So I was debating some areas concerning how other tribes would consider joining the Kujqai as well as how as how populating the tribe would work considering other tribes may want to keep the children as well. This has also lead to some reworks to thunder/thunderstorms a bit. I've also rewritten some areas below I thought I needed to touch on from above given the advice I've gotten so far.
The Trial of the Wind's Judgement
So how would a Xaela from another tribe or even a Xaela without one be able to join and prove worth/loyalty etc? I thought about how thunderstorms are considered essentially the wind's righteous fury and figured I could also make it become more of a test. So to prove your worth and join the tribe, you must stand on the highest point you can find in a thunderstorm(or thunder) and prove you show no fear to the wind's judgement. This would also show the wind's fury won't take you, that you're not of deceit, fear, or doubt. Obviously if you're struck(which in this game, doesn't happen so... :p) then you would be considered unworthy to the wind. The background behind this I'm working on dates to the origins of the tribe's beginnings where a Xaela of the tribe departed towards a thunderstorm after committing an unjust act... And never returned. Thus making it rumored and religion that the storm took his soul for being not pure of sin.
After passing said trial, you would head to the cold of the north(snowy areas like Coerthas/Ishgard) to purify your body/soul alike to begin anew as a welcomed Kujqai into the tribe.
With this also means I would change thunderstorms to some degrees. Perhaps still keeping the idea of migrating during it since a Kujqai doesn't know the act of everyone else around them and probably doesn't want to get hit by thunder under the idea that anybody could be of sin and struck for it. However this would more embrace that only the truly righteous or those of both no doubt or fear don't mind being in a thunderstorm. Meaning they either paid a recent visit to the snow or they think they haven't done anything wrong. This also means that if two were to conceive a child in this weather, that the child would be considered very pure and of true heart(possibly determining high position in authority). Regardless I think there would still be fear or consideration to either move out of the thunderstorm, or maybe pay visit to the snow again because hey, who knows if something you've killed or done has been not approved by the wind. Leaving it up to interpretation to the individual to be foolish or bold.
How the tribe grows
As for how the tribe would grow through other tribes. I was struggling at first thinking "wouldn't both sides of the parents want to keep the child(assuming it's one) for their particular tribe to grow?" Then I realized I was overthinking it, especially considering the ideology of the Kujqai is that the wind embraces all of Xaela alike. So I left this open for the two parents to decide who gets the child and disagreements may result in of course fights/duels. Though the idea I had in mind was that the Kujqai would not mind bearing a child and giving it to the other tribe(assuming one of the parents isn't a Kujqai of course), because it would result in the child being brought up in their customs/strengths as a tribe. This in turn would also have a belief that the wind may guide the child back into the Kujqai's arms or that they will join with all Xaela kind, ensuring the concept of Xaela are all one of the wind. The child not returning could also be interpreted as the wind deciding they were not worthy or it simply wasn't the will of t he wind(it's not meant to be?). Though I'm still debating if one would need to pass the trial mentioned if they were gone into another tribe for a length of time. I'd say yes but also considering one of the parents helped bear them, no?... Not sure on this atm but I do want to keep it simpler.
Naming culture/pride/birth/special weather
So I caved into the special weather thing being a lil bit of a stretch. Rather than special weather particularly representing the need to bear offspring for hopes of strong/lucky children etc. I'm leaving only to be admired and embraced to. So a Kujqai can bear offspring any time but would definitely be considered lucky or better yet, honored to have a child under the wind's unique colors. This would better represent how the tribe doesn't particularly know what the wind has to expect or show as well than waiting out for when say Gloom happens. This also leaves the option to have the tribe a bit older considering as Sounssy said, some of those special weather conditions weren't a thing until very recent in years. So this could be open to interpret as their culture being baffled by this at the time these condition came to be, the special weathers being a form of embrace to their children that they'll be unique/strong/special.
With this means the naming for children can be a bit more fun. I left it as a title that is used formally and may be used to dictate power of the tribe. It's split into the type of weather it was and what time of day it was upon the act of reproduction. So some examples I made are below of titles a member could have.
