-The Acquisition of Water and the Customs Surrounding It-
Water is the most valuable resource in the desert and while the biggest abundance of it is controlled by the city of Nashaki, the people of the desert have their own methods of procuring it- either through trade, rains or by drawing from the oases that can be found around the Hotlands.
Because water is such an important commodity, the practices around acquiring, trading and warring for it have their own unique traditions and feature in many of the nomadic clan’s day to day lives. Oftentimes, these beliefs are both through tradition, superstition or necessity. Though there are no ‘written’ rules on general etiquette, certain practices are common courtesy while others are enforced without mercy. Familiarizing oneself with these etiquettes can be the difference between life or death in the Hotlands.
While many cities measure their wealth in gold and jewels, clans in the Hotlands measure by water first, and everything else second. Most clans will ration water, those that don’t are either wealthy or attempt to exude the appearance of wealth. It is no surprise that the clans with the greatest sway have the most reserves, as water is used in everything- from ritual ceremonies, to bartering, to war and beyond. Clans that have the most water often have the highest number of people- as their water stores are able to sustain such a population.
-General Etiquette and Customs-
In times of peace, denying a traveler a drink is bad luck. The desert is a harsh place and many clans will always offer water - when it can be spared- to thirsty travelers. To deny a traveler is to spread word of weakness, in-hospitality and invites bad luck to the clan. While not expected, most travelers should offer a trade or their services in exchange. Travelers that fail to do so are viewed dishonorably and call bad luck upon themselves.
Water is the most precious resource anyone can have in the desert and trading for it is costly, especially as Nashaki viciously controls its supply. Persuading clans to part with any of their reserves is an incredibly difficult challenge, but not completely impossible.
To offer water to a clan is a sign of goodwill and faith. Envoys and travelers from nearby tribes or traders might bring a small jug to offer- signaling their peaceful intent. It is rude to deny a gift of water and those that offer it must at least have their requests heard- though not necessarily met.
Water is used both in times of war and peace. In times of conflict, water is extremely rationed and if a reserve is discovered, can be used as hostage or bargaining chip in which the owner has full advantage. Other than that, it can be claimed and the unfortunate tribe will either have to surrender, die or find some other source from which to draw.
During times of peace, water is used during weddings, during trades and blessings. Important visitors are treated to grand displays of jugs, signaling wealth and power. Extremely wealthy tribes might even have glass jugs commissioned from the Qi’ora.
-Language Around Water-
The reverence of water has created an interesting feature in the language- and many tribes have over 100 words for water, each with a different nuance. One word might mean: ‘Serene waters that hide a secret within’ and another might mean: “Still waters that bely depth, but is shallow.” Often these words might be used as adjectives and a woman’s beauty might be described in a word that means: “Waters so blue they are as jewels”. Unfortunately, common does not have these nuances and most of these words will just translate to: Water.
As such, one can insult in the same measure. To curse one’s waters is a deep insult and will usually be met with exile. In the same vein, anything that corrupts waters invites violence to the offender. To curse a pregnant woman (by extension, their womb and child) is to ask for death. To insult water in such an intimate, personal fashion can only be repaid in kind. More than one tribe has given up a member to avoid the bad luck he would bring by cursing someone this way.
On a humorous note, when something is impossible, people might joke that it is like ‘solid water.’ Most people in the hotlands have never seen Ice and often joke about it being a legend or a myth. As such, many people might not describe something as ‘ice-blue’ but rather, ‘cloud-pale’.
Example: “The woman with cloud-pale eyes sat staring into the distance.”
-Blood as Water-
Like water, blood is also symbolically important. To spill blood on tribe grounds is either a sign of a life-oath, or a declaration of war. Blood can be used as either a symbol of purity or corruption depending on the context.
A man cutting his palm and offering blood to a Tribal Leader offers his life in a blood-oath.
A man flinging his blood in front of another is declaring a blood-feud.
A leader doing the first offers surrender. A leader doing the second, declares war.
-The Rains-
Every year, the Hotlands experience 10-15 inches of rain, without taking into account any strange terrain or weather changes fractures might bring about. While it is not much, the rains are a time of blessing. Because of this, dark clouds are usually signs of good fortune.
Many couples hold their weddings during the rain and children born during this time are considered blessed.
-Etiquette During the Rains-
Because the Rains are a blessing, certain traditions must follow.
-All Feuds, Wars, Conflicts and Grudges are halted for the time being. It is a grave insult to engage in any combat during this time and to do so brings bad luck to all. Enemies that see one another in the hotlands are expected to pass without engaging.
-Earthenware jugs, carved in the unique style of the tribe are brought out and placed to collect water. When the rains end, these jugs are sealed and hidden in secret locations known only to a select few in the tribe. These are then used in times of war or peace, in weddings and funerals, in trade and in upkeep.
-Special awnings, coated in hydrophobic oils are also brought out and set up to collect as much rainwater as possible.
-ALL people in a tribe are expected to help.Women, children, men, elderly- all are equal in this endeavor.
-Events During the Rains-
-The rains often draw out certain creatures that do not usually leave their shelters. The moisture in the sand or rocks might force them to search for new homes. As such, there are specialized hunts that happen in the Hotlands during these times. To be chosen for such a hunt is a deep honor.
-Oases-
Oases are neutral grounds. While not written anywhere, to claim an Oasis is to invite the ire of all the tribes in the area. They are used as places to trade, to meet during times of war, to wed, for funerals and many other occasions. To fight at an Oasis is to invite bad luck- poisoning the water with blood or anything else is grounds for execution.
As such, anyone who drowns in an Oasis curses the place, and few will ever venture near it. To drink from waters that house the dead brings everlasting bad luck to a person.
Once a year, during the right season, people may fish from the Oasis. Fishing at any other time is prohibited- as it disrupts the Oasis’ ecology. Because of this rule, fish are considered a rare delicacy
