They are the first humans to be taken to Chorane, and fractured into warring tribes after the Cataclysm. Let’s learn more about the Ameshites. Buy Otherlands: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/188636/DLR1-Otherlands-2e?affiliate_id=50797
Transcript
Cold Open
Life is only possible in Chorane due to a 7,000 foot deep, crusted over lava flow.
Intro
Welcome to another DragonLance Saga episode. My name is Adam and today we are going to talk about The Ameshites. I would like to take a moment and thank the members of this channel, and invite you to consider becoming a member by visiting the link in the description below. You can even pick up Dragonlance gaming materials using my affiliate link. I am referencing DLR1 Accessory, Otherlands by Haring, Bennie, and Terra for this information. If I leave anything out or misspeak, please leave a comment below.
Discussion
Chorane is a vibrant underworld which contains many intelligent races living in a complex civilization, in five distinct kingdoms which can all be found between 2000 and 3400 feet below the surface. Today we are going to talk about Krynn’s own underdark, and specifically the Ameshites, a kingdom of people who dwell within. But in order to know the people, one must understand life in Chorane. At 2000 feet below the surface of the planet, time constructs like night and day, seasons and even temperature variations are near nonexistent. Humidity is high as are the temperatures the deeper you go. The kingdoms all live in the comfortable area where temperatures are between 45 to 65 degrees, depending on proximity to the many steam vents located throughout The Crack. Because of the steam vents, wind can be very dramatic, but it is consistent, so if one wishes to avoid it, they can easily do so.
The Ameshites were first brought to Chorane by their leader Amesh. They first believed that they were the only sentient beings within The Crack, until they met the Kendar, an ancient offshoot of the surface’s Kender. They were a peaceful, non aggressive group with no real desire to expand their territory. Then as the Ameshites delved deeper into the natural caverns, expanding their territory they discovered the Thiewar who came from other delvings in Krynn. They were covetous and possessive, expanding their territory as the Ameshites had. For the most part, this was a non aggressive existence for the three Kingdoms, and then the Great Rift occurred. This was the Cataclysm on the surface of Krynn.
The cataclysm transformed the surface of Krynn on both Taladas and Ansalon, but it affected Chorane as well, though arguably not as severely. Thousands however did die in collapsed tunnels and massive earthquakes. Commonly used tunnels were lost but some new ones were opened. The Ameshites believed that the Great Rift was because they turned away from the gods. So they rededicated themselves to the old rituals and beliefs Amesh brought with him from Ansalon. Others refused to follow the beliefs of those who scorned them, and became known as the Yaluu, or seekers in the native tongue. Though there was a third offshoot called the Vodar, who tried to bridge the gap between these two factions of the Ameshites and Yaluu, they were unsuccessful. Their differences led to violence and bloodshed. This war would go on for some three hundred years until an uneasy truce was formed. Their animosity has become cultural with its origins forgotten to time.
The Ameshites believe themselves to be the True Followers of their shared ancestor Amesh. They are on a holy crusade to return the fallen tribes to Amesh’s path, or root them out of Chorane entirely. They are pale skinned with sensitive, large eyes. They are no taller than 5’9” and traditionally have dark hair. They control nearly all of the inhabited levels to 2600 feet, and have open borders with the Kendar, though their shared borders with the Vodar are heavily guarded on both sides. The Ameshites live in a religious theocracy, worshiping Paladine, though he is known as Parthenu, the first singer in Chorane. Their founder, Amish, is treated as a sort of demi-god in the government.
Their entire culture is based around song. Songs to celebrate their god, songs to run the government, and to engage in war. Though you would expect the Ameshites to be entirely good as a culture because of their patron deity, you would be wrong. After 700 years of isolation, the Cataclysm, and 300 years of civil war, the Ameshites have grown twisted in their perceptions of good. For example, they treat each other with generosity and respect, but their dealings with the other Kingdoms are dramatically worse. The Ameshites are paranoid and distrustful of anyone different. They treat none with more contempt than the Yaluu, and the Ameshites are the primary aggressors.
Life in Chorane is incredibly difficult, and any culture strong enough to thrive, focuses on the basics of Survival, with food cultivation being of primary importance. There is an incredible natural variety of fungi that grows in Chorane, and makes up for the bulk of food consumption. More strains have been engineered by its inhabitants, with some having near magical effects on those who consume them. This diet is supplemented with fresh meat from a small scrawny animal known as Funnos, not entirely unlike the weasel. They are raised primarily for their hides but a talented chef can make their naturally distasteful meat delicious. The extremely rare hunting party or attacking monster may provide different meat for the table, but these are rare in the kingdom’s borders.
The religious society of The Ameshites encourages well-disciplined and ordered people. From childhood, they are taught to obey without question, though the government imposes very few duties upon its citizens. A fair share of work, military service in times of need and attendance at church are really all that is requested. Other societal norms are held by peer pressure. The peer pressure can be seen as very puritanical to a western society like ours that focuses on individuality. If found straying, the call of returning to the song of Parthenu will be heard, and if you do not conform, you will be completely shunned.
Because the society is run rather like a gigantic commune, there is no money, or personal property. Perhaps a special piece of jewelry or a weapon would be the whole of treasures an individual might own. Arcane and Divine Magic have been blurred over the centuries. The vast majority of the Priests of Parthenu are actually mages, as the people have strayed so far from the actual teachings of Paladine. So when a magic spell is cast, it is referred to as Parthenu’s will. Most of the mages never exceed third level. The handful of actual priests aren’t even in the church itself, preferring to act as Conductors, farmers or craftsmen.
Outro
But that is all the time I have to talk about The Ameshites. I hope you enjoyed the information. What do you think about Ameshite society? Should Paladine step in to correct those using his name incorrectly? And Finally, what do you think of Krynn’s underdark of Chorane? Leave a comment below.
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We should be fighting dragons. Not each other.
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