Curse of the Crimson Throne

People of the Storval Plateau

T h e S h o a n t i Way o f L i f e

“A ll right now, gather round—in a moment the Axe Clan will round the cliff side and be
right upon us. This better go off without a hitch, so let’s all review the rules one more
time. First: no staring at their tattoos. Get over it and be man enough to look them in the
eye. But for gods’ sake, don’t try to stare them down. We’re here to deliver the grain, say
‘thanks for your efforts,’ and get the hell out. In the unlikely event one of them is interested
in talking, keep it light and simple—follow my lead. Don’t act like you’re shocked that some
of them speak Common—that’s why it’s called the common tongue. Absolutely no religion.
Don’t ask about their spirit totems; that’s their private business. And no politics. For gods’
sake, if anyone even so much as mentions Bloodsworn Vale I will kill you where you stand
and spare them the trouble!”
—Tors Kaiman,
agent of Magnimar’s Council of Ushers at the annual delivery of the Calvatarium

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 People of the Storval Plateau

T
he seven quahs (clans) of the Shoanti roam the harshest were their Shoanti, their blades. Where there was dissension,
environments of Varisia, from the Cinderlands to the the Shoanti brought order and peace in the name of the
Calphiak Mountains and from the Curchain Hills to Azghat. To be Shoanti was the greatest of honors, for the
the Storval Plateau. Known for their warlike nature and Shoanti were selected by the Azghat from those of the greatest
proud traditions, the Shoanti claim all of Varisia as their skill, speed, strength, and honor. The Azghat’s gift to us was
own, although they have been forced to cede its southern to organize us into quahs and unto each quah was given
lands to waves of Chelish conquest. A disparate people, purpose, a commitment unique to its gifts. And so it was.
bound together by honor and tradition, the Shoanti share Then came the time of the Hollow Sky. The forces of
a history steeped in conflict, from their brutally heroic those who rebelled against the will of the Azghat rose so
legends to the defeats of the recent past and the harshness of great that the Shoanti began to dwindle in number. In
their modern lives. Shaped by strife, the Shoanti are stalwart, response, the Azghat took it upon themselves to share
tenacious, and suspicious people, oath-sworn to regain all their honor with the Shoanti so as to renew our battered
that was once theirs and honor-bound to avenge themselves resolve. But this was a terrible misstep. With their honor
against all schemers who would dare call them barbarians. diminished, the Azghat fell into a spiral of evil, and with
The essence of “Shoanti” is more of a set of warrior each passing year the Azghat grew closer to becoming one
traditions than it is a true racial group. While by and with the very enemies that moved against them. In time,
large most Shoanti are humans, some quahs have with the heaviest of hearts, the Shoanti were forced to turn
adopted foreigners and exiles from other races. Among on the great Azghat and with their defeat, the kingdom of
individual, open-minded tribes, those who demonstrate the Azghat finally crumbled into dust. And so it was.
that they share Shoanti ideals and face the trials of their To this day, we as Shoanti carry not only our own honor,
adoptive quah find themselves welcomed after a measure but the remains of the gift of the Azghat. It is said that
of persistence. As such, a small number of dwarves, half- those warriors who continue to conduct themselves with
elves, and non-native humans on occasion live among the honor slowly restore the Azghat’s memory and resurrect
Shoanti. Indeed, in many ways, demihumans have a much the glory of their land. One day, perhaps, the Shoanti debt
easier time overcoming the Shoanti’s ingrained mistrust will be repaid. Until that day, the Shoanti’s enemies will
of outsiders than Chelaxians. always remain many. Always will our enemies seek to
Shoanti possess widely varying skin tones, reflecting the purge us and the memory of the Azghat from the land.
broad diversity of their ancestry from the time of the Azghat, But we will not allow this. We will remain here, where the
the cruel gods their lore claims carried them to the Storval Azghat first brought us together and shaped each quah, in
region in the time before time. Regardless of pigmentation, honor of their gift to us. And so it shall be.
almost all Shoanti are vigorous, with powerful builds. Most
adult males are more than 6 feet in height and adult females “The Tale of the Seven Klars”
are only slightly shorter. Hair is considered a dangerous by Razilk of the Skoan-Quah
weakness in hand-to-hand combat, and both men and After the battle of Angraysan, each of the seven quah-jothka
women typically shave their heads, save for shamans or came together to praise one another for their role in the
the elderly. This practice is more pronounced among the victory. Lajtru of the Spire Clan snapped the blade off of his
eastern tribes, who are typically born with straight hair, klar and laid it upon the ground so that it pointed at Halrik
and less so amongst the westernmost Shadde-Quah. Some of the Hawk Clan. “Your horsemen turned the tide of the
young Shoanti men and women forgo this practice as a sign battle,” said Lajtru. “No,” answered Halrik, “it was the Wind
that they are not bound to another and seek a companion. Clan who showed us the way and where to begin our charge.
Their culture besieged, their world changing, the This battle was over before it began.” And with that Holrik
Shoanti fiercely struggle to hold onto the traditions of their snapped off the blade of his klar and placed it on the ground
people and fight against a world seemingly intent on their pointing at Churtan, Quah-Jothka of the Wind Clan. The
destruction. Yet, having survived against the giants of the mute Churtan shook his head and silently arranged his klar
Kodar Mountains, the predators of the wastes, drought, blade so that it faced Myton of the Skull Clan. As he did, the
starvation, and lands that burn for centuries, the people of remaining quah-jothka each began to place their klars as
the Storval Plateau alone will decide when their time is at well, each one giving due to the other quah they thought
an end—and that time is not now. contributed the most to the victory. When each was done,
the quah-jothka looked down and saw that the klar blades
“And So It Was” were arranged in a seven-pointed star, with each quah
by Angmack the Destrier recognized by another. When the Azghat came and saw the
“Stand ready for the campaign at all times,” the Azghat said. star upon the ground, the Azghat nodded with approval.
And so it was. The Azghat brought order to the world and we “This is the symbol of victory,” said the Azghat.

