Xian

Xenophobic Theocracy of Refugees

Xian is a large religious Theocracy that was founded by Xianese refugees who were driven out of their homeland. While they were originally greeted by the Elves of Ellendar their beliefs count the elves as devils who seek the corruption of man. Driven by religious fervor to free this new land of the evil and fallen men they have expanded the borders of their nation through fire and war. Although Xian is one of the larger nations in the Western Realms it remains relatively poor with little trade or interaction with other nations.

Xian is a religious colony in the Western Realms on the shores of the Isaurus Ocean. It was founded during the middle of the Second Irillian Empire. The Xianese were driven from their homeland on the Elysian continent during a religious war with their barbarous neighbors.

Zarn had forewarned his most devoted priests of their impending destruction at the hands of the barbarians they sought to purify. He had them fashion huge ships made from the holy black whorlwood. They were to gather all of the holy relics and as many of the faithful that could fit into these arks and sail towards the rising sun.

For nine months the black fleet sailed east, past several lands that Zarn denied to them. One early morning they spotted the body of their enemy, the she-devil Xi, rising out of the fog-shrouded water to once again challenge Zarn. As the fiery and pure light of Zarn drove her back beneath the waves, the fog parted and everyone saw a green new land ahead. In the morning light the shore gave off a deep purple hue and the followers of Zarn knew they were given the most holy of battles to fight. They were to do battle in the land of the devil-spawned, where Xi held dominion.

Upon reaching the shore they were surrounded by an elven war party and their leader brought before the local commander. Although it caused him a great deal of pain, the holy priest Pakmal, had listened to the words of Zarn and studied the words of the devils. He told the elves that his people were refugees from across the sea that had fled the religious intolerance of the Shian Empire. He would gladly trade them the wood from one of their ships if they would give them enough land to found a religious colony.

The elves of Ellendar had been driven back to the deepest parts of the forest by the Irillian Legions so they felt a great deal of sympathy for these newcomers. They agreed to trade them land along the shore for the wood from several of their ships. Pakmal named their new land Xian so that the people would always remember the holy war they must face in this land of their enemy.

As the followers of Zarn built their temples and cities, more refugees were arriving every day. At first the elves kept a strong army nearby, hidden in the forest, but over time these troops were needed in the east to fight the Irillian Empire. That the priests were always openly warm and friendly tricked the elves, for they had forgotten the lesson of the tree snake whose soothing noises bring unwary travelers within its poisonous bite.

When the army left, the Xianese uncovered their true strength, fanatical followers that were already counted among the dead were hidden beneath their villages and temples just waiting for the moment to strike. The Xianese descended upon many of the outer elven villages and took everyone captive. When their blood was sacrificed to Zarn, he rewarded them with by infusing his priests with even greater power and sending his children to aid in the destruction of Xi's worshipers.

Most of the elven army was near the Irillian capitol and could not return to defend their homeland. Since the they had few alliances with the other human nations, they had nobody whom could help them. The Xianese army overran anyone that stood in their path, taking hundreds of elves prisoner during the first days of the war. The elves and corrupted humans were sacrificed by the thousands to feed the power of the Xianese priests.

Following behind the army were those that cleansed the land of all traces of Xian. In its place they planted the black whorlwood and erected stone temples. The trees so loved by the elves were burned in huge pyres whose smoke obscured the sky for days. The rivers were poisoned and the earth cracked so that none could live upon the land without the touch of Zarn.

These barren, broken, and desolate lands were once part of a large broadleaf forest that was home to thousands of elves. When the Xianese began their holy crusade against the devil-spawn and their human allies, they burnt the forest, destroyed the rivers, and slaughtered the animals.

The land is now baked hard, with only shallow cracks and jagged flint stones to break up the desolate surface. Scattered haphazardly across the land are huge statues and imposing temples of stone dedicated to Zarn the Destroyer so that he will look upon the good deeds of his children.

The elven fortress in the middle of what was once called Silver Lake was particularly troublesome. The Xianese army could not bypass the fortress for fear the elves within would fall upon their supply train, neither could they attack for the elves called forth the devil in the lake to defend themselves. Given these two extremes the priests decided to show the devil spawn the true power of Zarn.

