Avatar: Frontiers Pandora introduces three brand new clans to the Avatar world: Aranahe, Zeswa, and Cometire. Each tribe calls home one of the three biomes of the Western Frontier – Kingler Forest, Upper Plains, and Clouded Forest, respectively. Inculcating yourself by learning everyone’s ways is an important step in your journey to reclaim your Na’vi culture, as well as garnering enough support to fight back against the exploitative mining of the villainous RDA.
For information on what to expect as you try to warm to each clan, here’s a breakdown of culture and personality.
Aranahe
The first clan you encounter resides in Kingler Forest. Like the Omaticaya clan from the first film, the Aranahe live in the hometree and have a symbiotic relationship with Kingler, a large moth-like creature. Because the clan consists primarily of weavers and artisans, these Na’vi rely on kinglar silk to create extravagant and intricate clothing. The strong fiber of silk is used for weapon making, such as making powerful bow strings. In return for these gifts, Aranahe serves as a steward to the king.
Unfortunately, this balance is disturbed by the presence of RDA in the area and one of your first tasks is to restore this way of life. Gathering the clan to seek revenge is not easy. Aranahe’s refined tastes mean he has a proud, somewhat high-spirited attitude. When you initially meet them, their leader, Connaught, is somewhat in denial about the dire situation and distrustful of you and the resistance, burying his head in the sand to the anger of his rebellious daughter Etua.
Nevertheless, the Aranahe are a peaceful and orderly tribe that values consensus over individual needs.
the night
This colourful, flamboyant and ferocious warrior clan roams the hilly grasslands of the upper plains. His eagerness for battle means that, unlike Aranahe, he seeks the player’s help in fighting the RDA. You can easily spot their colonies by their large, colorful kites thanks to the perpetually windy climate of the upper plains.
The Zeswa are nomadic because they travel with large, docile creatures called Zakru. These peaceful, elephant-like animals produce milk, which forms the basis of Jeswa’s diet. Jakru rarely move and survive by burying their trunks underground to feed on bacteria in the soil. Zeswa’s tents were pitched over and around their immobile bodies to protect them from the strong winds of the upper plains. When the Zakru finally move, which developer Massive describes as a once-in-a-generation event, the clan moves with them.
According to narrative designer Chella Ramanan, Massive looked to the Maasai tribe of Kenya as a primary influence for Zeswa. This is reflected in the red and yellow colors of Zeswa’s clothes and beautiful braided hairstyles that sometimes resemble horns. These Navis love to have fun as much as they love to fight. According to Ramanan, he will welcome you with a party after you prove him a capable warrior.
come’tyre
Search hard enough and you’ll find this secret tribe lurking deep in the mists of the Cloud Forest. Reclusive, introverted, and as mysterious as their home, the Kame’tire are expert apothecaries and herbalists. His intimate knowledge and appreciation for plant life is reflected in his organic clothing. It is the imposition of armor made by shaping wood, the art of softening wood and carving it into various shapes.
True to the nature of the clan, the massive was the most cagey for the Kame’tyre to share specialties. As they chose to live in self seclusion, we know that no one has seen the clan for some time. In terms of personality, Ramanan describes the Cometire as “moody,” “suspicious” and “a bit cruel” compared to the other two clans, and they are not keen warriors. Instead of physically protecting them, they hide valuables. Above all, Cometaires are renowned caregivers and, despite their wariness of outsiders, make invaluable allies.
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora launches on December 7 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC. Be sure to subscribe to the magazine to read the digital edition now, and visit our Cover Story Hub by clicking the banner below to find more special features and videos this month.
