Zahvwa

The Zahvwa peoples are located mostly in the dense jungle island of Zahvwan. They are an inquisitive and superstitious people. The island itself is located off the southwestern coast of Auros, the largest of an archipelago that stretches south beyond the Known World. Inhabitants from the island are known to be extremely adaptive to their environment, able to quickly pick up new trades and skills. In fact, those that leave the island thrive in other cultures. They learn traditions and languages of other outside sources fairly quickly.

The vast majority of Zahvwa possess the Gift, and those without are seen as an oddity. Magic plays a large role in Zahvwa society, and they boast the highest percentage of mages of any culture.

### Government

The Zahvwa have no overarching government, instead possessing a loose confederation of city-states and towns. Within the fortress-city of Bafang, however, representatives of the four largest cities often meet to discuss matters affecting the whole of the people. These representatives are often handpicked by the leaders of the cities, and the decisions made by this council are binding.

#### Avare

The only of the great Zahvwa cities located on a coast, Avare is the only one to allow -- even welcome -- foreigners. It possesses three great Zahvwa universities, where foreign knowledge is collected and stored to be shared to any who wish to learn. Magical knowledge flourishes in Avare, and old traditions are often questioned by the Zahvwa who live there.

#### Bafang

The most centrally located, oldest, and staunchly traditional of the great Zahvwa cities, Bafang prides itself on holding the largest collection of knowledge on Zahvwan. Some speculate that it may be the largest and most well-kept collection of knowledge in all of Aevonhold. Bafang’s walls are immense and have never been breached, and the guardian-mages that man them are exceptionally skilled at keeping out unwanted guests. Bafang has a strict no-foreigner policy, and has never been witnessed by a non Zahvwa. In times of strife, Bafang sees itself as the protector of the Zahvwa, and provides its military wherever needed.

#### Chema

Located within the temperate, calm groves of the west, the Chema are known as the largest producers of food. Their hunters and food-cultivating natural mages are second to none, and produce enough food to feed many struggling Zahvwa cities and towns. Despite having the highest percentage of non-Gifted individuals, the Zahvwa of Chema are exceptionally skilled at navigating the land and tracking the creatures that stalk the wilds.

#### Congawi

Hidden deep within the southern jungles of Zahvwan, the great city of Congawi is noteworthy for the exceptional natural mages it produces. Sitting close to the legendary grove of impossibly massive trees, the Congawi mages are said to have an unparalleled mastery over life. They are said to be able to speak with the Mother herself, and see themselves as keepers of the natural world. When the Thinning made the already dangerous jungles extremely deadly, it was the Congawi who shared their ancient traditions with the other Zahvwa to better navigate the wilds.

### Military

The Zahvwa are a traditionally peaceful people, having long since stopped warring amongst each other. The prevalence of magic in their culture ensured that wars were incredibly devastating and deadly, leading to a strong culture of diplomacy among one another. However, when foreign threats appear, they are willing to fight to the last. Their cities are heavily fortified, and many mages train to use their magic in combat.

### Religion

The people of Zahvwan practice a religion surrounding the personification of Aevonhold, the Earthen Mother.

Although the Zahvwa believe in the existence of other gods, the Earthen Mother is seen as the only true god of Aevonhold, all others are outsiders from the deep reaches of the sky. The only god to therefore be trusted is the Earthen Mother. The Zahvwans view themselves as caretakers of the earthen realm, and reject the hold of gods and astral beings on it. Zahvwe refuse deals with those that are not the Earthen Mother.

Although others may have altruistic ways, no god or astral being can be trusted fully with the well being of mankind.

## Culture

The Zahvwa are a proud, inquisitive people who live deep within the untamed wilds of Zahvwan. Their hidden cities are vibrant and colorful, often incorporating elements of the natural environment into their architecture and layouts. Superstitious, the Zahvwa tend to have a closeness to nature and believe that all life is sacred. When utilizing the bounties of the land, Zahvwa often return more than twice of what they’ve taken. In turn, those natural spirits that reside within the land are often friendly and welcoming.

Music and celebration can often be heard from the Zahvwa cities and towns, keeping spirits and camaraderie high despite the dangers of the wilds.

### Appearance

With deep skin tones, dark eyes and hair, the Zahvwa possess little diversity in appearance, on account of their small, insular communities. Their heights vary, ranging from just over 5 feet to just under 6. Colorful tattoos and body paint are common to express individuality, often having designs mirroring the sigils of magic branches the individual is proficient with. Zahvwa clothing tends to be long, flowing, and breathable, on account of the hot climate. Though colorful clothing can be common, it is typically seen as a sign of maturity to wear simple outfits.

