Jaziran

in: Races

## Introduction

Jazira is a desert land of expert sword fighters, wealth, and fast moving streets. Men are often raised as fighters or traders who venture beyond the borders, while the women are often left to learn skills to make them worth marrying and to do the work within the land. Jazira is a country of vast deserts and resilient people, made powerful through the trade of riches and violence. Ever efficient, the Jazirans prefer to keep moving, whether it be in a sword fight or in conversation, as it is said that 'to linger is to be caught.' Due to the country's climate, farming is made very difficult, and many people turn to the sword in order to get what they need, or want. Generations of this practice have made swordplay a common practice in the realm, one that many of its people often excel at due to being taught it from the moment they could wield a blade. Most Jazirans trust their weapon more than anything else, and would never part with it regardless of who they spoke to or where they went. The women of Jazira are rarely taught swordplay, as most of the men go out of there way to choose a profession revolving around it - leaving the women to tend to craftsmanship, homesteading, and farming. There is a sort of poetic balance between the sexes - without the men, the country would be overrun by Marauders, and without the women, the warriors would have nothing to return to. Outsiders in Jazira are looked upon as lesser individuals, unless they have come with coins to trade.

## The Basics

* Appearance: Humans with deeply tanned skin, dark hair, and dark brown or blue eyes.
* Lifespan: 75 Years
* Height: 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* Regions Found: Jaziran
* Culture: Wealth rules above all. A desert people with skilled swordsmen, dancers, and silver tongued traders. They are distrustful of magic, in any form.
* Common Character Roles: Mercenary, Bandit, Dancer, Trader
* Common Allies: Fellow Countrymen, Traders
* Common Enemies: Religious Orders, Mages, “Demons”
* Architecture: Desert palaces with domes and spires, or tidy little plaster adobe style cube houses, making use of flat rooftops.
* Religion: Shalakh
* Views on Magic: Magic is dangerous, unnatural and unwelcomed.
* Quirks: Intolerant and distrustful of magic. Desert dwellers.

## Appearance

The scorching sun of Jazira's desert has left its mark on its people's skin, tanning them far beyond that of a man in the northern kingdoms. The hair of a Jaziran is often black or darker in tone, and their eyes are similarly a deep brown, with blue being the second most common color. The people stand at about an average height, and the warriors generally favor athletic builds over sheer muscle as there is little use for extreme strength in their style of combat. Warriors also have a tendency to wear charcoal or a black eyeliner over their gaze to strike fear into their enemies, and favor lighter to medium armors with curved swords in both hands. The women of Jazira are often regarded by scholars as being particularly beautiful with their elaborate makeup, vibrant silks, and jewels; even with how covered in robes their people often are to avoid the direct rays from the sun. Subsequently, hoods and masks do not rouse suspicion in Jazira, as these are common ways to avoid sand in the mouth and hair as well as to escape the heat.

## History & Culture

In Jaziran culture, wealth rules above all, but only the most skilled swordsman can hope to protect it. Even in common schooling, swordplay is taught to those old enough to wield a blade. By the time these male students reach adulthood, they are already formidable opponents, having been taught about the importance of speed and efficiency. They often make a living selling their skills to their countrymen, or outsiders brave enough to hire them as a skilled blade. They are not known to betray their employers, but they are not renowned for honor, either. When one is not learning the skill of the blade, he is learning the artistry of a silver tongue. Diplomacy and negotiation are also skill sets Jazirian men pride themselves on. It is said, if one finds themself in a room with a Jaziran man, they better hope he doesn't get offended or feel that his time is wasted. The women of Jazira often make their wealth through trade and craftsmanship, as is expected of them by their mothers. But it is not unheard of that a woman would learn the way of the sword, though it's not common. Being born a female means a full life of grooming for marriage as it's already seen as a disappointment. Mothers will teach them what they know, sometimes a skill of trade. Other times skills that will make their daughters more 'valuable' such as singing and dance. Wealthier families have the capabilities of sending their children to tutors were more advanced skills are learned. Marriage between Jazirans is typically never done out of love but a gain in status and renown for the bride's family. A display of skills learned in life is expected to be done during the period of engagement by the intended bride. If she fails to claim the interests of her betrothed, time is not wasted lingering and another match is made with haste.

## Government

Jazira is ruled by the person who holds the most riches and the royal palace, and is anointed the title of 'Sultan' or 'Sultana' before their name. At present, the country is ruled by Sultan Amir and his personal army of Saracens. The realm knows peace and stability, and the ruler only imposes a moderate tax. There is a constant fear that if it grows any higher, the people will suffer for it. The Saracens not only act and serve as the Royal Guard, but also the extension of the Sultan within the streets of Accra, the capital city. Due process is swift, which allows a certain order among the citizens. Caught stealing? The Saracen are called and right then and their trial is given to the accused. Found guilty, the punishment will always fit the crime; thieves lose their hands, speak out against the Sultan or Sultanna? Ones’ tongue is removed.

## Religion

Jazira is home to many people, but only one religion that it's warriors follow: Shalakh, a man so skilled and quick he was said to move with the speed of six swords instead of the two he would wield into fights. Legends say in his time alive, he cleaved through entire armies in establishing and defending Jazira. At the time of his mortal death, he rose to divinity, and is said to offer a portion of his skill to those deserving of it in their battles. In his divinity, Shalakh is said to fight off evil spirits and other deities from invading the lands of Jazira, the same way he did repelling invaders in his lifetime. He is depicted as a bronze cloaked figure, with six arms each wielding a curved blade. Jazirans do not bury, nor cremate their dead. Instead the deceased are carried up the mountains of sand or hills scattering the country where tall cylindrical tombs of stone stand open to the sky. The bodies are left here, to where the carrion birds come to feast. Once consumed, it is believed with the help of the birds, the spirits of loved ones are carried up to the skies and reborn anew.

## Architechture

The City of Accra is filled with desert palaces with domes and spires, fountains, and gardens. The streets are paved and lined with shops. Tall cubes stacked upon tall cubes, with ladders or stairs accessing upper levels and rooftops. Pools and gardens dot the scenery, treasured oasis in an otherwise hot and dry climate. Streets are covered by, bridges or colorful tapestries and shade clothes strewn across to offer access to other rooftops, or shade to the goods, people, and stalls below. The further away from the great cities, the buildings become tidy little plaster adobe style cube houses, often making use of flat rooftops for cooking or for drying.

## Racial Relations

Outsiders are looked upon as lesser individuals, unless they have come with coins to trade. Likewise, practitioners of magic, and races with noticeable “unnatural” or “demon” features may be made unwelcome.

## Perception of Magic

With such a pride in their swordsmanship, magic is an after thought to the Jazirans. It is not practiced openly in the country by anyone, as the Sultan has declared it unnatural and disruptive to the lifestyle of their peoples. In some of the most remote corners of Jazira, though, magic is rumored to be secretly used in growing crops or pulling water from an otherwise dry area. People from those regions might be more inclined to argue that magic is helpful to a lifestyle, of course, but they would likely be arrested for such heresy. The Sultan's word has so much weight, that those who do still practice magic, do so with the cost of risking their lives.