Hezib

In the intricate dance of cultures within Delhiza, the Hezib emerge as a tribe cloaked in mystery and rich lore. Theirs is a culture woven of paradox and harmony, enigmatic as the river's song, and as resonant as the drumbeat of time itself. Their tongue, Si-Sau, paints the landscape of their narratives, imbuing them with an intrinsic rhythm and pattern that can only be found in their native land of Sau-Hezib.
Intricate customs are a cornerstone of Heziban society, their practices forged in the crucible of their collective history. The Hendos ritual of greeting, used on formal occasions, involves a mutual exchange of earth from each other's homelands, symbolizing the intermingling of their stories and experiences. And at the heart of their belief system sits their veneration of Baxtu Swordtooth, a legendary Heziban warrior who commanded enormous respect and power, rising up centuries ago to dominate not only Sau-Hezib, but the land of Del as well. Thus, the Swordtooth has become emblematic of Heziban greatness, especially vis-a-vis the neighbouring Delfó tribes, whom they despise.
The spiritual leanings of the Hezib are intertwined with their admiration for Baxtu, considering him as a divine intermediary between them and the cosmos, and for the standard Ntúazí of the land, such as the Black Crocodile. An offering of Kizue, a hearty grain unique to Hezib lands, is made to a sacred fire every full moon, a gesture of gratitude and tribute to the spirit of Baxtu and the Black Crocodile, sometimes conflated into the same being.
The Hezib’s relationship with their environment is characterized by a deep-seated respect and reliance. Their homes, hewn from the resilient Nukazi trees, are a testament to their symbiosis with the land. Nukazi bark, rich in potent medicinal properties, is the base of their traditional remedies, underpinning their holistic and organic approach to health and well-being.
In the complex tapestry of socio-political dynamics, the Hezib hold a uniquely intricate thread. Their relationship with the neighboring Sau tribe is a dance of wary alliance and hidden rivalry, a delicate equilibrium maintained by a centuries-old truce, and countless ritual pacts. The presence of both tribes in the name 'Sau-Hezib' speaks volumes to how these two major factions helped each other to gain such ascendancy, by effacing the numerous smaller tribes that once held much greater sway across the region. The Sau have, however, recently pulled ahead in their neck-and-neck race for power, through their incursion into Mador. The mines discovered there and the groundswell of Relan and Tyrilan money chasing them have put the Sau in the enviable position of cashing in, and the Hezib tribe sharpening their spears, waiting for their own chance to pounce...
A legacy of the Baxtu era, the shadowy Red Eyes, believed to be mages of nightmares, add a fascinating layer to the Hezib cultural lore. Originally an offshoot of The Nurhetic Tradition, the Red Eyes found a patron in Baxtu and became a feared entity in Delhiza. The exact details of their involvement in the socio-political dynamics of the Hezib and Sau tribes are heavily shrouded in mystery. Historicaclly, the Hezib's utilization of the Red Eyes as secret enforcers, made possible through the intricate system of iṣùyube ogùhi or "Noble Hiding," showcases their unique adaptation of their traditional customs in response to the evolving political landscape.