Tzelzì

The Tzelzì originated in the northwestern mountain ranges of The Sidhai millenia ago. Their history is a long, proud one; beginning with the ancestors who first reclaimed the land following the most recent awakening of ELEPHANT and continuing forward to the modern day Tzelzìa̰n Myrinosha̰. They have been an empire. They have been slaves. Through it all, they have remained themselves.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Tzelzì historically spoke Noshuja as their primary tongue for millennia. However, the language was nearly squashed out of existence during the centuries' long Kmetkhalin Empire occupation of their lands. During these dark years, the use of Noshuja was prohibited in favour of the Empire's Kmetkah. It was, if legend is to be believed, a literal miracle that Noshuja survived intact; owing primarily to the god who is said to have given their lexicon directly to their priests that the people may remember how to speak with the gods. So it is that Noshuja remains the language used in prayer, in the temple, at religious ceremonies, and in the naming of things that are important--such as cities and people. However, the priesthood's tight control over this language has allowed for little to no invention or deviation from what was written in the lexicon. Because of this, the commonly spoken language has become the Tzelzì dialect of Modern Kmet, which arose to prominence during the occupation itself.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Considered highly flamboyant by their neighbors, the Kmetkhalin Empire and Dargani Empire, Tzelzì are prone to dressing "like the world [around them]," as they would say. They decorate in bright primary and secondary colours, with great significance on pristine whites, reds, and blues, as each of these pigments is either expensive to reproduce or difficult to maintain. In a similar strain, the Tzelzì have long been renowned through the region for their tattoo work. Most every Tzelzì adult has at least one tattoo, often featured predominantly upon their face, neck, or arms. Though the majority are meaningless in and of themselves, all the tattoos are very personal; each person usually designs their own, or allows a person they are very close with to design their tattoo for them. It is common during adolescence for teenage Tzelzì to experiment with tattoo patterns using a variety of materials from charcoal mixtures to fine body paints. Physical ideals are far more varied, and often vary through regions and class. Thick, long hair is overwhelmingly popular with the lower classes, as the difficulty to properly maintain it is not something they often have. Similarly, shaved heads have fallen in and out of favour with the noble class, as they are more rarely seen and thus "interesting."

Gender Ideals

The Tzelzì believe in three genders: masculine, feminine, and non-binary. These distinctions are a modern remnant of a time when sex, if not gender, played a larger role in society. Those traditions are long forgotten, however, with modern Tzelzì society far more concerned with familial relationships than any perceived mental or physical distinctions of gender or sex. It is, however, customary that if you care about which pronouns you're addressed by, you weave certain markings into your tattoos, hair, or jewelry as signifiers of your preference.

Major organizations

The overwhelming majority of Tzelzì worldwide belong to the Tzelzìa̰n Myrinosha̰. The remaining minorities are often expatriots, far reaching traders, or have been exiled.