The Kaseem

[Nazerine]

"The heart is the crop. He who plants seeds of happiness today will receive the bountiful crop tomorrow. But for he who plants resentment will be only greeted by weeds. " - Muhammad Ajjal, Archmagi.

Name: Kaseem. Pronounced 'Khas-seem'. Plural form:- Kaseem. Nicknames: Nomads, Humads, Desertmen. Lifespan: 80 - 100 years. Reputation: Grounded, resilient, devoted, admired. Racial Gods: None. Racial Attributes: +3 Wisdom, +3 Agility, +3 Knowledge, +1 Strength. * Gain Arcana, allowing them to apply +3 points to an attribute of their choice. * Specialisation with Dual Wield. * Slight resistance to slow effects. Capital: Akhor

Origins

The Kaseem have the earliest recording date for human presence on Verenthia. They were the first to be documented treading the land's soil, and as such, have earned the respect of the slightly older races such as the baysaad and elves. Many events that transpired in the past were lost, during civil unrest in the last age. Much of the kaseem history was destroyed when the Ahkori library was set aflame in protest.

The protests themselves were held after one of the council was ruled out of becoming high chairman just short of a few votes. Those that followed him set the city in flames and protested that the votes be restarted due to the voting been rigged. Instead, the councillor and his followers were driven forcefully from Ahkor and into the desert of illusions where they were presumed to perish.

After the uprising, the people of the Kaseem came to peace with one another, and not a single severe conflict has happened since. Their migration to the west had dotted the desert in various small settlements that proceeded to flourish despite the harsh conditions.

Since their introduction to the desert baysaad, they have been able to gather a reliable trading partner and regard the baysaad with reverence and respect, despite their cold ways. Many redeem the kaseem capital as a true sanctuary, a place of peace where many come to contemplate and think out their purpose. The kaseem remain loyal to the Imperial Empire and still support the empires wishes and demands, such as supplying troops and resources to the kingdoms beyond their borders.


Biology

The Kaseem humans are not the tallest of the races, being regarded as slightly shorter than the rest of their species. Their skin consists of many metallic hues, such as bronze, light brown and browny creams. The colour of the hair doesn't stray far, remaining dark and mostly coarse in texture.

Eye colour comes in large varieties, with browns, ambers, blues, greens, silvers and blacks being amongst them. The pupil size is considered large and round, even during daylight hours. Naturally, all kaseem are born with a tolerance to the heat, making the texture of the skin cool to the touch. This heat amplifies the veins on their bodies, being clearly visible running down the forearms and neck of both male and female alike.



Age and Reproduction

Children are born into small families, the number being decided by the residence they possess. Larger houses or abodes will naturally handle more children. Young children are not expected to fullfill any roles until they reach the age of 10, where they are apprenticed into their family's trade. The trade is dependant upon which lesser arcana their heritage belongs.

Youngsters are taught the profession with dignity, until they come of age at 20. Once reaching the age of maturity, they are usually arranged to marry a partner under the same constellation as their family. The wedding is arranged by the parents, and the new adult usually has little say in whom they are to be-wed Of course, the wedding must be agreed to by all parties, and if one chooses to refuse, that decision is respected.

Once marriage occurs, it is expected that they are to give children and remain in one of their family's houses, continuing on the work of the given constellation. If one does not marry, they can continue to live in their parents home and work with their family, or they may continue on elsewhere with their parent's permission.


Psychology

Known to be down-to-earth in nature and wise beyond their years, the kaseem have earned a respected reputation throughout the many lands of Verenthia. They are resilient people, who think before they act and treat those around them according to their efforts and deeds. A kaseem will have more respect for someone who has contributed, than to someone who has done little.

They perceive the non-human races as beings who have potential, and do not hold racial grudges like the imperials. They are easy going in nature, and will often help those around them that are less fortunate. Otherwise, they can be stoic in their decision making, and claim their word to be final. Usually an argument will always cease with a kaseem saying the last word.


Racial Traits

Kaseem are conceived with a tolerance to the harsh desert weather, even if not born in the Humad region. This tolerance allows them to withstand warmer temperatures better than any other known human race.

