Sand Devils

**Ojukari'i** more commonly known as Sand Devils are a race of abyss attuned humanoids that inhabit the arid regions of Ilistrus. Their origins are vague and shrouded in mystery as few are willing to answer questions about their history and culture. Sand Devils can be identified by their dark pigmented skin, prominent cranial horns, and evocative tribal masks which they constantly wear.

## Origins

### Early History

Little is known about the true origins of the Ojukari'i as they have been out of contact with the other civilizations of Ilistrus for the last 200 years. They originally appeared in the desert of Kar Unatir raiding traveling caravans through the sands and pillaging nearby settlements that developed too close to the dunes. The attacks where characterized by brutal ambushes and cruel treatment of prisoners leading to a great deal of resentment and fear of Ojukari'i raiding parties in that part of the world. Despite the attacks, explorers continued to delve into Kar Unatir learning what they could about its ruins and uncovering a temple dedicated to an ancient deity who's name was lost to time. Deep within the temple's crypt lay an artifact of immense dark power that appeared to be calling out across the continent. This mask crafted of black crystal caused those near to it to see horrifying visions and the single researcher that mustered the courage to touch it was affected by such a terrible bout of fear they remained catatonic for the remainder of their life. Fearing the consequences of leaving the relic unsecured the explorers sought the help of a nearby holy order to bind or cleanse the temple.

### The Grand Masking

A host of explorers and paladins were gathered at the edge of the desert unified in their purpose to occupy the temple and secure the black mask and marched into the sands. Little did they know the largest hunting party of Ojukari'i ever assembled followed having been called by the power of the black mask. The hunting party allowed the explorers to enter into the temple before their attack began. The Ojukari'i sought to trap the invaders in the temple so that their fear could be fed to the mask over the following months and years. Both sides clashed in the halls and tombs of the temple until the remaining invaders were trapped in the reliquary of the black mask. With the Ojukari'i closing in the paladins made a desperate prayer to bind the dark powers of the mask. Their gods took notice of their pleas and bound the dark power of the mask preventing it from reaching out and tormenting those nearby. The mark grew opaque and pale and ceased its malevolent influence. The Ojukari'i now no longer directly antagonized by the powers of the black mask made a pact with the explorers. If their desert remained undeveloped and undisturbed by the outside world they would safeguard the binds on the black mask. The leader of the hunting party Vaes'ikar took upon the task of safekeeping the mask by donning it himself, binding his lineage to the fate of the mask. The two groups parted ways and the Ojukari'i were not seen for a decade afterwards.

### The Return of the Ojukari'i

Eventually as surveying groups grew courageous enough to once again explore Kar Unatir the Ojukari'i began to reappear. Still hunters of the desert but no longer hostile to the outsiders, each Ojukari'i wore a pale mask in the style of the black mask their leader had donned those many years previous. Cultural trade began and the explorers found that the Ojukari'i culture had settled in a location they only referred to as Oasis. They explained that the influence of the black mask still affected each member of the Ojukari'i once they reached maturity and thus they each wear a mask that blocks the influence allowing independent thought and action. They once again warned the explorers not to settle to close to the desert now not to protect their privacy but to protect others from the mask's influence.

### Current Status

Following the Ojukari'i's recontact with the outside world more have been seen both inside and outside of Kar Unatir. No settlements have been constructed nearby to the desert but some Ojukari'i have left their ancestral home and have take up residence amongst the other races. Outside of the dunes of Kar Unatir, Ojukari'i are most often found as parts of hunting parties of exotic creatures, mercenary bands, or personal body guards. Their lifetime spent hunting the desert leads them to having a stoic and patient temperament making them uniquely suited to clandestine or sensitive work.

## Biology

Ojukari'i are a tall and moderately muscular race, their homeland providing a harsh environment that conditions them to endure or die. Their skin takes on a thicker leathery quality from extended exposure to the harsh sun. Their skin ranges in coloring from a dark charcoal grey, to grey-blue, crimson, and violet. As a result of growing up in arid conditions Ojukari'i are quite comfortable in hot, dry conditions but don't do well with the cold. Additionally they require very little food and water and can go for days without needing to consume sustenance, though exposure to large amounts of liquids have been known to make them very ill as they aren't used to what would be considered a regular level of hydration.

