Cultural Evolution in the Teerti

Turn 11 Part 2

Hope everyone had a great holiday season! Here’s the second part of Turn 11 of my worldbuilding. This is a bit short — rather than start on the migratory region Round, I’ll just cut off at the end of the Settled Region Round.

I’m actually much further ahead in my actual worldbuilding — I got halfway through Turn 12 during the break. However, I still need to post it, obviously.

In this part of the turn:

• The results of the Solo RPG session about Tikvari

• The culture and myths of the settled region on the southwestern coast change over time

• The language of the settled region develops

• The tribe of migratory Eekraw on the southwest coast undergoes cultural exchange with the settled region.

Overview

I am doing a project of incremental worldbuilding. In other words, I’m taking aspects of worldbuilding and changing them slowly over time, in hope of creating a world that has the real weight of history behind it. In addition, I’m using randomness and ‘game-like’ mechanics, as well as assistance from ChatGPT, to help work my way through this process and ensure that I am sometimes surprised by the results.

The Eekraw are an avian species that has developed sentience. They’re slightly shorter than human height, and live around 80 years absent illness or injury. They can’t lift off vertically, requiring a cliff face or tree to jump off to successfully initiate flight. They have strong and dexterous foot talons, meaning their feet rather than wings are needed to work tools. They live in communal nests, with a nest of four-six adults raising their young together.

The Turn Order I use for the worldbuilding process is below:

Turn Order

The previous part of Turn 11 is below:

Global Cooling

Ironsworn Session

In the first part of turn 11, I had rolled that I would run a Solo RPG session using Ironsworn, set in Settled Region 1.

In it, Tikvari, a young Eekraw of Settled Region 1, set out on a quest to avenge his nestmate, Riv’tal, who was killed by a Jiltal’teik (predator reptile). He nearly abandoned his quest when he discovered that the massive Jiltal’teik had eight more Jiltal’teik with it. However, Riv’Tal’s nestsister, Riv’tikara, found him and convinced him not to give up. They engaged in battle with the Jiltal’teik, driving off the massive one’s nestsiblings and successfully killing Riv’Tal’s killer. Though Tikvari suffered grevious wounds, they returned to the settlement with the Jiltal’teik’s head.

Here are the session reports, in which I play through the story:

Results of the session

New words:

• Vikre (which also means flight) - migration

• Leraw’ehwa (nest group-us) - nestmate

• Leraw’ekiek (nest-youngling) - nestchild

• Tikara’trae (hidden-water) - swamp/marsh

• Jiltal’tiirah - bushes with long, pointy thorns

Updated myths:

• Rauki E’yee (coming of age ceremony) — females are usually not expected to go as far or find as impressive a prey as males are. Also, it’s no longer necessarily solo — new adults may joint together for the hunt as part of forming a nest, though that is not required

• Riv’Tal and Tikvari - Riv’Tal and Tikvari were two males of the tribe who were planning on starting a nest together. As their Rauki E’yee, Riv’tal convinced Tikvari to join him to hunt a massive and ancient Jiltal’teik, the large predator reptile of the marsh. Riv’Tal was killed by the Jiltal’teik and Tikvari was badly wounded. (5)

• Tikvari and Riv’tikara — After recuperating in the settlement, Tikvari decided to avenge his would have been nestmate, and went to hunt the Jiltal’teik. He was nearly overcome, but Riv’tikara, Riv’tal’s nestsister, joined him on her own Rauki E’yee. Together, they killed the Jiltal’teik, though Tikvari suffered grevious wounds to his wings and had struggles flying thereafter. They brought the Jilta’teik’s head back to present to the entire clan as the fruits of their Rauki E’yee. Tikvari and Riv’tikara started a nest together, and Tikvari was eventually chosen as Vikre’ratir, despite his crippled wing. (5)

Now, I’ll return to the normal turn order. One of the things I decided after the SoloRPG session was that I would do a SoloRPG session every turn. However, going forward I’ll move future sessions to the end of the settled regions round, so that I can continue with the migratory regions while I do the RPG session, switching between the two. This time, I couldn’t, since changes to the settled regions would affect the RPG session, and vice versa.

