This forum is for an in depth look into the social and historical background of The Zebra Tribes: 4130 for Man of War. Though every topic may not be looked into completely at this moment, additions will be added as time goes on. If you have any questions, or wish to have something brought up, feel free to post a question.

The Zebra Tribes take up what is currently know as the southern half of Africa. The Tribes consist of three ruling factions; Nchi ya Vilima (Hill Lands), Ardhi gorofa (The Flat Lands), and Ardhi mafuriko (The Flooded Lands), with several profession based sub factions. Every zebra is born into their tribe,but has the choice of joining one of the sub factions. Fighting has never occurred between the three factions, though there have been disputes between the three over social and economical statuses.

The Zebra Tribes have had many clashes with their militaristic neighbors, the Minotaurs, over land disputes. The problem is that the Zebras don't believe that an individual can own land. Nature isn't something that ca be controlled, to them, so the idea that someone can posses nature is strange. This works on both ends, in that the zebras tend to move in on claimed territory often. Both in the minotaur lands, and abroad.

Each of the over arcing tribes are lead by an Elder Shaman. The shamans of this nation have grown attuned to the astral plane and often speak with its inhabitants, often making deals for services. No Shaman will share this knowledge though. Only when confirmation of shamanistic ways are confirmed will they consider speaking of these abilities, usually out of respect of the spirits themselves. From children to world leaders, this is a close guarded secret that they do not take lightly.

Advance shamans that have attuned with specific spirits may be fortunate enough to receive a boon from said spirits. Though, not without side effects. Dialect is often effected when these gifts are rewarded. It varies from spirit to spirit, but often shamans will speak in rhymes, backwards, or even without certain letters.

The Zebras of these tribes live many different life styles, but can be categorized into three areas. Shamanistic, Naturalistic, and Industrious. A majority of their people live withing the realm of the Naturalistic, with Shamanistic lifestyles following afterwards. The Industrious part of the nation is new and upcoming, and though there aren't many comparatively that live like this, it has gained enough population to be considered a major lifestyle for the tribes.

Those that are of the Naturalistic lifestyle, around fifty five percent of the nation, live simple lives. They only take what they need and use what they have to its full potential. Little to no waste is created within these communities as they've learned to be symbiotic with the land. A barter system is most prevalent within these people, trading goods and services for goods and services. Money is conceptualized, but not often used. You'll most often find these people in the center of their nation.

Those that choose the Shamanistic lifestyle have varying ways of life. Most choose to follow the ideals of their spirits, in hopes of gaining further favor from them. This could range from secluding ones self from society, to seeking out dangerous game to claim as trophies. These people are the most likely to travel and will often take residence in other countries for long periods of time.

The Industrious part of the nation is new and frighting to the others. Its deemed as outsider influence that is destroying the world and upsetting the astral plane. These types of living arrangements vary from port cities and merchant houses, to mining operations and labor yards. Not all of this work is demonized, and few rarely speak out against these fields. The Industrious field has yet to reach a point where it could potentially take over and drastically change their ways of life, though several fear it may come in time.

The Zebra Tribes follow two belief systems. Those that are Shamans believe that all life started in the stars. One day, a single star fell to earth and shattered the astral plane, which has always existed, creating life here as we know it. Originally, the physical plane was made as a buffer zone between the dark spirits and the light spirits, so there would be no open conflict between the two. When the Crash happened, the two plane coalesced into the physical realm. This would lead to the two forms of spirits falling in and out of the astral and waging war against their natural opposites.

When life start to form in the physical, each side of the spirits opted to gain control and favor beings for their own personal gain. Creatures of the Dark often refer to Orcs, Minotaurs, goblins, and Unicorns. While creatures of the light often refers to Earth ponies, Apes, Bears, and Zebras. They view the Demi Gods -Celestia, Oni, Ulfric- as beings born from the spirits themselves. There are a few races that they don't know where they fall under, light or dark. They refer to these people as the Shadowed. Those that have to go through life discovering their own path. Being of light or dark is not a bad thing. They understand that there has to be both in order for life to continue on, in one realm or the other.

Those that are not of the Shaman ways, believe that life is of the stars. We are born in the darkness and delivered in the light. The Stars do not waste either. When we die, we're casted into the darkness to be reformed back into the light. This is the cycle of life that they believe. Good and bad are in the eyes of the stars, because such ideals are beyond those of the mortal.

Population: Around Thirteen Million

Female to Male ratio: 2.5/1

Average Height: 4'4"

Largest City: Johaynieghsburg

Largest Export: Iron

Largest Import: Grains

Native Language: Zebra (Swahili)