Khinasi
Khinasi characters are native to the region known as Khinasi. Unlike the other human races, they're descended from the dark-skinned Basarji and speak a language known by the same name. The Basarji didn't come to Cerilia with the other human tribes; they colonized the southern shores of Cerilia from lands across the Bair el-Mehire. They are tall and lanky, with aquiline features and dark eyes. They range from a light coffee to a dark brown complexion.
Naming Traditions
Feminine names
Alia, Amsha, Aziza, Badiat, Bahija, Ghunayya, Farida, Fatima, Halima, Ibtisam, Jaheira, Jamila, Juleidah, Julanr, Latifa, Khadiga, Khunufseh, Maneira, Nabila, Najiba, Nura, Safana, Samia, Setara, Tala, Thuriya, Tufala, Wadi'a, Wudei'a, Zobeida
Masculine names
Aasim, Ahmad, Akbar, Ala'i, Anwar, Aziz, Diyab, Djuhah, Essafah,Farid, Fayiz, Hakim, Hatim, Husam, Jamal, Kamal, Karim, Kerim,
Khalid, Mahmud, Mamoon, Mutamin, Naaman, Nabil, Najib,
Rashad, Umar, Yezeed, Yusuf, Waleed
Other names
Al-location-i - the person from location.
Al - literally 'the', often applied before a descriptor such as 'eagle' or strong', al can also mean 'house of' or 'tribe of'.
ibn and bin - son of.
Bint - daughter of.
Beni - the family, such as Beni Abbas: the Abbas family.
Abd - slave of, abd al (slave of the) is nonsense as a name on its own, using Abdul as a name in its own right marks one as an ignorant foreigner
Min - from. Often used by priests.
Abu - father of.
Umm - mother of.
Sitt - lady; only suitable for very powerful or highly respected women.
Culture
Culture and cultural heritage
The Khinasi people are well-educated traders and merchants that know that an individual's decorum, hospitality, and conduct are far more important than gross wealth. Unlike other cultures, the Khinasi have no fear of magic; to them it is considered the noblest of callings.
Unlike other human cultures, the Khinasi have no fear of magic. The study of magic is considered the noblest of callings, and the universities of Khinasi are the finest in Cerilia. Like the Brecht, common Khinasi are traders and merchants, but a person's decorum, hospitality, and conduct are far more important than gross wealth.
The Khinasi make much of their living by trade. While the Brecht tend to trade to the north and west, as well as to the Vos and Rjurik, the Khinasi practice their commerce with the Anuireans and their ancestors across the Sea of Dragons. Unlike the Brecht, the Khinasi assimilate the aspects of other cultures they find valuable, while still maintaining a core of being that is Basarji in origin.
Average technological level
In a historical context, Khinasi can be viewed as being closest to the early Arabian cultures. The Khinasi have the most advanced educational system in Cerilia and their technology is similar to that of the Renaissance cultures.
Common Taboos
- Marking the body via tattoos, branding or scarification. Henna is fine.
- Alcohol
Historical figures
The Basarji became known as the Khinasi because of their most famous leader in times past. The mage-king el-Arassi rose during the Anuirean occupation of Basarji lands, and forced the Anuirean Empire to grant a measure of independence to the Basarji city-states through his skillful manipulation of politics and magic. In gratitude, the Basarji named themselves "Khinasi," or "people under the protection of el-Arassi." Though they still retained their tribal name of Basarji, they became known as the Khinasi throughout the rest of Cerilia.
Ideals
Gender Ideals
"Only a boy assumes all women girls" - Aziza bint Latifa, 2017MA.
The Khinasi pride in wit, scholarship and magic - not mention worship of a female deity Avani - and relative disdain for brute strength means that women have a relatively equal role in Khansi lands for the most part. In lower castes where physical strength is more necessary tasks are likely to be divided along gender lines but in higher social ranks demeaning someone merely because of gender is likely to lead to loss of Sayim. However equally the importance of family, avoidance of shame and the like inherent in the reverence of Sayim makes pregnancy out of marriage highly frowned upon meaning that the Khinasi often segregate the roles of men and women sharply and mingling of the sexes is frowned upon outside socially acceptable areas.
Relationship Ideals
A Khainsi, male or female, can have several spouses. While not strictly in canon the concept of a harem has long had a place in fantasy (in many senses) and such a concept is not out of place for the Khinasi if a view of them as relatively decadent is taken.
Major organizations
Avani is the main religion for the Khinasi people.
The Khinasi live in city-states scattered about their lands. Each kingdom tends to hold only one city of any importance; the king rules the surrounding provinces, which provide livestock and other goods, from the comforts of the city. In most city-states, the people are free to travel from the provinces to petition the king. Khinasi rulers are usually wizards, for the Khinasi value intelligence in their people above all else. It's known that there are regents of other professions, but their reigns are usually unsuccessful.
Diverged ethnicities
Languages spoken
Related Locations
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