Giant Tribes

A Phiaruákasha Arpheír Encampment

### Overview

Giant tribes, also known as Iétxenna, Iétxe in the singular, are the primary hierarchical structure in Giant culture. Iétxe could also be translated as houses, and this concept does work well for the Phiaruákasha Kiómen in the Mountains, but it doesn't hold up well when discussing the Phiaruákasha Arpheír, or the Plains Giants. Iétxenna are bonded together primarily by family ties. Generally speaking, they are made up of smaller clans, and within those clans are households, or nuclear families. The Iétxenna are called after the name of their first leader, the Ashoídhr, or warlord. So if a Iétxe was first led by a warlord by the name Diérmuibh, then it would be called Iétxe Diérmuibh. Many of the Iétxe in Jørþejm predate the Collision, but not all of them. A number of new Iétxenna were formed as a result of the Schism, by strong warriors leading the way in the separation of the race. The Arpheír Schism as it is called by the Phiaruákasha Kiómen, or as it is known in the plains, The Schism of Moíra, was the religious event that led to the division of Giant society as it exists today.

Cities or strongholds that function as the seat of a particular Iétxe also take on the name of that tribe, so the city that acts as the seat of power for Iétxe Ómalan would also be called Iétxe Ómalan. It is uncommon for the Arphiér tribes to have settlements bearing their names, as they are almost entirely nomadic. A fair number of Iétxenna cities do exist outside of Kiómen territory, however, these are mostly Free Cities that were initially settled by Giants.

### Tribal Structure

The tribal hierarchy is loosely the same for both the Plains and Mountain Giants, however the former are less sticky about tradition than the latter. The Kiómen, for reasons that stem heavily from their religious practice, are far more rigid about these structures and give a greater deal of ceremony and weight to them. Iétxenna are led by their Ashoídhranna, who are by and large Giant males. It is permissible, though rare, for a female Giant to become the Ashoídhr of a Plains Iétxe, but never one of the Mountain tribes. Directly below the Ashoídhr are his Ménadrisanna, best understood as captains and advisors. Not only are they great warriors within their Iétxe, but they also aid the warlord in the mundane matters of tribal leadership such as settling disputes and judging crime. Traditionally, it was most common for these to be immediate family of the Ashoídhr, however, in the plains tribes especially, these positions are sometimes fought and killed for, ensuring only the strongest are in positions of power. Ashoídhranna traditionally have taken two wives, the only ones in the Iétxe permitted to do so. Corméisha are the wives of the Ashoídhranna who come from inside the tribe, to strengthen the bond of an Ashoídhr with his Iétxe. This word is also used to describe the wife of any other Giant male, who may only marry within the tribe. Thumeísha are the wives taken from outside the tribe, married in unions that are intended to forge alliances and relationships with other Iétxenna. Every Ashoídhr, at least the males, must have one of each. Inbreeding is avoided however, as the Giant men cannot marry outside the tribe, but there is no prohibition against fathering children outside it, especially where the Giant practice of enslaving conquered enemies is concerned.

Every tribe also has at least one Ádrisord, or shaman, male or female, and these are not only the religious leaders for a tribe, but also their primary wielders of magic, especially on the battlefield. It is said that one powerful Ádrisord is worth 100 Giant warriors. It is understood that the Ádrisord and the Ashoídhr lead the tribe in different ways and capacities, so there is not often conflict between the two interests within the tribes.

Succession of any position of import within a Iétxe is decided by combat, for the Plains tribes it is always to the death. In the Mountains, the Giants will often accept the yielding of another, particularly if there was skill and honor shown by the defeated party. Something this allows for, that does not happen in the tribes of their lowland brethren, is the ceremonial defeat of older Giants who simply do not wish to spend their last years in power, though this is still fairly rare. Sons are often expected to challenge their fathers, especially the sons of the Ashoídhr. If there are multiple sons, they will often fight each other before fighting their father.

It is finally worth noting that these social structures have largely been abandoned by those Giants who live their lives in the Free Cities. While they still hold to many of the same values such as family kinship and strength, they do not follow the same patterns of hierarchical organization as rigidly, a fact that makes them outcasts in the eyes of other Giants.

### Named Giant Tribes

* Iétxe Diérmuibh (Plains)
* Iétxe Ómalan (Mountain)
* Iétxe Okuírix (Plains)
* Iétxe Shudhiú (Mountain)
* Iétxe Igreímbas (Free City)
* Iétxe Cuínin (Mountain)
* Iétxe Iádhui (Free City)
* Iétxe Lazaírg (Mountain)
* Iétxe Shuímil (Plains)
* Iétxe Miétheir (Mountain)