Shanindar

The First Dwarves of the Mountains

The Shanindar, or Shanindari, are an ethnic group that originated in and currently inhabits the Shanindar Mountains of Nioa. They are largely made up of mountain dwarves, making them the largest dwarven ethnic group in all of Holos . They share a common language, Shanindari, and a common culture that distinguishes them from other ethnic groups in Nioa and other dwarven communities more broadly.
Most scholars agree that the Shanindar people were one of the first groups to politically organize and form an early nation state. Though the Shanindar Empire has gone through many dynasties and its borders have grown and shrank many times over the millennia, some form of an independent, Shanindar-ruled state has existed within the eastern mountains since the Mithril Era.

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Most Shanindari speak the Shanindari language. Those on the fringes of the Empire usually also speak Qartagonian, Mashiqi, or Deccan. The Shanindar language's script was later adopted by Auloan communities with large numbers of dwarves during the Palladian Era when they were trying to connect with their fellow brethren in the face of encroaching colonial forces.

Average technological level

Underground Agriculture

Among the Shanindar Empire's satraps and nobility, gardens assume an important place for them to display their wealth, resources, and ingenuity. Successful underground cultivation gardens required the Shanindar to develop the advanced knowledge of water and solar technologies, including aqueducts, earliest recorded gravity-fed water rills, and basins arranged in a geometric system.

Art & Architecture

Architecture

The Shanindar are most famous for their subterranean garden architecture. Many of the mountains and hills that have Shanindar communities living on or inside them also have hollow chambers with apertures to the outside set above plots of soil. Here, the Shanindar grow both crops for cultivation but also herbs and medicinal plants. Some exceptionally wealthy or influential Shanindar even grow hardy plants and fungi with bioluminescent properties as decorations for their homes and businesses.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

Hair Ceremonies

• Victory: Dwarves that have won a significant battle either personal or public will show off an excessive hairstyle decoration and braids for two weeks following their triumph. After the two weeks the dwarf will add another bead to their everyday attire to signify their achievement.

• Loss/Death of a Loved One: When a major loss is suffered in life, a dwarf signifies it by entirely clipping their head of hair. It is considered unlucky not to pay the loss due respect by giving up some of your pride in your appearance.

• Death & Burial: A dwarf passing over into the afterlife must have their hair covered that no beasts or demons that inhabit the Twilight-Between may see their life experiences. They are said to uncover their hair before the Azwakhari Himself.

Common Myths and Legends

The Shanindar people's cultural identity is closely bound up in their religious philosophy, commonly called Zwaism. Among the many traditions of the Shanindar, they believe that their people can only, and should only, be ruled by a member of their own clans and people. Kings of the Shanindar are believed to be divinely appointed. The King, in turn, appoints bureaucrats from among each individual community's aristocracy to serve as his lieutenants while he remains in the capital. This system, called the satrapies, ensure that the will of the central government is carried out while also appeasing the unique cultural demands of the Shanindar.

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Like many other communities, the Shanindari dwarves have many rules and customs in regards to their hair. A Shanindar dwarf will cut or restyle their hair many times during their life such as (but not limited to) reaching adulthood, marriage, a major victory or loss on the battlefield, and death. Dwarf hair is cut and styled at will but males are forbidden from cutting their beards. Female Shanindari dwarves may cut their beards, though widows let theirs grow long.

Youth (Age 0-30)

• Beards haven't fully developed, no braids, no beads or other jewels

• Hair usually worn loose or in a single tail

• Ribbons are popular with kids

Adulthood (30-100)

• Braids allowed and common

• Hair is uncut and worn long until marriage

• Considered childish and improper to wear hair loose in public at this stage

Old Age (100+)

• Worn up, if long enough

• If short or previously cut, ribbons or horsehair extensions added to give the appearance of long hair

Courtship Ideals

A newly married Shanindar dwarf will cut off their hair in the back to signify commitment. Couples are forbidden from getting divorced until both parties have regrown their hair to their shoulders (usually about 2 months). A married dwarf will cap their braids, usually with metal but sometimes other materials are used. Braid caps have a similar function as wedding rings.

