Sekwntos

The Sekwntos are a group of Shriaav who were integrated into Wolgos society during the Bind era. This integration process began slowly but was significantly influenced by the conquest of the Altaian Shriaav city-state colonies. Over the decades, the elites of the Shriaav and upper echelons were gradually absorbed into the Wolgos regime. This strategic move by the Wolgos aimed to control the Shriaav-dominated regions of the Bind, as outright subjugation was deemed unlikely to be successful.

The term "Sekwntos" is an exonym given to the integrated Shriaav by the Wolgos, meaning "the following ones." The integration of the Shriaav elites was facilitated by the privileges they obtained from collaborating with the Wolgos regime. These privileges included securing wealth, retaining their old rights and privileges, and maintaining control over other Shriaav. This development caused a schism between the traditional Shriaav and the elite, who came to be seen as collaborators by most Shriaav.

The Sekwntos have adapted to life in Kupeya by blending Shriaav resilience with Wolgos strategies for survival. They exhibit a high degree of emotional resilience and stoicism, traits essential for navigating the manipulative and often dangerous environment created by the Wolgos. The Sekwntos are known for their direct and curt communication style, which helps them avoid falling into Wolgos traps and maintain a sense of control.

Background

The Shriaav in Altaia originated from the Kamuran empire and neighboring lands, exploring the northern coasts of Altaia and founding settlements along the coast and on the banks of the eastern Nuss river and its delta. They formed fishing and farming communities that organized themselves into city-states, which became fully independent from Kamura as the empire experienced difficulties maintaining ties. The city-states were completely independent from each other, trading with each other and at times warring and competing.

Around two centuries ago, as the Wolgos expanded into Altaia and established the Bind, they came to conquer the city-states. Unlike the natives of Altaia, the city-states were far too organized to allow complete subjugation. Instead, the Wolgos vassalized the city-states, maintaining divisions in the area for control.

In the first few years, the states paid taxes and tribute, and contributed labor, but soon enough the Wolgos began settling in the city-states and lands, taking a privileged position within the cities and treating the Shriaav and their elite as their subjects. The Shriaav elite scrambled to maintain their privileges and actively engaged and ingratiated themselves with the Wolgos regime, facilitating their aims and projects, becoming invaluable assets within the region.

As control over the Nuss Delta was solidified, an increasing number of Shriaav began to adopt the new customs and systems implemented by the elite. This shift was driven by a desire to be more successful and to survive in a Wolgos society characterized by rampant uncertainty, conflict, and danger.

During the collapse of the Bind era, the common Shriaav rose up to establish their own independent state and throw off the shackles of the Wolgos regime. Most of the common Shriaav did not integrate into the Wolgos regime and survived by using their integrated elite as advocates and buffers, allowing a certain level of segregation to exist. The elite, however, found no place in the new society being built during the collapse and faced hostility for their cooperation with the Wolgos.

The Shriaav elite from the Bind and their followers saw no other option but to go into exile with the Wolgos or face severe repercussions, including death. They joined the Wolgos during the decade-long evacuation, frequently chartering their own ships and pleading with the Wolgos to assist them in securing places on their ships or helping them secure old cargo ships. Around half a million Shriaav made it to Kupeya along with their Wolgos allies.

In Kupeya, the Sekwntos continue to navigate their unique position within Wolgos society. They retain their elite status and privileges, but their history of collaboration creates a complex social dynamic. The Sekwntos, while benefiting from their alignment with the Wolgos, also face the challenge of balancing their identity as Shriaav with their role in Wolgos society. This integration involves adopting Wolgos customs and practices while maintaining aspects of their Shriaav heritage.

Culture and Mannerisms

Culturally, the Sekwntos remain distinct from the Wolgos, maintaining an insular culture shielded from many Wolgos practices. They follow their own religion and have alternate social structures that differ significantly from those of the Wolgos. To exist within the Wolgos society of Hergom, the Sekwntos have created their own tribes, which outwardly operate as Wolgos tribes to benefit from the legal framework that allows them to serve their tribal members' needs. Inwardly, however, their social structure and hierarchy are unique to the Sekwntos.

Linguistically, the Sekwntos no longer speak Kamuran; instead, they speak a dialect of Wolgos with heavy Kamuran influence in vocabulary and some grammatical changes. The Sekwntos maintain no ties with Kamura or the Nuss region, and as such, their language remnants are archaic and heavily influenced by Wolgos loanwords. This unique dialect serves as a cultural marker, preserving their heritage while also adapting to their current socio-political context.