Cultural Evolution

Cultural Traditions of Settled Region 1:

Rituals/Traditions:

Rauki E’yee (sunrise of the adult) - Coming of age ceremony for when a member of the tribe reaches full adulthood, around the age of 25. The new E’yee (adult) goes on a hunting trip to prove his or her ability to contribute to the clan. Females usually go on shorter trips and find some Jilktra (small fish) or Tirtiryi (floating fruits), while males usually go on more extensive and ambitious hunts. It is common for several new adults to band together for their Rauki E’yee, meaning they join in the honor or shame of the hunt together, and become nestmates. (5)

Culture/Myth/Oral History:

Revere the sun. (5)

Varka - The Varka are evil shadow spirits (associated in some way with the Vari, the avian predators). They have to be driven away by rituals of the Yira. (5)

Kra’varik - Kra’varik was a prominent Yira. Generally, the Yira focus their efforts on protecting the clan spiritually, but Kra’varik decided to try and spread his knowledge as well. He learned the history of the clan, and of many other clans, and recited it to spread to others. His most prominent student was Kree’Veeka, a female Eekraw. She learned his knowledge and continued his goals by spreading it further herself. (5)

Riv’Tal and Tikvari - Riv’Tal and Tikvari were two males of the tribe who were planning on starting a nest together. As their Rauki E’yee, Riv’tal convinced Tikvari to join him to hunt a massive and ancient Jiltal’teik, the large predator reptile of the marsh. Riv’Tal was killed by the Jiltal’teik and Tikvari was badly wounded. (5)

Tikvari and Riv’tikara — After recuperating in the settlement, Tikvari decided to avenge his would have been nestmate, and went to hunt the Jiltal’teik. He was nearly overcome, but Riv’tikara, Riv’tal’s nestsister, joined him on her own Rauki E’yee. Together, they killed the Jiltal’teik, though Tikvari suffered grevious wounds to his wings and had struggles flying thereafter. They brought the Jilta’teik’s head back to present to the entire clan as the fruits of their Rauki E’yee. Tikvari and Riv’tikara started a nest together, and Tikvari was eventually chosen as Vikre’ratir, despite his crippled wing. (5)

There are six different cultural aspects in this society. I will roll a 1d10 for each, any roll below the strength number of a myth will increase its strength, any roll above will decrease it. I will subtract 1 from the Tikvari and Riv’tikara story since it just came about from my soloRPG session and therefore is more likely to stick.

6d10: 2, 1, 6, 5, 8, 9

Well, as it happens the subtraction didn’t matter, it still decreased in strength. So the coming-of-age ceremony, reverence for the sun and the story of Kra’varik all increase in strength, the other three decrease. This does make me think that maybe I should allow for the possibility of a myth staying the same too — maybe for next turn I’ll add that.

Then I’ll roll again for each myth/cultural practice. If the number is above that myth’s strength, the myth will change, below and it will not.

6d10: 5, 2, 10, 9, 6, 9

So, the coming-of-age ceremony and reverence for the sun don’t change, the other four do.

Varka:

Possible Changes:

1. Adds a new aspect to the story

2. Adds a new additional character

3. Two characters are merged together

4. An aspect of the story takes on greater prominence

5. An aspect of the story fades in prominence

6. The story becomes associated/related to another story

7. Embellishment of details

8. Add or increase a spiritual/supernatural element

9. Something specific to this myth

10. Something specific to this clan

I do need to change the table slightly — the story of the Varka doesn’t have ‘characters’ so choices 2 and 3 won’t apply. I’ll say that 2 would mean an additional type of spirit is added, and 3 means the relation to the Vari (avian predators) is solidified.

1d10 = 4: An aspect takes on greater prominence.

Possible Aspects:

1. Evil

2. Shadow

3. Avian (associated with Vari)

4. Predator (associated with Vari)

5. Yira rituals

1d5 = 1: “Evil” — I’ll add in something evil they do.

1. Memory eaters

2. Cause illusions (i.e., will o’ the wisps)

3. Bad weather causers

4. Dream invaders

5. Cause illness

6. Curse eggs/nestlings

1d6 = 2: Cause illusions

New Myth:

Varka - The Varka are evil shadow spirits (associated in some way with the Vari, the avian predators). They create illusions that draw Eekraw astray and cause them to be lost, injured or even killed. They have to be driven away by rituals of the Yira. (4)

Kra’varik:

Possible changes:

1. Adds a new aspect to the story

2. Adds a new additional character

3. Two characters are merged together

4. An aspect of the story takes on greater prominence

5. An aspect of the story fades in prominence

6. The story becomes associated/related to another story

7. Embellishment of details

8. Add or increase a spiritual/supernatural element

9. Something specific to this myth

10. Something specific to this clan

1d10 = 3: Two characters are merged together

Obviously Kra’varik and Kree’Veeka will be merged together (which, since Kree’veeka was already fairly unimportant in this region’s version of the story, basically means she is removed entirely).¹

