Post by Beolakh on Jun 17, 2008 3:25:39 GMT -5
Overview:
People of this tribe are “Qabalhim”; one person is a “Qabalh.”
The Qabalhim are a tribe of Sradan humans inhabiting the southern-most tip of the Mkuranga desert. Very little contact has been made between them and other human populations due to their location. Their society thrives on water from oases and is highly skilled in the making of glass and the breeding and training of horses.
Appearance:
Like other Sradans, the Qabalhim have much darker skin than the Talambrians, Thromese, or Aetheraens. Compared to other Sradans, their deep-sepia skin tone is slightly on the light side. On average, Qabalhim are a little shorter than most human groups; most are around 5’ 2” tall. Features distinctive of the Qabalhim are rounded, almond-shaped eyes, slightly large noses, deep brown eyes, wavy black hair, and noticeably long fingers.
Aging:
Relative to other human races like the Talambrians, the Qabalhim are notable for their longevity—most live well into their late sixties or seventies. Otherwise, they follow the typical human maturation pattern.
Abilities:
In terms of inherent abilities, centuries of desert living have granted the Qabalhim a remarkable resistance to heatstroke and dehydration, compared to other races.
However, the Qabalhim are much more notable for the skills their tribe has learned over the years—on the banks of the Khenesthi, they have built one of the most successful and intricate horse-cultures in the world. They possess an understanding of horse training and breeding far superior to that of any other people group in Domhantir.
The Qabalhim also possess an extraordinary knowledge of glassmaking and glass enchantment.
Territory:
The vast majority of the Qabalhim inhabit the region immediately surrounding the Khenesthi Oasis, located at the foothills of the Inkomba Mountains at the extreme southern tip of the Mkuranga desert. However, small nomadic factions do roam the southern parts of the desert.
Occupations:
The most honorable profession a Qabalh can pursue is horse breeding—an old and proud tradition which has brought power and wealth to the elite family lines for centuries.
Nearly as important in Qabalh society as horse rearing is the glass trade. The southern sweeps of the Mkuranga contain vast deposits of the most exquisite and exotic naturally occurring glasses. Skilled glass crafters are the most valued of artisans among the Qabalhim.
Additionally, the tribe has developed a potent understanding of glass enchantment. It is virtually the only magic practiced among the tribe, but it is practiced exceptionally. The Qabalhim use enchanted glass to do everything from conjuring water from the oasis to coaxing crops from the soil to strengthening young colts.
Other occupations include farming and camel herding; many of the lower class find work as servants for the wealthy.
Housing:
The most common shelter utilized by the Qabalhim is a simple camel skin tent. Some families possess homes carved from sandstone (where geography permits), and some of the exceptionally wealthy enlist glassmakers and enchanters to craft entire mansions out of glass.
Diet:
Goat meat, camel milk, coffee, and oasis-grown flour and rice are staples of Qabalhim cuisine. Some of the more typical dishes are qabh, a light bread made from rolls of flour-and-milk dough dipped in butter, and sacadhi, a delicious preparation of spiced rice and roasted lamb.
Weaponry:
The most common weapon utilized by Qabalhim men is the scimitar. Such weapons are typically forged of steel, though the more wealthy prefer glass blades enchanted for strength, sharpness, and occasionally other effects.
While women are not typically encouraged to train in melee combat, it is longstanding tradition for females to learn nennekha—an art which is part swordsmanship, part dance, and utilizes a pair of short, curved blades called nenniqa.
Clothing:
Living with the constant threat of sudden sandstorms, the Qabalhim have developed a distinctive garb. Men and women alike wrap their entire bodies, save small strips over the eyes, with white cloth to block the winds and the sun. Men tend to favor tighter garments, while females usually prefer looser, more fluid wrappings.
Society:
The Qabalhim are unique among the peoples of Domhantir. Surrounded by a deadly, harsh environment, they live in a small circle of prosperity provided by the underground springs that feed Khenesthi. They are an old, fiercely traditional people with little to no concept of the world beyond the sands or mountains. A Qabalh’s world is a very small place—a few thousand acres where the waters of the oasis reach, bordered by unending miles of deadly hot sand.
However, geographic restriction has not stopped the tribe from flourishing. Most Qabalhim can trace their ancestry back for centuries, and they possess a rich culture revolving around the horse trade.
In a Qabalh household, a good horse is often considered more valuable than a good son. The breeding tactics of the especially wealthy Qabalhim are fiercely guarded secrets, and there are few greater honors than riding the winning horse in one of the tribe’s frequent races.
As in most societies, a social hierarchy exists among the Qabalhim. The eldest, most wealthy horse breeders govern the tribe. Artisans, including glassmakers, and less-wealthy horse breeders form a kind of middle class while the poorer individuals usually become farmers or servants to the wealthy. The Qabalhim do not endorse slavery—however, it is common practice for wealthy breeders to exchange servants as part of business transactions.
Religion:
The Qabalhim worship a wind/horse god they call Qaba. Religious codes and rituals are an important part of the Qabalhim’s society, affecting everything from how they build homes to how they eat, dress, and marry.
Holidays:
Apart from various religious festivals, the principle Qabalhim holidays center around annual horse races, the most prestigious of which is the Khedheqa, a 300-league round-trip race through the center of the Mkuranga.
