Subject: Re: Brahjian
From: Tommi Leino (namhas@majik.netti.fi)
Date: Sun Jul 18 1999 - 20:20:16 EEST
Beregar wrote:
>
> 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.
Now it is parsed by groff.
--
Tommi Leino / Majik 3D project
namhas@majik.netti.fi http://majik.netti.fi
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 prevents 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 Brahjians masters in art of water
finding. They are also very adapt in magic and water seers,
highly prized memmers of "Tsuhad" or magician 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
societies 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
usually 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 immedi
ately 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
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hair would cause more sweating and would keep body tempera
ture 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. How
ever, all Brahjians wear traditional, long robe which
reaches to feet and is tied with decorated girdle. Brahjians
call this robe "Jalara". Another traditional clothing is
"Hunain" which is veil. There are two ways to tie Hunain,
other is popular 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 loosely 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 shurawari 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.a
Girdle which is used to tie the robe is not only deco
rations but it's also one of the major signs of inviduals
place in society. The more decorated and valuable material
the more 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 valu
able girdles are known as "Khajid" and besides showing indi
viduals position in society, they have also more practical
uses. Brahjians often tie pouches 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 pendants. Large amount of deco
ration and materials used in them shows that person is
wealthy and have high status in the society. Silver, steel
and gold and precious gems are again most popular.
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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 undecorated. Baggarat can be used
either as slashing or piercing weapon. Ghazali, which means
talon of the desert snake, is about 40cm long and 0.4 kg
weighting dagger with double-curved, 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. Ghazali often has strong enchant
ment 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 brother
hoods 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 war
riors 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. Rules and habits are nec
essary 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 punishment 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 ability 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
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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 magical 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 author
ity is based on rituals and strict religious rules. No-doubt
this caste could be the most powerful because its influence
among the tribes. However those rules created by the caste
have much influence from all castes and this makes all
castes, including religious caste no stronger than any other
caste. This caste has two different 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 assassins whose main
task is to make sure that religious rules are strictly fol
lowed and terminate those who oppose them. Warriors of Han
tai-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 other weapons than Bag
garat, 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 visitors 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 easy to move and pitch. A
tent, or "Santo" is a one of the greatest magical achieve
ments of Brahjian society. They are mostly woven from
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Shurawari and seem to smaller from outside than they actu
ally are. Each caste have their own location for santo. Most
"valuable" places 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 tem
ple 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 ulti
mate 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. However, 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 partici
pate. 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 learning and they are open
for all who are interrested about magic or buying and sell
ing 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
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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 desert 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 hairless 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 animals like spiders, worms
and scorpions to leaves of palm trees and fruits. Bantos are
immune to most poisons. Bantos are main reason why most
Brahjians live beduin life and travel 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
moisture. Besides meat of banto, brahjians eat larvaes, spi
ders, scorpions and nearly all animals 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 deter
mine 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 each others as well as with other
races of Eldiron. Twice in a year Brahjians form large cara
vans and travel to trade centre near the western part of
desert. Brahjians sell mostly their magical goods such as
magical tapestries and carpets, scrolls and items; rare poi
sons and herbs; excotic foods and fruits; oil, crystal sand,
scarba and shurawari. They buy mostly water, metals, (merip
ihka), excotic foods and fruits, precios gems, jewelry,
scrolls, books and magical items. Brahjians need not to fear
for they caravans for two reasons. First, fighting in trad
ing place is forbidden for no-one wants to take risk that
Brahjians get insulted and leave (or slaughter offenders).
Second reason is that all Brahjians, even small childres,
have ritualic daily weapon trainings so they are very
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capable defending themselves.
5. Language
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 reli
gious cults 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 different
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 ceremony,
Hadare which is ceremony of death. Larger religious cere
monies are: Ceremony of Sun which is performed weekly; Cere
mony of Life, again performed weekly and Dreamtime which
is performed once in a year and connects all Brahjians to
spirit world. There are also ceremonies performed if need
arises, for example when whole tribe is in danger. One com
mon 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 place 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.
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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 peo
ple 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,
an 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 Shasta, "storm of the unliving" as Brajians call it,
is large quiet sandstorm that travels around the desert fol
lowing it's own paths whether it is windy or not. And last
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but not least, the centre of desert is inhabitated by giant
scorpions and rumored to be home of Shanta herself.
8. Index
Introduction .......................................... 0
Appearance ............................................ 1
Clothing .............................................. 2
Weapons & Armors ...................................... 3
Culture ............................................... 3
Castes ................................................ 3
Sahid ................................................. 4
Mahdi ................................................. 5
Food & Trade .......................................... 6
Language .............................................. 7
Religion .............................................. 7
Ghalimcar ............................................. 8
Index ................................................. 9
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