Muulari

in: Races, Centarii

## The Basics

* **Other Names:** Muularian, Beast walkers, plane striders
* **Appearance:** All of the citizens of Centarii have darker skin, ranging from soft brown and tans to deep onyx in color. Muulari dress in tribal wear, the colors matching the tribe they are from.
* **Lifespan:** 75 Years
* **Height:** 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* **Regions Found:** The three cultures that make up the Centarii Kingdom are found on the bottom of the Eastern continent.
* **Culture:** Tribal culture that works with and respects the animals found on the savannah they call their home.
* **Common Character Roles:** Shamans, Beast tamers, leather workers, healers, warriors, traders
* **Common Allies:** Caledonii, Beast Kin, Shifters, Elementals, Obsidian Spire, Oyari
* **Common Enemies:** Nocturnim, Carnival of Trades, Witch Hunters, Khemet, Salvador, Nords, Aviehn
* **Architecture:** Tribal groups that tend to move around a lot so tents and easy to build, breakdown, and move structures.
* **Religion:** The three follow the religions of the Beast King and Naruli, though Muulari is the more religious of the three.
* **Views on Magic:** The natural magics of the world are all around us and should be accepted, the unnatural magics should be understood to know their place in the world.

## Appearances

Unlike those who live at the Obsidian Spire, the Muulari, have much darker skin, which allows them to adapt better in the savannah from the blazing sun that hangs overhead. Men keep their coarse hair braided if they grow it long, if not, they keep it short. Women keep their hair bound and oftentimes braid their hair before a hunt. The Muulari, are tall, lithe with lean muscles from their time in the savannah, it allows them to keep up with their animal companion and at the same time, being able to run down other animals in the savannah.

Their clothing tends to be a mixture of furs and fibrous clothes that are woven amongst the various tribal citizens. Ranging in a variety of natural colors collected from ingredients around them, though they tend to wear the color of their tribe with great pride. They often paint themselves with various colors and designs to help them blend into their surroundings as well.

### History & Culture

They were the first of the kingdom to spread throughout the land forming tribes amongst the golden safari. They revered the Great Tree, a massive tree that could be seen all throughout their land. Claiming that if you were able to see the Great Tree then you were in the land of Muulari. They spread throughout the Savanna learning to live with the land and the beasts living mostly peaceful lives throughout their history. Some wished to find more as they spread throughout the land. Leading to some leaving for the dark obsidian mountains for their own land who eventually became the Obsidian Spire.

They lost connection with the Obsidian Spire over the years as they continued on with their lives. As they learned to live amongst the lands as well as bonding with the animals. Many tribes taking on beast companions to live and fight with them. As magic began to become more prominent with the lands more and more tribes began to focus on them. Eventually starting to separate into tribes for the various forms of magic. Which led to disagreements between the various tribes. However, Centari tend to pride themselves over their diplomacy more than their warrior prowess. Finding that words can deal with conflict far faster than weapons and with more understanding once the conflict has settled.

They were the first of the kingdom to spread throughout the land forming tribes amongst the golden safari. They revered the Great Tree, a massive tree that could be seen all throughout their land. Claiming that if you were able to see the Great Tree then you were in the land of Muulari. They spread throughout the Savanna learning to live with the land and the beasts living mostly peaceful lives throughout their history. Some wished to find more as they spread throughout the land. Leading to some leaving for the dark obsidian mountains for their own land who eventually became the Obsidian Spire.

They lost connection with the Obsidian Spire over the years as they continued on with their lives. As they learned to live amongst the lands as well as bonding with the animals. Many tribes taking on beast companions to live and fight with them. As magic began to become more prominent with the lands more and more tribes began to focus on them. Eventually starting to separate into tribes for the various forms of magic. Which led to disagreements between the various tribes. However, Centari tend to pride themselves over their diplomacy more than their warrior prowess. Finding that words can deal with conflict far faster than weapons and with more understanding once the conflict has settled.

Thus the tribes decided to separate into the various spheres of magic, each specializing in one sphere of magic. To help combat disagreements the chiefs of each tribe would meet underneath the Great Tree. Its roots were large and created a cave-like center at the bottom of it. However, to ensure that one sphere of magic did not gain more influence and power over the others and change their way of life they decided the leader of the Muulari would be one who does not possess any magical skills and proved that they were one with the land. However, not all who were happy with the decision came amongst the other tribes. Attempting to take over in a final war effort, but it only resulted in uniting the other tribes more. The chief of the defeated tribe running away to the Oerwood.

