Quickleaf
Legend
Race in Zakhara
Here's some preliminary ideas for integrating the races into Zakhara's mythology and history...
DWARVES (”Dar al-Hajar”) - People of the Rock
Dwarven legend tells of how they were born from the Al-Akara mountains where they gave praise to the gods and revered their ancestors. While meditating on the mountaintop, the dwarven malik beheld a great meteorite fall from the sky and was divinely guided to take the stone to the Garden of Paradise. Upon entering, the malik saw that mankind squandered the gods’ gift and the elves grew arrogant, and he realized the stone had been sent to cleanse these wicked beings of their sins. Yet the malik hesitated, and he thought of the rivers of honey and the golden fruits – this would make a suitable home for his people, and provide riches for countless generations. So the malik turned his back on the divine revelation to instead marshal his people for war; however, upon returning home he found many years had passed and the giants of Nog had enslaved his people. Lamenting his greed, the malik tied the stone to his back and set off to suffer alongside his subjects until the time came for their freedom. The stone passed through the hands of generations of enslaved dwarves, a symbol of their faith and a promise of deliverance. In time the once white stone became black, a symbol of humility and poverty for the gods. Upon winning their freedom from the giants of Nog, the dwarves returned to their homeland and constructed a citadel where the sacred stone was kept. When the First Caliph preached the word of the Loregiver the dwarven mystic Diyab al-Rafiq was his most faithful companion, giving the First Caliph courage and wise council when he was called to make difficult decisions, and always standing by his side in battle. It is said the First Caliph said: “Diyab, you are my brother in this life and the next.” When the First Caliph’s allotted time on the earth drew near to the end, he set off with Diyab to the ancient dwarven citadel where the sacred stone was kept there he ascended into Heaven.
ELADRIN ("E'LA'DIN") - People of the Ascendency
Original inhabitants of the earthly Paradise seeking to find it and return, the eladrin are the peris of Persian myth. According to their legends, an e'la'din committed a grave crime in ages past and thus was their race ejected from the Garden of Paradise. At this time, the race divided into three tribes - one turned against the gods that exiled them and went to the bowels of the earth, the other sought to make a life among mortals and learn humility in the desert. The true e'la'din, however, haughtily vowed to create a new paradise beyond the gods' reach, and a great battle split the tribe three ways. Upon making a truce, the three tribes grudgingly swore an oath that if a way was discovered to return to the Garden of Paradise they would share it with the others. Thus the e'la'din called upon their magics and created a veil between worlds and set to work building cities of crystal, gold, and amber "beyond the emerald mountains of Qaf" (a metaphor meaning the Feywild). Now the e'la'din's paradise also became their prison, and they grew distant and cold from the rest of creation.
When the Law of the Loregiver was revealed many jinn refused to obey -angels were sent to convert them or destroy them. Some jinn sought refuge "beyond the emerald mountains of Qaf" where they encountered the graceful e'la'din, and covertly subugated them, and the land was renamed Jinnistan (a name many eladrin chafe at today). Stories of vanishing desert cities refer to e'la'din palaces which exist in flux between Jinnistan and Zakhara.
ELVES ("Aleef") - People of Surrender
When the race of the Garden of Paradise was divided, the true “aleef”(an Arabic word referring to the first letter of the alphabet and meaning “domesticated” or “surrendered”) submitted to the gods’ will and sought to create a new life as mortals. They learned the ways of the desert, becoming skilled trackers, falconers, and horse breeders. One day the aleef discovered a tribe unlike any they had met before – humans who had also been expelled from the Garden but had no memory of what had befallen them. Rejoicing at finding these “lost cousins”, the aleef welcomed them into their tents and taught them as children, and the two tribes swore to defend one another. However, the human sheikh Semal grew greedy and coveted the aleefi khedive’s daughter Huraiva; the khedive’s advisors warned him of the human’s capacity for treachery, but the khedive admonished them: “Have we too not been cast from the Garden?” No sooner had the bond of salt expired, Semal descended at night, raiding the aleef’s camp and capturing Huraiva. While the two grew to love one another, the khedive swore revenge and tracked the human sheikh across the desert back to his home. One night Semal woke to find his entire tribe missing – his aunts, uncles, stolen bride, and infant son. Desperate he searched for them but alas, the khedive’s magic had washed away all signs of the tribe, and Semal rent his garments and grieved mightily for his crime. Several years passed and Semal’s sadness only deepened until he wandered the desert seeking death, crying to the gods for punishment. A passing band of camel-herders happened upon him and nursed him back to health, but they were curious to know his story, and so Semal shared his grief and repentance with them, saying he had come to the desert to die. At once the camel-herders began rejoicing. “Who are you to scorn me so?” Implored Semal. And they answered him, “Why, sheikh, do you not recognize us? For we are none other than your former tribe!” Then they rejoiced at being reunited and they took him to the aleef khedive who forgave Semal: “Had you but asked for my daughter’s hand I would have given it, if she chose you.” And then Semal and Huraiva were reunited and bore many children whose tale is for another night…
Here's some preliminary ideas for integrating the races into Zakhara's mythology and history...
