[Forum Game] Rise and Fall of Civilizations

[Korona]

The Só'taétaneo'o People​

Location: Central North America, around Wyoming and Nebraska. See this for reference. Color - Blue or white

People and society: The Só'taétaneo'o people are an indigenous people native to the lands of North America. The Só'taétaneo'o people are specifically native to the Great Plains area, often making shrines to their numerous gods. The Só'taétaneo'o culture revolves around the belief that all people, excluding the elders, must work to the benefit of the hunter-gatherer society that they live in. Due to that belief, most Great are fit and active people, which is a reason why they have such a great military. The Só'taétaneo'o population is relatively low, due to the fact that the death rate is high, yet the birth rate is high as well.

Government: The Council of Forty-two is in charge of all domestic matters, while various military societies are in charge of foreign matters. For this game, I will be focusing on the Tsitsistas Society.

Economy: A hunter-gatherer society where Buffalo is one of the most common foods, as well as various plants and such

Military: The Só'taétaneo'o military is governed by the Dog Warrior Society, which is lead by a tribal chief. This society makes all decisions when pertaining to the military, and is made up by almost all men of age 18 and older.

 

[DensleyBlair]

Y Diwylliant Dulais
the Dulais Culture

The Dulais Cape, discovered in the late 19th century. Ceremonial wear such as this hints at a society based on the idea of chiefdom and with a concept of religion.​

Located in and around the River Dulais and the surrounding valleys (very loosely congruent with Neath Port Talbot), the Dulais Culture represents a group of similar tribes to have inhabited South Wales during the Bronze Age.

Little is known about the people of the Dulais Valley during the Bronze Age, though the findings of archeologists to have explored the culture hint at various religious and hierarchical structures via a number of large, golden ceremonial items to have been found in recent years. Discovered pottery has also shed some light on the culture's spiritual beliefs, with a monotheistic faith apparently prevalent. Extrapolations from later finds show that the culture was characterised by either a common language, or a small number of mutually intelligible languages.

Most people were either farmers or miners, with great use being made by the people of the time of South Wales' large deposits of metals such as copper and tin. Whilst there seem to have been few, if any, soldiers, 'factories' engaged in the production of bronze spear and axe heads have been uncovered. These would likely have been used by hunters and farmers. People lived in small settlements in warmer, dryer areas of the valley.

The number of discoveries in recent years of ceremonial items seems to suggest a societal structure centred around a chief of sorts. Information from later periods suggests that this chiefdom would have been hereditary, and generally remained in the hands of one familial group. Uncovered burial sites evidence families buried amidst various valuables, suggesting that the theory of a royal family-type body does indeed have some credence.

The economy of the Dulais culture centred mainly around the plentiful mineral deposits found in the region, with some copper coins having been discovered, though pottery, usually decorated in red or gold, was also highly valued. Metallurgy techniques were, in places, highly innovative, and the culture seems to have placed great value on craftsmanship. Relationships with other nearby peoples suggests little military presence in the area, with more emphasis being given to trade and production.

 

[Kaisersohaib]

Madrid Civilization​

Location: Indicated above
People and Society: Late Neolithic farmers, Music is an important part of the society.
Government: A loose confederation of people of the same culture, led by a designated person, chosen between the ruling clan.
Economy: Mining and Agriculture
Military: Men and women, equipped with weapons, protecting their lands from external foes and or animals.[/SIZE]

 

[Frymonmon]

Tiwanka

Location:
Rising as far northwest as the Urubamba Valley, and moving as far Southeast as Lake Titicaca. Brownish Colour with a tinge of Gold.

People and Society:
The Tiwanka people are almost the majority of the time hunter-gatherers, with a limited cultivation of maze in several large settlements. The leaders of the community come from the religious class of leaders, the yancas. Their sole function is to observe the movement of the sun across the sky, which will determine when certain festivals and harvests will happen. For this reason, the yancas are only the leaders in the larger settlements, while the tribes elsewhere follow spiritual leaders who worship the gods of the rocks and the earth. The larger settlements where cultivation is undertaken are called ayllus. Those who are not involved in cultivation are responsible for the production of goods, such as pottery, clothing, and simple tools, that can be used in farming. The role of the yanca is so important, that many fields will be left completely to support them, with those who farm them simply surrender their goods for the constant services of these leaders. While it has only been a recent phenomena, these larger settlements have been branching out to settle in other regions where other goods are more readily available.

Government:
With the yancas forming the highest order in the Tiwanka society, there are two distinct branches of yancas. In all cases they are the elders of the community, and have been able to understand the passing of the sun overhead and its position in the sky to be able to tell of good fortunes, harvests, or when it was needed to appease the gods. The second branch of the yancas, which are prevalent in both the hunter-gathering section and the farming section, are those who keep and maintain stories and tales from their ancestors. The most important part of this society is the worship of the Wa'kas, which take some form of physical representation in the local society. They could be the mummified body of an elder who is the home deity to watch over the society, or it could be a rock which had once been a yanca, who protected the society from the evil gods.

