Acrabians

## **History and Origin**

Acrabians are native to the province of Acrabia, and are the second largest group of people living within Acrabia. The Acrabians first became a distinct group when the tribes that migrated to Acrabia split into two seperate groups. The largest group of tribes traveled inland and became the Zorians, while the tribes that remained on the coastline became the Acrabians. The Acrabians have a proud history of being the undisputed rulers of their province, showing a fierce tendency to exert control over their province. Although never maintaining a super majority, The Acrabians would found and rule over several large empires including The Acrabian Dominion, The Acrabian Empire, and The Corsair States. Throughout history the Acrabians were renowned for their exotic goods, elaborate cities, and renowned heavy cavalry.

## **Culture and Customs**

The Acrabians' culture is structured around survival and perseverance. Often the Children in Acrabian society are raised under harsh conditions, and it is common for unruly children to be taken in by the Acrabian Army for discipline. The Acrabians who live on the frontiers and villages live much like the Zorian Tribals. Hunting during the winter months, and farming in the warmer season. The Acrabians who live in Urban areas tend to be merchants, or take on the roles of what is referred as "common work" such as masonry, smithing, and various other odds and ends jobs. Acrabians would celebrate a holiday called "Sultans Day '' which celebrates the first Acrabian Sultan to be crowned after the Tarri withdrawal from Acrabia. During this Holiday the Acrabians would drink in taverns, and the streets would be lit with torches as the streets would be filled with activities, exotic foods, and circus events for the Holiday. Acrabians mostly spend their free time drinking, playing Acrabian Chess, sand dune sledding where they would ride large wooden shields down the sand dune mountains and place bets on who would win. Other common activities included watching gladiator fights between slaves, attending yearly canivals, and visitng religious sites.

The Acrabians believe in a deep caste system that extends to genders, government positions, and peoples. In the Acrabian Caste system women are considered to be the servants to men, in return for their servitude men are expected to provide to their wives and also respect them as well. In Acrabian society a man who hits his wife, or demeans her is seen as a weak man and a failed husband. Women are barred from owning land, joining the military, traveling without their husbands, and participating in the government. Furthermore the Acrabians believe that it is their destiny as a minority people to rule the majority for the better of all, thus most Acrabians from Acrabia view non-Acrabians as lesser, though this is something that is not shared by Acrabians not born in Acrabia.

The Caste system deepens in Acrabian society with a heavy emphasis on Military Order and discipline, with the belief that the leadership of an army or nation should be respected like a son does to a father. The Acrabians are known as being "The Horse Lords of The West '' and although they are not as skilled as The Drazzanians, Acrabians Armies often field experienced and well armored cavalry. Acrabians armies typically had their infantry lightly armored, with chain mail and wooden spears, with scimitars. While their cavalry was typically always dressed in scale armor, and armed with large maces.

## **Appearance**

Acrabians tended to have either olive-tanned skin or dark brown skin. Acrabians possess thick straight hair and large brown-black eyes, it is also common for many Acrabians to have beards. Acrabians will also sometimes braid their hair during religious ceremonies or during battle. Acrabians wore tunics, sometimes long but generally only to their knees, Acrabians also sometimes wore loose pants under their tunics. Over the top they had a large piece of cloth, like the veil, but men would call it a cloak. Although the tunic was not the only form of apparel Acrabian men would wear, it was the most popular followed by a typically linen or cloth shirt with a linen or cloth piece of pants usually held up by rope. Women, pertradition, were required to wear traditional dresses. Women were allowed to color, and design their dress however they pleased as long as their families accepted the design. Acrabians would also wear turbans or head scarfs to shield their faces from the sun, and typically for footwear they wore leather sandals. The rich would only dress in lavish materials such as Chinikan Silk and Northern Furs.

## **Language**

Acrabians mostly speak Acrabian and Zorian, though most can also speak Narian.

## **Society**

Acrabians are a very social people amongst friends, but can be regarded as closed off to those they do not like or do not know. Acrabians prefer to live in cities rather than villages, and thus their largest populations can be found in the cities they created. Acrabians are considered to be a proud people, thus they like to celebrate their achievements with festivals, carnivals, and shows like gladiator games.

## **Religion**

A majority of Acrabians are devout followers of Zelstari, which is "The Sun God". And believe it was Zelstari, who guided their people to found their first cities. There are also a significant portion of Acrabians who live near the border of Acrabia and Romikka, who also follow The Church of Titus.