The Hanaset

The Hanset are a sleeping giant of a race. Once the owners of an empire of Alexandrian proportions, they new reside in their hidden sub-tropical home, living the simple lives of tribesmen. Though bereft of metal tools, they have adapted to their forest home and it to them. Though their empire is long gone, they still hold onto the seed of its greatness.

Though they usually do not display this quality to outsiders, each Hanaset warrior is a born leader, the least of whome can command a handful of men with authority. The greatest are able to command a nation!

But for now they are an insular race, focused within and not interfering with the outside world. Their own house is still not in order - they are a loose, feuding group of five major tribes, none subsurvient to another. In truth they are unaware of their potential, though very aware of how far they have fallen from their ancestors. Most of the Hanaset do not regret this fall, they view the loss of their empire as deserved fate for their arrogance.

One tribe regrets the fall, at least openly. The proud Maletanalu, the followers of the Great Maw of the Marsh, Malitazum one eyed. The most warlike of the Hanaset, they are the only tribe that the great Lutazum perpetually shuns, both for their rejection of Hanaset morality, violation of taboos and their adoration of the great crocadile.

The Hanaset are at home in their forest home as much as any elf and are excellent archers and trackers. They know how to use virtually every plant in their domain for food, healing and poisons.

The Hanaset At a Glance

- Forest Specialists with advanced Flora lore, Archery, Tracking, Animal Husbandry
- Stong mystical knowlege with interventionist gods and powerful shamans
- Stone Age technology used, Iron Age level known.
- Introverted society, mostly humble but individiually extremely confident, self reliant and charismatic.

Hanaset Language in Brief

Words in the Hanaset language consists exclusively of Consonant/vowel/Consonant and Consonant/vowel forms.
Names of people never end in a vowel.

Vowels: a,e,i,u
Consonants: h,l,m,n,r,s,t,v,z

Campaign Use

The Hanaset are usable as a semi-civilized culture found in temperate to tropical wilderness. They are stronger and more capable then they appear - beneath their day to day living in harmony with nature using implements of wood and stone, there exists a people more then capable of raising armies and fighting with steel. Those quaint natives which were sent scurrying into their huts might come out with something a little more effective then stone spears and wicker shields.

Forest Hazard

The Maletanalu are the hanaset outsiders would be most likely to come into direct conflict with, but even the other tribes will act against intruders who come too close to their settlements. Much like elves, the Hanaset are most likely to engage in hit and run sniping with bows, only engaging in melee combat if cornered. Peacable contact can be made if they are encountered far enough from their villages (except with the Maetanalu, who are quite ferocious in nature).

Forest Guide

Assuming peaceful contact is made, individual Hanaset may be persuaded to act as guides for adventuring parties. They serve this role admirably, knowing where best to travel to avoid danger, find food and water, and usually whatever the PCs are there looking for. They will accept most items for payment - they do value gold and jewelry as well as more directly useful items such as weapons and equipment of all types.

Plot Ideas

Shipwrecked

The PC's ship is washed up in the swampy territory of the Maletanalu and need to evade their patrols while making their way back to civilization. This trip will bring them through at least two other Hanaset tribe regions for better or worse.

The Chosen One

The time has come for the Hanaset to arise again and help lead the world against some great evil. However, the Hanaset are not aware of it and the person in question will not be easily convinced. Of course, the forces of darkness will seek to destroy the PC's, the Hanaset, and anyone else to obtain victory. Some hanaset might vigourously oppose any intervention in the outside world, and the Maletanalu may take this time as an opportunity to attack as well.

See the descriptions of Lutazum the Tortoise and Malitazum one-eyed for other ideas.

Detailed Info

1. Appearance
2.The People
2.1 Tribal Societies
2.1.1 Husenalu
2.1.2 Ramenalu
2.1.3 Zeranalu
2.1.4 Serinalu
2.1.5 Maletanalu
2.2.1 Hanaset Zodiac
2.3 Combat, Honor and War
2.4 Literacy and Language
2.5 Magic & Technology
3 Brief History of the Hanaset

1.0 Appearance

The Hanaset are an attractive people, with olive-skin and understated, somewhat oriental features. They are physically small, averaging 5' in height with few exceptional individuals.

Hair color ranges from black to a light brown shy of blonde. Eye color is primarily a deep brown, though lighter shades up to grey are occasionally encountered. Clothing is made from dyed Ralu-fibre, or more rarely, Ralu leather. It is colored with vegetable dyes and adorned with beads. Actual colors and details vary significantly by tribe. The Hanaset are lean and well muscled, and apart from those crippled by injury or disease, are very active and fit.