am'nýer—a'
T
TRÓTSKARR
( ZÀÞÇA )
Patron Deity
VüƑ, God of Time
Bók-T'ak, Goddess of Air
& Sexual Dalliance
National Flower
Férigă
Government
Autocracy
Demographics
Humans: 80%
Khah': 5.4%
Z'sa'Ză-'Bäa: 0.3%
Ãoni: 11.2%
Ṅkhya'jra: 0.1%
Giyu: 2.9%
Sk'älik: 0.1%
Zdjętzami: 0%
Size
19.47 km²
Population
350,000 (low season)
2 million approx. (high season)
Demomym
ZàÞçan
Imports & Exports:
Imports
Glass, Fabrics, Dyes, Corals, Meats, Metals, Books
Exports
Teas, Corundum, Medicines, Noîka, Grain
National Colours:
Pale Cyan &
Milk Chocolate Brown
DESCRIPTION
Located in a small inlet of the island of Trótskarr, south of Vit'saarèn, lies the old center of trade now turned tourist paradise: ZàÞça.
The architecture of ZàÞça is a testament to how prosperous it was during it's trading era before the rise and eventual transfer of power to Püertagœ. With the main city center seemingly carved out of the mountains, now eroded to be the backdrop of the port town, ZàÞça is a beautiful getaway destination from the millions that inhabit other main cities. ZàÞça has an ebb and flow populace meaning that during high tourist season the population is more than quadrupled. The native inhabitants make a mere population of roughly 350,000 during low season and have enough housing to host 2.1 million people for the tourist trade. Almost all native citizens work in the tourism industry due to this.
ZàÞça boasts of clear, iridescent waters, stunning architecture, waterfalls, and arid landscapes. It is also where high ranking families are known to send their daughters to bear their children, as stress can be fatal to expecting mothers. Because of this ZàÞça has to the most well-funded midwife association that consists mainly of Ãoni.
Architecture
ZàÞça, once the trading center of the world, now stands alone more as a vacation destination, and place for those women lucky enough to afford staying here in luxury during their pregnancy. Despite being more akin to a ghost town during low tourist season, ZàÞça is a stunning city, that when in high season, its population booms to almost the same of Püertagœ. With ZàÞça being an arid destination, with cool ocean breezes, the architecture here proudly displays natures colours, for what it lacks in horticulture.
Of course, ZàÞça architecture rings true of Islamic architecture. Large archways, flowing floors, colourful walls, both interior as well as exterior, and large open rooms with 'dotted' filigree windows to aid in the case of a sandstorm are everything here. It truly only enhances the experience of discovering ZàÞça, coming here to relax and taking part in the opulence of what once was the center of the world.
Homes:
In ZàÞça the house style tends to be akin to villas; spacious, open living spaces surrounding a courtyard. However, to accommodate the booming population during high season, and stemming from its past as being the main trading city, ZàÞça boasts tiered palatial living spaces, some carved out of the arid mountains that cusp this known glittering inlet. During the summer, these homes are rented to house multiple residents, with common living spaces and private areas by temporary plastered walls, and luxurious drapes. The open concepts throughout ZàÞça permit cross breezes for maximum air flow.
CLIMATE
Trótskarr (Pelvis Contient, including ZàÞça) qualifies as a Semi-arid climate with a sub-classification of Hot semi-arid climate. This means that Trótskarr has hot, sometimes extremely hot, summers and warm to cool winters, with some precipitation. It is not unlikely that despite it's desert-like state it can be hit with a monsoon however. Despite being so arid, it has a well-defined wet season, albeit short. Again, like Püertagœ, its wetter season is winter. However, just because it is a desert, don't be fooled; ZàÞça and the rest of Trótskarr do experience snow. It may not be every winter season, but it can happen.
*The Köppen-Geiger climate classification is used to help create a better understanding.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
Appearance: Clothing
ZàÞça, the Glittering Inlet of Trótskarr, is of course an infamous tourist destination. Known for its history as the old center of trade, luxurious coast and getaway for ladies with child, ZàÞça can also boast one of the most relaxed styles of clothing there is. The standards of clothing are especially of note for the women, as pregnancy is kept in mind.
Loose clothing, akin to pinafores, are the norm, which gives leeway for whatever stage of pregnancy a woman is at. They allow plenty of air, and practically zero restriction, but still come in heavy brocades and embroidery to keep from looking drab. Some women may forgo the heavy embroidery and go for more cotton-esque fabric, but the styles of the cut nevertheless stay the same.