The Xianese Black Knights struck deep into Ellendar and captured over a thousand elves, most of them children, and herded them to Silver Lake. There, upon a stone alter large enough to set a city, they sacrificed all of their captives to their god. Several times the elven army tried to stop this massacre, but each time they were pushed back. It is said that the Lillian River, which flows from Silver Lake to the Endless Sea, was thick with blood.

This act destroyed the surrounding countryside as anything that drew substance from the Silver Lake was infected with disease and rot. Within months one of the most beautiful areas in the Realms had been blighted and Pashwanna, the Elven City that stood upon the lake, now serves as a Xianese temple. Even today the Black Lake and Blood River, as they are now called, mean death to any that drink their water - just a drop of the water on the skin can cause a great sickness.

The priests and the holy book of Zarn rule Xian. Most of the laws have been maintained exactly the same for the last several hundred years. In the most holy city of Zarntac the Amra, or most holy priest, rules the entire nation. Although blinded during the ceremony to become Amra, the spiritual and secular ruler sees with the all-powerful eyes of Zarn. It is said that nobody can lie or deceive the Amra.

A council of priests, called Chanters attends to the needs of the Amra. Each Chanter controls a region that contains several temples. They keep the Amra informed and disseminate his holy words to the high priests of each temple. Each temple has a high priest that rules the local area as nobility does in other lands.

Xian is ruled on a very strict caste system. At the highest level are the priests, who communicate directly with Zarn. Also included in this caste are those soldiers that show exceptional skill and are promoted to officers. The second caste is the common soldiers and master craftsmen. The third caste is the common craftsmen and skilled laborers, while the lowest caste is the unskilled laborers. All of the slaves and merchants belong to no caste and are typically considered outsiders by the Xianese.

Once a year all children that are ready to graduate from school are herded into the local temple and set before the council of priests. This council then speaks with the wisdom of Zarn in deciding where each child can best serve the church. The actual caste of the parents is insignificant in determining the final position of the child; however, children from higher castes have typically had additional training from their family.

The entire town holds a day long festival, which culminates with the graduation ceremony. After the graduation ceremony, all of the children will be apprenticed with their new master. Since most families have members in every caste — the children are typically placed with cousins or uncles if they are not in their parent’s caste and profession.

Since the Xianese church has declared all non-humans as the spawn of devils and humans and consider the worship of any other deity as the second greatest sin, they have no normal relations with any of their neighbors. The small amount of trade that is passed through independent merchants is mostly a screen to get their agents close to their enemies.

Main Article: Ellendar

The holy book of Zarn has several pictures that represent the devil Ellish, who represents lust and murder, and she is mostly definitely an elven female. The spawn of her mating with weak human males, and unclean human females, is most assuredly those who call themselves elves. The book of Zarn says that all spawn from the devils must be put to the cleansing fire of the torch, while those that resist the purification must be killed first then burned.

It is rather obvious that there can never be any relationship between Xian and Ellendar except religious war for as long as the Church of Zarn rules the land. Since Xian is simply the name of the earth devil that defies Zarn’s will — the war won’t end until either Ellendar or Xian no longer exist.

Main Article: Selcaria

The Xianese see their best opportunity for expansion in the southeast. The Free States are morally weak, instead they are dedicated to the accumulation of wealth. They have formed several secret alliances with some of the cities, which allow them to build secret temples in exchange for goods from across the Endless Sea. The Xianese are the only source for these goods in the realms, so even common items are worth a fortune.

Even better some governors have been under the control of Xian for so long they have actually converted to the worship of Zarn. Although this ceremony is done in secret, these leaders can bring their followers to the true religion. Once an entire state comes under their control they can command to populace to prepare the land for the worship of Zarn. No state has been so tightly controlled, but the Xianese continue on their holy mission.

Main Article: Three Kingdoms

Unlike Selcaria, the Xian controlled the area called the Three Kingdoms for so little time the priests did not have time to prepare the land. It is not this affront to Zarn that keeps the priest of Zarn so fixated upon the Three Kingdoms; rather it is the large number of magicians that live within these lands. These magicians were directly responsible for the largest defeat suffered during the Xianese crusade.

