Óraxes
Óraxtap: Óraxpa
Hritt: Oxarpá
Nartasic: Hnútram
Óraxes1 are one of two groups of Gobíls inhabiting the southeastern part of Sjorg Desert in southwestern Dragonía, the other being Krekkúxes. Once rulers of the mighty Órax Empire covering most of the desert, their territory has since been reduced to a rump state centered around three cities along the coast of Súrkniss Sea.
Under the leadership of Strjúkrú, eldest daughter of the previous queen, the Óraxes traveled westward along the coast of Súrkniss Sea until they reached Gnikrin Peninsula, where Krekkúxes in the town of Gaherks gave shelter to the wandering tribe in exchange for aiding them against an approaching army from a rival city-state. The Óraxes were successful at keep the invaders at bay, after which, seeing that their allies had suffered far greater casualties than they had, immediately took over the town and enslaved most of the inhabitants.
The town, later known as Garks, become capital of the Óraxes, whence they slowly expanded their territory over the course of centuries, first along the coast and then further inland, until only a few independent Krekkúx city-states remained scattered around the Sjorg Desert. Interest in further conquests gradually declined as it became apparent there were no settlements to be found north and west of the region, so by the time Móerkels from the north made first contact with the Óraxes in 1134 b.Dr, the latter were content with simply trading with the newcomers, which they called gáhópa or naked jaws, referring to the Móerkels' lack of spikes along the jawline.
While the monstrous Dragon's appearance over 800 years ago didn't affect the Óraxes directly, the tremors that occurred and later destruction of the Móerkels' civilization caused a significant unrest, which gave way to massive slave revolts that overthrew all but a few cities along the coast.
Jewelry is often made out of pearls or shells found along the coast or pieces of obsidian imported from the Múlíat Mountains, while amethysts and rubies -once mined in large quantities in the northern Sjorg Desert- are now relatively rare and mostly seen on prized family heirlooms.
Major temples are built atop step-pyramids, often adorned with glaze bricks dyed red, black, purple, grey and occasionally blue and surrounded by gardens.
Óraxes are able to digest food that non-Gobíls would consider too spoiled to be edible, and at the height of their empire, it was fashionable among Órax aristocrats to serve cooked meat that had been left to rot to the point that it would fall right off the bones, though this custom has since become obscure over the last few centuries, and fresh or smoked meat is now preferred by all but the most conservative families.
Aside from saffron, many dishes are also flavoured with hlúkkex, a kind of fish sauce which originated from coastal Krekkúxes. Órax aristocrats usually avoid it for this reason along with seafood in general, as they regard it as food fit for slaves.
The most common drinks among Óraxes are various broths, sometimes with added saffron (in which case it's known as hrarp), along with blood and molten fat.
Funerary rites vary between different cities and even families, with the more conservative ones preferring either being laid to rest in the desert or alternatively wandering into the sea or wilderness to die when they feel to old or weak, while others choose being interred in family tombs or -for commoners- simple graves. Souls of the dead are believed to reside in Terxaní, abode of the gods at the top of Mt. Exirglarp, Dragonía's tallest mountain.
Nartasic: Hnútram
Óraxes1 are one of two groups of Gobíls inhabiting the southeastern part of Sjorg Desert in southwestern Dragonía, the other being Krekkúxes. Once rulers of the mighty Órax Empire covering most of the desert, their territory has since been reduced to a rump state centered around three cities along the coast of Súrkniss Sea.
History
Much like the Krekkúxes, Óraxes were originally a tribe of Kóhans who lived up in the Múlíat Mountains, where they ruled their own city-state, Hrót, in what is now a northwestern region of the Znagrúk Empire. They often fought the hulking Znagrúks and ovine Hyrríans as well as neighbouring Kóhans, which in around 5000 b.Dr culminated with their queen, Strjú Hlakal and her army being ambushed and destroyed in Sjárem Canyon by Mohú, king of the Znagrúks, who then banished the Óraxes to the desert.Under the leadership of Strjúkrú, eldest daughter of the previous queen, the Óraxes traveled westward along the coast of Súrkniss Sea until they reached Gnikrin Peninsula, where Krekkúxes in the town of Gaherks gave shelter to the wandering tribe in exchange for aiding them against an approaching army from a rival city-state. The Óraxes were successful at keep the invaders at bay, after which, seeing that their allies had suffered far greater casualties than they had, immediately took over the town and enslaved most of the inhabitants.