Clothing
Clothing of the Kujqai would typically be representing both cultures they've traveled across as well as possibly the weather they pride themselves in wearing. So jewelry of other cultures dyed in particular colors relative to your character's birth would be common. Rain maybe being dark blue, snow an icier color, etc.. Being born of a clear sky may result in just leaving it as it was, kinda symbolic of leaving the culture as it is just as you were born clean into the world. I didn't realize there's not really any dyable jewelry... In which case, I'm kinda stumped in those regards lol. Maybe just leave it at wearing culturally different jewelry?
As for the actual clothing, things of loose clothing or that help dictate which way the wind is blowing would be the most commonly seen. Things with tassels, feathers, capes, skirts, and so on that would objectively embrace the wind's path through you and also help you see which way the wind blows you in fate. Exceptions of course coming down to particular taste in clothing or outfits, as some may just choose to outright feel the wind itself as a means of embracing it's strength or perhaps someone picks out certain clothings/wears of cultures they personally find interesting/unique. The more you wear the more cultured you are considered for traveling so far(which means wearing one piece outfits could be seen as you just beginning your journey or opting to only follow the wind very little). Then again, jewelry plays into this to aid too, so if the person so chose to wear a Kimono, they could coupled with jewelry of other areas, shoes, etc.
Highlights and limbal rings could also resemble pride in one's birthing weather but I'm leaving this open to debate and might just leave it as personal taste.
Change in Gales
I started to question why a tribe that worships the wind would doubt it's abilities or even fear it out right. I didn't really want to have the tribe fearful(except of it's anger for thunder and etc) so I decided to change Gales to just further embrace what Windy already is. Feeling super confident, proud, just going with everything with the utmost confidence and power. Being in this weather would make one feel like they could take down even the largest of beasts without any issue.
Possible Origin story
Legends tell of a defeated Xaela that traveled far off the Steppe. Losing contact with his tribe and leaving only stories of what reasoning he left, either of fear, shame, or pride of staying on the lands with such a shattering reputation. Over time, the Xaela questioned his life, wondering how to return or what to do from there on. They felt out of contact with Azim and Nhaama, wishing to return home only to realize he was lost in the world. One day under a tall tree, he watched the setting sun, seeing the wind blows the leaves off the tree,to and fro. The Xaela man out of curiosity, followed this "guide" and traveled across the world only following it's breeze. This lead the Xaela to great fortune, power, family, a lover to be on the outskirts of the Steppe... Over time had he finally traveled back into the Azim Steppes themselves, feeling the very same presence he felt whilst out in the world beyond. This gave him newfound enlightenment, that the presence guiding him away from the Steppe in the first place was the very same wind that lead to his happiness. With this, he understood this was indeed the will of the Father and Mother all along, their embrace of the days and nights were the guiding force that lead to the Xaela's life of splendor. Nameless did the force remain as it was merely the loving embrace of all the land and Xaela alike that did guide him.
With this enlightenment did he realize the Steppe was not yet ready for his return. As the Xaela traveled along side his lover and family, beginning a tribe of their own that embraced the guiding winds of the Xaela and it's will to bring them peace and prosperity. To where the tribe lived or traveled out to still remains unknown, only leaving children of the Xaela across the land with ancestors of this man. To which would they branch out and return to their original home, bringing the tribe's relevance to the Steppe and across the world scattered. The wind being the sole guidance in their lives and leading their lives to fulfillment. Constantly moving and changing was the tribe through the years, both leaving and staying of the Steppe, leaving their tribe name to be just what their tribe was... whispers in the wind.
The above obviously needs some better wording and to be reworked a little better but that was off the top of my head how I was hoping to go about it. The traditions of the weather of course following suit through the years in development with the tribe. Again I question if this tribe needs a Khan or if they have to have one or not, but so far I'm enjoying the premise. I'd especially like to thank those who have provided some insight so far as it's made for some very interesting changes that fit better together as a whole.
That said, I still would love to hear anymore suggestions, ideas, or ways to improve this. Critique of what I wrote above is welcome too as it still may be flawed to some degrees. There's still some details like specific years I may work out(or may just leave up to mystery)Â as well as more core concepts to base the traditions off of. Like when they decided the clothing they accepted, what made certain weathers mean what, etc... But this so far at least sorta explained their origin and why they're a bit unknown? Again it could use improvement but it's a start I figure, so again, any support or ideas are welcome.
