Page 11 - IBP2004LL OSS1 The Noh-Cha Classbook

the noh-cha classbook Noh-Cha Society
The Noh-Cha are an egalitarian tribal people, led by the Noh-Cha-Harra, an advi- sory group of the tribe’s most prominent defenders, hunters, and shamans. In each tribe there are usually between 6-12 members of the Noh-Cha-Harra, depending upon the size of each tribe. Empty positions on the Noh-Cha-Harra are quickly filled by the best candidate from the tribe that all members of the Noh-Cha-Harra agree on. Each tribe’s Noh-Cha-Harra tries to include at least one member from each caste, and decisions must be unanimous for them to proceed
Noh-Cha have two names; a given name and a chosen name. The given name is provided by the parents of a Noh-Cha child at birth, but when the child comes of age and survives the Rite-of-Becoming, they may take another name of their own choosing. Within a full moon of the completion of the rite, a new name must be chosen, and if it is not, then the Noh-Cha-Harra may choose the name instead. Although they live in small settlements, the Noh-Cha do not farm but maintain a hunter-gatherer lifestyle, eating whatever prey they can catch. Plants, herbs, and non-animal foods are reserved for use in special rites.
The RiTe-of-Becoming
Upon reaching adulthood, each Noh-Cha child must spend a full moon (28-30 days) away from the tribe in solitude with only limited supplies and food. Dur-
ing this time, they must survive on their own and seek out Noh through the use of
meditation and a special mushroom prepared by shamans called That-Which-Awakens that is ingested before meditation starts. During meditation, if they successfully find Noh, she will speak to them and tell them secrets (good and bad) about their own future. If they do not find Noh, they must become outcast and leave the tribe. There are few outcasts ever.
The PoweR of noh
Upon reaching a certain level of maturity, a Noh-Cha can call out the name of their Goddess at an enemy during combat and cause the enemy to either falter in what they are doing or take damage. As a Noh-Cha becomes more powerful, the effects increase, doing physical damage and being able to be used more often. This is a powerful defense that the Noh-Cha use to protect the tribe.
(See The Power of Noh in Abilities below).
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