The Peoples of Zakhara

[Zaim al-Daleel]

Overview

Zakhara is a true melting pot, populated by men and women from a myriad of races. Generally speaking, Zakhara lacks the racial prejudices of less civilized realms. Zakharans do not allow the brutish and crude actions of a minority to color their opinions of the larger group. Lifestyle, not race, defines and divides Zakharans.

In the Land of Fate, people fall into one of two broad groups: nomadic or settled. The nomads, or Al-Badia (ahl-BAH-dee-ya), are those who dwell in the hostile deserts of Zakhara. They are tough, loyal to their blood-relatives, and constantly in search of basic necessities: water, food, and grazing land for their herds. The need for trade brings the Al-Badia into contact with the "other half" of Zakhara's culture: the Al-Hadhar (ahl-HAH-dar), whose lifestyles are based in and around settled communities. Those who are permanently settled -- the people of the towns and villages who never move from their dwellings, are not Al-Badia. Artisans, merchants, craftsmen -- all are Al-Hadhar.

Al-Badia and Al-Hadar are different, but like two branches of a tree. They share a common culture, language, and code of ethics. They prefer to judge a person on his or her merit as measured against the basic beliefs of honor, family, hospitality, purity, and piety. Al-Badia and Al-Hadhar coexist peacefully because both groups understand and respect these same beliefs.

[Zaim al-Daleel]

Foreigners

The following is a list of a few ethnic groups you may encounter in your travels. It is an attempt to enrich the game world with our real world notions of cultural traditions, physical appearance and mannerisms. Generally, the people we'll meet from these cultures are examples of adventurers who are far from their native homes and may have integrated into the local culture.

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Bharat (Indian)
Largest ethnic group in the Ruined Kingdoms.

Chung-kuo (Chinese)

Ellas (Greek)

Misr (Egyptian)

Varyags (Scandinavian)
Traders, pirates and mercenaries

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Note! This is in no means meant to be an exercise in historical accuracy. Examples of use: A Varyag sailor idling at the docks, a Bharat princess touring the streets of Dihiliz in a servant carried litter, a Misr trader offering black market goods...

[Zaim al-Daleel]

Desert Tribes

Beyond the walls of cities, beyond the bands of orchards and fields, lies the true Burning World of Zakhara. Here, in regions known as the High Desert and the Haunted Lands, creatures must live with the world on its terms instead of their own. This section describes the people of Zakhara's great deserts - those who are strong enough to survive there, and those who are bold enough to thrive.

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Tribes of the High Desert

The people of the High Desert are mostly enlightened nomadic tribes. They are the "classic" desert riders - passionate, romantic, and powerful. In spring, they travel in search of the seasonal grasses. In summer, they camp near wells and oases, many of which are unmapped. But in the very heart of the desert, not even the nomadic tribes and their mounts can survive, for here lies the Genies' Anvil (Saddan al-Jinn).

Nine major tribes lie scattered throughout the High Desert. These are described below. Hundreds of smaller tribes, bands, and raiding parties make their home here as well. Even the major tribes aren't found together in full numbers, save at gatherings for water or trade. These tribes are broken into clans, each of which consists of several families. The clans of the major tribes are often larger than some of the smaller tribes, numbering hundreds of
individuals and thousands of livestock (horses, goats, camels, and sheep).

• House of Asad (Children of the Lion)
• House Bakr (Clan of the Young Camel)
• House of Dhi'b (Sons of the Wolf)
• House of Dubb (House of the Bear)
• House of Nasr (People of the Eagle)
• House of Sihr (Jann of the High Desert)
• House of Tayif (Ghost-Warriors)
• House of Thawr (Children of the Bull)

Tribes of the Haunted Lands

The Haunted Lands are home to ghosts and mournful winds. The region they encompass is larger than the High Desert but has even fewer inhabitants. In ancient times, the land was dominated by warring kingdoms, but they are long gone. The remaining people, a few of whom are enlightened, are nomads or wild beings such as jann. The peoples of the Haunted Lands are more scattered than their brethren in the High Desert. There are fewer enlightened major tribes and a greater number of small, savage bands of nomads who act as raiders and slavers. Of prime value is the overland route from the Ruined Kingdoms to Talab in the Pantheon, leading on to the independent city of
Halwa. Smaller routes provide a "back-door" for trade to Hiyal and the Free Cities, though these must pass through the Furrowed Mountains.

* House of Hanif
* House of Hotek
* Jann of the Haunted Lands