The town, later known as Garks, become capital of the Óraxes, whence they slowly expanded their territory over the course of centuries, first along the coast and then further inland, until only a few independent Krekkúx city-states remained scattered around the Sjorg Desert. Interest in further conquests gradually declined as it became apparent there were no settlements to be found north and west of the region, so by the time Móerkels from the north made first contact with the Óraxes in 1134 b.Dr, the latter were content with simply trading with the newcomers, which they called gáhópa or naked jaws, referring to the Móerkels' lack of spikes along the jawline.
While the monstrous Dragon's appearance over 800 years ago didn't affect the Óraxes directly, the tremors that occurred and later destruction of the Móerkels' civilization caused a significant unrest, which gave way to massive slave revolts that overthrew all but a few cities along the coast.
Culture
Apparel
Órax clothing is generally similar to what's worn by Krekkúxes and Kóhans, consisting of wide woolen tunics for men and similar dresses for women, though often longer than among Gobíls, along with leather boots and occasionally cloaks. Fringed edges are popular, as are patterns displaying geometric designs or stylized plants, mountains or waves.Jewelry is often made out of pearls or shells found along the coast or pieces of obsidian imported from the Múlíat Mountains, while amethysts and rubies -once mined in large quantities in the northern Sjorg Desert- are now relatively rare and mostly seen on prized family heirlooms.
Art
Architecture
Órax architecture is at its core quite similar to that of the Kóhans, though mostly made of sun-dried bricks and clay rather than more traditional stone. Homes tend to follow a rectangular floor-plan, centered around a central courtyard, with several rooms for daughters and other women in the family and a common room for the husbands (Óraxes practice polyandry) and sons. The reason for this is that Órax women are generally more aggressive and territorial than the men, and thus each having their own room is essential for reducing conflict within the family.Major temples are built atop step-pyramids, often adorned with glaze bricks dyed red, black, purple, grey and occasionally blue and surrounded by gardens.
Cuisine
Like all Gobíls, Óraxes are carnivores and their diet reflects this, being primarily based on meat, fish and other sea creatures, and the only plants they grow for food are spices, particularly saffron. The meat of Sjerg Antelopes is the most common along with mutton, as among Krekkúxes and Kóhans, and all parts of the animals are eaten in some ways, including the marrow, which is traditionally used to make small sausages known as glárham or, less commonly, marrow balls or dumplings.Óraxes are able to digest food that non-Gobíls would consider too spoiled to be edible, and at the height of their empire, it was fashionable among Órax aristocrats to serve cooked meat that had been left to rot to the point that it would fall right off the bones, though this custom has since become obscure over the last few centuries, and fresh or smoked meat is now preferred by all but the most conservative families.
Aside from saffron, many dishes are also flavoured with hlúkkex, a kind of fish sauce which originated from coastal Krekkúxes. Órax aristocrats usually avoid it for this reason along with seafood in general, as they regard it as food fit for slaves.
The most common drinks among Óraxes are various broths, sometimes with added saffron (in which case it's known as hrarp), along with blood and molten fat.
Language
Main article: Óraxtap.Religion
The patron deity of the Gobíls is Strjúxal, goddess of the moon and war, depicted with the head and wings of a níróg beetle2, to whom slaves and war captives are traditionally sacrificed via beheading and the heads later displayed throughout her temple. Other major deities include the sky goddess Hlexal and earth god Hehal; Axal, winged god of the sun; the sea god Hremá, often depicted as a monstrous fish; and Gi, goddess of fire.Funerary rites vary between different cities and even families, with the more conservative ones preferring either being laid to rest in the desert or alternatively wandering into the sea or wilderness to die when they feel to old or weak, while others choose being interred in family tombs or -for commoners- simple graves. Souls of the dead are believed to reside in Terxaní, abode of the gods at the top of Mt. Exirglarp, Dragonía's tallest mountain.
Warfare
In war, Óraxes fight with a number of different weapons, including táhnax, a kind of polearm with long, curved blade3, battle staffs known as hratkó, and a variety of daggers, short swords and axes. Scale armour is preferred by those who can afford them, as are conical helmets adorned with tufts of dyed wool or metal crests, and hourglass-shaped shields.1Original icelandic: Óraxar, sing: Óraxi.
2Main article: Níróg Beetles.
3Similar to our world's rhomphaia.
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