One of the most noticeable features of Sand Devils are the cranial horns that grow throughout their lifetime and are unique to each Ojukari'i. Though each Ojukari'i horns are subtly different there are similarities between members of the same clans and some clans can be identified by the shape and color of their horns.

## Culture

### Masks

Masks play a central part in Ojukari'i culture as they are both part of their cultural heritage and act as a direct talisman against the influence of the black mask. After the original leader of the hunting party Vaes'ikar donned the bound black mask the Ojukari'i found they were still affected by its powers. Taking fragments scraped from the original mask and crafting them in their own the binding was passed onto to each masked Ojukari'i, protecting them from the nightmarish visions the mask tormented them with. The practice of crafting a mask eventually became a rite of passage amongst the Ojukari'i and every member of the race at the age of 16 (approximately when the influence of the black mask begins) crafts their own taking a fragment of the original and adding it to their. After completing their mask and donning it for the first time as part of a ritualistic ceremony they are considered to have entered into adulthood and are considered a full member of the race.

Due to the protection the mask provide it is imperative that an Ojukari'i wears theirs constantly. Ojukari'i are deeply protective of their faces and believe that it is dishonorable to show their unmasked self to anyone outside of immediate family and lovers. This practice is less strictly enforced on Ojukari'i that have yet to participate in the masking rite but Ojukari'i children are encouraged to wear veils when outside of their homes to hide their faces from outsiders.

Because of the ritualistic nature of the masking rite each Ojukari'i spends a great deal of their 15th year shaping and decorating their mask as it will be their outward face for the rest of their public lives. As a result young Ojukari'i are encouraged to craft a mask that represents them in personal ways to better convey their demeanor and personality through the mask. Often it can be found that older Ojukari'i have more simplistic and plain masks and younger Ojukari'i (born within the last 50 years) tend to have more vibrant and patterned masks as it has been part of their entire lives.

### Horn Decoration and Jewelry

In addition to the evocative masks each Ojukari'i wear there is a popular culture of decoration adding golden bands, chains, or dangling plates to their exposed horns. This decoration is often saved for special occasions as is not commonly seen in day to day life in the desert. Gold is a popular metal among Ojukari'i and due to its plentiful supply in Kar Unatir artisan craft the soft metal in rings, armbands, necklaces, buckles, and the aforementioned horn decorations. Jewelry that is more tightly fitted like rings and arm bands are more common to see in the daily attire of Ojukari'i as it does not impede their hunt in the desert and does not make enough noise to scare off prey.

### Beliefs

Having been subjugated by the eldritch force within the black mask for a large portion of their history the Ojukari'i have very little time for other faiths as they have felt the direct influence of their deity and their presence is a constant threat to their current civilization and lifestyle. As a result they still acknowledge the spirit of the mask but in a tentative and fearful way. Many of their practices involve rituals that have symbolism in the protection of the face and overcoming negative emotions that threaten to overwhelm them. The hope is that an Ojukari'i only needs to go through the Rite of Masking once in their lifetime but if for some reason their mask is lost or broken and the influence of the Black Mask overwhelms an Ojukari'i their bands leadership organizes a hunt for their unbound member to capture them and remask them. If this fails or the Ojukari'i proves to be too dangerous to capture only then does the hunting party aim to kill their quarry. The belief of keeping their mask on is so strong that Ojukari'i are buried in their masks in the hope that it continues to protect them from the Black Mask's influence even after they pass to the other side.

### Language

Cys'ika - Literal translation is close to "I hope your journey has been [lucrative/productive/beneficial]

Sasa Kei? - What? or What do you mean? or Is everything ok?

Savora - Safe travels / Good Hunting / Good Luck

Desh'kar - Meat

Cye - Yes

Vash - No

Vash'itarn - I don't know / I don't remember