Major organizations

Shanindar Empire

Encompassed species

• Dwarf
• Gryphon
• Hill Dwarf

Related Organizations

• Shanindar Empire
• Zwaism

Related Locations

• Nioa
• Shanindar

FEMININE NAMES

A

Adrina Amestris Amuhia Amytis Apama Apame Artakama Artastūnā Artysonē Atossa Abenahir Aimai Alibai Ardvisura Aredetfredhi Arenavachi Argavan Armaiti Arnavaz Arnaz Arta Arzu Asha Argavan Ashishvangh Ava Avabai Azad, Azadeh Zaddokht Azarmidokht Asabanâ

B

Barsinê Bachubai Bahar Bakhtavar Banu Banuhufriz Banuhuram Banuhururish Behafrid Behruz Behzad Benafsha Bhikhaiji Bostan

C

Chaman Chandanbai Cheherazad

D

Dadhush Danish Delafruz Delara Delaram Delbahardelbanu Delbar Deldar Delkhush Delnavaz Delruba Delshad Deyazad Dhanbai Din Dinaz Dinbai Dinbanu Dogdo Dosibai Dughdhô-vâ

E

Eredat-fedhrî

F

Fahnik Farhang Farida Farkhonda Farnazafarzanak Ferangiz Feroza Ferozbanu Franak Frawarti Freni Franghâd

G

Ganj Gohar Goharafrid Gordafrid Gordieh Gul Gulafruz Gulafsan Gulafshan Gulandam Gulbadan Gulbaher Gulbai Gulbanu Gulbarg Gulchehr Gulestan Gulkhandan Gulkhurshid Gullala Gulnar Gulpaekar Gulroxar Gulrukh Gulshan Gulshirin Gulzar

H

Hirabai Homa Homai Hormazbanu Hufriya Hutosh Hutoxi Haxâmanish Hitâspa Huchithrâ Humayâ Hutaosâ Hvovi

I

Iotapa Iotapē

J

Jahanaray Jaiji Jarbai Jobias Jotabba Jagkrut

K

Kassadanê Kaniz Katayun Katin Keherafrid Kerbanu Keshvar Kharmen Kharshedbai Khubchehr Khubrui Khurmand Khurshid Khurshidbanu Khushchehr Khushmand Khushnama Khushnam Khushnawaz Kuvarbai Kararni Kiandokht Kahrkana Kanukâ

L

Lal Lalagul Laleh Lilya

M

Mah Mahafrid Mahafrin Mahaziver Mahbanu Mahchehrmahdokht Mahin Mahinbanu Mahkhurshid Mahpaekar Mahpari Mahparvin Mahperviz Mahrokh Mahru Mahtab Mahzarin Makhmal Manakbai Mani Manizeh: Meher Meherafraz Meherafrid Meherafrin Meherafruz Meherangiz Meherbai Meherbanu Meherchehr Meherkhoda Meherokh Meherpaekar Mehersimin Mithibai Morvarid Mehrnaz Motibai

N

Naheed Nahlibai Narenj Narges Navaz Navazbai Navazesh Nazakat Nazbanu Nazchehr Nazneen Naztab Nekakhtar Nekbakht Nekchehr Nekdel Nezhat Nilopal Nilufer Nîjara Nivika

P

Paesangnu Parendi Pari Paribanu Parichehr Parik Parin Parindokht Parizad Parvana Parvin Parviz Payendeh Pirozbai Puran Purgav Puyendeh Parmida Parmya Phaidymê Paêsanghanû Pouruchista

O

Orsabaris

R

Rakhshandeh Rambanu Rambehesht Rashna Robab Robeab Rokhsar Roshan Roshanaf Roshanak Roshni Roxenda Roxana Rozafzun Rozbahar Rozmeher Rudabeh Ruhae Rupabai Rux Ruxshin Ruzbeh

