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Arhin Jad and its People


Since there are things still being written and added to, instead of constantly updating the documents page, I'm going to update this until it's complete.

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Image



Lands of Arhin Jad
The mid to northwestern lands primarily consist of arid and sandy desert. It counts for nearly a third of Arhin Jad’s terrain. Further south, the sprawling desert fades into rocky grass lands. The grass lands are fed by one of the continent’s four major rivers that stem from the mountain ranges to the east.

The country is broken up into territories and cities, the majority of which are situated near or around the river of Pha Najin (heaven’s thread). Each area is overseen by a governor that is voted in by the people of that area. All governors must answer to the High sultan who resides in what is the largest the river cities and the capital; Shuktan. This formula holds true for the majority of the country with the exception of the northern desert and the Reclaimed lands.

River Cities: The major cities directly along the river’s coast before it splits are referred to simply as the River Cities. Seventy to eighty percent of the country’s population resides here. The Pha Najin provides a vital trade route in and out of Arhin Jad. The forests on the boarder of the country south of Arhin Jad are thick and its’ mountain range near insurmountable except to the most skilled traveler. The dangers that route poses makes it an unsuitable and instable alternative. Because of that the river is the country’s economic life blood. Anything coming in from the outside will likely come through the mouth of the Pha Najin.

The high trade from neighboring countries and the constant influx of information and cultural influences have made the River Cities unique and colorful places. Although there is openness to foreign knowledge and ideas, this willingness does not extend beyond these cities. Without special permission, no foreigner may travel further than the River Cities and south Shuktan. Trade from ships off the western coast is kept to a minimum and in most cases foreign sailors are not allowed to go any further into the coastal towns than the docks.

Shuktan: This is capital city of Arhin Jad. Besides being the political hub of the nation, it is best known for its library and the number of schools that surround it. The Great Shuktan library is believed to be the largest collection of the written word open to the public. The city plays host to a number of schools and higher learning academies geared towards any number of careers. Shuktan itself means “place of Light/knowledge”.

Alijad & Hanjad: Alijad and its sister city, Hanjad, are known best for their yearly festivals and events. AliJad loosely means the city of the earth and Hanjad, the city of sky. One of the major festivals the towns are known for, Hana To Rhin. This event takes place in two parts one during the day, and the other at night. So, as its name sake, during this two part event, the day portions are celebrated Alijad and vice versa.

During the Day in Alijad ceremonies and blessings are performed and given by priests and priestesses. During one of the largest ceremonies, the head clergy from all over, come together to determine through a series of divinations, what element of the world will have the strongest connection to the highest of the gods, Shunan, that year (See Religion of Arhin Jad Below for more info). Things in association with that named element will be considered the luckiest/blessed. Example: If Shu, the moon, were selected, moon flowers, pearls, and certain spices would be most prized that year. Merchants are always keen to know what the selection for that year is.

At night the people cross the bridge to Hanjad and cut loose. There are dances, parties, plays being performed, and good food and drink is abundant. This part of the event is of course the more popular for both locals and foreigners, while the performances of the day are simply necessary.

Tphun
ShinPhad
Bakdadi
Phunjad
Naji


Southern Plains: The Southern plains include any city south of the Desert Territories that do not hug the main body of the Pha Najin (Heavens Thread) river. Much of Arhin Jad’s farming and industry is located in these outer regions. The southern plains supply the river city trade with the goods the country is best known for; Textiles, silks, leather goods, as well as the exotic fruits from orchards that are grown along the coast.
Akda Badi
Pakjai
Sushin
Jrhin
Takjan
Akterishtan
Trhinjad
Hakshuk

Desert Territories: The territories of the north are nearly completely desert with little relief. The western coast line is the most forgiving and also the most heavily populated of areas of the territories. There are a few fishing villages and farms that cling to and travel along the northern coastline of the country. They rely on ship to skirt the coast and reduce the travel time between the secluded north and the more populated southern cities. Though most of the north’s populations resides near the sea, a handful survive within the heart of the desert.
There are at least eleven known independent nomadic tribes. Only five are acknowledged by the High Sultan to have any political standing within the government of Arhin Jad.

villages of the coast generally run their communities by council with power being held by either the eldest, the largest holders of land and property, or family. When needed, the villages will send three representatives on behalf of an entire territory. In times of war they must respond as any other city, and are required to contribute any reserves or man power that is requested of them.
The Nomadic tribes that still populate the Desert territories may govern themselves so long as they continue to pay homage to the High Sultan and contribute fighters in times of war. In order to maintain some control over the tribes, an immediate family member of the tribe’s leader must remain as a guest on a property of the High Sultan’s as “Guests”. This only applies to what are currently the five of the largest tribes.

Baknu: Baknu is the furthest north of the Desert territories. It contains twenty towns and villages along the coast.
Shuun: Shuun is the smallest of the Desert territories and is located south of Baknu and west of Akja. It is home to some ten villages and towns along the coast.
Akja: Akja is the largest of the three territories and encompasses portions of the Maidad mountain range. There are only five counted villages that live on at the base and on the mountain itself.
About the Mountain villages:

Terhi Jad Nu (Reclaimed Lands): Is the portions of land acquired during the Small War. Since that time a constant military presence is held in Terhi Jad Nu and only a few villages have been attempted here.

