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Possessions, Special Equipment,
Creatures and Allies, Food & Treasure
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Possesions: "The Eloy are primarily herders and therefore live a nomadic lifestyle. Their possessions are few, and what they do possess is functional and practical. If there is a tool or item that one of the Eloy need, they are more than likely able to produce the item themselves, or find someone else in the tribe that can.
The Eloy are quite talented craftspeople and some of their unique items, such as the boksi elo, a specially woven bag that is able to hold water, are quite popular in the trade towns and cities which border the Trembling Plains. Most of the items a typical Eloy owns pack into a set of twin leather or braided packs, and are slung over either side of a pack animal. For larger items, such as their shelters, the use of drag-poles, made of mekillot rib bones, help reduce the weight of the loads draft animals are required to haul.
Special Equipment:
Bolas
Game Stats —
Function: Entanglement weapon.
Size and Weight: Varies, but usually one meter in overall length, roughly 1kilogram in weight.
Materials and Construction: Bola weights are made from very hard polished seeds of a slightly concave shape or of smooth, round stones; they stack lightly in a woven pouch made of plant fiber. Bolas string is made from plant fiber. Eloy bolas use three straps of equal length. There are hooks, or barbs, that catch on the rope after wrapping around the target.
Three-Season Cloak
Game Stats —
Function: Concealment clothing.
Description: This hooded, mixed-colored cloak has dried scrubland vegetation sewn into its surface. When worn with the hood drawn, this cloak gives the wearer a +2 circumstance bonus on Hide checks during the Flamesky, Cold Nights and Ral’s Rest seasons while worn outdoors in the scrublands of the Trembling Plains.
Creatures and Allies:
"As nomadic herders, the Eloy utilize a variety of creatures in their everyday life. Dewbacks are the primary beasts that the Eloy maintain in significant numbers. They are the beasts of burden and the primary source of outside income, and therefore wealth.
Dewback
The number of Inixes (ToA 158) that the Eloy maintain are limited and are trained primarily as mounts for combat. Kanks (ToA 181) are sparse on the Trembling Plains and are considered wild creatures, not intended to be utilized under normal circumstances; kank nectar, however, is often collected and dried as part of the Eloy diet.
Mekillots (ToA 166) roam wild in vast herds throughout the Trembling Plains. They are held in reverence by the Eloy, and are almost considered sacred. The Eloy believe that the mekillots are a gift from the earth spirit and are the bringers of life. It would seem that this is, in fact the truth, but is in actuality, just part of the creatures’ migration pattern. Still, the Eloy believe that the mekillots maintain balance by bringing life and also destroying it. Mekillot are enormous creatures and can cause a great deal of destruction when a herd stampedes. When this happens, Eloy camps are devesated and often numerous Eloy are killed, or injured. But the mekillots provide nutrients for the soil, which in turn allows the abundance of short grasses to grow, creating a somewhat unusual, and particular environment, unique only to the Trembling Plains. (See Spirits of the Trembling Plains.)
The Eloy are extremely wary of outlanders, or anyone not Eloy. They have, however, created and maintained working relationships with the traders at towns such as Azeth’s Rest, Kurn, Fort Ral and Dry Springs. As a rule though, the Eloy do not give allegiance, nor commitment, to anyone other than to other Eloy."
Mekillots (ToA 166) roam wild in vast herds throughout the Trembling Plains. They are held in reverence by the Eloy, and are almost considered sacred. The Eloy believe that the mekillots are a gift from the earth spirit and are the bringers of life. It would seem that this is, in fact the truth, but is in actuality, just part of the creatures’ migration pattern. Still, the Eloy believe that the mekillots maintain balance by bringing life and also destroying it. Mekillot are enormous creatures and can cause a great deal of destruction when a herd stampedes. When this happens, Eloy camps are devesated and often numerous Eloy are killed, or injured. But the mekillots provide nutrients for the soil, which in turn allows the abundance of short grasses to grow, creating a somewhat unusual, and particular environment, unique only to the Trembling Plains. (See Spirits of the Trembling Plains.)
The Eloy are extremely wary of outlanders, or anyone not Eloy. They have, however, created and maintained working relationships with the traders at towns such as Azeth’s Rest, Kurn, Fort Ral and Dry Springs. As a rule though, the Eloy do not give allegiance, nor commitment, to anyone other than to other Eloy."
Food:
Aish Bread – "The most traditional, and common food the Elo
y eat is aish bread. This flat bread is made by combining ground grain flour with water. Small balls of dough are formed and rolled, then flattened between the palms of their hands. They are then placed on a heated rock and left to bake. Aish bread is eaten by tearing off small, bite-sized pieces; it will be found at nearly every Eloy meal."
Cheneau Root – "This tuber is a lateral root, which grows directly below the plant of the same name. Easily identified by those familiar with it, the low growing plant has large broad leaves, dark green to brown in color, which shade the ground underneath; helping to preserve moisture and prevent evaporation. The cheneau plant contains many natural toxins, however, they are all stored in the stem, leaves, and blossoms. The toxin, when ingested, affects the nervous system causing weakness and confusion. The root, however, naturally filters these toxins out and once dug up, is safe to consume. A common cheneau root is about the size of a man’s fist. The outside skin of the root is edible, put is very bitter, and is often carved away. The root is very starchy and is made more palatable by breaking these starches down – either by baking, boiling, or steaming. The tissue of the cheneau root varies in color from pale yellow to dark orange, and is filling and slightly sweet in flavor."