The lost tribe was not seen until years later during a council meeting when Oyari emerged from the jungle declaring their own independence from Muulari. The current leader at the time, Mu’batu, was in the middle of negotiations with Oyari when King Aksum of Obsidian Spire attacked. Leading to an all out war between the three kingdoms. With the savanna planes as their battlefield they were all seemingly evenly matched. The war led to mass casualties on all sides, nearly wiping out the Spire and newly formed Amazons. It was after the death of Mu’batu’s bestial companion and his wife becoming gravely injured that he called for a cease fire. Sending messengers to both King Askum and Queen Oyari to meet underneath the giant tree.

After a month of negotiations the Kingdom of Centarii was created, with the three kingdoms giving up their full independence. Becoming a Kingdom of three leaders who would meet underneath the great tree. Since the place that used to be the meeting hall for Mulari to the central hub for the newly formed Centarii Kingdom he instead created a new meeting place for Mulari in the center of the savanna planes in the middle of the flattest part of it. The leader of Muulari is known as the heart of the Centari.

### Culture

To many the culture of the Muulari are simple people, living in scattered tribes. Their tents and homes were made to fit with the landscape from natural ingredients. It is rare to find metal and other such objects in use with Muulari. They are known to be great beast masters, able to seemingly tame all sorts of animals. As more magic is discovered and found throughout the lands, and the more it comes to the Muulari eventually a tribe will form in order to better study and understand it, even the darker magics. They have survived and thrived on the warm savannah planes. In the past, expeditions from Salvador, Khemet, and Nocturum explored and settled along the coastlines. Muulari were the first to talk with the expedition groups. Giving confessions to the explorers as long as their way of life was not disturbed. This lasted for several centuries, until the concessions were utterly destroyed under the rule of Emperor Butar IV around three hundred years ago. Emperor Brutar IV is said to have had so many Nocturnum priests and missionaries strangled to death that he was called the "bane of Solarium". Bad feelings from this episode still remain on both sides -- the common Centari view on Salvador, Khemet, and Nocturum is as sly, ruthless exploiters and cheats. They have an acceptance of the Carnival-of-Trades who moved their main hub to the nearby canyons. While some, including the Basalt Vanguard, watch the Carnival caravans with extra suspicion, the common view is that the Carnival has never lied about what it is and those who are drawn to its tents know what they’re getting into. They are the voice of reason and believe in settling their disputes with words. Thus they have a reputation for being wise and people often seek them for council with decisions. They do not get into fights or seek conflicts with Obsidian Spire or Oyari, and while they are aware of the two kingdoms attempts to subvert the alliance by participating in battles elsewhere. However, as long as they do not bring the fight onto Centarii lands or in meetings then they will allow the two kingdoms their rule bending. The present Beast Chief of Muulari is a woman named Keta, the last winner of the trial of chiefs. She is a strong warrior who has held her own against both the leaders of Obsidian and Oyari to prove her place amongst the leaders of the Centarii kingdom. Her companion is a bengal tiger named Mu’kins.

### Government

Muulari is ruled by a person titled as the Beast Chief. The Beast Chief lives in the central tribal lands. They are in charge of handling disputes between the tribes that pop up, as well as leading the council of chiefs when they meet. There are nine tribes spread through Muulari, one for each sphere of magic and the central tribe led by the Beast Chief. Though the word of the Chief is the governing law amongst all the tribes. The Beast Chief is chosen by being the first to complete the bestial trials. When the current Beast Chief believes that they are nearing the end of their life they will call for a new trial to be created. The trial is a gauntlet of nine trials set up by the nine tribes. A participant from each of the tribes is allowed to take the trial; the only requirement for them is that they are not a wielder of magic, as the Beast Chief has to be magicless. If one is found to have completed the trials with magic they are disowned by all of the tribes. The final trial to become the Beast Chief is to create a bond with a beast on your own. Proving they are attuned with the nature of the world and thus the best suited of the combatants. It is also a sign of failure if they are killed by the beast they bond with. Upon becoming a Chief they are granted a special amulet that makes them immune to the mind sphere.

