Zaindari (zān-DAR-ee)

Nomadic travelers of the world. The Zaindari are whimsical free spirits with a penchant for protecting children. While they are often distrusted for their appearance, often thought to be descendants of demons, they have the same spectrum of morality as any other Humanoid race.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Zaindari look mostly human for the most part though having slight points at the tips of their ears like elves. Their skin tone are the same as humans with the addition of red, purple, and blue. Their eyes are usually bright colors of gold, red, and green though occasionally they can be black. The most prominent feature that they have are the horns that protrude from their temples or forehead. Their horns are as unique as the individual they belong to. From curling ram's horns to deer antlers. The more uncommon features that have been seen are elongated fangs, bat-like wings, or even smooth or spaded tails.

Biological Traits

Typically a Zaindari will live between 95 and 110 years. Average height is between 5'3" (160 cm) and 6'0" (183 cm) and average weight is between 130 lbs (59 kg) and 200 lbs (91 kg). A Zaindari's horns begin to appear around the age of five and become fully grown at the age of eighteen.

Genetics and Reproduction

The Zaindari reproduce in the same manner as humans. A male and female can create life through intercourse. This is possible with most humanoid races. It takes up to nine months for a Zaindari child to be born.
Zaindari mothers are often drawn to temples and churches when they are close to giving birth. It is an instinct that they cannot fully explain. If they cannot reach a church or some form of holy ground, they will settle for having their child blessed at the next temple. Children are born with a clay-like substance on them that dries and cracks in the first few hours after birth to reveal the hue of their skin.

Growth Rate & Stages

Growing at the same rate as humans, they reach adult maturity at 18.
At the age of 5, a Zaindari's horns begin to sprout fully growing out at the age of 15.

Ecology and Habitats

Being travelers, they have a hardiness to them that allows them to adapt to most environments. Oddly enough, though they seem to be searching for a place of their own, a large number of them struggle to remain within cities. Generations traveling has given many of the Zaindari a wanderlust that few are able to quell.
However, those that are able to set down roots defend their homes with an unmatched vigor. Those that have finally found a home are more likely to die fighting than give it up.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Using hunting, foraging, and preserving as their main source. As they are nomadic, they tend to eat what they have or hunt only what they need in the area near them.
A lot of their diet comes from berries, mushrooms, and game meat. Their seasonings are either herbs that are foraged from the forest or made from natural sources, such as salt being boiled from sea water.

Biological Cycle

Being travelers, they have a hardiness to them that allows them to adapt to most environments. Oddly enough, though they seem to be searching for a place of their own, a large number of them struggle to remain within cities. Generations traveling has given many of the Zaindari a wanderlust that few are able to quell. However, those that are able to set down roots defend their homes with an unmatched vigor. Those that have finally found a home are more likely to die fighting than give it up.

Behaviour

The Zaindari are a whimsical people that find their path on the open road in caravans. They have a strong bond with family and aggressively protective of any children, regardless of race.

Additional Information

Social Structure

Zaindari generally travel in caravans which contain ten to fifteen families. The eldest of each family is set as the Zaharenna of the caravan that makes decisions and address issues within the caravan.

Uses, Products & Exploitation

There have been occasions of individuals cutting the horns of Zaindari for fake medicinal purposes as well as grave robbing a Zaindari of their horns after death due to the change to hard obsidian. The obsidian from Zaindari horns is often used for magical enchantment and attunement.

Facial characteristics

The horns that appear come in a variety of types. Ranging from antlers to rams to bovine.

Geographic Origin and Distribution

They are stretched out across the world in caravans as merchants and entertainers. A few will settle down and open a business in a city and use it as a place for other caravans to rest and recover for a time before the caravan moves on.

Average Intelligence

Often praised for their artistic ingenuity, Zaindari have the same range of intelligence as Humans.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

Every Zaindari have two names. The first is the one they are given at birth by their mother, this name is often used by the mother throughout the life of the child. At a coming of age ceremony they are given a name that will reference a trait or physical quality about them.

Beauty Ideals

Zaindari take great pride in their horns, taking great care of them throughout their lives. Often decorating them at any celebrations or gatherings. Usually thin chains with a collection of charms drape over the horns.
For women, long hair in decorative braiding or locks are often seen as a sign of a prosperous line.
For men, a strong figure and sharp features are seen to be the pinnacle of beauty.

