Zhonite

From the civilized cities of Zhon and the barbaric Blacklands the Zhonites are an old and mysterious people.
They are a race of barbarians, cabalists, mystics, and sorcerers who have learned to dwell in the shadowy lands north of the Sea of Potar.
They are a medium sized, pale skinned, and dark haired race.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Gwenna, Xanthe, Zenobia, Xavia, Xeno, Thresh, Zendee, Zohaora, Tashah

Masculine names

Xand, Vort, Zhaxre, Kelland, Rax, Skel, Xovos, Zort, Mortan, Klath

Family names

Zekon, Jokath, Zotar, Vandar, Xax, Zozen, Ezax, Xaran

Other names

Zhonite given names and house names are connected by the house mark (~) with the house name last.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Zhonite speak the Zhonite languages, but may alternatively speak North Speech or Eperian Franca.

Culture and cultural heritage

Zhonites are a dour and serious people as shaped by their grey and often fallow lands and foreboding mostly sunless skies.
Much of the culture of Zhon is dedicated to being intellectual and military rivals to the Tryperians. While they were consistently defeated in war against their Tryperian foes the progress of war was inordinately slow. Skoreax is considered a buffer region or disputed territory depending on which nation you ask.
While sorcery is always a rare and suspect practice, it is more common withing the Zhonite lands than in other places, and certain small feats of ritual magic may even be considered normal.

Common Dress code

Zhonites within the civilized regions of Zhon tend to wear open flowing robes, in the barbaric Blacklands skins, furs, and leather is worn. Coloration tends to be drab. Shoes are rarely worn in daily life except in times of war or winter.
Men go shaven and almost never style their hair.

Art & Architecture

Structures in Zhon tend to be oriented vertically. Several story buildings scarcely wider than a single room are not unheard of. Cities tend to be labyrinthine with multiple disjointed levels and terraces and unorthodox, counter intuitive angles.
Art is practical in its creation. The most common form of visual art is Xo-writing, an aesthetically pleasing and artistic means of recording written information.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Trial of water is a test in which one must stand with his hands and face above a pool of water which a priest will watch for signs of guilt or innocence in the reflection.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

Newborns are kept out of sealed chambers for five days after birth to ensure the soul is not barred from entering their bodies.

Coming of Age Rites

A young Zhonite must sit in total silence as a candle burns down in each hand. To cry out or prematurely drop a candle is considered a failure.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The Zhonite dead are wrapped in clothe and left in a lighted room in total silence for five days before cremation or entombment.

Common Myths and Legends

It is said that the Zhonite dead must climb an icy cliff for five days before reaching the afterlife. It is thought that mortal sounds or distractions surrounding the body may place the soul in peril.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Men of fit build and unkepmt hair are considered the ideal.
Large eyes are considered attractive on women.

Courtship Ideals

Marriages are often arranged by the clergy. Wives are traded between settlement as it is considered ill fortune to marry someone known to the bridegroom. (Though in reality the practice was adopted to ensure ethicasy in the arrangement)

Relationship Ideals

Men and married women are considered mostly equal in Zhonite society. However widow suicide is a common and accepted practice.

Languages spoken

• Zhonite