AMAZONS

SUMMARY

The Amazons are an all-female tribal society in the far western continent of Kalhoum, which they call Akar’Dia. The Amazons are a general term for three distinct races that make up their society. These are the humanoid Amazonians, and their Valkyr sired daughters, the Valkyries. Along with snake tailed Gorgons, and leather winged Harpies, the Amazons are a united sisterhood under their three faced goddess Bel’Moirae. The bloodthirsty goddess Bel’Moirae’s motives are not know to any, even the Amazons themselves. They worship her for she was their savior, and promises them her unfathomable power, if they can earn it. It is not known how the Amazons protect their souls from Damnation, or even if they do. Their culture is based on competition, only the best are welcomed and celebrated in their society through brutal trials and a life of battle. This philosophy has made the Amazons some of the most feared and powerful warriors in all of Er. Only the most savage Amazons will survive until adulthood, after a grueling adolescence of contention and rivalry between sisters. Through years of grueling training, young sisters will compete to be the first to complete the deadly Crimson Contest. Afterwards, they will be welcomed fully into the tribe, covered in wounds, and drenched in the blood of their weaker peers. Amazon warbands will go to battle in little to no armor, as a show of skill and disrespect toward their opponents. Some warbands will even fight completely nude, not only as a boast, but also a distraction to many opponents on the battlefield. Most Amazons will travel the world, fighting and claiming glory for themselves to rise above their sisters. Amazons respect strength and will occasionally let some opponent live, as a sign of respect. The fiercest of opponents are taken back to their homeland and used to sire a new generation of Amazons through their bloody and carnal rituals. After any males that have been captured have fulfilled their purpose, they are sacrificed in bloody rituals in honor of their bloodthirsty goddess. All Amazons worship through battle, and the spilling of blood. Most tribes have the same rituals and religious practices, though their society and culture may differ based on their local regions and traditions.

Amazonians- Amazonians are the most humanoid race of the Amazons. The original Amazonians were a tribe of female Valkyr warriors during the Cataclysm. Bel’ Moirae was said to have led their ships to the new land, where they soon met and integrated with the local Gorgons and Harpies after several years of brutal warfare. Amazonians are tall for a human, about 6’ on average and large muscular builds, gained through years of battle. Most Amazonians will never retreat, even in the most dire of circumstances and will fight until their last breath. Amazonians are the most common of the tribeswomen as they have a penchant for taking as many “trophies” as possible for themselves. Many Amazonians will also travel North to the chilled lands of the Valkyr for yearly Rituals of Siring, which are weeks long events filled with fighting, competition, and usually drinking, to find the strongest and best possible sire. Females born of this ritual are the Valkyrie, and are prized daughters among the Amazonians. Male Valkyr born of the rituals of siring are not killed, instead they are raised away from the tribe until 10 years old, when they are banished from their home and sent to find their way back home to their clan.

Valkyrie- The daughters of the mighty Valkyr and Amazonians are known as the Valkyrie. They look identical to their Amazonian sisters, but have a much fiercer temperament, and a more rugged demeanor. Valkyrie thrive in battle, and will never let the opportunity of a good fight pass them up. Valkyrie sisters are encouraged to go north each year during the Rituals of Siring, in order to maintain a strong Valkyrie bloodline for future daughters. All Valkyrie are not forced to stay in Akar’Dia. At 16, after their Crimson Contest, all Valkyrie must return home north to their fathers. They must live there until there 20th birthday, and must choose to return or stay with the Valkyr Clans. A returning Valkyrie is a moment of celebration, and much blood will be spilt in honor of the returned sister. She will be tempered by the north, and the Valkyr’s ways and thus be a formidable addition to any tribe.

Gorgon- The Gorgon are known in many lands as scaled sirens. Their gaunt face, flowing hair, and lithe torso giving way to a snake’s tail has caught many in a grotesque beauty. Their movements are deadly and graceful, their hungry, fanged stare has been known to terrify the hearts of opponents and force them to flee in horror and confusion. Their body the size of a man but with their tail, Gorgons have been known to be over 15’ in length. Gorgons originate from the eastern wetlands of Akar’Dia. Thankfully, it is not fully known how Gorgons use their sires to lay their egg clutches. Gorgon births are however very rare, as the clutches must be cared for and protected for upwards of a year, and even then, only about 1/10 are live, healthy females. Many Gorgons will come together into covens, laying all their eggs in a single location, this ensures shared responsibility in care and protection for the clutches. Gorgons are usually superstitious and have many cultural traditions shared between sisters of a coven. In warbands, Gorgons usually lead rituals and any religious ceremonies while out traveling. They are the most pious of the three faced goddesses’ children, and their blessings are said to bring honor and glory to any who spill blood in Bal’ Moirae’s name.

Harpy- Harpies are humanoids, with large leathery wings and savage fangs and claws. They have a feral demeanor, never able to stay still for very long. Harpies are terrifying foes, choosing to kill their prey slowly, drawing out the inevitable death in order to savor the kill. They stand the height of an Amazonian, with a stringier, and more predatory build. Originally from the eyries of the western mountains, they have now spread throughout Akar’Dia with the rest of their Amazon sisters. Like Gorgons, the exact process of siring Harpies is not fully known, but single Harpies have been known to lay up to 6 eggs at a time in their nests. Once the eggs have been laid, Harpies will leave and force their daughters to hatch and fend for themselves during their childhood in the eyries. Many Harpies will be found viciously racing each other or killing anything that moves, while out traveling with a warband. Harpies are many times used as messengers and scouts, but no matter their orders, the desire to kill will always be a Harpies priority.