Subject: Brahjian
From: Beregar (beregar@majik.netti.fi)
Date: Fri Jul 16 1999 - 17:20:18 EEST
I thought I'd send my Brahjian desc here so you can whine and make suggestions which I can then ignore :) I think it's otherwise ready except that language thingie. I may also change some names and it definitely needs typofix. Unfortunatelly text file is parsed with notepads auto-parse (or whatever the word is) so it may be difficult to read, I'll fix that later. - Beregar (Beregar@majik.netti.fi) Sisalto 1. Introduction 2. Appearance 3. Clothing 3.1 Weapons & Armors 4. Culture 4.1 Castes 4.2 Sahid 4.3 Mahdi 4.4 Food & Trade 5. Language 6. Religion 7. Ghalimcar 1. Introduction Brahjians are one of the most toughest race in Majik for they have chosen to live in area which other races have discarded uninhabitable - the Desert of Ghalimcar. It is unsure wheter Brahjians have evolved from same ancestors as northern humans, but they are unques tionably humans. Most Brahjians have dark, almost bluish, hairs and gleaming black eyes. Both sexes are about 180cm tall and slender, but strong. Brahjians tend to wear robes and wrap veil around their head so that only gleaming eyes are visible. This efficiently pre vents outsiders from separate both sexes from eachother. Color of fabric and decorations show indviduals status in society. It is imposible to live in burning desert without water and lack of water has made Brah jians masters in art of water finding. They are also very adapt in magic and water seers, highly prized memmers of "Tsuhad" or magigian caste, use their powers to find and create water if water shortage grows too bad. Water seers are only one example of "Tsuhad" for Brahjians society is highly based on magic for using magic is often only way for society to survive in desert. Magic is not only used in finding or creation of water and food but also in creation exotic magical goods. If something can't be made by normal means, magic is used. Brahjians form small tent societys which can have from few dozens of to hundred persons. These societies travel from oasis to oasis after food and water, only the largest socie ties have permanent magical cities called "Mahdi" which are usually made from marble or bronze with power of Tsudath Mahaire, the lords of the earth. Leaders of tent societies, Sahid, are called as "Sahid Mahaire" which means lord of the tents and magical cities are ruled by "Mahadare" council of magicians, who often are members of same group who created the city. 2. Appearance Living in the desert where food and water sources are rare has made Brahjians to durable and untiring people. Lack of water and constant travelling has given Brahjians slender and strong body. Parching sun has given them olive colored skin. All Brahjians are about 180cm tall and weigh only 60kg. Most have dark, almost bluish, long hairs which are usual ly tied to make it more easy to wear the veil. Eyes are piercing black, slightly narrow and gleaming. Sometimes Brahjians have blond haired descendants but they are immediately killed when it can be noticed to keep race full-blooded. Men are almost hairless except rare chin beard or/and (riippu-) moustache. This is because strong body hair would cause more sweating and would keep body temperature higher. Women differ from men in general appearance only slightly and they have slightly narrower face. 3. Clothing Clothes and decoration is very important for a Brahjian because it determines his or her place in the society. However, all Brahjians wear traditional, long robe which reaches to feet and is tied with decorated girdle. Brahjians call this robe "Jalara". Another tradi tional clothing is "Hunain" which is veil. There are two ways to tie Hunain, other is po pular among wandering tribes and it leaves only eyes visible and another is popular among those Brahjians who live in Mahdi, in this case hunain isn't actually tied but placed loo sely in head and then kept in place with either circular or square headband. Jalara and Hunain are both made from "Shurawari", which is very durable material that reminds silk. Shurawari is collected from "Dacca" 10cm large spider like creatures by boiling them. Brahjians wear slippers called "Saya" in their feet. They have been mainly made from shu rawari like most clothes which Brahjians wear. Slippers have three layers in the sole, two outer layers are made from shurawari and they have thick cotton layer between them to make it easier run over sand. Saya leave only little tracks on ther surface which are quickly blown away by winds. Girdle which is used to tie the robe is not only decorations but it's also one of the ma jor signs of inviduals place in society. The more decorated and valuable material the mo re wealthy and higher status person has. the girdle itself is usually made from shurawari and decorated with embroiderys and has usually precious gems, jewels and pieces of metal. The most high-ranked or rich persons have usually girdle that is completelly made from some soft metal like silver and some may be made even from steel. However, most valuable are those which have rare most rare materials like pearls and amber which do not exist in desert. These valuable girdles are known as "Khajid" and besides showing individuals posi tion in society, they have also more practical uses. Brahjians often tie pounches to girdles where they hold their items. Also, Khajid is one of those rare items which are valuable enough to hold canteens of water. "Baggarat" and "Ghazali" are also carried in the girdles. Besides Jalara, Hunain, Saya and Khajid, Brahjians use earrings, rings, bangles and pen dants. Large amount of decoration and materials used in them shows that person is wealt hy and have high status in the society. Silver, steel and gold and precious gems are again most popular. 