Zavalli

The **Zavalli** (singular **Zavallis**, plural **Zavalli**) are a race of sentient creatures in Eulana resembling anthropomorphic wolves.

### History

Zavalli have been a semi-nomadic culture ever since their original homeland was taken by force during The Great Betrayal.

### Culture

The Zavalli are also wide-reaching traders. Their nomadic way of life makes them well-suited to traveling great distances whilst heavy-laden. Zavalli mercenaries often deposit their plunder with Zavalli merchants. It is regarded as a matter of racial honor (and not incurring the wrath of the Gucuzava) for the accepting merchant to ship said loot back to the Zavalli homeland (at the cheapest, rather than fastest, opportunity), and properly attributed to the mercenary's family. Such plunder is generally sold at "The Bazaar”, located in their new capital Lycos, where one can supposedly find any good one might wish for. Taxes at The Bazaar are minimal, and mostly serve to provide some small amount of recompense to the merchants participating in the system. The traders which barter in The Bazaar are cunning and under-handed, and regard even the slyest of methods to be honorable in pursuit of profit, but once a deal is struck, it is equally a matter of honor to hold to it, even if it is ultimately personally ruinous.

There is a strong tradition of poetry amongst the nomadic, vocal Zavalli, During their long journeys outside their territory, they often recite poetry to anyone who is willing to listen (and many who are not!). Common themes include Zavalli history, especially the pain of losing their homeland and the sting of betrayal. Personal exploits are also commonly recounted in such poetry. In terms of material art, glass and stone mosaics dominate their finer architecture, especially temples to the Moon Goddess.

Being a traitor is one of the biggest taboo in Zavalli culture, and being called as a traitor is the highest insult. 'Elf' is regarded as little more than a synonym of this vile accusation. Traitors are considered to be outlaws, and it is the right and duty of Zavalli to do any and all possible harm to outlaws. As betrayal also tarnishes the family name of the perpetrator, it is not uncommon for the outlaw's relative to hunt them down as a means of redeeming their family name. Eating the meats of other sentient being such as other Zavalli, humans, dwarves, lizardfolk, or even Elves is also a taboo. The traditional punishment for such a sacrilege is the extraction of all the teeth, and tongue of the perpetrator. Zavalli teeth are a symbol of strength, and as such extracting them is considered a humiliation and emasculation. For a Zavallis to violate a taboo shames their entire family. However, it is possible to personally atone for such serious crimes - in that a Zavallis may present himself to the Gucuzava (or his throne as a proxy), and drive a ritual blade into his own heart, choosing to die in a pool of his own blood before all onlookers. This is regarded as a redemptive act for both the family and the individual, and if the Gucuzava is present, he may, if he respects the atoner, order his retainers to strangle the atoner with a silk rope to speed up their death, which is regarded as more honorable end.

#### Zavalli Warfare

After the fall of their original capital the Zavalli are pushed to the nearly inhabitable and barren mountains to the east, to ensure the survival of their people, Zavalli warriors sell their services to the highest bidder. Once they agree to a contract, they regard it as highly dishonorable to violate it. However, once a contract is fulfilled, they feel no lingering attachment or loyalties to the former employer, and find it perfectly acceptable to subsequently accept a contract to fight for the other side. There are common standards to Zavalli mercenaries that are generally upheld, and remembered in semi-poetic form. These are:

*1. "They who fight Elves, pay our fee in flesh."* (It is tolerable and even honorable to accept a contract under one's going rate, if it causes trouble for the Elven race. Doubly so if it causes trouble for the Elven Empire.)

*2. "Me against my brother, but my brothers and I against outsiders; only blood washes away blood."* (Accepting a contract against fellow Zavalli is highly dishonorable, unless that Zavallis has committed a terrible crime)

*3. "It is a fool who fights for the weakest against the strongest; it is a fool who sells his loyalty, and not just his claws."* (Zavalli will not, except under the most dire and desperate circumstances, accept a contract against their Gucuzava. Even then, it's likely any Zavallis who accepts such a contract is simply waiting for an opportunity to betray his employer, in service to the Gucuzava.)

Nearly all Zavalli prefer to fight up-close, using their superior strength, speed, claws, teeth, and sometime weapons to tear through enemy ranks. In terms of speed, they are comparable to heavy cavalry; in function, they act as shock infantry. They perform best against lightly armored targets, however, as their claws and teeth cannot reliably penetrate metal armor. The Zavalli tactic usually consist of closing the gap between them and their enemy as such their weapons are usually very close quarter oriented; such as Metal claw and Katar (dagger), there are also Zavalli who carries Djerid, a type of short throwing spear to use against enemies they cannot reach otherwise. The Zavalli do not use any kind of offensive magic since the believe such magic to be heretical. As it relates to Zavalli history, it is also an insult to their ancestors who were massacred and pushed away from their homeland with magic. They use healing magic and in rare cases body strengthening magic, but insist that it is "Spirit Arts" rather than arcana.

