TRIBE INFORMATION

Long ago the three tribes used to live as one. While none are left alive who know why they split and even the stories passed down through the generations tell nothing of the cause. Of them all, little is known about the Azrite people due to their more reclusive and shy nature. It's easy for them to hide from the Cyal people, keeping burrowed away in the cave systems they call home. They are experts at carving and crafting, creating works of art while still being resourceful with what little they have. Among the tribes they are the most curious, wishing to know about lands and sights they have never seen before and cannot even imagine.

They make their home deep within the earth - using the natural stone and dirt around them to vanish without a trace high up in the mountain region of the island. Because of the natural formations of the stone and the help of various subterranean Pokemon who coexist with them the Azrites have barely needed to modify the caverns in which they call their village. Every now and again they widen something to make room; a small niche here for a bed, another one there to hold their fireplace. They otherwise disturb very little.

As many things could no possibly live where they are it is not uncommon to find that their companion Pokemon are those who thrive in the dark, rocky environment around them. While some can be found beneath the earth in their caverns and twisting tunnels, others are befriended during the trips to the surface. Fire and electric type Pokemon are coveted for their abilities to help heat and light up the caves, while ground and rock are useful for expanding and repairing their homes.

Thanks to the fact that there is very little for them to work with, it should be noted that of the three tribes the Azrites are the most advanced by way of technology. As their homes span many different levels and tunnels all around one central cavern the more intelligent and crafty of their people created a system of pulleys and walkways to help them get around and transport things. Even crystals and gems found within are put to work to help light and heat things upon finding out that some of them retain properties once hit with a Pokemon's flame or spark. While they are still well behind in the aspect of the Cyal Region and much of the other known world, there is a possibility for them to learn and develop.

Men of the Azrite tribe are considered the most important, as the belief is that their strength will be more of a blessing to them then the frailty of women. It is considered a blessing to give birth to a son and the woman who gives her husband the most sons is often pampered because of it. A woman moves into the home of her husband upon marriage, leaving her parents and remainder of her family behind to adopt his parents and family as her own.

While it is rare for someone from Cyal to find them without a guide, those who manage to visit the cavern on multiple occasions have done wonders in convincing them that if they let their children travel to Cyal they will learn of all the amazing wonders of technology that there is to offer. Bigger and better inventions then the ones that the tribe has been using for the last century or so.



The language of the Azrite closely resembles that of Slavic (such as Russian) nature. It is almost a harsh, guttural sound much fitted for the rocky and dark land in which they live. They generally speak loudly (as men) and softly (as women) so it is not unheard of for booming voices to reach one another in the darkness, while bare whispers lick at the stone walls. Their language is just as hard as that of the Itripal's to learn and so those who come from Cyal often revert to the langue of the Soclla to communicate with them though they are determined to teach the Azrite's their own language as well.

Centuries of below-ground living has left the Azrite people pale beyond the norm. They rarely even venture out into the land when the sun is out choosing to do their hunting and gathering by moonlight to protect their eyes from the harsh rays. Their night vision and low-light vision is extraordinary because of this though still within human decency range.

Because of the rank of men within the tribe it is not uncommon for them to have something between one to three wives - if not occasionally more based on their status. Women are often not given a choice in this matter; if a man wishes to wed them and their union is beneficial to her family then she is wed to the man regardless of if she loves him or not. Still it is rare that her husband will treat her badly and there are many cases where he himself does not love her either as his family chose her to be his perfect match.

Then too, is the fact that homosexuality is often frowned upon in the tribe. A man and a woman belong together - nothing more, nothing less. Obviously there are whispers of acts that should be banned, but none have dared to outright show relationships of that nature for fear of the backlash.

While they do not consider them to be a Legendary Pokemon, there is truth in the fact that they feel more closely connected to the Aron family. Perhaps this is because they credit their home of tunnels to the Pokemon's endless need to hunt for iron to consume. Either way, none dare lay a finger on Aron or it's evolutions even if one comes along and trashes their home.

They do not see death as death - to them, should you be worthy enough you will simply evolve to a higher plain; another state of being beyond what they can see just as Pokemon evolve endlessly. It is widely accepted that upon death you will come back as a Pokemon yourself. Elders are highly respected because they are considered the closest to becoming a Pokemon again and everyone of all ages will readily come to the assistance of them should they need anything. Mostly however the elders of the tribe spend their days relaxing together and talking about old times, always eager to share stories of their exploits to the younger generations.



Zircon is the title bestowed upon the leader of the tribe. White it is a title able to be granted to anyone of adult age, one can only earn the title after the previous Zircon has passed and they were considered to be the most intelligent and had the eye of the previous Zircon and his Agate. Unfortunately this position is often given to the more well-off members of the tribe, and efforts have been made by the last few Zircons to keep only the most powerful and prestigious in the position. As the Zircon is it extremely rare for him to have any less than three wives - after all, as someone as powerful as he should have whatever he wants and the rest of the tribe are eager to jump at the chance to be promoted.

If one is lucky enough to catch the eye of the Zircon and his Agate, then he will become known as the Topaz. The next leader to be, being trained and groomed to fill the shoes of the Zircon when his soul passes and he evolves back into a Pokemon like he was before. Often the Topaz has become a little too big in the ego department and takes glee in the fact that he can get away with things that he might otherwise have been scolded for before he was selected.

True to the nature of the tribe, the Agate too, is always male. He is the voice of nature - depicting dreams and omens as well as spreading their history through stories and offering his healing abilities. This title is always passed down through his bloodline and the grooming to become the next Agate is begun at a very young age.

While children are not expected to work until they are eleven, most are given tasks even younger than that in helping their mother(s) keep their home clean though more often than not boys are excused from this kind of work while their sisters are expected to help. They are considered a child until they reach the age of sixteen.

Though they aren't needed as much the Azrite people still have a Guard that protects their entrances and passes messages down the tunnels by way of reports. A select few are chosen to patrol their boarders every day, taking care that neither the hotheaded Itripal or the more curious Soclla wandered onto their land. You must be fourteen or older to be assigned to the Guard, and it is only comprised of males based on their concept of strength in the gender.

Those who are the Hunters for the tribe are considered important; without them they would have very little in the way of food and their trips to the surface are required to keep everyone fed. While it is primarily a task given to men on rare occasions a woman might be found within the ranks.

The Gatherers bring back the wood needed to light their fires, and to keep their caves running smoothly. As an offset of that they are also tasked with bringing home some plant life to feed upon, or tending what little garden they can grow in the rocky soil of their mountain home. While this job is often given to women there are a few men scattered here and there. Children too, can be found helping out whenever they are given a chance.









             

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