Zova Sky-Whisper's page

We know that Shoanti of both sexes shave their heads because of all the fire and close-quarters-combat, but do they also shave their legs? Or do they let the emberstorms take care of it?

-Curious In Kaer Maga

Desna's wings! Why all the personal hygine questions?

*sigh*

Since most individuals' body hair doesn't get terribly long, there's no tactical need to remove it. However, when accepting a new tattoo, any hair in the area of the design is shaved off, and most Shoanti keep it shaven to make the design stand out. We don't shave for fashion-- that's for Chelish fops and Taldan dandies.

The last time I was caught in an emberstorm, I didn't suffer any damage because I'd cast resist energy (fire) earlier in the day. It is quite unpleasant to get caught in an emberstorm unprepared, and is not a recommended method of depilation.

Zova Sky-Whisper of Shundar-Quah

Dear Ask a Shoanti

How long have Shoanti been around?

Sincerely, Curious (if Bloody-Eyed) historian.

Our legends tell us that the Shoanti have lived on the Storval since before the Age of Darkness.

Zova Sky-Whisper of the Shundar-Quah

Dear Ask a Shoanti,

how is your war effort against the evil chelaxian occupation force faring ? Do you need any Galtian help to share the cause and break the Shackles ?

Sincerely yours,

There's a Chelaxian army invading the Shoanti lands??

Where did you get this information? If it checks out, we'll need to send out some scouting parties and determine our next steps...

Zova Sky-Whisper

Dear Ask A Shoanti,

Is there any tribe with a history of astronomical study?

Sincerely, Shoanti Astronomer

Dear Shoanti Astronomer,

The members of the Lyrune-Quah, or Moon Clan, prefer to travel and hunt by night. Consequently, they know how to use the moon, stars and planets to navigate and tell the passing of time. Tradition tells us that the Lyrune-Quah are particularly attuned to the mystical connections of the movements of the stars and how they affect migration of animals, seasons and growing cycles, and the depradations of the monsters of the Cinderlands.

Do they study the sky with telescopes and keep detailed written records of planetary conjunctions? No.

Zova Sky-Whisper of Shundar-Quah

Dear Silverwulfe,

The coming-of-age rites are deeply personal and have great cultural significance, and are not something we speak of with outsiders. They also vary slightly by clan. I will say that in the Shundar-Quah, there is not so much a fixed age, as a determination by the youth, parents, elders, and shamans that a young person is ready for the rites. This tends to be somewhere between the youth's thirteenth and sixteenth winter. The first tattoo is always given to the young person during the coming-of-age ceremony. The design of the first tatoo is chosen by the youth's spirit-guide, who is usually his or her shaman, but I cannot in good conscience reveal the process.

I will also say that bearing pain is a part of the Shoanti experience; the coming-of-age rites are part of that. Dulling the pain of ritual tattooing with strong drink, drugs, or magic would greatly diminish the spiritual significance, and is simply not done.

A Shoanti marks him- or herself with additional tattoos as a sign of accomplishment. It is thus an ongoing process. The more decorated a Shoanti is, the greater the extent of his or her accomplishments in life.

It is not my place to reveal more of these sacred rites to outsiders.

Zova Sky-Whisper of Shundar-Quah

Dear Ask a Shoanti:

I am an Ulfin Barbarian from the Land of the Linorm Kings

Recently a Paladin Hospitlar Joined our group. She smelled gooood, and looked even better, So I fought her in a duel and won. Then I claimed her as mine. She is really good in bed and has incredable stamina. Who would have thought a Paladin could be good that way. The hospitlar gets a rise out of my little soldier again and again I cant count that high.
She went and shaved my beard and then cut my hair in a stylish Taldan fashion. Now she wants to dress me up in some Taldan Gentlemens little girlyman suit. What should I do.
Did I mention that she's really good in bed?

Using my rage for all the wrong reasons

Dear Captain Kondor,

This is "Ask a Shoanti," not "Penthouse Letters." Please keep your questions rated PG.

Zova Sky-Whisper of Shundar-Quah