Editing Deschani History (section)

== The Saen ==

The Saen are the most widespread and populous of the Deschani peoples, known for their harmony with nature and strong spiritual traditions. Often mistaken for spirits of the forest, desert, or mountains, the Saen are as much a part of their environment as the beasts and winds themselves. They are nomads, foragers, hunters, herbalists, and protectors of the natural order. Among the Deschani, they are considered the “heart” of their kind, gentle in peace, fierce in protection.

=== Origins and Lore ===

The Saen believe they were born from the world itself, crafted by the Great Spirits to watch over the balance of life. According to their legends, each Saen clan was gifted a domain by the spirits, one to guard, protect, and draw strength from. These might be deserts, plains, mountains, jungles, or deep forests. From these places, each clan's identity was formed, their appearances shaped by the local great cats who watched over them, lions, cheetahs, ocelots, leopards, jaguars, and more.

=== Clan Society ===

Saen society is deeply matriarchal, structured around clans and families led by Den Mothers, wise, respected women who serve as both leaders and caretakers. A gathering of Den Mothers is overseen by a Clan Mother, who speaks for the clan in matters of diplomacy, war, and inter-tribal discussion. Each level of Saen leadership is based on consensus rather than dominance. No decision is made without every voice being heard, a practice that is time-consuming but reflects their value of balance and unity.

Clans are semi-nomadic or rooted in sacred groves or ancient lands. They live in structures adapted to their environment, woven tree-homes in jungles, bone and leather tents in the plains, or sandstone caves in the desert. Every item they use is drawn respectfully from nature, and every item returned to it.

=== Clan Law – The Living Code ===

The Saen follow a spiritual philosophy referred to as Clan Law. Though scholars have called it animism, the Saen reject such labels. To them, the law is not a religion but truth, the understanding that everything has a spirit and must be respected: animals, trees, rocks, rivers, even the wind.

Core tenets of Clan Law include:

* Respect All Life: All creatures have a purpose. Only prey may be hunted, and only for food or defence.
* Use All Parts: Waste is sacrilege. Every part of a slain beast must be used, meat, bone, skin, and spirit.
* Do Not Kill Predators: Those who hunt to live are kin in spirit. Predators are never eaten.
* Honour the Spirits: Every mountain, grove, and river has a guardian spirit. These must be honoured and never defiled.
* No Theft, No Murder: To steal or kill without cause is to defy the natural order.

Saen who break Clan Law are cast out, marked with ritual scars and forbidden to speak their clan’s name. These exiles become rootless and lost, often descending into madness or becoming prey to darker powers.

=== Appearance ===

Saen take on feline traits based on their homeland. A Saen from the plains might resemble a lion, with broad shoulders, golden fur, and a proud mane, while one from the jungle may bear the sleek coat and patterned markings of a jaguar. Their attire is always crafted from local materials, bone beads, feathered cloaks, hide armour, and bark-dyed fabrics. Colours are natural, muted to match their surroundings.

=== Magic and the Elements ===

Saen are natural elementalists, channelling power from their environment. They see the land as a living force that gifts them strength.

Their magic is less about dominance and more about balance, correcting the flow of nature where it has gone awry.

=== Relations with Others ===

The Saen are cautious around outsiders. While many of their people have acted as guides, scouts, or wilderness protectors for other races, most Saen hold a deep mistrust of city-dwellers and settlers. Too many sacred lands have been burned, herds poached, or waters fouled by the so-called “civilised” folk.

Still, they are not hostile without cause. The Saen believe in second chances, and those who show respect and humility may be welcomed, if not into the tribe, then at least as a friend of it.

In recent years, the Saen have become deeply troubled. The spirits grow silent or angry, the seasons shift unpredictably, and rumours of Deschani turning Feral are spreading. Ancient prophecies speak of a Sundering of Clans, a time when the Deschani must choose to unify or fall. Some say the Garlu have angered the spirits with their machines. Others whisper that the darkness comes from within.