People of the Golden Sands: Azmith's Human Ethnic Groups

Two major human ethnicities are found in Azmith. The large majority of the Mahavida, and the Surali, who have dwindled in presence but used to roam proudly through the sands.

Within the bounds of Azmith, most of the population of it's various towns and villages consist of humans. But among the actual native humans who have familiy lines that have been here for generations, they carry along the blood of one of two major ethnic groups that they hail from. The Mahavida, who make up an uncontested majority of the population, and the Surali, a more scarce and almost lost ethnic group hailing from a culture of nomadic tribes.

The Mahavida

The Mahavida, a far more populous ethnic group, inhabit the western and eastern coasts of Azmith since before the foundeing of the Golden City. Unlike the nomadic Surali, the Mahavida established sedentary communities centered around fishing, tropical agriculture, and the oases that dot the coastal regions. Their resilience and adaptability have made them a defining cultural force in Azmith. Culture and Lifestyle

The Mahavida live off the sea and the land, thriving through fishing, cultivating tropical crops, and trading with inland regions. Their settlements are vibrant, often centered around large oases that serve as hubs of agriculture and commerce. The Mahavida are known for their ingenuity in managing water and resources, constructing sophisticated irrigation systems to sustain their communities in the arid environment.

Over the centuries, periods of war, trade, and integration among Mahavida subgroups have shaped them into a more unified ethnic identity. This amalgamation of cultures has contributed to their prominence and influence over Azmith’s overarching cultural norms. War Culture and Integration.

The Mahavida have a long history of conflict, both with each other and with outside groups. Conquered peoples were often absorbed into their communities as slaves, treated as a specific and unique social class, but nonetheless bound to servitude with little or no oppurtunity to rise the social ladder. Another major form of labour and workforce was the culturally accepted practice of selling off children into servitude. This form of servitude typically yielded a stable life, garunteed food and shelter, and was typically devoid of harsh treatment between a master and their servant, but was still a lifelong status applied upon said child. Both institutions today on the international stage are still highly scrutinized and illegal in many places, but during the time, the practice fostered both cultural integration and economic stability, as the labor of enslaved individuals helped sustain their growing settlements.

The resilience and tenacity of the Mahavida in enduring conflict and adversity have become central themes in Azmith’s broader culture. Their emphasis on communal strength and perseverance in the face of opposition inspires the region’s identity today. Influence on Azmith

Mahavida traditions of resourcefulness and unity have had a lasting impact on Azmith as a whole. They are credited with establishing the foundation for the region’s social and economic systems, as well as its values of endurance and community dedication. Their coastal settlements remain vibrant centers of culture and trade, representing a cornerstone of Azmith’s identity.

The Surali

The Surali, an enigmatic ethnic group native to northern Azmith, lived in small, tightly-knit communities that roamed the mountain ridges bordering the Rogue Sands. These nomadic pastoralists moved with the seasons, following the migration of their herds and the availability of scarce resources in their harsh desert homeland. The Surali valued self-reliance, simplicity, and unity, traits that defined their way of life.

The Surali were deeply connected to the land, viewing the mountains and sands as sacred. Their lifestyle was shaped by the need to survive in an unforgiving environment, and they developed expertise in animal husbandry, particularly with hardy desert-adapted species like goats and camels. Each member of the community, including children, was expected to contribute to daily responsibilities, such as herding, gathering resources, and maintaining the intricate caravans that served as their homes.

The Surali had little use for slave labor, as the transient nature of their lives made it difficult to support extra mouths. Instead, they relied on close familial bonds and a communal ethos where everyone worked together for the survival of the tribe. Their oral traditions were rich with tales of the land, passed down through generations to teach lessons and preserve their identity.

Sometime long ago, the Surali mysteriously disappeared, leaving behind only fragmented remnants of their culture. Their caravans and migratory patterns vanished before the construction of the Golden City, and their absence remains a topic of speculation. Some theories suggest environmental collapse, conflict with other groups, or assimilation into sedentary communities. The only traces of the Surali today are those who integrated into coastal and oasis settlements, abandoning their nomadic ways. There exists theories that the original founding members of the Rogue's Sands Assassin's Guild and it's various secretive locations are mainly populated by people of Surali heritage.