Idan

The Idan, or Idan-Ridu, are a nomadic people group from the continent of Alteniquia Their name means “People of the stars”. The Idan are known for shepherding and bring great flocks of sheep on their migrations. Naturally, they provide wool of good quality to their neighbors where ever they go. They generally travel throughout the deserts and savannas of Theios-Essukdal and are citizens of the country there, but evidence of their presence has been found as far south as Australiquia. They likely originated somewhere in what is the modern-day county of Gebel, though it is not certain.

While most Idan live a nomadic lifestyle, a large part of the population has integrated into outside society. There is at least one known major Idani settlement in Theios-Essukdal, the village of Ersetu in Apasiril. Those living in caravans or within said settlement generally do not accept any form of currency, so outsiders will have to barter resources in exchange for goods. Idani merchants carry a diverse stock, from fine textiles to aged desert wine.

Idani tribes or caravans are traditionally governed by their oldest living member. There is much respect for elders and they are seen as wise and even closer to the gods. As such, the leading elders carry out most religious practices. Their pantheon is made up of elders who were immortalized by both leading a tribe and somehow exceeded the age of two hundred. The three most widely accepted “Elder-gods” or “Ninsu” are Kishar, Adini, and Ettu, though there are many others, and some are only worshipped in specific tribes. The Idan also accept and practice Sakrelism.

Despite much of their religion being disorganized, all of the Idan universally agree on one thing. When you die, your body is transformed and becomes one of the stars, where you are at peace and are one with Agum, the personification of the universe. In order for this to happen, one must have a proper funeral, which consists of the deceased being placed on an altar and cremated with their eyes open and pointed towards the night sky. Those who do not receive this treatment are believed to instead become one with the earth and lose all sense of consciousness.

Cultural practices also vary greatly between tribes, but the most iconic would likely be the coming of age ritual of the Haban tribe. Once a person reaches the age of fifteen, they partake in their first animal sacrifice to a deity of their choice. Depending on which god they become a patron of, they are given a bowl of red paint and a specific pattern, which they then mark their faces or bodies with. They are expected to memorize this pattern and repeat it every few weeks until the day they die.

The Haban are the most recognizable tribe and make up the majority of the Idani people. All in all, the Idan are largely seen as peaceful merchants who roam the sands Alteniquia and swear loyalty to Theios-Essukdal.