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 grievous harm to the Bev al-Khim before returning to the fold as a Prajan champion This legend is so widely believed 75