Nadir Kinship

A Nadir woman, in a traditional outfit

### **Purpose**

For some **Ascenionists**, even the isolated towns and shrines that favored their disparate faith are too stuffy and restricting. These wandering **Caeli** would become Nadir, nomads that would roam out from the hills of **Penhira** to cross the entire domain of the Entente. Named first by **Araenic bureaucrats** who thought the wanderers were the most uncultured of the heretical Ascensionists, the term was reclaimed by the Nadir as a mantle of pride. While many Ascenionist reject the complex spire complexes, the Nadir take this to the extreme and believe that by being closer to nature they can achieve greater closeness with the Heavens.

### **Lifestyle**

The Nadir generally travel in sizable bands, though the most extreme and devoted among them will purposefully isolate themselves in their wanderings. Most bands were mixed in Affinity, but some maintained populations solely of Solar or Lunar Caeli. Among the wider Entente, the Nadir were often unnecessarily maligned with only their fellow Ascensionists being consistently accepting of them. Because of this mistrust, many bands of Nadir took up the practice of wearing simple masks to hide their identities, especially when visiting civilization.

The Nadir reject the traditional notions of Caeli etiquette; they instead favor elaborate celebrations as well as oneness with each other. Some bands would often spend weeks in celebration in caravans of revelry. Away from the strict schedules of civilized life, the Nadir had a certain free-will that many people of the Entente lacked. The Nadir were also notable for their oral storytelling and grand performances mixing stories, song, and dance.

Some known bands included:

* Auwlad'Allayl (Band Allayl) - Children of the Night
* Deti'Solntsa (Band Deti) - Children of the Day
* Muunti'Lazarus (Band Lazarus) - Children of the Twilight
* Zolotarnik (Band Tarnik) - Children of the Twilight
* Margaritka (Band Ritka) - Children of the Twilight

### **Relations**

Relationships between bands of Nadir could vary drastically. In harsher lands, when two bands would meet, there might be skirmishes for resources, sometimes leading to conflict. These skirmishes were not often resolved using deadly weapons (though not unheard of), but instead with cudgels and fists in brawls. After a brawl the losing band would be required to pay a price and leave the region they were in.

### **Hierarchy**

**The Matriarch**

The Nadir were specifically matriarchal with each band typically led by a matriarch who would make the major decisions for the band. This matriarch would be surrounded by trusted advisors who together formed a council. It is not well known among the general Entente, but within Nadir populations, the matriarch served as the scapegoat if her band was accused of or caught doing crimes that would require jail time. She would confess to the crimes and serve the sentence, regardless of truth. This self-sacrifice was considered among the greatest feats of loyalty among the Nadir.

**The Wayfinder**

The Wayfinder was the keeper of the maps within a Nadir band, and would hold the knowledge of safe trails, trade routes and obstacles along the way. In addition, they were practitioners of Nadir Scrying techniques, their ability to seek something out both physically and spiritually unparalleled by others within their band.

**The Ashbearer**

The Ashbearer were often viewed as the spiritual leaders of a band, their devotion to Nadir Ascensionism strong and steadfast, though this was not always the case. Their duties cover all that involves the dead. They handle the body and carry out whatever traditions the band holds for them, give counsel to those grieving, and organize any funeral proceedings.

### **Faith**

Nadiric Ascenionism valued closeness with their small community and the natural world as well. Despite a strong sense of communal ties however, it was generally accepted that a closeness with nature was of greater importance, leading some to self isolate from all and wander the wildness in solitude. This lifestyle was highly uncommon, however it was revered among Nadir people as those who survived this lifestyle were believed to be the closest to the Cosmic Order.

With the view that through experiencing and observing the cycles of the world around them, one can reach enlightenment, it is not uncommon to find a **Namat Reader** within a band, to offer warnings and divinations of what lies on the road ahead.