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 Curse of the Crimson Throne

Shoanti Shamans use coins amongst themselves, but recognize the value of
The spiritual leaders of the Shoanti, shamans guide their such objects when trading with other cultures. Aside from
peoples, grant them hope, protect them in battle, and offer weapons and armor, the Shoanti own most items (such as
balm for their many wounds. Clan shamans (typically adepts, yurts) collectively and gladly share within their tribe.
clerics, or druids) exhibit broader connections with totem
spirits than everyday warriors. They speak with their tribe’s Enemies and Outsiders
totems and entreat the spirits on behalf of their people. Their The Shoanti are typically unwelcoming of outsiders and
rituals and ceremonies are largely unfathomable to those more inclined to fight than trade. If a member of a tribe
uninitiated in their ways, with long meditations influenced by offers sanctuary to an outsider (the act of “Ortak-Hurong”),
the consumption of poisonous herbs; interpretations of cloud however, then the entire tribe is obligated to respect the gift
shapes, rock structures, and animal behavior; and dreams until such time as the tribe’s jothka or shaman intervenes.
sent from the ancestors being integral to their perception of The Shoanti’s enemies are numerous and include the giants
the spirits’ will. A tribe only ever has one shaman, though he of the Kodar, the orcs of the Hold of Belzken, raiders from
typically has as many as four young apprentices who learn the the Lands of the Linnorm Kings, and Chelish immigrants.
history of the quah and aid him in safeguarding the ancient In the latter case, few Shoanti care to differentiate between
knowledge of the spirits. true Chelaxians, the disparate non-native residents of
Clerical Shoanti shamans worship their clan’s totems, southern Varisia, and travelers from the southeast—all are
which are typically of neutral alignment and grant domains as considered invaders. While no armies currently muster at the
noted in the descriptions of each quah. The favored weapon of foot of the Storval Rise, the nomads still consider themselves
Shoanti totems is either the klar or the longbow. besieged, as every year more and more foreigners trod upon
Many Shoanti shamans—as well as those under their their tribal lands and many communities hold Shoanti as
protection—take the Totem Spirit feat described in the Rise of dangerous primitives. Although few communities murder
the Runelords Player’s Guide. Shoanti outright, within recent memory the Korvosan
government paid bounties on Shoanti scalps. The Order of
the Nail Hellknights also see the barbarians as threats to law
Shoanti Society and peace in southern Varisia and actively—and sometimes
The Shoanti people are divided into seven distinctive violently—seek to dissuade Shoanti from traveling beyond
nations called quahs. The seven quahs share a common the Storval Plateau. Both affronts remain sore subjects in
heritage, culture, and way of life. Although there are many the Shoanti mind, and many still seek revenge for countless
societal variations between the quahs, the gulf between specific dishonors.
the quahs and other cultures is much larger. Each quah is
further subdivided into tribes of varying sizes. Each tribe Religion
or sub-clan is lead by its own war-chief, called a jothka. The Shoanti belief system heavily incorporates the
Each tribe’s jothka in turn answers the call of the quah- notion of spiritual totems: natural spirits that watch
jothka, the military and political leader of the entire clan. over and guide warriors who have the wisdom to accept
Together, the jothkas of every tribe form the quah-jothka’s their protection and influence. It is said that spirits first
counsel of war that the quah-jothka calls together in times identify themselves to warriors in the form of a vision
of need. All jothka are advised by their tribes shamans and at the precipice of adulthood, typically during a sacred
thundercallers—wise storytellers and performers who but dangerous rite of passage organized by the clan’s
pass on the lessons of ages past. shaman and unique to each quah (see The Seven Quahs).