People of this tribe are “Qabalhim”; one person is a “Qabalh.”
The Qabalhim are a tribe of Sradan humans inhabiting the southern-most tip of the Mkuranga desert. Very little contact has been made between them and other human populations due to their location. Their society thrives on water from oases and is highly skilled in the making of glass and the breeding and training of horses.
Appearance:
Like other Sradans, the Qabalhim have much darker skin than the Talambrians, Thromese, or Aetheraens. Compared to other Sradans, their deep-sepia skin tone is slightly on the light side. On average, Qabalhim are a little shorter than most human groups; most are around 5’ 2” tall. Features distinctive of the Qabalhim are rounded, almond-shaped eyes, slightly large noses, deep brown eyes, wavy black hair, and noticeably long fingers.
Aging:
Relative to other human races like the Talambrians, the Qabalhim are notable for their longevity—most live well into their late sixties or seventies. Otherwise, they follow the typical human maturation pattern.
Abilities:
In terms of inherent abilities, centuries of desert living have granted the Qabalhim a remarkable resistance to heatstroke and dehydration, compared to other races.
However, the Qabalhim are much more notable for the skills their tribe has learned over the years—on the banks of the Khenesthi, they have built one of the most successful and intricate horse-cultures in the world. They possess an understanding of horse training and breeding far superior to that of any other people group in Domhantir.
The Qabalhim also possess an extraordinary knowledge of glassmaking and glass enchantment.
Territory:
The vast majority of the Qabalhim inhabit the region immediately surrounding the Khenesthi Oasis, located at the foothills of the Inkomba Mountains at the extreme southern tip of the Mkuranga desert. However, small nomadic factions do roam the southern parts of the desert.
Occupations:
The most honorable profession a Qabalh can pursue is horse breeding—an old and proud tradition which has brought power and wealth to the elite family lines for centuries.
Nearly as important in Qabalh society as horse rearing is the glass trade. The southern sweeps of the Mkuranga contain vast deposits of the most exquisite and exotic naturally occurring glasses. Skilled glass crafters are the most valued of artisans among the Qabalhim.
Additionally, the tribe has developed a potent understanding of glass enchantment. It is virtually the only magic practiced among the tribe, but it is practiced exceptionally. The Qabalhim use enchanted glass to do everything from conjuring water from the oasis to coaxing crops from the soil to strengthening young colts.
Other occupations include farming and camel herding; many of the lower class find work as servants for the wealthy.
Housing:
The most common shelter utilized by the Qabalhim is a simple camel skin tent. Some families possess homes carved from sandstone (where geography permits), and some of the exceptionally wealthy enlist glassmakers and enchanters to craft entire mansions out of glass.
Diet:
Goat meat, camel milk, coffee, and oasis-grown flour and rice are staples of Qabalhim cuisine. Some of the more typical dishes are qabh, a light bread made from rolls of flour-and-milk dough dipped in butter, and sacadhi, a delicious preparation of spiced rice and roasted lamb.
Weaponry:
The most common weapon utilized by Qabalhim men is the scimitar. Such weapons are typically forged of steel, though the more wealthy prefer glass blades enchanted for strength, sharpness, and occasionally other effects.
While women are not typically encouraged to train in melee combat, it is longstanding tradition for females to learn nennekha—an art which is part swordsmanship, part dance, and utilizes a pair of short, curved blades called nenniqa.
Clothing:
Living with the constant threat of sudden sandstorms, the Qabalhim have developed a distinctive garb. Men and women alike wrap their entire bodies, save small strips over the eyes, with white cloth to block the winds and the sun. Men tend to favor tighter garments, while females usually prefer looser, more fluid wrappings.
Society:
The Qabalhim are unique among the peoples of Domhantir. Surrounded by a deadly, harsh environment, they live in a small circle of prosperity provided by the underground springs that feed Khenesthi. They are an old, fiercely traditional people with little to no concept of the world beyond the sands or mountains. A Qabalh’s world is a very small place—a few thousand acres where the waters of the oasis reach, bordered by unending miles of deadly hot sand.
However, geographic restriction has not stopped the tribe from flourishing. Most Qabalhim can trace their ancestry back for centuries, and they possess a rich culture revolving around the horse trade.
In a Qabalh household, a good horse is often considered more valuable than a good son. The breeding tactics of the especially wealthy Qabalhim are fiercely guarded secrets, and there are few greater honors than riding the winning horse in one of the tribe’s frequent races.
As in most societies, a social hierarchy exists among the Qabalhim. The eldest, most wealthy horse breeders govern the tribe. Artisans, including glassmakers, and less-wealthy horse breeders form a kind of middle class while the poorer individuals usually become farmers or servants to the wealthy. The Qabalhim do not endorse slavery—however, it is common practice for wealthy breeders to exchange servants as part of business transactions.
Religion:
The Qabalhim worship a wind/horse god they call Qaba. Religious codes and rituals are an important part of the Qabalhim’s society, affecting everything from how they build homes to how they eat, dress, and marry.
Holidays:
Apart from various religious festivals, the principle Qabalhim holidays center around annual horse races, the most prestigious of which is the Khedheqa, a 300-league round-trip race through the center of the Mkuranga.