Nags

Have deep connection to nature, they can bind with and control animals

1. Core Values

Their society would be deeply connected to nature, emphasizing symbiosis, survival, and spiritual balance. They would have a strong communal structure, but not in the rigid, hierarchical sense—rather, they function like an ecosystem, where each individual plays a role to maintain the harmony of the group.

2. Government & Leadership

They are ruled by the Circle of Elders, a council of the oldest and most spiritually attuned Nags.

• The Circle does not give orders—they offer guidance and interpret the will of nature.
• Decisions are made unanimously—if an Elder disagrees, the debate continues until balance is found.
  • Usually, in case of a deadlock, the minority will abstain
  • So the point is not to change their stance if they are not convinced, but they shouldn't hold the society back
• The elders in question are usually the representative of their own village

Process

A village is group of people who live together. A few members of a village may depart to form a new village, with the permission of the elders. For a village to form, they must have the following, Chief, Earthspeaker, Beastcaller, Stormwatcher, Riverkeeper and Bonekeeper.

Roles

• The Chief: Acts as arbiter whenever there is a dispute in a village
• An Elder: Sits on the council and arbitrate between villages
• The Earthspeaker – Mediator with the land, plants, and spirits of the jungle.
• The Beastcaller – Communes with the great animals and teaches young Nags to bond.
• The Stormwatcher – Reads the skies, weather, and omens of change.
• The Riverkeeper – Watches over water sources and ensures the balance of migration.
• The Bonekeeper – The historian and lorekeeper, remembering past generations. They practice oral tradition (as time goes on, they will transform to writing)

3. Social Hierarchy

No real hierarchy

4. Family & Gender Roles

They do "free love". If someone wants to have sex, they put "Sadume" in front of their domain (where they live), and interested party may come and woo them. There is no fatherhood among Nags, only the mother is known for certain. Children are raised communally.

5. Religion & Spiritual Beliefs

Nags revere nature as a living force.

1. Symbiosis ("Life Thrives Together")

• Nags believe that everything in nature is connected, and they must coexist with their surroundings.
• Nags may merge with them, forming an equal bond with their host.
• Their philosophy is non-aggressive—they only fight when the balance of nature is threatened.

2. The Strength of the Herd ("The One is the Many")

• While individual prowess is respected, Nags prioritize the well-being of the group.
• They function like a herd, pack, or swarm, depending on the creatures they bond with.
• A Nag is never alone—they have their animal companion, their clan, and their land.
• They really struggle with loneliness, it's difficult for them to handle it

3. The Flow of Nature ("To Fight Nature is to Fight Oneself")

• They do not build cities—instead, they live within nature, blending into jungles and savannas.
• Everything they craft is biodegradable, made from wood, vines, bone, and clay.
• They do not mine, forge metal, or cut stone—doing so is considered "wounding the earth."

4. Animal bond

• When they come of age, they form bonds with an animal
• This animal live and theirs becomes connected
• Depending on the nature of the animal, the animal may be a pet that sticks around or a wild animal that roams freely in the forest
• They are vegetarian, so no chance of them accidentally killing each other animal bond
  • They choose an animal to bond with at maturity (like the age of 14)
  • Binding to animals also give them access to "the animal power", this means they can transform to that animal

5. Song

• Every Nag "sings" to the world
  • each person's song is made up of their animal, their land, and their ancestors.
• A "strong song" indicates that a user more connected to nature.
• Some Nags can hear the songs of others, predicting their fate.
  • Also, when two nags resonate with each other, they connect. This is usually how mates are chosen using Sadume.

6. Economy & Trade

Nag society is self-sufficient, but they do trade with outsiders, usually for things they cannot create.

What They Trade:

• Rare medicinal herbs and poisons
  • From Fauns
• Exotic animal products (feathers, venom, hides)
  • They do not kill this animals, but can use dead animals
• Handcrafted wooden, bone, and clay tools
  • From Dalks
• Fertilisers: as the world became bigger, they started shipping out food to the world and started importing wastes that the world doesn't know what to do with
• Spiritual knowledge and shamanic guidance
  • From druids

What They Refuse to Trade:

• Live animals (enslaving creatures is a crime).
• Metals and mined goods (digging into the earth is an insult to nature).
• Weapons (they believe weapons make people forget their connection to the world).

7. Military & Warfare

Nags are defensive fighters, relying on nature itself as their weapon.

