Najer (Cultural Group)

The Najer are a cultural group native to Rathnir. Once a homogeneous group of nomads, they are now a diverse group of people, bonded together through their culture and lifestyle rather than by blood. They are habitually isolationist and distrustful of foreigners, but friendly to all who share a table with them.

Ancient Era
Millennia ago, an ancient group of wanderers roved all across Rathnir and beyond. They travelled countless leagues, across mountain, plain and desert. Nameless, rootless, and faceless, they kept themselves alive.

Throughout the years, they, their children, and their children's children, began to settle down. Still they wandered, but in places they called home. Rugged and often surrounded and pushed away by enemies, they called the deserts their home. In a land that would someday be known as Nieden, they laid claim to the wandering desert, living in it, preserving it, and watching over it.

The precipitous mountains to the south shielded them from invasion, the shifting seas of the deserts deterred the unfriendly, and the oceans were the avenues from which they interacted with the rest of the world. They became one people, calling themselves the Najer, which is to say, 'The People.'

Settled Era
Many, many years passed, and they lived as they always had, content. Nations rose, nations fell. Najer remained. The Wandering desert was their home, and that was all they needed.

Societies continued to develop around them. Raiders and pillagers began to frequent the northern shores of Nieden, taking both lives and livelihoods. The Najer fled, taking refuge in ancient temples. Confined so, they mounted a defense, entrenching themselves against those who would harm them.

Safety was not the only thing they would find, however. Buried in the sand lay the customs of their ancestors, long since put away and forgotten. The relics and knowledge prepared and enabled the people to drive out the raiders for good, but not without losses. Many died, including their chief Seyoh Vusha.

Embolden by their trials, and invigorated by the rediscovery of their culture, the people came together in a way they never had before. They banded together to create a new city, a new legacy. One tradition of their past stood out among the multitude.

The Lost God, Menkauhor, who represented renewal, a reawakening of memory. Once revered by their forefathers, the Najer decided to again honor this deity, this idea. A new age began for them. A new Seyoh took charge, Seyoh Solomon. He led the people in the construction of their future capital among the hills and mountains of the desert. They called it Najera'jad, or the peoples mountain.

As the Najer began to grow, across the ocean, another group rose. The Noxists reclaimed their ancient home of Aftonsal, renaming it to Sovdal. These two groups would meet, interact, and become close allies, bonding over their similar heritage.

This connection eventually blossomed into a grand flower: the two peoples would lead a total of ten nations to form the Silver Coalition, becoming the two hubs of culture around which the north could flourish.

Disaster would strike around this time, when a devastating plague swept through all nations. The Enfycene plague devastated the close-knit city of Najera'jad. Two-thirds of the Najer would die of this disease, while many others left to resettle in the city of Kijaro. Although this would have been a death blow to most nations, the Najer persevered. A new Seyoh, Avreham Basha, assumed leadership of the people.

Seyoh Avreham would be instrumental in Najer and the Silver Coalition, orchestrating treaties with Escharia and Bardonia. These enigmatic foreign powers joined the Silver Coalition to form the Trillium Alliance, one of the most powerful unions in the history of Rathnir.

Silver Era
The Trillium brought unprecedented peace to Rathnir, the age of Pax Trilli. Najer, within the Silver Coalition, continued to develop. Though still a small people, the Najer were well-liked, and their social epicenter, Najera'jad, respected by all.

Eventually, Seyoh Avreham would lead a revolution in the Coalition, taking a crown forged by Ljukkti of Vraela, a friend to the Najer. He became the first High King of the Sterling Crownlands, an evolution of the Coalition, solidifying the identity and pride of the North, Najer among them.

Although he would be slaughtered a short while after, his legacy and influence continued to shape history as the world burned in the Trillium War. His son, Baram, would see the Crownlands to the end.

Despite the loss of the greatness and legacy of Northern unity, the Najer remained strong. Distancing themselves from their traditional tribal structures, they organized themselves anew. Taking inspiration from the traditional northern style of government, they designated a king, Dmitrio von Sturgeon of Wobambi. Thus the Emirate of Najer was born.