3.1 Weapons & Armors Brahjians use rarely any other weapons than Baggarat and Ghazali. Baggarat is about 60cm long and 0.8kg weighting one-handed sabre which is completely created by using magic that makes it very sharp and durable. Hilt is usually made of bone and like blade, is undecora ted. Baggarat can be used either as slashing or piercing weapon. Ghazali, which means ta lon of the desert snake, is about 40cm long and 0.4 kg weighting dagger with double-cur ved, double-edged blade. As Baggarat, Ghazali is completelly made by using magic, which makes it very sharp and durable. The blade is decorated with images of desert snake and hilt is shaped in form of snake which curls around the hand. Ghazali is mainly used as piercing weapon but it can be also used as slashing weapon though not as efficiently. Gha zali often has strong enchantment which cause poison like effects and pain that reminds bite of the desert snake. Though every member of tribe has either of these weapons only Shantai and Religious brotherhoods use both weapons. Brahjians do not use bows but they often place couple of Chakrams above headband which keeps Hunain it's in place. Religious brotherhoods and sand warriors are masters in art of Chakram throwing. Brahjians do not wear armors for it takes too much energy to move in one and even worse, make their wearers sweat. A Person wearing an armor dies as quickly in desert as person who does not protect himself from sun with clothes. While Brahjians do not use any real armors, they might use thick cotton or metal arm protectors under they clothes which are used to block sword slahes. 4. Culture Culture of Brahjians is based on mutual trust and strict religious rules and habits. Ru les and habits are necessary for all those who wish to live in the burning desert and without them whole tribes would quickly became extinct. There is usually only one punish ment for those who break the rules, death. Besides religion the society is heavily based on magic, but even these two are necessarily not enough. 4.1 Castes Society of Brahjians is divided in the three castes known as Tsuhad, Habaru and Shantai. Tsuhad is a magician caste. It's members are often essential to society for they have abi lity to create water and forge magical weapons of Brahjians. Tsuhad has three different type of members two most common are Shaldun Mahaire and Tsudath Mahaire. Shaldun Mahaire are seer and dreamers. Their task is to predict approaching storms and other natural events with their ability to see visions. Because dream and water has quite same meaning for Brahjians, Shaldun Mahaire also possess mysterious ability to materialize water and food which they see in their visions. When Shaldun Mahaire concentrate on more ethereal things, Tsudath Mahaire concentrate on matter and creation. They are lords of earth and sand as well as alchemists. Their task is to create weapons and tools which tribes use. Most powerful of them who have mastered the art of creation and alchemy have created magi cal cities called "Mahdi". Last, but not least, are Jahid Mahaire who are creators as well, however their art is based on magical patterns which they place fabrics as well as illusions. Habaru is a religious caste. Their magical powers raise from rituals and worshiping of gods and their wordly authority is based on rituals and strict religious rules. No-doubt this caste could be the most powerful because its influence among the tribes. However tho se rules created by the caste have much influence from all castes and this makes all cas tes, including religious caste no stronger than any other caste. This caste has two diffe rent members Hadar-Dhare and Hantai-Dhare, brothers to death and life. Furhermore these two groups have divided to religious warriors and priests. Warriors of Hadar-Dhare are religious assas sins whose main task is to make sure that religious rules are strictly followed and terminate those who oppose them. Warriors of Hantai-Dhare are religious fanatics and battle clerics whose task is to cast protective prayers in combat. Priests of both groups work together and upkeep common religion and worship. Shantai are the sand warriors. They are defenders of the tribe and best warriors. Because battles between tribes are rare, their main task is to hunt food, scout and kill monsters that could threat the tribe. These warriors do not wear any real armors and seldom use ot her weapons than Baggarat, Ghazali and Chakrams. They are especially skilled in parrying and defending with these weapons. They can wear armor or wield other weapons but can not fight well with them. In addition to these castes are "castless" which are usually group where children and vi sitors from other races belong as well as those who haven't chosen any cast, though there are only few of these. 