(Ngebe)

The chest was calling me... as soon as I put my sight on the pack, a pulling force compelled me to open it. The moment I touched its surface, a large amount of information entered my mind. My mind absorbed all this information like a dry sponge. This vast knowledge can not be processed with my mind right away because of the sheer amount.

My brain seems to sense that it needs to do something. Something that will help prevent my mind from being overloaded with information. It started to stored data in my subconscious so that it could lighten the burden. The stored information can be recovered after the mind can accommodate more data. For now, I don't know how to expand my mental capacity. But I'm pretty sure it could happen.

The first thing that entered my mind is the word tattoo. This word is not something familiar to me, but it became clear everything about it like I've known the word my whole life after learning of the term. A tattoo is a form of body modification where a design is made by inserting ink into the skin's inner layer. This art is the secret behind the un-imaginable powers of those who wield it. Tattoos are not ordinary decorations on the body but a divine instrument for the people of this world. The story behind the Stained Warriors is also revealed to me by Pandora's chest.

Nomadic people inhabited thousands of years ago the world of PenTerra. There were no kingdoms nor any power that control of this world. Then a group of people came from boats large enough to cross the ocean that separate PenTerra from the rest of the world. These men were savage warriors who sought to conquer these lands. They were referred to by the natives as stained people because of the symbols that stained their skin. At first, only a few of them are found in PenTerra until a new group came. This group is also savage warriors who also bear stained skins. Some people called them painted men because of the stain on their skins have colors.

Every few years, a new group would appear until the last group came, a total of eight groups. They call their group tribes, and they fight each other for the right of conquering the lands of PenTerra. Each tribe has different distinct symbols painted on their skin, making it easier to distinguish which tribe a person of the tribe belongs to. Each tribe is named:

Back

The ancestors of the Pintados. They are a warring tribe that worships strength and valor. Their tattoos mostly consist of objects found in nature made of shapes and crisscrossing lines. Warriors that proven themselves in battle are adorned with tattoos all over their bodies. The more tattoos they have, the braver the warrior. Women tribe elders trained in the art of tattooing are called Manbabatek. They create different patterns and symbols like birds, centipedes, lizards, or crisscross designs.

Sak Yant

This tribe is a people of zealous spirit. The tattoos on their bodies are sacred symbols based on their gods, which they believe protect their bodies from harm and give them strength in battle. The tribe's priest performs a tattooing ritual to provide the warrior with good health, luck, power, and protection against evil.

Irezumi

The tribe called painted men. Colorful designs are found on their bodies that symbolizes power and status. Tattoos of dragons and tigers decorated with bamboos and flowers are the work of the master artist. The rich colors and bold designs make the painted men look menacing and elegant in combat at the same time. Their undying honor and warrior spirit make the Irezumi warriors fearsome in battle.

Total

The Total tribe is a tribe of seafarers who loves exploration. Their advanced sailing and navigating skills made them the first tribe to come to the shores of PenTerra. Tattoos, for them, is the indication that a member of the tribe is already an adult. Most of the symbols on their skin depicts the feat the person performed or the expedition he had accomplished. The most respected elders of the tribe are the masters of the art of tatau.

Ta Moko

They are the tribe that believes in balance. The marks on their skin, in general, are spirals drawn with great nicety and even elegance. One side corresponds with the other. The patterns on the body resemble ornamental designs, but they have such luxurious forms that very symmetrical. It appears the same on both sides of the body.

Ptasan

A tribe composed of women. Before a girl is adorned with tattoos, she must first be an accomplished cultivator and weaver. Partisan women are considered the fairest of all the tribes. They are the ancestors of the Finiarel race. They are cultivators of plants; they view nature as their ally and friend. They are also great healers and a very graceful tribe. However, they can be lethal in battle if threatened.

Mehndi

The Mehndi tribe is called by others the sun tribe. However, they call themselves the people of the light. They stained their skin with the symbol of the sun. They have intricate designs about the sun and the light it produces. A member of the tribe shall receive his/her tattoo after experiencing the "awakening of the light." They are warm people, but just like the sun, they can also burn if needed.

Hare

It can be considered as the most feared tribe. The Hare tribe has a unique way of marking their skins. Due to their dark complexions, the ink would not be noticeable. Thus, they developed a method of marking their skin through the art of scaring. The wounding of the skin and allow it to develop scars. Hare warriors are very warlike people; they enjoy war so much, they keep a record of their kills on their skin. A diamond-shaped bump on the skin corresponds to a single kill; then, another will be added for the corresponding kill. Tattoos for them are war trophies.

Eight tribes that came became eight races after thousand of years. How does a tribe become a race? You may ask. The reason is that after a few hundred years of staying in PenTerra, the different tribes began to exhibit exceptional characteristics beyond what an average human is capable of. The symbols on their bodies seemed to have formed a connection to the world of PenTerra. No one knows the real reason behind this phenomenon. Some believed that the concentrated natural energy only found in PenTerra caused these changes to all the tribes.

While others believed that materials only found in PenTerra used for producing the ink and pigments have magical properties causing the power of the tribes, for thousands of years, the tribes learned how to harness this power. Each tribe has unique symbols. Thus, they also wield unique abilities. They also found out that bloodline is essential to activate this power, only a member by the blood of the tribe will be able to wield the symbols of the tribe. The tribe became powerful enough to the extent that they could divide for themselves the whole of PenTerra.

The tribe members also started to reproduce, while the prolonged contact between them and the natives made it inevitable that crossbreeds are produced. The growing populations and military strength of each tribe caused a great war between the races. Each race wants a more significant land for themselves to get more resources and accumulate more power. The greed for power and riches started the great war of the races. Due to the capabilities, they have through the tattoos they wield, devastating casualties are expected. The strong abused the weak, and the whole of PenTerra is on the brink of ruin.

When all hope is almost gone, a hero came to save the world. They said he was the first Stained Warrior to appear. He possessed all the powers of the eight tribes and more. Through his leadership, newly stained warriors appeared, thus creating the order of Stained Warriors. They were powerful enough to control all races ending the great wars. The Stained Warriors established a great empire making themselves rulers and guardians of PenTerra.

The Stained Warriors were regarded as demigods, and they are very famous even after hundreds of years of their downfall. Yet what people don't know what's behind a Warriors' success. Behind their powers and strength are the masters of the art of tattooing. Without them, the warriors are nothing but normal humans. They are the creators of warriors, yet the world of PenTerra forgets them. The Stained Warriors' return shall also be the return of the Masters...this is will be my destiny...