Erigi Peoples

The Erĭgĭ Peoples are a collective grouping of individual city states with a shared sense of culture and adherence to the Erĭaz pantheon and language. Living in the western deserts of Sabrim, in a land they call Erĭgarash. 
The earliest recorded histories of the Erĭgĭ come not from the Erĭgĭ themselves, but from fragmented records left behind in Meshkar, which speak of a race of nomadic desert dwellers, the ancestors of the Erĭgĭ from times gone by. Now though, the Erĭgĭ have adopted a largely sedentary lifestyle, with competing city states vying for control of the fertile wheat-growing banks of the dual rivers they call Lashĭr and Dishĭr.
=== Settlements of the Erĭgarash ===
* Enkidu- the slaver city. Dedicated to Shulgĭ, the god of Shepharding and protection.
*Ashuranûshĭr - A city that outgrew her overlord, Enkidu. Granted independence from the slaver city by Adrasahis of Urûdik, King of Kings.
* Ilkhurana - fanatically devote to the god Ilkhur, the fatherly and nurturing god.
* Yĭanûshĭr - dedicated to Kuraliz-ur, who gave colour to the world.
*Urûdik - The city of vibrant red walls. Dedicated to Anĭm-ur, the god of growth.
* Kisuran - Famed for her livestock markets and food surplus, the breadbasket of the Erĭgarash.
*Rûmen - Colony of Urudik located at the Son river mouth that empties into the Summer Sea. 
=== History ===
==== Origins ====
Meshkarian records, found north of the land of Erĭgarash frequently tell of a race of nomadic desert dwellers, who were only valued for their ability to navigate the vast deserts of the region. For a large part of the history of the Erĭgĭ, it seems the Meshkarians themselves played an active role in keeping the peoples from uniting or remaining in one place for too long. Often, this took the form of forced tribute and when that failed, forced expulsion.Little recorded evidence comes from the Erĭgĭ themselves regarding this time period. However, there is a large array of ancestral folk tales that are passed down from the generations, and the word Erĭgĭ itself is derived from the words for "Sand" & "People" in their own language. One story that offers a tantalising glimpse into the history of the Erĭgĭ is that of "Ishĭ ĭnû-ur", a heroic warrior who had managed to unite all the folk of the sands. However with little material evidence from this period, it can be little more than a myth and for some and is a cultural story that ties the Erĭgĭ together.
==== Settlement ====
Shortly after the entire sudden disappearance of the Meshkarians, the Erĭgĭ were able to rise from the sands and permanently claim a place as their own. Several tribes split off and settled all along the twin rivers of Lashĭr and Dishĭr. Each tribe, quickly grew into its own city, with several city states also springing up as a result. Many of these cities, still clinging onto the Erĭaz pantheon, have often adopted a patron deity for their realm. It is a common belief among the Erĭgĭ that the god themselves dwell within their patron cities, watching over and protecting them.
==== The Second Kingdom ====
After many years of city-state rivalry, Inazu of Urudik would follow in the footsteps of the famed Ishĭ ĭnû-ur and manage to forge the city-states into one political entity. The High Kingdom of Urudik, with her ruler titled as "rashur balrashurab" (king of kings) would hold the city-states together during the rule of both Inazu and his son, Adrahasis. In the aftermath of the Erigi-Varshan Wars and the Ilkhurist Uprising, the united kingdom would prove shortlived however.
=== Culture ===
==== Lifestyle & Trade ====
Upon adopted the lifestyle of a town and city dwellers, the peoples of these lands largely kept to an agricultural based economy, with a heavy reliance on fish, grains and livestock for their food. Livestock auctions regularly occur in the farms and town surrounding major cities. Beer is also a favourite of the commonfolk, coming in many varieties. The cheapest variant of beer often comes with seeds still floating within it. It is not rare to see the masses revelling in their favourite past time, drinking beer through papyrus reeds in the shade of their favourite establishments.