Gender Ideals

Zaindari men find pride in providing for their family and keeping a covering over his family's head. Men are expected to keep the caravan moving and well fed. Each man is expected to be an example for younger Zaindari men for both their actions and how they treat their future spouse.
Zaindari women often find themselves as lady's of the house. While the men take care of the outside of the wagon, the women have full say within the privacy of the caravan. They are equaled only by their spouse. The wife's word was law. If a guest was visiting, they are to respect the word of the wife.

Courtship Ideals

When two Zaindari are interested in marriage, they will spend a week with one another's family. Learning about their potential spouse from their family. This is especially important if they are from different caravans.
At the time of the wedding, which often lasts three days, there is a friendly tradition where friends and family of the groom attempt to kidnap the bride from the bride's family, who is usually barricaded somewhere. It is kept friendly enough. Though this a tradition that is often heard of, it is not a strict tradition.
At the wedding ceremony, the fathers of the bride and groom will present a horn decoration of handmade charms made by family and friends, that is worn on their horns for the ceremony.

Common Etiquette Rules

It is considered rude to turn down food, and if you must turn down food it be
You do not touch a Zaindari's horns without permission and never in public.

Common Dress Code

While they are travelling, the Zaindari dress in well made clothing that has been stitched from within the tribe. When they arrive in the cities they often change into bright colors with flowing fabrics and eye-catching jewelry.
Both men and women of the Zaindari are expected to dress modestly without revealing too much.

Common Customs, Traditions and Rituals

The Zaindari keep the horns of their ancestors as a means of remembering the old ways. Sometimes these horns are cut into gem stones for use in horn decorations.

Common Taboos

Cutting the horns of another Zaindari is considered the worst offense.

History

Thought to be descendants of some hellish creature that has been diluted over the centuries and now walks the earth with remnants of their devilish origin flowing in their veins. This leads to many mistakenly calling them Deabru. This belief comes from the rather unique look of the Zaindari. Many having horns that sprout from their skulls and skin of varying hues to include flesh, dark, red and purple tones. Some have been known to have large bat-like wings or tails.
The true origin of the Zaindari is often told around the campfire and comes from several millennia ago. It was one fateful night that changed the Zaindari from simple stone Gargoyle to people of flesh and blood. On a cold night, the cries of a child could be heard in the forest beyond the church grounds. The gargoyles were torn between their desire to help the child and the binding to remain on the church grounds. Only two Gargoyle, knowing the consequence of leaving, were able to overcome the compulsion and set out beyond the grounds.
They found a newborn child out in the cold. Saved by its mother by wrapping it in all of the warm fabric to protect it from the cold. The Gargoyle quickly scooped the child up and ran back to the church. Feeling their bodies erode away with each passing moment they remained on the church grounds. Sacrificing themselves to bring the child to safety where they collapsed to sand moments after handing over the child to the others. The Gargoyle took the time to dig through the sand for the hearts of the Gargoyle and buried them like the priests did for their dead. They could not feel mourning, but they remained on guard. Watching over the graves of the brave Gargoyles, refusing the priests to come near and taking them. As the dawn came, the Gargoyles remained vigilant around the grave. Unwilling to allow the sacrifice of the two Gargoyles to be tarnished by the reuse of their hearts.
Artisaua came to them, draped in purple silk and commended the Gargoyles in their loyalty to their fallen comrades. Artisaua believed that the courage of the two should not go unrewarded. Using the clay from the earth and the morning dew, he shaped them into the first of the Zaindari. He named the woman Lehenengoa and the man Haisera. Inviting them to join his Lagundu.
Feeling those that stood guard over the hearts should be rewarded as well, he blessed those that stood vigilant with forms befitting them forms and souls crafted from the essence within them.

Interspecies Relations and Assumptions

With the fact that many other races are distrusting of the Zaindari, they generally have a rather guarded mentality toward others outside of their caravans. When they enter the city they will tend to put on a persona of sorts in order to be more entertaining and manage more coins.

Genetic Ancestor(s)

• Gargoyle

Lifespan

95 - 110 years

Average Height

5'3" (160 cm) - 6'0" (183 cm)

Average Weight

130 lbs (59 kg) - 200 lbs (91 kg)

Average Physique

Often of lean build due to their diet and constant travel.

Body Tint, Colouring and Marking

Their skin can be indiscernible from human while also having the possibilities of red, purple, and blue.

Geographic Distribution

• Talamh