The Gudhab'ahd

"Ahead of us stretched a line of people and carriages all the way to the horizon. The rich regal blues and royal red robes woven together like fibres in a tapestry; The bejewelled and ornate head wraps and jewellery shimmering in the hot sun, creating a sea of colour in the driest place in the world."   Trailing the Gudhab'ahd Viscenia Vellora P.H.D.

    Culture   The Gudhab'ad are a culture of people, who live by one tenet above all: "Water, above all, is Sacred". While often referred to as a religion, this is not factually accurate as the Gudhab'ahd is a way of life.    Hailing from Kordurda and the Narakzarian Wastes, they are best known for their pilgrimages deep into the wastes to Oltund, their Holy ground. On this pilgrimage, men, women and children walk into the desert, trailing their worldly possessions   With a wider variety of cultures entering the continent, the Gudhab'ahd have become known for their crafts, most notably, the, "Khuztahs", more commonly referred to as "Desert Trawlers" or "Sand Sleds". These simplistic, yet sturdy sand faring carriages are designed to bear sandstorms, intense heat and a lot of wear and tear. These are commonly trailed by Urlits, beasts of burden resembling a horned camel.   As water is rare, and therefore sacred to the Gudhab'ahd people, they have upheld a longstanding practice known as "mist weaving". Gudhab'ahd alchemists will convert smokes and mists into liquid and seal them inside flasks of wood, clay or most commonly, glass. When the seal is broken, the vapours are released, expanding in the air. The Gudhab'ad people have adapted to sustain themselves on these vapours for months while on pilgrimage.   This art has also become a source of trade and resource as the practice adapted to create colourful toys for children, and more potent blends can even be used to create vessels of protection, or violence. The latter is often referred to as a Darkmist Flask.   So precious is water, that one of the highest compliments One can receive from the Gudhab'ad is for them to spit in One's presence. This is known as the "Gerra'baderva" or "gift of my gift."       Society   Women are held in high regard in Gudhab'ad societies. As child bearers and mothers, they are respected as brave, strong and proud. There are reports of Gudhab'ad fathers and husbands harming themselves while their partner is in childbirth to experience something of what she is going through. After birth, the man will carry the child across the sands during pilgrimage, or general travel in a papoose crafted of his robes.   Both women and men are often identifiable, by their colourful robes, which cover them from head to toe. There are no "regal" colours denoting class rank or standing, but these robes are often adorned with polished jewellery and gemstones, bells and talismans are often common sights too.   During marriage ceremonies, a Gudhab'ad man will offer a piece of his adornment to his new bride, and he will then wear a sash made from her own garments to match her favoured robe colourings. Both these items are to be worn until such time as both parties return to the sand.  

"On our fifteenth night in the desert, we were witness to a joining ceremony; a "Rhua'kal. As the cool desert night set in, the ceremony took place beneath the stars. Husband to be Barkhur removed a large necklace and placed it over his new bride's head. The polished gold shimmered in the firelight and the diamond ensconced in its centre shone so brightly, it was almost as if a star had been plucked from the sky. Only a gem so finely cut and perfect could match his Mhezra'lira.   As she raised her head she removed her shawl. As he raised his arms she reached her hands around his waist, as if to embrace him, and wrapped the fabric around him, fastening it in the front. A warm yellow sash to contrast with his deep blue robes. A fitting match."     Trailing the Gudhab'ahd Viscenia Vellora P.H.D.

  A Warrior Race   The Gudhab'ad are well versed in martial training from a young age. This is in service of Desert survival, where despite the heat, there are other dangerous beasts. The most common arms at hand are spears, Walking staffs, bow and arrow and the Khashai, a curved blade which can double as an axe. The tip of the blade is hooked inwards, and in place of a pommel is a small sharpened edge.   The Khashai-Vari is a specialised style of the Khashai, wielded by certain warriors. The tip of these blades are hooked inwards, and in place of a pommel is a small sharpened edge. They are commonly weilded as a pair, and have hooks on the tip which allow the warrior to link each blade into one which can be swung in an arc to allow a much greater reach.     Oppression and Discrimination While the Gudhab'ahd have been noted as a kind and generous people, they do face discrimination and oppression in many parts of the East. They are widely regarded with suspicion, perhaps due to the perceived madness of spending months in the desert.   Commonly referred to as "Piss-drinkers", "Blood-drinkers" or "Sand Dancers", by those who look down upon, or perhaps fear them. Of course, they are never refused service, and are rarely publicly chastised, but behind closed doors, there is a one-sided tension which follows the Gudhab'ahd. This is something which is known to them, and has in fact inspired a common saying: "G'hith Kurda, min perdand'aah." - "Where I go, whispers follow."