Zaanay (Zɑɑ-Nei)

The Dragon Men of the Untha-Mountains

These dragonfolks hail from the mountain ranges of Ba-Untha, Dor-Untha and their valleys, where they often live in a small dedicated communities. Many consider them as the "holiest people in Ordu" As they said to be closer to Dragon Gods than any other race in the world. While they might be very small in numbers, they still manage to spread their influence around the world.

Civilization and Culture

Naming Traditions

First names: Male: Joran, Varax, Taruk, Iras, Kurnan, Thetek Female: Tanit, Yaatan, Faarun, Qara, Nelxin, Irdith Surnames: Torarakion, Ildariktas, Kuhtarakion, Qarmaxtas

Culture and Cultural Heritage

In the ancient code of the Zaaney culture your dedication to ones profession is paramount, and they take this to a whole new level. In a Zaaney community, one is expected to be a master of his craft, or dedicate his life to become as close to one as possible. Of course, this not always so. But the ghost of this principle haunts the society to this day. This has brought to the world a race whose talents are highly sought after by nations and kingdoms all around the world. And it is not rare to find a Zaaney or a Zaaney advisers at the top echelon of many organisations, be it an army, or a scientific community.

The People of Dragons

The Zaaney's apparent connection to the divine is not lost for the people of Ordu. Their presence is often welcomed, or downright revered. Even their language "The Sacred Dragonish" is the language of main religion in Eleann. (More text will come here)

History

Origins

Zaaney origins is an often disputed question. They are born of natural means, but the question is; that when? And more importantly; How? Everyone can agree that they have existed as a separate group at least since 349 years FE*, but texts from those time say that are still part of the ancient Naazey society and are still very much the same race as Naazey themselves. Something that the ancient Zaaney texts still confim. Then, somewhere between year 231 FE and 114 FE something triggered a change. Disparate and damaged texts from Zaaney and Dalian records seem to confirm that a god, possibly Tcarathar initiated the change. But as no full texts from that time which would have recorded the happening, have survived intact. Naazey records show that group of fanatics were banished from Vaah-dah (later called Saahdar), but their records end there. Then Dalisian records state that a large group of Naazey refugees landed in modern day Karada and quickly moved on further to the east. Yet even this conflicts with alot of the Zaaney texts. Many hold these texts as gospel, but it is good to remember that they were first written in year 407 CE, over 500 years after these events occured.

Afterwards

Later they would slowly find their place amongs the mountains and would settle the Dor'Untha mountains and later Ba'Untha as well. In the year 300 CE, a group of Zaaney would found the monastery of Coa'chan. A place of learning that would shape the way their society would forwards then on. And soon after that, the Zaaney spread out. They established towns like Dragon's Foot in now Bal'ar, Fra'chon in Ussor and the Invisible City near Ii'daxan and Karanassos. Always staying next to the mountains. And always making sure that they had good relations with the nations they build their settlements in. In fact, the Zaaney actively avoid conflicts with anyone and often work as intermediaries between warring factions. Although, they will defend their settlements. As there are cases when nations have turned upon them, destroyed them and forcing the Zaaney back into the mountains. (*Fall Era. CE: Current Era)

Below are excerps from the text "Of Exodus And What Remained" collected by an unknown author. Long ago, the "Arhnaaz" was just a separate sect of Naazey society, albeit a highly religious one. They lived under a humble, yet rigorous lifestyle and grew to disgust the ever growing self-indulgent of their society. They tried again and again to remind them of their purpose and place in the world, but the larger society rejected them. Eventually the tension turned into hostility and the Arhnaaz, led by the prophet Sathnax went into self-imposed exile.

"Thus he ordered his people not to harm their kindred. Better to suffer the indignity of exile, than force their hands to violence."

They crossed the sea to find themselves a new home and what they found was a war-torn land beset from all sides. The one who came to greet them was not a friend, a changed one who would eventually cross them and bind them to slavery.

"Three days and nights they spoke, we were hungry, they promised us food"

Lost, homeless and downtrodden. The gods had pity on them and one morning, a youngling woke up screaming to a nightmare and when a captor came to punish him, he was burned alive by the youngling's spit.

"The prophet came and spoke of the gift, how he had given up his heart, his soul. Now, we must use it."

During the chaos they fled. Each night, one by one, they woke up with gifts. Even their scales started to fall off and new ones began to sprout.

"They were sure, they were touched by the gods. The prophet spoke of the cosmic elements, each one were touched by them. Indeed, Zaaraz had told him so"

Eventually they were driven to the mountains, where they finally found peace, but the mountains were a harsh host and they had to learn to be hardier and more resilient. To find their own way.

"Faan was the first one to notice; horns, sprouting from his head. This time we didn't fear the change"

After the prophet died, his words and prophecies were written down, splitted and each part was given to holders of each of the elements. To guard their true meaning and to remember their origin and the pain they had suffered. To live as he taught us. And then, they went to their own separate ways.