While these form the highly important religious aspects of society, the kuraka is the leader of an ayllu, meaning that they do not exist in the hunter-gather groups, and are responsible for taking in the information from the yancas and disseminating it among his own people, more often than not his own family. The kurakas serve little other role than commanding the authority handed down by the yancas.

Economy:
Simple farming society developing, with either a slim majority or a large minority of people still engaged in hunting and gathering. In areas where cultivation is common, there are people who make their livelihoods on the production of textiles and pottery to be used by those who are producing.

Military:
None.

 

[sealy300]

Sluagh a Tuath / Caledonians / Picts

Location: The Northern half of the Isle of Great Britain. Not a great sea faring culture so are not on the other islands that surround Scotland and Northumbria. From the Tweed to the Great North Sea there are tribes all over the place. Colour: Celtic Green.

People and Society: Society functions on a very localized and non-materialistic basis. While the peoples are non-nomadic, they still live in small clans and few travel outside them as such, only to go to the gatherings, which occur just after harvest and before the winter. People don't use any kind of currency instead of relying on a favour system with-in local communities and a recorded exchange system between clans. The language is quite similar with the natural regional dialects and such; however someone from Caithness can understand someone from Argyll and is a Gaelic class of the Celtic etymological group. The religion is polytheistic, with people praying to a verity of gods in sacred groves and religious stones. There is a clergy of druids, who are persists that travel from clan to clan bless crops and healing the sick, they do not hold any secular power, although are very well trained fighters. Women have an important role, while not 100% equal to men they can do most the things that men can, like rule in some clans and choose their husbands.

Government: There is a High chieftain, however his role is most ceremonial and only used in a time of civil strife or external invasion. His (or Her is some cases) is not hereditary, instead when one chieftain dies, there is an election[1] where the various chieftains vote for the next chieftain, as do some of the elder druids; which is the greatest extent of their secular power. The main role of the chieftain is to settle disputes between Clans and distribute food at the grand "Feast of the thousand" after each harvest and before each winter. Apart from that it is mostly chieftains that run their own clans, and their success ranges from election to seniority to fighting prowess to progentire.

Economy: There is no formal economy, instead there is a favour system where people help each other out in times of need in exchange for the same in theirs. Between tribes there is a recorded trade system which is decided and help record by the High Chieftain. This has interestingly lead to an odd form of writing, there is no written language however mathematical records can be kept.[2]

Military: Each tribes has some fighters and hunters[3] but there is no formal army in anyway shape or form. The only times the tribes would join together is when there is an external threat to them all.

[1] Like a Kingsmoot
[2] It is like a form of Algebra, which can be used to record 3 goats for 10 bushels of wheat but not what the chieftain said last night.
[3] Some Tribes still hunt for food, while others farm and fish to gain their sustenance.

 

[Deaghaidh]

Can you either change it to Squamish or something completely different? I'm going to get a facial tick otherwise.

I wanted something similar to, but different from, any real life tribe. Because as a white dude with only a moderately above average knowledge of coast Salish cultures, using their actual name and pretending to be them feels a bit like blackface. My original idea was Misquamilamish, an absurd mash-up of many tribes, but then I realized I would have to remember how I spelt it. Open to suggestions though.

 

[Dadarian]

I wanted something similar to, but different from, any real life tribe. Because as a white dude with only a moderately above average knowledge of coast Salish cultures, using their actual name and pretending to be them feels a bit like blackface. My original idea was Misquamilamish, an absurd mash-up of many tribes, but then I realized I would have to remember how I spelt it. Open to suggestions though.

It's RP. You're representing their culture, not acting out racial stereotypes.

 

[Deaghaidh]

It shouldn't bother me, I know. But I've met several american Indians from these parts who have expressed resentment over white folks appropriating their traditional styles of art and such for their own work, then presenting it to an unsuspecting public that thinks its authentic.

 

[Dadarian]

It shouldn't bother me, I know. But I've met several american Indians from these parts who have expressed resentment over white folks appropriating their traditional styles of art and such for their own work, then presenting it to an unsuspecting public that thinks its authentic.

I'm 1/64th Mohawk, I give you permission.

 

[Frymonmon]

It shouldn't bother me, I know. But I've met several american Indians from these parts who have expressed resentment over white folks appropriating their traditional styles of art and such for their own work, then presenting it to an unsuspecting public that thinks its authentic.

By meeting these indigenous people, you should know that a lot take offence to the term "Indian".

 

[MastahCheef117]

The Valdivia people

Location: The coastal plains and hills of western Ecuador, including the Santa Elena Peninsula, and the several surrounding islands.

