The Rashemani,[1] known on their home world as Rashemi, were a human ethnic group native to Toril and primarily found in two countries there, known as Rashemen and Thay.[2]
Description[]
The Rashemani were a very sturdy people, with most having a tough muscular physique, but short stature. Typically they grew to be no taller than five feet. They had thick, straight hair of a dark brown or deep black shade with dark brown eyes. Little time was spent on grooming hair, with men growing long and wild hair. Women treated their hair a bit more gently, tying it back into intricate braids.[3]
Their skin tone naturally ranged from light olive to a deeper bronze, but their state of servitude in Hazlan led them to typically have a ruddier complexion.[3]
Personality[]
Due to the circumstances of their life in the Domains of Dread, the Rashemani were generally distrustful and suspicious of everyone they encountered. Until given a reason to think otherwise, they acted guarded and aloof towards other people, expecting the worst from them assuming that those others sought to exploit them. Their trust had to be earned, which was quite a difficult process that could take some time. In addition, they viewed all forms of entertainment and leisure as a valueless waste of time.[4]
Those who acted as retainers of the ruling class were known to be quite cruel and devious.[5]
Society[]
Rashemani made up 90% of the population of the domain known as Hazlan.[1] There they were a poor and downtrodden people, with most living effectively as serfs under the Mulan. They worked the fields and tended the livestock of Mulan governors, those who controlled the land throughout Hazlan, working to pay off the exorbitant taxes they owed them.[6] They were not permitted to have an education.[5]
If judged incompetent or disobedient, they were liberally beaten and whipped by the Mulan, sometimes to the point of death. Such a death would be legal, so long as a Mulan could provide sufficient cause.[6] Those Rashemani who proved themselves willing to enforce their harsh will and whims in return for generous compensation would be made into retainers, who quelled the sparks of rebellion among their kinfolk. Such Rashemani were distrusted by their employers and despised by their kinfolk.[5]
The Rashemani who lived outside of the serf system were those who had skills as a craftsman. Those who could craft the finely manufactured goods that Mulan so craved had the potential to make enough income to live a comfortable, independent life. But such skills were rare among the Rashemani and any who had them exclusively passed those skills down to their children.[5]
Herdsmen among them raised a range of livestock that included cattle, goats, and sheep. From them, they obtained all their dairy, leather, and meat needs. In addition, they raised swine and poultry.[7]
Diet[]
These people primarily ate vegetables, supplemented by just enough cheese and meat to keep their strength up. Nearly every meal featured bread, cheese, and grapes when possible. Staple drinks included goat's milk and tea. When needing something stronger they had boza, a type of alcohol fermented from wheat berries.[5]
Their two most common dishes were kebabs and dolma, the latter being stuffed vegetables. Dolma were typically stuffed with a mash of corn and nuts. Stuffing them with meat and rice was popular among those who could afford it.[5]
Fashion[]
The clothing worn by the Rashemani was of a simple nature, woven from rough cotton or wool. Both sexes preferred loose trousers with tapered legs and tunics with long, baggy sleeves. Another common garment among them was the kaftan, a type of ankle-length shirt with long sleeves, which men often wore with a belt.[6]
Marriage[]
The Rashemani practiced the tradition known as "bride price," with fathers demanding anywhere from ten to fifty silver pieces in either currency or goods. As these were relatively substantial prices for the average Rashemani, very few men ever married at a young age. On average, men were ten years older than their brides.[5]
Marriage to anyone outside of the Rashemani community was heavily discouraged. Because of this, marriage between parallel cousins was not infrequent. Divorce was also customarily forbidden, though not illegal. This was because the Mulan did not recognize their ethnic group's marriages.[5]
Religion[]
Most Rashemani worshiped the Lawgiver, though many quietly practiced worship of other deities. To them the Iron Faith of the Lawgiver was a source of hope and escape from their laborious lives. However, some Rashemani,[4] unsatisfied with the Lawgiver's promises, sought salvation elsewhere,[8] such in the Church of Hala, which had a hospice devoted to the goddess in nearly every community. But the worship of Hala was practiced in secret, for the Mulan sought to stamp out the hope and feelings of equality it generated.[9]
Divine spellcasters of any kind were highly respected among the Rashemani.[4]
Rumors & Legends[]
Some speculated that the short stature of the Rashemani was due to the widespread disease and malnutrition of Hazlan.[3]
Appendix[]
External Links[]
- Rashemaar article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Rashemani article at Mistipedia, a wiki for the Ravenloft campaign setting run by The Fraternity of Shadows.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 47. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 99–101. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 48. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 51. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 50. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 49. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), pp. 56–57. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 2. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.
- ↑ Andrew Cermak, John W. Mangrum, Ryan Naylor, Chris Nichols, Andrew Wyatt (2002). Ravenloft Gazetteer Volume I. (White Wolf Publishing), p. 54. ISBN 1-58846-080-0.