Heart of the Mountain

Deep into the mountains reside a tribe of Totoma that celebrate beauty just as much as ferocity. Specifically, the beauty of ores and gems that are found deep in the mountains and caverns of the northern mountains.

The origin stories among these Totoma share chants and songs about their oldest ancestors who stumbled upon a pocket of gemstones in the rock. Inspired, their ancestors used their powerful horns to dig into the mountain caves to create their secluded enclave.

Secluded as they are, with their culture of digging and mining, the Totoma come in contact with Zikwa almost more than other Totoma. Because most Zikwa aren’t sighted, and don’t compete with the HotM Totoma for gems, their relationship is quite peaceful.

Culture and Customs
Heart of the Mountain Totoma are quite comfortable in their mountain cave home, so they aren’t as inclined to conquest as other Totoma. Any fighting that occurs is usually to defend their territory rather than taking new land.

On top of an appreciation for strength, HotM Totoma also value the recognition of beauty. When courting other Totoma in their tribe, the pursuing Totoma is expected to bring the biggest gemstone they can mine. Gemstones are judged by hardness, vibrancy, and size. Due to Totoma generally not being very delicate beings, softer stones like fluorites, apatites, or even quartz (not that they would know these names, just by hardness) are not valued the same as sapphires or rubies. If the Totoma being courted is able to easily crush the stone underhoof, it is likely that the courtship will be unsuccessful.

Gemstones are usually collected in a personal hoard or a familial hoard if two Totoma are mated. If a Totoma has a dexterous familiar, they may also have their smaller gemstones braided into their hair or embedded in their horns: into the dents created by their mining culture.

Gems that are not hard enough to be valuable enough to collect are usually crushed into powder and gathered for lambs to roll in and become sparkly. Lambs are made shiny every new year's celebration until they come of age and take on a role in the tribe.

Despite the inhospitable tundra, the HotM Totoma have found pockets of hot springs deeper in the mountains. Near the entrances to the Zikwa caverns, the heat from deep in the ground warms a few pools of water. After a long day of mining, HotM Totoma will soak their pains away. They also enjoy imbibing on fermented algae and mushrooms found in the caverns. Knowing that the drink can impair their digging efforts, drinking is only done at the end of an especially long day of mining and during celebrations.

Roles and Hierarchy
HotM Totoma don't have a set hierarchy. Everyone works together to fulfil daily duties. Specific roles are as listed:

Current Members

Guards

Roaring Pines, Force of Brilliance

Brewmasters

Vine Keeper (herbalist)

Prospectors

Iron Hills

Gem Appraisers

Never Dig Too Deep

Child Minders

Dreams of the Blue Veil

Members

Fractured Sunrise

Ex-Members

Applications

Want to join the Heart of the Mountain Totoma? Apply below!
There are no RP requirements to join but plotting is always fun!