Modern Era
The world was a tumultuous place at this time. Refugees and new settlers continued to come north, some settling in Najer lands. The Najer welcomed these new additions, their own population never having recovered from the plague many generations ago. The Vulpur and the Sicarians were two groups who began to call the Emirate their home and the Najer their brothers.

Tension would spark as countries south of the Emirate, Floramia and Muviel, later the Simulami Empire, would occupy southeast Najer lands, inciting relations between the two cultures. Although the aggressors would relent, a lingering tension between the two would form until the Emirate and the Empire would sign an alliance.

The time would come when an old friend of the Najer, Bardonia, would fall under attack by a global coalition. Though they wished to help, the people of the Emirate were unprepared, being peaceful and isolated. They only managed to fend off opportunistic raiders on their coasts.

A marauding group calling themselves the Kingdom of Salem tried to colonize an ancient fort. Through blood and sweat, the Najer liberated the fort and expelled the colonizers. The efforts of the people united them, showing the need for greater connection, greater strength, and a greater country.

This sparked the beginning of a new golden age for Najer, one where nation and people alike experienced unprecedented growth, fraternity, and strength. The Emirate was transformed.

When a band of conquerors once again came to the north, the Emirate was ready. Their neighbor nation of Solitudinem fell under attack, and they mobilized their neighbors and allies to defend them. The Najer coalition swept the squatters out.

This drew the people of the north together. Although many had longed for a return of the Crownlands, a unified north, it had never come to fruition before now. Talks began with the Simulami Empire, their brothers to the south, and the Plagatean Empire, strangers to the Najer, but friendly and willing to cooperate.

This led to the formation of the Sapphire Commonwealth, a massive northern union of the three countries. Shortly after, Emir Dmitrio von Sturgeon, aged and honored, passed the crown of Najer to the next Emir, Hirudo Talvos.

Sapphire Era
Hirudo led the Najer through thick and thin in the Commonwealth. Treaties, trade agreements, and wars embroiled the nations as they never had before. Nations fell and were forged anew all around them, in Nieden, in Helmia, and in Plagos. Old friendships were lost and new bonds were created in their place.

Memories of culture and history also resurfaced. The traditional title of Seyoh adopted again for the modern day, and the old cities of Kigea'jad and Kozuke'jad were reclaimed from their ruined state. The lost gods gained newfound respect and veneration. Emir Hirudo pushed for a strong focus on old customs, history, and archaeology.

Interest in the culture of the Sterling Crownlands also became reignited. The northerners of the present remembered their connection with the northerners of the past.

Even this prosperity could not stop the advances of the world, and the Sapphire Commonwealth was no more. Najer was once again alone and independent of its brothers. An even greater focus was put on reforming and revitalizing all aspects of the country. Many legal, procedural, and policy reforms were undertaken by the Emir, to standardize and modernize, and to bring Najer up to par with other nations.

Eventually, his work done, and his body tired, Hirudo announced his abdication and left Najer to embrace his nomadic heritage. He appointed Hitomi Numachi as the third Emir of the Emirate.

Lifestyle
The Najer retain a unique combination of nomadic and sedentary lifestyles - both being instrumental to their heritage. As such, many stay in large cities: tending to their civil and religious sites, as well as preserving cultural artifacts; while many others choose to relive the nomadic past of their ancestors by traveling the continents and collecting exotic goods. While traveling, they can often be seen carrying books with them, as a way to pass the hot desert afternoons while in camp.

Those that live in cities, although removed from their nomadic past, live much as those in other countries. A few large cities support the majority of industry in Najer lands, with massive farming, mining, and textile industries. The transient tendencies of the Najer mean that many smaller settlements will bloom and wither in a short time as its people move on when the circumstances feel right.

Races
While there is a human ethnic Najer group, many different types of people call themselves Najer. Humans and testificates make up the most significant portion of the population, with smaller groups of lizardmen, Vulpur, and even a few Elves also present. As such, this has led to a common practice of cultural adoption within the people: Any who choose to adopt and live the customs are considered as much of a Najer as any who were born to it.

