the TOROKH

the Ghostlights of the Steppe

Rumors on the Steppe say that if you see distant dancing lights at night, it is members of the Torokh tribe, luring unsuspecting Xaela away to join their mysterious ranks.

Many a Xaela, regardless of tribe, can recall being told stories by their parents and clan elders, warning them of staying away from the dancing lights seen late at night on the Steppe, meant to keep the young from wandering away from camp after dark. Many would come to accept these as just that- fables and cautionary tales. But there are others: others who claim to have seen the distant flickers of flame where there should not have been any. There are those who have personally lost someone- a brother, a friend, a child, a parent- to the entrancing, intriguing lights. They say that the stories are entirely too real.

But the truth is somewhere in-between.

The Torokh tribe is made up of members from every tribe on the Steppe; those defeated or disbanded, and those that are still active. All of them, aside from those naturally born into the tribe, followed the light of the Torokh’s lanterns, and were offered a place in the tribe when they stumbled upon the wandering lantern-bearers. The Torokh believe that the Flame within their sacred lanterns calls out to the souls of those lost, afraid, and betrayed- thus, it is a Torokh’s duty to offer a home to anybody who answers that call. Those who refuse are sent back out into the night... but it’s well acknowledged that they rarely manage to find their way to safety.

the ETERNAL FLAME

The legend is that when Azim and Nhaama reconciled after their furious war, they kissed, and that kiss sparked a shower of flames that crashed to earth. One of those flames landed in front of a Xaela who had gotten lost from their people and had no way of finding the path home. Upon seeing the brightly burning fire, the Xaela became inspired, crafting a lantern out of stone in the hopes it would help guide them through the dark. It did- not back to their original tribe, but to a place where there was bountiful supplies and protection from the elements. Seeing it as a blessing from the gods, the Xaela chose to settle down there. The light from that same lantern continued to burn for days and days without fuel, and it attracted other lost souls, who settled down as well. That was how the Torokh tribe was born.

To this day, the fire from that lantern burns brightly in the lanterns of every Torokh, and in its own sacred place in the middle of the Torokh camp without ever needing fuel, though it is closely attended by the Keeper of the Flame, the tribe’s shaman and second-in-command to the Khan. Chosen because they harbor a spark of the Flame within their soul, the Keeper regularly communes with the Flame, interpreting its movements as prophecy or omen; they also help each member to construct their sacred lantern upon being inducted into the tribe.

Each Torokh’s first act (after settling down and finding their place in the tribe) is to venture out into the Steppe for a full day and night, in search of materials to make their own personal lantern. This lantern will carry their own personal ember, guiding each member on their life’s journey and serving as an ‘anchor’. It’s said that no matter where they are, a Torokh can simply look to their lantern, and it will guide them to home and to safety. Each lantern’s design is personalized by the member who carries it- some receive their design in a dream or a hallucination, while others choose a design based on their history or personal preference. No two are ever exactly alike, though some Torokh believe that the materials or features chosen in a lantern can mean certain things about its carrier.

BURNING BRIGHTLY

In a tribe like the Torokh, where its members come from all different walks of life, temperament of its members can vary as wildly as appearance. Thus, it can be tough to summarize what a ‘typical’ Torokh is. However, it would not be inaccurate to say that the Torokh are those who were unable to find a home elsewhere- outcasts, oddballs, wanderers and rebels- those who the Everlasting Flame called out to, and who willingly accepted the offer of a new home. Those who join the Torokh are expected to treat the tribe as their own family despite their differences, and work just as hard to ensure its survival and success- in return, their quirks and dispositions are accepted without question, leading to an incredibly unique way of life, one which cannot be found anywhere else on the Steppe.

The mandates all Torokh follow are, for the most part, the same as many other tribes. Theft, murder, and conspiracy are all frowned upon, with disputes usually being placed to a duel overseen by the Khan. Social disputes are decided by community forum- if a decision cannot be reached, it will also be decided by a duel.
In general, pranks and good-natured troublemaking are allowed without abatement. In severe cases, one’s rights can be restricted or reduced through community judgement, but more often the individual is directed towards a position in the tribe where their ‘skills’ can be put to better use. More pointed or malignant trickery can become a social dispute if it upsets the community at large.
One outstanding note is that a Torokh’s sacred lantern is often treated more like a life than a possession. Destroying or dousing another Torokh’s lantern is tantamount to a murder, and often punished much more severely.

Duels for the position of Khan are decided by a tournament, the Feast of Nhaama, usually held around the same time of year as the Naadam. Generally, Torokh who choose to roam and spend most of their time away from the tribe are expected to return for this tournament, if no other time, and it is the biggest celebration and festival the tribe has all year.
Other important festivals include the Thousand Lantern Sky in the summer, the Dance of Souls in the fall, and the Longest Night in winter.

The Torokh greatly encourage members to share their skills, knowledge and hobbies with the tribe at large, so that it may better everybody in the long run. This has led to Torokh Xaela having an eclectic collection of talents and facts stored away in their brains, sometimes even surprising themselves with what they have learned over time. Some choose to ‘specialize’ in a particular facet of their life, but just as many choose to be jacks of many trades, learning as much as possible to satisfy their innate curiosity.

