Zuli Society
Language-
The Zuli language, Ahd, is highly efficient, with forty-one phonemes which consist of one to three simple lines apiece. Most words are no more than one or two phonemes long, leading to extremely efficient speech. A three hundred page book, when translated into Ahd, may be no more than twenty to fifty pages long, depending.
Very few speak the language, however- it is often confusing and difficult to interpret, due to the existence of a very large number of homonyms, which must be interpreted based on context.
Very few speak the language, however- it is often confusing and difficult to interpret, due to the existence of a very large number of homonyms, which must be interpreted based on context.
Social Structure-
Most Zuli are slaves across Rota, and the bottom tier of many Rotarian societies (Slightly more than a third of the entire race are Dnuoherocian slaves, and all except the top eight percent or so are enslaved somewhere in the realm). Because of this, very little of the true society still exists in the realm, most having been annihilated by cultural indoctrination.
However, their society is still alive in places.
It's based on profession, with laborers making up the bottom tier, craftsmen the middle, merchants and traders making up the upper tier, and finally, the Muhr at the top. These are masters of the game "Antani," a game similar to chess, and are basically the noblemen of Zuli society. While the title of Muhr is not hereditary, masters of Antani often train their children (or occasionally, if their children aren't intelligent and/or powerful enough, adopted heirs) in the game, oftentimes creating "Muhrian Bloodlines."
Zuli take the game VERY seriously. In a formal match, its not uncommon for the loser to be executed, depending on the circumstances. A poorly played game of Antani can ruin a family name for generations, just as a well played game wins respect and admiration.
However, their society is still alive in places.
It's based on profession, with laborers making up the bottom tier, craftsmen the middle, merchants and traders making up the upper tier, and finally, the Muhr at the top. These are masters of the game "Antani," a game similar to chess, and are basically the noblemen of Zuli society. While the title of Muhr is not hereditary, masters of Antani often train their children (or occasionally, if their children aren't intelligent and/or powerful enough, adopted heirs) in the game, oftentimes creating "Muhrian Bloodlines."
Zuli take the game VERY seriously. In a formal match, its not uncommon for the loser to be executed, depending on the circumstances. A poorly played game of Antani can ruin a family name for generations, just as a well played game wins respect and admiration.
History-
Because of their magic and naturally shrewd dispositions, the Zuli have always made the most capable merchants and traders in Rota. In fact, a hundred years ago the Zuli merchants guild was the most powerful economic force in the world, with more cumulative wealth than any nation existing at the time. However, racism and jealousy led to severe taxation, trade tarifs, and boycotting. Eventually, economic pressure became so bad that it became nearly impossible for them to make a living legally, and many Zuli turned to crime. This was apparently the proverbial last straw; it began the "Zuli Extermination," in which about two thirds of all the Zuli in the realm were massacred, and the rest enslaved.
To this day, most of the race remains in bondage.
To this day, most of the race remains in bondage.