For the men, it's a tad more conservative, but breathability of fabric is a must, as ZàÞça can get quite hot. It is a desert area, after all, but saved by the coastal breezes. Men's garb in ZàÞça is what we here on Earth know as Kurta. A loose long sleeved top that drapes over a pair of relaxed trousers, finished with either slippers or sandals. The colour of the chemise is what can change, but the trousers are almost always white.
Something of note is that whether the garments be for the male or female gender, they are button down.
Shoes
Standard wear in ZàÞça, despite socio-economic level, are much more relaxed when it comes to everyday wear, and that's because they're simply sandals. To be more specific, they are low-lying shoes, no heels, but the sole may be thick, resembling Japanese zori sandals. Again though, this is for everyday wear, meant for long hours and not for show. Not only that but it also offers great breathing capability, perfect for desert climates.
Jewelry
ZàÞçan jewellery is usually very fine, gold in colour, and somewhat tight to the body given their storms. Earrings, whilst being able to show off various patterns, are generally a spiral in shape, sticking close to the ear and neck. The size of spiral does not seem to matter, but it more of a personal choice.
Necklaces however, tend to be more precise. While they are plainer in visual aspect in comparison to traditional earrings, which tend to be rather intricate based upon design, necklaces always are collarbone length to ensure that they can always be seen, and stand out from one's clothing whether you be a man or a woman. Again, necklaces are traditionally gold or brass in appearance and if it holds a gemstone, it should sit on your suprasternal notch.
Etiquette
Thanks to their climate and location, ZàÞça, despite being primarily a Human location aside from all the Ãoni, are quite forgiving in their manners of dress. Women wear much more exposed clothing than men, and if a nipple falls out every once and a while, it certainly isn't scandalous unless you don't fix it. However, if you do like to sunbathe, you can do so as the Gods made you.
In contrast, men have higher regulations. While they can follow the same rule when it comes to sunbathing, when it comes to walking around, even arms must be covered,
unless sleeves are rolled up. This might be due to how much of a safe haven ZàÞça is to women, expectant mothers or new ones in particular, but no one really remembers why for sure anymore.
Make-Up
Tam'nýer—a' being a world of nature, brimming with life, there is a societal obsession with the world around them, most especially in places such as Püertagœ where the social hierarchy is very strong. This is apparent in how women and men of means & high standing paint their faces, although there is the choice to opt out freely without question.
Which colours, you ask? Pinks & reds. This is mainly to mimic spring with connotations the innocence of new life, but also meld the two; species & nature by bringing an allusion to blood.
However, the placement of where make up is acceptable can be viewed oddly by us on Earth, as it is somewhat restricting. For instance, one should never paint their whole face as makeup is supposed to highlight and be reminiscent of nature, therefore only some colours should be introduced but the majority of the face must remain natural, or 'as is'. The blood reds and pretty pinks are used to highlight the eyes and cheekbones, bringing attention to 'our colour', the eyes.
Further still, to accent the eyes, some women, (though rarely men will do so too), use soot and clarified butter to create a traditional idea of what we now today call eyeliner. Or some go farther, if they can afford it, to grind down minerals for their pigment using a similar method to create eyeshadows. The eyeshadow thing however is more prominent in B'hărăbû.
Apart from this and dependent upon how one is dressing for the day and what is revealed, or if anticipating a visit to the bedroom, it is customary to emphasize one's bone structure; e.g., the collarbones at the base of the throat, and the rounding of the shoulders. Some, though mostly found in brothels, will even outline the inside curve of their buttocks, and is the only non bone-structure accentuation. However, these particular practices are not followed in ZàÞça. Proper ZàÞçan style is to focus solely on the face. That being said, the eyes, lips and perhaps some colour to one's earlobe to bring attention to earrings, if any are worn are the only features one should concern themselves with in ZàÞça.
THE ARTS
Traditional Music:
The main instruments of ZàÞça are Chimes & WIP
Music in ZàÞça retains an elegant simplicity, built by layers of different instruments, with a focus on relaxation, and telling a story through music. ZàÞça music is supposed to be enjoyed with eyes closed, letting your mind take you to where the music guides.
The Fiechters
NOTABLE GUILDS
Midwives Association
ZàÞça has got to be the most well equipped place for giving birth, and that is because
when it comes to the health and safety of mothers & their babes, to-be or new, ZàÞça is
blessed to have the first and only Midwives Association.
The Midwife Association is an organization mostly consisting of Ãoni broken away from
their colonies doing 'Ŧ'ţ'ra-'kii's work'. Midwives ensure that women are the safest thry
can be duringone of the hardest and most beautiful of honours; to bring forth life. In fact,
it is the closest that a being can get to experiencing being godlike as giving birth can create hope, peace, bliss and of course the greatest miracle, new life.