Name change

1. Kravar

2. Kree’varik

3. Kra’varika

4. Krafar

1d4 = 1: Kravar

New myth:

Kravar - Kravar was a prominent Yira. Generally, the Yira focus their efforts on protecting the clan spiritually, but Kravar decided to try and spread his knowledge as well. He learned the history of the clan, and of many other clans, and traveled between all the clans of the Eekraw to spread it. (6)

Riv’Tal and Tikvari:

Possible Changes:

1. Adds a new aspect to the story

2. Adds a new additional character

3. Two characters are merged together

4. An aspect of the story takes on greater prominence

5. An aspect of the story fades in prominence

6. The story becomes associated/related to another story

7. Embellishment of details

8. Add or increase a spiritual/supernatural element

9. Something specific to this myth

10. Something specific to this clan

1d10 = 5: An aspect of the story fades in prominence

1. Forming the nest

2. Riv’tal convinced Tikvari

3. Tikvari was wounded

4. Part of Rauki E’yee

1d4 = 2: Riv’Tal convinced Tikvari

Riv’Tal and Tikvari - Riv’Tal and Tikvari were two males of the tribe who were planning on starting a nest together. As their Rauki E’yee, the pair decided to hunt a massive and ancient Jiltal’teik, the large predator reptile of the marsh. Riv’Tal was killed by the Jiltal’teik and Tikvari was badly wounded. (4)

Tikvari and Riv’tikara

1. Adds a new aspect to the story

2. Adds a new additional character

3. Two characters are merged together

4. An aspect of the story takes on greater prominence

5. An aspect of the story fades in prominence

6. The story becomes associated/related to another story

7. Embellishment of details

8. Add or increase a spiritual/supernatural element

9. Something specific to this myth

10. Something specific to this clan

1d10 = 7: Embellishment of details

Which detail?

1. He was nearly overcome

2. Killing the Jiltal’teik

3. Riv’tikara’s contribution

4. Tikvari’s wounds

5. Bringing head back

1d5 = 4: Tikvari’s wounds embellished

Tikvari and Riv’tikara — After recuperating in the settlement, Tikvari decided to avenge his would have been nestmate, and went to hunt the Jiltal’teik. He was nearly overcome, but Riv’tikara, Riv’tal’s nestsister, joined him on her own Rauki E’yee. Together, they killed the Jiltal’teik, though Tikvari suffered grevious wounds. They brought the Jilta’teik’s head back to present to the entire clan as the fruits of their Rauki E’yee. Tikvari had to spend a year recuperating and never flew normally again. Afterwards, Tikvari and Riv’tikara started a nest together, and Tikvari was eventually chosen as Vikre’ratir, despite his crippled wing. (4)

Name change for Riv’Tal, Tikvari and Riv’tikara

• Riv’tal —> Rivta

• Tikvari —> Tikviri

• Riv’tikara —> Rikara

Language Development

Basics (1):

• Koo - me

• Ee - you

• Eru - them

• Eha - us

• Ke - yes

• Rih - no

Culture (2):

• Yirake - priest/shaman nest

• Krat - defense/lookout nest

• Ekiek - youngling

• Kiektee - nestlings

• Eyie - adult

• Lerau - nest group

• Ratak - clan

• Arak - evil force of darkness

• Traiki - life

• Aira - home

• Kriet - temporary shelter

• Akrateer - family heritage

• Teerti - The summer settlement

• Kritera - permanent home/shelter in the settlement

• Vikretir - flight leader (leader during migrations, high authority the rest of the year)

• Vikar - migration

• Lerahwa - nestmate

• Larwekiek - nestchild

• Raukiye - Coming of age ceremony

Descriptor (3):

• Yeega - traitor

• Tekara - hidden/camouflaged

• Sigka - simple

• Jela - tasty/good-tasting

• Yiker - delicious

• Taria - challenging

Verbs (4):

• Raiv - to fly

• Vraer - to succeed/excel

• Rizee - to carry

• Jelter - to forage

• Kikteer - to hunt

• Talvah - to land on a tree

• Raltol - to land on the ground

• Ratyr - to defend/protect

• Rekite - to care for/nurture

• Ekit - to teach

• Talrel - to light/illuminate

Other (5):

• ‘thi - suffix for small

• A’ - prefix for near/related to the clan

• ‘tol - suffix for ‘place of’

Environment (6):

