Rettleville Library/The notes of a library patron
Written in the find hand of a man who has dedicated his life to communication in text, these notes concern the knowledge of the section of the library in which they are found, that is to say they are a commentary on the Zuma Coalition.
The notes
I find the Zuma Coalition to be a most fascinating subject on a number of levels, well worthy of academic study for its purely intrinsic values. However, the level of understanding I consider most important is the political. The Zuma have in recent times posed a great threat to the Republic, and it is clear that they must be understood better for its survival.
The Zuma Tribes
Probably the most overlooked aspect of the Zuma Coalition is the role of the human Zuma, perhaps the most populous group of natives of Dwilight, in the realm's affairs. A fierce and alien group, the Zuma are known primarily as the servants of the Daimons of the Zuma Coalition, overlooking the great devotion they have for their inhuman overlords. The earliest accounts of exploration in the Zumalands tell of the strange appearance of the men and women living there, an appearance seemingly tailored to imitate that of the Daimons living amongst and worshipped by the Zuma. The Daimons appear to dictate ever facet of life to the Zuma, and their magical influence seems to have rubbed off on their people whose bodies do not seem to behave in entirely the same way as a normal man. Moritz Von Igelfeld notes the semi-magical capability of the Zuma, specifically his guide Kimwa, to observe markings and occurrences related to the Netherworld which might be invisible to the normal human eye.
Several characteristics seem to be epidemic throughout Zuma culture, all apparently tied to their worship of the Daimons. Most obvious and visible are the painted faces and sharpened teeth common and perhaps universal to the tribes. The facial decorations do not seem to serve an artistic purpose but a symbolic one, for they comprise the house, tribe, and profession markings known to exist among the Zuma. Lina Unti has discussed them in some depth, but suffice to say that a great deal of detail can be learned about a Zuma from their facial tattoos and paint. Conversely the intent of the sharpened teeth seems to be entirely aesthetic; a sign of respect for the Daimons. So devoted are the Zuma that the teeth are sharpened by hand as a sign of respect, and this has become a major aspect of the Zuma concept of beauty. More hidden are the "heart runes" of which Unti speaks, markings in the runic language used on the face denoting the name of the individual, apparently a matter of great secrecy and importance.
Zuma Society appears to be split in two or three ways, horizontally and vertically. It is known that there are a variety of tribes of Zuma, each with their own physical characteristics as typical of tribes of varied ethnicity. The Daimon influence over the land seems to embellish this, as Moritz Von Igelfeld tells of tribes standing both well above or well human height. Von Igelfeld's account of his Zuma companion would seem to indicate that tribes are divided regionally, though it is unclear how strict these divides are or if multiple tribes inhabit a single region. Also unclear are the houses referred to by the Daimon Vates in his encounter with Machiavel Chenier. Vates does two things of relevance to houses - first, it seems as if he examines Chenier's forehead for a house mark, indicating that perhaps the mark that Von Igelfeld received from Vates at an earlier time was similar to a house mark as well as a caste mark; second, he notes that he wishes to know who to reprimand. This indicates both a general responsibility that houses hold for their members and a sort of authority for each house, though whether this authority is human or inhuman is unclear. Finally there are the professions. Von Igelfeld describes these as the Warriors and Merchants, both male dominated professions, and the Priests, primarily dominated by women. Unti notes the much easier lives of women in Zuma society, receiving their professional markings early, taking their husbands to join their clan, and continuing the family line matrilineally. Conversely, men are said to live dangerous lives, not receiving their professional markings until their twenties, when many have died from the dangerous tasks assigned to them. There are known to be at least seven levels of each profession, though the comments of Vates seem to indicate that perhaps the higher levels simply remain unseen, as he implies that a fourth level merchant should not be trading with outlanders. It is uncertain to what profession artisans the like belong, whether they are subsumed under one of the other professions or simply minor enough to escape Von Igelfeld's notice. Also unknown is the relevance of the Great Builders referred to in Unti's writings, perhaps they are a reference to the priests who seem to lead the populace or perhaps they are another caste entirely, so secretive as to remain hidden from all outlanders.
The proper education of children is important to the Zuma, to a somewhat fanatic extent.
Building seems to carry great importance among the Zuma, for their constructions are vast and intricately carved.