Sekwntos cuisine retains much of its old Nuss region adaptations of Kamuran cuisine. Their classic staples include pan-blanched mixed vegetables with various kinds of sauces, grain porridges, and firm sago or starchy jelly blocks cut into slices or pearls, flavored with rich sauces and garnishes. Grilled or roasted pork and poultry also feature prominently in their diet. In Kupeya, the Sekwntos have extensive sago plantations in Alutea but have increasingly relied on cassava as a starchy substitute for both their jelly blocks and pancakes. This adaptation reflects both their resourcefulness and their ability to integrate new elements into their traditional culinary practices while maintaining their cultural identity.

Mannerisms and behaviour

The Sekwntos, a group of Shriaav integrated into Wolgos society during the Bind era, have adapted to their new environment in a manner that diverges significantly from traditional Shriaav and Kamuran cultures. Unlike their predecessors, the Sekwntos society is characterized by a pronounced emphasis on violence, ruthlessness, and strict adherence to loyalty, hierarchy, and tribal notions.

The Sekwntos have developed a high degree of emotional resilience and stoicism, essential traits for navigating the manipulative and often dangerous environment created by the Wolgos. This emotional fortitude helps them withstand the psychological pressures exerted by their Wolgos counterparts and maintain their own sense of identity and purpose. To avoid falling into Wolgos traps and maintain a sense of control, the Sekwntos have adopted a communication style that is direct and curt. This approach minimizes opportunities for manipulation and ensures that interactions remain straightforward and focused. It also serves as a protective mechanism, preventing deeper entanglements that could compromise their personal autonomy.

The Sekwntos engage with Wolgos society in a calculated manner, selectively participating in activities and forming alliances that benefit their community. This strategic engagement allows them to gain the advantages of integration without becoming fully assimilated. Despite outward appearances, the Sekwntos maintain a highly insular community structure. They have created their own tribes that operate within the legal framework of Wolgos society, yet inwardly their social structure and hierarchy remain completely unique to the Sekwntos.

Violence and Hierarchy

Sekwntos society is inherently more violent and ruthless than traditional Shriaav or Kamuran cultures. This shift has been driven by the need to survive and thrive in a harsh and often hostile Wolgos environment. Physical toughness and the ability to assert dominance through violence are highly valued traits. Rituals that require demonstrations of strength, endurance, and brutality are commonplace, serving to both reinforce social hierarchies and instill a sense of communal identity. The entirety of Sekwntos society is permeated by a gang-like mentality that places extreme importance on loyalty and adherence to a strict hierarchy. Membership in a Sekwntos tribe involves a series of initiation rituals designed to test an individual's commitment and toughness. These rituals often include acts of violence and endurance, with new members expected to prove their worthiness through displays of loyalty and ruthlessness. Failure to meet these expectations can result in severe punishment or expulsion.

Hierarchy within Sekwntos society is rigid and unforgiving. Leaders are often those who have demonstrated exceptional strength, strategic acumen, and the ability to command loyalty through both respect and fear. The social structure is heavily stratified, with each level of the hierarchy demanding strict obedience from those below. This hierarchy is maintained through constant vigilance, and any perceived disloyalty or weakness is swiftly dealt with to preserve order and authority. Acts of loyalty within Sekwntos society are not merely symbolic; they are concrete demonstrations of one's commitment to the tribe and its leaders. Members are expected to participate in violent acts, both within and outside the community, to prove their allegiance. These acts can range from defending the tribe against external threats to enforcing internal discipline through brutal means. The ability to perform such acts without hesitation is a key measure of one's standing within the community.

Cultural rituals in Sekwntos society are deeply intertwined with their notions of toughness and loyalty. These rituals often involve physical challenges, tests of endurance, and acts of violence designed to weed out the weak and ensure that only the strongest and most committed individuals rise to positions of power. Ritual combat, where members fight each other to prove their strength and resolve, is a common practice. These combats are not to the death, but they are brutal and can result in serious injury. Despite the emphasis on violence and hierarchy, there is a strong sense of community solidarity among the Sekwntos. This solidarity is forged through shared experiences of hardship, loyalty, and the constant threat of external and internal challenges. Members of the Sekwntos tribe are expected to support each other unconditionally, and this support extends to all aspects of life, from personal conflicts to collective endeavours. The bonds formed through these experiences are incredibly strong, creating a tight-knit community that can rely on each other in times of need.