Zarn had sent one of his most powerful children to lead the army against the city of Valparia — it was the last city that stood against their will. This army was met vast force of dwarves, elves, human, and lesser magicians on the outskirts of the city. The child of Zarn pushed these defenders aside and breached Valparia's walls, only to five master magicians. These magicians destroyed the child of Zarn, only to be utterly destroyed as well.

While the Xian have since discovered that these magicians were considered the most powerful practitioners of their art and as near to other magicians as humans are to ants — no Xianese magician could match their power. Even the war-priest Xandar couldn't save the “Child of Zarn” from their power, though the effort cost him his life. For this reason the Xianese have a great number of agents within the Three Kingdoms actively seeking to learn from, or capture, their magicians.

Since the Xianese church has declared all non-humans as the spawn of devils and humans and consider the worship of any other deity as the second greatest sin, they have no normal relations with any of their neighbors. The small amount of trade that is passed through independent merchants is mostly a screen to get their agents close to their enemies.

Main Article: Ellendar

The holy book of Zarn has several pictures that represent the devil Ellish, who represents lust and murder, and she is mostly definitely an elven female. The spawn of her mating with weak human males, and unclean human females, is most assuredly those who call themselves elves. The book of Zarn says that all spawn from the devils must be put to the cleansing fire of the torch, while those that resist the purification must be killed first then burned.

It is rather obvious that there can never be any relationship between Xian and Ellendar except religious war for as long as the Church of Zarn rules the land. Since Xian is simply the name of the earth devil that defies Zarn's will — the war won’t end until either Ellendar or Xian no longer exist.

Main Article: Selcaria

The Xianese see their best opportunity for expansion in the southeast. The Free States are morally weak, instead they are dedicated to the accumulation of wealth. They have formed several secret alliances with some of the cities, which allow them to build secret temples in exchange for goods from across the Endless Sea. The Xianese are the only source for these goods in the realms, so even common items are worth a fortune.

Even better some governors have been under the control of Xian for so long they have actually converted to the worship of Zarn. Although this ceremony is done in secret, these leaders can bring their followers to the true religion. Once an entire state comes under their control they can command to populace to prepare the land for the worship of Zarn. No state has been so tightly controlled, but the Xianese continue on their holy mission.

Main Article: Three Kingdoms

Unlike Selcaria, the Xian controlled the area called the Three Kingdoms for so little time the priests did not have time to prepare the land. It is not this affront to Zarn that keeps the priest of Zarn so fixated upon the Three Kingdoms; rather it is the large number of magicians that live within these lands. These magicians were directly responsible for the largest defeat suffered during the Xianese crusade.

Zarn had sent one of his most powerful children to lead the army against the city of Valparia — it was the last city that stood against their will. This army was met vast force of dwarves, elves, human, and lesser magicians on the outskirts of the city. The child of Zarn pushed these defenders aside and breached Valparia's walls, only to five master magicians. These magicians destroyed the child of Zarn, only to be utterly destroyed as well.

While the Xian have since discovered that these magicians were considered the most powerful practitioners of their art and as near to other magicians as humans are to ants — no Xianese magician could match their power. Even the war-priest Xandar couldn't save the “Child of Zarn” from their power, though the effort cost him his life. For this reason the Xianese have a great number of agents within the Three Kingdoms actively seeking to learn from, or capture, their magicians.

The military of Xian is strong and includes the oldest male of every household. All other males are enlisted into the militia, which is only used for city defense and large-scale attacks. Since every male is expected to accomplish some military service, they have the largest army in the realms — but since only the regular infantry are typically used in common battles their military is rather small. Those priests that display the proper aggressiveness in this area command the regular military.

The weapons used by the military are crossbows, axes, flails, mace, and spear. The Xianese have no cavalry troops, and the only people that are trained to even ride horses are the war-priests and Black Knights. In addition, each trooper is expected to carry flint, steel, and holy incense for times they see some affront to Zarn, they should burn the object.

