The Jur’ngans

The Basics of Jur’ngan Anatomy and Culture, and the Benefits of Making Contact

A report submitted to the Council of Imperial Provinces by Tess Gardelin, Daemedran Academy Scholar and instructor on racial anatomy and culture

For those not in the know, jur’ngans are one of Solitude’s relatively recent arrivals. They are a race of humans who – back before they migrated to Solitude – were magically enhanced to make them stronger and more durable. Most jur’ngans live in the Jur’ngo Isles, the tropical archipelago off the southern coast of Kindreth in the Shattered Sea.  

Jur’ngan anatomy is fascinating. And though I have never had to opportunity to examine an individual in person, I believe they may have the most resilient and powerful bodies, relative to size, of any migrant race. Pre-Reaving records indicate that they outwardly resemble humans, and usually have dark brown skin and black hair. However their interior anatomy sets them apart drastically. The most obvious difference is the presence of a second heart, which functions concurrently with the first, though either can support the body on its own. Jur’ngans’ abdominal organs (intestines, stomach, kidneys and so on) are attached to the spine and ribs by tendon-like filaments at multiple points and are surrounded by a mesh of dense flesh and cartilage. Similarly, their skin, bones, and muscles are tougher and measurably harder to damage than those of other humanlike races. These alterations have given jur’ngans drastically increased strength, durability, and endurance, a perfect complement to their warrior culture.  

More recent reports indicate that Jur’ngans live in tribal nations divided into networks of small towns and villages. There are seven major tribes in the Isles, each residing on one of the larger islands in the archipelago. My research suggests that although relations between some of these tribes are strained at times, wars between them have become uncommon. This may be partly due to the changes that came to their culture after the death of their so-called prophet-kings during the Reaving. When they first arrived on Solitude, jur’ngans embarked on a campaign of conquest under the guidance of these powerful figures. But after the Reaving – and the destruction of most of their new homeland – most tribes chose to do away with their more war-like traditions and have come instead to prize physical greatness as a method of self-improvement. This birthed competitive, non-lethal combat rituals that are apparently a central part of jur’ngan culture.  

Contact with jur’ngan tribes has been limited for centuries. Until fairly recently (the last fifty years or so), they were still assumed to be aggressively territorial. Thus the people of the nations closest to the Jur’ngo Isles usually gave their islands a wide berth. However jur’ngan explorers and traders have begun visiting the continent with increasing frequency, mostly showing up in Faidmiir or Akuul in small ships and staying for several days before moving on. They have made no attempts to establish formal ties with any local governments, but reports show they behave in a respectful - if not outright friendly - manner wherever they go. They seem most interested in trading for novel foods, weapons, and fabrics, though in some instances have asked for demonstrations of local martial arts forms. In several cases, jur’ngan visitors have challenged Imperial soldiers, Akuulian knights, and other high-skill individuals to impromptu duels. No fatal injuries were ever reported from these encounters and it has been concluded that the challenges were issued out of curiosity rather than malice. From what little information is available, only broad conclusions about modern jur’ngan moral structure can be reached. However, it is safe to say that they are not the war-mongering conquerors we once knew.

The western portion of the Shattered Sea remains strictly off-limits to Imperial citizens as well as the navy, based upon fears of agitating a potential aggressor. However this scholar feels the time has come to lift the ban and finally make official contact with a fascinating people who are clearly in the midst of a cultural rejuvenation. The benefits of trade, travel, cultural exchange, and perhaps even a military alliance with the jur’ngan people are possibilities that have so far been overlooked by the Provincial Council and other Imperial leadership. I propose a motion to life the travel ban. I would suggest that the Imperial Military imagine integrating neigh-unstoppable jur’ngan warriors into the ranks of our soldiers. I also offer the following list of exotic, high-demand goods that are rare within the Empire, but which jur’ngans are known to trade in frequently…

…

Document has passed Council review through a majority vote and been passed on to the Imperial Steward for final consideration by the Empress.

The Tribes

The Lobomi

The Kgabu

The Langa

The Nonzamo

The Mandla

The Mguni