Tashnar

Introduction to the Tashnar

The Tashnar, "People of the Rocks," were a rugged and fiercely independent subgroup of the Nar who lived among the cliffs, highlands, and semi-subterranean caverns of Takra. Their settlements were carved into rocky outcrops and cliff faces or hidden within caverns, providing natural defenses and blending seamlessly with their harsh environment. Known for their resourcefulness and adaptability, the Tashnar survived through hunting, trapping, and their mastery of their unforgiving terrain.

Metals and minerals, scarce on Takra, were particularly precious to the Tashnar. They perfected the art of forging the most durable and sought-after metals known to the Nar, creating tools and weapons that were both practical and enduring. Despite this craftsmanship, the Tashnar were often viewed with disdain by other Nar subgroups, who saw them as more savage and primitive. Their wariness of outsiders, combined with their harsh, survival-focused way of life, reinforced this perception.

The Tashnar’s fierce independence and rejection of external influence further isolated them from other Nar, who considered their reclusive nature and mistrust as arrogance. Yet, the Tashnar prided themselves on their adherence to Durzakh, "The Way of Survival," and their ability to endure where others could not. They saw their rocky homeland as a proving ground and sanctuary, shaping their identity as a people of unparalleled resilience and self-reliance. Though often misunderstood, the Tashnar’s strength, ingenuity, and unyielding spirit made them a vital and formidable presence among the Nar.

Physical Appearance of the Tashnar

The Tashnar, shaped by their lives in rugged highlands, cliffside settlements, and cavernous environments, exhibited physical traits that reflected their adaptation to these harsh and often dimly lit terrains. Their robust and striking appearance set them apart from other Nar subgroups, reinforcing their reputation as hardy and self-reliant people.

• Build: The Tashnar were stocky and muscular, their frames built for climbing steep cliffs, traversing uneven terrain, and enduring the physical challenges of their rocky homeland. Their strength and resilience were evident in their powerful physiques.

• Skin Tone: Their skin ranged from earthy browns to ashen greys, providing natural camouflage against the rocky cliffs and shadows of their environment. This tone also protected them from the cold winds and sun exposure of the highlands.

• Hair: Tashnar hair was thick, coarse, and often dark, ranging from deep black to dark brown. Some Tashnar had streaks of grey or silver early in life, viewed as marks of wisdom. Hair was typically kept tied back or braided for practicality.

• Eyes: One of their most distinctive traits was their improved night vision, a crucial adaptation to their semi-subterranean and cliffside lifestyles. Their eyes often shone in shades of pale green, grey, or amber, with a subtle reflective quality that helped them see in low-light conditions, whether navigating caverns or hunting under starlit skies.

• Facial Features: The Tashnar had angular, rugged facial features with strong jaws, high cheekbones, and deep-set eyes. Their faces often carried the weathered marks of their environment, adding to their formidable appearance.

• Height: Slightly shorter but broader than other Nar, the Tashnar’s compact builds gave them a grounded and immovable presence, resembling the very cliffs they called home.

• Clothing and Adornments: The Tashnar wore practical, durable clothing made from animal hides and woven fibers, designed to endure their harsh surroundings. Cloaks and coverings provided warmth and protection against the elements. Though minimalists, some Tashnar adorned themselves with simple bone or stone jewelry, often passed down as symbols of survival or kinship.

• Scars and Markings: Scars from hunting, climbing, and crafting were common among the Tashnar and were worn without shame as unintentional marks of their hard lives. Unlike some Nar subgroups, the Tashnar did not practice deliberate scarification or tattoos.

The Tashnar’s physical traits reflected their adaptation to a life of endurance, resourcefulness, and survival. Their improved night vision and rugged builds made them masters of their rocky domain, embodying their connection to the cliffs and shadows of Takra with every feature.

Culture and Society of the Tashnar

The Tashnar, "People of the Rocks," built a society centred on resilience, resourcefulness, and loyalty to their fortified strongholds. Guided by the principles of Durzakh, "The Way of Survival," their culture valued the strength of their warriors, the skill of their craftsmen, and the unity of their people in the face of adversity. While internal rivalries often defined their relationships, the Tashnar adhered to ritualized practices like Gorvak, "Honoured Combat," to resolve disputes without unnecessary bloodshed.

Tarkhaz: The Stronghold Monarchy

The Tarkhaz, "Fortified Crown," governed Tashnar society, centralizing all power under the Tarkhan.

• Absolute Authority: The Tarkhan ruled over the stronghold with unquestioned authority, selecting trusted individuals to manage specific aspects of governance. Their leadership was defined by strength, wisdom, and the ability to ensure the stronghold’s survival.

• Challenges to Leadership: Any individual could challenge the Tarkhan in accordance with Durzakh, provided they proved their worth through strength or skill.

• Governance Without Councils: Unlike other Nar subgroups, the Tashnar did not have councils of elders. Instead, the Tarkhan’s appointees handled key responsibilities, ensuring centralized control.

Gorvak: Honoured Combat

The Tashnar resolved disputes between Tarkhaz strongholds or internal clans through Gorvak, ritualized duels that upheld unity and honor.

• Ritualised Duels: In Gorvak, each disputing side appointed a champion to fight on their behalf. The victor’s side would win the dispute, with the decision being final and binding.

