Maskini

Maskini is the southern-most land of the Dying Isles. It is inhabited by the Zimbani tribe, the Wemics of Tarna and the feral Tabaxis.

The Story so Far
The Dying Isles was originally one land, many millennia ago. It has split into 3 parts. It was known as the Bright Isles for the longest time due to it's abundance of natural flora and fauna, however in recent years it has become known as the Dying Isles due to it's constant battles with draught and plague.

The party knows of two peace missions that have departed Tarna to visit the Zimbani and the Tabaxis. They found the remains of 8 Wemic warriors to the south of Tarna - the peace mission to the Tabaxis. The party has travelled to Tarna and met with King Ra'lon who advised them to seek out the Paladin Rakeesh san Tarna.

The party discovered ferocious undead creations taking the form of ancient beasts patrolling the countryside, and a war brewing between the Zimbani and the Tabaxis. The Zimbani believes the Tabaxi's had stolen their most sacred artifact - a cloak made of the hide of Nobanion - and the Tabaxis believed the Zimbani had stolen the 'Arcanomicon', a spellbook capable of teaching the secrets of spellweaving to it's readers. Both the Book and the Hide were missing, with damning evidence left on both sides.

As part of gaining the trust of the Zimbani, both Nerovarr and Engel attempted 'The Trials', feats of strength and endurance that allowed them membership as part of the tribes and all the privileges thereof (weapons, training, lodgings, permission to marry, trust). Though Nerovarr was successful in his trial, Engel was not.

Travelling the plains, the party discovered the reason for the ban on magic - in addition to the Zimbani's natural fear of magic, there were arcane creations travelling the plains, invisible, with the power to learn and re-use spells cast - and ultimately, transfer them to their creator to add to his repertoire.

A third group, necromancers and thieves led by Folduin himself and creator of the Bloodletter line of weapons, was responsible for brewing war between the two tribes, aiming to keep them distracted and bathe the savannah in blood. The party managed to defeat Folduin and his troops at the destroyed temple to the north-west of Maskini and brought back proof of the ruse to both tribes. The Zimbani and the Tabaxi agreed to meet at Tarna for a peace meeting.

Nerovarr, finding a home in Maskini and a connection to Nobanion, took on the Hide of Nobanion and gained demi-god-like abilities in it's presence. With Rakeesh's wife Kreesha's blessing, and the blessing of the Preserver's of the Sunrise (the Royal Court of Maskini), Nerovarr ascended to the throne, leaving behind the party with his word to come to their aid when called.

Tarna
Tarna is the central location of the Maskini and the ruling city. It is home to an apothecarian named Salim, the Hall of Judgment, a meat seller, weapons dealer, water trader and more. It also houses the Viper Pit fighting arena. Magic is strictly forbidden in Tarna other than in certain approved locations, such as Kreesha's home.

Zimbani Village
Zimbani Village is not known to the party as a whole, but it is home to the Zimbani Tribe. They are at risk of going to war with the feral Tabaxis over the theft of an artifact known as the Hide of Nobanion.

Night Skies
The Night Skies is the pocket dimension ruled by the Tabaxis, which can only be discovered by those who already know where it is. By finding and pulling on an ethereal chain in the forests of Maskini, one can climb into the Night Skies. It is a simple tree-top arrangement with huts and tents, with the only structure on the ground floor being a drumming circle with 8 drums made of the flesh of various creatures. Until the party freed her, one drummer was an enthralled daughter of Rakeesh and Kreesha, killed as part of the peace summit by Folduin's men.

Preservers of the Sunrise
The Preservers of the Sunrise serve as the advising Council to the throne of Maskini. Led by Nerovarr, many of the former Preservers have been honourably stood down to provide a greater voice for the people of Maskini. The Preservers currently consist of Kreesha of the Wemic people, Kova of the Tabaxi and Laibon of the Zimbani.

Champions of the Sun
The Champions of the Sun are the armed Wemic infantry of Tarna. They are currently being trained in combined military tactics with the Wild Childs and the Zimbani people under Nerovarr and Rakeesh's guidance. They are led informally by Rakeesh and are trained as paladins.

Wild Childs
The Wild Childs are the spellcasters of the Tabaxi people, and all of their people are expected to be trained in the arcane and show some talent for the arcane within their first eight years of life. If they are not, they are dismissed with the blessings of their family to look elsewhere for their destinies. They have a waste-not-want-not approach to death and are known to eat their own kind. They are trained as wizards, though expected to have an inherant form of natural ability similar to spellcasters.

Zimbani
The Zimbani tribes are predominantly a martial society and a clear focus on family and the tribe. They are fearful of magic in all it's forms though are slowly overcoming this hesitation with the defeat of Folduin and his spell stealing creations. Trained fighters, they excel at all forms of martial combat with a particular focus on spear and shield.

Trivia

 * The formal greeting in Tarna is 'I am (first name) (last name). I stand before you in honour.'
 * The party ran into junk traders in Tarna who were putting on a voice of a 'much more successful merchant.', eventually revealed to be Folduin.
 * The national word of greeting is 'Hujambo' or 'Salama'. Goodbye is 'Kwa heri'.
 * The informal greeting is a gesture of the hands touching your lips, chest and indicating to the sky. It is indicating 'your words, from the heart, to the gods.'
 * Although Engel failed his first trial with the Zimbani, he returned to the tribes during the party's downtime and successfully completed them. In doing so, he gained the ability to marry, and married Tallulah of the Zimbani people. They have since had a baby boy, with her darker skin and his red hair.