Targotian/Zendylite
The Targotian people were one of the original civilizations of Gæðí, which they name Sharr Gha'ida, arising from what historians call the West Khelegan Cradle of Civilization. Fleeing the ravages of The Silence in the 6th century BTC, they built their namesake city, Targos, around the beginning of the 5th century, creating an expansive nation until it too was devastated by the Targotian Cataclysm.
People of Sharr Zendylhia
Though the Cataclysm shattered their great nation, Targos and its people survived, rebuilding and settling the newly defined north Khelegaian coast over a millennium, until among them rose a prophet.
Known by historians as Zendyl Heste do Shaphel, and by history as Zendyl the Messenger, this prophet gave his people a new vision of greatness and superiority, establishing what outsiders call the Zendylite Empire, and what the former Targotians call Sharr Zendylhia, the "World of Zendyl".
Modern Targos
In 2990ATC, the ancient city of Targos and its surrounding domains rebelled against the Empire, declaring the re-establishment of the Targotian nation. The war that ensued, known in present day Targos as the "War of Liberation" and by the Zendylites as the "Targotian Treason", resulted in the independence of the modern Targotian state, as well as the loss of the Strait of Zedividti by the Empire to the opportunistic Mor'Rhaia in the east.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Nayamani, Gaibryl, Alore, Aylia, Shaphel, Elarsia, Elarsa, Tairyl, Zamani, Dara, Zyla, Kylis, Naya.
The name endings -ryl and -mani are common in Targotian/Zendylite feminine names.
Masculine names
Zendyl, Andyl, Laro, Damal, Kimil, Darsis, Argosh, Tero, Cordyl, Tardyl, Taros, Tarman, Zendaman.
Masculine names ending with -dyl and -man, as well as beginning with Zen, are popular.
Family names
The most prominent family names in the Zendylite Empire are those of the Great Families, many of them ancient lineages that have at various times ruled parts of the Empire, and the preceding ancient Targotian nation. These Great Families' names generally have an epithet attached for the family as a whole, and used by certain specific members of the family, denoting that family's origin; for example, Zendyl Heste do Shaphel, noting the Heste family's origins in Col Shaphel.
Prominent examples of Zendylite Great Families include:
Shaphelite Families
Heste do Shaphel, Cora do Shaphel, Nesta do Shaphel
Aylian Families
Corien do Aylia, Cothu do Aylia, Pasifar do Aylia
Targotian Families
Atoria do Targos, Sahlien do Targos, Masia do Targos
Caroshian Families
Shirian do Carosh, Asharia do Carosh, Tarphelo do Carosh
Zendylite Families
Alderstin do Zendyl, Hestara do Zendyl, Nayaman do Zendyl
Prime and Lesser Scions
Within the Great Families, only Prime Scions, those born to a Family Head, wear the unaltered family name, complete with the city epithet. Lesser Scions use a version of the name with a suffix and no epithet, depending on whether they are male or female; thus, a Lesser Scion of the family Heste do Shaphel for example, would bear the surname Hestes if they are female, Hestesi if they are male.
Zendyl the Messenger was himself born a Lesser Scion as Zendyl Hestesi, before being granted the privilege of wearing the do Shaphel epithet and eventually being raised to the Family Prime.
Associated Nations
Comments
Author's Notes
Part of The March of 31 Tales
The March of 31 Tales
A challenge to write an article every day