Pozoj (pǒzoj)
The Pozoj are the people native to the Korabovi Islands in the Northeastern Region. They are of the Zmei, and are among the oldest cultures in the The Islands, having survived the fall of Muria at the hands of the Clarati.
In recent years, they have come under the control of the Empire of Vlast and Nabijač, the Kar of Vlast. Her reign has been brutal and violent, as she has used her armies to exact vengeance all those who enslaved her during childhood. Many of the Pozoj have fled from her wrath, to hide on other islands such as Selig, in underground refuges, or even beneath the waters of Dvorsko Jezero.
Physical Appearance
Like all Zmei, the Pozoj have a reptillian appearance, with scaled skin, clawed hands, and long tails. Their scales tend to be more muted than other Zmei, with olive and tan being the predominant shades. The Pozoj are also a little taller than the average Zmei, with a typical height being just under six feet. Their eyes are usually brown or yellow, with red eyes being more common than in other populations. Albinism is also more common among the Pozoj, especially in those Rods from the island of Jelen.
Common Dress & Style
Pozoj usually dress in loose, wide trousers tied with a sash, and a loose-fitting shirt. Wraps at the ankles and wrists keep the sleeves and pants in place, and many Pozoj choose to wear hoods or vests as well. Earth tones are considered the most attractive. They cherish jewelry, typically choosing to wear one or two items that have significant meaning to the wearer. Too much jewelry is considered tacky and tasteless.
Religion & Folklore
The Pozoj are worshippers of the Bogovi, the old gods of the Zmei. Korab is particularly sacred to them as the patron and namesake of the Korabovi Islands. The center of Pozoj religion is the Temple of Korab on the mountain named Vojskovođa Gora. The priests there maintain shrines to as many of the ancient Bogovi as they can, to preserve their name and memory for when they can rise once more. One of the stated goals of the Empire of Vlast is to restore the Bogovi to their proper place as the gods of all the northern islands.
There are many holidays celebrated by the Pozoj over the course of the year, but the most significant are Den Teney and Den Ognya. These are at the beginning and end of winter, and mark the beginning and end of life. Den Teney is celebrated at the end of the fall, and is a time to honor the dead and the dying, to tell tales of the past, and to listen to the elders of the community. When spring comes the Pozoj celebrate Den Ognya with feasts and games. It is focused on youth and childhood, the hatching of eggs, and hopes for the future. Nabijač has stated that she intends to bring about a great Den Ognya for the Pozoj and the Zmei, and finally end the long winter of their people.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
Main Article: Jezik
The Pozoj speak the Jezik language, which is part of the Zmei family of languages. There are multiple dialects of Jezik, although only the Jelenski dialect is permitted by the Empire.
Foods & Cuisine
As the Zmei are obligate carnivores, meat and seafood make up a large portion of Pozoj cuisine. Roasting and frying are the preferred cooking techniques. The Pozoj also create a wide variety of preserved meats, and have more varieties of sausage than any other culture in the Great Ring.
One popular dish is stuffed squid, which can be found in any Pozoj fishing community. The squid is stuffed with chopped shrimp and squid that has been fried with garlic and oil, and then skewered and roasted over a fire. Different villages have their own variations on this dish, and will advocate vociferously for their own specific spices and details.
Major organizations
Main Article: Empire of Vlast
The Empire of Vlast is a recent arrival on the international stage, and has drawn concern from those who live nearby. The Kar of Vlast has proven herself to be a ruthless and brilliant general, and has recently formed some sort of alliance with the fiendish Hleemeentreezee.
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