Z’tal Jerky- "Cut into strips, trimmed of fat, and rubbed with salt or harrow seeds, z’tal meat is dried by placing out in the sun on small racks made of twigs. This method allows the Eloy to preserve large amounts of food in a short period of time, which is then easily stored and carried. The jerky remains edible in this state almost indefinitely (as long as it is kept dry)."
Trange Fruit – "This small, round, succulent fruit grows on large bushes found around oasis. The skin of the fruit is light brown and is covered with short, stubbly hairs. The inside of the fruit is bright green, speckled with small, edible black seeds. The flavor of the trange fruit is sweet and refreshing. All but the skin can be eaten without any worry of ill effects. The Eloy sometimes peel and mash trange fruit in order to spread it on the aish bread."
Yypr Tea- "The hard, flat needles of the yypr tree, boiled in water, produce a refreshing, although slightly bitter, tea. This tea can be sweetened by adding small pieces of dried kank honey, however, the Eloy tend to drink it plain. For special occasions, the Eloy will flavor yypr tea with various other spices and brew large quantities. The Eloy prefer yypr tea over most others, however, they are not opposed to drinking any type of tea offered or available."
Other – "Aside from being herders, the Eloy are also hunters and gatherers. They collect what they can as they wander the Trembling Plains; nuts, berries, and numerous plants are all common elements of their daily diet. Meat is eaten sparingly, but is normally the center piece for feasts, ceremonies and gatherings."
Treasure: "Eloy have no use for gold, silver, copper, or gems; they are too heavy and cumbersome to bother with, and tend to draw the unwanted attention of bandits and thieves. Instead, the Eloy use lead beads or ceramic bits if they must, but prefer to trade or barter for goods. The Eloy view their wealth in their herds, and their investments are placed with merchants such as House Azeth."
Aish Bread – "The most traditional, and common food the Elo
y eat is aish bread. This flat bread is made by combining ground grain flour with water. Small balls of dough are formed and rolled, then flattened between the palms of their hands. They are then placed on a heated rock and left to bake. Aish bread is eaten by tearing off small, bite-sized pieces; it will be found at nearly every Eloy meal."
Cheneau Root – "This tuber is a lateral root, which grows directly below the plant of the same name. Easily identified by those familiar with it, the low growing plant has large broad leaves, dark green to brown in color, which shade the ground underneath; helping to preserve moisture and prevent evaporation. The cheneau plant contains many natural toxins, however, they are all stored in the stem, leaves, and blossoms. The toxin, when ingested, affects the nervous system causing weakness and confusion. The root, however, naturally filters these toxins out and once dug up, is safe to consume. A common cheneau root is about the size of a man’s fist. The outside skin of the root is edible, put is very bitter, and is often carved away. The root is very starchy and is made more palatable by breaking these starches down – either by baking, boiling, or steaming. The tissue of the cheneau root varies in color from pale yellow to dark orange, and is filling and slightly sweet in flavor."
Z’tal Jerky- "Cut into strips, trimmed of fat, and rubbed with salt or harrow seeds, z’tal meat is dried by placing out in the sun on small racks made of twigs. This method allows the Eloy to preserve large amounts of food in a short period of time, which is then easily stored and carried. The jerky remains edible in this state almost indefinitely (as long as it is kept dry)."Trange Fruit – "This small, round, succulent fruit grows on large bushes found around oasis. The skin of the fruit is light brown and is covered with short, stubbly hairs. The inside of the fruit is bright green, speckled with small, edible black seeds. The flavor of the trange fruit is sweet and refreshing. All but the skin can be eaten without any worry of ill effects. The Eloy sometimes peel and mash trange fruit in order to spread it on the aish bread."
Yypr Tea- "The hard, flat needles of the yypr tree, boiled in water, produce a refreshing, although slightly bitter, tea. This tea can be sweetened by adding small pieces of dried kank honey, however, the Eloy tend to drink it plain. For special occasions, the Eloy will flavor yypr tea with various other spices and brew large quantities. The Eloy prefer yypr tea over most others, however, they are not opposed to drinking any type of tea offered or available."Other – "Aside from being herders, the Eloy are also hunters and gatherers. They collect what they can as they wander the Trembling Plains; nuts, berries, and numerous plants are all common elements of their daily diet. Meat is eaten sparingly, but is normally the center piece for feasts, ceremonies and gatherings."
Treasure: "Eloy have no use for gold, silver, copper, or gems; they are too heavy and cumbersome to bother with, and tend to draw the unwanted attention of bandits and thieves. Instead, the Eloy use lead beads or ceramic bits if they must, but prefer to trade or barter for goods. The Eloy view their wealth in their herds, and their investments are placed with merchants such as House Azeth."
~ Agi