The Black Knights are the elite warriors in the Xianese military. They represent the peak physical, mental, and spiritual children of Zarn. They are clad in completely black suit of full plate covered with silver-inlayed religious symbols. Their traditional weapons are halberds modified with an extended spear point for thrusting. The weapons are made from whorlwood shaft and silver blade, complete with a black etched symbol of Zarn. When the Black Knights engage in battle they also carry a large rectangular shield until they close with the enemy.

The Knights can easily stand on even ground with any other elite soldiers in the Realms, in fact, they surpass the elite soldiers from many lands. Although they consider them the work of the earth-devil, the knights respect the dwarven heavy infantry as the only force in the realms that possibly surpasses their skill at arms.

Rarely are the Black Knights used as simple troops during war; instead, they are used as rally points for the rest of the soldier. A single knight may be given three hundred men to support on a vital left flank. They are there to command and control the situation — to accomplish their task regardless of the loss of life. No living Black Knight has ever failed.

A more common task for the Black Knights is to serve as bodyguards for important Xianese that travel among the other nations. In this fashion they often don't wear their armor, or carry their halberd — as both of these symbols may jeopardize their charge’s plans. For this reason, a Black Knight is expected to be a master at all weapons and armor.

These berserk warriors are given a small look into the true power that is Zarn. The sheer power of his divinity kills lesser men; even those handpicked by the priests, for their purity and strength of will, only survive for a few years. They no longer need food, sleep, air, or anything else typically associated with life; instead, they only yearn to destroy the enemies of Zarn.

The Hand of Zarn is the only people allowed beneath the earth. Since they are already considered dead, but not yet earned a place in paradise they are exempt from many of the religious tenants. One on of the Hand of Zarn dies, only after considerable damage; they have earned a place in paradise for their servitude.

These are the rare Xianese that have been possessed by a devil, typically a spirit of some sort. Most Xianese are immune to such possession by their devotion to Zarn; however, the devils are strong and have been known to overcome even a Xianese. The people possessed by a spirit will begin talking in a strange language and casting magic. This is a danger to society, so the priest rounds these people up and chain them down.

Then they spend months to years in training as their mind slowly reverts to that of a common beast. These people are kept on thick chains and controlled by their keeper, with whip or belt. When not used on the battlefield, they are kept in locked cages to avoid them harming the people of Zarn.

The Xianese economy is completely controlled by the priests. Every person is afforded the food they need to survive, place to live, and the clothes they wear. They control this by issuing vouchers to all citizens, which can then be used at various stores to purchase what someone needs. Unlike all other human nations, there are no beggars in Xian as all citizens are cared for properly.

Every person is given the minimum number of vouchers to survive, with others earning extra vouchers depending on the caste. Slaves and merchants belong to no caste and only receive no vouchers. The eldest female of the household must care for slaves, if a household can no longer care their slaves — they must sell them at auction. Merchants are expected to earn what they need to survive from the trade they do with others; however, unlike the other castes they must tithe ten percent of the money they earn to the church.

The idea of an extended family is very strong and overrides all barriers of caste although it is still forbidden to marry outside your caste. When the children are underage they belong to the caste of their parents, when they reach their majority the local high priest will consult Zarn and determine in what caste they will live their adult lives. If the caste is different from their parents they will typically be fostered to a relative or close family friend in that caste.

The caste system is not as much cultural as its economic. The higher castes are those that do more in the name of Zarn, while the lower castes typically tend to the needs of those that serve Zarn. There are social barriers about marrying outside of your caste, but the only daily barrier is that a member of a lower social caste must show respect to a member of a higher caste.

The words of Zarn clearly state that a woman’s most holy duty is to give birth. This has the effect that most Xianese families have seven to ten children, with families of twelve or more not uncommon. Multiple births are cause for a celebration and typically result in gifts to the household from the local high priest. This is several more children per family that most other human nations. However, the harsh conditions and poor diet mean that many children are not strong enough to survive to adulthood. Most families will lose at least one child before they graduate from school.

Unlike the various other humans in the Realms, the Xianese come from a very foreign stock. Most of the other humans have skin color that ranges from pale to swarthy brown. However, the Xianese skin is as black as coal, their eyes are either deep brown or black. Their hair is as straight as an arrow and almost always black, tending towards silver highlights, as they grow older.

