The Embari

The Embari peoples originate from the The Ember Isles, an archipeligo of islands to the South-East of Elvara, in Astaeria. Not only are the Embari regarded by many as the most beautiful people in Astaeria, due to their radiant olive skin, thick dark hair and emerald eyes, but they are also considered to be the most culturally fashionable.

Cultural Trend Setters

Many Nobles from the Malvarri Empire choose to emulate Embari fashions and intricate braided hair styles. This trend began when current Emperor Lucianno Malvarro married the late Elora Vegara, ex-Doña of the Ember Isles and niece of King Tiber Linell, the current leader of the Islands. Although Elora fell out of favour for her part in the assassination of the late Emperor Augustas Malvarro I, her style and fashions which she brought over from her native country have not. Loose linens, chiffons and silks, in bright colours such as orange, red and gold are very popular. In fact, silk and chiffon have become expensive as a result because they are so sought after by Malvarri tailors and dressmakers.

Other popular imported Embari goods include art pieces such as sculptures and paintings, musical instruments, and terracotta clay. Embari spices are also extremely prevalent in Malvarri cooking and are used mostly to add flavour to sweet meats.

Traditions and Customs

The Sacred Flame

The Embari are major worshippers of Dracona, the dragon goddess and redeemed servant of Ethera. In the Royal palace, in the capital city of Draconis, there is a large ornate marble tower which is home to the Drakri (the 'Sacred Flame'). This believed to be the last flame formed by Dracona herself, and is of major religious significance to the Embari. It burns atop a giant wooden beacon which may never be extinguished. A small group of 'Flame Masters' tend to the flame. The masters are dedicated clergymen, and servants of the King, who guard the flame and ensure it burns brightly at all times.

The Festival of Ashes

Every year on the 19th day of Solas, the Embari engage in a major festival called 'Féstiva Cinnera' — the Festival of Ashes where they celebrate the prophet Kalina the famous sorceress and last messenger of Dracona. During the festival, the Embari dance around giant bonfires after nightfall and feast on a variety of spiced foods. Some of the most dedicated worshippers of Dracona will walk across a mile of hot burning coals to demonstrate their devotion to the Dragon goddess. Some have even stood on the coals for the duration of the festivities and suffered great injuries as a result.

Armillas

On an Embari's name day, it is customary for the head of their family to present them with an Armilla - a bracelet traditionally woven from silk, leather or wool, which represents another year of bountiful life. It is terribly 'unlucky' to snap or break an Armilla as the act represents a future illness, or calamity, which will befall the wearer in the next year of their life. The rich members of Embari society have moved away from the traditional materials used to craft Armillas, and towards more precious metals such as silver, gold and platinum. This is due to increased trade with the population of The Kingdom of Kuldrith and the increasing availability of these metals.

Performance Art

The Embari are talented performers. Their music is currently very popular with the noblemen and women of Malvarron and several instruments such as The Kalaera, The Kelzar and The Leorva have their origins here. Often, the Embari will dance and perform with flaming swords to symbolise the might of the flaming goddess and their affinity with fire. After all, according to legend, the blood of the ancient dragons runs through the veins of the Embari people, with many believing they are descended from the children of Dracona herself.

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