Djaffir

The Djaffir are a desert-dwelling people, uniformly slender and wiry of build, dark-skinned, and of average height. They are known for their distinctive attire and nomadic lifestyle.

Appearance and Attire

• Clothing: Flowing head-dresses, robes, and cloaks of beige or white linen, paired with boots of soft animal hide.
• Fetish-Masks: All Djaffir wear traditional masks made of cured hide, decorated with occult symbology. They believe "the face mirrors the soul" and that the masks protect against hostile magics. [^1]

Tribal Structure

The Djaffir people are comprised of many families and clans, divided into two main tribes:

• Merchant Traders: The more numerous tribe. They buy and sell goods across the continent in large caravans and breed aht-ra and other beasts for market.
• Bandits: Caravan robbers who occasionally raid small settlements and encampments.

Relations

• Allies: Dracartans (sharing a mutual hatred of the Rajans).
• Good Terms: Yitek, Yassan, and Danelek.
• Trade Partners: Kasmirans (though with significant mutual animosity). [^2]

Religion and Magic

The Djaffir are devoutly religious, revering the Creator, depicted as a desert wanderer watching over all nomads.

• Wizards: Tribal healers and seers who serve as priests/priestesses. They interpret omens and create the fetish-masks.
• Rites: Wizards cast spells of warding upon the deceased to protect them from grave robbers.

Language

• Primary: Nomadic, High Talislan, and Low Talislan.
• Multilingualism: Due to their travels, many speak multiple languages.
• Naming Conventions: First names often begin with the prefix "Dj" (e.g., Djamal, Djeral, Djalla).

Adventurers

Djaffir make excellent adventurers due to their:

• Desert survival skills
• Business acumen
• Proficiency with the scimitar

[^1]: While the masks have practical use against sandstorms, some skeptics claim they are merely used to conceal identities during robberies. [^2]: Djaffir view Kasmirans as cheap; Kasmirans view Djaffir merchants as no better than bandits.