4.2 Sahid Most Brahjians live as beduins in small tent villages called Sahid. These villages are ea sy to move and pitch. A tent, or "Santo" is a one of the greatest magical achievements of Brahjian society. They are mostly woven from Shurawari and seem to smaller from outside than they actually are. Each caste have their own location for santo. Most "valuable" pla ces are those around the tent of Sahid Mahaire, the leader of the tribe. Leaders tent is placed in the middle of village. Brahjians have four temple three temple tents one is in west side of leaders tent and it is place for general worshipping and tribal rituals. Other two tents are northern and southern ends of village. Northern is meant for Warrior priests and southern for religious assassins. Members of those two groups have their own tents around them. Other priests have their tents in eastern side of main temple tent and members of magigian caste have their tents in western side of leaders tent. Generally Shantai warriors fill the remaining places near the middle parts. Tents of castless are place in circle around the main parts. Sahid Mahaire is always member of some of the three castes. He/she reigns untill death and in teheory has ultimate judging power over all mebers of the villages. However, rules are even more strict for Sahid Mahaire and though he/she can't be toppled there are other ways to get rid from leader that no-longer benefits the society. If members of the castes found leader unsuitable for the task, he/she is quickly terminated by Hadar-Dhare. How ever, to be a leader is considered to be a great honor and while leader should not seek riches, members of the society often give gifts those leaders who have lead the society well. Also leaders of tribes often share most valuable "Bazda", a seremonial gift which visitor gives to host. When leader dies castes arange competition where members of all castes will participate. Meaning of this contest is to determine which caste is most useful for the society. Person who is elected is from winning caste. These contests can include fighting but not among members of the own tribe or other tribes. Good example is mission to kill some monster that is threat for the tribe. 4.3 Mahdi Only rare tribes have mahdi, a magical fortress. Mahdi are usually inhabitated by members Tsuhad and Habaru castes and they are centres of magical and religious learning. Leaders of Mahdi break normal rules for they are usually lead by council which mostly concists of those magigians who created the city. Even while Mahdi is mostly inhabitated by previous castes it doesn't mean there are no other people. As mentioned Mahdi are centres of lear ning and they are open for all who are interrested about magic or buying and selling of magical items. Though only rare outsiders can visit Mahdi because of Ghalimcar desert. However those who can, are one of the most powerful mages and clerics in Majik and often benefit both themselves and residents of Mahdi. Often members of beduin tribes send their mages and priests to mahdi to learn magical arts. While residents of Mahdi have rejected most of the rules of beduin tribes it doesn't mean that they no-longer can survive in de sert or don't have rules at all. Actually they have more rules than beduin tribes and they are also more strict. 4.4 Food & Trade Brahjians live mostly with meat and milk of "Banto" which is goat-like, durable and hair less animal. Banto is a very special animal for it can store large amounts of water and survive with very little food. Bantos eat omnivorous, they eat everything from small ani mals like spiders, worms and scorpions to leaves of palm trees and fruits. Bantos are im mune to most poisons. Bantos are main reason why most Brahjians live beduin life and tra vel from oasis to oasis searching food. Bantos' meat is very tasty and it is usually stew in Buijid together with palm oil and edible plants. Buijid resembles kettle and it has dome shaped cover which collects moistu re. Besides meat of banto, brahjians eat larvaes, spiders, scorpions and nearly all ani mals that they can find from the sand and oasis. Only members of Mahdi can hope to have excotic foods. Brahjians have one substance which is prized over all else because it is so rare, water. Brahjians drink mostly water and juice which can be squeezed from fruits. They don't have any alcohol drinks so alcohol affects very strongly to them should they ever have any. Water is so important that Brahjians use it to determine value of their money. "Dharya" which is quadrangular and about 20 fuad (about 20 grams) weighting piece of silver corres ponds to "Dhal" (a little over desiliter) water or piece of steel that weights 10 fuad. Fuad has hole in the middle and they are usually tied together with chain and carried as necklaces. While trade opportunities in desert seem to be very bad, Brahjians trade with eachothers as well as with other races of Eldiron. Twice in a year Brahjians form large caravans and travel to trade centre near the western part of desert. Brahjians sell mostly their magi cal goods such as magical tapestries and carpets, scrolls and items; rare poisons and herbs; excotic foods and fruits; oil, crystal sand, scarba and shurawari. They buy mostly water, metals, (meripihka), excotic foods and fruits, precois gems, jewelry, scrolls, books and magical items. Brahjians need not to fear for they caravans for two reasons. First, fighting in trading place is forbidden for no-one wants to take risk that Brah jians get insulted and leave (or slaughter offenders). Second reason is that all Brah jians, even small childres, have ritualic daily weapon trainings so they are very cabaple defending themselves. 