By tradition, the Shoanti are seasonally nomadic hunter- The various quahs each hold particular totems as sacred,
gatherers, with most tribes following the Storval Plateau’s and their members find themselves guided by these
great herds of aurochs, although some quahs engage in forces more often than those of other quahs. While most
subsistence farming or a small amount of trade in favored totems are the spirits of animals or magical beasts, some
lands. In centuries past, several Shoanti quahs established Shoanti claim to have instead been gifted with revelations
fixed settlements in southern Varisia, but such outposts from powers that guide natural forces such as rivers, the
served as forts, not centers of trade. Since their defeat by rarely glimpsed Athaureon (northern lights), or even the
Chelish colonizers, most Shoanti have eschewed fixed Cinderlands’ deadly emberstorms.
settlements, seeing a need to defend a particular piece of While the Shoanti are well aware of the roles of the gods
land as an invitation to their many enemies. of Golarion—and worship is not unheard of by Shoanti who
The Shoanti do not recognize the concept of personal leave their people—among the various quahs, shamans
property when it comes to land, although they do define practice a combination of animism, ancestor worship, and
territories as belonging to one quah or another. They do not druidism, revering the often violent spirits of the natural

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 People of the Storval Plateau

world and heroes of the past. While individuals are not Although it is said there were once as many as nine
worshiped, the feats of dead warriors and tendencies of clans, there are currently seven Shoanti quahs—the same
great beasts or powerful natural events are often invoked, number Shoanti lore says were forged in the distant past.
particularly in inspirational ceremonies before hunts and While certain quahs are respected for different reasons
battles. All Shoanti revere those who came before them and and each has its own ways and traditions, among their
respect the powers of the land that—while often cruel— people all are accorded the respect of honored warriors.
still supports their people.
Lyrune-Quah (The Moon Clan)
THE SEVEN QUAHs Known to be expert bowmen and hunters, the swift-footed
The Shoanti are not one people but many—seven nations and keen-eyed warriors of the Lyrune-Quah hunt by dusk
united by heritage and lifestyle. The various quahs and travel by the light of the bright Storval moon. The
largely respect one another and their lands, making Clan of the Moon embraces wisdom as much as strength,
disagreements over resources, territory disputes, and other knowing that one arrow loosed from a precisely aimed
politics—widely held as distasteful and duplicitous—few. bow can fell a giant more effectively than a band of wildly
When conflicts do arise, small skirmishes and individual swinging brawlers.
battles between champions quickly determine whom the The Moon Clan’s true traditional rivals are the Sun
spirits favor. Clan, and centuries ago the two quahs fought bitterly to
establish the borders of their respective territories. The
two quahs are far more alike than each cares to admit,
though, and each quah respects the martial prowess of the
other. Now that both have become irrevocably invested in
battling their own separate wars with outsiders, they are
far more frequently riding to each other’s aid as allies than
as enemies. Warriors of the two quahs value nothing more
than bragging rights gained by helping members of the
other quah out of a tough scrape.
Territory: The Clan of the Moon traverses the open
lands east of the Wyvern Mountains, ranging between the
Kazaron River and the Yondabakari River.
Rite of Passage: The Black Walk. On a moonless night,
the young brave must find the entrance to an underground
cave complex in the Wyvern Mountains. He must then
traverse the dangerous caverns and emerge on the other
side, a feat typically lasting several days. It is during the
Black Walk that many Lyrune-Quah braves first receive a
vision from their future totems.
Common Totems: Bat, cave bear, field mouse, moon,
mountain lion, mountains, owl, rainstorm, stars, wolf.
Totem Domains: Animal, Darkness, Strength,
Weather, War.

