What the Big Guy Told Me:
A Personal View of Baboon Culture
Who Are You?
I am Gloaming Blood Hunter, alpha male of the troop. I have been
alpha male for twenty years, long enough to see my sons grow up.
Who Are We?
We are Anubises of the Baboon people. You can recognize your
fellow Anubises by our fine yellow-brown fur. The Mandrills have
blue and red muzzle stripes, the Geladas have flat faces, and the
Hamadryases have ash-colored fur. Male Hamadryases have a thick
mane.
What Makes Us Great?
We Baboons retain the ancient animal forms. Humans are just
animals that have forgotten their roots. Most animals besides us
have lost their intelligence because of human curses.
Where Do We Live?
We live in Prax, where once the Tailed Empire ruled. We try to
remain near the Monkey Ruins. That place was once the Monkey
Metropolis, our ancient capital.
How Do We Live?
In the Golden Age, when we lived in the Tailed Empire, food
sprang up of its own accord, and needed only plucking. Now, we
must hunt and search for food. We must fight our enemies to stay
alive. And we must work for humans, if we have no other choice.
What Is Important in My Life?
To serve me. To protect my troop from danger. If you select the
shaman's path, you will have to conquer many spirits. For all
Baboons, it is important to preserve Baboon-kind by resisting the
humans.
Who Rules Us?
I rule you. I am alpha male of my troop. I got here by
defeating the previous alpha male. The shamans of my troop
advise me, and provide religious instruction and support.
What Makes a Baboon Great?
Being alpha male makes a male Baboon great. Also, being a
powerful and successful shaman can make him great. A female
Baboon can become great by bearing many babies for her alpha
male.
What Is the Difference Between Males and Females? Males are dominant and aggressive. A bachelors' troop falls apart sooner or later, because they have no females and children to provide cohesion. Society stays together because females stick to each other and to males. That is why a successful male has many allies among the females. Shamans are like the females. Because they stay outside the contest to become alpha male, they also keep the troop together.
What Is Evil?
All that is not Baboon is evil. Chaos is the worst, because it
is the most destructive.
What Is My Lot in Life?
You must submit to me as long as you can. If you remain in my
troop, maybe I will let you become alpha male when I retire.* If
the spirits move you to challenge me, I will chase you away. You
can then join a bachelors' troop.
How Do We Deal with Others?
With caution. We may profit from encounters with some humans, so
we approach them peacefully. Beware, and let the alpha males and
shamans deal with outsiders.
Who Are Our Enemies?
Humans are our enemies. They have persecuted us and treated us
as inferiors. Morokanth, who are animals like us, also treat us
poorly. They are enemies, too. The other intelligent species do
not respect us. They call us animals, as if that were an insult.
Broos and Scorpionmen are the worst, though. They attack on
sight, and have fearsome destructive magics. Be sure to spear,
not bite, broos. They carry frightful diseases.
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