The Kuṯoxian people inhabit the rocky and arid subcontinent of Matapik in Mismia, located to the east of the Wetrepian territories. Known for their rugged adaptability, the Kuṯoxians are primarily sedentary herders and farmers who have learned to thrive in their harsh environment. With a history marked by both resilience and conflict, they have developed a reputation as tenacious hunters and skilled siege tacticians. Their practice of tongue-splitting, and the distinct forked tongues it creates, earned them the pejorative nickname "snakes" among Wetrepians, who often view them with a mixture of fear and disdain due to frequent historical raiding and their somewhat isolated customs. The Kuṯoxian identity is not monolithic; rather, the people are composed of distinct groups with strong ethnic ties that often maintain enmity with each other, despite sharing similar cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Customs

The Kuṯoxians observe a range of unique customs shaped by their environment and traditions. Notably, tongue-splitting is a common rite, seen as a mark of resilience and cultural pride. Hemp use is also widespread, providing a source of mild euphoria and relaxation, especially cherished for community gatherings and rites. Kuṯoxian life primarily unfolds at night, as the population largely rests during the day to avoid the desert’s intense heat, awakening at dusk to begin their activities. The community highly values hunting as a tradition; hunts for dangerous predators are celebrated events that test a person’s courage and skill, reaffirming the community’s values of bravery and survival.

Cuisine

Kuṯoxian cuisine is defined by the local ingredients and a mixture of flavors that contrast with their sparse landscape. Armadillo meat is a culinary staple, valued for its distinctive taste and adaptability in a variety of dishes. Their meals often incorporate fruits like oranges and melons, which add a sweet contrast to the savory meats they consume. Olives are a highly significant ingredient for the Kuṯoxians, appreciated not only for their culinary value but also for their medicinal and practical uses; olives are pressed for oil, used in cooking, applied as a lubricant, and even treated as a healing ointment. Together, these ingredients form a diet that emphasizes both practicality and the Kuṯoxian affinity for bold flavors.

Education

Kuṯoxian education is built upon the values of tradition and cultural continuity, with an emphasis on communal loyalty and the preservation of customs. There is a widespread belief that Kuṯoxian heritage is of paramount importance and that traditions should remain unchanged. Children are taught to respect their ancestors and honor the ways of their people above all, creating a strong sense of identity that often includes distrust of foreign customs. Elders play a vital role in passing down oral histories, skills, and values, ensuring each generation understands the roots of their practices.

Appearance and Clothing

Kuṯoxians are distinguished by their olive-toned skin, which helps them blend with their rocky surroundings. Compared to the Wetrepians, they exhibit more prominent black body hair. Their clothing is crafted from leather and hemp, reflecting the materials available in their environment and adapted to the challenging landscape. Tribal masks are an iconic part of Kuṯoxian attire, symbolizing the animal spirits that the community believes guide them. These masks are carved with intricate monster-like faces and are worn on the back of the head or as part of clothing, symbolizing respect for the natural forces. Body modification is prevalent, with Kuṯoxians often filing their upper canines to sharp points, a practice believed to honor and embody the ferocity of animals.

Weapons and Armor

Kuṯoxians are skilled in the use of ranged and melee weaponry, wielding stone slingshots and blades in combat. Their fighters are known for their distinctive animal skeleton masks, worn in battle to invoke fear and draw upon the perceived strength of the creatures they represent. Camel cavalry is highly esteemed among Kuṯoxian warriors, symbolizing mobility and resilience. Among the many forms of combat, their specialized camel-mounted units are considered a prestigious form of Kuṯoxian warfare, as camels serve not only as vehicles but also as symbols of Kuṯoxian endurance and adaptability.

Ethics

The Kuṯoxian ethical code emphasizes resilience, loyalty, and strength. Only the ruling class is permitted to own slaves, reflecting a society with distinct hierarchies. Among the Kuṯoxians, brutal warriors who are unyielding in combat are held in the highest esteem. This admiration is mirrored in their narratives, where heroes are celebrated for their fierceness and unwavering commitment to victory.

Politics

Kuṯoxian politics reflect the complex social landscape of the subcontinent. Some Kuṯoxian states function as tributaries to the Great Republic, often under political pressures that have forced them into subordinate positions. Although a few city-states have taken root in the Iberian land, most Kuṯoxians remain in semi-nomadic or pastoral groups, loosely aligned and governed by local customs rather than centralized rule. The influence of the Great Republic is a contentious issue; where it reaches, traditional hierarchies and cultural values are often tested, creating areas of tension and resistance.

Gender

Kuṯoxian society is strongly patriarchal, with a marked emphasis on male authority. In areas where the Great Republic exerts influence, certain aspects of this hierarchy have softened, though the overall structure remains. Polygynous marriage is common, with multiple wives often indicating higher social status. The Kuṯoxians are deeply conservative in their views on sexuality, with homosexuality carrying severe penalties in most regions, although the Great Republic has helped lessen these restrictions somewhat in its territories.

Music and Art

Kuṯoxian art and craftsmanship are highly regarded for their aesthetic appeal. Their pottery is characterized by elegant, intricate designs that depict natural and mythical motifs, a reflection of their cultural connection to the landscape and their myths. Earrings crafted from animal horns are a popular form of Kuṯoxian jewelry, believed to channel the strength and vitality of the animals they emulate.

Architecture

Kuṯoxian towns and villages are built with defensive priorities in mind, often situated in mountainous areas and fortified with robust walls. The buildings are primarily constructed from sandstone and slate, reflecting the rocky landscape of Matapik. Kuṯoxian architecture is distinctive, with individual houses featuring a pyramidal structure that provides durability and cooling within the hot climate. The use of simple yet enduring designs is a testament to the Kuṯoxian skill in adapting architecture to their environment.

Technology

Kuṯoxians are skilled in ambush tactics and guerrilla warfare, using their knowledge of the landscape to their advantage in battle. They excel in sneak attacks and evasive strategies, employing surprise to overcome their enemies in combat. Although lacking advanced technology, their mastery of terrain and simple weaponry makes them formidable opponents, especially in their harsh environment.

Transportation

The Kuṯoxians rely heavily on camels for transportation, with a strong emphasis on breeding resilient animals capable of carrying heavy loads. Camels serve as both riding and working animals, essential for moving goods and people across the rocky landscape. Some Kuṯoxian warriors ride terror birds, a rare practice that is both a status symbol and a display of bravery, as these powerful birds require skilled handling.

Medicine

Olives are central to Kuṯoxian medicinal practices, valued for their therapeutic properties. Kuṯoxians use olive oil for a range of treatments, including wound care and as an ointment for aches and pains. Their knowledge of olive-based remedies is highly respected, and it remains a cornerstone of Kuṯoxian medical practices.

Economy

The Kuṯoxian economy is modest, hampered in part by the tributary relationships imposed by the Great Republic. These impositions limit the economic autonomy of the Kuṯoxian states, with many local markets under Wetrepian control. Olive, orange, wheat, melon, and hemp farming are the primary agricultural activities, supplemented by fishing and animal husbandry along the coast. The Kuṯoxians are known for their animal-based trade economy, where livestock acts as a currency and primary trade commodity.

Trade

The southern region of Matapik is rich in mineral resources, providing essential ores and raw materials for trade. Mining is a crucial part of the economy, and its products are exchanged with other cultures in the region, though much of this wealth is siphoned by the Great Republic. Aphrodisiacs are a respected luxury item, reflecting the cultural value placed on large families and fertility.