#### Mercenary Culture

The job of a mercenary are very popular amongst the young male Zavalli, most young Zavalli would immediately leave the country and becoming a mercenaries after finishing their mandatory military services, mercenaries are require to pay taxes to the Gucuzava to ensure the kingdom's survival, they need to submit 1% of their loot annually, since mercenaries rarely able to travel to the capital, wandering mercenary tend to pay their tax through the ubiquitous Zavalli wandering trader from the trading guild, these trader are the one who would bring back the loot of this mercenaries as tax payment and dealing with the paperwork.

Zavalli mercenaries who operate on foreign land tend to create their own Mercenaries guild, these guild allowed them to gather the jobs easier, be recognize as a legal entity by the host kingdom, and also as a place for wandering Zavalli to converge, as such the guild also work as an unofficial consulates for all of Zavalli people. When a Zavallis is born outside of their homeland they will be educated by the mercenaries, they are to be train in the way of combat and instill the loyalty to the Gucuzava, once they are of age they could either return to their homeland and serve the military or they could serve by doing mercenaries work. In time of crisis, veteran Zavallis mercenaries could be summon back to the capital by the Gucuzava to protect the country as an soldier, however, if they are no longer able to fight they could be given the role a trainer or combat advisor.

### Government

Zavalli live in a hardened warrior-society. As such they will only let the strongest to rule over all the Zavalli. The common leader of the Zavalli is known by the title of "Gucuzava" meaning strength. To be able to be acknowledged as a Gucuzava, the candidates must complete the ancient trial, taking place in a sacred place known as "The Lucorm". The Lucorm is a massive labyrinthine structure, featuring an array of deadly traps and puzzles. Solving the maze is believed to be a sign of great wisdom. The trial also encourages battle between the candidates in the maze. Defeating and subsequently killing rival candidates is a common occurrence; this trial also function to purge any potential rival to the Gucuzava which emerges, decreasing the chance of rival usurpers.

### other

Sheep herders are called *pariç* (plural *pariçlar*), derived from an archaic term meaning 'tall tale teller' or 'actor'. This is because Zavalli shepherds wear sheep pelts when herding to reduce the likelihood of their flock panicking at their sight or smell.

### Biology

Zavalli is a race of Anthropomorphic Wolves that walks on digitigrade feet. On average, they stand at 185 cm, with some going up to 2.2 meters. They have a coat of fur covering them which can be in a range for different colors, this coat of fur also keeps them warm. They are omnivores but mostly prefer meat.

Zavalli has sensitive hearing and smell, their eyes are also able to see in low light conditions. .

Zavalli has a natural unbalanced of Male and Female Ratio, around 5 male to 1 female. After a Zavalli matures, they go into heat each year at late spring/early summer, resulting in most litters being born in winter.

A Zavallis' natural life span is around 120 years. A Zavallis is born usually with 3 other siblings, the litter will be taken care of by their mother until they are 16 years of age, which a Zavallis is considered an adult. Zavalli remains reproductive until the age of 70

Zavalli has significantly more muscle mass then humans, and better stamina which is further boosted by their life on high mountains. Each hands and feet of the Zavalli contains retractable claws strong enough to tear through leather armor and leave a mark on iron plates. Their jaws and teeth also has great biting power, this and the claws surves as the Zavalli's natural weapon.

Despite the aforementioned advantages, Zavalli's own biological also has a few drawbacks. Since Zavalli has no sweat glands on their bodies, they can easily overheat in warmer climates, leading to heat stroke. They also have high energy requirements and consume significantly more food than average humans. Their senses can be overwhelmed easily. A strong flashing light or loud noises can disoriented a unsuspecting Zavallis.

### Customs and Traditions

Once birth, a infant Zavallis will be taken to the nearest shrine or church of the Lunar goddess to be blessed.

During childhood, young Zavalli are expected to help around a household, those in big clans will recieve education during this time.

By the age of 16, a Zavallis will be considered an adult thus responsible for their own actions. A rite will be held for the Zavalli who reach adulthood, which they will recieve their first weapon, usually a dagger passed down from their father. This weapon is expect to be with the Zavallis until it is passed down. The eldest or favorite child will get the oldest dagger, which the other siblings will get new ones.

After the rite of adulthood, all male Zavalli will join in military service for at least five years. This service is mandatory and running away from service will be seen as traitorous behavior. Zavalli who are born outside of the Zavalli Gucuzavan can choose to return to serve, or train under various mercenaries from Zavalli. They will receive education in reading, writing and basic calculus in conjunction with their military training.

Female Zavalli will receive formal education after their adulthood, after which they will work in their respective fields.

Mating ritual is held every year in the early summer months for those who completed their military training and education, Female Zavalli will each come up with their own criteria for their idea mate, and male suitors will need to demonstrate try fit the female's criteria. This mostly results in wrestling matching.

Zavalli prefer to retrieve the body for the dead and cremate them when they die. The cremation will be held during moonlit nights and the ashes will be scattered against the wind. For the ones those bodies cannot be retrieved.

Zavalli prefers mating before going on a military campaign, as this ensure an offspring should one fall in combat.