| Translated Tribal Name | The Ashen |
| Territorial Island | Jaebus |
| Chieftain | None. |
| Estimated Population | 18,000 |
| Languages | Temegaru |
| Tribal Colors | Grey |
| Notable Resources | Volcanic glass |
| Notable Crafts | None. |
The Umir inhabit the island of Jaebus which has a smoking volcano at its center. The volcano has multiple vents that continuously smoke and daily belch forth great plumes of heavy ash. The smoke creates a tall column that drifts away from the island at various angles depending on the wind. From a distance, this column of smoke is easy to see and allows sailors to find the island of Jaebus easily during the day. Like the finger of a god, the smoke column forever points to Jaebus.
The Umir tribe worships this volcano as a god. The island and god both share the name “Jaebus”. The shamans conduct many of their ceremonies and rituals at one of the great vents of the volcano. There are more than twenty of these vents. The ground here shakes often as well, which the shamans interpret as the various moods of Jaebus. Sometimes Jaebus laughs and the island shakes with his mirth. Other times he is angry and the island trembles with his fury. And yet other times, he merely sleeps and snores so forcefully that the island quavers. The Umir always defer to their shamans regarding such things and what omens they portend.
The Umir have no leaders other than their shamans. They live in great villages of several hundred. Each village is ruled by a small council of shamans.
The Umir cover their bodies in the volcanic ash from the great vents. The ash, like the volcano, is holy to them. The ash is mixed with sea water to create a paste that is smeared on the body, covering every inch. With help from the shaman’s magic, the ash acts like armor. This is more than just belief. Sailors and visitors who have battled the Umir claim the ash will turn blades and repel arrows. When covered in this enchanted ashen paste, their warriors will fight with fanatical bravery, believing themselves invincible. If, however, the ash is washed off, the warriors will flee having lost both their armor and, they believe, the favor of their god. The ash is also used as a component in almost all of the shamans’ spells. The Umir even incorporate some of the ash into their meals.
Fire and lava are another important aspect of Umir life. Several of the great vents spew fire and lava in addition to ash. The shamans incorporate fire and lava into many of their spells.
The island has an abundance of black volcanic glass which is both strong and razor sharp. It is incorporated into many weapons. Umir archers shoot glass tipped arrows. Umir warriors fight with huge two handed clubs that have teeth and spikes of volcanic glass. The umir also use volcanic glass rocks to build their large communal stone lodges.
This website was last updated April 30, 2025. Copyright 1990-2025 David M. Roomes.