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The Matagi (マタギ) are a group of people who live in Northeast Zemuria.

Background

The Matagi are an independent group descended from a legendary tribe of hunters who are said to have fought beasts, including dragons. They are a unique culture that live in the North East region of Zemuria, untouched by the calamities of the outside world, taking influence only from eastern traditions. Despite their past renown, in the present they are little more than a forgotten legend, with their remnants scattered across Zemuria.

The Matagi have a reputation for being extremely-able hunters and brilliant marksmen. Training from the Matagi renders and individual to shoot incredibly accurately.

Information about the Matagi is found within the book, "Indigenous Cultural Groups and their Spirits". This includes information about their hearths.

Customs

The title Sukari is bestowed upon the village chief and commander of their hunting group.

The Matagi regard themselves as having a duty to respect the creatures of the mountain as they protect it. They protect the mountain to show gratitude. They fight by facing life head on.

White hair is a common characteristic of those with Matagi descent. They also favour attire suited for their environment, consisting of thick clothing and furs. They wear straw coats and round hats and typically use rifles and spears. Due to their relative isolation, Matagi use gunpowder weapons as opposed to orbal weaponry. A Surube is a customised old-issue Calvardian rifle. There is also usage of a Nagasa a special blade handed down from one generation to the next. Fukuro Nagasa are a smaller version described as a spearhead with a stick as a handle.

When hunting, the Matagi use a complex strategy of using diverse attacks to drive a target to a selected destination where it is ambushed. The one driving the opponent is known as a Seco whereas the one finishing the target off is the Buppa. This strategy requires large cooperation skills and social trust.

Settlement

The Matagi Village is located upon White Peak, the tallest mountain in the region. It is regarded as a sacred mountain. It is very cold and has an exceedingly harsh environment, although it also has a diverse ecosystem. Bears wolves and other beasts are known to reside there. The February storms are regarded as especially harsh, rejecting all human life like a barrier protecting a sanctuary. They have grown more ferocious in recent years.

The Village is underpopulated with mostly elderly people, their younger populations having migrated abroad to find employment as Bracers, Jaegers or commercial hunters.

Within the village are two landmarks. First is the wooden statue named "The Spirit of the Mountain" which a central focus for the village's annual festival. Secondly is a recently constructed stone monument with the name and family crest of Guin Orgis- a legendary Matagi warrior. The taxidermied body of Raiju has also been added somewhere to the village.

Known Members

• Kiiun Olkis - a legendary Matagi warrior who went missing. He had failed to hunt to the Raiju at some point in his past.
• Chunlan Aiden
• La'Ahad - a bracer working in Calvard