Agbedu

The Agbedu are lean and wiry, their physiques being honed by a life of movement. Their skin tones vary across any and all shades of brown and golden hues, and they often adorn themselves with colorful body paints that signify their ties to their tribe or kingdom. Their hair is black or dark brown in color, and it is often worn in decorative yet practical braids and dreadlocks or in shaved patterns and designs. Many tribes of Agbedu adorn themselves with various types of piercings, often using them to denote status within their society. They favor wearing light, breathable fabrics adorned with various beads and charms, representing their ancestral identity and status among their peers. Their eyes often hold an intensity that reflects their knowledge of the land and devotion to their people.

The Agbedu are highly skilled survivalists, and they always seem to know how to make do with very little. They can cross the toughest natural obstacles with ease and have grown resilient immune systems thanks to traditional elixirs and remedies.

The Agbedu originate from the sprawling savannas and steppes of the Savage Lands of Jalafar, having been established here long before written history. Prior to the Cataclysm, it is believed that their people once lived in a mighty kingdom that spanned most of their home continent. Today, however, only the three kingdoms of Ákrabu, Saantili, and Ziwana remain, as well as countless nomadic groups who live in the unclaimed lands between. While every region of the Savage Lands has its own history, one thing that unites all of its inhabitants is a history of conflict. Resources can be scarce across these regions, so the three kingdoms and countless independent tribes have long battled one another for control of their home. Yet, even with these complex dynamics, the Agbedu have always been united by common connections to the lands they live in.

One of the key unifying ideals that unite the varied Agbedu people are their reverence to their ancestors. Whether they be fully nomadic or live in a settled kingdom, they believe that the spirits of those who came before them are forever with them acting as guides and protectors. To honor these guides, spiritual leaders will lead their people in ceremonies, songs, and dances that intend to show their thanks for the spirits' watchful presence. Many of these events are also used to teach lessons on virtues or life's challenges, helping to prepare the next generation for any difficulties they may face in the future. The stories and songs that teach these lessons are as varied as the people who created them, and every part of Agbedu land brings with it new tales to listen to.

The biggest and most prevalent aspect of Agbedu culture is their reverence for the natural world. Their people are but stewards and inhabitants of the land, being interconnected with and no different than any other creature around them. It is due to this belief that their people utilize as little as they can, whether this be through moving seasonally or keeping established cities as dense as possible. Regardless of the specific method, nearly all Agbedu choose to protect the natural environment of their home.

Even with their diversity, a universal trait of Agbedu identity are their people's pilgrimages across the Savage Lands. Regardless of whether they live in a developed city or a constantly moving tribe, they all share a key few destinations throughout their homeland. One of the most infamous is Ziggurat Ikonye, a ruined temple found in the heart of the Savage Lands. While the origins of the ziggurat and its original purpose are shrouded in the past, the Agbedu now utilize it as a sort of hub for their people. Countless merchants from all across the Savage Lands come here to sell their goods, and major disputes between factions both large and small are often settled in the ziggurats neutral halls. Yet, the largest and most important site to their people is the fabled Ismmiri, which is a collection of ancient ruins nestled within a far river valley. All groups of Agbedu, both large and small, make the arduous journey there and seem to put aside any and all differences between them. For something so important to their culture, however, few if any outsiders have ever set foot in Ismmiri, and its true significance remains a mystery.

The nomadic and semi-nomadic lifestyle of many Agbedu have defined how they interact with their neighbors, often times negatively so. Many more powerful societies, often those who seek to claim the Savage Lands as territory, sometimes view their people as almost primitive or uncivilized. Most interactions with the Agbedu are also ones of hostility, as they view foreign colonies in their native land as an invasion of their home and as disrespect to the environment. This has led to mistrust of the Agbedu among foreign powers in the Savage Lands, mainly among settlers from the Holy Empire of Acolytius and Janiib Sultanate. The diverse internal politics between the Agbedu does not help this perception, and many outsiders will only ever take note of the contention. However, with the kingdoms of Ákrabu, Saantili, and Ziwana making efforts to establish trade routes with some of their foreign neighbors, perhaps these larger powers will eventually see more than the conflict they choose to focus on.