Kathara

Those who call the great cities home.

Origen

When the world of old collapsed in the fires of the hubris, those of the ancient mage lords who manged to save their cities from total disaster would go one to find themselves all that remained, they would be saviors of the masses, they became messiahs and gods in their own right, for their word was law and they alone held the power to save or destroy the people beneath them. These mages would go on to teach their students and disciples their own schools, so in time would all that remains of the old ways be lost, each of the great cities is a reflection of the old empire, whos name is lost to time. Each of these great cities would go on to become masters of their own craft, each competing to become the greatest in their school.

Magic is all

To the Kathara magic and the knowledge of it, means everything, each of the great cities take great pride in their specialised field of study and all seek to gain the upper hand on one another, though this rivalry has rarely led to all out war, the great cities know that such a conflict would be long and only weaken them further to the threats beyound their walls, instead they seek to undermine each other, gain better deals with the other cities, undercut and outperform each other, to subvert the great schools and families to their cause.
To one the masses is to be one with no magical talent, and to posses the ability to manipulate reality, is to be above the rest, though there is no cast system or strict hierarchy within Kathara society as a whole. It is quite apparent that those with magical abilities are treated as above the rest.

Relation to the divine

The people of Kathlam have a complicated history with the gods, for many of mage lord has styled themselves as the divine on earth, and indeed to this very day the gods are treated as odd curios, something which one might leave a prayer to merely out of old tradition, or familial relation to them for organized religion is considered grave taboo, if not outlawed in most cities, as it threatens the might of the mage circles. As such most priests preach in the privacy of their home, and people keep such things kept away in the backroom. Though there are some curious exceptions such as

Karlk : God of Rain, Rivers and the Envoy

Karlk is the bringer of rain and the mediator between gods, diplomates often praise his name before negotiation, when the great desert swallowed the plains, it would not take long before the people cried out for Kazarak to bring rain and life back to the barren lands, does in time was he seen as the herald of relief when he brings rain, and is therefor praised as the savior of crops and lives.

Jarna: The Traveler

Often called Kazarak - the far traveller, It is said that she has traveled the entire world and beyond, and that there is no place she cannot reach. Given the traitorous journey that caravands often undertake to reach other citizens the worship of Kazarak saw attention early in the history of the Jarna, her shrines can be found around the desert and outside most cities people leave incense and shoes as offerings at her alters for save travel.

Feniké : Goddess of commence and daring Feniké has steadily seen more worship amongst the ever increasing caravands, as civilazation established safer roads and established order in the wild desert, so too did those who braved the desert pray to Feniké that they might find a good deal. As such it not uncommon to find statuettes of Feniké at market squares or at the city gates.
Jeila: The Moon Dancer, patron of the revelers The Daughter of Lirika , she is also called the joyous one, she is called the moon dancer due to the fact that she particularly enjoys dancing at night. As the god revelers she enjoys playing tricks and drinking. Those of good humour and those who enjoy having fun often end being lucky due to her blessings. Her worship has long been popular amongst the Kathara, who often seek to revel and relaxation during the varmer hours of the day.

Naming Tradition

Naming Structure

The naming structure of the Kathara follow go as follows: A given name, usually a noun or adjective which describes an aspirational character, followed by a Patronymic or Matronymic depending on the city, which is the respective parents with the suffix Amk meaning child. The names end with a city name, denoting the city of origen for the family, to change the city name is a sign that one no longer considers themselves part of that community, it is very important subject for the Kathara, as the Great cities are matters of pride and respect, and to change it can be seen as shameful, or to feel shame in one's city or perhabs great pride in ones new life. Some also carry an honour name, an epitet gained later in life for some great deed or position in society.

Given Name examples

Jawdat(Goodness), Isra(Journey Of The Night),Ikram(Honour, Respect),Almas(Diamond),Gulzar(Rose Garden),Eisa(God Is Salvation),Barkhad(Blessings),Maimun(Lucky),Maram(Wish, Desire),Ziya(Light),Taifa(Nation, Tribe, Princedom),Namir(Leopard, Panther),Noor(Light),Nimat(Blessings),Rahat(Comfort, Rest),Sabri(Light)

Patronymic & Matronymic Examples

Amk-Jawdat, Amk-Ziya, Amk-Sabri

City Name Examples

Ifra-Rashim, Ifra-Kadri, Ifra-Ondessa, Ifra-Musaf, Ifra-Khorum

Honour names

The Radiant, Golem Master, Slayer of Beast etc.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

The Kathara generally speak a dialect of Kathar, though most cities have subtle naunces in their speak and different conotations with certains words, most of the Kathara can understand and communicate with one another.

