Za'icoran

*"You'll never find a better lover, or more fierce rival, than among the Za'icorans."-Enrich, soldier from Vitteodel.*

*"No human save perhaps the Nepwak have carved so much out of so hostile an environment. It's impressive, for a human."- Kavaroth Goathauler Elanamino, Goliath longrunner.*

*"You see the desert as an anvil, crushing all life. You fail to see its vast beauty as we do."-Ibrihim Khan, Za'icoran outrider.*

## Physical Description:

A dusky people, Za'icoran skin ranges from a dark almost coal black to a sandy beige. Their hair and eyes are intense and dark. Long hair is common on both sexes, though some Za'icoran man and women have been known to buzz or even shave their heads bald. Long, twisted beards and mustaches are common among the men. They wear brightly colored long robes and tunics to help protect them from the scorching desert they call homes and these garments are known to keep them cool quite efficiently. Turbans, and headscarves are common garments that help shield the wearer from the scorching rays of the sun and most wear a sturdy pair of boots which, may not breath as well as sandals but help keep the wearing from burning his feet on the sands or twisting his ankle in the unforgiving dunes.

## History:

The people of Za'icora have a long oral history of their wanderings. Long ago, an ancient kingdom of despots and Sorcerer-Kings (those same Sorcerer-Kings who crafted the Mallatox and Half-Giant) ruled over the desert lands with the aid of various monsters and powers, draining the life from the great river that once flowed through to power their ambitions. However, Sinbab, a great hero, rose up and overthrew these Sorcerer-Kings in a mirror of Latrell, liberating the Za'icoran peoples. Others say the Kings destroyed themselves in their lust for power. Regardless of the legends of each tribal wise-man or woman, the Za'icorans live in the now. Their histories are tribal and focus on their champions, their travels and their triumphs. Sinbab stories are nearly universal however and each tribe has their own version, with each tribe, both wandering and settled, claiming to be descendants of him.

## Geography:

Za'icorans are almost exclusively located in Za'icora, the great central desert of Apia. However, some are found in the Coastal Kingdoms. Their traders can be found in nearly every civilized land. While some gather in large cities or cluster around ancient pyramids, most are nomadic wanderers, moving about the desert with glee.

## Personality:

Za'icorans tend to be a passionate but frugal people, spending their wealth on survival supplies, fine clothes and weapons. In the deserts nothing can be wasted. That isn't to say they are not capable of generosity, they just don't tend to go beyond necessity. Indeed hospitality laws are of the utmost importance to their culture and ensure that lone travelers or survivors are well cared for and protected. They have a rich oral culture, a love of story-telling and riddles as well as various wind and percussion instruments. Traditional scholarship is rare among the desert people but they do possess extensive knowledge about the local flora and fauna, being greatly connected to their home. Most cherish their freedom dramatically, answering to tribal leaders alone. They are a proud people, quick to anger and quick to forgive, with passions that bubble close to the surface. This makes them wonderfully fun companions but dangerous enemies. Still, the desert is to harsh for grudges and, unless on party is slain quickly, most feuds die out before too long.

## Society:

Almost all Za'icorans live in tribal groups, wandering from place to place, following oasis or moving supplies across the desert. As a result, some valleys, mountains or dunes are beloved and sacred to them but very few live in one spot for too long. There are a few cities in the desert, either built over the ruins of ancient fortresses or constructed on their own but even these tend to have a rotating population. Tribes may be family units but they also might be strangers who have grown close over time. Hospitality is incredibly important to the Za'icorans and strangers are well taken care of. When two tribes meet they usually hold a small celebration and enjoy each-other's company for several days. Occasionally at these celebrations are weddings or transfers of tribal members from one to the other.

## Religion:

Teteus is the supreme lord of the desert and thus the supreme god among the Za'icora. Midos is also highly venerated as many Za'icorans make their living as wandering merchants or caravan traders, Vutune the mid-wife is also beloved among the wise desert sages as medicine and childbirth often require extra accommodation due to the difficult location. Rila, goddess of beauty and passion is well liked and followed among the fiery people, who adore beauty and luxery, traditionally more city-dwellers than nomads. Finally, Nesin is highly worshiped among the desert nomads who are drawn to the mysteries of the universe. A few of the evil Za'icorans delve further still, worshiping the foul Old Ones and Outer Gods.

## Alignment:

Most Za'icorans are not lawful as they value freedom to highly for rigid structure but they also aren't chaotic as there is a need for some structure to survive an environment as harsh as the desert. Most are neutral good as the cooperative nature of their culture molds them, however, neutral evil tribes of raiders and bandits are far from uncommon and can prove very dangerous.

## Relations:

Za'icorans are friendly people, who get along well with most other human nations as it is through trade that they make their largest impact. Additionally, Mallatox, Half-giants and cyclops' are common in the region and many are integrated into Za'icoran tribes. The desert folk also make allies of Djinn and various genasi are common. Hostile desert dwelling races like the Hrassah or the savage desert orcs are treated as enemies to be shunned or fought if that is not an option.

## Language:

Za-Coorish is a melodic language with a beautiful script and is the common tongue of all desert tribes. Most are also fluent in common.

## Adventurers:

Za'icoran's have a natural wanderlust that is only further enhanced by their nomadic culture and, as a result, many take to wandering Apia to see what they can find. Others grow disillusioned by desert life and try to find a more suitable home. Others are survivors of tribes lost in battle or disasters and decide to leave the dunes behind forever in search of less potent memories. Finally, there are the odd traders and merchants who decide to remain in Latrellus or The Dragon Empire after their trade missions finish and now need something to do to support themselves.

### Names:

**Example Male Names:** Ali, Amir, Abdul, Jaffar, Omar, Ibrihim, Yousej, Hassan, Khalid.

**Example Female Names:** Nur, Liala, Maryam, Fatima, Lena, Amira, Ashia, Zahara.

**Example Surnames:** Khan, Khoury, Ali, Ahmad, Alaoui,

## Za'icoran Traits:

The same as humans on page 19 with the following exceptions:

+2 in the following skills, Appraise, Spot, Survival, Ride, Heal and handle animal. These are critical skills for desert survival and replace the bonus 4 skillpoints a human gets at level one.

A Za'icoran can go twice as long without water as a normal human and can resist twice as much heat before taking subdue damage.

The scimitar is treated as a simple weapon by Za'icorans.

Favored Classes: Bard, Druid, Ranger, Swashbuckler