The Bumi

Geographically defined as the “Low Elves,” the Bumi inhabit the forests to the south of Syv Nova, primarily in the region known as the “Earthswell.”  Though often considered scattered in their nature, those that observe Bumi travel long enough come to appreciate the planning and structure that comes to these seemingly sporadic movements.

Origins
The Bumi are descendents of Crown Princess Nuria and her followers. After stealing one of the Gems of Ak’thalon, the Bumi fled into the southern reaches of Syv Nova. There, they began to learn to live in harmony with the land. In exchange for their guidance, they even began to intermingle with humans native to the region. This has led to many half-elves having Bumi descent, though because of their clannish nature half-elves rarely “leave” their familial units, as others might feel pressured to do.

Organization
Following the lead of their ancestor, the Bumi are a largely matriarchal society. This does not deny men the right to inherit or rule, but preference tends to follow along maternal lines. Furthermore, matrilineal connections tend to be considered more lasting bonds. A person’s “blood cousin” (Geti) is considered to be someone related to them through their father, while their “essence cousin” (Suma) is related by their mother.

The overarching ruler of the Bumi is the Grandseer, whose possession of the Gem of Ak’thalon ensures that their succession is recognized. Tradition holds that the Grandseer be a descendent of Princess Nuria, making them a direct line of relation back to the Old Empire and the Drow. Nevertheless, their intermarriage has been so extensive that some have said a Grandseer is more likely related to a human than the King of the High Elves.

The current Grandseer is Ayeuna, a pacifist that seeks to use these settled times to further grow the populace while avoiding conflict if at all possible.

Military
Due to their origin, the Bumi are trained in martial combat from an early age. It is their belief that the Drow may return at any moment and so, they learn to survive on the land and with a weapon nearly as soon as they can walk. Bumi are specialists with slings and bows, and utilize their terrain in hit-and-run tactics against aggressive entities. The one exception to this is their usage of the aurochs (Toana) that each familial unit maintains. The aurochs, a large creature, can be trained to work as part of a three beast team, trampling enemy formations and buying members of the family time to escape.

Because of the importance that the Toana represents to the Bumi, in fact, their familial unit is often referred to as a “Toa” and they place great importance on the aurochs as its grazing informs them of when they must move, and they learn to utilize all aspects of it in daily life.

Religion
Though many members of the Pantheon are worshipped among various Toa, the most important deities belong to the Primal God domain. Kang’mora the Huntress is their matron goddess, and has a shrine dedicated to her in Feryn.

Historical Significance
Their possession of one of the Gems of Ak’thalon is considered a major factor in the Dread Tumult. Though those that have heard their tale often find it a sympathetic one, there is an undercurrent of prejudice against them because they often keep to themselves in their Toa and unlike the High Elves, did not acclimate directly to Syv Novan tradition.

Nevertheless, second only to the investment of Mount Sunder and the blunder in taking it, the Bumi are recognized as being a major factor in the Barbarian defeat. In expending resources, time, and manpower in attempting to track them down in the Earthswell, the Barbarians lost valuable initiative in coming conflicts. Bumi rarely brag about this, though it did reaffirm their belief in a society without walls, but one within which all people formed a bulwark.