This makes the Xianese stand out in a crowd of people from the realms, which suits the Xianese just perfectly. The Xianese consider the lighter coloration to be indicative of humans that have bred with the devil-spawn. However, unlike true devil-spawn a human can still be converted to the righteous path.

Xian is the only nation in the realms with a national education system. All children, regardless of caste, are required to attend the local school. This school teaches the children the basic skills and their responsibilities are the true children of Zarn. In addition, the children are taught about the various nations that surround Xian and why each one is a den of evil and wickedness - the children are always taught the face of evil so they may recognize it in any form.

During the last year the boys and girls are separated. The girls are taught their duties of caring for their household and pleasing their husband. They are reminded that having children is one of the most holy responsibilities and Zarn blesses his most faithful with large families. The number of children they have, in addition to their slaves and husband’s profession, often determines the rank of a family within their caste.

The boys are trained in the skills of a common soldier. Typically the local militia officers and some of their troopers train them. During this time they will be expected to eat and sleep with the militia soldiers; although some of the boys more suited to soldiering may be placed with the regular military - exception boys may find themselves under the wing of a Black Knight. They are taught that the defense of one’s nation, religion, and household is Zarn’s highest command to all men - accomplish this and Zarn will take you to paradise.

Main Article: Zarnism

The worship of Zarn and his seven holy children dominate the culture. The priests rule the land from the precepts of the books of Zarn. They tax the populace, create and enforce the laws, own the land, and provide all of the spiritual guidance needed to keep the people on the proper path. Religion is not just an act of faith, it is used as a basis for every aspect of their culture.

The worship of any other than Zarn and his children is strictly forbidden and punishable by public death. The book of Zarn tells of others that will seek to beguile the weak into worshiping them as gods. Zarn calls these tricksters and charlatans’ devils and those they create are devil-spawn. All true children of Zarn will seek out and destroy the devil-spawn, for they stop the creation of paradise on earth.

The magic used by those of Xianese blood is unlike any other used in the Realms. Most scholars believe it is a sheer act of will by the magician that manifests the spells — the downside is that it appears to reduce the magician to the intelligence of a rabid beast. The fact that these pathetic creatures were once rational humans is a terrifying thought.

However, this is all based upon conjecture and survivors of encounters with Xianese magicians as magicians are considered slaves to the temple. They are only seen in the presence of a specially trained handler who uses a whip and a series of whistles to command the magicians.

The Xianese have made a considerable effort to capture several magicians of the realms and take them to their temples for study. It is believed they are either trying to remove the bestial nature of their magicians, or more likely expand their magicians’ capabilities. Given how they treat magicians in Xian, no realms magician would surrender without a fight to the death.

The Xianese have a very structured economic society. Each person is put into a caste depending on how strongly they can serve the needs of Zarn. This caste determines their economic, but not social or cultural, status. While family lines often cover most of the castes, it is still true that strong friendships between members of different castes are subtly discouraged.

The church, and therefore the worship of Zarn, dominates the life of any true Xianese. Every aspect of their life is determined, or in response to, an edict of the church. This is all made stronger by the paradise that is waiting for any “Child of Zarn” after they pass from this world. The afterlife plays a major role in church life, and funerals are always larger affairs than weddings or births.

The land of Xian is divided into different Tulâds (provinces), each centered around a single large Zûd (city) and with many outlying Kûlams (villages).

All of the Zûds are built along the same plan, which was ordained by Zarn. The Zûd must have four walls, with a large circular tower at the joining of each wall. Upon these towers are inscribed each of the four sins committed by the other gods against Zarn. At the top of the tower extends a large iron bar, nearly ten feet in length, topped by an eternal holy flame.

At the exact center ofthe Zûd will be built the temple of Zarn. The temple is a large four-sided pyramid made from bricks made from the blood of believers and fired in Zarn's purifying flame. At the peak of the temple is the sacrificial stone and the symbols of Zarn facing out towards each on the wall-towers. The north and south symbols are for Zarn as the destroyer, while the west and east symbols are for Zarn the creator.