DWARVES (”Dar al-Hajar”) - People of the Rock
Dwarven legend tells of how they were born from the Al-Akara mountains where they gave praise to the gods and revered their ancestors. While meditating on the mountaintop, the dwarven malik beheld a great meteorite fall from the sky and was divinely guided to take the stone to the Garden of Paradise. Upon entering, the malik saw that mankind squandered the gods’ gift and the elves grew arrogant, and he realized the stone had been sent to cleanse these wicked beings of their sins. Yet the malik hesitated, and he thought of the rivers of honey and the golden fruits – this would make a suitable home for his people, and provide riches for countless generations. So the malik turned his back on the divine revelation to instead marshal his people for war; however, upon returning home he found many years had passed and the giants of Nog had enslaved his people. Lamenting his greed, the malik tied the stone to his back and set off to suffer alongside his subjects until the time came for their freedom. The stone passed through the hands of generations of enslaved dwarves, a symbol of their faith and a promise of deliverance. In time the once white stone became black, a symbol of humility and poverty for the gods. Upon winning their freedom from the giants of Nog, the dwarves returned to their homeland and constructed a citadel where the sacred stone was kept. When the First Caliph preached the word of the Loregiver the dwarven mystic Diyab al-Rafiq was his most faithful companion, giving the First Caliph courage and wise council when he was called to make difficult decisions, and always standing by his side in battle. It is said the First Caliph said: “Diyab, you are my brother in this life and the next.” When the First Caliph’s allotted time on the earth drew near to the end, he set off with Diyab to the ancient dwarven citadel where the sacred stone was kept there he ascended into Heaven.
ELADRIN ("E'LA'DIN") - People of the Ascendency
Original inhabitants of the earthly Paradise seeking to find it and return, the eladrin are the peris of Persian myth. According to their legends, an e'la'din committed a grave crime in ages past and thus was their race ejected from the Garden of Paradise. At this time, the race divided into three tribes - one turned against the gods that exiled them and went to the bowels of the earth, the other sought to make a life among mortals and learn humility in the desert. The true e'la'din, however, haughtily vowed to create a new paradise beyond the gods' reach, and a great battle split the tribe three ways. Upon making a truce, the three tribes grudgingly swore an oath that if a way was discovered to return to the Garden of Paradise they would share it with the others. Thus the e'la'din called upon their magics and created a veil between worlds and set to work building cities of crystal, gold, and amber "beyond the emerald mountains of Qaf" (a metaphor meaning the Feywild). Now the e'la'din's paradise also became their prison, and they grew distant and cold from the rest of creation.
When the Law of the Loregiver was revealed many jinn refused to obey -angels were sent to convert them or destroy them. Some jinn sought refuge "beyond the emerald mountains of Qaf" where they encountered the graceful e'la'din, and covertly subugated them, and the land was renamed Jinnistan (a name many eladrin chafe at today). Stories of vanishing desert cities refer to e'la'din palaces which exist in flux between Jinnistan and Zakhara.
ELVES ("Aleef") - People of Surrender
When the race of the Garden of Paradise was divided, the true “aleef”(an Arabic word referring to the first letter of the alphabet and meaning “domesticated” or “surrendered”) submitted to the gods’ will and sought to create a new life as mortals. They learned the ways of the desert, becoming skilled trackers, falconers, and horse breeders. One day the aleef discovered a tribe unlike any they had met before – humans who had also been expelled from the Garden but had no memory of what had befallen them. Rejoicing at finding these “lost cousins”, the aleef welcomed them into their tents and taught them as children, and the two tribes swore to defend one another. However, the human sheikh Semal grew greedy and coveted the aleefi khedive’s daughter Huraiva; the khedive’s advisors warned him of the human’s capacity for treachery, but the khedive admonished them: “Have we too not been cast from the Garden?” No sooner had the bond of salt expired, Semal descended at night, raiding the aleef’s camp and capturing Huraiva. While the two grew to love one another, the khedive swore revenge and tracked the human sheikh across the desert back to his home. One night Semal woke to find his entire tribe missing – his aunts, uncles, stolen bride, and infant son. Desperate he searched for them but alas, the khedive’s magic had washed away all signs of the tribe, and Semal rent his garments and grieved mightily for his crime. Several years passed and Semal’s sadness only deepened until he wandered the desert seeking death, crying to the gods for punishment. A passing band of camel-herders happened upon him and nursed him back to health, but they were curious to know his story, and so Semal shared his grief and repentance with them, saying he had come to the desert to die. At once the camel-herders began rejoicing. “Who are you to scorn me so?” Implored Semal. And they answered him, “Why, sheikh, do you not recognize us? For we are none other than your former tribe!” Then they rejoiced at being reunited and they took him to the aleef khedive who forgave Semal: “Had you but asked for my daughter’s hand I would have given it, if she chose you.” And then Semal and Huraiva were reunited and bore many children whose tale is for another night…
Last edited:
Less stuff for me to do....