The Trial of the Wind's Judgement
So how would a Xaela from another tribe or even a Xaela without one be able to join and prove worth/loyalty etc? I thought about how thunderstorms are considered essentially the wind's righteous fury and figured I could also make it become more of a test. So to prove your worth and join the tribe, you must stand on the highest point you can find in a thunderstorm(or thunder) and prove you show no fear to the wind's judgement. This would also show the wind's fury won't take you, that you're not of deceit, fear, or doubt. Obviously if you're struck(which in this game, doesn't happen so... :p) then you would be considered unworthy to the wind. The background behind this I'm working on dates to the origins of the tribe's beginnings where a Xaela of the tribe departed towards a thunderstorm after committing an unjust act... And never returned. Thus making it rumored and religion that the storm took his soul for being not pure of sin.
After passing said trial, you would head to the cold of the north(snowy areas like Coerthas/Ishgard) to purify your body/soul alike to begin anew as a welcomed Kujqai into the tribe.
With this also means I would change thunderstorms to some degrees. Perhaps still keeping the idea of migrating during it since a Kujqai doesn't know the act of everyone else around them and probably doesn't want to get hit by thunder under the idea that anybody could be of sin and struck for it. However this would more embrace that only the truly righteous or those of both no doubt or fear don't mind being in a thunderstorm. Meaning they either paid a recent visit to the snow or they think they haven't done anything wrong. This also means that if two were to conceive a child in this weather, that the child would be considered very pure and of true heart(possibly determining high position in authority). Regardless I think there would still be fear or consideration to either move out of the thunderstorm, or maybe pay visit to the snow again because hey, who knows if something you've killed or done has been not approved by the wind. Leaving it up to interpretation to the individual to be foolish or bold.
How the tribe grows
As for how the tribe would grow through other tribes. I was struggling at first thinking "wouldn't both sides of the parents want to keep the child(assuming it's one) for their particular tribe to grow?" Then I realized I was overthinking it, especially considering the ideology of the Kujqai is that the wind embraces all of Xaela alike. So I left this open for the two parents to decide who gets the child and disagreements may result in of course fights/duels. Though the idea I had in mind was that the Kujqai would not mind bearing a child and giving it to the other tribe(assuming one of the parents isn't a Kujqai of course), because it would result in the child being brought up in their customs/strengths as a tribe. This in turn would also have a belief that the wind may guide the child back into the Kujqai's arms or that they will join with all Xaela kind, ensuring the concept of Xaela are all one of the wind. The child not returning could also be interpreted as the wind deciding they were not worthy or it simply wasn't the will of t he wind(it's not meant to be?). Though I'm still debating if one would need to pass the trial mentioned if they were gone into another tribe for a length of time. I'd say yes but also considering one of the parents helped bear them, no?... Not sure on this atm but I do want to keep it simpler.
Naming culture/pride/birth/special weather
So I caved into the special weather thing being a lil bit of a stretch. Rather than special weather particularly representing the need to bear offspring for hopes of strong/lucky children etc. I'm leaving only to be admired and embraced to. So a Kujqai can bear offspring any time but would definitely be considered lucky or better yet, honored to have a child under the wind's unique colors. This would better represent how the tribe doesn't particularly know what the wind has to expect or show as well than waiting out for when say Gloom happens. This also leaves the option to have the tribe a bit older considering as Sounssy said, some of those special weather conditions weren't a thing until very recent in years. So this could be open to interpret as their culture being baffled by this at the time these condition came to be, the special weathers being a form of embrace to their children that they'll be unique/strong/special.
With this means the naming for children can be a bit more fun. I left it as a title that is used formally and may be used to dictate power of the tribe. It's split into the type of weather it was and what time of day it was upon the act of reproduction. So some examples I made are below of titles a member could have.
- Blank Kujqai Of the Weeping Nightfall (Weeping being rain and Nightfall being night)
- Blank Kujqai Of the Chilling Skies (Chilling being snow and Skies being general daytime)
- Blank Kujqai Of the Howling Sunrise (Because there's no good verbs for wind, Howling being better than blowing >_>;, and sunrise of course meaning early morning)
- Blank Kujqai Of the Clouded Sunset (you get where I'm going by now)
Clothing
Clothing of the Kujqai would typically be representing both cultures they've traveled across as well as possibly the weather they pride themselves in wearing. So jewelry of other cultures dyed in particular colors relative to your character's birth would be common. Rain maybe being dark blue, snow an icier color, etc.. Being born of a clear sky may result in just leaving it as it was, kinda symbolic of leaving the culture as it is just as you were born clean into the world. I didn't realize there's not really any dyable jewelry... In which case, I'm kinda stumped in those regards lol. Maybe just leave it at wearing culturally different jewelry?