### Social Behaviors

The people of Muulari are often seen as savage and backwards by others with their insurance on still living their tribal ways. Their cities are made of natural materials that are easy to move and repair. They live off the land and believe in keeping to the basic nature of the world. Of the three parts of the Kingdom they are the most accepting of magic, weaving it through their everyday life. Even the members of Muulari who do not wield magic accept it as a part of life and nature. To them even the darker magics can be used with nature, for nature is not all sunshine and fluffiness. This is evident with the nine tribes outside of the Central Tribe all being themed around the different spheres of magic. Magic is an integral part of their life, even for those who show no skill in any sphere of magic. It is not uncommon to find the people of Muulari performing rituals throughout the day, and praying to the gods they worship. To them magic is weaved throughout the world, and to understand the ways the spheres interact and affect the world is important to them. Even for the darker spheres of magic, like the dark arts and blood magic, to Muulari they are still a part of nature since their discovery. Even so they seek to use the darker spheres of magic with the land to better their understanding of the world around them. Because of their acceptance of all spheres of magic it is not uncommon to find exiles from Obsidian Spire or Oyari moving to live amongst the tribes of Muulari in order to better understand their own gifts. As they view all life as sacred they pray and give honor to all that they kill, including enemies on the battlefield. While Muulari tends to prefer talks over violence and war, they are not the easy targets many believe them to be. They are adept and agile warriors, a blend of the brute strength one finds in Obsidian Spire and the agile grace you can find with Oyari. Not only are they skilled on the battlefield it is not uncommon to find them with bestial companions fighting alongside them. Some of these bestial companions are true animals, but Muulari is also one of the biggest kingdoms with known shifters amongst their ranks. Shifters found it easier to assimilate back with Muulari once they were freed from the Mad Fae King, and thus there is a large known population of shifters now living in Muulari. As they live in tribes that move and roam throughout the Savana they do not have many books, in fact the only known library of decent size in Muulari is located at the Centarii capital surrounding the base of the Great Tree. However they pass stories along orally, gathering around to tell the tales of the past or warnings of the dangers of the world. It is not uncommon to find members of the tribes fascinated by visiting foreigners and the tales they weave however. They tend to be open and accommodating, until they are betrayed or disgraced.

### Settlements

#### Kingora

The central tribe of Muulari where the Beast Chief rules along with the other advisors from the other tribes. It is a blended melting pot of the tribes with people of various spheres living amongst it. It is where you will find the most knowledge of the tribes and information about the other tribes amongst it. They are in charge of keeping the peace amongst Muulari and spreading information between the various tribes.

#### Wuta

Dedicated to the study and practice of Pyromancy the members of the Wuta tribe are often dressed in reds. It is not uncommon to see fire being wielded amongst the tribe, and their fire dancers are known for the beauty in which they control and weave flames in their routines.

#### Barakanji

Often found along the rivers of Muulari as they study the sphere of water. Their clothes are often dark blue in color. Similar to the fire dancers of Wuta you can find water dances manipulating streams of water within their dance. They tend to be more carefree and go with the flow, similar to Iska.

#### Iska

You can usually find Iska wandering around the highest parts of Muulari. Their clothes tend to have light blue coloring in their clothes. Many of the members of the tribe practice falconry with birds. They tend to study wind magics and as such they always seem to move around with the shifting winds over the savannah.

#### Asilyan

You can usually find Iska wandering around the highest parts of Muulari. Their clothes tend to have light blue coloring in their clothes. Many of the members of the tribe practice falconry with birds. They tend to study wind magics and as such they always seem to move around with the shifting winds over the savannah.

#### Chilom

Wearing brown clothes, though usually it is covered and accentuated with fur. They tend to live closer to the Oyari forest than the other tribes. Often working and trading with the citizens of Oyari and even the Wood Elves. The hunters of Muulari, working with their beasts to hunt throughout the savanna and jungle.

#### Shimungu

One of the newer tribes of Muulari, often wearing white or pale yellow clothing. They live on the Northwestern side of the kingdom, closest to the shimmering hall. Learning holy magic and finding how the sphere works with the natural order of the world. Though they tend to follow the same gods as the others in Muulari, and not Solarium.

#### Hankialikili

Considered the first darker tribe of Muulari they tend to wear more purple colors than the other. The tribe is the closest to the Kingora where the Beast Chief resides. With knowledge of the mind sphere they specially forge a magical necklace for the new chief to make them immune to mental magic.

#### Jinidamu

Wearing dark red colors the tribe of Jinidamu are the second of the three darker tribes. They can often be seen painting themselves with blood markings when going into battle. Many of them are dark shamans who invoke curses amongst those who would seek to attack or harm Muulari and its citizens.

#### Rasufo

The last tribe of Muulari is perhaps the darkest tribe. Donning themselves in black garb and more often than not, with skulls over their face. Open necromancers in Muulari live on the northern border near the desolate wastes. It is not uncommon to find the bones of the dead, often enemies of Muulari made to serve the kingdom in their death.

### Religion

Muulari is easily the most religious of the three Centari Kingdoms. As one would imagine they follow Naruli, the nature goddess, and the Beast King. Working on spending every day honoring the earth they walk upon and the natural order of the world. Oftentimes Shamans from Obsidian Spire and Oyari will visit Muulari to complete or further their abilities and training. It is not unusual to find the citizens of Muulari practicing and outwardly showing their devotion. Doing so by conducting various minor rituals to honor the world around them . With grander rituals conducted during big meetings or through the festivals.

### Perception of Magic

Magic is simply a part of the natural world around them and it is seen as such. Going as far as the nine main tribes of Muulari are dedicated to the known spheres of magic in the world. Though the members of the dark tribe, while accepted, are sometimes watched with suspicion to see how they honor the natural order of the world.