Midwives are well organized, making visits on an average of every Tam'nýer—a''n Hour to expectant mothers, if a mother has registered. This service usually calls for a donation, but it is not required. Midwives can also be 'rented' to stay with a family if they have the means to afford it. This money helps in garnering supplies, feeding and housing the midwives 'on call', as well as apothecaries and physicians who offer their services in tandem.
Midwives are essential as they not only help guide a woman through labour but can catch illnesses during pregnancy and soon thereafter, and offer companionship which can be vital as the change in hormones and of the physical body can sometimes make one feel isolated.
Concerning Abortion:
On the discreet side of things, given that ZàÞça is also home to the Temple of Bók-T'ak, is that ZàÞça is also the sole place that offers abortion. To the Midwife Association keeping mothers safe is of the utmost priority, and that includes even when baby poses potential harm to the mother, or is not wanted.
In the rare cases that baby poses a danger to mother, everything immediately changes to ensure the health of the life that is already breathing on its own. This therefore cites that an abortion must be performed as soon as possible to lessen the amount of trauma, both physically and mentally.
If an abortion is a request rather than a necessity, abortion is still available, but will require a statement as to why it is so pertinent that it happen. It also may take much more time as midwives have a choice in assisting with abortions for this reason. This may sound dismal, but there is usually always someone in a crowd willing to understand & sympathize. There is a loophole however, and that is that if a mother has gotten with child whilst on the steps of Bók-T'ak's Temple that abortion is granted, but in order to prove this you will need a letter from the acolytes of the Temple.
Symbol of the Midwives Association
OUTLYING AREAS
Ñabivtzi
Ñabivtzi is a affluent agricultural town southeast of ZàÞça, with family names that are synonymous with agricultural prowess. A grand indication of this is the fact that Ñabivtzi has 4 harvest seasons rather than the usual 3; the two super summers and each hemispheres fall. This fourth harvest season occurs right after Trótskarr experiences its summer, (not to be mistaken with the Tam'nýer—a' wide super summer), and that is thanks to the monsoon season, and the artificial basins to guide the flooding, that have been maintained for generations there. In fact, these very basins were what inspired the creation of Püertagœ's aqueducts.
Ñabivtzi has many generational homes dotting the landscape with a town square in the middle of the acreages. High mudbrick walls encase the many crops as the northwest corner is protected by a small mountain range, and this is because of the sandstorms they can experience.
Ñabivtzi is home to 3/4's of the Noîka crops, and has recently dedicated 1/10th of an acre to growing Bowl Needles due to its increasing popularity as an essential oil in other parts of the world, in addition to the bunch already farmed because of its analgesic properties.
Makŭs-vibûm
In the middle of the desert that makes up the majority of Trótskarr is an oasis with crystalline water. At least, it appears as though it is an oasis to the weary, lost and desperate traveler. However, this oasis in particular has claimed many lives thanks to its beautiful lie, because the pool of water is actually a mixture of methane and water. Despite this though, plant life seems to surround the area, thriving before trickling off, even further convincing unknowing passersby that the pool is safe to drink from. However, the plant life technically thrives here thanks to the decaying corpses and plentiful monsoon rains.
Though it should be mentioned that while Makŭs-vibûm, literally meaning “crystal tears”, isn't safe for any known sentient species to drink from, the Trótskarrien beast of burden Ãokv'kele love it when their riders stop here, as it isn't harmful to them, and tastes surprisingly delicious.
WEAPONS:
SWORDS
The glittering inlet known as ZàÞça is not without protections. With influences from all around the world, ZàÞça has four short swords that are regularly created by smithies in nearby Püertagœ (thanks to them having more Rieárn) and ZàÞça, itself. These swords are generally short, broad, and given a single handed hilt. In most cases these swords are created with status and wealth in mind, rather than the usual practice of swordsmanship and defense.
The blades of the swords are generally made from Rieárn (hence some being imported from Püertagœ), however, the ones made in ZàÞça tend to be smithed from Qanzoe. Though because of how strong Qanzoe is, it must be shaped under high heat. With ZàÞça's temperatures, heat proves a potentially deadly risk. Not many blacksmiths can handle it.
That aside, the hilt is generally made from Nyzal. It is not uncommon for both the hilt and blade to be made from Nyzal, but these blades cost heavily. Citizens of ZàÞça are known to have these blades as more decorative pieces in their homes, but they can be used if necessary. It is more about honouring the past of when ZàÞça was the center of the world, and ZàÞçan soldiers were also regarded as the fiercest.
