Sahrai

“It was Ramil's grace that you made it through the desert to us, now it is by Ramil's mercy that you be purified by his holy rites.”

- Mui-Akdeb High Priest of Ramil

To the people of Sahrai, their land is named for the desert it resides within. It is an old name, perhaps even older than the desert itself, if some are to be believed. The Sahrain desert is a harsh and unforgiving landscape, with the only reprieve in the seemingly unending sand dunes being the few oasis and rivers that flow into the massive lake at the heart of the desert. This lake is known as the Tears of Ramil, named for their god. The people survive by clinging to these rare places of water, building around them, and protecting them, as their survival relies on this precious resource. The greatest of the Sahrai cities is Sadr, perched on the shore of the lake. Sadr is a marvel to behold and the seat of power of the desert nation, constructed entirely from sandstone created magically by the clerics of Ramil.

Sahrai is ruled by the Priest Council of Ramil, and the people themselves are dedicated fervently to their god. There are a number of holy orders aside from the ruling council, the Blade of Ramil is better known as the military order of Sahrai, acting as both army and guardsmen to the cities and towns. Many of the people are given opportunities within these orders, receiving training and new skills to carry on in their lives even if they choose not to carry out Ramil's will. It is unwise for outsiders to underestimate the inhabitants of this land, as many have received military training to some degree. They also make for shrewd traders, as much of the population is also given some education.

Appearance

The harsh climate has given the Sahrai people an olive tone to their skin, and their hair is dark brown or black. Brown eyes are the most common, but golden and blue eyes are also seen. Their clothing tends to be loose and flowing, suitable for the desert heat.

170-190cm in height.

Lifespan

Sahrai people tend to live into their 70s, though some reach into their 90s if they have lived a reasonably decent lifestyle.

Religion & Beliefs

The priests of Ramil dominate Sahrai culture, with the populace constantly under the beck and call of the strict clergy. Should one commit unclean acts of worship of other gods or break the tenants of Ramil, they are taken to the desert and stripped, forced to lay in the sand during sandstorms to purge their bodies and minds of the taint.

Geography

The land of the Sahrai is dominated by a great desert known to some as the Sea of Dunes, as its most dominant feature is the great and vast sand dunes that roll over the landscape like waves of the sea. With the few oases that dot the land and very few places of rocky or solid ground, the Great Desert is a harsh land beyond them, unforgiving to those that do not give it the respect it demands.

Society

Sahrai society is dominated by the worship of Ramil, with those in power largely made up of clergy or their families. While the lower caste tends to be day labourers or local militias, a large part of Sahrai military power comes from its holy orders and righteous Templars. The only true way for a commoner to rise above their station is to either marry into the clergy or join one of the holy orders, making for an overly zealous population.

Architecture

Sahrai buildings are all made from blessed sandstone that has been formed from a mixture of water and sand, combined by clerics of Ramil using magic due to the low presence of stone in the region. As such, Sahrai cities tend to have towering walls and buildings to keep the sands from burying them, often with channels to filter out the sand and protect the oasis and springs they are built around. Greenery is carefully maintained, as it aids in keeping the streets cool, along with colorful awnings and carefully carved lattice.

Wealth & Trade

The source of water in the Sea of Dunes is also a source of wealth for the Sahrai in the form of a rare magical spice, the Rami spice, which is so rare that it is found nowhere else, growing only on the shores of the Eye of Ramil. Many a wizard or user of magic desires this spice due to its ability to enhance the effect of any spell cast if inhaled in the form of smoke, such as an incense, and it may also triple the strength of any potion or poison it is added to. As such, the Sahrai spice trade reaches as far as Albann, though Hunlua’s gaggle of wizards, alchemists, and other users of the magical arts make them the biggest importers of Rami.

Slaves are also the second largest export of Sahrai, as those that are deemed too difficult or unsuitable are often sold off to travelling slavers.

Slavery

Slavery is a common practice in Sahrai culture, with most of the slave labour coming from a caste of people known as the Untouchables. These people were outcasts, vagabonds, and heretics of the Ramil faith, sentenced to hard labour or service to the merchant lords and priests of Ramil. These Untouchables are the unseen workforce of Sahrai; their mere presence is ignored by all those above them apart from those that manage them. Being noticed by the upper caste is never a good thing.

Other Notes/Trivia

Okay, we admit it, the name Sahrai is based on the Sahara. We are that lazy.
The name of the capital of Sahrai Sadr, was an Iranian title for religious scholars, later becoming a title for the head of religious authority for a nation. It's also the name of Gamma Cygni, a star in the Cygnus constellation!
The Sahrai were inspired by Middle-Eastern culture, this may be useful when looking for a real-world equivalent for your character design, name, or construction inspiration. Turanian or Iranistan culture from Conan can also be a useful inspiration.

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