Caulis
Contents
Location and Geography
The city states of Caulis are concentrated on the coast along the Bay of Xaan, or in the fertile river valleys of the Rivers Caul and Deynar. The Caul runs north into the Bay of Xaan from the Seymar (Golden) Mountains. The mighty Deynar runs south out of the Mo'Krai Mountain range (the Daarat Mountains in the Caulisian tongue) and along the western slopes of the Zaendtan Mountains in the south of Caulis, eventually emptying into Lake Delaen. The Aeleny River seperates Caulis from Aertepia to the east, while the Mo'Krai Mountains seperate Caulis from Molenor to the west.
The large port city of Xadir sits at the mouth of the River Caul on the Bay of Xaan. It is the major center of trade and commerce for the region, a large metropolis of close to 30,000 residents, including many from the surrounding regions and cultures. The other major port city of Caulis is Kalrax. Kalrax sits at the western end of the Bay of Xaan, in the crescent between the bay and the eastern slopes of the Mo'Krai Mountains. The city state of Thritai in the south of Caulis was settled by the remnants of a barbarian tribe and is world-renowned for its leather goods. The south of Caulis is constantly harassed by the nomadic barbarian tribes of the Vaal Grasslands.
People and Culture
The people of Caulis are commonly referred to as Caulisian, though the residents of each city-state tend to identify themselves by that place (i.e. Xadiri, Kalracian, Xarosian, Onaari, Zhethian, etc). They are--in general--tall and slender; the average male stands 5'7", females 5'5". Hair typically is straight and tends toward black or brown, while skin tones are olive to light brown. Eyes are predominantly brown. Men prefer to maintain some kind of facial hair, always neatly trimmed, and wear their hair cropped short. Caulisian women are reknowned for their beauty, especially those from the Zaendtan Mountain region.
Caulisians are a friendly people, though they are tenacious traders and savor the art of haggling. They are not particularly aggressive, but will defend themselves and their lands when called upon to do so.
The city-states of Caulis are connected by bonds of commerce more than political or cultural ties. Northern Caulisians are predominantly traders and craftsman, relying on goods and raw materials from the southern part of Caulis and abroad; the city-states along the Bay of Xaan are among the wealthiest on the continent, offering great opportunity (and peril) to enterprising individuals. The city-states of Southern Caulis (south and east of the Mo'Krai Mts.) produce about 75% of the domesticated crops for the region, transporting the bulk of their agricultural goods north to sell in the ports or trade for more durable goods.
Religion
Eldraad--Creator of All
Zithna--Goddess of Agriculture & Domestic Life
Hommut--God of the Sea
Cyarnis--Goddess of Wisdom, Learning & Trade
Fulmaarsun--The Artificer (God of Craftsmen)
Einenna--Goddess of Love & Beauty
Gammuc--The Trickster
Creation Myth (abridged): Eldraad rose from the sea in time immemorial, when there was nothing but water. He willed the other gods of the pantheon into existence, created the land so that the gods might have somewhere to stand, and set the sun in the sky so that they might have warmth and light. Zithna spread her seeds and vegetation sprung forth everwhere. Eldraad commanded Fulmaarsun to fashion animals, birds, and sea life from clay. When none of the other gods were looking, Gammuc placed a figure shaped like the gods themselves in with the rest of the animals, hoping that an animal with reason and emotion like the gods would vex Eldraad and the others no end. With all the creatures spread out before him, Eldraad blew the breath of life over them. Being satisified with this state of affairs, Eldraad and the other gods (save Gammuc) ascended to Aeshaa (the "Higher World") where they observe goings-on in the material world, and affect events to a greater or lesser degree. Gammuc retreated to Mareshaa (the "Lower World") to plot his mischief and weave his evil magic.
While Eldraad is the Supreme Deity, other gods/goddesses take precedence depending on the city-state. In coastal areas, Hommut is more revered, whereas Zithna is worshipped more widely in agricultural areas further inland. Caulisians in cities with a significant foreign population have also assimilated some of the gods of other regions where it suits them (and usually as minor deities), most notably in Thritai, where the descendents of barbarian tribes still worship the god Yuul (aka Yuulashaar).
The social status and power of priests (eean) vary from city-state to city-state. The eean are responsible for building and maintaining temples, overseeing festivals, and are given money and gifts by the populace to pray on their behalf, to bless marriages, births, business undertakings, and perform healing ceremonies. Eean wear knee-length red ona. The dye is made from the crushed shells of the beetle known locally as the kerdal.
