Black Leaf Tribe
The Black Leaf Tribe is a barbarian tribe of the coniferous forests of the Northeastern Threshold, ranging along the upper reaches of the River of Black Branches and the forests to the east of its source.
The Black Leaf Tribe is vicious in battle, raiding to steal goods they do not produce themselves and sacrifices they can offer up in thaumaturgic rituals, their range meaning their most common targets are Soja, Lake Kol, Jarrith, and the Gossamer Stockade. The Black Leaf Tribe are known as summoners of demons, though they have no means of binding them, and casualties amongst the tribes are often high. Whenever Black Leaf bands approach too close to their borders or cause too much trouble amongst their allies, the Haltan Commandos strike to cull their numbers and drive them back towards the East.
The most notable symbol of the Tribe are their carved masks. Made from Ironwood, these masks are black and left unpainted, depicting rough human features. Each member of the tribe carves a mask when they come of age, and over their lifetime they embellish their mask with decorative notches to represent kills and accomplishments. Each mask is also given a name. The Black Leaf Tribe considers a mask-wearer to BE the mask when it is worn… they are referred to by the mask’s name, and all accomplishments they achieve are credited to the mask… when it is removed, its former wearer is no more considered responsible than any other random individual, and tribespeople have been known even to deny they have certain knowledge or skills gained while wearing their mask once it is taken away.
In the Black Leaf Tribe, masks hold all the positions of power and influence: they are leaders, shamans, and warriors, while tribespeople not wearing masks are assigned more menial tasks. The great chief of a tribal group might, when he removes his mask, be commanded by a warrior who ought be his subordinate to clean a latrine pit, and he will comply. Masks are not worn at all times, for they have no mouths and must be removed to eat and sleep, but tribespeople typically try to wear their masks as much as possible. Marriages exist within the tribe, but may take place between tribespeople and between masks, creating unusual connections where two people are considered married when they wear their masks, but are each married to a different person when their masks are removed.
Though constructed of Ironwood, masks are sometimes broken in battle or for other reasons. When a mask is broken, its former wearer cannot replace it: they must eke out life as permanently maskless underling to their tribal superiors. Nearly always, the tribesperson will commit suicide when this occurs.
