Legacy:Mostagedda

Mostagedda
Capital	None
Ruler	None
Government	Local elders
Demonym	Mostageddan
Adjective	Mostageddan
Languages	Amurrun, Common, Meritoic, Telan
Religions	Animism; Bastet and Osirion pantheon; Desna and Common pantheon

Mostegedda is a primarily catfolk region within the Taizzan Expanse, nestled into the Shields. Free-spirited yet communal, the catfolk here often set off to see the broader world as adventurers and explorers.

Demographics

Catfolk make up the largest demographic within Mostagedda, by quite a large margin. Humans, gnomes, ifrit, tieflings, and oreads account for much of the rest of the population. Mostagedda is also home to some of the southernmost communities of orcs who still maintain their traditional tribal structures.

Gnoll tribes of the Taizzan Expanse often enter the region, but remain broadly separate from Mostageddan society.

Though reclusive and highly secretive, small groups of nephilim live a nomadic existence in the southern and eastern reaches of Mostagedda, within the foothills of the Shields.

A small number of jackalweres reside within Mostagedda as well, many of whom hide their second form and integrate into the cities and towns of the region.

Culture

Religion

The catfolk of Mostagedda do not, on the whole, give particular deference to major deities. Gods are sometimes prayed to pragmatically, if one believes doing so will provide an immediate advantage, but otherwise are seen as distant entities that are not very relevant to mortal life. Most Mostageddans practice a form of animism instead, giving deference to the spirits of ancestors, animals, plants, and natural phenomena. Small, austere shrines dot the arid landscape of Mostagedda, especially around the Floodstacks. Usually little more than small rocks stacked in aesthetically pleasing patterns, most of these shrines are personal to a particular individual, and dutifully maintained by them alone. Offerings are frequently left at these shrines in hopes that spirits will look favorably upon the individual.

Mostageddans that do feel the need to worship a deity usually choose to follow Bastet or the other Osirion gods, or sometimes Desna or Erastil. Non-catfolk of Mostagedda generally worship Erastil, Cayden Cailean, Desna, Shelyn, or other deities that are important to them based on their ancestry and history.

Traditions

If one quality could sum up the population of Mostagedda, it would be their love for freedom. Catfolk families tend to allow their children to wander freely from a very young age, in order to let them explore the world on their own terms and learn from experience. If one gets into a dangerous situation, it is seen as a learning experience - at the very least, the catfolk child will know what not to do in the future.

A very disproportionate number of adventurers around the world are catfolk from Mostagedda. A desire to depart and see the broader world is the natural conclusion of the philosophy of freedom and whimsy that characterizes Mostageddan society, though most adventurers come and go from their desert homeland regularly.

Language

The predominant language in Mostagedda is Amurrun, the racial tongue of the catfolk. Even non-catfolk in the region frequently speak Amurrun as a first language. Common, Meritoic, and Telan are also widely understood, but generally only used when in conversation with outsiders to Mostagedda. Minority populations frequently use relevant racial languages as well.

Magic

Mostageddan practitioners of magic are disproportionately druids. These druids are highly important to their communities in both spiritual and practical matters, as they are able to connect with, influence, and protect the natural world in ways that aid the nearby population. Shamans are likewise spiritually highly influential, giving advice and aid to those that seek their guidance. Many Mostageddans also train as bards, frequently bringing back new tales of their adventures.

Travel

There are very few defined roads between the communities of Mostagedda. Instead, markings or stacked rocks in the desert are used to mark frequently used routes. Travelers to Mostagedda who ask local residents for directions may expect to be given vague directions based on landmarks, instead of concrete instructions based on distance or location.

Caches of supplies are often left along longer or more dangerous routes between communities, placed there by previous travelers to assist those that may have need of extra provisions in the future. Traditionally, travelers should only take what they need from these and replenish them with whatever they can spare. These supply stashes are usually subtly marked, often with etchings carved into larger rocks. Caches most often contain not only dried food and sealed containers of water but also basic adventuring gear and sometimes even weapons. Young catfolk are trained how to spot these caches using similar markings and methods of hiding them within or near their hometowns. Unlike the caches in the desert, these don’t generally contain survival goods, but instead have small trinkets or treats to reward a job well done. There is still the expectation of replenishing these “training” caches.

Immigration

Catfolk come and go from Mostagedda quite regularly. The disproportionate number of adventurers from the region frequently return to share their discoveries and spoils with their families and communities before setting off once again. In general, there is little permanent immigration to Mostagedda, and the region's population has remained mostly stable for quite a long time.

Technology

Some towns within Mostagedda rely heavily upon extremely deep wells to provide water in the arid environment of the Taizzan expanse. These wells often use mechanical contraptions to greatly save labor in pulling the water up to the surface, or even to automate the process entirely. Individuals who understand the workings of these contraptions are referred to as well-tenders, and occupy a position of high status due to their central role in ensuring their communities can continue to thrive.

Education

There are few formal schools within Mostagedda. Most catfolk in the region learn from their families or from apprenticeships instead. It is not atypical to begin multiple apprenticeships before finding one's calling in life. Unlike in many other parts of their world in which apprenticeships are expected to last until completion, in Mostagedda this dabbling is fully expected and considered the correct way to determine a profession.

Occupations

Most Mostageddans are craftspeople of varying types, or even of multiple specializations at once. Mostageddan textiles and statuary in particular are quite renowned.

Government

The region of Mostagedda is far more defined by a shared culture than by a government. The communities of Mostagedda do not have a formal structure of governance, instead relying on trusted figures appointed by consensus. These leaders are usually older women who posses some type of magical abilities, but any individual who has proven themselves wise and patient can find themselves nominated to these positions. These figures are relied upon to mediate disputes, serve as a representative of their community, and in general help ensure life goes smoothly and without unnecessary conflict. The catfolk of Mostagedda traditionally refer to these leaders as "queens", despite it not being in any sense a monarchy.

Especially among the catfolk of Mostagedda, it is not at all uncommon to simply leave and establish a new home elsewhere when in the face of danger or major disagreements.

Economy

Mostageddan communities are broadly self-sufficient, able to supply themselves with the majority of goods and resources they require. Trade with nearby cities, towns, and villages in the region helps account for anything that a community cannot produce on their own. Mostagedda does not have a great amount of discovered natural resources, and does not sit along major trade routes either. Due to these factors, the region is not well integrated into global trade networks. Luxury goods from elsewhere are mostly brought back to Mostagedda by returning adventurers.Template:CitiesMostagedda