• Champion’s Role: Champions were chosen for their skill and valor, representing their stronghold or clan with pride. A victory in Gorvak elevated both the champion’s status and that of their stronghold.

• Unity Through Honor: These duels were governed by strict rules, ensuring that disputes were settled honorably and without escalating to full-scale conflicts.

Craftsmanship and Warriors: Pillars of Society

The Tashnar valued their warriors and craftsmen equally, recognizing both as essential to their survival and prosperity.

• Revered Craftsmen: Master craftsmen who created the strongest tools, weapons, and structures were celebrated for their contributions to the stronghold’s resilience. Their work symbolized the durability and strength of the Tashnar people.

• Warriors of the Stronghold: Skilled warriors were tasked with defending the stronghold and ensuring the survival of its people. Their bravery and loyalty were seen as the embodiment of Durzakh.

• Collaboration Between Castes: The cooperation between warriors and craftsmen ensured the survival and prosperity of the stronghold, blending strength and ingenuity into a unified effort.

Internal Conflicts and the Durvakhan

While Tashnar strongholds often clashed over resources, an ancient pact ensured unity during times of external threats.

• Resource Competition: Disputes over scarce resources such as water and game were common, with many resolved through Gorvak.

• Durvakhan: The Banner of Survival: In times of external danger, all internal rivalries ceased as the Tashnar united under the Durvakhan, a sacred pact to protect their lands. This unity reinforced their shared adherence to Durzakh.

Cultural Practices

The Tashnar’s cultural practices emphasized endurance, unity, and the preservation of their stronghold’s legacy.

• Coming-of-Age Rites: Young Tashnar underwent grueling physical trials to prove their readiness to contribute to the stronghold.

• Oral Traditions: Stories of legendary Tarkhans, victorious champions in Gorvak, and master craftsmen were passed down through generations, reinforcing their identity and values.

• Isolationist Pride: The Tashnar viewed their ability to thrive independently as a mark of superiority, priding themselves on their resilience and self-reliance.

A Society of Strength and Honor

The Tashnar’s society, rooted in the Tarkhaz system and fortified strongholds, was a testament to their resilience and commitment to Durzakh. Through Gorvak, disputes were resolved with honor, while the Durvakhan ensured unity in times of need. Balancing the strength of their warriors with the skill of their craftsmen, the Tashnar thrived in the harsh rocky highlands of Takra, embodying the enduring spirit of their people.

Religious Beliefs of the Tashnar

The Tashnar, like all Nar, followed the principles of Durzakh, "The Way of Survival," though their interpretation was distinct and focused primarily on their own survival above all else. While other Nar subgroups viewed Durzakh as a unifying philosophy tied to the collective strength of their people, the Tashnar emphasized individual and stronghold survival, often at the expense of broader cooperation.

Durzakh: Pragmatism Over Spirituality

For the Tashnar, Durzakh was less a spiritual doctrine and more a practical guide for enduring the harsh realities of their rocky environment.

• Focus on Self-Reliance: The Tashnar believed survival was the ultimate test of worthiness, and their interpretation of Durzakh prioritized the strength and endurance of their stronghold over the collective welfare of all Nar.

• Survival Above Unity: While they acknowledged the broader tenets of Durzakh, such as resilience and unity, the Tashnar applied these primarily within their own strongholds, often disregarding external alliances unless absolutely necessary.

• Ancestor Reverence: The Tashnar still honored their ancestors, believing their strength lived on in the fortified walls of their strongholds and the enduring traditions of their people. However, this reverence was practical, tied to stories and lessons that guided their survival rather than overt spiritual practices.

Practical Beliefs and Rituals

The Tashnar’s religious beliefs were interwoven with their daily lives, reflecting their pragmatic approach to faith.

• The Stronghold as Sacred: The Tashnar viewed their strongholds as living embodiments of Durzakh. The stone walls, fortified defenses, and enduring architecture symbolized their ancestors’ resilience and their commitment to survival.

• Minimal Rituals: Unlike other Nar subgroups, the Tashnar performed few ceremonial practices, focusing instead on practical actions that reinforced their survival. For example, maintaining the stronghold’s defenses or crafting durable tools was seen as acts of devotion.

• Ancestor Stories: Rather than elaborate rites, the Tashnar preserved their ancestors’ legacy through oral traditions, recounting tales of legendary Tarkhans, master craftsmen, and victorious champions.

A Unique Perspective on Unity

While the Tashnar acknowledged the broader tenets of Durzakh, their focus on self-preservation shaped their perspective on unity and cooperation.

• Durvakhan in Crisis: The Tashnar adhered to the ancient Durvakhan pact, uniting with other Tashnar only when external threats endangered their lands. However, they did so begrudgingly, often resuming their isolationist tendencies once the threat was eliminated.

• Selective Cooperation: The Tashnar were willing to work with others when it directly benefited their survival, such as during trade or when sharing knowledge about their rugged terrain.

A Faith Rooted in Survival

For the Tashnar, Durzakh was a philosophy grounded in practicality and self-reliance. Their belief system reflected their rugged environment and emphasized survival over unity, shaping a culture where the stronghold was the center of their spiritual and physical existence. With minimal rituals and a pragmatic approach to their ancestors' legacy, the Tashnar embodied a unique interpretation of Durzakh, rooted in their unyielding pursuit of endurance and strength.