Warhammer Cultures: Musaany

"It's a truly wonderful thing, to see a procession of elephants across the plains. One would expect from them a lumbering countenance, but they move with surprising grace. Further, one would expect of their keepers a level of stubborness to rival such creatures — like a bulltamer to a bull. But, indeed, the grace of the elephants was surpassed only by their guides.

It boils my blood to think of how their folk were disparaged. Indeed, I suspect much would have been avoided had we listened to what they could teach instead of assuming ignorance from them." 

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Warhammer Cultures: Musaany

The Warhammer World is full of diverse cultures, and their intermingling and antagonism is a core theme of the setting. Over the next while, I’m hoping to expand on the base cultures presented on Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 4^th Edition, page 24, to include this diversity for your games. Today, we’re going to look at Humans (Musaany), the second of three articles focusing on the Southlands (you can find the first — Humans (Kwitanghur), here).

Note: This article deals with a lot of new and unofficial lore for Warhammer. The Southlands are a tragically under explored region in the setting, so what very little there is to go on had to be expanded with the author's own creative license. As such, take all of this with a pinch of salt. This is my interpretation of the Warhammer world: it doesn't have to match yours.

Humans (Musaany) / (Sub-Durbaita Southlander)

The Sub-Durbaita Southlanders are aesthetically the most similar to the various peoples of Araby, though culturally they are very distinct, sharing few of their neighbours customs or beliefs. Though broken into countless smaller tribes, they collectively refer to themselves as Musaany, after which the Musan Hills — where the majority of their lives are spent — are named.

The Musaany are largely pastoral and generally nomadic, guiding great herds of elephants through the lush bushlands of the Musan Hills, and further afield, as traders. The elephants hold great significance to the Musaany, in many different ways.

The Musaany & Elephants

For one, the great elephants of the Musan Hills produce milk which, when churned into butter and cheese, acts as the primary foodsource for the Musaany. Additionally, this cheese is highly sought after by any who have tried it, for its sharpness is unmatched throughout the rest of the Warhammer world.

Second, the elephants are — to the Musaany folk — physical embodiments of their animist ancestor spirits. Though deriving from the same indigenous beliefs as the Kwitanga religion, the faith system of the Musaany focuses on the cultivation of Elephant within the individual, and a belief that one's aspects can shift over life. Those who act against the community might give up their soul to be reborn as a jackal or vulture, whilst those who work for the good of all give their lives to become great elephants. Elephants who, in return for the protection afforded them by the Musaany, protect them in turn. It's difficult to invade a country where the gigantic fauna have a symbiotic bond with the locals, after all!

That being said, the Musaany often trade elephants which have been pushed out of their herds due to unruliness and aggression. The armies of Araby are all too eagre to take on these violent bulls for their endless in-fighting.

Nomads or Not?

Despite being nomadic, the Musaany do not live like most other nomadic peoples. Most specifically, the Musaany do build permanent structures in the form of schools and libraries, where they collect books and knowledge from afar. Musaany passing through one of these settlements are expected to read what they can, and to listen to stories and readings given by Musaany knowledge seekers who have journeyed to far away lands bringing back books.

Additionally, the Musaany fiercely defend their borders, which they determine by the extent of the last of the Musan Hills. This defense usually relies on out-thinking an opponent, and indepth knowledge of their neighbours' tactics and military histories. It's often said that the only people who know the truth of any historical 'fact' are those who were involved, and the Musaany knowledge seekers.

Musaany Stereotypes

Outsiders often consider the Musaany to be cowardly — fleeing in the face of danger, rather than fighting — and foolish for placing so much importance in 'mere animals', often going so far as to doubt their intelligence. However, the Musaany are a deeply savvy people, who prize long-term thinking, and though rarely violent, are masters of defending their lands.

Musaany are commonly found outside of the Musan Hills — as traders, guides across the Sahra Desert or Kwitanga Jungle, or as knowledge seekers — but rarely do they settle outside of their own lands, or travel by ship. The few who have made it as far north as the Empire often do so as part of the retinue of Arabyan or other Southlander travellers. Very few Musaany stay in the Empire, or abroad at all, and usually feel the call back home pulling strongly.

Human (Musaany) Skills & Talents

Skills: Animal Care, Athletics, Charm Animal, Dodge, Drive, Gossip, Language (Any), Language (Mxua), Lore (History), Lore (Musan Hills), Outdoor Survival, Ranged (Throwing)

Talents: Crack the Whip or Read/Write, Lightning Reflexes or Savvy, Way of the Herd, 2 Random Talents

New Talent: Way of the Herd

Max: 1

The Musaany are a tight-knit culture, that believe in strength-in-numbers, and community above all else. However, due to the nomadic and often difficult lifestyle they live, the boundaries of these familial groups can ebb and flow like the spring rains. Your presence confers a +10 bonus to Cool and Endurance Tests to other Characters with the Way of the Herd Talent, or herd animals under your care, whilst you're within line of sight. Characters and Creatures can only gain a maximum of +10 from this bonus, regardless of how many Characters with this Talent are present. You may allow Characters you consider your family to purchase the Adopted by the Herd Talent for 100XP.

New Talent: Adopted by the Herd

Max: 1

The tight-knit culture of the Musaany is, perhaps paradoxically, particularly welcoming to outsiders who prove themselves trustworthy and true. Folk who are considered family of a Musaany may be be given the option to purchase this Talent. It cannot be gained in any other way. You count as having the Way of the Herd Talent for the purposes of gaining a bonus, but cannot confer that bonus on to others. Additionally, you cannot allow others to purchase this Talent.

The Future of Warhammer Cultures?

Two down, one more to go! I hope you've been enjoying this look at the Southlands, and have been thinking about what comes next. If you've got ideas for what I should write after the Coastal Southlands, let me know in the comments below!