Zheivara

The Zheivara, or Stormcats as called by most Common-speakers, originated long ago, in the icy regions of Snegoviia. Their appearance was like that of a feline, though on its hind legs rather than on all four. Their heads were also larger than that of a common cat, leading to the belief that they are their descendants, just with more capability for reason and thought.

Today, the Zheivara primarily populate the country known as Zharisnya, after the country’s “unification” of the ancient Stormcat tribes & merge with the Catoal State of Resilnya. Most of the Zheivara also follow the religion/ideology known as Kor Zhyurii (or The Storm, in Common), with other religions being followed less so (with The Children of Kuzax being the largest minor religion) Their main language is one known as Zheiyuz.

Tribal History
The Zheiva people were a split species, with many different tribes populating the cold and desolate lands; however, things would begin to change for them with the discovery of fire. Before, the Zheiva had to rely on only their fur coats and makeshift homes to keep them from succumbing to the freezing temperature, but no longer.

Many centuries after the discovery of fire, a new Variety of Zheiva emerged, one that appeared less hairy, but only moderately so. Without the dependency of fur to keep them warm, a large portion of the population had slowly been losing it through the generations. These people came to be known as the Orgova. And because of this slow separation, the original, fur-covered Zheiva became known as the Scherzhieva.

Things remained the same for many centuries after this, until the day the sun peeked through the stormy clouds of Snegoviia. No one knows exactly what happened genetically-speaking, but a select few of the children born that year would be birthed without much fur at all; and yet, even stranger, they wielded the very abilities of nature itself. Some had light control over the breeze, the rain, or even thunder, but most did not. All of them did carry one commonality however, besides their appearance; their body temperatures were through the roof, practically rendering them immune to the harsh colds of the land. These odd variations of Zheiva were known as the Najyuva, and they would soon become the key to the Zheiva’s rule and unification of their people within Snegoviia.

No longer being bound together in small tribes because of the constraint of the cold, certain tribes led by Najyuva leaders quickly began expanding. Small towns became cities, cities became states, and states kingdoms. War was rampant during the time, and many suffered terrible shortages of food, attacks by other groups, etc… This era came to be known as the Yorsvet zo Krii (Dawn of Blood). It lasted many centuries, shaping Zheiva culture as a whole, leading to much of their art and literature exploring themes of death and general suffering. This would also be when the traditional outfit of the Zheiva would be established; long and fuzzy coats, button on both sides; warm boots, made just for the snow; furry hats, covering their ears and heads; and of course, their scarves. This traditional outfit was mostly popularized due to 2/3rds of the Zheivara still not having the abilities of the Najyuva, but still being forced to move around Snegoviia –often without any campfires or torches to keep them warm. The Yorsvet zo Krii might’ve been an era of great tragedy, but due to different Zheiva nations constantly striving to get a one-up on their foes, it was also a time of great innovation. The Zheiva had learned to smith tools, they had been working on enhancing their magics, and they attained the abilities of steam power!

Amidst all of the wars and the fighting, a young Zheiva who would come to define the modern age was born; the great Zyrei Sevona Rekoniira. They were a Najyuva-born warrior with magic abilities never before seen. They would be the first in all of Zheiva history to unite the split cities & nations in Snegoviia. They would establish the rule of a Zhur (The Diviner [or, Divine Ruler of the Stormcats] in Common] over their new nation of Zharstotzka, with Kor Zhyurii (The Storm in Common) being established as their one and only true ideology/religion. Near the end of their reign, Zyrei –with the help of their council– discovered a method of transferring their magical abilities to another Zheiva, and so was established their dynasty, left unbroken for centuries; though, not without its close calls.

Thanks to the new era of peace and stability, the Zheivara were able to expand not only throughout Snegoviia, but would also occasionally traverse lands outside of it. Different Zhurara would occasionally send troops & citizens off to conquer new lands in the name of Zharstotzka; not many succeeded, but it did help at least expand the Zheiva people throughout the world of Abexilas.

Modern History
W.I.P.

Traditions
Zheiva have three names; their first name, middle name, and last name. Their first name is one chosen by their parents. Their middle name is based on whatever profession they go into first (as such, most don’t have one until later in their life.) And their last name comes from their parent’s first name; more specifically, the one who can beat the other in a non-lethal duel. Ex: Zyrei Sevona Rekoniira in english would look like; Zyrei Warriora (child of)Niira. If their parent’s first name begins with a vowel, a consonant is usually added between the name & the “Reko” portions.