The Eshewtak: Clan of Five Totems aka "Ukoo wa Tano"

[Diz-e]

[In realizing this group needs a bit of a revival 2.0, I thought it was about time I put up one of these, to give as much limited-spoiler info as I can on the faction, and (hopefully) even spread some excitement/interest. This is a call for new PCs to join the core concept with our shared background, but characters currently in play becoming involved is always possible.]  

Ukoo wa Tano

[hide="Backstory (semi-spoiler):"]At the time of the Darkening, many tribal shamans in the land of Chult bore witness nearly firsthand to Dendar's escape from her bonds - fulfilling prophecy, throwing open the gate to the Realm of the Dead and heralding the end of times. But a few, who yet gave offering and worship to the being known as Eshowdow, or the Shadow Giant, considered this to be an omen of the dark entity, and could be nothing less but his doing. The fact that the Night Serpent's first act was to slay the keeper of her imprisonment, Ubtao himself, before swallowing the light of the sky, seemed to substantiate this belief.

And so those Tabaxi tribe outcasts and exiles who did not already dwell in the Valley of Lost Honor - where the last of the Eshowe tribe were driven, and the spirit of Eshowdow was rumored to lay in wait for its revenge - made way through the thick jungles that kept it shrouded, to follow a driving feeling that the Great Shadow's time had come to return. The remnants of the Eshowe (that still revered him after countless years) imagined very well that in this time of the Dark Sky, the spirit that they most feared and praised would only grow in power, and they began to emerge from hiding in their caves and secreted shrines. It was then that all parties convened, and after some fighting amongst them, they found that they were aligned in a great gathering... from this, a new clan was formed: The Clan of Five Totems - Ukoo wa Tano.

Five totems of darkest power under Eshowdow - Blood, Bone, Flesh, Spirit, and Shadow (named respectively: Damu, Mfupa, Mwili, Roho, and Kivuli) - each claimed by the Eshewtak (shamans of Eshowdow) who bonded with them to be the strongest, each professing to bring them closer to manifesting the presence to come: the next coming of Eshowdow. They worked dark magic, and spit on the memory of Ubtao, the one who had forsaken them; mocking the practices of the Tabaxi Spiritlords, their shamans bonded with these totems by way of specially crafted masks, which they could doff to become magical companions or familiars. They began to form a mighty ritual that would awaken the Great Shadow Spirit once more, and carry them forth into the doom of the world, with the promise of eternal rest in his realm of shadows.

But their visions did not foresee what came next. When scouts began to report the movements of the Dread armies, a panic came over the tribesmen. Even though the Dread forces were failing in their attempts to conquer the harsh land of Chult, these bizarre and unusual creatures stirred the Eshewtak to enact innumerable contingencies. The clan held council, and among other strategies, decided that a chosen few would climb the Peaks of Flame, and seek out the entry to the Realm of the Dead, to speak more closely with the ancestors of the Eshowe and predict the wisest course. This entourage made way, but did not return... somehow finding their way not below the volcanoes, but much deeper...[/hide]

Type: PC Faction

Application: No, but possible for starting subraces

Alignment: N, CN, LE, NE, CE

Starting Races: Human (Chultan native; choose between Eshowe and Tabaxi tribe origin), Goblin ("Batiri"), Wild Dwarf (wild dwarves would likely be slaves)

Starting Classes: Barbarian, Bard, Cleric (special considerations), Fighter, Monk (we have an awesome "order" for monks already weaved into the backstory), Ranger, Rogue, Sorcerer

Rank and Roles: Leadership of the clan is a power struggle between the shamans of each of the Five Totems (shamans can be Sorcerer, Cleric, or Bard). They are served by guardian types, warriors, and slaves - roles which the remainder of the classes fill, some with great prominence, status, and respect among the clan.

Faith: Eshowdow | The Shadow Giant - Ravager of the Tabaxi - Devourer of Courage, Honor, and Nobility

Alignment: CE
Portfolio: Shadows, destruction, revenge, cowardice, ignominy, fear
Domain: Toril/Chult
Symbol: A black, vaguely man-shaped shadow with long claws
Worshiper Alignments: N, CN, LE, NE, CE

(More very inspirational and informative info about Eshowdow as a demipower can be found in a text called "Powers and Pantheons", which can be referenced here [page 81]: http://www.scribd.com/doc/218384958/...-and-Pantheons)

The goals of this group are hidden in secrecy and highly spoilerific, but it is widely rumored they are assisting Thomas Alqvin of the Tavern of Undeath in recovering a series of gigantic bones for the purpose of building some undead creature.

They are also known to have made enemies out of the noble Knights of the Golden Chalice, and hold a grudge with outsiders in general, taking any chance they get to ambush, sabotage, and subversively raid the holdings and peoples of Dunwarren, most recently the Vanderbleu Ranch. It is known that once they even sent a creature of shadow into the midst of Sanctuary itself, and simultaneously encroached upon it's gates with but a small, crazed ensemble.

This group is involved in a lot of conflict/pvp. We are a nature-based faction, we start as wildlings, and we rarely enter civilized places - if we do, it's usually to conduct trade with those we're somehow not on hostile terms with. We don't get friendly with many others, if at all, and nearly everyone considers us enemy . If you have experience with wildling characters, bandits, outlaws, etc you'll find this a lot of fun. Otherwise, you may find it rather challenging.

If you have any questions or are ready to start a new character, contact me here on the forums or on IRC.

[Diz-e]

Did I mention we have a customized lair and DM plot(s) that tie into our ultimate end-game?

[Diz-e]

-shameless bump-

For all you newly conceptualizing, just a friendly reminder that we're still looking for new PCs. Thank you friends, and enjoy the season! (of Diecember)

- Z