Khaeros

Physiology & Appearance | Notable Characters | Additional Information

Social Branches

The Azhuran social structure directly reflects their way of life, markedly expressing both influences that rule their general behavior: spirituality and practicality. Although individuals are not, by any means, considered equals in the community, the degree of distance between an Azhuran and the next one is considerably lower than what is commonly seen in most of the other civilizations. Furthermore, the words caste and classes are quite inadequate to describe their social groups. The word branches is a more adequate one, because each social stratum is bound to religious standards and it is not uncommon for a person to evolve between branches over a lifetime.

The branch one belongs to expresses how enlightened one has become under the guidance of the elders and the Sun. The higher the branch, the closest an Azhuran is from attaining the privilege of meeting Xipotec, the God of the Sun. Whenever an Azhuran spiritually evolves in a significant measure, he or she can try to obtain the permission to belong to a superior branch in the social scale. This can be only granted by the Ataloa, and it is increasingly harder to reach the higher branches, demanding acts of great courage or distinction.

Hierarchy

Azhurans from all branches look up to two figures, of opposite genders and great importance to the whole civilization. These two individuals carry the burden of bringing all their children closer to the Gods and their idealistic perfection, upholding the old ways of tradition to achieve this goal.

Ataloa (or Fire Father): being only one at a time, it is the highest title a male Azhuran can receive. He is the holy guide of the whole Azhuran tribe towards the betterment of their selves, and is both very wise and knowledgeable in the ways of his people. By his hand, the souls of all his children are perfected and purified, in order for them to reach the True Life, a fairer and eternal existance on the surface of the Sun. His words are of pure enlightement, and they are meant to teach and improve all Azhurans and to lead them to their ultimate state of well-being. Even though the Ataloa usually allows each of the other positions to perform their roles with certain freedom, he has the right to dismiss, replace or overrule any of them.

Apahuac (or Holy Mother): considered to be the counterpart of the Ataloa, the Apahuac is a woman of great fertility and renown among the Azhurans. Also known as Mother of Many, no woman is more important than her. While the Fire Father leads the souls of his kin into the eternal life, the Holy Mother tends to their current lives with unmatched love and support. Usually, it takes a woman capable of bearing an impressive offspring to become a Holy Mother. In all things, she answers to the Ataloa.

Atrileac (or Father’s Will): formally considered to be the Advisor for both Father and Mother, the Atrileac is the next in command below both elders and is also the person responsible for presiding over the majority of the Azhurans’ religious ceremonies. This position is traditionally a male one, being unheard of a woman ever having the privilege of becoming the Father’s Will.

Agulepoc (or Eagle Warriors): directly responsible for the protection and safety of both the Ataloa and the Apahuac, these skillful and experienced defenders are considered the fiercest heroes in the Azhuran community. Both men and women are capable of becoming the very elite of their society, given that nothing short of an extraordinaire display of skill is required for the honour. Both the Ataloa and the Apahuac are constantly guarded by never fewer than two Agulepoc, being that this number may rise up to four in times of political turmoil. The Eagle Warriors that guard the Ataloa are necessarily male ones, while the Apahuac is always guarded by female Agulepoc. There are usually ten to twelve Agulepoc at any given time, and the ones that are not assigned to defend the Ataloa and the Apahuac tend to the training of Azhuran soldiers or to leading batalions to repel invading hordes.

Atloe (or Father’s Voice): is the High Sect of the Atrileac, appointed by himself as worthy followers. This Sect can be as numerous as four or, on the other hand, be entirely dismissed by the Atrileac should he realize no Azhuran is worthy of the grace. Usually hard-working Shamans of great recognition are elected to be part of this group. To become part of the Father’s Voice, one must have been born a male Azhuran, while meeting some other peculiar requirements, such as been born on a particularly bright day.

Cahtelia (or Higher Branch Folks): these are individuals who assisted the whole of Azhur with major and decisive achievements. Elevated to a branch of higher status, these Azhurans can take up on tasks of great importance in behalf of their people, such as acquiring invaluable goods through their expanded influence or be sent by the Ataloa as ambassadors to foreign lands.

Cahulia (or Intermediate Branch Folks): these individuals already received a good deal of recognition by the whole tribe, even though they are a few steps away from the top branch. The Cahulh is filled with skilled adults in the arts of craft and war, and adept students of anything from alchemy to the ways of the clergy.

