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Shaddizhar
Iron Age
desert kingdoms struggling under Nithiadian oppression
Cultural Level: steel age
Population: approximately 1-2 million
Government: desert chiefdoms
Rulers: various sheiks, especially
Azmahur Jhayan
Religions: animism, worship of Gathas
and the Lost One.
Social Titles: commoner, warrior, lord,
sheik
Coinage: copper dinari, silver
dinari, gold dinari
Allies: Huron, Adenach
Enemies: Nithiad
The Shaddizhari are a nomadic culture of desert tribesmen who
resent the Nithiadians' incursions, and like the Huron minotaurs are treated by
the Nithiadians are a source of slaves. Though culturally limited, the
Shaddizhari have storytellers who recall tales of their ancient greatness, and
they respect learned men. The lands of these people are harsh, however, and
they have little time to do more than struggle day to day against the elements
and beasts of the land.
The region of Shaddizhar
is laden with ruins of ancient glory. Few of the ruins in this region are more
than 1,500 years old, but it is clear that sometime in the past the people of
the land were united and strong. No one has yet solved the mystery of what the
tale of the Shaddizhar empire was, or why it crumbled.
Besides the Shaddizhari,
there are large and well-organized hordes of centaurs that dwell in the region,
mostly peaceful but on occasion prone to violence, especially against
Nithiadians and slave hunters. Other nonhuman factions in the region include
the Riverblood Dragonborn, the Ulingar orcs, western Kulaidoriin elves, Redfoot
halfling tribes, Spindlefire Gnomes and Gromoshti goblins, the Nomarakki Tieflings
of the eastern Everdread Desert, and the Masharanza shifters. Indeed, humans
are in a minority in this region of the world.
While there are a great many nonhuman groups
in the region, the Shaddizhari nomads and city folk still make do. They
regularly war with Nithiadian incursionists and slavers, while tentatively
trading with mysterious southern traders from various strange lands as well as
Adenite traders.
Among
those Shaddizhari who have settled down and no longer roam as nomads there can
be found two distinct cultural groups, including the Zettaram culture and the
Krytian subculture of the west, which is also heavily influenced by Nithiadian
beliefs and ways.
The remaining Shaddizhari who live as nomads
divide themselves in to five distinct tribes. The five tribes are called the
Khulinar, Rezhaman, Jhayani, Aradesh and Nethromal. Each of the five tribes
lives simple but determined lives, and try to use diplomacy and tact before
resorting to violence whenever possible, except against obvious threats.
Among the
inland Zettaram culture are several cities along the Shimharan River, including
Imhan, Arunjen and the rough trade center Bordertown. Bordertown is a place
where most of the nomadic and nonhuman groups can gather to trade and interact
with one another in safety.
The coastal cities of Shaddizhar are
dominated by the Nithiadian-influenced Krytian subculture, and include Valdenar
and the Freeport of Krytia, although many Arunjenians consider themselves
Krytians as well. Due to the Nithiadian influence in these cities, many
Shaddizhari-born natives are accorded a measure of respect by their peninsular
rivals and sometime allies. This makes the Krytians less trusted in the eyes of
their nomadic and inland kin.
The Firemane Lands of the Centaur Plains are
one of the more dangerous regions to travel to, and only the diehard centaurs
enjoy ruling the region, which is pocked with old volcanic spills from the
Apocalypse. Elsewhere, Zettaram and the Southern Passage are a major center of
human activity and trade, as well as a center for many other local nonhuman
communities. The Southern Passage is the safest trade route to the mysterious
River folk of the south.
There are many monsters in Shaddizhar, including
an infamous Thousandspawn known as Echidnae, the Mother of all Monsters, said
to dwell somewhere beneath the flood plains of the river, birthing new monsters
every year when the river overflows. Indeed, many hideous beasts rise up from
the muck during this time, and brave warriors are tasked with the job of
putting them down while protecting those who farm the region.
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