Barhan

Species

The once proud gazelles are bloodlings created by Hirub to prosper in the desert kingdom of Basakserat, now consumed by the sands of time, much like the history of its people.

Great wizards and avid researchers during The Second Creation, they are easy to spot due to their extremely resilient coiled horns, short fur —most commonly sand-colored in Basakserat's mainland, with darker variations alongside coastal areas—, a slim body that presents little variation across sexes, and, most remarkably, the fact that both men and women are horned.

Ancient tablets and scroll point towards past petty divisions among the definition of what constitutes a Barhan, much like those common amongst Ekain, but the only major dispute that persists to this day is that of the Ibex.

History

After the war that would come to be known as the \"Sublevation of the Arrogant\" or more commonly "Barhan Rebellion", they were given two choices: either being banished to Aktemuisirat, the frozen land beyond the Spine of Ahimaí, or taking refuge in Acazhor, provided they swore allegiance to the High King Isifikh.

That wasn't all, of course. They had to give up all their research on Sefihet —the manipulation of the Hatza or magic for the common folk— to the deer; abandon Basaktet definitely in favor of Sirnar; swear off Sefihet under penalty of total obliteration from existence, and pay a monthly tribute per family to the local government.

Social Standing

Gazelles present a myriad of contradictions to a majorly cervine society with a deep horn fixation. There is no better example than the concept of Horneaters and the stigma that follows deer that have Barhan cohorts.

Their innate attunement to the Hatza and long history of wizardry still haunt them, painting them as dormant menaces, the villains of hundreds of tales. Conversely, their agile minds and smaller frames are described lovingly, conveying a deeply condescending and paternalistic cervine desire to 'protect' a species that has been stripped from the inventions that allowed it to thrive.

Gazelles are therefore both perceived as the personification of primness, commonly employed by richer cervine families as trusted management positions or as household servants, and sly tricksters that use their quicker wits and magic disposition to cheat, deceive and curse deer in the street.