Talislanta Races

Aamanian: Stern of bearing, Aamanians have copper-colored skin, sculpted features,

and deep green eyes. In order to promote the Orthodoxist ideal of oneness in
body and spirit, Aamanians use an extract of the bald nettle plant to remove
all facial and body hair, thus achieving a sameness of appearance.
Astringents and powders that whiten the skin are also used by many, as an
expression of purity. Only the most modest attire is permissible in Aaman
colorless smocks, robes designed to conceal the fi gure, and caps of
starched linen.
Devout fundamentalists, Aamanians shun any form of merry-making or
improper behavior, and are taught never to question the dictates of their
superiors. Disagreement with Orthodoxist doctrine is considered tantamount
to heresy, and may result in unpleasant consequences; a trip to the House of
Penance is the usual remedy. Visitors from other lands are required to show
respect for the local customs (see sidebar). Outsiders are constantly watched
by Monitors in the service of the Knights of the All-Seeing Eye, from the
moment they enter Aaman to the moment they leave. In this regard they are
treated no differently from any other citizen of Aaman.
Ahazu: The Ahazu are a tall, four-armed race of humanoids native to the eastern
regions of the Dark Coast. Extremely warlike in nature, these seven-foot
beings have bright yellow skin, with fiery red markings on the face, neck,
arms, legs, and spine. Their features are hard and angular, their vacant,
green eyes seemingly absent of mercy or compassion. Reptile hide loincloths,
and thongs tied below the shoulder and at the elbows, wrists, knees, and
ankles, serve as their only clothing. The Ahazu tongue is harsh and lacking in
subtleties, consisting primarily of shrieks and yells, with violent gestures
added for emphasis as warranted.
In battle, Ahazu are fearless fighters, skilled in the use of the gwanga and
matsu. They are deceptively strong, and extremely agile. Ahazu will attempt
to use a free hand to grasp and immobilize an opponents weapon arm when
engaged in close combat, and are capable of catching hurled missile
weapons with relative ease. Because they have four arms, they attack twice
as often as two-armed opponents of similar ability.
Ahazu possess a peculiar code of ethics which forbids them from attempting
to escape if captured or defeated in battle. For this reason, they bring a high
price as slave warriors, bodyguards, and sentinels. The Ahazu have no spell
casters and consider magic use to be the domain of cowards and weaklings.
They revere a secret warrior-deity, whom the Ahazu believe determines the
outcome of all battles.
Another unusual attribute of these warlike beings is their susceptibility to
shanya: literally, battle madness. Ahazu in the throes of this inexplicable
malady are overcome with the uncontrollable urge to kill. The shanya usually
passes within a few moments, but while under the influence of this disorder,
an Ahazu will attempt to kill any creatures or beings it can find, even friends

or blood relatives. Ahazu will never attempt to restrain one of their kind who
is beset by the shanya, viewing these occurrences as omens from their
warrior god. Fortunately, attacks of the shanya are only rarely experienced
by most Ahazu.