A stone walkway extends out from each corner of the temple to each wall-tower effectively dividing Zûd into fourths. The walkway is made from bricks inscribed with the holy words of Zarn. There must be an archway every fifty feet of walkway with the two visages of Zarn as the pillars and a whorlwood arch connecting them. As a worshiper walks towards the temple Zarn the creator is on their left and Zarn the destroyer is on their right. Where the walkway connects to each of the towers will shrine large enough to hold fifty people.

Buildings

Every building that houses a true child of Zarn must have stone or brick touching the earth with each corner pointing towards a cardinal point. Each of the four bricks pointing towards the cardinal points will have some of the blood of a true child of Zarn and be inscribed with holy symbols asking for Zarn's guidence. No building can have any cellar or other hole that descends into the earth, everything must be built above ground. Inside will be a shrine to Zarn in the north corner, consisting of a stonebowl for burning wood shavings, clay cup for drinking, and a knife for drawing blood.

This is the largest temple to Zarn anywhere in the world and serves as the capitol of Xian. Unlike most religious cities where the temple serves as the largest building - the entire city is the temple. The temple-city is an impossibly huge pyramid turned a pale shade of blackish-red from the blood that has washed over the surface from the sacrifice rock.

High Priest: Zan-Avir Dulahazdan Dark Priest: Avir Zarud

Kilâd-Khâlu Priest: Zâru

Zâbud Priest: Avir Nukhul-Zand

Mandîm Priest: Avir Burud

Zandûl Priest: Avir Ishamindak

Munâl Priest: Avir Garak

Khelar Priest: Avir Mazar

Gûlab Priest: Avir Baran-Khâl

Known to other people simply as Traderstown, its name was really a mistranslation between languages, but to all Xianese this town is a nest of traitors not traders. The people in this town deal in all manner of trade with the other nations; people that would rather convert the other humans than kill them outright populate even the Temple of Zarn.

Normally it would seem that trading, even the little that actually takes place, with a nation bent on your destruction is foolish. However, many merchants come here because they are interested in profit not politics, and what they buy from the Xianese cannot be bought anywhere else in the realms.

It is generally accepted that many of the other human nations are using this to spy on the Xianese and corrupting the people into turning away from their holy mission to purify this land. The priests of Zarn use this town as an important way to reach out to those lost souls that still can be saved from the path of evil builts by the guardian's people.

Priest: Nûr Population: 8200 people (6100 able) Land: 350 mi² (130 developed) Economy: Trade, crafted goods Military: 1000 (200 Lancers, 200 Crossbowmen, 600 Infantry)

Once called the Silver Lake, and famed for its beauty and perfection. This lake was where the elves held many of Ellowyn’s most holy ceremonies, specifically the rite of passage for a Maiden Archer. The once cold, calm, and clean lake is now warm, murky, and decided alive and full of malice. The water is thick with a slightly reddish-black coloration. The water’s touch causes disease and to taste even a drop will cause your body to slowly rot from the inside - only the priests of Zarn seem immune to its effects.

The Blood River flows from the Black Lake and into the Endless Sea. Like the Black Lake, the river water is warm and murky giving off a decidedly strong sulfur smell. Several large barges row along the river, since the river does not provide enough flow to use the current. While the lake water is extremely dangerous, the waters of the Blood River cause only disease and skin rot, but of which can be treated.

These three large towers sit on the western shore and watch for the reappearance of Xi. Each tower is one-hundred feet high with stone walls fifteen feet thick at the base. Rising another twenty feet above the top are four pole, each with a metal basket keeping an eternal flame. If Xi should reappear special incense and whorlwood sticks will be thrown in to strengthen the tower with Zarn's holy strength.

Mounted atop each tower is a huge ballista made of the holy whorlwood that launches large metal spears that have been quenched in the blood of her unholy children. Should Xi appear, each tower will burn the holy whorlwood and launch spears into Xi in an attempt to bring her towards the shore.

In the central tower is a large shrine where the most pure priest waits for Xi to appear so that he may kill her. Although the spells used will surely kill him and everyone within sight of the event - this is nothing to ask for one dedicated to Zarn. When the ballista have lured Xi to the earth where she is weak, then the priest will step forward and do battle with the guardian.