A small and peaceful tree folk, the Jhuna formed an advanced culture amongst the trees. A culture that spread throughout the forests of the Old World and whose grace and style spread even further. Now the Jhuna work fervently

Personality: The Jhuna value calmness and foresight above all. They find flamboyance rude and they think that too many of the folk around them do not think of the consequences of their actions. They are a solitary folk, though they congregate for mutual defense they value privacy highly and seldom co-operate with each other. Instead each of them prefers to pursue his work in isolation, interacting with others only when necessary. It is for this reason that Jhuna cities tend to be quite large, spreading across many miles of treetop.

Physical Description: Jhuna are a forest people. Small-size humanoids, they have long hair that they usually wear in many braids. They have broad faces with long pointed ears and flat noses.

Alignment: Jhuna tend towards chaotic neutral.

Effects of War: The Jhuna were willing subjects of the Sorvanni, who protected them from the Kimasxi and Suranzi raiders which often invaded their forests during hard times. In return for always paying their taxes on time and obedience the Sorvanni in turn never bothered the Jhuna overmuch. For the Jhuna the Sorvanni area was a golden age and when the Kaelra invaded the Jhuna swelled the ranks of the Sorvanni armies, acting as scouts and raiders. In addition no Jhuna city fell through treachery, as did so many other strongholds. The Jhunan tactics knew no bounds, often poisoning the food and water of the Kaelra. Sometimes setting entire wagon trains on fire and vanishing into the trees. Thus when they were finally conquered the Kaelra exacted a horrible vengeance upon the Jhuna. Hundreds of thousands of Jhuna were forced to leave their treetop homes and settle in the plains, where they were not adapted to survive. The forest homelands of the remaining Jhuna became huge wastelands for the Kaelra, armies went in and were never heard from again. The Kaelra retaliated by killing or summarily executing many Jhuna civilians as punishment as well as burning large sections of forestland. Knowing their deaths were imminent the Jhuna who lived under the Kaelra revolted. Bolstered by last minute aid from the Satrap Keniu, who led a force out of the forests, the Jhuna succeeded in defeating the occupying forces and stalling the planned offensive towards Wessmark. This came at terrible cost to the Jhuna. The armies that trudged back towards the ancestral forests of the Jhuna had nothing less in mind than their total extermination. Satrap Keniu realized this and attempted to persuade his recently liberated fellows to flee with him. However many of them had spent the past decades dreaming only of seeing their beloved forests again. As he and his armies fought westward they turned their eyes to the east and though they held out for many more years eventually they and their forests were utterly destroyed. Satrap Keniu himself fought across the plains until he reached the recently liberated Lturas city of Jaddagen. From there he promptly took charge of the disorganized seaport and led many successful raids against the Kaelra. He also built the great fleet that he predicted would be needed to pursue the Kaelra to their home upon the war’s end. During the War of the Earth he used this fleet to escape the continent, the last that was heard from him and his great fleet of Jhuna and Lturas was that they had defeated a retreated Kaelra fleet near Choros. Furthermore they had picked up refugees from the ruins of that archipelago before heading further eastward towards the New World. His fleet was hit by a storm and many ships were blown off course and later made it to the New World. Nothing is known of the fate of Satrap Keniu and the majority of his fleet. However many have postulated that considering how far south he was at last sighting he may well have landed in the far lands known to exist in the lands to the south of the New World or even in the cold realm of the Kaelra. Jenghala has offered 10,000 gold sithrin and the title Satrap of Koln for anyone who has knowledge of Keniu’s fate.

Known Jhuna Lands: The loss of the Old World has taken their comfortable passivity from the Jhuna. Unlike most of history the Jhuna’s place in the world is no longer secure, they must scramble for territory in this new world order. Making matters worse is their vast suffering at the hands of the Kaelra and their penchant for solitude. Though many Jhuna survived the war and managed to get on ships out of the Old World then only sizeable fleet that managed to escape was from the island of Jhengala. Those from this fleet settled in Northern Vay in the isles of that region. However many of the other Jhuna dislike the Jhengalans, feeling them to be arrogant, and have instead chosen to dwell in forests to the Northeast of Wessmark.

