WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK WORLD BOOK 0077 0077
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Chapter 3: RACES & REALMS
focus of any rituals. By the second dawn after death, the
bodies of the deceased are left in jungles or other wild
places for wild animals to devour; their spirits live on in
the beasts that feed on their flesh.
Prajalu eat very few planned meals, but instead nibble on tiny bits of prepared food all day long. The only
breaks from this habit are wedding feasts and political
gatherings like the Unnata, which see large, long-running meals that spread out over many hours or days.
Outsiders consider Prajalu justice extreme, while the
Prajalu know it is harsh so as to set an example for others. While they take inordinate spans of time to come
to decisions, once a judgment is made, there is neither
any chance of appeal nor any delay in delivering the
sentence. Violators and criminals, depending on their
transgressions, may be publicly humiliated, pilloried,
or even tortured, mutilated, and left to die in the public
“judgment square” (of which there is always one in every Prajan settlement).
Dramatic reenactments of the “Traditions of the
Prophet Yelkmon” (an important Prajan historical and
religious figure) are staples for elaborate theater presentations several times every year. On Prophetsdays
(Yelkmon’s birthday and the days flanking it), a Prajan
community chooses to reenact one of the Tradition
plays and all must participate; outsiders are assigned
simple roles to urge participation but must not mar the
play with poor performances.
Aside from the more famed or notorious poisonous
goods and services made by the Prajalu, there are numerous other wears sought from them by many: Rendri
are exceptional-quality swafa saddles renowned for being both decorative and comfortable. Gaba are a wide
variety of nut-based snack foods prepared and spiced
to be quite tasty. Their durability makes them a highly
sought-after food for caravan travel.
The Prajalu have a number of customs that outsiders
must embrace to be even partially acceptable to Prajan
society. These major taboos or rules are followed without
question by all other Prajalu:
• Respect Entertainers: Prajalu value entertainers,
especially actors and nyutu. A great actor can drown
in the gifts of a well-wishing Prajan audience.
• Intimacy of Touch: The Prajalu regard all touching
as intimate and never touch anyone in public save
for very short greetings, touching only the fingertips.
• Openness: In contrast, they make family matters
very public and involve strangers in things other
humans regard as strictly private.
• Good Fortune: Sighting a passing earth mote—one
of the dry dust balls that occasionally float upon the
winds like islands—is considered good luck.
• Revenge Prohibition: Also, revenge against a successful poisoning is petty and unwarranted; Prajalu
believe any poisoned victim shares equal blame with
the poisoner for not successfully guarding against it.
Rumors & Whispers
As with all cultures and “people different from us,” there
are many rumors true and untrue aloft on the Khitan
winds about the Prajalu. Prajan myths and legends fuel
many great stories and whispered incongruities that set
tongues wagging about or among the Prajalu.
• Some say that an exiled Prajan prince built the
Black Tower, bent on the vengeful destruction of
the world in payment for the Great Reprisals and
other ills. (All this is untrue but is fomented by relations of long-dead, overzealous warlords from the
Great Reprisals against the Prajalu.)
• Others who believe the Prajalu have vast hidden
wealth in diamonds and secret mines have just missed
a little-realized and close-guarded truth. In some
places on Khitus, mineral riches can be found virtually
lying upon the surface of the world. Such gems and
other prizes have fattened the pockets of many wandering tribes (such as many a Prajan caravan or outrider group) who take care not to distribute them too
often lest they deflate commodities markets. Such rumors have reached the pale ears of the Bev al-Khim.
• Bridging the misty gap between legend and truth
is the Prajan sarhak’s (psychic’s) practice called the
Djrust. The “nourishing sight” is a psychic ability to
sense any forms or modes of nourishment out in the
wilderness. Even among others with similarly arcane
senses, the djrust garners not unjustified skepticism.
Still, those who witness it first-hand swear the power
is genuine. Generally elderly women profess mastery
of the djrust, and wrap themselves in the trappings of
mysterious powers like strange witches.
• The ancient Prajalu god Ardhana allegedly created the
Dragon Kings, but she eventually drove them away for
being disloyal either to the Prajalu or Khitus. Rekak
was one of these, and flagellants blister themselves in
his honor and to appease Ardhana (see Chapter 6).
• The Prajan hero Viradu of Stalamu conquered
an evil wizard and his jaladam servitors long ago,
scattering the pieces of their bodies among great
throngs of insects. By doing this, Viradu inadvertently created the Krikis races.
• Prajalu also believe that a Bev al-Khim will enslave
a Prajan child who will grow to do grievous harm to
the Bev al-Khim before returning to the fold as a
Prajan champion. This legend is so widely believed
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