Azókani
The azókani are natives of the Azókan Islands in the southwestern Central Sea.
Zameltoníans frequently sent expeditions to the islands in search of yellow marble and purple dye. Only the people of the island of Eikan were on good terms with them, while many of the tribes on Skeziran resisted the zameltoníans as much as they could. When bronze-working spread from Góalanis, one of the skeziranic chiefs, Lömertnes, managed to unite the tribes against the zameltoníans and then conquered the rest of the isles. After the fall of Zameltonía, the azókani became notorious pirates, striking fear into practically every coastal settlement in Nemirkía and Góalanis until they were defeated by the Paþarían Empire. The paþaríans established colonies on the islands, but their influence was mostly limited to the cities they founded.
The azókani faced orcish invasions around and after the fall of Paþaría, which eventually resulted in the orcish Bólrans and Hargúls being pushed back to the island of Úrra, where they still live to this day. On the mainland, azókani slingers became highly sought after as mercenaries and later as auxiliaries in the sikíronian army after the islands were conquered by the Sikíron Empire.
History
The ancestors of the azókani were humans from Nemirkía who settled on the islands in waves, founding small communities which eventually evolved into chiefdoms. Contact with the mainland was limited during the little ice age around 16-12.000 b. Paþ, which preserved a great deal of traditions that mostly disappeared in Nemirkía due to influences from tribes migrating there from the north.Zameltoníans frequently sent expeditions to the islands in search of yellow marble and purple dye. Only the people of the island of Eikan were on good terms with them, while many of the tribes on Skeziran resisted the zameltoníans as much as they could. When bronze-working spread from Góalanis, one of the skeziranic chiefs, Lömertnes, managed to unite the tribes against the zameltoníans and then conquered the rest of the isles. After the fall of Zameltonía, the azókani became notorious pirates, striking fear into practically every coastal settlement in Nemirkía and Góalanis until they were defeated by the Paþarían Empire. The paþaríans established colonies on the islands, but their influence was mostly limited to the cities they founded.
The azókani faced orcish invasions around and after the fall of Paþaría, which eventually resulted in the orcish Bólrans and Hargúls being pushed back to the island of Úrra, where they still live to this day. On the mainland, azókani slingers became highly sought after as mercenaries and later as auxiliaries in the sikíronian army after the islands were conquered by the Sikíron Empire.
Culture
Art
Architecture
Traditional azókani architecture is characterized by the use of ashlar masonry and straw roofs, with goatherds still living in houses built in this style, while the old towers used by kings and mages now lie in ruins. In the cities, houses are generally similar to those in Nemirkía, with brick walls and tiled roofs, and finer homes being decorated with yellow marble floors and colourful frescoes.Apparel
Azókani clothes are generally made of linen, with men wearing little more than a cloak and women wearing a skirt and wide, belted tunic. Footwear is usually only worn during festivals, as are metal belts, the latter adopted long ago from the zameltoníans.Cuisine
Wheat bread, fish, goat cheese and olive oil are the stable of azókani diet, usually flavoured with mint or saffron. Beer is generally more popular than than wine on the islands, especially in rural areas.Religion
Deities
Eltizes
Eltizes is the god of war, depicted as a shark, whose image is often painted on shields and helmets.Faza
Faza is the god of the sun, fire and prophesy, usually depicted as part bull, part fish. His worship spread from the mainland along with knowledge of agriculture and animal husbandry. Faza's temples are traditionally circular and house a sacred flame.Hútóas
Hútóas is the goddess of cheese-making and protector of goatherds, depicted as a satyress.Teiló
Teiló is the goddess of the sea, fertility and springs. Her shrines are often located directly beneath temples of Faza.Vóka
Vóka is the protective deity of the city of Artnía on Eikan, depicted as a black stallion with golden hooves. People usually honour Vóka by hanging tiny, golden plaques on the walls of his temple. His worship originates from Zameltonía.Þarka
Þarka is a chtonic god associated with brewing.
by Lappalingur
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