Shadde-Quah (The Axe Clan)

The warriors and hunters of the Axe Clan are expert divers
and harpooners, and their people subsist on a diet of
fish, crustaceans, and black abalone. In lieu of yurts, the
Shadde-Quah dwells in sea caves scattered along the coast,
many of which are now linked by narrow twisting passages
hand-dug by the Shoanti. They are one of the few Shoanti
quahs who enjoy permanent settlements.
The Shadde-Quah are quite isolated, largely cut off from
their Shoanti brethren to the east. Despite their isolation,
the Shadde-Quah play an important role in the defense of
coastal Varisia. The Lands of the Linnorm Kings mount

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COMMON SHOANTI EXPRESSIONS the bonds and then swimming up a f jord against the
The Shoanti are a proud and aloof people. When dealing with
outgoing tide.
outsiders, their words are likely to be colored by the basic
Common Totems: Cave bear, cliff, dire bear, eagle, sea,
greetings and most fiercely held truths of their people.
squid, water elemental.
Totem Domains: Animal, Destruction, Strength, Water,
Storval dharanok ekbit roark Shoanti.
Weather.
Our thunder rolls across the Storval Plateau.
(The Shoanti defend the Storval Plateau.)
Shriikirri-Quah (The Hawk Clan)
The Shriikirri-Quah reveres the animals with which it
Kel-grish!
shares the land. It is the Hawk Clan, more so than any other
Greetings!
clan, that believes the study of the nature’s beasts holds
(A common welcoming.)
the key to victory against its foes. Both predators and prey
have much to teach to a Shoanti who watches and listen. As
Sharatok… tshamek.
such, the Hawk Clan swells with both expert hunters and
Be received… stranger.
animal trainers. The quah’s braves’ skill as horsemen is
(A colder, more formalized greeting for outsiders.)
rivaled only by the riders of the Velashu Uplands.
Although they retain many of the traditional cultural
Ferik niklit forenk skoans.
prejudices against Chelaxians, the Shoanti of the Hawk
Until our skulls are gathered.
Clan are also the most likely of the seven quahs to interact
(We fight until our death.)
with other peoples. For many generations, the Clan of the
Hawk has been the face of the Shoanti to the people of
Ahk Storval—rel abeshk!
southwestern Varisia. Chelish inhabitants of Magnimar’s
Away from our lands!
holdings and Ravenmoor regularly trade with emissaries
(A final territorial warning.)
from the Clan of the Hawk, falsely assuming that the
other Shoanti tribes of the Storval Plateau are much the
Irok devit fendrik swork.
same. The other Shoanti quahs have begun to look down
By blood it is sworn.
upon the “soft” members of the Shriikirri-Quah who have
(An iron-clad vow.)
grown too friendly with their land’s invaders.
Territory: The Clan of the Hawk ranges far in its travels,
Storval ekbitel nalharest!
from the Gnashers to the Churlwood, claiming much of the
We walk the land as brothers!
Curchain Hills between the Chavali River and Lampblack
(An oath accepting someone not of one’s quah as a brother.)
River as its demesne. Members of this tribe regularly camp
at the bottom and top of the Storval Stairs, keeping this
important trade artery open to passage.
Rite of Passage: The Plummet. Shriikirri braves undergo
regular nautical incursions along the western shores of many tests, the culmination of which is the Plummet:
Varisia in hopes of establishing an outpost on the Varisian a leap of faith off of the Storval Rise. The brave is saved
Gulf. The Axe Clan views such incursions as a threat to from certain death by a hawk shaman who wildshapes
its domain and posts hawk-eyed spotters on the seaward into a giant raptor and swoops down to snatch the brave
peaks of the western Calphiaks. When a northern fleet just before he hits the ground. It is said that the rush and
is spotted, word quickly spreads throughout the tribe, trauma of the impending doom has attracted many a spirit
and the warriors of the Clan of the Axe sail out in their to grant a fleeting vision.
wavecutters—fast-moving outriggers—to attack the Common Totems: Air elemental, cloud, firepelt, forest
raiders. In recent decades, Magnimar’s Council of Ushers grove, hawk, horse, hippogriff, and wind.
has dispatched what has become known as the Calvitarium, Totem Domains: Animal, Air, Liberation, Strength,
a fleet of caravels laden with harvested grains as payment Weather.
and thanks to the Clan of the Axe for its efforts in guarding
the northern approach to the Varisian Gulf. Shundar-Quah (The Spire Clan)
Territory: The Clan of the Axe claims the coastal valleys The Shundar-Quah see themselves as the diplomats and
of the Calphiak Mountains. storytellers of the Shoanti people, smoothing tensions
Rite of Passage: The Return. This harsh ritual requires between the various clans. Their tribes travel far and
a young warrior to be bound and dropped into the ocean continually remind the other quahs that every clan is
depths. Survival requires bursting oneself free from first and foremost Shoanti, and that brotherhood and

