Nationalities of the Zekresh Empire

Under the name of each nationality is their nickname, if they have one. Frequently this involves an animal that is their symbol and was or is considered their "totem animal" with religious significance. These nationalities ARE NOT animals, they are all human. The "Wolf People" for example, are not wolves or werewolves or anything of the sort. They are people descended from tribes that considered the wolf to be their sacred spirit animal and who strove to learn from the ways of the wolf. They are, however, humans, not wolves, not part-human part-wolf or anything like that. On the other hand, some tribes, notoriously the Mouse People (who are very short with prominent ears) and the Giant People (who are unusually tall) got their names because of physical characteristics they have.

Note that these are the common names these nations and tribes are known by in the Zekresh Empire. Often what the people call themselves is different.



Trond
The Giant People
Hunters of the northern forests. Quiet and patient, but inclined towards wild rage if they lose their temper. They fight with warhammers and bows and arrows.
Tronds are the tallest people in the known world. The name Trond actually means "Giant" or "Troll", but this is an exaggeration since they are only a little taller than other tribes. Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have straight light brown hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips.
Both women and men typically wear their hair long. The men usually have full beards.

Aat
The Mountain Goat People
Shepherds of the mountains. Stubborn and independent, but known for common sense. They fight with slings and clubs.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have brown curly hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are not as tall as most of the other northern tribes.
The men usually cut their hair short while the women have theirs mid-length or long. The men usually have short beards.

Foerfen
The Wolf People
Hunters and herdsmen of the northern forests and fierce warriors. A strong sense of honor makes them generous to friends and ruthless to enemies. They fight with bows and arrows and hatchets.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have straight brown hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They tend to be tall.
Both women and men typically wear their hair long. The men usually have moustaches, but often shave their beards.

Glant Ogra
The Red Hand People
Hunters of the northern forests. Bitter and cynical, they are enemies of all their neighbors because of an ancient wrong done to them. They fight with bows and arrows and spears.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have dark brown wavy hair and brown eyes. They have prominent thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are not as tall as most other northern tribes.
The men usually cut their hair short while the women have theirs mid-length or long. The men typically cut their beards very short, but shaving is considered a foreign custom.

Baaniferian
The Moose People
Herdsmen and farmers. They are not very warlike, but traditionally fight with bows and arrows and war clubs.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have straight brown hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They tend to be tall.
Both women and men typically wear their hair long. The men usually have full beards except for the ones who have adopted Zekresh ways.

Thalaning
The Deep Forest People
Farmers and hunters. They keep to themselves and are rarely seen outside their own lands. They traditionally fight with bows and arrows, spears and even blowgun darts.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have straight brown hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are usually of medium to short height, but some are quite tall.
Both women and men typically wear their hair long. The men usually have long beards that are braided and tied into two long strands.

Lolenstoorn
The Round House People
Farmers of the northwest coast of the Western Sea. Known for their polite manners and their love of dancing and ceremonies and, of course, because they live in large round houses. They fight with javelins and warclubs.

Eesleken
The Mouse People
Farmers of the northwest coast of the Western Sea. Known for their unusually small size and prominent ears. They are timid and usually keep to themselves, but they also stick together because their only strength is in numbers. They fight with javelins, warclubs and slings.

Kaliskan
The Stag People
Hunters, herdsmen and farmers of the northeast coast of the Western Sea, they are known for being brave to the point of stupidity and for being both prosperous and ostentatious. Their favored weapons are the bow and arrow and the spear.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have dark brown wavy hair and brown eyes. They have prominent thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are not as tall as most other northern tribes.
The men usually cut their hair short while the women have theirs mid-length or long. The men typically cut their beards very short, but shaving is rare.

Vummese
The Hummingbird People
Fishermen of the northeast coast of the Western Sea, they are an ancient people who are very different from all other people in the known world.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a very few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
The men and women usually wear their hair long. The men usually grow only small beards and frequently shave them into various styles.

Iluva Shasifi
Crying Moon People
Fishermen and farmers of the northeast coast of the Western Sea. They are named for a tragic episode in ancient times that separated them from the Fog People. They owe their survival to the Vummese who constantly remind them of it. They love solitude and are prone to melancholy. In battle, their favored weapons are the long spear or harpoon and their distinctive daggers.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a very few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Ferillyan
The Smoke People
Farmers and fishermen of the northeast coast of the Western Sea, they are known for being quarrelsome and a bit crazy. Their traditional weapon is the bow and arrow, but they especially favor flaming arrows. They are defined by their religion which involves an obsession with burnt offerings.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have straight brown hair and brown eyes. They have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short. The men often wear beards, but not always.

