#nuhoch

If you have ever set foot out of your door, chances are, you’ve seen a Hylek once or twice. They are one of the more common species found on Tyria. While some may be deterred by their zealous behaviour or unfamiliar smell.

But there is far more to learn about them than just how far away you should stand to avoid their breath. The Hylek, although it is already quite wrong to treat them as one people, are of a colouful culture rich with tradition.

The Hylek tribes found on the coast of the Sea of Sorrows, from the Tarnished Coast all the way over to the Steamspurs and down to Elona, worship Zintl, the Sun god. The most important Holysite is found a little south of old Fort Cadence.

Other places of worship are scattered all throughout Tyria, curated by local tribes like the Tzanopl who house pilgrims that visit the rock formation known as Judgement Rock.

Yet Zintl is by far not the only one worshipped by the Hylek. Further west deeper into Maguuma tribes like the Coztic, Capitzel and Xocotl worship Ameyalli, the Supernatural essence of the jungle.

The smaller Itzel are Hunters and gatherers, and quite the musicians. When I visited the Jaka Tribe, I couldn’t resist to stay a few days longer than planned, just to listen to some more of their wonderful luteplay.

Due to their smaller, more fragile stature the Itzel build there Villages into the treetops, high above the giant saurians roaming the jungle floor.

Farther south, where weather is warmer and the wind brings in more moist air from the sea the Nuhoch settle the hollowed out husks of giant trees, herding beetles and grubs.

As it is hard to find good spawning grounds, Hylek are very territorial and protective of their homes. Leaving an established village can mean the end for a tribe that does not find a place suitable for a new settlement soon.

Their reluctance to resettle makes for interesting landscapes, as cities slowly creep up on them and engulf the villages.

This leaves them vulnerable for the slavehunting Krait that often settle in close proximity, or the risen hordes that come from the sea.

Hylek guards fight desperate, as they know many Tribes have perished in the past. Only few leave their villages, but those that do are set to become repsectable opponents to whoever might face them.

To ensure a tribes survival Hylek lay many eggs, only a few of which will survive up until adulthood.

Those that are lucky enough to not live on the verge of extinction every day live a more peaceful life, fishing in the shallow waters or hunting for insects in the swamps.

Those that live where water is sparse herd local insects and often live as nomads, travelling the deserts. Desertborn Hylek are known to be the most zealous and agressive of their kind.

Apart from Hunters and Fishers Hylek are great artisans, creating beautiful mosaiks as well as ornate weapons and tools.

Locations in order:

Desider Atum

Eztlitz Grounds, Hunting Banks

Zintl Holy Grounds, Astrozintli Forelands

Tzanopl Grounds, The Stychs

Temple of Ameyalli, Jaka Itzel

Jaka Itzel (twice)

Teku Nuhoch

Lapatl Grounds, Jelako Cliffrise

Durotl Grounds, Loch Jezt

Zopatl Grounds, Glencarn Sperrin (twice)

Hazupl Grounds, Titan’s Staircase

Charnel Grounds, Far Silverwastes

“Nuhoch bullfrog hylek could not be more distinct from their Itzel cousins. Huge, heavy, and powerfully built, Nuhoch make up for their lack of speed and agility with prodigious strength and unparalleled stamina. Where the Itzel are cheerful and optimistic, the Nuhoch are dour and tend to expect the worst. Itzel sing lighthearted songs about the joys of jungle life; Nuhoch sing somber elegies about the long, strange path they’ve taken, those they’ve lost, and the trials they’ve endured along the way.”