Arboreal Tribe

Hidden deep in the belly of a humid, tree dense forest, resides a self sustaining tribe who over several generations has adapted to living among the branches of the trees that they consider home. This particular tribe consists largely of grunts and brutes, who often do not take well to strangers approaching their territory. Due to being only among their own ranks for so long, common and larger toskals are often not welcomed with open arms. Often times this is only the case if the toskal is raised within the tribe, or on rare occasion a grunt or brute brings a toskal higher in the hierarchy home from their rite. Rarely ever does a common toskal wander into the Arboreal territory and stay. For the most part, an older brute known as Raine calls the final shots among the tribe, however this strange tribe tends to work among their own social groups as they are spread out among the trees they dwell in and beneath. Though they don't take well to strangers, there is a tight sense of community among their own tribal ranks.

The Arboreal tribe's homestead spans between the jungle trees within their territorial range, meticulously built homes and huts made of wood and vines, interconnected by ropes and hand built bridges that twist through their territory in maze like fashion. Beneath their homes in the trees are various gardens of all sorts of things cultivated from the jungle floor for foods and medicines. Certain bioluminescent fungi and plants also paint the area at night.

For the most part the Arboreal tribe utilizes the fruits, seeds, and smaller critters that live and grow among the trees, especially a particular tree hanging fruit that they have found to make a wonderful staple in much of their cooking. As needed, toskals confident in their ability to defend themselves will head down to the surface in order to gather things that may not grow in the trees, and hunt larger game or trade with other tribes. The also raise and tend to a good number of Folibears native to the area, using the slothlike creatures as companions and their fur for an assortment of other things. Arboreal toskals also highly utilize what they call a 'Flower Fruit' for all sorts of cooking, as the small fruity granules inside are a nutritious snack alone, especially for curious pups, or in a meal. There are plenty of other jungle based fruits and berries that the Arboreal tribe utilizes as well. Many may also take interest in the tropical birds in the area too.

Beliefs and Celebrations

While many Arboreal toskals follow beliefs around the sun, the earth, and/or the trees, they are ultimately united under the legend of their jungle goddess, Toril. Toril is said to have been a large bird (similar to our own king vulture), whose wings brought with them the thunder, and the rains that spilled life into the jungle. It was Toril who is said to have watched day and night as her creation turned into something beautiful. Her lone soul poured love into every branch and leaf, breathing life into the world around her and, when she had nothing left to give, Toril draped her wings around the tree at the heart of her jungle home so as to never be separated from the oasis she protected. To this day the Tree of Toril is the heart of the Arboreal tribe's home. All that they are and all that they have created spans outward in all directions from the larger kapok tree at its center. It is believed that if you look among the massive roots, moss and vines, you can still make out the outline of Toril's wings, and in the worst of storms you can hear her soaring high above, once more protecting her home. They say the colors that adorned her head, and the life in her heart, became the heartbeat of the creatures and the colorful plants around them, while her elegant feathers encouraged the vines to grow, and her lovely white feather pelt fed the sunshine, and the wooly beasts that share the Arboreal tribe's home.

It's not uncommon for this tribe to celebrate and hold various festivals, and when the sun goes down they will often paint themselves and adore various bioluminescent floral along their bodies and dance, woop and holler through the night. Large events or the return of a toskal from their rite are the most often cause for celebrations like so, and often there is plenty of food, music and fun to go around.

The Rite

Many of the Arboreal tribe are skilled in archery. It is their prime weapon of choice, and use for defense up high. They are also avid climbers, and as pups are often raised up top and only allowed to head to the surface when they are old enough to learn self defense and begin preparing for their rite. Taking to the trees when being persued is always encouraged, as the Arboreal tribe practices combat up high. Many are also in tune with nature around them, and find various skill sets to develop utilizing all that the jungle has to offer.

It is with this in mind that young toskals prepare for their rite, often honing their skills with bows or spears and practicing quick escapes by tussling with other pups among the trees. When they are ready they are guided to the forest floor to familiarize themselves with the ground and the danger below, as well as how to harvest and manage things that do not grow up in the trees. All adolescents are provided a weapon and a care package as they set out if they so choose to take one. The rest is up to them and, if they choose to return or survive to do so, their succes is often celebrated with a large party and a feast.