With an increasingly cosmopolitan way of life, also comes increasing trade and technological advancement. The Erĭgĭ often trade between their city states for rare metals such as tin, allowing them to smelt the most common metal of all, Bronze. This alloy is vital to the Erĭgĭ, found in decorations, pottery inlays, military armour and weapons. Erĭgĭ tradesmen often travel to their neighbouring cities in search for these metals, but also to sell their own wares, usually Beer, Foods, Woollen clothing and pottery, often depicting figures from their folklore and mythologies.
==== Social & Familial Life ====
As well as the aforementioned love of Beer and social gatherings, the Erĭgĭ home also commonly has board games. The home itself is usually quite small, made out of sandstone and is decorated with textiles. Historically, Polygyny was practiced during the nomadic period of the Erĭgĭ, but is now forbidden in most settlements and is usually punished by the stoning of the man who took more than 1 wife.
Music is commonplace in settlements of the Erĭgarash, and is often considered a viable profession for the commonfolk, particularly playing the Lyre and Flutes carved from ivory. The age of 13 is the expected age of maturity for many, but can deviate by a year or two depending on the circumstances. At this age, it is common for males to apprentice in a trade (if they can afford it), such as fishing, pottery or metallurgy. For both genders however, 16 is the minimum age of marriage, once parents have found a suitable partner to arrange a marriage and dowry. Once the dowry is paid, it is the personal property of the bride and even in the case of divorce, remains entirely with her. Engagement contracts are usually transcribed on clay tablets, bound with paper and leather.
Premarital sex is generally discouraged within Erĭgĭ culture (for both genders). However, the Erĭgĭ have no concept of virginity nor of the Hymen, and usually whether or not a prospective bride has previously engaged in intercourse is entirely based upon her own word. The people of the Erĭgarash generally have a relaxed attitude towards sex when within the constraints of marriage. 
==== Adoption ====
Adoption is a common way for a citizen to secure an heir, or someone to nurse them in their old age. A contract would usually be drawn up for the arrangement for the adoption of a Freeman to take up the role of adoptive child. Commonly, in the case of an adopted child to look after them in their old age, the adopted child would be paid a portion of inheritance where due. In cases of a breach of contract, or even where biological children have failed in their filial duties however, an adoption can be legally broken, with biological children even possibly sold into slavery.
It is rare for adults to be legally adopted, but not impossible. In this scenario, the adoptee would be paid for accepting their new family and disavowing their old one. The price was often up for negotiation.
==== Slavery ====
Erĭgĭ culture is male-dominated and decisively stratified between the "Saĝbalnanuǩ" (Kings, their families and priests etc.), the "Ĭshgĭ" (Freemen) and then, the "Sargĭ" (the slave caste). Slavery is commonplace throughout many cities, with some such as Shulgĭranû heavily basing their economies on it, with slave markets and fight pits a popular spectacle.
Slavery plays an important role in both the economy and society. Aside from manual labour, slaves also serve as domestic servants and highly valued professionals. Slaves are considered full property under the laws of the the Erĭgarash, with very little protections and rights under the law. Slaves could be beaten and killed at their masters will and in many places, are the sole exemption to both the social taboo on pre-marital sex and extra-marital liaisons. Any offspring resulting from this, were also considered full status slaves.
In times of financial hardship, it is common to see children of the poorer families sold as slaves to their richer neighbours as domestic servants. However, once deemed a slave, it is very rare for a slave to ever be freed, except unless their masters have wished it upon their death.
=== Military ===
The constant inter-city rivalries of the Erĭgarash has drove the settlements into a continuous state of development and expansion. It is common among many of the cities to field a force armed primarily with spear, axe or sword. Some small use of horse-archer tactics occurs, but tightly knit infantry units is the most common strategy among the cities.
Many of the cities of the Erĭgĭ spend a great deal on earthen and brick walls to defend their towns from river and sand dwelling raiders. Limited siege warfare also ensues between the Erĭgĭ settlements, however this traditionally has tended to be rather short-lived, and many defenders have simply surrendered with very little ensuing bloodshed.
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