5. Language n/a 6. Religion Brahjians worship many gods but one remains above all others, Aluna, the Goddess of Sun which Brahjians call "Jahare Aheira" the Watching Eye of Sky or "Adare" which means the bright one. Other important gods for Brahjians are are: Shanta who is mistress of the sand(1); Ghadar, also called "Marad Shudare", the Dream Serpent, who is god of dreams, afterlife and water; Hadarah, whose name means undeath, is god of the murdered souls, protector of religious cutls and patron deity for Hadar-Dhare. Brahjians are very religious people, they have many sacred rituals which they perfom to please their gods. These rituals are either performed privately by sacrificing food, water and other precious things or they can be important religious ceremonies performed by members of Habaru, usually whole tribe participates in these ceremonies for avoiding these ceremonies without proper reason is considered to be punishable. the Most important personal daily rituals are: Tarad Aheira, hymn to sun, which is performed every morning; Tarad Adher, evening hymn, which is performed each evening and "Tara" which is water prayer. Other daily prayers and hymns are usually performed by different castes in diffe rent situations: There is prayer for Shanta which is performed by Shantai Maharu, hymn of the the dead performed by Hadar-Dhare, hymn of life performed by Hantai-Dhare and prayer of dreams which is performed by Shaldun-Maharu. In addition to these ceremonies there are many other personal rituals which are performed by need like Suhadare which is birth cere mony, Hadare which is ceremony of death. Larger religious ceremonies are: Ceremony of Sun which is performed weekly; Ceremony of Life, again performed weekly and Dreamtime which is performed once in a year and connects all Brahjians to spirit world. There are also ce remonies performed if need arises, for example when whole tribe is in danger. One common ritual which is often performed but doesn't have any certain time or place for it, is a sword dance, where Brahjians hone their fighting skills. Brahjians believe in heaven and hell. Heaven is a place where dream serpent rules, a pla ce where everything normally lacks substance and directions or distance have no meaning at all. It's a peaceful place where spirits of dead people build dream worlds and observe their living relatives. Brahjians believe that while dreaming, people enter to world of the dream serpent and if their mind is trained they can speak with their dead ancestors. However, living people should be careful not to anger their ancestors for they can appear in dreams and make these persons insane. Brahjians have one hell and that is world where they live in, however, all Brahjians make their best to live a long life in their cruel world for only those people have deserved place in the dream serpents world. Others will remain in the desert where these spinning mad spirits gather together in a large sand storm which is under command of Hadarah, the god of undeath. 7. Ghalimcar Ghalimcar consists mostly of a wide desert expanse, known as the Desert of Ghalimcar, or the Desert of Brahjian, depending on who you ask. The rainforest region of Zamurdi is also considered to be part of Ghalimcar. This forest is a cursed remnant of the great rainforest that once covered the whole area, and is a dark place filled with evil magic where evil trees and creatures dwell and hunt for flesh and blood of those unfortunate souls who dare to enter. The desert itself is rumored to be be creation of goddess Aluna herself when she punished a jungle tribe that had killed innocent child. Aluna created two high mountain chains which cut off the desert from rain and wind from the oceans, and then dried out the land and killed the trees. The desert used to be most fertile part of Ghalimcar, a area where great rivers fed vast jungles full of much animal life, but nowadays the desert is an extremely dry and barren place, where moaning winds travel sadly over dunes of dry sand. It is also a dangerous place to live or travel through, because Shanta, the sand goddess, moved in the desert so she could live among the dunes, and her influence has destabilised the weather so that at any moment the winds could pick up and a violent sandstorm could erupt, some strong enough to tear the flesh off of the unwary. Desert is not completely dry however, for Aluna merely buried the rivers which fed the jungles, she did not remove them. A few of them still exist below the surface, feeding rare moving oasises and plants with fresh water. Because of these rivers, a few creatures can live and even flourish in the desert. A human tribe called the Brahjians is one of these. They are the remnants of those tribes who used live in the area before Aluna cursed the area, and now dwell in the oasies. The Desert has a few extraordinary features which do not appear in other places. The most well known are the travelling oasises which follow the under ground rivers. Hadarah Shas ta, "storm of the unliving" as Brajians call it, is large quiet sandstorm that travels around the desert following it's own paths whether it is windy or not. And last but not least, the centre of desert is inhabitated by giant scorpions and rumored to be home of Shanta herself.
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