Bellovik

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Entrance to Bellovik

Buried beneath the sands of Pteris, Bellovik stands as the one of largest under-sand societies in the great desert wasteland. Bellovik was first created by a small Scorpikis tribe struggling to establish security on the desert plains. They found more success below the sand than above it. While it began as the home to less than fifteen Scorpikis originally, Bellovik now is home to (possibly) the largest Scorpikis tribe in all of Quelmar.

Origins

A scorpikis warrior.

Bellovik first began as many under-sand cites do, as a means of fleeing from enemies that threaten your existence. North west in the wastelands, a vicious territory battle had gone on for half a century between several warring tribes of Scorpikis. While the war took no toll on larger Scorpikis tribes, smaller ones began to diminish as options for survival dwindled down. Soon the smaller tribes would either have to assimilate into a larger tribe or be vanquished in the fray.  

One smaller tribe on the verge of desolation made a last-ditch effort to save what was left of their traditions and culture. They did not have enough warriors to fend off an incoming raid from a neighboring tribe so they spent the entire night before the attack burrowing beneath the sand. When the raid came at dawn, it was said that not a single life was lost for the raiders could not find a single life to take. The next night, the tribe resurfaced and hashed out a plan for their survival. Soon deep tunnels were carved out and an under-sand base was in the making.

The City

Another scorpikus warrior.

Today, Bellovik stands as one of the largest under-sand societies in the desert of Pteris. Like Merca it is hidden well beneath the sand dunes and sealed off from most enemy eyes. However, that is where the comparison ends to Merca. Bellovik stands on more tribal-like traditions when it comes to the construction and design of the area.  Homes and places of gathering less organized and even less homogenous when compared to Merca. There is less commerce between citizens and more effort is put into protection of the city as well as the tribe’s survival.

Perhaps second to their tribal nature, Bellovik is known for its effective farming and training of insects. While they are capable of mainting a steady supply of food for themselves, they have also been able to farm and semi-train other desert insects to help protect their city from all types of enemies. Their most recent success comes in the taming of a swarm of black widow spiders that were trained to live at surface levels and protect entrances in and out of the city.

In terms of the city boundaries and location, no map nor cartographer has a true idea of where Bellovik is located. Only Bellovians know where Bellovik resides and forfeiting that information to an outsider is a capital offense. However, Bellovians are allowed to surface at any time they wish. Many times, Bellovik sends out a warring party or two to fight and throw off enemies of Bellovik’s location. They might also submerge to pay homage to their god, Anubis.

The People

Bellovians are strictly Scorpikis kind and only those belonging to the tribe may call themselves a Bellovian. Bellovik viewed by people is seen more as a tribe than a city and is treated as such. To become a Bellovian, one must either be born into the tribe or an outsider must take the pledge. The outside aligns their self with tribe in a ritual known as “The Vow”. After the ritual is complete, the candidate then proves their worth in service to the tribe for ten consecutive years. After the completion of tribal duties, a celebration is held to honor them into the fold where they can finally be considered a Bellovian.

The Political Climate

While those who know of its existence think of Bellovik as a city, it is in fact just a very large tribe of Scorpikis. At the head of the Bellovik tribe is the tribal leader whose role is to ensure the survival of the people. This role has been handed down just twice since the establishment of Bellovik. One cannot become tribal leader until the current one has passed on and the title is traditionally given to the first-born child of the current tribal leader.

There also exists those who hold close council with the leader. While these council members will most likely be closer relatives to the leader, anyone can seek a meeting with any council member and the leader. As a right of a Bellovian, one can request an audience with the leader and/or the council for any reason.

Religion

Anubis

Although majority of Bellovian traditions reside under the sands of Pteris, one tradition remains on land. Carved into the side of a rocky mountain is the shrine dedicated to Anubis made by the Bellovians who once lived during the "surface years". Once a year every, Bellovian must make the pilgrimage to the shrine and leave an offering to Anubis. It is believed that Anubis was the one who gifted the Scorpikis their longevity (lifetime ~ 300yrs). Bellovians also believe that it was Anubis who protected them that fateful night a couple hundred years ago when their small surface tribe was on the verge of annihilation.

Foreign Relations

Bellovik was only recently discovered by a few other under-sand societies as they were exploring. Due to Bellovik’s massive growth in size over the years, it was only a matter of time till someone unearthed their city. Even with its presence known to a few others, Bellovik still is very much a recluse city and tends to not involve itself in the affairs of others.

Bellovik has recently, however, established a small trade relationship with Merca. In exchange for improvements to their religious alter or as some would call it “city hall”, Bellovik traded a few insect farmers to help Merca better protect itself from unwanted walkers who wonder too close to their region.