Quick facts

Government - Triumvirate
Religion - Asti
Ethnicities - Zemirian, Azohican
Pinterest board - Zemir
Earth biodiversity equivalent - Southwestern North America

Zemir

Zemir is a medium-sized land in south Kessix known for beautiful carvings and strict discipline.

GOVERNMENT

Zemir is a theocratic triumvirate, split between the three Chels, or monrarchs. The chels each rule over a portion of land, and meet in Tanrus, the capitol, on every other full moon. There are three regions: Yeskine, Hecani, and Jonhia. Yeskine is the largest but the least populated, containing the majority of the Zemirian desert. Hecani is the southwestern region, known for its coastal cities. Jonhia is the eastern region, often considered the most militaristic because of the Ocarilian border, which is a disputed territory.

CULTURE

The culture of Zemir is shaped by the desert they live in. Any drop of water is useful, and there are rules and rituals that apply when someone is around a source of water, such as an oasis. Despite their war-like reputation, they are very particular about peace treaties and peace rules, refusing to fight near water even if it would be a disadvantage to them.

Zemirian architecture is meant to keep cool and out of the sun. Houses are arranged around a central sunken courtyard. This courtyard can be covered with a reed mat that keeps it shaded during the day. Sleeping rooms are on the same level as the courtyard. Often, sleeping rooms will be open, and the entire family will share one room. Most houses are made of wattle-and-daub covered in mud, with sunken windows. The most prominent feature is the windcatcher towers on the corners of the house. Each house has at least one tower. These can be carved with designs, or painted.

The clothing worn by the people of Zemir is simple and sturdy. Most people wear reed skirts and chest wraps that cover most of the torso. The fabric is stiff, and pinned into place with pins made of bone or cactus spines. Almost all Zemirians are seen with large earrings, and it is a common practice to stretch earlobes starting at the coming of age. The earrings are typically made of wood and bone, and carved with symbols or figures. Married women and men both wear elaborate beaded headdresses made of bone and plant matter.

Zemirian food is known for its spice and flavor. The most common foods are Keesi seed pods and animals like rabbits and birds. A special delicacy is frilled dragon meat, as the dragons are shy and hard to find. Eggs are common in meals, and many Zemirians raise various birds that are native to the desert.

There are high tensions with the Ocarilian people due to the precious water at the border between the two cultures. Most Zemirian people are raised with negative stereotypes surrounding the other culture, and see them as lazy and frivolous.

DEMOGRAHICS

Most Zemirians are southern Ahuatl. Occasionally, there are groups of Azohican Ahuatl living in larger cities, but overall there is not much diversity. People from Zemir are known as Zemirian. People from specific regions are known as Yeskinian, Hecanite, or Johian. The most common language spoken is Zemiri. Many zemirians follow the beliefs of Asti, a loose religion of spirits and nature. The only official building dedicated to this religion is the whispering tower, a tall tower in Tanrus that also acts as the center of government.