Zira Zrai
Most assume that the Zira Zrai, like other inhabitants of Northern Olveiria, are descended from the slaves that revolted and overthrew the Mornal Empire. Unlike those other peoples, however, the Zira Zrai have no ancient legends of escaping Mornal masters. Rather, their creation myths have them emerging from the earth in gouts of fire, birthed by Ushmirim the three-faced god to bring their grace to the world. This grace manifested in destroying the Mornal Empire and freeing their many slaves from bondage. Many facts and legends contradict this myth, of course. Most notably, the Zira Zrai are the predominant ethnicity of the Glorylands of Tsirakan, one of only two slave-owning nations in Northern Olveiria (Mornalith being the other).
The Zira Zrai are, generally speaking, a tall and athletic people, renowned for their beauty and strength. Their complexions are often a mixture of earthen and golden hues not seen elsewhere in Olveiria, and their eyes are typically gilt, brown, or black, with black being considered the most beautiful.
The Zira Zrai place great value in blood purity for themselves, but express little concern for any other peoples' blood status. Overall, their view of other peoples seems to be maternalistic, believing it is their duty to shepherd the less educated.
The Zira Zrai of Tsirakan have a strict caste system, with essentially no room for advancement. Those of Zira Zrai blood are placed at the top of the hierarchy, followed by the Liberal (those who are free but do not own land), and the Bound (slaves). Non-citizens who enter Tsirakan must purchase their position amongst the Liberal, or may opt to sell themselves into slavery. It is technically illegal in Tsirakan to seize and enslave anyone, and it is especially illegal for slavery to be heritable: a slave's children are neither Bound nor Liberal until they are old enough to enter either distinction themselves. In practice, though, the farther one goes from the Sunrise City of Zizakhun, the more often these important distinctions from Mornal slavery are ignored.
Most Zira Zrai worship Ushmirim the Three Faced Deity of Fire, Field, and Flood. A handful, especially among the military caste, worship Skardat, the martial and exclusively fire-oriented god of the Gridhozd to the south (they have many other gods in their pantheon, but Skardat alone enjoys any popularity amongst the Zira Zrai). Even though Tsirakan has relatively little contact with the rest of the world, Satar worshippers can be found even here, with a special emphasis on the All-Mother's lightning.
Related Organizations
Related Myths
Languages spoken
Related Locations