S

Sakarbaj Samanbar Samannaz Samanrukh Sanober Sapinud Sarafraz Sarosh Sarv Sarvazad Savanghvachi Shahbanu Shahi Shahnavaz Shahnaz Shahrinaz Shahru Shahzan Shaker Shakerbanu Shakernaz Sheherazadē Sheherbanu Sheherivar Shehernavaz Shehernaz Shirbanu Shirdokht Shirin Shirinbanu Simbar Simin Simurg Sinda Spenta Armaitispenta: Srutatfedhri: Sudabeh: Suklibai Sunabai Susan Shâbuhrduxtag Stateira Srûtat

T

Tabendeh Tajbanu Tanaz Tehmina Thrity Tishtar: Tokhmesarv Tushnamaity Tâjûyah Thriti Tomyris Thriti Tusa

U

Ushtavaity Uparmiya Ushtavaitî Uxshentî

V

Vahbiz Vanghu Fredhi Vira: Virbaiji Virbanu Vispanfriva Vanushê Vadhaghan Vadhut Vandaremainish Vanghav Vîspa

Y

Yasmin Yazdin

Z

Zamrod Zarin Zarinchinar Zer Zoish Zairichî

MASCULINE NAMES

A

Achaemenes Ainairya Ardaxcashda Ardumanish Ariaramnes Ariyamna Arsames Arses Arshaka Arshâma Artavardiya Artaxerxes Artaxshasa Artostes Arxa, Arkha Âsina, Aspacanah Aspathines Atamaita Umamaita Athiyabaushna Abadan Abadard Abadi Abarja Abtum Adar Adarbad Adarbahram Adarburzin Adarburzinmeher Adarfiroz Adarfra Adargushnasp Adarhormazd Adarhoshang Adarkhordad Adarkhurshid Adarmah Adarmard Adarpadyavand Adarvan Adel Adro Advi Afiveh Aflatun Ahumstut Ahun Airyaman Amardad Amavand Anaoshak Anosh Anoshiruvan Aorang Aoshnar Arash Arasti Arawaostra Ardafravash Ardakhoreh Ardashir Ardaviraf Ardvan Armin Arshak Arshama Arshan Arshavir Arshis Arta Artafarnis Artavardiya Artawahishta Ardwahisht Arvand Aryaburzin Aryameher Arzani Asdin Asfandiar Ashavahisht Ashraf Ashtad Aspandad Aspandyar Aspantaman Asrat Astoh Atars Atbin Athrina Aurashaspa Aurvatasp Ayanghat Azad Azadafroz Azadchehr Azadmard Azadsarv Azarkevan Azarmig Azarzushnes Azman

B

Bagâbign Bagabuxsha Bardiya Babak Baghodat Bahadur Bahman Bahmanyar Bahmard Bahram Bahramchobin Bahramdad Bahramgor Bahramian Bakhtafrid Bakhtafrit Bakhtyar Balash Bamdat Bamshad Baraz Barman Barzu Burjor Bastavar Bastur Behbud Behruz Berezavant Bezan Bokhtar Borjis Bundar Burzafrah Burzafrid Burzasp Burzin Burzincheher Burzinkurush Burzinmeher Buzargmeher

C

Cambyses Cincixri Cisantaxma Cishpi Teispes Cyaxares Cyrus Chakhravat Chaxshnush Cheherazad Chubin

D

Dâdarshi Dârayavahu Darius Dâtuvahya Dadar Dadgar Daenovajangh Daneshvar Dara Darab Darabshah Darashah Darayus Darazdast Dastan Davrameshi Dehmeher Delafruz Delawar Delir Delsuz Dinpanah Dinshah Dinyar Divband Dravasp

E

Emet Erach Erezwand Erezwa

F

Frâda Fravarti Faravindad Fardad Faredun Faridun Farhad Fariburz Farkhan Farkhaneh Farrokh Farrokhan Farrokhbakhsh Farsak Farud Farzan Ferozgar Firdous Firdousi Frahimrawa Frahisrva Framarz Faramroze Frashaoshtra Frashavard Fravak

G

Gaubaruva Gaumâta Gobryas Gashtaham Gaubruva Gev Gelshah Geramig Gira Goberu Goraze Govad Gudarz Godrej Gushnasp Gushtahm Gushtasp

