Azori

The native people of the 'Kingdom' of Il-Azori, the Azori people are also found in minorities in Al-Barad and across northern Tzunar , even the westernmost territories of the Vulgar Empire, that were taken during the The Betrayal of the Six. A copper skinned people with hard held traditions and a rich history of philosophy and art, the Azori graduates are often exported across the Dominion and beyond as architects, painters or poets. More unusual traditions such as the Yellow Cresent festival are also imported, and rumored to be one of the most prominent religious cults adopted within the Guardian faction of Phurzic politics due to its secretive rituals.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Azori is the most prominent language naturally, with the coastal and desert dwellers having distinct dialects of their own. Those around the oases of the south-east speak Njeshii, a syncretic language with elements of Azori, Baradi and Belishka, a language of western Vulgar.

Common Dress code

Colours of orange and yellow and green are popular ones, though the orange stripe worn across the shoulder is banned despite its tradition for being associated with the independence movement that has plagued Azori since its conquest.
Due to the hot and at times humid weather, particularly near the coasts, thin fabrics such as linen are often worn, with cotton sometimes imported from further south or east.
In the army, Azori soldiers, as guards and as auxiliaries to the Dominions main force, mainly wear scarlet and black robes decorated with ostrich feathers to demonstrate status, with multilayered cloth with studs helping armour them. Using curved swords with shark toothed pommels known as ‘aramshers’ and with robes covering almost all of their faces, the Azori soldiers ride both camels and black horses into battle, focussing mainly on speed.
The Moon-men order wear a more distinct black and white armour, with a crescent shaped crest on the helmet as well as on their breastplate, with only their eyes being visible when fully armed for battle. Serving as heavy infantry, they are able to March even in harsh heat for many miles around the city or holy sites of Azori. They may also go on pilgrimages across the Dominion to protect Azori priests, or be paid by the Dominion to serve as auxiliaries if one of the Decarchs has made a sacrifice to their goddess.

Art & Architecture

With the sun and moon as the dominent god and goddess of Azori mythology, imagery around them is quite significant. The sun is simultaneously associated with life for plants, but also associated with heat and drought, and therefore the patron god is seen as one best in moderation, whereas the moon goddess is seen as gentle and peaceful, but vulnerable to the dangers that come in the night. Therefore, Azori see much of life as a compromise between a quarrelling couple in a cosmic scale. Arcitecture to honor these and many other gods and goddesses is common, using imagery centred around sun and moon worship, as are architecture that vaguely resembles that of the extinct culture of the Northern Kingdoms, whose more animalistic gods and totems became adopted among the many lesser deities of the region.
Azori art has a very distinctive design compared to other territories, due to being weaved directly into the fabrics rather than painted on paper. Immense elaborate carpets are found throughout the homes of the rich and powerful in this kingdom.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The cult of the moon goddess is considered of great importance to the Azori people, and their temple is guarded by the Moonmen, an elite guard standing head and shoulders over regular Azori soldiers in equipment and training. Given their small numbers, even the Dominion can be envious of their fierce loyalty and refusal to surrender even when faced with insurmountable odds.

Common Taboos

Polygamous marriages, violation of guestright.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Green silk is considered a status symbol in Azori culture, and the elite of the country may frequently wear this. In the days before the Dominion's conquest, an orange stripe was a common element of this local expression, though this was suppressed over the years as it became associated with a movement desiring Il-Azori's independence. Other ideals include pierced ears and belly-buttons, sometimes with jewels encrusted in them. Those who cannot afford such status rely on cheaper fabrics as a substitute, and many competing subcultures exist here too.

Relationship Ideals

Unlike in Al-Barad, the people of Il-Azori frown greatly upon the idea of polygamous marriages, to the point that local laws would imprison people who had them, even if from other regions. When turned into a province of the Dominion, they were forced to tone back these laws significantly, in order to prevent conflicts with the also-conquered Baradi. Still, local religious elders in the countries may still lead floggings and even lynchings of those who perform such marriages when Phurzic law enforcement is absent.

Major organizations

The main settling of the Azori people is naturally in their home kingdom, Il-Azori though minorities and travellers exist all over the known world as landowners, mercenaries or merchants.

Related Organizations

• Il-Azori
• The Phurzic Dominion