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Forja, Mexico

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Forja

Links
Basics
  • Meaning:
    • before (fore) + you (ja)
    • forgeworks, Spanish
  • Demonym: Forjan
  • Languages Spoken: Spanish, Nahuatl
    • Introduced Languages: Arabic (Amaranthe, Savoy), Hindi (Badami)
  • Influence(s):
  • Group Archetype(s):
    • Meritocratic, Tribesmen, Warriors
  • Individual Archetype(s):
    • Explorers, Herders, Merchants, Rangers, Shamans, Soldiers
Statistics and Foundation
Primary Map

On this page... (hide)

  1.   1.  Overview
  2.   2.  Geography
    1.   2.1  Ek' Balam
    2.   2.2  Selva
    3.   2.3  Anahuac
    4.   2.4  Teocalli
  3.   3.  Resources
    1.   3.1  Flora
    2.   3.2  Fauna
    3.   3.3  Miscellaneous
  4.   4.  Culture
    1.   4.1  Daily Life
    2.   4.2  Biases and Prejudices
    3.   4.3  Social Structure
    4.   4.4  Law and Order
  5.   5.  Religion
    1.   5.1  Central Belief(s)
    2.   5.2  Rituals and Ceremonies
    3.   5.3  Religious Symbols
    4.   5.4  Religious Orders
  6.   6.  Significant Families
    1.   6.1  On-Board
    2.   6.2  Other
  7.   7.  History
  8.   8.  Status, Notes, and References
    1.   8.1  Status
    2.   8.2  Inconsistencies
    3.   8.3  References
    4.   8.4  Name and Word Meanings

1.  Overview

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2.  Geography

2.1  Ek' Balam

The Acropolis

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2.2  Selva

The Jungle

Towering ceiba trees with their colossal trunks stretch toward the sky, their branches adorned with vibrant orchids and dangling vines, while the thick canopy above casts mottled shadows on the forest floor. The air is heavy with humidity, and the calls of exotic birds and black howler monkeys create an ever-present symphony of wildlife. Passion fruit, plumeria, african tulips, and golden shower trees bristle with color and humming insects, with praying mantis and great grasshoppers being common sights. Winding down overgrown trails, would-be adventures frequently encounter centuries-old ruins and hidden cenotes, but also the incredible diversity of life that thrives in this mesmerizing environment.

2.3  Anahuac

The Coast

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Cras sollicitudin, nisi elementum hendrerit rutrum, neque nisl tincidunt quam, ut gravida massa lectus molestie lorem. Integer felis neque, molestie tincidunt nisl sed, efficitur finibus leo. Vestibulum consequat, ex ut condimentum tincidunt, velit urna convallis nibh, sed sodales magna felis vel lorem. Praesent venenatis elit vitae ornare bibendum. Vestibulum vitae dictum elit. Curabitur ac orci eget elit scelerisque vulputate. Nulla facilisi.

2.4  Teocalli

The Sunspire

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Cras sollicitudin, nisi elementum hendrerit rutrum, neque nisl tincidunt quam, ut gravida massa lectus molestie lorem. Integer felis neque, molestie tincidunt nisl sed, efficitur finibus leo. Vestibulum consequat, ex ut condimentum tincidunt, velit urna convallis nibh, sed sodales magna felis vel lorem. Praesent venenatis elit vitae ornare bibendum. Vestibulum vitae dictum elit. Curabitur ac orci eget elit scelerisque vulputate. Nulla facilisi.

3.  Resources

3.1  Flora

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3.2  Fauna

3.3  Miscellaneous

4.  Culture

4.1  Daily Life

Language: The spoken language(s) of Forja are Spanish and Nahutal.

  • Exceptions do, of course, exist; an example of this is the Badami family speaking Hindi amongst themselves.

Residences: A vast majority of Forja's homes are of more recent construction, and consist largely of wooden huts. Some pre-existing stone structures do exist toward the center of 'town' and tend to be square one or two room buildings that share walls with their neighbors.

  • The proverb 'the house of every one is to him as his castle and fortress' is particularly poignant among Forja's residents; generally speaking, what goes on beyond closed doors is the business of those who live there and no one else's.

4.2  Biases and Prejudices

Outsiders: It is said that a Forjan native will never forget or forgive, and this is perhaps the truest of all rumors about them as a people; a history of annexation—specifically, the mass migration that lead Forja's founders from Mexico's more populous cities—is still fresh despite it being ancient history.

  • To that point, Forja and its inhabitants are wary of outsiders. One may live among them for a majority of their natural life and never become a trusted confidant or friend to his neighbor.

Species: Prior to the arrival of two travelers no one had ever seen a wolf-hybrid before, and there are mixed feelings about their arrival.

4.3  Social Structure

Something:

4.4  Law and Order

Something:

5.  Religion

5.1  Central Belief(s)

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Tezcatli

A vengeful god of night, jaguars, sacrifice, and sorcery, Tezcatli is also the patron deity of Forja's royal line and the nagualli.

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Inca

The benevolent god of daytime, eagles, war, and fire, Inca is also the patron deity of Forja's sun maidens and the pack's eagle warriors.

