Zhainin Tribe (Desertborne Humans)

Overview

The Zhainin Tribe is a resilient desertborne community that inhabits the northern frontier of the Shifting Sands Desert. Positioned at the border with the agricultural lands of the Green Republic, they serve as vigilant guardians of the desert’s edge, protecting their homeland from incursions and the constant threat of poachers. Though nomadic, their presence along the frontier grants them both strategic importance and a unique role among the desert tribes.

Appearance

Zhainin tribespeople are lean and strong, their bodies adapted for endurance rather than brute strength. They wear light desert leathers reinforced with bone or scale, well-suited for both riding and skirmishing. Their most distinguishing feature is their bond with their giant lizard mounts, which they decorate with woven cloths, carved bone ornaments, and painted patterns symbolizing tribal pride.

Culture and Society

The Zhainin are frontier nomads, striking a balance between hunting, gathering, vigilance and trade. Their society is shaped by a dual duty: protecting the desert from outsiders and sustaining their way of life through cooperation with neighboring tribes. While they value martial skill, their true pride lies in their riders and scouts, who are considered unmatched in speed and maneuverability.

Community is deeply tied to mobility — entire families move with their caravans, their homes strapped onto giant lizards that serve as both transport and protection. Songs, tales, and banners flown during rides reinforce unity and identity, reminding each member of their shared duty to the desert.

Territory and Camps

They mainly inhabit the Northern Sands, the slightly less hostile northern reaches of the desert. This region’s proximity to fertile lands makes it both valuable and vulnerable. Within it, they take care of the Lizardback Plains, where the giant beasts roam, and the various gathering areas and oasis.

Resources and Sustenance

The Zhainin thrive by carefully balancing gathering, hunting, and trade. The oases of the northern sands provide their main water supply, safeguarded and shared between their caravans. They are also expert plant gatherers, taking advantage of the relatively greener northern frontier to collect edible roots, herbs, and medicinal plants.

Their bond with giant lizards defines their survival. They coexist with these creatures — taming them as mounts, companions, and protectors, while also hunting some for food when necessary. To the Zhainin, lizardbacks are sacred; they fiercely protect breeding grounds and nesting fields, ensuring the survival of the species they depend upon.

Military

The Zhainin are among the swiftest warriors of the desert, famed for their lizardback riders who excel at scouting, harassing invaders, and navigating terrain impassable to horses. Their warriors are equipped with curved sabers, short bows, and spears ideal for mounted combat. Their strategy relies on mobility and terrain knowledge, making them an elusive and dangerous foe along the shifting northern sands.

Relations

  • Green Republic (Grassborne Humans): The Zhainin sustain some trade with the Green Republic (although not as important as the Shishan Tribe does). But tensions often rise due to poaching incursions into the frontier.

  • Shishan Tribe: The Zhainin respect the Shishan as the desert’s great traders, and help protect their caravans on their way to the Northern Exchange.

  • Other Desert Tribes: They maintain generally good relations, often acting as the first shield for their kin when outsiders intrude from the north.

  • Poachers: Bitter enemies. The Zhainin live to protect their lands from these intruders, hunting them relentlessly across the frontier.

  • Khenan Raiders (Desertborne Humans):
    The Zhainin hate the Khenan Raiders, who not only attack the Desert Tribes, but also collaborate with Poachers; which for the Zhainin constitutes a treason.

  • Scorvian Queendom (Scorvians):
    Although they are neighbours, there is little direct contact. Both groups avoid conflict, respecting their boundaries.

  • Other Factions and Races: Rarely interact with them because of distance.