Casanii Organisation

The vast territories of the Casanii are home to many distinct tribes. Some are migratory, following the great herds, while others have a more static view. The political structures vary wildly - some family-tribes are very self contained, while others are more collaborative, with vast tracts of lands falling under the notional leadership of powerful families (for example Deyath and Steyar). While the tribes consider buildings etc to have ownership, it is a loose phrase and does not apply to the lands around them, so long as the land is respected.

Within a family tribe leadership is seen as a duty. It often passes within a family, but the system of sending the young away to prove themselves ensures that simply being the jenta of a chieftain in no way guarantees that they will earn respect. The performance as a feral will hugely influence how they are seen upon their return.

Many Casanii sempa will choose to leave and travel, selling their services before rejoining the tribe (or joining another tribe). If they win the respect of the tribe then the chieftain will be under pressure to step down, which again is seen as a duty and they would then maintain a senior role within the tribe. If acrimonious then they may choose to leave the tribe, either to travel or to join another tribe.

Some chieftains choose to remain in the sempa life stage, maintaining relationships with kopa within the tribe, or taking special herbs to prevent the onset of the change. In the Casanii’s case the physical difference between sempa and kopa is minimal. Some feel maturing into a kopa encourages more aggressive behaviour or dulls the intellect, however there is no strong evidence whether that is true.