• Animal Swarms – Instead of soldiers, they command packs of wolves, swarms of birds, or herds of elephants.
• Hit-and-Run Attacks – They strike, vanish, and strike again, using the jungle as a trap.
• Venom & Poisons – Many warriors coat their weapons in paralytic or hallucinogenic toxins.
• Territorial Warfare – They rarely conquer—they fight only to defend the balance.

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8. Views on Other Species

Species	Nag Viewpoint
Werewolves	They respect nature but do not understand balance. They take what they want, not what is needed.
Polymorphs	They adapt well, but they do not listen to nature’s song. They only care for coin.
Vampires	They do not take, they consume. A forest with too many vampires will die.
Druids	They love the land, but they do not change. Nature must always change and adapat.
Humans	They cut, burn, build, and break. They could learn... but will they?

9. Justice & Punishment

• Nag justice is restorative, not punitive.
• Instead of prisons or executions, they believe in repaying harm with healing.
• Crimes like stealing don't exist.
• Only direct harm is considered crime, like attacking someone, fighting, damaging the land etc
• The usually expect apologies and a promise of reparation
• The worst punishment is exiling, length may vary
  • Nags who are exiled may commit suicide if they lose hope
  • Most times, Nags are left with their bonded animals but in severe cases, they may sever the bond, which will make the matter worse.

10. Conflicts

Internal

The Nags, with their deep connection to nature and communal way of life, would naturally have internal conflicts that stem from both their environmental challenges and differing views on tradition versus adaptation. Here are some potential sources of conflict in Nag society:

1. Leadership and Communal Decision-Making

• Elder Councils vs. Local Leaders: Nags typically rely on local elders or spiritual leaders who interpret the will of nature. Conflicts can arise if these local leaders disagree on how best to manage communal resources or respond to external threats. For example, some elders might favor traditional methods of farming and animal stewardship, while younger or more ambitious leaders push for innovation.

• Disputes Over Land Use: Given that the Nags are mostly farmers and closely tied to nature, there could be fierce debates over how to best manage and protect their land. Disagreements might emerge on the best methods for sustainable farming, how to preserve sacred groves, or how to handle encroachments by outsiders (or even by more aggressive neighboring species).

2. Balancing Tradition and Change

• Resistance to Modern Influences: As the world around them becomes more technologically and politically complex, some Nags may resist changes that threaten their traditional ways. This could lead to generational conflicts, with the older generation insisting on ancient rituals and practices, while the younger generation wants to embrace new ideas or trade practices.

• Cultural Purity vs. Adaptation: Some Nags might believe that any change to their ancestral practices dilutes their connection to the land and the spirits they revere. Others, however, see the benefit of adapting to external markets and influences to improve their standard of living. This ideological divide can lead to splinter groups and internal strife.

3. Resource Scarcity and Environmental Pressures

• Competition for Scarce Resources: In environments like rainforests and savannas, where resources can be limited, conflicts over water, fertile land, or animal herds may erupt. These disputes can escalate into community-wide feuds, especially if one faction is seen as over-harvesting or mismanaging resources.

• Impact of External Exploitation: Outside forces—be they from neighboring kingdoms or from more technologically advanced societies—might attempt to exploit natural resources. This could lead to internal conflicts among Nags over whether to engage in trade with these outsiders or to resist at all, sometimes splitting communities between pragmatism and conservation.

4. Social Status and Individual Ambition

• Internal Hierarchies and Class Tensions: Even in a generally communal society, differences in productivity, skill in animal handling, or spiritual insight might create informal hierarchies. Those who are more successful may start demanding a larger share of the resources or influence, causing resentment among others.

• Merit vs. Communal Values: Since the Nags value both hard work and communal cooperation, conflicts might arise when individual ambition threatens group cohesion. A particularly ambitious Nag might try to centralize power or hoard resources, which could spark rebellion among those who believe in a more egalitarian system.

5. Inter-Species Relations within the Nag Society

• Animal Companions and Spiritual Bonds: Because Nags are animal possessors, conflicts might also occur over the proper treatment of animal spirits. Disputes could arise if a leader or influential community member is seen as abusing their bond with animals, or if there’s disagreement about the proper rituals to honor those spirits.

• Trade and Cultural Exchange: As Nags interact with other species—such as Polymorphs, Fauns, or even humans—there may be cultural friction and disputes about maintaining their identity versus integrating new ideas. Some may fear that too much external influence could erode traditional Nag ways of life.

11. Final thoughts

The Nags are the ultimate survivalists, living as one with nature and beasts. They believe in balance over dominance, viewing the world as a vast, interconnected song. Their power comes not from weapons or gold, but from their bond with the living world itself.

Notes

• You know what the Nags do, they nag. (A play on word)