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bringing honor to their people must be the ambition of years among the members of another quah. There, they
every warrior. learn of the differing ways of their people, their problems
Members of the Shundar-Quah hold the monolith and their strengths. At the end of this tenure—easily the
wonder Spindlehorn sacred. Once a decade, the shamans longest rite of passage of any of the quahs—they return to
of the Shundar-Quah perform a pilgrimage to the shadow their clan more experienced, world-wise, and informed.
of Spindlehorn, on the eastern shore of the Storval Deep. Common Totems: Earth elemental, mountain spire, rock
There, they commune with their totems, share what they fall, spirestalker, storm roc. Although rare, some Spire Clan
have learned, and discuss matters that concern their quah warriors are adopted by a totem of their host tribe.
and all others. Totem Domains: Animal, Knowledge, Protection, Rune,
Because the Shundar-Quah see the welfare of all Shoanti Weather.
as their sacred trust, by necessity they must also have an
interest in each clan’s warfare. Whenever a quah loses ground Sklar-Quah (The Sun Clan)
to a significant foe, it is the Spire Clan that is first to bring More so than any other clan in recent memory, the Sklar-
offers of reinforcements. To this end, Spire Clan braves train Quah find themselves embattled by their foes. Since its
to duplicate the tactics of their fellow quahs so that they can retreat over the Storval Rise from southern Varisia, the
swell their brethren’s ranks as seamlessly as possible. Sun Clan has found itself in a vise between orc marauders
Territory: To this day, the Clan of the Spire wanders from the Hold of Belkzen and foreign invaders. The Sklar-
across the northern Storval Plateau, ever seeking to unite Quah now acts as an unwitting buffer, protecting its two
the Shoanti tribes into a single people. They fend for enemies from one another, a reality that has cost the blood
themselves in the custom of the local Shoanti tribes in of countless sons and daughters.
whose territory they wander. Sun Clan youth are taught to hate tshamek (non-Shoanti)
Rite of Passage: The Journey. Young members of the at an early age. Their day-to-day prejudice is viewed
Shundar-Quah must journey into the world and spend 3 as a necessary component of their well-honed survival