### Naming Conventions

Zahvwa names abide by the following scheme: [1]

### Practices

The wilds of Zahvwan can be harsh, especially in the decades following the Thinning. In addition to the wildlife, there exist several species of extraplanar creatures that stalk the jungles. In spite of this, Zahvwa tend to feel a strong connection to their homeland. Despite a natural curiosity and desire to learn more of the world at large, Zahvwa rarely leave. Instead, great pains are taken to record what can be learned from travelers.

Women and men traditionally have different roles in Zahvwa culture, with men serving as warriors, hunters, and fishers. Women are expected to tend to the home, and focus on managing finances and the education of the children. However, in spite of this, the scholarly arts are seen as paramount and transcend roles. In less traditional cities, it is common for men and women to study a variety of disciplines and pursue the one they feel most drawn to.

### Clothing

Zahvwa clothing has a variety of styles, depending on the region from which it was made. Deep in the jungles, long, flowing outfits are common. These fashions tend to be quite elaborate and ornate, yet with very muted colors and subtle designs. The scholars of the cities tend to view subtlety as a sign of maturity and wisdom, with loud outfits being a sign of childishness. However, the fashions of the coasts tend towards the opposite. Outfits are simpler and more functional, yet brighter colors are more common to make the clothing stand out.

    Across Zahvwan, jewelry is very common and highly sought after. Poorer individuals, as well as those seeking a closer connection with the Mother, often wear painted shells and wooden beads. Those with the means to do so wear elaborate gold jewelry, as well as gems and other precious stones. Often, designs resemble Arcane sigils, and indeed many pieces of jewelry have small enchantments.

Fine pelts are occasionally worn, though the hunting of an animal specifically to wear its pelt is seen as distasteful.

### Food

Hunting the deep wilds is one of the primary sources of food in Zahvwan, as they eschew the practice of wide-scale cultivation. Additionally, Zahvwa natural mages use their magic to create and grow food, albeit in much smaller quantities. Along the coasts, fishing is extremely common, with small fleets of fishing boats being launched out for weeks at a time to collect for their cities.

When any life is taken, be it plant or animal, rites are performed to the Mother to give thanks for the food. Effort is taken to utilize every part of the plant or animal to ensure none is wasted, and Zahvwa go out of their way to ensure that a life is returned for the one that was taken.

### Marriage

When a Zahvwa man wishes to marry his chosen bride, he must present the woman’s family with a collection of jewelry and an amount of gold he deems fit for his chosen bride. If she accepts, the wife is to live with the husband until the wedding day. On the wedding day, the groom is to carefully paint elaborate designs on the bride’s arms and legs. The complexity and artistry in these designs is said to represent the groom’s education and skill. During the ceremony, the bride and groom are raised above the guests while the rites are performed.

### Education

Formal education is something of a rarity in traditional Zahvwa culture. Because the importance of learning is so integral to their society, parents are expected to train children to pursue scholarship on their own. As a result, though Zahvwa cities possess massive libraries and other strongholds of knowledge, it is often up to individuals to access these libraries themselves and seek out topics that interest them. These libraries, though, are never privately owned or restricted. Knowledge is seen as something that belongs to all people, and those who maintain the libraries are highly regarded.

However, in more coastal cities, influenced by the ideas of foreign travelers, a handful of Zahvwa universities have sprung up. These universities combine the traditional knowledge stockpiling of Zahvwa with the organization of foreign formal education. Though relatively unknown, those foreigners aware of these schools find them second to none.

### Magic

The Zahvwa believe that all magic, be it Light, Dark or Arcane are gifts from The Mother and hold them dearly. Many Zahvwa are taught from a young age the dangers of the Arcane, and the wonderful things that can be done with such power. The written Zahvwa language incorporates elements of Arcane sigils, and children are brought up with a learning immersed in magical knowledge. Many Zahvwa become mages, with the use of magic being incorporated into many other trades.

### Funerals

Many Zahvwa people believe that death, while a terrible and emotionally heavy event, ends in the deceased person becoming closer with The Mother and as such, should remain physically closer with her. Burials usually take place quite close to the place of residence, sometimes even being buried underneath the house.

If the person is buried away from the house, special steps are taken to ensure that the deceased does not attempt to wander back home, such as taking complicated path to the burial site or bringing the deceased outside of the home feet first, symbolizing a forward facing journey into the embrace of The Mother.