The endless sea of sand that surrounded all Kaseem fortifications and towns has gifted the race with the uncanny ability to move across them quite effectively. Empowering most with powerful legs, this allows most of the race to become slightly resistance to effects that would otherwise slow other's movement speed.

Also, the culture of the Kaseem uphold many traditions, the most common being able to multi-task. Children, taught from as young as 5 are calibrated to handle weapons in both hands, granting Kaseem a specialisation in this field of defence.


Clothing, Art and Industry

The Ahkori Kaseem are an industrious, down-to-earth people, unlike some of their nomadic brothers and sisters. Common jobs include blacksmiths, merchants, weavers, miners, farmers, and guards. Everyone is considered equal in Ahkor, regardless of their lineage or profession, but all are judged by their deeds. Contributions to the city as a whole are considered to be the greatest of actions, and are rewarded by the community in whichever ways suit, while crimes or misdeeds can leave you ostracized, in prison, or even banished.

They dress in thin, lightweight cloth, of either cotton or silk (depending on individual wealth), draped in flowing layers and decorated with glass beads, golden embroidery, and small metal discs. Common colours include soft reds, blues, greens, browns, and whites. The more modest men and women wear head coverings and veils, while the proud and flamboyant decorate themselves with golden jewellery.

Khmer, the magi who oversee the religious, scholarly and magical happenings of region, are considered to be servants of the stars, and do the earthly work of the gods. They are to be treated with the respect one would show their own ancestor, but they are equal in social standing to all other citizens. To become Khmer, an apprentice that shows affinity with magic must learn a detailed understanding of both the movement of the heavens and the language. The Seren'Khmer, who are the only people with access to the temple spires, are prophets, and the keepers and users of the Seren'seri, or "Star spheres;" Mystical telescopes that are said to allow the magi direct viewing of the heavens, as well as the ability to better decipher their secrets and movements.

The Seren'seri are the only known examples of telescopes in Verenthia, and their function is a closely guarded secret. To become Seren'Khmer, Khmer must reach fifty years of age, and know the name of every visible star in the night sky. They must also display a powerful knowledge of the arcane, and prove their benevolence towards the city through their service in the temples, to ensure that they do not abuse their position.


Religion

The most widely practiced religion of the Kaseem is the Seren'raji, loosely translated as Star Speaking. Followers of the Seren'raji believe that the night sky is a window into the heavens, and the stars are the spirits of the Gods and their ancestors. Astrology plays an important part in all Kaseem culture; often, a family in Ahkor will choose a constellation on which they base their profession, and their children and grand children will follow in their footsteps, believing that their forebearer's spirits will ascend into each particular constellation when their mortal bodies fade. When a child chooses a different path for their life, it is believed that they will have minimal contact with their ancestors when their spirits ascend, depending on the proximity of their newly chosen constellation.

Although it is an uncommon decision, it is not discouraged; to change one's path is to prove the strength of mortal willpower. Those who have been banished from Ahkor are considered disconnected from the heavens, and though they might not be allowed to ever settle in the city again, they can earn their right to ascend from their deeds in the outside world.

It is incorrect to say, despite all this, that the Kaseem worship the stars. They hold reverence for the heavens, as it is the resting place of their ancestors, but the firmament does not demand tribute, nor does it hold much sway over their lives. As conscious as they are of the great beyond, the Kaseem remember first and foremost that they live on Verenthia, and that mortals have as much power to change and shape the world around them as the skies and the earth.

The dead Kaseem receive funeral rites in designated chambers of the temples, where their earthly bodies are burned. It is believed the smoke carries the spirit to the heavens. Kaseem who do not receive proper funeral rights are considered to be sentenced to purgatory, where they are said to remain for one hundred years before the Gods will allow them to be drawn up like evaporating water through the clouds (or until their remains are found and cremated). There has never been an instance of the Kaseem people using this as a punishment, though myth tells of instances where the Gods cursed the bodies of evil-doers to never burn, thus dooming their spirits to wander the earth until they have paid their dues.