As for the actual clothing, things of loose clothing or that help dictate which way the wind is blowing would be the most commonly seen. Things with tassels, feathers, capes, skirts, and so on that would objectively embrace the wind's path through you and also help you see which way the wind blows you in fate. Exceptions of course coming down to particular taste in clothing or outfits, as some may just choose to outright feel the wind itself as a means of embracing it's strength or perhaps someone picks out certain clothings/wears of cultures they personally find interesting/unique. The more you wear the more cultured you are considered for traveling so far(which means wearing one piece outfits could be seen as you just beginning your journey or opting to only follow the wind very little). Then again, jewelry plays into this to aid too, so if the person so chose to wear a Kimono, they could coupled with jewelry of other areas, shoes, etc.
Highlights and limbal rings could also resemble pride in one's birthing weather but I'm leaving this open to debate and might just leave it as personal taste.
Change in Gales
I started to question why a tribe that worships the wind would doubt it's abilities or even fear it out right. I didn't really want to have the tribe fearful(except of it's anger for thunder and etc) so I decided to change Gales to just further embrace what Windy already is. Feeling super confident, proud, just going with everything with the utmost confidence and power. Being in this weather would make one feel like they could take down even the largest of beasts without any issue.
Possible Origin story
Legends tell of a defeated Xaela that traveled far off the Steppe. Losing contact with his tribe and leaving only stories of what reasoning he left, either of fear, shame, or pride of staying on the lands with such a shattering reputation. Over time, the Xaela questioned his life, wondering how to return or what to do from there on. They felt out of contact with Azim and Nhaama, wishing to return home only to realize he was lost in the world. One day under a tall tree, he watched the setting sun, seeing the wind blows the leaves off the tree,to and fro. The Xaela man out of curiosity, followed this "guide" and traveled across the world only following it's breeze. This lead the Xaela to great fortune, power, family, a lover to be on the outskirts of the Steppe... Over time had he finally traveled back into the Azim Steppes themselves, feeling the very same presence he felt whilst out in the world beyond. This gave him newfound enlightenment, that the presence guiding him away from the Steppe in the first place was the very same wind that lead to his happiness. With this, he understood this was indeed the will of the Father and Mother all along, their embrace of the days and nights were the guiding force that lead to the Xaela's life of splendor. Nameless did the force remain as it was merely the loving embrace of all the land and Xaela alike that did guide him.
With this enlightenment did he realize the Steppe was not yet ready for his return. As the Xaela traveled along side his lover and family, beginning a tribe of their own that embraced the guiding winds of the Xaela and it's will to bring them peace and prosperity. To where the tribe lived or traveled out to still remains unknown, only leaving children of the Xaela across the land with ancestors of this man. To which would they branch out and return to their original home, bringing the tribe's relevance to the Steppe and across the world scattered. The wind being the sole guidance in their lives and leading their lives to fulfillment. Constantly moving and changing was the tribe through the years, both leaving and staying of the Steppe, leaving their tribe name to be just what their tribe was... whispers in the wind.
The above obviously needs some better wording and to be reworked a little better but that was off the top of my head how I was hoping to go about it. The traditions of the weather of course following suit through the years in development with the tribe. Again I question if this tribe needs a Khan or if they have to have one or not, but so far I'm enjoying the premise. I'd especially like to thank those who have provided some insight so far as it's made for some very interesting changes that fit better together as a whole.
That said, I still would love to hear anymore suggestions, ideas, or ways to improve this. Critique of what I wrote above is welcome too as it still may be flawed to some degrees. There's still some details like specific years I may work out(or may just leave up to mystery)Â as well as more core concepts to base the traditions off of. Like when they decided the clothing they accepted, what made certain weathers mean what, etc... But this so far at least sorta explained their origin and why they're a bit unknown? Again it could use improvement but it's a start I figure, so again, any support or ideas are welcome.
![[Image: gLGk1P9.gif]](https://i.imgur.com/gLGk1P9.gif)
