The Uralit

Uralit prize subtlety and nuance, seeing it as one of the many ways they evince superiority over the “lesser” tribes and peoples around them.  They are intensely aware of status, hierarchy, and honor, although that last attribute can mean wildly different things to different Uralit.

The three most important gods to them are:

Tezcatli: Goddess of the Night Sky, “Night Mother/Dread Mother”.  Anything under the stars is within Her purview.  Thus, criminals, assassins, and so on will almost always attempt to propitiate Her before undertaking their various endeavors, lest the Sky-mother see what they are doing (which is certain) and become displeased that Her blessing was not first sought.  If an assassination fails, it is often taken as a sign of divine displeasure.
Favored Stone: Obsidian

Tlaloc: God of the Rain and Waters.  “Bringer of life.”  Critical for an agriculture-based society for obvious reasons.
Favored Stone: Turquoise

Coatl = God of Wind, the Arts, and Learning.   “Lord of the Dawn Star”.  The only god in the Uralit pantheon to have been born from a mortal woman; she is usually said to have been named Nenetl.
Favored Stone:  Jade

The underworld is referred to as Mictlan.  This can also indicate a depressed or excessively-introspective state of mind. 

The priesthood, which includes both men and women, exerts considerable power and influence on and over the (theoretically) hereditary rulership.

Of the 29 now-canon names for the Uralit, 18 are genderless, 6 male only, and 5 female only.  This has definitive impacts/reflections in their broader culture, naturally.

Most powerful of the N’gar in the Camaranthus region by far, they have some fairly large cities far closer to Juramentum than Leptis Regium.  In fact, they share part of the southern shore of Lake Saleesh’kela with that burgeoning center of civilization. 

The Life-favor

One member of Uralit society may ask a life-favor of another.  If the person being asked accepts to undertake said favor and then delivers, the supplicant may never again ask for any sort of boon again.  Obviously, life-favors are almost never over trivial matters, but rather questions of marriage, rank promotions, or even life-and-death.

The Triple Path

The Triple Path is a practice, a mindset, and a way of life.  At its core, the Path is about distinguishing what words and thoughts belong in the spheres of the innermost self, the “private” self shown to family and close friends, and the public persona one projects in Uralit society.

    The public Path is ruled by Coatl, god of wind, the arts, and learning.  He guides one in how to communicate openly with others, and how to maintain good and thriving relations with a wide swath of people. 

    The private Path is tended by Tlaloc, god of the rain and waters.  As is appropriate for the Bringer of Life, Tlaloc is often referenced when speaking with family members and close friends, particularly in matters of birth, marriage, and travel.

The secret Path is presided over by Tezcatli, goddess of the night sky.  These are all of the individual’s most secret thoughts, feelings, and desires.  Here, a member of Uralit society is expected to play out their fantasies, store long-simmering resentments, and even plot murder.  The moment any of the above is in any way communicated beyond the individual, whether spoken, written, or otherwise, the thought/feeling/desire moves from Tezcatli’s purvey and up into either the private or public Path.

A Smattering of Valpiri (the Uralit language)

Has both a “high” and a “low” version.  The difference is roughly how “the Queen’s English” and a strong Southern accent would relate.

aski = almost/demi

teotl = god

teopik = priest/priestess

teopix = priestess (specifically)

Amoix = name for the great lake (means “unknowable”)

Chosen are referred to as “aski-teotl” (or ‘aski’ for short), which roughly translates to ‘demi-god’.  This tells one quite a bit about where they fit into the social structure of the Uralit.  The aski-teotl are typically thought to be sons and daughters of Tezcatli, the Night Mother.  

The Uralit’s ruler’s title is ‘Splendid One’, and he (or very occasionally she) is always Chosen if such exists in that generation.

Uralit Proverbs:

“Every roach is beautiful to its mother.”

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.”

“Even paija fall from trees.”

“Ten people, ten colors.”

“To overcome a desperate situation, make a complete turn in one sudden burst.”

“A bee to a crying face.”

“Spilled tea doesn’t return to the tray.”

“A frog in a well does not know Amoix.”

“Who chases two paija catches neither.”

“The smart hawk hides its talons.”

“There are hardships and there are delights.”

“To continue and preserve is power.”

“Even bream is not delicious when eaten in loneliness.”

“A dove breeding a hawk.”  (A person creating their own destruction.)

“An apprentice near a temple will recite the scriptures untaught.”

“Country is in ruins, and there are still mountains and rivers.”

“The presence of fools makes wise people stand out.”

“Entering the village, obey the village.”

“One cannot quarrel without an opponent.”