Last edited by Lasciel Caphra, 1/16/2013, 7:57 am
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Religion of Arhin Jad


Religion of Arhin Jad:
The major religion of Arhin Jad is known as Shunajin . At it’s core, the belief is about attaining balance. According to the story of creation, before the universe was assembled there was only chaos, or the Canu. From this chaos the great entity Shutan pulled it self. But the chaos was too much for anything else to exist. So using parts of his own body and parts of the chaos, it constructed other gods and beings to stabilize the universe and allow existence to continue. To help insure this balance was maintained he locked the remainder of both his power and the left over chaos away.
How this balance is applied to the life of the Jaddian people is debated Different regions have their own interpretations. In many views, the Canu is not seen as evil and Shuktan as it’s adversary, but as something that is needed, but dangerous and should be controlled and never be in excess, and that this sense of balance should be reflected in their lives as well.

Canu is usually associated with, fire, magic, and any of the baser urges and desires of humanity. Some more extreme secs will swear off and label things associated with Canu as evil, believing that with the complete expulsion of chaotic elements that Shunan can return and make the world a paradise. On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are some that believe since much of the physical world is made up of Shunan, they must indulge in the Canu to maintain balance. This is usually seen as an excuse to behave unruly. The ruler of Arhin Jad will usually ascribe to the predominant view of the time.

Each entity Shunan created was tasked with a specific job. That job usually has to do this some type of natural force of the world. The gods, in turn, created, then created other beings to populate and help balance the world.

Shunan Created:

Torhn (Mind) - created the Shanai (Baknal, Dajrhin, And Torren) who then created the the three major races of the world. The are also considered gods or representative of certain emotional and cultural concepts (Strength and honor. Wit and Grace. Intelligence and Art). The interpretation varies.
Han (Sky),
Ali(Earth),
Shu (Moon),
Baakan (Air),
Jrhina (Water)




Jaddian Prayer (Healing poem)

Shunnan took of his own might to give us life.

Shunnan is the peace for which we should all seek,

Shunnan will give, to bring balance, just as Shunnan must take.

Bring us the peace of shunnan where Canu abounds,

Heal the flesh where the flame has grown too intense,

Keep us secure until our return to you.

Han protect us from above

Ali protect us from below

Allow your eyes to remain open

keep watch over all.

Shunnan gives

Shunnan takes. (2x)


           -From the Prayer of protection From the Shunajin


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The Creation of the World


The Creation of the World
exerts from the Shunajin
Trans. By Scholar Tak Dorhi


Before all things, the world existed in heat and fire. The elements in their base forms, whipped and turreted in a storm of chaos.
All the universe was unheeding to the words of rhyme and balance.

At the center of the inferno a great power began to coalesce, and from the fires was bore Shunnan.

All but where the newly born Shunnan stood, the cosmos continued in its tirade. The chaos storm was all consuming, and no sooner had Shunnan torn their selves away from its hold
did it begin to pull at their flesh in attempt to return them from wence they were birthed. Shunnan understood the nature of chaos and knew it must be tamed. It would allow no other being to exsist.

They pulled from the chaos the elements that would soon shape and color the Heavens and laid it out flat in careful strips. Each stip brilliantly shimmered with hundreds of colors and were as thin and fine as sheer silk.
From their body Shunnan removed their right hand and shaped it into a lesser of themselves.
They called it Han. Shunnan tasked Han with the binding the stips together and holding them fast to the space above him.

They reached into the pool of the chaos once again and pulled from it the heaviest strongest of the elements that could be found and piled them beneath him.
Again they reached into their body and pulled apart his right foot and shaped it into a lesser of themselves and bestowed the name Ali to the form. Ali was given the tasked with the care of the elements that would now from
the earth beneath their feet.

Their eyes, which still held a spark of the chaos fires, were set upon the Han Ali to circle them and bring light to the surface of the Shunnan's newly forming world.
Shunnan gave of them the names Shuk and Shu and tasked the Han with their care.

Once again They relieved the elements from the chaos. But what THEY pulled from the storm was still heavy with the heat of choas. It the elements were added just yet. Its heat would destroy what they had so far created.
With these new pieces in hand, Shunnan took again of their own flesh and blood and allowed it to mix with what he had gathered. It bubbled and seethed with the heat of the chaos, but soon enough it cooled and settled.
He poured the mixture over the Ali. Where it settled in and pooled life was given to the surface of Ali. It poured off the peaks of the Ali and the excess filled the deepest vallies. THEY gave this new creation the name Jhrina.

Then Shunnan unleashed their breath upon the lands. It shifted the sands of the Han and moved about the seeds of new life on their surface. Baakan was the name given.

