeat this, travel as precaution, ever ready to flee if trouble arises. The Vanasa are highly mercantile and are excellent traders in whatever region they find themselves in. Trade is essential to them as it adds to resources the tribe can use between migrations and helps build relations with locals in the area. Not ones to provoke tensions, the Vanasa seek peace at any sign of trouble due to not wishing to jeopardize the tribe. That being said, they are willing and are able to defend themselves fiercely. The tribal warriors are a guard force that watches over the tribe and by means of speed and keen senses are renowned spearmen. Able to bullseye a pigeon from yards away they will see, hear, and smell trouble coming from far away.

In close combat they aren’t to be trifled with either, as like all Felkata they make use of their natural claws and teeth to kill assailants if unarmed. Led by a group of 3 elders called the Three Moons, they are unified and move as one in all matters. The Moons are normally the eldest of the largest clans and the most trusted among the tribe. Trust is crucial to the Vanasa as without it, they feel one is truly isolated from all things. The bonds of kinship are sacred to these people and if there is even a hint of doubt, nothing can be accomplished with them. If a merchant seems shady or is trying to fence stolen wares, the Vanasa won’t trade with them. If a dignitary seems to hold ulterior motives, they won’t have anything to do with them, if a clan member is dishonest in the tribe then they run dire risks from punishments and beatings to banishment or execution, the former they see as worse than the latter. The Vanasa worship a pantheon of five spirits in a faith called Zal’ati.The spirits are responsible for the continued survival and good fortunes of the tribe and are said to be represented as follows:

Sena, Spirit of Growth (farming and family)

Ama, Spirit of Wisdom (learning and guidance)

Yurshi, Spirit of the Wheel (seasons, life and death, and renewal)

Thaedo, Spirit of Protection (warriors and strength)

Feisa, Spirit of Artistry (crafts and expressive arts)

They worship these spirits by means of ritual dances and tribal celebrations. Religious observance is important to the Vanasa as it bonds the tribe as a whole. Normally a dance is held around the feasting fires after a hunt of a good harvest and thus prayer and honoring the spirits becomes a common place practice to these folk. With all that they gather and hunt, fish and grow, these folk are premier craftsmen. Often they sell their wares and crafts to locals either in bartar or for coin. The serenity these people value so highly serves as a reminder to them however of the chaos they once endured in ages long past and thus the tribal bonds they share are the most treasured possessions they will ever claim to hold.