H

Haldita Haxâmanish Hydarnes Hystaspes Habub Haftanbad Hakhamanish Hardar Hardarashna Hormazd Hormazdad Hosh Hoshang Hoshedar Aushedar Ushedar Hoshyar Husrav Hutan Huvaspa Huzvak Hvarechaeshman

I

Imanish Intaphernes Isatvastra Ishvat Izad Yazad Izadyar

J

Jahan Jahanabad Jahanbax Jahandar Jahangir Jahanshah Jahansuz Jamasp Jamshed Jamshir Jandal Jangi Javanmard Javidan

K

Kambûjiya Kûru Kai Kay Kaikobad Kambujiya Kabujiva Kamdele Kamran Kamus Karan Karlman Kavas Kavay Kaveh Kayarax Kayarmin Kayzad Kerbad Kerfegar Kersasp Keshwadkevan Khanvant Kharad Khavar Khodabax Khojasteh Khordad Khorram Khosrav Khusru Khudabax Khudaram Khurshid Khushrod Kobad Kurush

M

Marduniya Mardonius Martiya Megabyzus Mahburzin Mahvir Manush Manushkhurner Mardan Mardanshah Mardbud Marzban Mediomah Mehbazu Meherab Meherabad Meherak Meheran Meherban Murad

N

Nabonidus Nabukudracara Nebuchadrezzar Nabunaita Nidintu-Bel Nadir Namdar Nariman Narseh Nashak Nasha Nawazish Nazban Nekdel Nevazar Nim Noshirwan Noshzad Nushzadnotriga Nush Nushada Nushazar Nuved Nived

O

Otanes Orvadasppaband

P

Padmani Phraotes Pahlawan Pahalvan Paitiraspa Peterasp Paktan Palashparvanda Parvez Aparviz Pashin Peroz Peshotan Pishan Pishkar Pishkasir Pisnangh Porgav Pulad Raham

R

Rakhoh Ram Rambax Rambehesht Ramburzin Ramdin Ramin Rashid Rashna Ratushtar Rayomand Rointan Roshan Rozafzun Rozbahar Rozmeher Rushad Rustam Ruzbeh

S

Skunxa Smerdis Sogdianus Saen Safna Sahi Salm Saham Sahem Shaham Sarafraz Sarosh Sarush Sorush Sarvar Sarvazad Sarvin Sasan Shahak Shahan Shahdan Shahen Shahpur Shapur Shahren Shahrevar Sharukh Sheherazad Sheherbaraz Sherfiruz Shergir Shidush Shiruy Shirvanshah Shirzad Siavax Smerdis Sohrab Surin Suroyazat Syamak

T

Taxmaspâda Teispes Thuxra Tahm Tahmasp Tumasp Tahmtan Tahmuras Taj Takhmaspada Tamur Taronish Tahmuras Thritak Tigran Tir Tirandaz Tirdad Tishtar Teshtar Tiz Tizasp Tizrav Tizyarshti Tokhare Tus

U

Upadarma Utana Uvaxshtra Upamana Urvakhsha Urvatatnara Ushah Ushedar Ushedarmah

V

Vahauka Vahumisa Vahyavishdâpaya Vahyazdâta Vaumisa Vâyaspâra Vindafarnah Vindarna Vishtâspa Vivâna Valakhsh Valash Balash Palash Vanitar Varazdad Vardanis Varun Vasna Vaspan Vaspar Veer Vehmard Vifranavaz Vishnasp Vishtaspa Vispanfria Vohuperes Vohu-Ushtra Vourunemangha

W

Wehafrid Wehshapur Wehzan

X

Xerxes Xshathrita Xshayârshan

Y

Yadgar Yakdast Yavisht Yazad Yazd Yazdandad Yazdansetae Yazdezad Yazdgerd Yazdyar Yazdanyar Yima

Z

Zadhormazd Zadmehr Zadsparam Zahan Zal Zaosh Zar Zaran Zarathushtra Zartosht Zarazdaiti Zard Zariab Zarir Zarman Zarmeher Zarvan Zurvan Zavareh Zinawar Zirak Zirakzadeh Zreh Zubin