Dancing is central to many Torokh celebrations, which are often hosted around the Everlasting Flame. Even outside of celebrations, many Torokh learn to utilize their lantern’s fire in expressive, dangerous dances, lighting oil-soaked balls of cloth or wax and spinning them around to intimidate their foes or simply to drive away the darkness. It is these same dances that likely created the mythos of the ‘dancing lights’, but the tribe seems to have collectively agreed to not correct anybody. (It’s funnier that way.)

THE NIGHT IS DARK AND DEEP

While hardly a reclusive people, the Torokh fully recognize the benefits of being thought as legend or myth. Much like the Moks, existing in secret means that the Torokh people enjoy relative peace, able to live at their own pace and without fear of subjugation by other, more war-like tribes. Over time, the Khans have encouraged the Torokh to keep the tribe's existence a secret- to perpetuate the legend, but keep the truth guarded from those who might destroy it.

Generally, anybody who reveals the tribe's existence to outsiders, or gives away the hiding place of their camps, is exiled from the tribe, or even killed, if there is reason to suspect that they mean to bring harm upon the tribe. Likewise, any outsider who cannot prove good intentions or innocence is put to death, rather than risk bringing war and misfortune down upon the Turokh's heads.

Notable Members

Khaichilj Torokh - Current Khan of the Torokh tribe. A mischievous prankster with an upbeat sense of humor. Outspoken and prone to revealing truth through playful teasing, he encourages a sense of curiosity among his tribe, and often reminds them to not take life too seriously.

Naidva Torokh - Daughter of Khaichilj and Tasalakh, and next-in-line to be the Keeper of the Flame. Her elegant nature and sword-sharp wit hide an intense curiosity and desire to learn about anything and everything. She currently travels the world in search of esoteric knowledge to aid the tribe.

Namuna Torokh - Well known among the tribe for her skill with fire fans, her fun-loving and playful nature makes her quite popular, both as a teacher and friend. Deeply interested in all forms of dance, the tales of exotic new styles in distant lands intrigue her greatly. She is childhood friends with Naidva. Chaghatai and Zayashira are among her siblings.

Zayashira Torokh - According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.

Chimeg Torokh - According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.

Tasalakh Torokh - Husband of Khaichilj, and current Keeper of the Flame. He often claims to be the 'long suffering' voice of reason to his husband's constant antics, but in truth, he would admit that the Khan's outlook on life saved him from his own grim fate. He now wishes to extend that kindness to others.

Xangai Torokh - According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.

Chaghatai Torokh - According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.

Altandol Torokh - According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway because bees don't care what humans think is impossible.

The Turokh is a fan-made Xaela tribe (though you probably already guessed that), born out of the excess of creative energy that comes with a months-long quarantine lockdown. I more or less tried to balance my favorite aesthetics and filling a archetypal niche that I didn't see already represented in the other tribes. I hope I succeeded, and that others come to love the Torokhs as much as I do.

Big thanks to unsplash.com for all of the Creative Commons images that I used for the banners and page elements!

This is an OPEN tribe, meaning that you can create members of it without needing my express permission. If you do make a member, though, I'd love to be able to put your character on that list up there! (Yes! You're notable!) Please contact me on Discord if you do- my username is Alice#7156 and I want to know everything about your character. Everything. 8)
(Plus Naidva needs to keep tabs on her fellow tribespeople. It's her job. Kinda.)

Naidva Torokh

Age: 22 years old
Gender: Cisgender female [she/her]
Race: Xaela Au Ra
Orientation: Unsure
Relationship Status: Single, never married
Birthday: 14th Sun of the 3rd Umbral Moon (June 13th)
Star Sign: Gemini

Hair: Black with blue streaks. Choppy and often cut short, likely to keep it out of her face.
Eyes: Orange, with orange limbal rings.
Height: 5'1"
Build: Average build for a Steppe dweller, with toned legs and arms.
Features: Often wearing 'earrings' on her horns. Small burn scars on palms and fingers.
Sounds Like: Laura Bailey

Languages: Polyglot! Fluent in Auri, Eorzean, Hingan, Doman, and Allagan. Currently working on learning Dalmascan, Mooglespeak, and 'Gobbiespeak'.

» Has a wit as sharp as her sword. She enjoys wordplay and keeping her conversation partners on their toes; those who inspire her wrath should likely brace themselves for a tongue lashing, and not the fun kind.
» Her sword is a beautiful katana that is perpetually on fire- the sheath seems to act as a lantern, letting the fire light the intricate designs from within.
» If curiosity killed the cat, it'll at least maim this inquisitive Xaela. She seems to be on an eternal quest for knowledge, and gladly throws herself into danger for the sake of a discovery.
» When it comes to those close to her, she has a tendency to take on the 'protective older sister' role. This can lead to her being a tad fussy.
» Has her own yol, Khonza, which she considers more of a loyal friend than a pet or mount. Khonza is dignified, graceful, and prone to eating small mammals that annoy her.

Art Credit: https://riessene.tumblr.com/