The Mašnsih are a human Bulwari ethnic group native to the Far Salahad region of Bulwar. Inhabitants of the area between the Amussu’s Grave desert and the eastern slopes of the Serpentspine mountain range. They are a semi-nomadic people, mainly nomadic pastoralists, but the degree of settledness varies from tribe to tribe. In terms of religion, all major tribes with the exception of the Szal-Fazil are followers of the Jadd.
The Sihrušam[]
Sihrušam, the Sand Banner, is the name of the Mašnsih confederacy. Established during the Age of Petty Kingdoms, the Sihrušam is a pact of defense, offence and general mutual aid between the seven major Mašnsih tribes. Any tribe can summon the Sihrušam, and all tribes have the obligation of joining. The leadership of the Sihrušam rotates between the seven tribal leaders.
Major Mašnsih Tribes[]
szal-Adad[]
The biggest of the Mašnsih tribes, the szal-Adad live in the stretch of desert between Hašr and the Harpy's Gate. They are renowned for their hospitality and their good relations with the Surani Akalates. Following Zokka's invasion of Far Bulwar, several minor tribes fled to the east, and were integrated into the Szal-Adad.
szal-Zaid[]
The pious szal-Zaid inhabit the land surrounding the Mountain of Clear Sight, and are the tribe that hosted Jaddar and Erelessa when they came to the Salahad. Years after joining the legionaries, the Herald returned and lived among the szal-Zaid and they consider him and his descendants to be members of the tribe. When Surael enlightened Jaddar with the revelations of the Jadd, the szal-Zaid were the first humans to recognize him as Prophet and Herald of Surael.
szal-Ardeth[]
The mysterious szal-Ardeth are a small and reclusive tribe, living around the Amussu’s Grave desert, and according to ancient Mašnsih legends, they were tasked with the job of preventing the return of an ancient evil buried in the sands of the eastern Salahad. While the tale can't be confirmed, all Mašnih have the Szal-Ardeth in high regards, and they will provide any help that they need.
szal-Mehran[]
The szal-Mehran are a merchant tribe, living between the szal-Adad, the szal-Zaid and the szal-Attalu. While the Golden Road is where most of the trade happens, the trade route that goes through the land of the szal-Mehran is still very popular, since it connects in a straight line Azka-Sur and the major port of Edešukeru in the Rahen Gulf. The szal-Mehran have a reputation of trustful guides through the sands of the Salahad.
szal-Yazkur[]
The szal-Yazkur are cousins of the Maqeti, and used to live near the Harra oasis, but they were displaced by the gnolls after the fall of the Phoenix Empire. Because of that they hold a grudge against the gnolls, and one of their traditions is to hunt the gnoll slavists that travel through the Salahad. They developed a tactic to crush the gnolls: They divide their forces in two groups and while one harasses the gnolls with arrows and fake retreats, the other surrounds them and crush them in a cavalry charge.
szal-Attalu[]
The strongest of the Mašnsih tribes, the szal-Attalu live in cities on the coast of the Gulf of Rahen. They are descendants from the Bulwari conscripts of Aakhet’s army, and after his defeat to the Sand-demon of the Salahad, they founded the city of Edešukeru. They are called the Sand-demon tribe, due to their banner that represents the dragon. The szal-Attalu are also know for the fighting style called Ahu Alaktu, a style adopted from the Xiakens fleeing slaves.
szal-Fazil[]
The Szal-Fazil are the smallest tribe, but they are famous for their mages and wise men. They lived in the ruins of Ulmišbar, an ancient city from the age of the God-Kings. Between the ruins they keep all the magical knowledge of ancient Bulwar that they could find.
Minor Mašnsih tribes[]
szal-Bulati[]
The Szal-Bulati are a tribe who live in Deezim and the nearby mountains, and in a similar fashion that other peoples living near harpies, the Szal-Bulati women has a major role in the running of the tribe.
szal-Rijašcar[]
Descendants of Rijašcar the Honest, the szal-Rijašcar inhabit the lands near Davharral, and they are renowned liars and scammers. “Trustworthy as Rijašcar '' is a common saying between the tribes. When the Jaddari decided to invade Davharral, the tribe tried to warn the city, but it was dismissed as a lie, and the szal-Rijašcar were insulted and expelled to the desert. The city fell a month later, and Jaddar rewarded the trustworthy szal-Rijašcar who pointed out the weak point of Davharral’s walls.
szal-Behlil[]
One of the minor tribes of the Mašnsih, during the Petty Kingdoms era they inhabited the lands east of the Harra oasis and were one of the strongest tribes, becoming rich and influential because of their friendly relations with the gnolls, to which they selled captives from other Mašnsih tribes. The Sihrušam was first established as an alliance against the szal-Behlil. The tribe was almost completely destroyed and the survivors fled to the lands west of the Harra oasis, where they kept making business with the gnolls, but the tribe never recovered their former power.