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A Traveler's Guide to the Turamzzyrian Empire
The Tehir
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An extended discussion of the Tehir culture is available here.
The Tehir are a relatively primitive nomadic people of a tribal
culture. They live in the Sea
of Fire where they have adapted to the extremely harsh environment
within the great desert, typically migrating from oasis to oasis
throughout the seasons, herding their few goats and yierkas, and
living off of the sparse desert bounty.
Sometimes referred to as the Veiled Men, due to their tradition
of wearing veils over their noses and mouths to show that a man
has reached adulthood, Tehir legend holds that this veil protects
against the evil spirits of the desert. The various styles and colors
of the veil have additional meaning, e.g., one color might reflect
strength in combat, while an unusual cloth indicates wisdom of an
elder.
Tehir women do not wear facial veils, rather they wear head-scarves
once they have married. It is customary among Tehir women to have
elaborate tattoos on their faces and necks, which the Tehir people
find to be very attractive. Tehir men also wear tattoos, though
they tend to be around the eyes and on the arms.
Goatskin and yierka-hide tents woven by the women of the tribes
are the most common shelters in Tehir culture. In the southeastern
desert, nearest the mountains separating the desert from Hendor,
caves within desert cliffs are sometimes used for the more sedentary
tribes.
While there are a handful of Tehir tribes that are on good or neutral
terms with the Empire, most of the fierce Tehir are constantly in
conflict with the Turamzzyrian Empire over the copper mines found
within the Sea of Fire. The Tehir hit-and-run tactics coupled with
the harsh environment make them a difficult enemy for the Empire
to defeat. At the same token, the Tehir are unable to drive the
outlanders from the mines, and often their raids are ineffective
against the well-guarded imperial caravans.
Prior to the discovery of copper mines within the desert, the Tehir
tribes often fought one another for control over various oases and
herds. On the occasions where such conflicts led to a complete defeat,
or the capture of enemies, it was not uncommon for the victors to
enslave their captives. This practice is still held in a few of
the Tehir tribes, and it is rumored that on rare occasions imperial
soldiers have been taken as captives. By and large, however, the
practice of enslaving captives has dwindled or died out in most
of the Tehir tribes.
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