Shared customary codes and values

To wield magic is seen as not only an incredibly power, linked to the divine and as symbol of superiority, but also as an immense responsibility. Mages are expected to align themselves with a guild, to serve the city and it's people. Those who sherk such duties and instead sell out their services freely are seen as disgraces, selfish and arrogant, such Mages are referred to as a Kunja a word of old which bears connotation to the Mage Cults of Old, possibly being the name of one such cult, the word itself bear the connotation of Tyrant, Traitor and Parasite.
Though in truth, many mages who align themselves with the guilds or particular courts do often chase personal goals or sell their services from time to time, and is one of socities little white lies to one extend or another.

Common Etiquette rules

To address another in formal situation one is expected to address someone by their city name first then their given name and Patronymic or Matronymic. To establish formal distance emotionally between the two parties .In more informal settings in is expected to state a persons given name and then family, and amongst friends and close connections a given name alone will suffice.
To Address a stranger and in certain formal situations one is expected to address a person as Maru(Man) or Manu(Woman) as an equvilant to convey seniority or simply to be polite.

It is common to greet someone who returns from the desert with great respect Shakar(Rest your feet), for they have braved it's harshness for the good of the city and themselves and it is considered impolite not to offer someone drink in such a situation.

Common Dress code

Generally clothing is light, such as Sarongs for richer folk and loin cloths and kilts for the less fortunate for men, usually with some sort of cloth wrapped around the shoulders and head to protect from the searing sun when outside. For women Sarongs, and sheath dresses are typical fashion aswell, while the common folk usually wear linen dresses.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

It is common to have great sprawling tattoos, but more in the sense that a part of the body is colored, such as having a part of hands arm colored red or blue, though expensive it is used as mark of status, though only a magician may don red clothes, as therefor red is a mark as symbol of status.
Physical deformities are considered offensive to the eye, and therefor covered up, it is not uncommon to see people with heavy scarring cover the faces with veils or veterans from wearing heavy clothing until they manage enough money to be healed by the church.

Funerary and Memorial customs

The body is considered to be a vessel for the soul, a believe that springs from how much easier it is for necromancers to bind bodies which flesh still clings to and general intelligence of said undead creatures. Therefor in order to help the soul leave the body the Kathara construct mortuary towers where the dead are placed at top for scavenger birds to pick clean the body and free the soul.
For this reason vultures are often depicted as angels of death, that lead souls to the afterlife

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Those of the city have easy shelter from the unforgiving sun, it is indeed a mark of civilization to them that one has not baked beneath the sun, for only the truly affluent can afford to stay within the safe walls, and so to some it is a great mark of status, while others may considered the sun-kissed skin of outsiders to mark their experience, such as traveling merchants and the desert strides.
Perfumes and cosmetics are used by both genders for accentuate their features, though it also serves a practical purpose in protection from the baking sun when out at work.

Gender Ideals

Though largely dependent on each of the great cities, though in general Kathara place little value on gender, as power and authority is derived from magical ability, thus the expectation placed on gender is lessened. Though in some cities like Rashim, where the sorcerous powers can only be inherited by women, therefor to them; power is connected to the female body, as such women are expected to be career chasers, while men are expected to support their wives and sisters as trusted confidants. This is especially true in the competitive royal family, where they can only truly trust their brothers, for they cannot gain the throne nor power without them.

Encompassed species

• Rakaja

Related Organizations

• Court of Rashim
• Cult of The Mortician
• Guild Hastara
• Guild Sabir
• Guild Vicar
• Guild Yamar
• House Aharon
• House Atemu
• House Baras
• House Fadil
• House Ramlar
• Kingdom of Stygia
• Parliment of Khorum
• River Cult
• Sol Guard
• The Craftmen
• The Holy Church of the Sunborn
• The Radiant Guard
• The Royal Firebrand Striders
• Voiceless Daughters

Related Items

• Moon Drops