The Shantel include a mixture of cougars (native to the Americas), leopards (descendants of European settlers), and lions (originally native to Africa) that banded together in the early sixteen-hundreds. Their powerful magic kept them more protected than other shapeshifter realms throughout Midnight's reign, despite the fact that their lands bordered Midnight's.
Much of the Shantel's power came from their sakkri, a witch who, raised nameless in the temple, had great power over the magic woven into their land. Through this connection, the Shantel formed strong defenses that could boggle even the vampires.
The History of the Shantel
Midnight
When Midnight and the Shantel first began to clash over territory, and it became obvious that neither would be able to force the other to leave, the two groups struck a deal:
Midnight's people would be able to travel, unharmed, through the outskirts of Shantel land. In return, the Shantel would not be expected to pay tariffs, and were not held to laws about first-choice going to Midnight for trades. Also, if a slave escaped Midnight and found her way to Shantel land, the Shantel had a right to choose whether or not to return her.
Sometime during the reign of Midnight, one of the Sakkri entered into an affair with one of her students, bringing her into conflict with the Shantel prince. They nearly killed one another but the prince decided it would be bad luck to kill a Sakkri on Shantel land and sold her to Jaguar instead. Eventually her ownership was passed to Lord Daryl.
Shantel Culture
For the Ignorant Outsider
Shantel are highly territorial, and their lands are guarded by powerful magics. Those intending harm will never reach the Family Courtyard (the central village, where the royal Family lives, along with the sakkri and other witches), and even those with no assault in mind will find themselves wandering, lost, through Shantel woods until found by a guard.
An uninvited intruder will often face half a year in a "waiting chamber" before receiving an audience with the prince, to be given pardon for trespassing. The only exception is for royals and other people of importance.
For the Informed Outsider
Shantel are very physical, even more so than the serpiente, though at the same time they are more formal about that touch. Greetings and goodbyes almost always involve some form of physical contact, such as:
- Clasped hands: Formal greeting for a respected equal with whom you are not close.
- Clasping both hands, and a kiss on the cheek: Formal greeting for a respected equal, a friend, with whom you are not intimate.
- Clasping forearms or wrists (hand to forearm): Respectful greeting for an opponent.
- Hug: Informal greeting for friends, family, and friendly acquaintances.
- Hug and a kiss: Greeting for a close friend or lover.
- Handshake: Informal greeting for someone you don't like.
- Crossed arms across the chest (no contact): Kind of the same as one of us spitting at someone.
It is rude not to have some kind of contact while speaking.
Permission to trade or perform in Shantel lands is a great honor. Merchants, bards, dancers, and scholars all may be invited, but even those that are know to go to the edge of Shantel land and wait for an escort. The most common way to earn this privilege is to meet a Shantel trader or performer and ask for an introduction, or travel with another outsider with permission to pass.
Most of the Shantel lands are forested. Private homes and businesses are set into the forest, occasionally built around trees, so minimal cutting can be done. Outsiders without a guide will usually walk right past buildings in the Shantel Forest, not because they're that hidden physically, but because of the illusion spells on the land.
At the center of Shantel land is the Family Courtyard. This is one of the few clearings, though again, you'd be amazed at how well people can get lost if, for example, they escape from a waiting chamber. Outsiders get an escort everywhere.
The Courtyard includes the sakkri's temple, in which outsiders are never allowed, the Family Home (Family = the royal family), and the central businesses, as well as a tented plaza where outsiders can perform or sell their wares.
No one sees the King. The King does not rule over daily life; his heirs do. Specifically, the Prince. Getting an audience with the King is like trying to get an audience with God. The Prince is always available to the witches, and almost always available to common Shantel, and often available to outsiders.
For the Shantel
Most Shantel, even without any special training, develop an empathy to the land and those within it. As such, any native-born Shantel can navigate the forest and the Courtyard with his eyes closed, whether in human form or feline. Also, a guard in the Shantel woods will always find an intruder, no matter how well hidden. Many Shantel come to take this sense for granted, to the point where leaving Shantel land can seem bewildering... and the way outsiders stumble about, lost, may seem very amusing to someone of the right temperament.
Shantel are protective of their land, the royal Family, and the sakkri. Harming or insulting any of those things will infuriate most of this group.
Witches
The spirit-witch of the Shantel (the sakkri) is the highest figure in their society, but not the only witch. Unlike the sakkri, most of the witches are born and raised normally, and - aside from the sakkri - there is not always one of every type of witch. Sometimes there are several, and sometimes time will pass with a post unfilled, if none is suited.
At any point in his life, a Shantel can choose to dedicate himself to the temple for a period of time. Some meditate or pray for a day, some for a week, some from new moon to new moon, and some for a year. Those who feel called to stay may then choose to dedicate themselves to magic (if the sakkri approves), and study beneath the current witch (if there is one), or with the spirit-witch.
Witches keep their names, and are equally allowed to mate and have children; they are treated with a great deal of respect, but as a wise leader in their field, not as a holy individual.
There are three-times-three types of witch:
- Fire-witch (keeps the central fire)
- Flesh-witch (doctor)
- Death-witch (prepares the bodies for burial)
- Blade-witch (hunter)
- Reap-witch (planting, harvest, crops)
- Hearth-witch (hearth, cooking)
- Bone-witch (crafts, leathers, building)
- Wander-witch (scout, tracker)
- Spirit-witch (sakkri)
Shantel Persons of Note
- Twin Sakkri: One attacked Prince Lucas and was sold into Midnight, eventually becoming Lord Daryl's property, where she was known as "Pet." The remaining Sakkri prophesied the end of Midnight.
- King Pelham: The Shantel King (c. 1810)
- Prince Lucas: A Shantel Prince (c. 1810) who sold one of the Sakkri into Midnight
- Prince Shane: A Shantel Prince (c. 1810) and younger brother of Prince Lucas
