Khayadians

**Khayadians** are a nation and an ethnic group who speak the Khayadic language. Their national identity originated in the 3rd century 3E, when the Khayadians started to culturally separate themselves from their Sarid overrulers. The Khayadic ethnonym is derived from the Khayadic language - the word "Khayad" translates to "land of the people of the Lady".

## History

Khayadians can trace their roots back to the 11 Zahrian tribes that escaped the Zahrian Empire during the Great Eastern War in 2 3E. Led by the legendary Kuneikar, the exodus stopped in 4 3E when the tribes reached the western banks of the river Ashtar. Although already inhabited by djinn, the lush flood plains were where the tribes would finally settle.

Co-habitation with the Sarids resulted in Zahrians mixing with the djinn, creating a hybrid people that would soon form a separate national identity from the two groups and call themselves '"Khayadians". A few tribes - opting not to mix with the Atamids - would travel west to the Wahabi Plains or north-east to the Ummuya Desert, going on to eventually become Elartans and Kuneikarids, respectively.

The following history of the Khayadians is tied closely to the histories of Sheyarda and Khayad.

## Society

Tradition claims that Khayadian culture and society is built on the foundations laid out by the Estaian priest Kuneikar, who preached the existence of the Moon, Water and Siren spirits who form the goddess Estaia. This triplicity of the mother-goddess' identity is said to have been the origin of the Khayadian hierarchy of virtues, among which the most important ones are love, pleasure and art (as defined by Kuneikari teachings).

This hierarchy is reflected in many parts of Khayadian culture and society. The gender system in Khayad outlines two sexes: almaia and khassaia, which roughly correspond to women and men, respectively. The former are all people that are capable of giving birth and thus creating life. Perceived as godly creatures and avatars of Estaia, almaia are venerated as life-givers and as such are usually thought to be more adept at art, creativity and leadership. Khassaia, on the other hand, are thought to be the servants and appreciators of almaia because of their divine nature and as such are viewed as more practical, physical people who have a greater capacity for manual labour, warfare and pursuits such as trade or seamanship. This aspect of Khayadian culture is perhaps most prominently illustrated in how political power is distributed among the royals of the kingdom: if a khassa inherits the throne, they become the Blade King of Khayad, who conducts the realm's policies which pertain to matters more 'suited' for the khassaia: war, trade, the navy. An alma who inherits the throne becomes the Mother Queen (another sobriquet is the *Siren Queen*, introduced by Yasmina the Siren when she herself became one), the kingdom's chief administrator in such matters as diplomacy, arts and sciences or social policy. The ruler's consort always assumes the responsibilities of the opposite office, and both offices have to be actively held by two people at the same time. Early Khayadians tended to consider the two sexes equal but ever since the Sallaraian revolution of the 5th century 3E Khayadian intellectuals have aimed to emphasize the differences and - according to some - reinterpret the genders' relationship as subordinate. Some even claim that modern Khayad is a matriarchate dominated by the almaia.

The ideas of love and pleasure are also reflected in the Khayadian family model, which allows and encourages polyamory, which stems from the Estaianist belief that love is a limitless idea and the reasoning that having more parents results in a better upbringing and education. Most Khayadian families consist of at least three parents with an alma traditionally serving as the head of house.

Khayadian social life, on the other hand, is a matter of dispute among many Khayadians. A conservative stance views pleasure as an important part of one's life that should be experienced as often as possible. A progressive view - spurred by the Sallaraian revolution - criticises this approach as disrespectful to the divine nature of pleasure and views all hedonistic activities (most notably sex) as part of the *profanum*. This sacralisation results in a more restrictive society, even though Khayadians are still perceived as the most liberal nation on Thir: prostitutes and entertainers are venerated, children are taught sex and consumption of stimulants from a young age, while many religious festivities conclude in grand orgies.

### Art and architecture

Early Khayadian architecture was largely shaped by the land.