Cahltalia (or Lower Branch Folks): the individuals of this branch are considered fairly new to society itself and, therefore, way too inexperienced to have served the Azhurans in a significant way. Teenagers, apprentices and citizens in their initial path of learning fill the ranks of this branch. Also, a Cahltalia is the highest position a foreigner may reach in the Azhuran community.

Uhlia (or Base Branch Folks): these individuals are often foreigners (prisioners obtained from invading troops) made slaves or very young Azhuran children. Most of the people from this branch are able or allowed to perform simple tasks, such as hard labour and tending to the city’s cleanliness. Young children, as an exception, are forbidden to work, since they need to receive daily instruction in several areas of the Azhuran knowledge, being Astronomy and Theology two of those viewed as absolutely essential.

Even though the Azhuran civilization upholds the existence of several branches, the respect between their own blood is mutual, not unilateral, which means that not only a slave respects and associates with the Ataloa, but also the Fire Father and all below him are expected to treat others without any sign of greatness or arrogance. The people as a whole strive to better themselves and their brothers and sisters, no matter their position in the social strata. They believe that, if the Sun itself makes no distinction to whom it shines, so should they not. As a result, this leads to a very cohese and distinct relationship between Azhurans, unified under the belief that they are one great body scattered in a million souls.

Social Status Evolution

The tribe’s branches (Cahtelh, Cahulh, Caltahlh and Uhlh) are quite flexible, in such a way that it is unimportant who an Azhuran’s parents are. The only valid condition to prevent social evolution is whether a person is a native tribesman or not. There are restraints for slaves as well, being the most restrictive ones directed at foreign slaves.

All Cahtelia (citizens of the Cahtelh Branch) are members of distinction within the tribe. This branch houses Grandmaster obsidian crafters, elite warriors, higher status shamans and so on. To apply for a position as Agulepoc or Atloe, one must belong to this branch. The Cahtelia Azhurans have, also, the warranty of being cremated upon their passing, which means to the eyes of tribe that the Azhuran successefully performed their role in life and developed their inner self. There is a visual distinction to whoever belongs to this branch, which is usually a feathered tiara (a cocar, in Azhuran language) or exquisite feathered earrings.

The Cahulia (citizens of the Cahulh Branch) are Azhurans already have considerably evolved in their social status. Azhurans of renown (be it savage defenders of their city or individuals of exceptional understanding of their Gods) usually occupy this position. They will either be buried when they cease to live or, if they so wish, a dying or aged Cahulia may ask the Ataloa to be cremated alive and, thus, ascend to become a Cahtelia in death.

The Cahltalia are the city members who are still young and inexperienced. This branch is commonly reserved to apprentices and trainees who did not have the time to aid their community in a relevent way. This branch is the highest position any outsider may achieve, unless they somehow become an Azhuran through marriage. Although people from other nations can be accepted as Azhurans by marriage, foreign slaves do not share this privilege. Azhuran or foreign slaves will never be able to advance any higher, regardless of whom they marry. A dead Caltahlia is always inevitably buried.

The base of the tribe, the Uhlh Branch, is left to those who cannot be of any use whatsoever or to less honourable citizens (such as Azhuran slaves or war prisioners turned into slaves). This branch houses most slaves and very young children still in their learning stages. Slaves always make their start in here, and are not allowed to aim much higher.

Since the Ataloa tends to the spiritual journey of the tribe, he is usually the one who makes the transition between branches, although the Atrileac can (upon being given the Ataloa’s permission to) perform the rites too. However, for an Azhuran to be promoted to Cahtelia, the presence of the Fire Father himself is required.

Azhuran Legacy and Continuity

Death of authorities is usually met with resignation. There is hardly any room for arguing about succession, since the authorities themselves usually pick at least one person to take their place before their passing.

Ataloa: the Fire Father’s death would be disastrous if no one would be appointed to take his place once he was gone. To avoid disruption, the Ataloa secretly seeks a successor as he performs his duties to his children, revealing to one of his trustees his choice. Then, on his deathbed, the Father conjures up the Azhuran to take his place, and that is the only occasion the Ataloa is left unguarded by his Agulepoc. The future Ataloa stays with the current and dying one until he passes away. The deceased is, then, annointed and carried outside the city where his body will be precipitated in the volcano, which is considered to the Azhurans as an image of Xipotec on Khaeros. This ritual symbolizes the Ataloa’s journey to meet Xipotec in death.