The major religious festival takes place at midsummer. Sailors pray and make offerings to Hommut before each voyage, and many larger vessels carry a small shrine to him onboard. There are two Festivals of Zithna: one just prior to planting (to ensure an adundance of food for the year) and one after harvest (in thanks for a successful crop). Gammuc has no temples or festivals. He is blamed for ill fortune and disaster and the people pray to the other gods for protection against his capriciousness (or to him in order to curse or bring bad luck to enemies or rivals).
The calendar year is 365 days, divided into 10 months of 36 days. A week is 6 days (and thus, 6 weeks per month), each devoted to a different god. Midsummer's Day and the 2 days preceeding and following--5 days that are essentially a month unto itself--are considered the end of one year and the beginning of the next, and are filled with festivals, feasting, and worship.
Language
The main language is Caulisian. A regional dialect, Samedran, is spoken in the Deynar River valley and the southern foothills of the Mo'Krai (Daarat) Mountains, which includes the city states of Samorad, Sekray, Thritai, and Onaar. Many residents in the major trading ports of Xadir and Kalrax understand and/or speak rudimentary Ilkarian, Aertepian, Zosu, and Lutian (in addition to Caulisian and Samredan).
Architecture
Caulisian architecture varies widely from city to city. Buildings in the cities of the coast are generally made from wood and/or bricks of baked mud, while buildings in the cities of the mountains and foothills are either entirely wood or stone and mortar. In the extreme south of Caulis (Onaar, Thritai, et al), buildings are made of any combination of wood, thatch, or bricks of river clay.
Dwellings of the common folk tend to be simple, single-story homes with 3 to 4 rooms surrounding a central living and dining area. Wealthier families may build homes as tall as two stories and as many as 6 to 8 rooms, with seperate quarters for slaves.
Sports and Leisure
Caulisians prefer sporting activities of an adversarial nature, such as boxing, wrestling, and the occasional gladitorial match. They are inveterate gamblers and will place wagers on practically anything, especially races (footraces, horse races, chariot races, dog races, even turkey races). Many city-states hold sporting events in arenas or large, open city squares once or twice a month, or as part of religious festivals.
Caulisians of all rungs of society love simple dice games. Members of the upper tiers also enjoy a chess-like game called rukh, though the rules and pieces vary from city to city.
Clothing
The men of Caulis wear a light, thigh- or knee-length tunic known as the ona. Sleeve length varies, usually based on occupation or social class. Tradesmen, common laborers, and slaves wear ona with no sleeves; merchants and the wealthy prefer elbow-length sleeves. Ona in general tend to be rather plain, undyed, and without any but the most basic of decoration. Ona are secured around the waist by a leather or cloth belt.
Women wear a lightweight garment similar to the ona, but ankle-length and sleeveless. Like the male counterpart, they tend to be rather plain and undyed.
When the weather turns cool, Caulisian men and women wrap themselves in rough woolen cloaks known as niona.
Both men and women wear simple leather sandals.
Domesticated Crops
Olives, Chickpeas, Lentils, Onion, Eggplant, Pomegranates.
Common Herbs and Spices
Anise, Pepper and Cumin
Domesticated animals
Horses, Oxen, Dogs, Sheep, Goats and Turkey
Naming conventions
Male names often end in: umi, mut, muc, mun, ita, iga, isa, ust, suc, sun, isu.
Female names often end in: ina, ima, em, su, enna, ery
City States
Xadir: (Population: 30,000) the largest city-state in Caulis, and perhaps the known world. A major trade hub.
Kalrax: (Population: 18,000) second-largest city-state, and another major port city.
Leyshôn: (Population: 7,000)
Dyrrha: (Population: 8,000)
Palinae: (Population: 9,000) spiritual capital of Caulis, and site of grandiose temples and festivals.
Sekray: (Population: 8,000)
Weldan: (Population: 6,000) the breadbasket of Northern Caulis.
Xaros: (Population: 6,000)
Samorad: (Population: 7,000)
Thritai: (Population: 14,000) southernmost city-state. Major agricultural center, and famous for its leather goods.
Zhethis: (Population: 7,000)
Skelarda: (Population: 5,000) known for its copper mines. Halfway up a mountain, at the mouth of the Deynar River.
Onaar: (Population: 9,000)
Aldo: (Population: 4,000) smallest of the Caulisian city-states. A major producer of pepper.
Creator/s: count zero (Geography, Culture, Language), Amberjack (Crops, Spices, Animals)
