Physical Characteristics

Build: Like the land they inhabit the Aleem seem desiccated and drawn. Disease and birth defects, non-fatal but with debilitating effects, are common among these tribes – increasingly so in the north.

Coloring: The Aleem are very fair of skin. Despite their environment no Aleem has been seen with a tan. Albinism is fairly common.

Endurance: High

Height: 5'10" is common for males, while 5'5" appears average for the women.

Lifespan: 120-150 years

Other Factors

Demeanor: Controlled anger is the first impression most would get from a tribes-member. They have a strong distrust for those not of their own culture and disdain others for their obvious weakness. Ability to survive in the desert may bring some respect.

Prejudices: Disdain for those not of their culture. Worshippers of gods are strongly disliked and any worshipping any deity they view as evil, (particularly if the deity is represented as a female), will be targeted for death as soon as possible.

Culture

Clothing & Decoration: Rarely will one see more of these people than their eyes. Survival in the wastelands, as well as their complexion, requires they keep as much of themselves covered as possible. Even where such strictures might be relaxed custom and habit keep these Aleem fully clothed. Robes and head-wraps are uniformly light brown to black in color and there is little that an outsider might use to differentiate individuals from a group. Jewelry is common with the exception of finger rings. Gold is most favored and earrings, nose rings, and necklaces are most typical. Their style of dress keeps much of this hidden, but occasional glimpses, particularly of gold and jeweled girdles, are seen. Black eye make-up is worn by both sexes.

Fears & Inabilities: None, at least none that they will admit. The ultimate fear of this people is corruption by evil, and their subsequent death at the hands of their own tribe. This is part of the Curse of the Crone and is the birthright of the Aleem. The Aleem of the north suffer more greatly than those of the south. This is known to both groups and is the cause for the respect paid to the northern tribes.

Lifestyle: The northern Aleem are a tribal people arranged in extended family units living in enclosures carved out of the many rock formations. Each such group has a number of Naturalists, (usually about 5% of the tribe's population), which tend the gardens found in every cavern. These gardens are the principle source of food for the tribes. Study of the Magical Arts is common with such practitioners bearing the title of vesityöskennellä mestari.

The southern Aleem are also tribal in nature but are nomadic hearding horses and scrawny bovines. For these Aleem one’s worth is judged through horsemanship and martial skills – particularly the ability to carry out successful raids.

The Aleem existence is harsh and their outlook is also. See the description of the curse below. Death of an outsider is of no more meaning than that of any animal. Family members are cherished, but emotional outlet is held until the proper times. The tribes have traditional periods each year for celebrating birth, marriages, etc…, as well as times for grieving. As a result all members have the same birthday, anniversary, etc… Each of these "holidays" sees the normally introverted tribes-members let go with wild revelry or grieving.

Marriage Pattern: Polygamy is common as is the taking of mistresses. Any man killing another of the "people" is thereafter responsible for and women and children of the deceased. In such cases widows may be taken as wives, mistresses, or servants. Children must be raised as one's own.

Religion: All gods are actively eschewed. Respect is given them in the same manner as would be given any great threat, but no worship. Traditions and philosophy take the place of religion. Individual ability is most honored. Some aspects of the yogic practices of the A'Satyagraha have become common. A fact not known to outsiders, and NEVER revealed, is their racial goal of destroying the Wall of the Crone.