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 Curse of the Crimson Throne
instincts. Indeed, the xenophobia is clan-deep; the Sklar- Mounds of the southeastern Cinderlands and the Life
Quah’s shamans are the most warlike among the shaman Falls northeast of the Stony Mountains.
of any quah. Rite of Passage: The Yawning Cave. The final test a
Many Sklar-Quah warriors aspire to join the ranks of Skoan-Quah brave must undergo is to enter a tight cave
the Sklar-Quah’s famed burn riders, their elite mounted complex within the Mindspin Mountains and exit after
cavalry who are able to coax their horses to race through retrieving an animal skull (usually signifying the young
the flames and wildfires of the Cinderlands. Burn riders brave’s future totem). The skull shaman, however, wards
frequently shave much more than just their heads to the cave with glyphs laced with fear-inspiring magic,
protect themselves from the flames, and tend to wear making progress within the cave extremely challenging.
minimal armor and clothing. Common Totems: Ancestor spirit, earth elemental,
The quah’s oral history claims that its ancestors once giant scarab beetle, vulture, will-o’-wisp, wolf.
inhabited the fertile lands east of the Fenwall Mountains, Totem Domains: Animal, Darkness, Earth, Protection,
and honored their totems from a sacred site upon a massive Repose.
pyramid (now the site of the city-state of Korvosa) but that they
were driven into the Cinderlands by Chelish colonists after
decades of battle (see Pathfinder Chronicles: Guide to Korvosa).
Territory: The warlike Clan of the Sun inhabits the
eastern and central reaches of the Cinderlands, both south
of the Kazaron River as well as the plains south and east of
the Yondabakari River.
Rite of Passage: The Burn Run. While there are several
variations among Sklar-Quah tribes, in its most common
form, a brave must outrace a wildfire, bolting for the shelter
of a river or fire break before he is overcome by smoke and
consumed by the flames.
Common Totems: Aurochs, cindersnake, emberstorm,
fire elemental, fire pelt, sun.
Totem Domains: Animal, Fire, Strength, War, Weather.

Skoan-Quah (The Skull Clan)

All six of the other quahs still shudder on occasion
when they deal with the enigmatic Skull Clan and its
impenetrable skull shamans. Warriors of the Skoan-Quah
cake their bodies with a mixture of mud and ash, making
their skin smoky white. This ritual is said to give them
protection against the walking dead, whom they are sworn
to destroy.
The Skull Clan is zealous in its protection and honoring
of the dead. Many Skull Clan tribes sojourn far to consecrate
the burial sites of their fellow Shoanti. This service is
grudgingly appreciated by the other clans, who respect
the power of the Skull Clan and their totems, even if their
morbid shamans quietly unnerve them. The most honored
dead of each tribe are entrusted into the Skull Clan’s care,
leaving the guardians of the dead to transport such heroes
to the Shoanti’s most honored burial grounds—the Kallow
Mounds to the east and the Life Falls to the west. The Skoan-
Quah also shoulders the duty of acting as the historians of
the Shoanti as a whole. In this way, the memories of many
Shoanti live on with the Skoan-Quah, long after their own
quah might have forgotten.
Territory: The Skull Clan keeps to the ancestral burial
lands of their people, primarily surrounding the Kallow

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 People of the Storval Plateau

