[Hourglass of Zihaja] Chapter 9: Creatures

[Zeta Kai]

She-Da-Zhong

The creatures known today as the she-da-zhong (SHUH dah JONG) were originally humans from Jual Jahari (which is the Admajai name for the western continent). They are descended from a decadent & murderous empire that was ruled by a religion of snake worshipers. Centuries ago, a powerful ritual was cast that destroyed their realm & transformed them into serpentine beings. Now, the Serpent People (or, in their tongue, the She Da Zhong) have outer forms to match their ruthless inner selves.

The she-da-zhong (often simply calling themselves Zhong) are natural schemers, ceaselessly plotting to advance their wicked agendas. Always careful to put their own interests first, they nonetheless will use their guile & talent with words to form alliances with other evil races, cultures, & organizations. Their penchant for cunning & treachery are unparalleled, so they remain a constant threat to the other civilized peoples of Siraaj.

The Empire of She was deeply divided along dogmatic lines, & that schism has only widened over the ages. Their split is over issues of religious doctrine, & now the she-da-zhong are in a state akin to civil war. The she-da-zhong of the Asp faction vehemently & implacably oppose the she-da-zhong of the Cobra faction. Both the Asps & the Cobras worship a vile & bloodthirsty god, Martuakh, the Serpent Lord. The Asps believe that Martuakh is an approachable deity, one that will answer prayers & offer support to anyone who makes the proper living sacrifices. The Cobras, on the other hand, deem that Martuakh’s favor can only be gained within the walls of a temple, where all sacrifices are administered by the priests.

This rift has pitted both of the she-da-zhong parties against one another, to the benefit of all other peoples. It has also led to many differences in culture among the former parties. The Asps now live in the sandy portions of the desert, at home among the dunes, whereas the Cobras tend to live in the rocky areas of the desert, choosing to live on arid mountains wherever possible. Asps prefer to perform simple rituals that can be performed anywhere, & they typically consume the flesh of those who have been slaughtered the name of their ophidian god. Cobras, however, would rather stage prolonged, elaborate rituals in their temples, focusing on the torture & agony of their offered victims.

Despite their profound divisions, the Asps & the Cobras are alike in many ways. In both sects of the she-da-zhong, other reptilian creatures are held in high esteem. They both are highly devout, & zealously dedicated to their evil policies. They are extremely secretive & duplicitous, always eager to trap potential sacrificial victims in their webs of deceit. Most telling of all, though, is the architecture of their dwellings, temples, & other buildings; both parties eschew stairs & angled rooms in favor of ramps & curving surfaces.

The Asps & the Cobras are stratified by their bloodlines. The Lessers (Kiung/Kyang) take care of public issues, such as social events & trade negotiations. The Greaters (Lujeng/Lojing) are in charge of labor concerns, performing much of the physical work that isn’t done by slaves. Ruling over all are the Elders (Chungwa/Xanghua), who are the priests in the temples & the counselors of the courthouses.