Apahuac: the Holy Mother’s death always causes a great commotion amongst Azhurans, as she is the expression of ultimate love and motherly care. When on the verge of leaving Khaeros, the most fertile women in the tribe are brought to her presence, where she lays eyes on each one of them. The Apahuac’s instincts of instantly selecting the future Holy Mother are quite legendary. After the choice’s been made, arrangements to the new life of the tribeswoman take place, which includes bidding farewell to her husband and children in order to look out for the tribe as a whole. Upon her death, the Apahuac’s body is disposed of with the same privileges dispensed for the Ataloa.

Atrileac: advisor to both Father and Mother, assigned judge of all civil matters and head of the Azhuran religious sect, the Father’s Will is the third pillar of the Azhuran tribe. His successor is chosen by the Ataloa amongst a few individuals who were beomg trained by him for a handful of years already.

Market, Craft and Commerce

The nearby jungle, swamps and the diversity of supplies to be found in both environments allow the Azhurans to work with a wide range of materials. They enjoy working wood and timber, from carving torches to raising low-budget houses. Metal forging is fairly known, although they hardly specialize in it. The resource Azhurans proud themselves in employing is obsidian, the pitch black volcanic crystals.

Obsidian crystals are very hard to work with, but the Azhurans not only withstand the extremely high temperatures needed to make the glass handleable, but they also enjoy it. Although a wide range of items can be made using this exquisite material, it is mostly used for crafting weapons. The ore is spilled from the volcanic core at times, and it is revered as the expression of Xipotec and Kaila’s love for each other and, thus, a gift for the tribe. Obsidian-crafted goods are, also, the main attraction to outlanders who wish to buy less durable but highly efficient arms for whatever specific endeavours of theirs.

Depending on the relations between the outsider’s country and the tribe, they might actually be able to visit the city and buy these items, even though some delay is to be expected. Azhur has just started to open itself to others, and most Azhurans tend to keep to themselves, even at the expense of a less profitable income. Abroad, Azhurans with permission to leave the city seek goods which are dear to them, such as wood, alcohol (obviously due to its characteristic flammability) and leather. Nations with an abundant amount of these resources tend to be in good graces with the tribe, given that no major incident between them took place in the near past.

Although Azhuran meals are not viewed as overly appealing, one of their drinks is highly desired by other countries: hot chocolate. Considered to be a divinatory substance, it is very common for the elders to make use of chocolate to assist their meditation when in reclusion. For that very reason, there is a great opposition to selling chocolate to foreigners, even though that would likely produce a major boom in the Azhuran economy.

The efficient system of the tribe, which is a lot like that of a fellowship, ensures that the city’s market will be rigorously supplied with whatever it is allowed and approved for commerce. The tradesmen and crafters of all Ahuran goods are very organized, always lending a helping hand for a business kinsman in trouble. As it is, Azhur and its inhabitants have all the coinage they need, even though the recent and albeit restricted opening to outlanders might radically improve this scenario.

In times of war, the tribe will lock itself and commerce will cease to happen for as long as the hostilities last. No commercial negotiations will be held then, as every Azhuran are expected to assist their kin regardless of profit in such times. In other words, during wars, the populace will gather resources like obsidian, leather and others, work on these to make them useful and hand them out to warriors and other able-bodied Azhurans without considering payment.

Tribe Sustenance

Agriculture and foraging are the main means to obtain food for the tribe. For that reason, their diet is composed basically of grains and vegetables. The Azhurans believe it is the sunlight which makes the plants to grow healthy and nutritive, and that Xipotec sows the fields Himself so that He can feed his favoured race with his radiance. For that reason, a lot of tribesmen devote their lives to farming, gladly tending to seedlings to the day they die.

Nevertheless, meat is also within the diet of the tribe, although it is a bit more expensive, since most of the critters in the nearby jungle and swamp are not quite edible. Thus, the Azhurans are not famous for their livestock, which is quite unimpressive. Instead, they hunt part of the wild life of the jungle, with special attention to the large sabretooth, whose corpses are enough to provide food for at least three Azhuran families. While plant life is not completely reliable due to the venomous swamp nearby, the meat gathered by adept hunters is rather palatable.

