Meskilak

Meskilak
Capital	None
Ruler	Tenye
Government	Electoral chiefdom
Demonym	Meskilak
Adjective	Meskilakian
Languages	Aserdian, Goblin, Elven, many others
Religions	-

The Meskilak (pronounced MESS-kill-ack), also known as the Gate-Crashers, are a nomadic goblin tribe in Brightmarch. Known for their ability to live anywhere, eat anything, and get along with anyone, they have carved out a niche for themselves as diplomatic and cultural intermediaries.

History

This is the story of the Meskilak as told by their ambassadors. They lived in temperate lands to the north for ages, a mostly peaceful existence alongside other peoples. Many generations ago, they were forced out of their old home by tyrannical invaders called the Teary Ones who desired their territory. After searching for a new place to live nearby for a number of years, they decided to leave their former homelands entirely and find somewhere new across the desert, in places unknown to the goblins. The Meskilak trekked for years, through desert, arid lands, and along the coast of a great sea, meeting a number of strange tribes along the way. They met dwarves made of sand, elves who live in the city of darkness, and giant bugs afraid of music. The Meskilak thought all these groups were rather odd. This thought turned inward. If we consider them unusual, the Meskilak thought, then they must believe the same of us. Their journey continued. Eventually the goblins reached a great city that kept the desert at bay, and they saw the verdant lands beyond. The tribe decided this would be where they would stay, and they would seek to understand and appreciate everyone they met.

In the analyses of historians, this account appears to be collaborated by other sources. The Meskilak departed the Western Coast sometime around Y9540^*, setting south into parts unknown by the other goblin tribes of the region. After spending many years on a meandering route south, they arrived in Brightmarch by Y9680^*.

Demographics

The Meskilak are entirely goblin. While most are descended from the original group that migrated south, some goblins from Brightmarch and elsewhere have joined the tribe in the years since.

Culture

Religion

The Meskilak have somewhat atypical religious beliefs, a unique fusion of the Chaskan and Aserdian pantheons. They particularly emphasize the worship of Taliash/Tucana, Marya/Izar, and Usumu/Auva. Unusually, they do not fuse these deities. Taliash and Tucana, for example, are seen as separate goddesses, albeit rather similar ones, who work together to guide and protect their worshipers.

Religion among the Meskilak is disorganized. They do have clerics, but no religious or clerical structures.

Languages

The goblins of the tribe speak their racial language, Goblin, as well as a multitude of others. They are one of the few groups of peoples in Brightmarch who have near-universal fluency in Common, and a great many know Aserdian as well. Possessing a knowledge of many languages is a status symbol to the Meskilak, and many make a point to learn at least a few phrases whenever they meet someone who speaks a language they had not previously heard.

Government

The Meskilak govern themselves as an electoral chiefdom, in which the leader, called the ambassador-chief, is given effectively unilateral control to direct the tribe as they see fit. Ambassador-chiefs are occupy their positions indefinitely, either until they die or they choose to step down. New chiefs are selected through an open vote in the tribe, in a ceremony that can change rapidly between great festivities and utmost solemnity.