• R’ye - sun

• Tahl - ground/soil

• Tray - freshwater

• Trekre - saltwater

• Revaree - tide

• Trakret - coastline/beach

• Ikaratra - swamp/marsh

• Vahr - air/above

• Reikre - day

• Raeku - night

• Raoki - sunset/sunrise

• Akre - flight

• Tair - something that is reflective (metal or water, for example)

• Dalrey - fire

Locations (7):

• Terti - The summer settlement

• Traedal - the large lake ten miles south of their summer settlement

• Vrikretra - the large river leading to the lake

Creatures (8):

• Taik - dangerous creature

• Hikka - small harmless creature

• Vaari - Large avian creature, large light-sensitive eyes, hunts nocturnally. Will snatch a fully grown Eekraw if they are alone

• Jiltatek - Large predator reptile, has strong, wide tail with spikes on it. Has difficulty using tail in tight quarters

  

• Tikrotek - Dog-sized insect, with green camoflauge skin and strong legs. Ambush predator

• Tultik - Large semi-amphibious segmented worms that feed on dead plants and animals, as well as seaweed and other ocean plant-matter

• Kratreski - Large herbivore with armored hide and two large horns

• Ratariska - Medium-sized animal with hard exoskeletal shell, four legs and slightly webbed feet for swimming. Feeds on the star-shaped fruits and the funghi, travels in small family groups

• Teksheka - A medium-sized creature with tough skin and sharp tusks, dangerous if provoked. Semi-domesticated - the Eekraw leave fruits for them and they hang around near their settlement

• Riikika - Bioluminescent beetles that live in colonies and feed on tree sap, release a noxious gas when threatened. Has luminescence that alters based on the season.

• Kiltra - Small, vibrantly colored fish which live in shallows and coastal pools, feeding on small insects and algae

Plants (9):

• Tiira - plant

• Vasket - trees that are too short to jump off of

• Tafek - tall tree that can be jumped off

• Talritra - A bioluminescent moss that exists in a symbiotic relationship with the trees of the biome and grows on their upper canopies

• Ritravar - Star-shaped fruit produced by one of the tree species

• Tertryi - Floating fruit-bearing plants tethered to the ground by long vines. They drift in the canopy catching sunlight, held aloft by gas-filled sacs next to the fruit.

• Jiltaltra - bushes with long, pointy thorns

Cultural Exchange

Only possible target is region 10.

Procedure:

Roll 2d20 to see how many words switch (first die for words from Settled Region 1, second for words from Migratory Region 10)

Roll that many times among all words to swap between the two

Roll 1d10 for every cultural practice/myth, anything that rolls below strength transfers

Language

Roll: 2d20: 13, 4

80 words in region S1: 13d80: 66, 41, 52, 3, 67, 14, 38, 34, 66, 44, 31, 52, 24

• Jiltatek (predator reptile)

• Ekit (teach)

• Ikaratra (swamp/marsh)

• Eru (them)

• Tikrotek (dog-sized insect)

• Arak (evil spiri)

• Raltol (land on ground)

• Rizee (carry)

• A’ (related to/near the clan)

• Taria (challenging)

• Larwekiek (nestchild)

66 words in region 10: 4d66: 45, 12, 15, 57

• Raeku (night)

• Varka (force of darkness)

• Krit (shelter)

• Ratir’skika (swimming exoskeletal animal)

Cultural Practices

From S1:

• Raukiye (coming of age) 6

• Revere sun 6

• Varka 4

• Kravar 6

• Rivta and Tikviri 4

• Tikviri and Rikara 4

6d10: 8, 10, 8, 4, 10, 4

A little bit disappointing — the only thing that transfers is the story of Kravar, which was simplified in S1 compared to its form in region 10. In fact, rather than remove the Kree’Veeka part (why would it go away, honestly?) I’ll just change the name in region 10 from Kra’varik to Kravar, and leave Kree’Veeka’s presence.

And all of the cultural practices in region 10 are also present in region S1 (since S1 is an offshoot of region 10). The only thing that might transfer is the existence of Kree’Veeka. So, if I roll below a 5, she’ll get added back to region s1. 1d10 = 9, so she does not.

This post is kind of an awkward length, since most of the settled region round was already done in a previous post. The migratory region round is still to come, but it’s long enough that I’m going to split it into two posts anyway, and this is a good stopping point.

1. In Migratory Region 7, by contrast, the equivalent character in their myth (Kree’Veeka in Settled Region 1 is KrVee’ra Yee’r in Migratory Region 7) founded the institution of a priestly nest (Yee’r).