(color is yellow tinged with slight orange)

People and Society/Brief History: The Valdivia peoples have existed on the Santa Elena Peninsula for over 1,000 years. Religious and spiritual life centers around nature and its willingness to provide for people (however, land is still owned); particular adoration of the sun and moon and their movements across the sky at different points in the year (and, to a much lesser extent, the stars) is commonplace, although an official practiced religion has yet to appear.

The Valdivia are known for their pottery, which is some of the finest in all the Americas during this time. Detailed figurines and pots are highly praised and widely traded between people of different villages in the markets. Before the authority of the Great Council (see below) became known, conflicts between villages were often fought for territory or valued pottery. Though arrogance in village leaders is rare, pride for one's village is still a very important aspect in Valdivian society. Pottery is very often used as a form of currency.

Merchants are becoming particularly wealthy in prized goods through skillful trading and bartering, and some collect large swathes of land outside of villages where they own their own farms, worked by paid (by goods) laborers. Slavery is not a concept in Valdivian culture, though obedience to one's superiors (the village leaders in particular) is.

Government: The Valdivians live under a simple confederation of villages spread throughout settled territory. All men over the age of twenty-five (25) in each village select from among them two representatives (known as a casca, pl. cascas) to join the Great Council, composed of some one-hundred (100) members. These men are generally the most intelligent or wisest of men from each village; many are skilled hunters and known for their ability to keep the peace between rival villages. The cascas serve as rulers of the village, until either one of them dies or decides to step down from his position. The Great Council is convened upon the request of one of its members, where they then meet upon a hill on the western edge of a ridge to the northwest of the current-day town of Via la Costa (west of Guayaquil).

Economy: The Valdivian people rely almost entirely on sedentary agriculture and fishing, although occasional deer hunting does take place. Valdivians farm a wide range of crops including corn, squash, chili peppers, kidney beans, and cassavas. Cotton is also grown and harvested for clothing and bartering.

The cascas of at least a few villages have bartered and traded significantly for clay, wood, and even stone materials to build larger and more expansive buildings, particularly for their own inhabiting. These are often richly decorated with pottery, shells from beaches (though more common in the coastal villages), and other materials to tell the history of that village through symbols.

Military: None officially; village cascas can call the men of their village to war with another village (though this rarely happens, if ever, now) for prized goods, territory, or if their pride is wounded or challenged (though this, too, is becoming an archaic principle). The Great Council can organize a forced of men (armed with spears, bows, etc.) up to roughly several thousand, though there is little if any organization.
​

 

[EmperorGrimm]

Culture/Country Name: Hiwatha'ol (violet/purple)
Location: Apalachicola Bay, southern Alabama area

People and Society:

The Hiwatha'ol people were once a small tribe many generations ago but now dominate the Apalachicola Bay area which to them is known as the Paolmak or "wellspring of life". Although mostly hunter-gatherers some villages are beginning to cultivate maize, little barley, and beans allowing them to not hunt and compete with other tribes for food. This has brought on a period of stability and peace after generations of densely populated hunting lands instigating conflicts between hunting bands. The Hiwathi worship their ancestors known as "mogwa" who watch over their families in exchange for food and water. There are many deity like spirits in the oral mythology but the principal actors are Sudek, the winds and thunder and Valpa, mother of the world. These two deities were once one being which was infinite culmination of energy before coming apart because of the birth of vactra or "chaos". In the Hiwatha mythology these gods are unusually impersonal as they experience time much faster than mortal beings and therefore do not exist in a place where they are aware of their own emotions and thoughts. There are also a number of minor spirits that represent animals, luck, or certain crops.

In the villages there is typically a traditional meeting group of elders who make decisions on what to grow, organizing defense, and settling domestic disputes. Both male and females are permitted to be part of these groups. As more generations live as farmers their ancestors become spirits that also bless crops more so than hunting campaigns. The intermediate between the mortal realm and divine is known as culatras or shamans who are born with a heightened sense of perception who can parley that into communicating with the dead and other divine forces. They are inducted into a oral tradition by a lodelwop or vision journey in the forests to receive a message from Valpa. A growing culture based around ethergens has catapulted the Paolmak peoples into more complicated psychological exploration. Culatras are revered both in the villages and by the nomadic groups more so than warriors or the elders.

The nomadic groups that roam the nearby area are increasingly settling down because of the abundance of food and safety. The Paolmak takes on a magical role in the minds of these people who are in persistent contact with the bay villages. This has transmitted the Hiwathi culture to hundreds who live in the vicinity. Cave drawings depict Valpa surrounded by animals and humans confirming the conversion of simple nomadic people acknowledging the existence and influence of the village religion. Bodies are being buried on a regular basis during this time with stone carved figurines of favored spirits and of course the almost mandatory figurine of the earth mother and wind father. Observation of the sky to predict the future, decide harvest cycles, and give directions is common and the spirits of these facets of reality are increasing in importance.

