Nāqqiād (naːqqiaːd)

The Nāqqiād are a group of countless nomadic tribes sharing similar cultures, living in the Khata Desert. They have an elvoid crustacean aspect, with tough exoskeletons and sharp limbs. Different tribes differ physically (for instance, only some have pincers) and culturally. While some tribes take a more neutral approach to foreigners, almost all tribes are qute territorial and aggressive.

Culture

Shared customary codes and values

Honour is the way of friendship, valour is the way of disputes.

— A common Nāqqiād saying

Nāqqiād believe in and cherish personal and collective honour and valour and would do anything to protect them.
For them, honour encompasses oaths, honesty, loyalty and generally respecting pacts and agreements, even with enemies or rival tribes. Personal honour is the main mean of interaction between people within the same tribe. Their whole society stands on this very pillar. Collective honour refers to how different tribes interact with each other, usually after proving their valour. An individual who does not exert honour, for instance lying or disrespecting the word they gave, becomes isolated in their tribe until they're an outcast if they reiterate their behaviours or do not find a way to correct themselves. When an entire tribe behaves dishonourably, the confining ones often seal temporary alliances to punish them, especially when they bring disgrace to the whole culture by misbehaving with other people.
Valour is the term encompassing fighting prowess and valiant spirit. Military skills are valued so much that everyone, no matter how physically weak they are, trains in some war art, be it melee or ranged combat. When someone, especially non-Nāqqiād people, wants to trade with them, they will always ask for a trial of valour first. Duels, usually to first blood, are common trials and follow strict rulesets. Losing a duel does not automatically mean the trial was not passed. In fact, the trial is meant to test one's valour, which, though linked to someone's combat skills, is a different personal asset.
Each tribe chooses its most honourable and valiant person and appoints them as its champion. This person is entrusted with the valour and honour of the whole tribe. They will answer to defend them when challenged.

Average technological level

In general, Nāqqiād are falling behind the technological advancements achieved by the Nysian countries. They have no equipment using gunpowder nor advanced magitech. While they do not strictly consider magic a vile means of combat, they prefer physical weapons, so most tribes don't know advanced spells either.
Some of the more ancient tribes living in the deepest part of the desert constitute a partial exception. They know how to forge astonishing weapons, often magical too, and their shamans are decent sorcerers. Being the furthest from other civilization, they often do not even know the name of the most famous Nysian countries (including the Doujatar Kingdom, the Cajenian League and the Arkadhian New Empire). For these tribes, it is even harder to come in contact with and import new technologies from foreigners.

Common Myths and Legends

A legend common to virtually every tribe is "The Great Wyrm and a Hero". It is a tale foretold about a champion so honourable and valiant that a great "wyrm" would challenge them to a duel. The champion would lose the combat but pass the trial, and the Wyrm would take them away from their tribe to train them "to the way of the gods".
Some scholars tried to link the legend to the giant Yūmyīq sighted in the extreme south, but their studies are controversial.