Factions of the Jungle

THE Hippoli Tribe

The Hippoli Tribe nominally control the jungle of fallen stars although in truth they control only the city of Hippoli, the surrounding human towns and the port of knives. The Hippoli Tribe itself was born from two previous tribes, the Hiplytes and the Atziaz. The union came about through marriage and convenience between the wealthy but small Hiplytes and the poorer but more numerous Atziaz, however this has led to a social divide with the majority of the nobility being of Hiplyte ancestry while the Atziaz descendents make up the working people. This is also seen in the make-up of their settlements with the towns and villages gaining names from the Atziaz language while in the city of Hippoli the Hiplyte language prevails.

Leadership

The Hippoli tribe is matriarchal, with the royalty and status passing along the female line, by the ancient compact that united the tribes the queen's first husband must be of Atziaz descent however the queen is free to take other husbands or wives as they wish after the first. The current leadership of Hippoli consists of Queen Sarbe and her royal household alongside the council of elders. By the traditions of the old Hippoli tribe the royal household is responsible for the protection and growth of the tribe while the elders are to deal with the mundanities of bureaucracy and economics. The relative peacetime since Hippoli joined the Sarune Confederation has led to Queen Sarbe looking towards the great expanse of jungle for further threats and conquests. She would see Hippoli’s reach spread south to dominate and secure the wild reaches of the jungle as solely part of her domain.

Culture

At the heart of the Hippoli tribe there exists a tension, a push and pull between their traditions of animism and working beside nature and the colonial desire for territory expansion and resource exploitation. Most people of the Hippoli tribe still venerate the spirits of the jungle and respect their power but some, particularly the leaders and merchants of the tribe, also push the boundaries of this respect in their search for means of profit. This being said the tribe still strongly holds to the religious practices championed by the ancestors. The worship of gods is outlawed with all ceremonies and festivals being strictly secular in nature. The power of spirits is respected but not worshipped.

Membership of the Sarune Confederation

The Sarune Confederation is a union of fourteen tribes who came together to oppose the invasion of the golden lord around 30 years ago. It is named after the city of Sarune where the confederation was agreed. Since the ending of the war the members of the confederation have continued to work together and for the Hippoli this has meant a vast increase in trade and cultural exchange particularly in the city known as the port of knives.

Lizardfolk Tribes

The Lizardfolk tribes are the native inhabitants of the Jungle and whilst they each have different characteristics and traditions they all share one duty above all others, To rid the jungle of any and all draconic presence.

The Cults of Law & Chaos

The world of Aeio is plagued by the actions of gods. The Lords of Law and the Princes of Chaos fight over the lands seeking to create a world entirely free of the other. While many curse the gods and seek to forge their own path the rewards for serving the gods are great and many are lured by the temptation of power though in reality most end up as slaves.