The Sun Sisters Tribe

The Sun Sisters are called the Sun Sisters because they worship the sun, and they believe that she is a goddess. The great creator of life. They believe that she is a female too, because females have the ability to create life, but from within their wombs.
Within the Sun Sister tribe females are dominant too, and they are the ones who make all the decisions. Most of the them consider men to be the weaker sex, and some might even find them only useful for one single thing; breeding. This doesn't mean they are being treated badly inside their tribe, but women do generally hold more power over them. They are allowed to be trained with combat skills, and the women inside the tribe usually do appreciate their physical strength, but they are not allowed to practice magic. Magic is only reserved for the female sex.

Generally, they aren’t very hostile towards strangers, but they are wary and careful with who they decide to trust. Once they trust you, you would be wise enough to keep that trust. Betray it, and you shall come to regret it. Because the Sisters always take revenge. Some people from outside the tribe even call the Sun Sisters witches, even though they keep their practice of dark magic perfectly hidden from the eyes of outsiders. There are only a few women within the tribe that actually practice dark magic, since most of them simply use sun magic. They are very well aware of the fact that dark magic is forbidden, but they do not share in the belief that dark magic is inherently evil, and instead, they find it to be rather useful sometimes. They also believe death is only a natural part of life, one that cannot be avoided.

The Sisters also call themselves the protectors of Zahriyah, because they do everything to protect their city, and the people living in it. The city is sacred to them, just like the river. Protecting it is their most important task.

OOC: When creating your character you do not need OOC permission to join the tribe. To have your name added within the list send a DM to Nienn, preferably on discord.

The Sun Sisters are stationed within the city of Zahriyah, the city in which most of them were born. Zahriyah is the greenest city within the whole kingdom of Xaila because it’s closest to the Lemurian border. This also gives them a lot of responsibility and some kind of watchdog-like function for the capitol and the royal family. A duty the Sisters have always taken very seriously since nothing has ever been able to sneak past their always watching eyes. They are true masters of disguise, keeping an eye on the city from all possible corners.

Buildings & Housing

The city of Zahriyah is rather ancient, so most of the houses are quite old. But the people do take very good care of them, which means they are still in rather good conditions. They primarily use sand colored limestone and/or clay from the river to build their houses, complimented wooden pillars from trade with other kingdoms to make them stronger. Most of the important buildings can be found in the center of the city, close to the river.

The River

The river that flows near their village is sacred to the people in Zahriyah. It's not a very large river but it reminds them of the legend that gave birth to it: the first Chieftain's daughter. The river also gave life to almost all growing things near the village, making their village more lushious than most in Xaila. And, as it had to be protected to ensure the good health of their people, the Sun Sisters took their duty very seriously, watching over everything that happens near the river.

Ranks

The Sun Sisters had lost their traditional ranking system many ages ago, and replaced it with a new ranking system of their own, one where all the sisters rule the tribe together. They will choose one Mother who will represent them as their ‘chieftain’, though this is mainly for show in case they are amongst outsiders. The Sisters will all listen to her for wisdom and knowledge, but in the end, everyone will essentially have a voice in the decisions that are being made within the tribe. With the exception of men.

THE MOTHER: The mother is considered the leader of the tribe by many. She is usually an elderly woman (50+) who has a lot of wisdom and knowledge, especially when it comes down to magic. She takes care of the sisters, protecting them fiercely, as if they are all her children. And most of the time, many of them are actually her children as well. The mother usually is chosen by the Sisters, and once she is chosen, she will keep on leading until she dies. Then another Mother gets chosen.

THE SISTERS: The mother doesn’t lead on her own, because leading within the Sun Sister tribe is more a group effort. All the Sisters are allowed to speak up about important issues, and they usually try to resolve them all together. To be one of the Sisters one essentially needs to be a woman, born and raised in Zahriyah, and trained in the ways of the Sun Goddess. Strangers are rarely accepted amongst the sisters, but this doesn't mean it can never happen.

THE BROTHERS: The brothers are only there for a couple of reasons; they are an addition to the security, even though they aren’t allowed to practise magic, or partake in any of the decisions being made. And, well, they are also there for breeding. They are usually trained in martial arts with their weapon of choice, but they don’t have many additional rights. They are meant to serve the Sisters to their liking.

COMMON VILLAGERS: Amongst these people are simple farmers, fishers and traders. They have ordinary jobs within the village and don’t partake in the same activities as the Sisters, or the Brothers, but they have always been welcome to join them. Most of them know about the Sisters, and are actually grateful for them since they keep them safe. If anything happens in the village, they will usually report it to the Sisters as well.

Farmers, fishers and traders

The common people of Zahriyah are generally farmers, harvesting crops that grow near the river for their kingdom, fishermen, and traders, trading silk and linen with the other kingdoms. They live harmoniously together with the Sisters and the Brothers, and do whatever they can to help keep their city safe from outsiders, besides keeping to their own business.  

Religion

Besides believing in the Odirian Deities, and worshiping Xeion, the people in Zahriyah also believe in the divine goddess, sometimes also called ‘the goddess of the river’, or ‘goddess of the sun’. They all believe in the myth that she gave birth to the river that has granted them so many riches, and thus they continue to worship her. The Sisters are keepers of the faith, and they never fail to remind their people of what they owe the goddess. They follow all kinds of traditions and rituals to show their faithfulness and gratitude towards Zahriyah, the first Chieftain’s daughter.

Festival of the Divine Goddess

The Sun Sisters celebrate their own little festival shortly after The Festival of the Phoenix. It starts at sunset when they make a great fire, one that will bless them all. They will all dance around the fire, celebrating the great gift of life. With this festival they also celebrate the daughter of Xeion, Zahriyah, who they will call the divine goddess, as she was the one who once gave birth to the river. And during the festival it’s very important to treat all the women present like goddesses, because they too, share the ability to create life as well. So they deserve to be celebrated too.

Marriage

Women from inside the city of Zahriyah are free to choose whoever they want to marry, just like they are allowed to have multiple lovers/partners. There are little to no rules when it comes down to this. Men are also allowed to refuse a marriage, if they want to, though this rarely ever happens. But if they want to marry someone, they will have to ask permission from the woman in question.

Many outsiders do not quite understand their ways, and some might find the freedom to choose any partner they want in life a bit odd.  

Ceremony - After a very short ceremony, that’s being held in Zahriyah right before the wedding, the couple will be taken towards the capital, where the actual ceremony will then take place. From there on, the High Priest and the other priests will be hosting the wedding, and the Zahriyan people will just watch. They will usually not take the entire village, only the people close to the bride and groom. And there will also always be some Sisters present at any wedding.

Instead of the groom lighting the torch, they ask the bride to light the touch, signaling her power over the relationship. After all, they believe women to be the source of strength.