Fish is a rare commodity on a tribesman’s plate, as there are no Azhuran fishermen. Several reasons may explain such behavior: due to the jungle’s proximity, it is often preferred to hunt down animals than going all the way to waters deep enough to allow good fishing; to seek food from where the wicked and disgraced are sent to generally leaves the natives uneasy, making them rely on other means to gather the necessary food resources; and, most importantly, to catch fish from the waters might enrage Tlaloc, the God of the Oceans. For that alone, every Azhuran willingly chooses to leave the fish to the oceans.

Even though Azhurans will not collect fish themselves, the tribe values its taste and texture, and usually resorts to buying it from foreigners who venture to defy Tlaloc and retrieve their load of sea inhabitants.

Military Order and Preparations

The tribe is fairly uninterested in planning war campaigns to take over natural resources or seize other nations’ territory since they have a very rich environment on the outskirts of their domain and a cohese community to make good use of it. However, they are not naive to the point of believing they will not have to eventually stand their ground against more aggressive civilizations, since it is something that has already happened in the past more than once.

In combat, Azhurans tend to avoid using heavy armoury to protect themselves, since they believe it is best to have sunlight pouring on their bodies for strength and endurance. This makes the use of leather vests very common. Most of them have proper spots for the skin to breathe and to let the Sun’s light filter through. Additionally, their razor-sharp obsidian weapons makes up for their lack of highly protective vests.

When all preparations for the state of warfare are done, the entire tribe gathers around the Xipalcan (or Great Temple of the Sun) with all the equipment they want blessed by Camatli, the God of War: needles to better sew leather clothing for the fighters, weapons to inflict damage on their enemies and so on. The Atrileac and the assigned Agulepoc Generals go all the way to the top and pray for Xipotec’s counsel and advice. The rest of the tribe orderly fills the temple’s stone steps, repeating their leaders’ prayers. After this ritual, all Azhurans are prepared to battle.

The Atrileac is the chief commander of the entire army, while the Ataloa is the one behind all the planning. He will split the troops between him and the remaining Agulepoc who are not entitled to protect the Ataloa or the Apahuac. Each will be given a batalion of similar Azhurans fighters: one batalion of swordsmen, another of lancers, one of archers and so on. If there are not enough Agulepoc to split the batalions this way, then the troops arrangement will be organized in units as simple as melee and long distance warriors. The Atrileac or commanding Agulepoc is responsible to instruct their unit and will remain in the core of the city and wait. In the unlikely event of enemy troops successfully overcoming all terrain difficulties, the Azhuran defence commences.

Battle Strategy

The main battle organization of the tribe is rather straight and simple, consisting of two rounds. In the first round, all archers, strategically placed on top of rooves or trees, will fire towards the enemy within sight and reach. The archers’ position depends on which side the foes are coming from and the current position of the Sun. In the second round, the arrow shooting will cease and all Azhuran melee warriors will meet the enemy both on mounts and on foot in a single body, relying on speed and savagery to make up for the lack of efficient protective vests and heavy weaponry. Although minor changes might be made from case to case, the tribe faces war as it faces everyday life: one great body scattered in a million souls.

Fleeing foes will be hunted down either in the swamps or the in jungle itself. There is never any truce for the enemy to collect their fallen warriors’ corpses. All attempts to do so will be met by heavy fire from the archers and might even cause the batalions to march against the enemy again. The Azhurans want the Xipotec to glance at their enemies’ lifeless corpses lying all over their territory in His glory. Moreover, the Agulepoc also know this sight dwindles the invaders’ morale.

The Shamans, led and instructed by the Atloe, will tend to the wounded and ease the suffering of the dying. After the proper ceremonies behalf of the Gods and of fallen Azhuran warriors are performed, the army will gather back in the centre of Azhur and await any other potential enemy raids until the relations between the races become less hostile again. Usually, the voluntary sacrifice of war prisioners is ultimately required for the Azhurans to forgive the invader’s nation.

Since Azhurans fight mostly to defend their own home, Azhuran desertors are unheard of to this day. However, such fault would very likely be met with the direst punishments they can conceive.

General Attitude towards the other races

The Azhurans hold a rather xenophobic policy from the early days, allowing very few to glance upon their lifestyle and iconic culture. However, the current Ataloa accomplished what his predecessors were aiming for: the opening for other cultures. The Fire Father believes it is time to learn the beliefs of others and, mostly, to instruct those who seem to be unable to realize the Truth, represented by the Gods.