Tamiir-Quah (The Wind Clan) Tattoos of the Quahs

Cloaked in the skins and feathers of mountain lions, Each Shoanti quah has its own styles of tattooing and symbols
Lurkwood bears, and storm rocs, the Tamiir-Quah know that are either favored or particularly pertinent to their
the hardship of their Sklar-Quah brothers to the east people. While these runes might appear among members of
and stand determined not to lose their mountainous other clans, for warriors of certain quahs they hold particular
homes. While not utterly murderous like the savages of prestige.
the Nolands, they have little patience for trespassers and Lyrune-Quah: Hunters of the Clan of the Moon tend to
sternly—even violently—warn off any who come too near. favor symbols suggestive of the night, sight, and wisdom. The
During the winter months, the Tamiir-Quah take runes Navrik (Eyeless Sight), Iyon (The Great Moon), and Vinic
shelter in a multitude of caves along the western fringe of (Piercing Stone) hold particular prestige.
the Storval Plateau. Once winter gives way to the spring Shadde-Quah: Among the Axe Clan, runes that suggest
thaw, the tribe moves up into small, lush mountaintop vitality, endurance, and traits of the ocean and its beasts are
valleys fed by cold mountain springs that are carefully greatly desired, among them Vonark (Many Arms), Donark
tended. From these high gardens, the Tamiir-Quah mount (The Long Armed), and Eanaw (The Endless Journey).
lightning raids down onto the plateau, attacking any who Shriikirri-Quah: The Clan of the Hawk favors symbols
dare trespass in their domain. suggestive of travel, the wilds, and animals—particularly the
The Clan of the Wind occasionally attacks travelers in horse. The symbols Rotomo (Headwind), Ingir (Beast Heart),
the western Curchain Hills and even as far south as the and Iyavak (The Pack) are among the most desirable.
road between Riddleport and Roderic’s Cove—driving Shundar-Quah: Unity, watchfulness, and the ability to lead
much traffic between those two communities onto the are all vaunted virtues of the Clan of the Spire. For them, the
waters of the Varisian Gulf. runes Drimiil (Guardian Heart), Kokip (Sentinel), and Klartitil
Territory: The secluded Clan of the Wind pervades the (Broad Klar) carry extra weight.
Stony Mountains, claiming all territory within sight of the Sklar-Quah: The fires of their land and way of the warrior
mountains as their land. In truth, though, most tribes of fill the hearts of the Clan of the Sun. Among the Sklar-Quah,
the Tamiir-Quah keep to within 50 miles of the mountains’ the greatest warriors bear the runes Damkil (Orc Skull), Akmiz
eastern and southern hills. (Fire Hand), and Razkiv (Emberstorm).
Rite of Passage: The Longest Cross. The final test for Skoan-Quah: Members of the Clan of the Skull adorn their
a Tamiir-Quah brave is a marathon-style race through bodies with symbols of bones and skulls, their favored patterns
the mountains, lasting several grueling days. Exhausted creating the symbols Sosmo (Forever Dead), Eiril (Duty), and
and weak, the young Shoanti are often vulnerable to Graxt (Eternity).
predators. Tamiir-Quah: The raiders of the Wind Clan often bear
Common Totems: Air elemental, cloud, griffin, storm, symbols related to speed, freedom, and their mountain
storm roc, wind. homes. The runes Dra (Mist), Cilvat (Wind Soul), and Sovola
Totem Domains: Animal, Air, Earth, Protection, War. (The Roc King) bring particular honor.

Shoanti Tattoos
Upon completing their quah’s rite of passage, both male embellishes upon an adult’s tattoo, adding flourishes
and female Shoanti receive their first tattoo. These and elaborations, each of which alters the meaning of
designs sometimes wrap around the newly accepted the base rune. While specific meanings are often vague,
adult’s torso and limbs, and even up the neck and quah members can always identify the symbols of their
across the face. Chosen and traced by a tribe’s shaman tribes, and a tattoo’s wearer can proudly account for every
or thundercaller, hundreds of different tattoo designs specific mark.
exist, each being drawn from an expansive traditional For example, upon being accepted as an adult, the Sklar-
assortment of symbols with their own varied meanings Quah warrior Ardirik receives the rune known as Cidir, a
and implications. These tattoos are typically inked with mark meaning “power through wrath.” Upon aiding his
pigments created from clay and vegetation native to the fellow hunters in the defeat of a particularly destructive
lands a quah inhabits, giving the symbols of each clan orc raiding band, Ardirik is called upon by his tribe’s
distinctive colorations. While a Shoanti receives his shaman, who elaborates upon his tattoo with numerous
tattoo as part of the celebration marking his survival vaguely klar-shapped protrusions, suggesting his role as
of his quah’s rite of passage, this mark is only the basis defender. Upon attaining his 40th summer, Ardirik is
of a design that expands and evolves over the course of again summoned, receiving new lengths to his tattoo that
the wearer’s life. With each decade and every significant creep farther across his arms and neck, suggesting growth
accomplishment, the tribe’s shaman or a thundercaller and a deepening of the core symbol’s meaning.

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