Clothing
Najer clothing is typically very light and simple- a shirt, trousers, and sandals are enough for most. The robes worn by the Najer are iconic and distinct, and are best known from the many Testificate Najer who travel the world. While generally a rich shade of blue, with a bronze trim, other colors also exist. Robes are often passed down as heirlooms throughout the generations. They are considered important cultural touchstones, and as such are prized and protected. Foreigners who wear Najer robes are frowned upon.

The warriors of Najer also notably keep a lighter aesthetic- armor is light and simple, allowing them to attack better-armed forces and swiftly withdraw, a tactic used most famously just after the discovery of the Buried Bells.

Food and eating
In Najer, food tend to rely heavily on fruits, vegetables, and other savory plants. Rabbit is considered a delicacy, while most other types of meat are mostly unknown. Meats such as beef and pork are uncommon and considered exotic. Spices and herbs are often used to great effect in Najer food, including in the well-known Kijaro baked potatoes and in Najer spiced bread.

Alcoholic drinks are generally unpopular, with most preferring other drinks like Tea, Cocoa, and Coffee. Many Najer will drink alcohol during festivities or special occasions, but frequent drinking is looked down on.

Meals in Najer are informal, as well as important times for socializing and rest. Traditionally, meals are eaten sitting on the ground around a low table, where all food is shared and passed between members of the group. Food is either eaten with the hands or with simple wooden utensils. The use of utensils in Najer has increased drastically in modern times, having been adopted from other countries.

Customs
The Najer value sincerity, and have great disdain for deceit: While they do keep secrets, they prefer open discussion in all matters of life. As well, the Najer are well known as being gracious and generous hosts known for never letting anybody go hungry if they can help it

Due to the Lost Gods' emphasis on beginnings and ends, they typically wave with their left hand as a greeting, and say farewell with a wave from the right. When meeting people for the first time, the Najer can be expected to gift something of value to the stranger, as a sign of good faith.

Due to their nomadic past most Najer citizens don't have surnames and are simply known by first names or nicknames. Those that do tend to be diplomats or local tribe leaders or have adopted them from other peoples.

Literature and art
The Najer also have an expanding repertoire of folklore, including The Wanderer, whose heroic deeds have since been put to paper.

The most iconic works the Najer have produced are their temples, which can stand for thousands of years, and are decorated with detailed stonework. Although most temples are ancient, new ones are still being built in areas like the Najer heartlands. Acting primarily as storage, both for valuables and food, they dot the land as places for nomads to take shelter in and rest.

Many old Najer sites contain carvings, both decorative and informative, and evidence of painted murals has been found in some locations.

Religion
The Najer follow the Lost Gods, and while many do so more out of cultural heritage rather than true belief, the veneration of these deities has seen a resurgence in modern times. Many Najer have also adopted Noxism as part of their personal belief system as its guidance led to the conclusion of the first Great Rain of Rathnir.

The accepting nature of the Najer also allows many minority religions to thrive, such as that of Tauros.

Government
The traditional Najer government was that of a tribal oligarchy.

The citizens typically lived in "Poma" (tribes, in the Najer language); small self-identified groups each represented by a "Seyoh" (Lead Scout). Seyohs hold recognized authority within their Pom. Though outside of their community Seyohs retain no governance, they are respected by all Najer.

While Seyohs have no internal hierarchy, together they form a council which serves to govern the Najer on a local and inter-city level. Rejecting the conclusions of the Seyoh Council is considered a grave insult.

Today, the Najer are governed by an Emirate with a more formal monarchical structure.

Settlements

 * Najera'jad
 * Wobambi-on-Sea
 * Kijaro
 * Hicto
 * Nahrayn
 * Murmudas
 * Shahbah
 * Pomjad
 * Ohjan
 * Ajek Point
 * Mirwa
 * Sigtuna

Trivia

 * The Najer Salute with their left hand rather than their right


 * Najer is not a entire desert state like Yimmu Audul or Hutica, but rather made up of 3 small deserts.


 * Najer is full of wildlife and has many different animals that are still being discovered to this day!


 * The Najer robe is considered something only a Najer could wear. Most Najer robes are passed down through generations and if a regular person is spotted wearing a Najer garment they are frowned upon.