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Quetzal

A kind god representing the quest for knowledge, truth, justice, and balance, Quetzal is believed to concern himself with everyone overlooked by Tezcatli and Tōnatiuh; creative types (and woodworkers in particular) often create totems for him.

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Viracocha

A neutral god of duality, brine, sea turtles, weather (both favorable and tempestuous), and journeys (both personal and over land), Viracocha is generally depicted as being bi-gender and/or nonbinary; they favor the tidewatchers, stargazers, and freedivers of Forja.

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5.2  Rituals and Ceremonies

Ritual Sacrifice

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Cuāuhmeh Rites

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Nagualli Trial

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5.3  Religious Symbols

Drums

Measuring nearly 12ft (3.5m) in diameter, Forja's trio of massive drums are central to their culture and used for a multitude of purposes: communication, entertainment during feasts, religious ceremonies, and as a call to war.

Crocodile Skins

Like many civilizations the Forja believe that only water was present in the beginning, and that the earth came about through the direct actions of a large creature: in this case, Cipactli, a water demon with the features of a crocodile, toad, and fish.

  • Those who wear crocodile skin are often creators in some way—craftsmen, builders, woodworkers, et al.—and regarded as 'seekers of truth'; from the raw material(s) they render its true image.
Eagle Feathers

The eagle is representative not only of the sun (and therefore the heights to which all Forja men and women aspire to) but bravery and loyalty.

  • Worn solely by the cuāuhmeh (eagle knights), they are displayed with dignity and pride; they may be dyed depending on the individual, but are generally worn as-is.
Jaguar Masks

Due to their ability to hunt and see at night, there is a belief among the Forja that jaguars are capable of traveling between worlds, specifically the real world and the land of the dead.

  • Carved for the wearer, tecuani (jaguar masks) are unique and highly variable in appearance, with the only limitation being that they are derived from bocote wood, which shares its appearance with a jaguar's pelt.
  • Only the nagualli (jaguar shamans) of Forja are permitted to wear these masks, as it is symbolic not only of their abilities, but the trials through which they have gone to attain such a status.

5.4  Religious Orders

Maidens of the Sun

Also referred to as 'chosen women' and 'the wives of Inca', sun maidens are sequestered women chosen first and foremost for their beauty. In addition to their duties as priestesses and mouthpieces of the gods, they produce luxury items such as fine cloth, ritual food, and brewed alcohols.

  • While it is believed the gods will generally do what is required, whether it be the sending of great storms or expressing their rage through the eruption of nearby volcanoes, sometimes a course correction is necessary; when this happens, Forja selects a Sun Maiden to be sacrificed.
  • Despite these living sacrifices taking their name from their sun god, their life—and death—can be in service to any of Forja's pantheon. Tezcatli, for example, was ever jealous of Inca, and would have no qualms with accepting a wife intended for him.
  • Due to the ever-present possibility of their imminent death in service of the kingdom, their status is very nearly equal to that of the Sun-King.
The House of Ash

Sometimes called the 'Order of the Ancients', the House of Ash acts as a semi-secret order within Forja and their numbers consist entirely of the pack's nagualli.

  • On a bi-annual basis the one or two individuals who successfully complete their nagualli trial become full-fledged members of the House of Ash.
  • Having survived their trial and therefore successfully made their pact with Tezcatli, fully instated nagualli function as both shamans and, should the need arise, arcane assassins. It is believed that through 'magic', they are capable of bending the natural order of the world to deliver their targets to Tezcatli's waiting jaws.
  • Their existence is an open secret within Forja, but beyond its borders the House of Ash is spoken of in a way that is reminiscent of the bogeyman or multo.

6.  Significant Families

6.1  On-Board

Amaranthe and Savoy: Lotan Amaranthe and his mate, Rahab de le Poer, settled here in 2021.

  • A naturalist seeking peace in his 'retirement', Lotan spends much of his time studying the local wildlife.
  • Unaccustomed to inactivity, Rahab has taken to training Forja's younger generations and is something akin to the captain of their guard.

6.2  Other

Badami:

  • A sailing merchant, Devaraja Badami and his (second) wife, Aizah, settled in Forja some five years ago. It is well known that Deva's first wife is living blissfully unaware of his infidelity in Barbados.
    • While Devaraja is an intermittent occupant at best, Aizah and her children, Ishani and Javed, live full time in the shadow of the acropolis; weavers—or stitchers, as Forja's frequent refer to them—by trade, the trio does a bustling business.

Izel:

  • Tenoch Izel is someone who does something.

Leraje:

  • The oldest family in Forja, Huemac Leraje and his family are related to nearly every individual found in the acropolis. A legendary archer, Huemac Leraje is the current Sun-King, and it's expected that his son, Necalli, will succeed him one day.

Valac:

  • Tepin Valac is the eldest of the sun maidens and serves as their matron. She is one of the most respected members of Forja.

7.  History

8.  Status, Notes, and References

8.1  Status

8.2  Inconsistencies

Forja is no way intended to accurately represent Aztec, Incan, Mayan, Muiscan, or any other real-life Mesoamerican civilization, and these influences were exactly that: loose inspiration for what is ultimately a work of fiction.

8.3  References

8.4  Name and Word Meanings


Categories: Forja? | Lorraine