Seshem

The Seshem (pronounced SESH-em), or Redlanders, are a kasathan people that lives primarily in the Red Lands, the deserts on either side of the Aur River in Khapesh. They are the largest group of kasatha on Kishar by a significant margin.

History

At one point during the early part of the Time of the Empty Throne, Seshem kasatha monarchs ruled most of Khapesh. Only one of the clans descended from these monarchs still survives. While the Seshem acknowledge this history, they do not view themselves as having a close connection to the Black Lands and have no desire to return to ruling the desert kingdom. The Time of the Empty Throne was a time of great political instability, and Khapeshan scholars and historians still debate the causes that led these normally reclusive desert dwellers to gain political control of the major population centers.

Location

Away from the Aur River, bands of Seshem kasatha live within the Red Lands. Most clans remain in the wide swath of territory within about three hundred miles or so from the river, but it is not unknown for Seshem to travel farther afield, including to as far away as Sahramina.

Culture

Society

Seshem culture is centered around each extended family, or clan. Clans tend to be very close knit and led by a matriarch, who is usually the oldest capable female member of the family. The kasatha clans move seasonally, traveling to follow the most favorable conditions in the desert. While Seshem camps typically appear plain from the outside, merely a collection of hide tents, inside each dwelling is usually brightly decorated with colorful fabrics and items valuable to its inhabitants. The Seshem normally eschew entering the ruins they occasionally live beside, viewing their abandonment as the result of ancient curses.

Religion

Seshem religion involves an eclectic mixture of faiths. Some worship the gods of the Khapeshan pantheon, like their settled neighbors by the river. Most, however, follow their own form of animism that centers around worship of desert creatures. Kasatha do not have permanent temples, but do have particular sites in the Red Lands they regularly return to for worship.

Languages

Most Seshem speak their racial tongue, Kasatha, as their primary language. Many are also fluent in Common, useful when interacting with blacklanders, but it is not uncommon to encounter kasatha who only know their racial language. Some kasatha clans can speak Meroitic as well, and there are rumors that a small number of kasatha who live deep in the Sangora still speak Old Khapeshan.

Occupations

While most Seshem remain in the Red Lands near their clans, some seek out work elsewhere. For Khapeshans who wish to travel across the desert, it is widely understood that kasatha guides provide the best chance for a safe and speedy journey. Others find jobs in river towns and cities. Kasatha adventurers are less common, as they generally prioritize staying in proximity to their clans, but some do choose to set off and see the broader world.

Food and cuisine

The Seshem are traditionally hunter-gatherers. Most food is sourced through what can be found in the local deserts, sparse as that sometimes may be. The kasatha are masters of these environments, often able to acquire food in places others would quickly starve. Foraged foods are supplemented by milk and dairy products, mostly from camels, as well as occasional supplies brought back by those who find work by the river. While ingredients can often be highly variable, depending on what can be acquired at the time, Seshem cuisine is not simple, and often involves complex mixes of flavors and seasonings. Teas are the drinks of choice for most kasatha.

Travel

The Seshem travel through the Red Lands almost entirely on foot, carrying their possessions with them. Some use camels or dogs as pack animals as well. It is often quite difficult to track even large clans as they move through the desert, as they have become experts in hiding their movements.

Magic

Among the Seshem there are many who are knowledgeable about magic. Kasatha casters are disproportionately druids who closely tie together their magical understanding of the world and their desert survival abilities. These druids almost always have lizards, jackals, or other desert-adapted animals as their companions.

Fashion

Seshem clothing, similar to most who live in the Red Lands, consists of loose robes and layers of fabric that cover the entire body and most of the face. These serve a practical purpose by keeping the sun and sand away. Clothing is usually the color of the desert sand and rocks in order to help blend in and remain unseen - sometimes spells are infused into the clothing to assist with this effect.