Kwaads

Kwaads is a fictional ethnolinguistic group that appears in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing campaigns. In most works, the Kwaads are a confederation of semi-nomadic tribes living on the eastern uplands of the imagined world of Valara. The term Kwaad is used for both the people and their language, signaling a distinct cultural identity within the broader setting.

Culture and society: The Kwaads are known for ceremonial mask-making and bronzeworking, practices passed down through generations by oral tradition. Their social structure is clan-based, with elders and war captains sharing leadership across regions. Kinship ties govern property, marriage, and fealty, while seasonal migrations mark changes in ritual calendars. Their language is described as agglutinative, with a rich system of honorifics and kinship terms.

Economy and interactions: They maintain a trading network with neighboring polities, exporting metalwork, ceramics, and dyes; they use river routes and caravan trails. Religion centers on ancestor spirits and weather deities, with rites conducted at hilltop sanctuaries and during the solstices. Conflicts and alliances with nearby groups drive plotlines in many narratives.

In media and reception: The Kwaads have appeared in novels, games, and media adaptations, often as a symbol of endurance and cultural memory. Critics note occasional risk of exoticism if depicted without complexity, and call for diverse voices in storytelling to ensure respectful representation.