Eber old

Eber Empire

Eber once constituted all of the eastern continent of Baracsa and the western half of Armalia – save the far north and south of Baracsa. They had frontiers battling the Vastions in Umberia, the Dunians in the Dividing Basin and Amber Plains, the Mintars and Oolu around the Sea of Lions, and the Aosade and Hade tribes around the Diamond Hills. But at its peak, it was known as the Xilou Empire and was thought to have half the population of the world. The Xilou Empire came from the Evexan Kingdom, whose kings descended from the Esereu people of the Ebere Desert. And after its fall, which was caused by the Karithians emerging from Yrtkuam and destroying the Xilou capital, the Xilou Empire became the Xilein Empire, which eventually became the Eber Empire known today.

Land

The Eber primarily live around the Ebere Desert. The more verdant northwestern corner of this area is called Upper Ebere, where the Reunou live. The Dead Coast runs alongside the desert's western shore, so named because of how hostile the environment is; endless sands and harsh salty winds prevent any major civilising of the area. The southern end of the region is marked by the Hmou Plains, and their eastern border mostly constitutes the Dead Mountains. Beyond these dwell the Karithians.

The capital of these people has traditionally been Xar Kzala, an ancient city situated on the Sea of Lyte. It is a city of grandeur and colour, with buildings as red as blood and such strong spices in its markets that foreigners often faint or throw up upon passing through. But the capital was moved to Oqara when the Xilou Empire was near its peak. Oqara is where the Karithians attacked, so the locals didn’t actually lose their traditional capital. Today the capital of Oqara stands as a half-ruined remnant of the overbearing pride of the old emperors of Xilou. Other major cities include Erqix, in the very northwestern corner of the land, and Gzisan, an old city which sits on the largest river in Upper Ebere.

People

Eber people have golden hair and blue eyes, and complexion to be expected of desert-dwellers. They are also called rugmen, which is a term mocking the rug-like shawls of their mystics. Some feign to call them shitskins, but this is a term mostly originating from the Benevis Kingdoms, and makes fun of their darker skin. Despite being seen as brutal conquerors of the eastern world, the Eber people brought books and literature into the known world, and also invented parchment, structured militaries, plate armour and iron weapons, and pikes. They also invented the idea of a kingdom and then the concept of an empire, a grand state where multiple monarchs are overseen by a single emperor.

In modern times, the Eber Empire is much smaller than it used to be. They inhabit most of the Ebere Desert, though there are many smaller groups of people and tribes around including, but not limited to, the Reunou of Upper Ebere, the Xinmou, the Envou tribes, the Ileimou, the Hmou, and the various people of the Hanjare and Raonare regions in central and south Baracsa. Despite the relatively smaller size of the empire compared to its peak, there are remnants of this distinct culture in many places around the world, from high mystics in the Hills of the Horn, to great red pyramids in the Qarar Desert; from the hilltop ruins in the Yvatlands, to the lordland of Simbea in the Vastin Kingdom.

Slavery and servants

Slavery and servitude are common in Eber. Eber believes that those living without the luxuries of civilisation deserve to be enslaved, and that being a slave is in one's blood - only many generations of loyal servitude can see a slave becoming a respectable servant in Eber society. Slaves are often taken from the darker-skinned relatives to the south - the Hanjare and Raonare people - and taken into Eber lands.

Male slaves are often used for labour, clearing topsoil to make land arable, or as soldiers, or servants if they proved to show promise. Female slaves are traded further out and often become concubines or house-slaves. Most well-off households have at least a few male slaves. Only the wealthy can afford greater numbers of male slaves, or indeed any female slaves. Any offspring of a slave is considered to be a slave, and masters can be a male and female.

Non-gender

Eber do not socially distinguish between genders very much compared with other civilisations of Riiga. Males and females share the same opportunities in professions and careers, styles of clothing and makeup, social spaces, and parental roles. The primary differences between genders manifest in women being seen as more sacred, due to their role in raising children and managing the household, while men are still mostly used as expendable soldiers in war.

Gambling

Eber love to gamble, but they view it as a demonstrative exercise of fortune bestowed by the heavens. Mystics often use "chance" to determine who is more fortunate or blessed, or who is guilty or innocent. As such, gambling rarely involves exchanges of currency and is instead used as a way of proving oneself. Gambling activities often involve dice, coins, or cards.

Religion

Eber mysticism is a pervasive and prevalent belief system. They believe the heavens hold all the answers to life’s problems. This involves a group of gods who offer differing ways to interpret the phenomena of the sky. Worship involves organised prayer and chanting in temples at particular times of day and is seen as an ingrained part of Eber culture. High mystics claim to hold solutions to everything, from healing diseases to prophecies about future events to casting strange spells. Some believe the mystics of old made deals with the Karithians and attained some of the widely-feared jaratk magic. Mysticism also governs most of how the people act; it dictates their laws and helps decide those who gain power.

Hierarchy

Merchants

Elephants

Domination/wealth

Mercenary bandits

Trade forts

Salt fields

Cotton fields

Cannibalism

Republic Empire

Glassware

Dyers

Menageries