This is quite an audacious project for a tribe with a dislike for dealings with outsiders, but the Ataloa believes there will be plenty of signs to indicate the Azhurans also have a lot to gain from this increased receptivity. However, this mostly means that certain individuals that have requested and been granted access to Azhur may enter the city instead of being killed on sight as it happened in the past and still happens to those that trespass without permission. Even as it is, no outsider may spend the night, as lodgings will not be handed out to them. Nevertheless, this significantly improved the relations between the tribe and its neighbors.

On the other hand, this policy allowed certain Azhurans to leave their own territory in pursuit of aiding others to reach the sunlight, as long as they are virtuous and worthy. This created the need for a fairly new position in the tribe, known as an ambassador. Based on an individual’s importance in the tribe and on his devotion to both their beliefs and to their fellow tribesmen, the Ataloa may elect a Cahtelia who bears notoriously good relations to a given country to become an ambassador. These Cahtelia, once appointed, shall take the Atloe’s voice to other nations, permeating their relations and striving to a peaceful and longlasting association.

It would not be uncommon for the ambassador to bring along a few selected trustees on his trips to foreign lands. These tribesmen would come along to learn from other cultures and to take their religion to friendly ears. Usually mild-tempered individuals are selected for this assignment, as a wrong choice might lead to great hostilities. However, if deeply offended, the ambassador and his crew would withdraw from the current locality and bring the upsetting news to the tribe. This would draw a healthy relation between the Azhurans and the outlanders several steps back, and it would take a lot of effort from the offender’s part to make amends.

The following statements portray the current mentality of the Azhuran citizens regarding the other countries. It reflects the general thought and should be taken as guidelines only.

vs. Vhalurians

Their display of valour and discipline is evident, but what they excel in formality they lack in guidance. One should not yield to another surface dweller, be it a King or not, as the Gods are the only ones who can draw the fate of the rest of us.

vs. Tyreans

Bound to travelling, trading and needless battling, these folks have been taking a wrong road for so long that it is not unreasonable to say they are beyond salvation. You cannot trust a nation that allows half of its populace to go abroad, leaving the city’s core unprotected. If the nation itself will not mind their kinsmen, why should we?

vs. Alyrians

Often taciturn and reserved, these grim individuals have outstanding memory capabilities, probably filled with secrets acquired from other nations. As we will not tell anything to those deemed unworthy, so will they not. We respect them for their caution.

vs. Khemetar

They dwell in the desert and pay high respects for most of the things we also do. These men are forged in an environment where those of little willpower are bound to die on the hot sands, and this is nothing short of astonishing. They certainly do not acknowledge the true blessings of the Sun, but, other than that, they are very admirable indeed.

vs. Mordhul

We have nothing to do with these beastmen disguised as people. They are like animals and monsters who choose to voluntarily hide in caves. No recognition shall be given to a race who chooses to avoid sunlight.

Names

Common male names for Azhurans are: Coatl, Toztin, Toltex, Opazin, Huemal, Acotochtl, Zimoc, Axocep, Xiuch, Telmoc, Xocitli, Ilchuitl, Oquitzin, Tzuicotl, Zantli, Xichotl, Xocatl, Xotin, Chipetl, Centzon, Tlican, Pactli, Hextli, Maxtli, Xiucan, Toa, Tangi, Tiru, Api, Piri, Kango, Temu, Kamo, Maki, Kenaru, Kaerune, Reku, Utran, Amenzu, Usan, Mezruc, Ikan, Menzu, Yun, Kannis, Zomalec, Apochtzin, Cuixico, Tipal and Ximal.

Common female names for Azhurans are: Teolco, Tlilo, Xichua, Chihica, Malozua, Mella, Tamut, Tallit, Ildja, Kulla, Tisa, Dihya, Takirri, Zahrit, Zenet, Tiri, Chintal, Chintoci, Xuchtlia, Xichuatl, Tlinetzin, Huicinal, Miyahuel, Yolxau, Tantico, Malinali, Itzamna, Ixchel, Ixchup, Ixchab, Anacaona, Quilaco, Cusi, Canari, Viracocha, Catequil, Mayta, Huayna, Atahualpa, Sayri, Amaru, Anas-Collque, Cusi-Huarcay, Marca-Chimbo, Quispe-Sisa, Anta-Anclla, Pinca-Huaco, Cura-Ocllo, Varanca and Sahuara.