User:Baka42/Ala'bundi

The Gnomish Tribes originally lived in the hilly regions of the southern and southwestern Wetlands. About 3,134 years ago, the tribe split into two: the Mohrar Gnomes migrated south into Dun Morogh, where they eventually founded the great Kingdom of Gnomeregan, while the Ala’bundi migrated North to the Arathi Highlands to set up an independent kingdom. The Mohrar Gnomes were influenced heavily by the Dwarves with whom they shared Dun Morogh with, and developed the affinity for mining and engineering for which they are known for today.

Meanwhile, the Ala’bundi Gnomes spent nearly 200 years in the highlands, defending themselves against the depredations of the forest trolls of Zul'Aman. After their numbers had been thinned to a mere fraction of what their original numbers, High Chief Chrocos led his people in the construction of a fleet of ships and sailed across the Great Sea in search of a new home. Some time later, the Ala’bundi ships reached the Northern shores of Kalimdor and the Gnomes began to colonize the sizeable valleys accessible only from the sea. There are known to be a dozen small villages which are each ruled by one of the Great Houses.

The Ala’bundi evolved differently than their Dun Morogh cousins. Tempered by their experiences with the Forest Trolls of Arathi and the Moonkin that would come Westward from Darkshore, the Ala’bundi grew far more martial than the Gnomes of Gnomeregan. They subsist mainly off of fish and agriculture, and practice Shamanistic beliefs. The Ala'bundi are notorious gourmands, always seeking new lore in the field of cooking and brewing.

Ala'bundi Society
Ala'bundi society is fairly complex. It is based on a feudal system organized around traditional Great Houses of noble lineage, to which various parts of the population owe fealty. The heads of the Great Houses, in turn owe their fealty to the High King. The Houses are traditionally represented in the Elping, which is led by a High King.

Males traditionally dominate public life in the Tribe, assuming the leading roles in politics and the military with only rare exceptions. Women, in turn, traditionally dominate the household and the management of the family's affairs. Ala'bundi women are treated as equals except in politics and matters of inheritance. They cannot take control of their House unless there are no male successors of the lineage. It is expected of Ala'bundi women to exhibit the same physical prowess and honor as the men.

Ala'bundi society functions through a system of family reputation and honor. Tradition is an integral part of their lives and breaking from observances is considered a grievious insult to society that is not forgotten easily, bringing shame to the offender's name for several generations. Bloodlines and relations are also taken very seriously. Lines comprise of more than mere family members.