Moon-Eyed People

AKA: the Azgens (of the East) The Moon-Eyed People were a group of nocturnal humanoids with bright white skin, blonde or white hair, large, pale blue eyes, and short statures; those who interacted with the group described them as being simple-minded, though their large numbers allowed them to accomplish much. According to Native tribes, the Azgens sailed from the east, inhabiting the lands south and east of the Ohio River. On average, they were said to be 3 to 4 ft tall and not over 150 lbs. The beings’ petite bodies were covered in thick hair, and males donned unruly beards. The people dwelt in caves during the day, as their skin and sight were sensitive to bright light; exposure to sunlight or the brightness of a full moon could cause them great pain, blindness, and disorientation－if out in the sun for too long, they would even die. Though unable to traverse the land during the day, their night vision was unparalleled, even by beasts. Their eyes, round and unnervingly large, reflected any hint of light in the darkness, inspiring their name. The Moon-Eyed People once lived in the Southern Appalachian Mountains (stretching from North Carolina to as far south as Georgia, as far north as Tennessee, and as far west as Alabama), until the Cherokee and Creek peoples expelled them; the humanoids were sent north, where they made new homes in underground caverns in modern day West Virginia and Kentucky. During these forced migrations, the Moon-Eyed People’s weaknesses were exploited just outside of their hovels－a relentless war set against them, their species nearly wiped out; remnants of their kind still remain, finding solace in new cave homes. The Moon-Eyed People were one of the first humanoids to live in the Southern Appalachians. Before they were cast out, they built walls, mounds, and forts from stone－ shielding them from the sun and connecting to underground tunnels, while also offering protection from danger and vantage points. The most famous of the Moon-Eyed People’s structures is at Fort Mountain in Georgia: it is an 850 ft long, 12 ft thick stone wall that stretches across the ridge and varies in height between 2 - 7 ft. Some tribes recount that this wall was built to withstand Creek onslaughts, while others say it was built to protect the albinos from the Cherokees. The Azgens were also said to have built temples adorned with stone snakes, precious stones representing the serpents’ eyes.5 The people have also been found to create functional pottery, crude above and below ground dwellings, and a variety of sculptures of people and animals. Cavern Culture The Moon-Eyed People sleep during the day, though guards stand near entrances and escape tunnels to defend against intruders or warn of advancing adversaries; when hunting parties leave the underground dwellings, sentries are relieved and allowed to rest for the night. The humanoids share large, community rooms, having no concept of privacy in their culture. Youths are raised by all Moon-Eyed People, who, in turn, see all older members as mothers, fathers, and those of close age as brothers and sisters. Responsibilities are cycled between all members of the group－pregnant, ill, or disabled individuals even occasionally tasked with strenuous activities. Food, garments, and baubles are shared among the community, as individual possessions are not recognized. Leaders of the people manage work, supplies, and the dwelling’s development, as well as taking part in day-to-day duties and heading religious ceremonies. Children are not exempt from work, bringing stone to workers, helping forage during the night, and cultivating fungus within the caverns, in addition to watching over children younger than themselves and cooking. With so many tasks to complete, the Moon-Eyed People have little time at night to dabble with hobbies or extracurricular activities. The Moon-Eyed People eat a variety of plants and animals, including all that can be found in caves or dark, shaded locations; however, they abstain from eating snakes or their eggs. Cavern colonies grow fungi and breed fish in freshwater lakes, and harvest edibles from bushes and gardens during the night. Fruits, herbs, eggs, insects, and other small produce are gathered in woven baskets, while game is killed with sharpened rocks, spears, crude axes, or bare, strong hands. Wild game, fish, fowl, and eggs are collected, extra provisions smoked, salted, or dried for storage. In harsh winters or times of starvation, the Moon-Eyed People may elect to eat the weakest, least productive of their own in order to ensure the survival of the group; yet, this rarely happens, as bounty from all seasons is meticulously stored in case of such emergencies. Though they are not an inventive people, they use picks, hammers, and simple saws to construct objects, create religious totems, and expand their underground homes. When warring with others, the Azgens may protect their homes by capturing Water Panthers and releasing them in nearby water sources; however, this is not a common practice. Uktena’s Cult The Azgens worship snakes, but pay special reverence to the magical serpents called Uktena. At night, three times per week, the people offer sacrifices to the giant snakes, who, in return, do not eat them and permit them to live near their dens. Only the leader of the Moon-Eyed People is permitted to set gifts before an Uktena, or speak with with it; it is also said that they may touch the serpent and not be bitten, drink from its poisoned springs and not die, and breath in its exhalation to be healed of all maladies. Leaders of Moon-Eyed People are chosen through snake handling. Once a leader has died, the oldest members of the community are placed into a small room or a large container with snakes (a 1:3 Azgen to snake ratio); the last to be bitten by the serpents is given the powers and permissions preserved for the leader. All Moon-Eyed People contribute at least one piece of food every three days for the serpent, but also clean the creature’s den, religious objects scattered throughout the cavern, and ensure that depictions of the serpents on the walls are vibrant and cohesive.