Narunhai

Narunai

Overview

The Narunhai, known internally as the Nozakho or Zukho, are a small people group native to the Gendur valley. They inhabited once from the river Fi down to the Ozhe, living in nomadic communities of hardened bands. In the modern day, they have been mostly assimilated, but they survive in a few small clans to this day - although their language is all but extinct.

Name

The name Narunhai translates to "riders" in Imperial, while Nozakho is an endonym meaning something along the lines of "those who fight." Nzkho or Zukho are variations of that term.

History

The Narunhai once dwelled in the plains of the Gendur long ago in the days before cities, living under the starlight and resting under trees and in hollows during the day like other Niranni of the era. As the first cities began to arise, they kept true to this way of life. The Narunhai dwelled in groves as hunters, being sought after by outsiders as mercenaries - that is until the cities employing them began to fall one by one to a new threat in the north. A quick people, having domesticated the horse, rode south on chariots wielding great bows and with packs of hounds by their side. The Ingharans began their wars of conquest and the Narunhai became one of many enemies standing in opposition.
The Narunhai rode on great beasts known as the Ouhira. Their towering mounts made them formidable beasts on the battlefield, enemies falling to their claws and maws. The Narunhai and their way of life were seen outmatched as Ingharans began to utilize their chariots and riders to lead the Ouhira into traps, or simply pelt them with arrows untill they fell. The riders and their great pikes stood no chance and they were eventually subjugated, the arts of Ouhira riding fell into obscurity as the Ouhira themselves became endangered. By the time of Usorring, only a few herds of Ouhira remained - with even fewer riders and clans. The area with the most herds was the forested region north of Mount Ishkerr, along with the hills south of Niami.

Culture

Animal Handling

Narunhai are well known animal handlers, particularly as handlers of the giant Ouhira beast. They have also been renowned handlers of hounds, with the stocky Atir Hound being of particular renown - which was used to hunt and coerce beasts.

Architecture

Narunhai do not have a strong architectural tradition, being most known as nomads who live in small camps made of hide or fabric tents. They are renowned for the poles they keep at the center of the tents, or in the center of the camp known as Szakha. Szakha are adorned with fabrics showing patterns - each representing a feat or enemy defeated. There are metal decorative pieces on the top that resemble a finial, making it a functional spear.

Religion

The religion of the Narunhai is mixed, with most of them being members of the Kirrentai nowadays. There are a few traditional cults alive, which espouse that all skin should be covered, that to fight is the highest honor and achievement in life, and that kinship is essential. These cults believe in a deity of chaos that brings forth combat as a way to hone the body for the afterlife, in which it is a place of strife until the world is absorbed entirely by chaos and remade again.

Music

Music often manifests as chants and dirges, with drums and flutes being the two most popular instruments used by the culture. Often, music is sung around campfire meetings as ways to appease the spirits.

Clothing

Basics

Narunhai clothing often consists of pants, a long tunic, a cloak, and a war mask. The cloak is made of the first hunt a warrior is able to do, while the rest of the outfit is usually made from greatmoth silks or wools.

Mask

The mask of the Narunhai is complex like other Niranni, having a whole system of meaning that each color and symbol carries. Narunhai masks are often more artistic than Tsennari masks, having more abstract themes rather than simply conforming to the face of the wearer.