Gwani
| Gwani | |
|---|---|
 Gwani, from Ultima VII Part Two manual | |
| Only appearance: | Serpent Isle |
Gwani are peaceful inhabitants of the ice regions of the northern Serpent Isle. They appear in Ultima VII Part Two.
Description[edit]
Gwani are an intelligent species, possessing their own civilization with a distinct language and culture. Gwani believe magic corrupts the balance of nature; therefore, they strive to live in harmony with it. Their social order is interesting in that chieftains are always female in Gwani society. However, their species is in danger as they are hunted for their fur by trappers, who deny their sapience, treating them as mere beasts. The constant danger and deaths of comrades have made them mistrustful of outsiders, causing them to adopt a kill-first attitude for self-protection.
Ultimately, a massacre performed by Hazard the Trapper brought them to the brink of extinction, with little hope of recovery.
Gwani are found in the cold north of the Serpent Isle, west of the Skullcrusher Mountains as well as within the mountains themselves.
Gwani Language[edit]
The following utterances can be observed when Gwani are not engaged in dialogue:
- Noo Koomba! = hello?
- Atala dak! = goodbye?
- Gruk!
- Barama tu!
- Aruk nok!
- Raag!
- Noocha Ta!
- Botoka na guta!
- Umgabar fotuba na Gwani!
- Rrrow!
- Meteka Gwani adu laseka!
- Soko terama dok!
While some Gwani words and expressions appear to have roots in other languages, such as Hungarian, Malay, and certain African dialects, they seem to follow no discernible system or rules, appearing as randomly chosen words.
Gwani Names With Translations[edit]
- Myauri = "Blizzard"
- Neyobi = "Little Dew Drops"
- Kapyundi = "Little Glacier"
- Mwaerno = "Rain Clouds"
- Gilwoyai = "Of the Wind"
Lore[edit]
| “ | These white-furred creatures appear to be a cross between men and apes. Despite their unusual form, the combination seems more natural than magical and I have seen no evidence they have any familiarity with magic. There is some element of civilization in their culture, however slight, for I have seen them entomb their dead in the icy lands that they inhabit. If such is possible, I hope to find a way to communicate with them soon. |
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| “ | There were times I thought I'd never see another living being and would even have welcomed a Gwani or two. This thought quickly vanished from my mind, however, when I came across the Gwani caves. I sat, hidden in the shadows, watching for several hours, trying to raise my courage enough to walk into their midst. They were large and fierce looking. The cold, however, and the smell of roasting meat finally overcame my fear and I walked in among them. – from Balancing the Scales (Ultima VII Part Two)
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Notable Examples[edit]
The Avatar encounters several Gwani, each with distinct personalities. The most significant among them is Yenani, their leader. She helps the Avatar through a number of quests, and is one of the few to survive Hazard the Trapper's attack on the tribe.
Other Gwani include:
- Baiyanda: the healer, Mwaerno's mate
- Bwundai: elder
- Gilwoyai: hunter
- Kapyundi: hunter, Yenani's son
- Mwaerno: hunter, Baiyanda's mate
- Myauri: hunting master, Yenani's mate
- Neyobi: daughter of Yenani and Myauri
Trivia[edit]
- Referred to as savage, fearsome beasts by the Monitorians, their pelts are highly prized. Gwani pelts are exotic furs and hard to come by. Despite the inaccurate depiction of Gwani in some illustrations,[Clarification needed] the Monitorians' practice of wearing their pelts highlights their disregard for the Gwani's sapience. The Gwani themselves are offended if one is spotted with such a cloak.
- Gwani have a death temple west of the Dragon Isle. They entomb their dead there in ice.
- There are Gwani in Skullcrusher whose minds were enslaved by Vasculio.
- Unlike other characters in Ultima VII Part Two, Gwani do have non-dialogue narration in their dialogues[Clarification needed] (something the game normally did away with). That's because they have difficulties speaking English and there is no other way to convey the conversations properly.
Gallery[edit]
Yenani the Gwani