Vipathan
The Spider People
Herdsmen, hunters and farmers of the Grey Mountains. Known for their feuds, gossip, and tall tales. Their typical weapons are the spear and the knife.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a very few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Tana
Otter People
Farmers and hunters of the interior of North Peninsula. Fun-loving, friendly and naive. Their typical weapons are the warclub and the bow and arrow.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Otlesk
Turtle People
Farmers and herdsmen of the interior of North Peninsula. Known for being slow, grumpy and paranoid. Their preferred weapons are the war club and axe.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Verronese
The Bear People
Once they were hunters, but now they are farmers, tradesmen, seamen, merchants and bankers. They are proud and confident that the Zekresh Empire could not have been built without their help and, but for one unlucky battle, would have been theirs to rule. (The one battle was the Siege of Nass Umrug where the advance of the armies of the Bear tribes towards Zekran was halted.) Their traditional weapon is the battle axe.
They have a light complexion. They usually have straight, dark brown or black hair and brown eyes. A very few have lighter colored hair, sometimes even blonde or red. They usually have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips, but some have flatter noses and fuller lips.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short. The men usually wear short beards.

Slythian
The Viper People
Farmers and fishermen of the North Peninsula. Their ancient kingdom became part of the Empire long ago. Known above all for secrecy and treachery, the archetypical Slythian warrior is the assassin armed with a dagger dipped in poison. This form of assassination is literally a religious experience for Slythians because it mimics the striking poison fangs of the Viper God, the worship of whom is the national religion of Slythia.
They have a light complexion. They usually have brown or green eyes and straight hair that is black or dark brown, but a very few have much lighter hair, occasionally even blonde or red. They usually have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips, but sometimes have flatter noses and fuller lips.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short. The men usually don't grow full beards even if they don't shave. Long, thin moustaches and small beards are common.

Frayeth
An ancient people whose Empire was destroyed in the War of the Duel about 2,000 years ago. The Frayeth Empire was destroyed by Prince Toralin of Corinweld (Ravenwood) after he temporarily recovered the Lost Crown of Ilania. The Zekresh people who founded the Zekresh Empire are mostly descended from Frayeth people. There is little difference in culture and language between the Frayeth and the Zekresh except that the Zekresh come from the city of Zekran, now the capital of the Empire. The traditional Frayeth weapon is the spear.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight hair that is black or dark brown, but a very few have much lighter hair, occasionally even blonde or red. They usually have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips, but sometimes have flatter noses and fuller lips.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short and shave their beards, but beards and moustaches are not uncommon.

Zekresh
People of Zekran
The Zekresh people who founded the Zekresh Empire over 1,300 years ago are from the city of Zekran which is now the capital of the Zekresh Empire. The Zekresh are mostly descended from Frayeth people, but also from some tribes such as the Shell People and the Marsh People who used to live in the area where Zekran was built. Zekresh soldiers typically are equipped with swords, spears, shields and light armor.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight hair that is black or dark brown, but a very few have much lighter hair, occasionally even blonde or red. They usually have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips, but sometimes have flatter noses and fuller lips.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short and shave their beards.

Flitrai
Crab People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a very few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Lastili
Fog People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but a very few have brown hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long and naturally don't grow full beards, only thin moustaches and a small beard on the chin.

Lushi
Moss People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Mostly assimilated by Frayeth and Zekresh.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow full beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Timbeli
Mushroom People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Mostly assimilated by Frayeth and Zekresh.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow full beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Marsh People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Mostly assimilated by Frayeth and Zekresh.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow full beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Forest People of Lorekan
Farmers and hunters of the forests of the interior of the North Peninsula.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow full beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Shell People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Mostly assimilated by Zekresh.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow full beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Bay People
Fishermen and farmers of the west coast of the North Peninsula.
Mostly assimilated by Slythians.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women usually wear their hair long. The men usually wear their hair long. Some naturally don't grow beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Island People
Fishermen and farmers of the south coast of the North Peninsula.
Overrun by and assimilated into the Slythians, with some driven far inland to Lorekan.
They have a medium to light complexion. They usually have brown eyes and straight black hair, but some have brown hair or even lighter hair. They usually have medium sized noses and lips and round or almond shaped eyes.
Their women and men both usually wear their hair long. Some of the men naturally don't grow beards, but those who do, usually wear them long and braided.

Yusha Fon
Blue Jay People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have dark brown wavy hair and brown eyes. They have prominent thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are not as tall as most other northern tribes.
The men usually cut their hair short while the women have theirs mid-length or long. The men typically cut their beards very short, but shaving is rare.