Religion: The Jhuna have a dualistic faith, centering around the gods Khaio, Lord of Beasts and Kelugai, Lord of the Woods. They also worship the various spirits of the elements and nature. You will find no Jhuna temples or organized clergy however. They prefer instead to erect shrines so that worship can be carried on in solitude and at one’s own convenience. However shamen and clerics are given much respect if their bear the insignia of the sprouting tree, signifying worship of Khaio and Kelugai. Falsely wearing the insignia or desecrating a shrine is a capital crime amongst the Jhuna.

Language: Jhuna speak Kerat, a wordy language consisting which the Jhuna pride themselves on containing words for every concept ever conceived of by men. The language is so slow and its grammar so simple that it is reputed that even animals can hear it, see Racial Traits. However many Jhuna have adopted the quick Kelevar language in their everyday use. Kelevar is a patois of Trade Tongue and Kerat which says almost as much in much less time.

Names:

Accent: Jhuna always speak in a low volume in very calm tones, no matter what they are doing they pride themselves on retaining their faculties and not losing their heads.

Adventurers: Jhuna are less likely, because of their caution and need for solitude, to become adventurers. However they feel deep empathy for the environment and thus produce more rangers and druids than any other race. These people will often go out into the world to gain experience and combat opponents of nature in other lands. Furthermore a good deal of adventuring amongst the Jhuna is government sponsored. Jhengala sponsors dozens of known adventurers and three times as many unknown ones. The Jhuna are truly scared of losing their former place of safety in the world and are working fervently to regain it. Beyond that are the true social outcasts who have rejected the isolationism of Jhuna culture and who seek to bring their folk into contact with the world. Of course the baser motives of a lust for fame and wealth also exist.

Notable Rituals: Isolation – Jhuna despise physical contact as being crass and uncultured, even offering one’s hand to a Jhuna is an insult.

The Moonlight Festival – In a culture as devoted to isolation as that of the Jhuna the Moonlight Festival fulfils a vital function. For most Jhuna the most people they will ever see together will be at this festival, which tends to bring together people hundreds of miles apart. The Moonlight festival occurs on the six days leading up to the Summer Solstice and culminates on that day. In the evening there will be festivities and raucous partying. However as night settles in the true function of the ritual is served as the masters of all the various crafts come together, meeting and exchanging news and secrets as well as trading and making deals. During the night is also the time when younglings are turned over typically turned over to the Tale Tellers and many remember almost all their Jhuna history from the exciting tales told on these six nights every year.

The Day of a Thousand Heroes – Commemorating the day Keniu led his forces against the Kaelra oppressors, both liberating his people and proving to the world that the Jhuna were not the cowards most had assumed them to be. This day is celebrated on the 9^th of Hopelost. This day is mostly given over sports and games in honor of Kaelra physical prowess, especially Free Tackle a wrestling sport that is done swinging from the air by vines. In the night it is customary for children to receive presents inside a loaf of bread, in honor of the daggers that were smuggled to the Jhuna slaves.

Jhuna Racial Traits

• Jhuna gain a +2 to Wisdom and –2 to Strength. Jhuna are known for the introspection and common sense that comes from their solitary nature, however their small size and de-emphasis on the physical arts results in them relatively weak.
• Jhuna have a base speed of 20 feet
• Jhuna are small-size creatures.
• Jhuna gain a +1 to all ranged attacks as a result of practice and keep eyesight
• All Juna receive a +4 racial bonus to knowledge (nature) and heal checks
• Furthermore Jhuna can cast the animal friendship once per day just as a druid of their character level.
• Jhuna receive a +4 racial bonus to handle animal and ride checks when they are able to speak to the animal.
• Jhuna receive a +2 racial bonus to climb and balance checks as a result of living high above the forest floor.
• Favored Class: Ranger