Matanga

The Matanga are a mammoth-like people from the Near and Far East. Currently, two tribes are known.

Physical Characteristics

The Matanga rival the Gigants in size, and their limbs possess enormous strength. Despite their size, they are able to run fast. Between the two known tribes there are some differences in their appearance and feats.

Known Tribes

The two currently known tribes are

• 
  The Gajasura tribe
• 
  The Arkasodara tribe

While the Gajasura have a darker skin and red eyes, the Arkasodara have paler skin and dark eyes. Gajasura also grow much larger than Arkasodara.

Diet

Matanga primarily eat plant matter such as grasses, fruits, and vegetables. On occasion, they have also been seen to consume salt-laden clay or shale, but this is merely a means to supplement the minerals lacking in their herbivorous diet. It is said that Near Eastern warlords once took the Matanga as slave soldiers, and fed them hay laced with potent alchemical concoctions.

History

One theory says that during the Fifth Umbral Calamity the Matanga crossed the Corvos Narrow to Thavnair and settled there. Another says they have already resided there during the Fourth Astral Era. The Matanaga built small settlements all over the island before the Hyur and Au Ra arrived.

The oldest written record of Matanga is from the Sixth Astral Era. While Alzadaal Khan arrvied with his tribe on Thavnair, a territorial battle has broken out between the Gajasura, who only valued strength, and the Arkasodara, who valued wisdom and knowledge. The Gajasura saw the Au Ras as intruders, while the Arkasodara invited them for feast and parley. Seeking peace for his people, Alzadaal joined forces with the Arkasodara and drove out the Gajasura. This ended years of bloodshed and kinslying between the Matanaga. The Gajasura fled to the east, with a deep, burning hatred for the Au Ra.