Ilsha
River People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of the North Peninsula.
Along with many other northern tribes, they have a light complexion. They usually have dark brown wavy hair and brown eyes. They have prominent thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. They are not as tall as most other northern tribes.
The men usually cut their hair short while the women have theirs mid-length or long. The men typically let their moustaches grow long, but cut their beards very short.

Ilanian
The Principality of Ilania was an ancient civilized nation, made up of Sarindans, Gavrinians, Tuladorians, Frayeth and others who over millennia have become one people, the Ilanians. They were conquered by the Zekresh Empire long ago. They are farmers, seamen, tradesmen and merchants. They were once the pre-eminent nation in the known world. Now they are known for being literate, frugal and wise. The Empire strives to keep Ilanians mostly disarmed, but their traditional weapons are fine swords and they make the best armor in the known world.
Ilanians usually have a light complexion, but some have more of a medium complexion. They have the greatest variation in hair color of any people in the known world, including black, brown, blonde, red and even white. Their hair is usually straight or wavy, but is sometimes curly.
They are usually of medium height, but there is considerable variation. They almost always have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips.
The women typically wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short and shave.

Ravelonian
The Principality of Ravelonia was the first civilized nation. It was made up of Tuladorians, Frayeth, Warnans, Varl and others who over millennia have become one people, the Ravelonians. They were conquered by the Zekresh Empire long ago. They are farmers, seamen, tradesmen and scholars. More than once, they were the pre-eminent nation in the known world. Now they are known for being secretive and mysterious. The Empire strives to keep Ravelonians mostly disarmed, but their traditional weapons are fine swords. Legends say they also used magic in battle, but they haven't fought a war since they were conquered by the Zekresh Empire over a thousand years ago.
Ravelonians generally have a medium to light complexion. They have great variation in hair color. Their hair is most commonly black, but many have hair that is brown, blonde, red or even white. Their hair is usually straight or wavy, but is sometimes curly.
They are usually of medium height, but there is considerable variation. They have great variation in facial features. Many have broad flat noses, full lips and prominent cheekbones. Others have thin, protruding noses, and thin lips. Others have various combinations of these features. Eye shapes vary from round to almond shaped.
The women typically wear their hair long. The men usually cut their hair short and shave.


Grogian/Jivaman
The Frog People
Fishermen and farmers of the west coast of South Peninsula. They are very possessive and stern, but also loyal and trustworthy. In ancient times they were fierce warriors and used special tactics in the swamps of their homeland to defeat the Ilanians, the Kikali and later even the Zekresh Imperial Army. Their preferred weapons are the bow and arrow, spear, war club and axe. Their use of their traditional flat bottomed swamp boats propelled by poles in ancient wars was so effective that such boats were practically considered weapons themselves.

Groglinther
Frogsiders
Farmers in South Peninsula. Groglinth was originally a colony of the Principality of Ilania established in ancient times and independent from an early date. The Groglinthers are similar to the Ilanians, but are also influenced by the culture of their neighbors and ancient allies, the Grogians. They are known for loyalty and dogged determination. The favorite weapon of the Groglinthers is the sword.

Corinwelder
Ravenwood
Corinweld or Ravenwood was originally a colony of the Principality of Ilania established in ancient times and independent from an early date. The Corinwelders are similar to the Ilanians. They are known for idealism and nostalgia for the past. The favorite weapon of the Corinwelders is the sword, especially an ancient one that is said to be magical.

Koppan
Clam People
Fishermen of Lisal Koppa (Clam Island). The clam people are sometimes considered fickle, self-centered and unkempt, but they are also known for their sense of humor. They don't favor any particular weapons, but are known for sometimes using fishing gear as weapons, when nothing better is available, especially gaff hooks, harpoons and extremely sharp fish knives.

Warnan
Lion People
Farmers of South Peninsula and ancient allies of Ravelonia. They are known for being proud and unyielding, but also generous and family oriented. In war, they usually fight with swords and spears.

Dronan
Oak People
Farmers of South Peninsula. They endeavor to be sturdy and enduring like the oak that figures prominently in their religion. They are hard working and family oriented. In war, they usually fight with spears and bow and arrows.

Ulawan
Cloud People
Farmers and herdsmen of the South Peninsula and the White Mountains. They are known for a contemplative nature and a spiritual view of the world. They are known for being wise and also profoundly informal. They are distinctly unwarlike, but in ancient wars they usually fought with war clubs or by throwing stones at attackers, especially from rooftops or mountainsides.

Lokotran
Owl People
Farmers and herdsmen of the South Peninsula and the White Mountains. They are known for their philosophical outlook on life and simple wisdom. Their preferred weapons are bows and arrows and various polearms, especially a swordlike blade mounted on a staff (a glaive).

