Al'Shayah

The Al'Shayah (all-shy-ah), which loosely translates to Half-Devil in the Common tongue, are a humanoid race often with horns protruding from their heads, skin pigmentation typically ranging from red to blue, and devilish looking tails. It is said the Al’Shayah are the product of breeding, or bargaining, with demons. However, some would argue the Al’Shayah existed in the deserts of Serace long before Men.
The Al'Shayah are generally peaceful nomads of the sands, though sadly life has not been as kind. Many of the Al’Shayah tribes that once roamed the deserts have been enslaved by the Seracins as laborers, gladiators, and brothel workers. To escape the torment of the Serace, a small few Al’Shayah fled their ancestral lands to find refuge in Erud. The Erudites provided them refuge and have established settlements that over time have grown from settlements, to villages, and even thriving towns. While the Erudites have provided a haven from slavery, they do not seek to reclaim the lands of the Al’Shayah.
While some Al’Shayah fled the Seracin slavers, many stayed in the deserts which the Al’Shayah consider holy. Sadly, many of those that stayed were either killed or captured as slaves. Of the Twelve Wandering Tribes of Al’Shayah, only two still dwell in their lands and one that survived by moving to Erud. The Al’Shayah are traditionally addressed by the first name, then surname, and ended with their tribe’s name.

Masculine Example: Gallean Omenifus Balazar.

Feminine Example: Pharia Inuphis Mananesh

Annual Wayfaring to Disinus

The Al’Shayah once wandered the desert to not only care for the land but also achieve spiritual enlightenment. As the Al’Shayah wandered, they were meant to reflect on the part they are to play in preserving nature, their life’s purpose, and mastering putting thought before emotion. After the Autumnal equinox, the Al’Shayah began their journey back Disinus, now known as Oolumserok, to join as one. They had until the start of the Winter equinox to travel to Disinus were upon such time the Tribe Elders share amongst one another the wisdom they have learned on their journeys and meditate. It is believed that once a tribe has achieved enlightenment through wisdom, they can abandon their physical form on the material plane and take their astral form on the astral plane. Legends say the Thirteen Tribes were once Fifteen but two tribes, The Sihir and Eazanok found enlightenment and transcended beyond their worldly form.

However, this practice has long since been abandoned due to the violent propensities of the Serace; though a devoted few still attempt to make the annual pilgrimage.

The Thirteen Wandering Tribes of Al'Shayah

• Asheik (Ah-she-eek)

The Asheik tribe, being masters of shadow and the dark arts, have remained independent from Serace or Erud. The Asheik strongholds lay hidden deep within the sands, in locations only they know. Operating in the shadows, the Asheik are believed to be behind the assassinations of powerful Serace nobility and slave drivers.

• Baelphagoug (Bale-fa-gog)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Balazar (Ball-ah-czar)

The Balazar tribe fled to safety in the lands of Erud. The Balazar are a powerful tribe of Al’Shayah magi that added their knowledge of magics to the libraries of the Amethyst Flame Mage’s College.

• Damagol (Dam-aw-gaul)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Izaakhad (Ease-awk-odd)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Maemon (May-mon)

The Tribe of Maemon was the first tribe of Al’Shayah to interact with the Men of Serace. They had hoped to engage in trade and exchange knowledge amongst one another so to share the lands in peace. And while this worked for a time, the Serace associated Maemon with their deity Aemon, a foul and evil god of the underworld. The Serace began to believe the Al’Shayah were the descendants of Aemon and used this to justify the slaughter and enslavement of their people.

• Mananesh (Man-ah-nee-shh)

The Mananesh tribe remain as one of the last openly defiant tribes of Al’Shayah on the continent. The Mananesh are known as fearsome and brutal warriors. Occupying the lands of southwestern Serace, the Mananesh mountain strongholds have remained impenetrable for centuries.

• Nephiti (Neh-fee-tee)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Rogaldin (Row-gaul-din)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Sirnogal (Ser-nah-gaul)

The Sirnogal Tribe were considered the most spiritually enlightened amongst all the Al’Shayah tribes. They once dwelled in Oolumserok, or as it was known to them Disinus. It is uncertain what happened to the Sirnogal tribe. Some believe the Seracins slaughtered them when they sieged Disinus; others claim the Sirnogal transcended beyond their physical form and into the Astral Plane. Some Al’Shayah even believe that the Sirnogal still roam the desert but are able to seamlessly fade between the physical and astral worlds. It is suspected some members of the Sirnogal tribe still exist, though likely as slaves or in the refugee of Erud.

• Saezal (say-zaul)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Thuzak (Th-ooze-awk)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

• Zakabal (zawk-ah-ball)

Descendants of this tribe have either all been slain, forced into slavery, or long sense abandoned their ancestral lands.

Presence Throughout Vóreios

Many Al'Shayah fled when the Seracin Slaver's began overrunning their lands, finding safety in the Kingdom of Erud. However, many did not cease their fleeing after arriving in Erud. It is not uncommon to see Al'Shayah throughout the Kingdom of Númenas and the Sutherland Moors. Many Al'Shayah have grown up not knowing or practicing the customs of their ancestors and instead practice the traditions of the new lands they dwell in. However, in some cities and towns, such as Númenara’ and Lokholvork, the Al'Shayah have formed their own communities. These communities still observer and practice the Al'Shayah traditions and customs of their ancestors; though none dare make the pilgrimage to Disinus. Though some people within Númenas have a prejudice against the Al'Shayah, often calling them names such as Tiefling, Horns, Lokblood (meaning Witch blood), or other derogatory terms. Thankfully the same is not the same within the Half-Orc lands of the Sutherland Moors, who are no strangers to the subjugations of slavery and racial prejudices spurned by others. While scarce outside of Erud, Serace, Númenas, and the Sutherland Moors, it is not unheard of to find an Al'Shayah throughout all corners of the world. No doubt a result of their displacement at the hand of Seracin Slavers.

Some of the more surprising recent locations of Al'Shayah presence has been within the Dwarven March's Mutterin' Lowlands. The Al'Shayah saw the land as unoccupied due to the Dwarves largely dwelling underground and have begun establishing tent towns among the Dwarflands. The Dwarves have taken issue with this not out of prejudice but the seeming invasion of their lands not dissimilar to the Greenskins occupying Oathsworn Valley. Many of the Al'Shayah tent towns within the Dwarflands do not remain in the same place longer than a few days and change in location so as not to be forcibly dispersed by the Dwarves, who have never resolved to violence but rather more annoyance with the demand of adhering to Dwarven tax laws if they wish to stay within their lands. The result has been many Al'Shayah finding an unexpected home amongst some of the Hill Dwarf towns and villages.