Government:

The elder councils only hold power in their respective communities but are afforded respect when visiting neighbors. Currently there are few power struggles as food is plentiful and one person ruling the whole bay seems inconceivable. Elders are chosen by the culatras after being recommended to them by other elders who must receive a message of support from the divine realm. There is no discernible class hierarchy with festivals attended by everyone in worship and celebration. Nomad groups are usually led by the alpha male.

Economy:

Hunting and gathering is giving way to early agriculture in feeding the people. Some pottery making can be found in the most progressive villages. Other crafts gravitate around weapon making, hunting, and simple useful tools.

Military:

Warfare has dwindled in recent memory but conflict is not un heard of by any means. Hiwathi organize into organized raiding parties led by a elder warrior during the dark season when crops cannot be grown and challenge to one on one combat. The idea of preservation is strong and killing even during conflict is rare and mostly unintentional. These duals are not to the death and consist of ritual where the winner is the one who inflicts first blood. The skill to blood an enemy without killing them is considered an art.

 

[Deaghaidh]

By meeting these indigenous people, you should know that a lot take offence to the term "Indian".

Not in my experience. I had a college professor who was a member of the American Indian Movement, who left it because she considered them ineffective publicity hounds. She exclusively used the term American Indian. Many tribal governments also include the term in their official name. While its a stupid term, in my experience they aren't offended by it. Although when speaking of a specific tribe/nation/confederation, one should use their proper name. I.e. if writing about a dispute between the Makah and the State of Washington, do not refer to the Makah as 'the Indians.'

All that is beside the point, which is simply that I don't want to appropriate the name of a local people but would rather use a fictional name for a people loosely based on what I know about them. I see how my first idea would be irritating, since it looks like just a typo. So how about Tsqualeesh?

 

[Dadarian]

That works

 

[Nax24]

(Necklace worn by Seneca Americans)​

Culture Name: Seneca Valley Native Americans
Location: (Color = Blue+Black) North America, in what is today Western Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh.
Map:

Spoiler

People and Society: The Seneca Valley Native Americans are an agricultural tribal society. At the bottom of the social hierarchy there are the slaves captured during wars with other tribes. Then there are the farmers and laborers, followed by the traders and artisans, followed by the warriors and chieftains, with the priests at the top of the social hierarchy. The religion of the Seneca Valley Americans is one in which they worship the Earth Mother, and they believe the earth is sacred. They do not believe that land can be owned, for the earth supplies all with her resources and goods. The people believe that when they die, they go to the earth to help give it life. Priests are the ones who can communicate with the ancestors, and thus earn the highest regards in Seneca society.
Government: The government of the Seneca is ruled by the Council of Ten, a group of ten chieftains from across the Seneca lands who meet in the capital of the country to rule the nation. Ever five years, the Council of Ten selects a man to act as "Chief of Chiefs". The Chief of Chiefs is the one who leads the nation as its executive. The positions on the Council of Ten are hereditary. Most people say that the Seneca government resembled an oligarchy.
Economy: The people of the Seneca have a diet of three main crops, corn, squash, and beans. Hunters hunt deer and elk in the woods, and fishers catch fish in the many rivers across the land. Traders use these goods and sell them to other tribes outside of Seneca land. The main currency in this land are beads. The Seneca use the rivers of the Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela to trade with further places and return with exotic goods.
Military: The warrior caste of the Seneca People are responsible for defending the land from invaders. The warriors use clubs, stone weapons, and bows to strike at enemies. The Seneca are notorious for applying the paste of certain crops to paint their face before battle. This adds a fear factor to the enemy when they engage Seneca warriors.

 

[Rovsea]

How Many American Civs will there be? Stay tuned to find out.

 

[Nax24]

How Many American Civs will there be? Stay tuned to find out.

Perhaps in this universe the Americans will colonize Europe.

 

[Deaghaidh]

I'm surprised no one has gone for Australia, new Zealand or Polynesia. Nice and safely isolated.

 

[sealy300]

Some good research for this game:

[video=youtube;XTLyXamRvk4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTLyXamRvk4[/video]

 

[firelordsky]

I'm surprised no one has gone for Australia, new Zealand or Polynesia. Nice and safely isolated.

The fact that they're nice and isolated is one of the reasons that no one wants to choose them. New Zealand is only occupied by kiwis, unimaginably large eagles, and moas until the Maori migration. Polynesia is not the Polynesia we know, instead we have a series of cultures driving from Taiwan. It wouldn't be until around 1400 BC until the Polynesian migration cultures reach the island of New Guinea.

Australia, however, has the people in place; its Gundjitmara culture was able to establish a system of artificial ponds and wetlands and were able to link these together with channels and managed to build up weirs to trap and harvest the matured eels.