Scattered across the deep forests of the Twilight Lands and the river deltas to the north are the Kirin tribes. Although lacking a centralized government and separated by great distance, they still maintain a cohesive society. Instead of having a single leader, every tribe sends two members to represent them at a congress when important decisions need to be made. The agreements and laws made there are followed by all Kirin, a stunning display of unity and cooperation in a harsh world. The congresses are uncommon, only occurring once every several years. This makes the Kirin as a whole slow to respond to change or threats from outside.
Every tribe consists of four distinct caste-cultures associated with nature’s primal elements: Water, Earth, Air, and Fire. Each caste-culture has its own internal way of life different from the others, even having unique architecture and language dialects. A healthy tribe has a mixture of all the castes. Intermingling is common, and children of such unions choose which caste they belong to upon reaching adulthood.
The Mirakami are those who ply the waterways and rivers. They fish for food and navigate between distant settlements using reed-built vessels perfectly suited for travel in shallow and sometimes dangerous waters. When a message needs to be sent from one tribe to another, it is carried by a Mirakami. Aqua, the seer, is of the Mirakami, using her ability to see at a distance through the water to spy on threats and help keep the Kirin safe. Mirakami Kirin are also skilled navigators and pathfinders.
The Tsetsoh are the most sedentary. They travel far from home rarely or only in great need, preferring to stay in one place to set down roots. Among the Kirin, they are the most proficient in construction and farming. Typically they also craft goods for the other Kirin who are less talented. No Kirin city could exist without Tsetsoh engineers and builders.
The flighty Ceannai are prone to wanderlust and have a desire to learn. They keep the records for the others, and many are rarely seen without a book to take notes. Many of the rest are expert merchants and often have a good head for numbers and economics. Ceannai are the teachers and scholars, even preserving the rituals and traditions of the other caste-cultures. They are also the most prolific musicians, sometimes traveling far and wide to discover new music.
It is said the Enkavma have souls that blaze brightly. The fiercest warriors among the Kirin hail from Enkavma, as do the most skilled hunters. Though they are few in number, facing a cadre of terrifying Enkavma fire dancers in battle is tantamount to suicide. Despite this reputation, most are not violent. All matters of spirituality and faith fall under Enkavma guidance. While few play musical instruments, many sing or perform differently, a tendency towards poetry is common.
Occasionally, a member of one of these caste-cultures develops an innate ability to manipulate their associated element, much as some Unicorn display magic ability. These powerful Kirin are often leaders among their tribe and among the Kirin as a whole. A Tsetsoh builder that can cause stone and earth to move at their will can erect a house or road in hours where a team might take days or weeks. A Ceannai might be able to read the breeze to know what the weather will be the next day or even steal the breath of one who attacks them. A Mirakami could protect a boat in rough waters or part the waves to allow easy fishing. Enkavma acrobats use bright bursts of flame to improve their performances or incinerate a foe.
A recurring element of Kirin art and architecture is four interlocking and overlapping circles. The center of the structure is made of a ring created by overlapping circles, and all of them fit entirely inside yet another external ring. This symbol represents the Kirin way of life and a literal description of the word they use to describe themselves as a collective, the Kreis, one made whole by many. Outside the Kirin themselves, most just call them the Kirin tribes or Kirin Circles.