Silway
Fisher People
Fishermen of the Far West. Known for their quick wit and criminal tendencies. They are the most notorious pirates in the known world. They are small and closely related to the mouse people, but at sea, they are fearsome. Their preferred weapons are maces and swords in boarding actions or ramming prows for ship combat.

Kikali
The Fire People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of South Peninsula. Known for being strong willed and independent minded. Their favorite weapons are bows and arrows and war hatchets.

Yenthiti
Starfish People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of South Peninsula. Known for being strong willed and independent minded. Their favorite weapons are bows and arrows and war hatchets.

Pilani
Green People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of South Peninsula. Known for being strong willed and independent minded. Their favorite weapons are bows and arrows and war hatchets.

Logorian
Cliff People
Farmers and fishermen of the north coast of South Peninsula.

Zirrian
Seagull People
Farmers and fishermen of the north coast of South Peninsula.

Sishan
People of the Tides
Farmers and fishermen of the north coast of South Peninsula.

Ptar
Sparrow People
Fishermen and farmers of the South Peninsula.

Huven Lilash
River Monster People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of South Peninsula.

Lankar Tioka
The Boat People
Fishermen and farmers of the east coast of South Peninsula.

Fanezrito
People of the Sand Snake
Farmers of the South Peninsula.

Varl
Fox People
Herdsmen and farmers of the southeast coast of the Western Sea, they are neighbors and traditional allies of Ravelonia. They are impetuous and highly intelligent. They are famous for their horsemanship. Their favorite weapon is the lance.

Nyarl
Dog People
Herdsmen and farmers of the southeast coast of the Western Sea, they are neighbors, relatives and traditional allies of the Varl. They are friendly, even to strangers, but arrogant and sometimes foolish. They are famous for their horsemanship. Their favorite weapon is the lance.

Baryl
Jackal People
Herdsmen and farmers of the southeast coast of the Western Sea, they are neighbors, relatives and traditional allies of the Nyarl. They are friendly, even to strangers, but arrogant and sometimes foolish. They are famous for their horsemanship. Their favorite weapon is the lance.

Kopixer
Scorpion People
Farmers on the edge of the southwestern deserts.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Sligifter
Claymakers
Fishermen and farmers on southwestern coast of the Western Sea.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Zamarul
Magic People
Fishermen and farmers on southwestern coast of the Western Sea. Known for their belief in magic and for their generosity, but they have a tendency to act superior and smug. Their favorite weapons are magic spells. Their favorite physical weapons traditionally were stone warclubs, but now they prefer swords.

Tlom Yerula
Stone People
Farmers on the edge of the southwestern deserts.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Jikerola
Bat People
Fishermen and farmers on the edge of the southwestern deserts. Known for their love of romance, storytelling and dance, they are also very unforgiving and quick to judge. They are known to use unusual weapons such as large handheld spikes and a type of dart that is thrown by an atlatl.

Grigna Zarul
Lizard People
Fishermen and farmers who live in the Far West.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Krava Zaval
Shark People
Fishermen and farmers who live in the Far West.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Ossan
Lake People
Fishermen and farmers who live around Lake Showatan in the far southwest.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Ashak Vibik
Desert People
Herdsmen and hunters of the southwestern deserts.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Vindaroyen
Nomads and herdsmen of the Southern Plains.

Upinthen
Rabbit People
Farmers of the southern plains.

Tavani
The Squirrel People
Hunters and farmers of the Far Northeast.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire, but recently the Imperial government sent a military expedition to wipe them out for refusing to submit to Imperial authority. They were not wiped out, but they have fled from their homeland due to attacks by Imperial troops and warriors of the Kalendro Eka tribe who are their enemies.

Kalendro Eka
Woodpecker People
Hunters and farmers of the Far Northeast.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire, but recently the Imperial government sent a military expedition which helped them in their war against the Tavani tribe.

Mondan Nomads
Herdsmen of the southeastern plains.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Telinga Nomads
Herdsmen of the southeastern plains.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Juval Nomads
Herdsmen of the southeastern plains.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Nivaan Nomads
Herdsmen of the southeastern plains. Probably the largest tribe of nomads in the southeast.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Arang Nomads
Herdsmen of the southeastern plains.
Not much is known about them in the rest of the Empire.

Tlinian
Inhabit the overseas provinces across the Eastern Sea.

Fervan
Inhabit the overseas provinces across the Eastern Sea.

Tresh
Inhabit the overseas provinces across the Eastern Sea.

Ralban
Inhabit the area to the south of the overseas provinces across the Eastern Sea. Recently invaded the province of Kast Vyloresh.