Bantu

Seria says: "Nothing should be as mysterious as I am!" Some info is missing, please help to provide it if you can.

The Bantu are a nation of tribal nomadic warriors that reside in the northern tundra regions of the Arad Continent. Although normally known for living in isolation, the recent violent reawakening of the Ice Dragon Skasa forced the tribe to retreat to its borders and invade the neighboring nations of the De Los Empire and the Principality of Bel Myre.

Lore

Excerpt (Great Metastasis):

A term that collectively refers to the small sub-tribes near Stru Mountains. It was named after an ancient hero who once conquered what is now known as Bel Myre.

Although the Bantus are currently divided into multiple tribes, they reunite and climb over the mountains to seek food when times are tough: during lean years or when Skasa, the Ice Dragon, wakes up from hibernation. The Bantus are bigger and stronger than average Humans.

Having lived in the cold for so long, they are pugnacious and tend to indulge in excessive drinking. Their settlement was destroyed when Mount Thunderlime collapsed from the impact of the Great Metastasis, killing most of them and chasing the small number of survivors away to the Northern Shelter.

~~Quote from Broad and Shallow Knowledge for Refined Aradians: Chapter 1

History

Although not much is known about the Bantu nation, its earliest known encounter with the outside world was after Arad Year 500, when Skasa, the Ice Dragon first appeared atop Mount Charnak. The arrival of the dragon resulted in a series of terrorizing blizzards which killed off a large number of the Bantu people. As a result, the remaining Bantu fled their homeland of the Sturli Plains, crossed the Stru Mountains, and invaded Pelos Empire territory; thus beginning the First Battle of Snow in Arad Year 502. For almost thirty years, the Bantu engaged in battle against the Pelos army, until in Arad Year 526, Skasa fell into a sudden slumber. With the Ice Dragon no longer a threat, the Bantu returned to their homeland in Arad Year 530, leaving a massive impression of their strength to the outside world.
In Arad Year 831, the Ice Dragon Skasa reawakened, and the Bantu once again fled the Sturli Plains to invade its neighboring countries. However, in an attempt to avoid bloodshed, the Bantu signed a peace treaty with the newly formed De Los Empire which leased them the area of Shantri as a means of shelter from Skasa's wrath. For almost five years, the Bantu took refuge there until the dragon re-entered hibernation in Arad Year 835.
In Arad Year 967, the Bantu once again crossed the Stru Mountains to flee from a reawakened Skasa. Upon their arrival in the Empire, the Bantu inquired that the newly crowned Emperor, Leon Heinrich III, acknowledge their past treaty, and lease them Shantri; to which he granted their request. However, within two years, the Emperor, for reasons of his own, secretly dispatched the organization known as the Purple Mist to massacre the refugees in the area. The consequences of which led to the Second Battle of Snow, which resulted in the near genocide of the Bantu people.
Although the Bantu were eventually able to return to their homeland in Arad Year 969, the actions of the De Los Emperor made them extremely hostile toward outsiders. Despite escaping genocide, the new life they would create for themselves would only be temporary, as they dreaded and prepared for Skasa's reawakening. Being no longer able to rely on the Empire for assistance, the only means of escape from Skasa's wrath was to either fight the dragon head-on or flee to another nation, the Principality of Bel Myre.

Culture

Tribal Structure

The Bantu nation is comprised of the union of three tribes: the Bolks, the Kunics, and the Toroses. Despite them all being from the same nation, the relationship between the tribes are not harmonious. To settle the strife between them, they allow strength to do negotiations and are united under a single powerful chieftain.

Bolk Tribe

The Bolk are a wolf-based tribe that are worshipers the sacred Wolf Totem, and currently comprise the majority of the Bantu nation, with a population of about half the Bantu people.
Although most Bolk tribesmen tend to be ill-tempered, they are tough and have many brave warriors.
It is not known whether it's due to their love of meat, but many of them have a special talent for hunting and fishing. Therefore, their tribe is mainly responsible for such duties.

Kunic Tribe

The Kunic are a rabbit-based tribe that are worshipers of the sacred Rabbit Totem, and account for roughly 10% of the Bantu people.
Most of the Kunic are petite, docile, and are born with superior perceptual abilities, which allow them to resonate with nature, interpret the information contained therein, and predict the weather or perceive danger.
The Kunic maintain a high social status in the Bantu, mainly as tribal shaman, responsible for making divinations as well as sometimes using their perceptual abilities to create protective charms or trinkets.

Toros Tribe

The Toros are a bison-based tribe that are worshipers of the sacred Bison Totem, and comprise about 40% of the entire Bantu nation.
Despite the fact that most Toros tribesman are mostly stout and strong, many of them have high patience and self-control as well as superb skill, particularly as artisans.
Among the Bantu people, they are mainly responsible for leather manufacturing and processing as well as agricultural production.

Notable Members

• Bwanga — Bolk tribesman, Chief of the Bantu, and one of the Four Legendary Blade Masters.
• Orca — Bolk tribesman and the Vice Chief of the Bantu.
• Valena — Toros tribeswoman.
• Rino — Toros artisan.
• Mintai — Kunic shaman.
• Golgolion — A famous Toros artisan and master of Rino, responsible for crafting the Seven Virtues for the Lemidia Basilica Cathedral.