Shunnan saw that the remaining canu began eating away his creations. It chewed at the edges of the bodies of the Han and Ali. The Canu bore heavily at their flesh, and spilt the blood of the ali, staining much of the sliken fabrics lain aloft a deep crimson.
Shunnan felt the pain of his creations, and knew that taking of the chaos had not weakened it enough to calm the surrounding universe. Life is sourced from the Canu, but the life bore could not survive under the weight of Canu in abundance.

Before they continued his work to stabilized the universe, they removed their heart and left it in the charge of Shuk. Once sure that their core was safely away, Shunnan began to pull at the edges of the canu and wrestled it in to submission. They twisted and rolled together with violent force. Bits of the canu, broke from the whole and scattered across the surface of the silken skin of the Han. The heat of the Canu threatened to burn holes through. The Han, now hung apart from the might of the whole of Shunnan, could not on their own handle the raw Canu. The best they could manage was to patch the holes that resulted. Han pulled the damaged strips away and layed down pieces that were still undamaged while they worked to repair them. Shuk followed close behind to assist the Han. The pulled the tattered cloth out of sight and mended them. While they mended Shun danced just below them, having no interest in the work of their larger siblings. When Shuk and Han and completed their work and returned to lay out the mended silk, in Shuk’s shame they hid their face and ran from their sight.

(Shoot stars are bits of Canu burning through the Silk of the Han before they could mend them)

Shunnan continued is struggle with the Canu until they found they could not destroy the excess, but nor could he leave it to drift. Shunnan bound what Canu he could within his own flesh. Shunnan dragged the canu below the surface of the Ali ‘s domain to pierce and enter the existence just below, and away from the open air. The Canu lashed out and scorched part of the face of Ali, leaving it barren in the face of the raw force. Shunnan bared the way with 11 of his ribs and bound the rest with what remained of his body. Shunnan sealed the way, both to hold back the Canu and theirself away. For the world could not withstand two such powers raw. Should one be loosed and grow or diminish in the face of the other, the world would face imbalance, and crumble. For the sake of the new world’s survival, Shunnan scattered their body and power and bound the rest away. For the sake of the world, for the sake of existence, for the sake of all.

Sacrifice for the peace and balance of the world is the holiest of rights.

At the entrance where they lay, Shunan left their mind to guard. The guard took the name of Torhn. Behind the prison wall they held fast to each others, neither giving, neither gaining.

Torhn, being of the cleverest parts of Shunnan and tasked with their protection, built around them a labyrinth that seemed near to no end.

All parts settled, content in their rolls. Han and Shuk pulled and mended the layers of the sky. Shuu danced below as they worked.

The surface of the Ali remained still, save for the small green patches of life left by the first great creation, and remained as such for many a millennia. But soon on the surface of the Ali was disturbed. Everyday the Han would mend their silks to protect her dear sister from the Canu that threatened to burn through the silken canopy and fall to her surface.

More to come...

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Jaddian to Common dictionary

(A brief look at the most common cultural words and how to know when you are being insulted) [Additions made when translations are made available]

Ali(n.)- The Earth; the name of the god that reigns over land

Baakan (n.)- The wind; The deity that is named for the air

Canu(n.)- Word used to refer to Chaos. Also the route word for Fire and magic

Draak- (n.) The highly odorous secretion that emanates from glads near the rear of the Naagii when in heat. Often used as an insult.

Draakai (adj)- to be made of the hind juices of a beast of burden; to smell bad

Han (n.)- The name of the god that rains over the sky

Hana to Rhin- (n.) The festival of Earth and sky (Also known as the Festival the great lovers) Most well know two part Jaddian festival identified for its elaborate religious ceremonies during the day and its wild celebrations at night. I lasts a week long. The most famous iteration of this festival is shared by the cities Alijad and Hanjad.

Jhrina (n.)- Water; The deity that controls the water; life blood

Nei suk (n. Neeh sook)- Common word for Foriegner. Can translate to stranger, man from the outer reaches. Draak Nei suk or Fak Nei suk are common insults used in reference to non-natives. Sometimes shorted to Draak suk/fak suk.

Naagii- (n.) A large riding lizard native to the southern and central deserts of Arhin Jad. Most breeds are lumbering burden baring omnivorous creature. A few of the rarer species are sleeker and faster, but are more likely to be poisonous. Do not approach any of these creatures untrained.

Shanai- (n.) the name from the three beings created to lead the sentient creatures of the world in the fight to return balance to the universe in some scriptures. Baknal, Dajhrin, and Torren

Shu(n.)- The moon; The name for the deity that is the moon

Shuk (n.)- The Sun; The name for the deity that is the sun

Shunajin (n.)- Guidance of the god(s); Name of the major religion in Arhin Jad

Shunnan- (n.) Name of the central deity in Shunanjin, in which all things, deities and entities are created from a combination of Shunnan and Canu

Trhinsk- (n.) Large scorpion like creates, often no larger than a small dog, that are spotted in the central deserts of Arhin Jad. Legends speak of building sized creatures, though none have been confirmed

Tsht- a blunt hissing sound made with the tongue and teeth that is received and given as a sign of disrespect; a rude sound and gesture
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