Zhadeva
| Zhadeva | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Creator | Xero |
| Information | |
| Average Height | 240-300cm |
| Lifespan | 700 years |
| Hair Colours | Black, Brown, White |
| Eye Colours | Green, White, Yellow, Red |
| Skin Colours | Purple, Blue, Grey, White, Red, Green, Black |
| Current Leader | High Saint Brahema |
| Capital | Seventh Haven |
| Continent | Imperia |
The devote Zhadeva are a race covered in mystery as their kin exist in small numbers. They make the ancient temple of Seventh Haven their home and there the Zhadeva priestesses live their long lives worshiping the many gods of Auria and keeping records of their history and achievements. Though they live secluded away from the rest of Auria's peoples, they welcome any true-hearted adventurer into their sacred home to gain the blessing of the gods so long as they manage to truthfully pass the trials that exist within the canyon bordering the Seventh Haven. Furthermore, chosen Zhadeva are handpicked every seven years to leave their temple grounds to explore the world and further their believes onto others willing to listen.
Religion and Culture
The Zhadeva are by-far the most religious beings in Auria, beating out even the Vishaali and their endless meditation in faith for the Zhadeva are not only mortals worshiping Gods but to an extent they believe that a piece of the Gods lives in every one of them. Much of their faith revolves around honouring all gods equally. They live in the secluded Seventh Haven which is barred from the rest of the world with a deadly environment and a magical barrier believing that this is one of the few places in the galaxy where the Gods can directly come down to and enlighten them.
Though they are religious and sworn to worship, the Zhadeva are no strangers to combat, in fact it is a required in becoming a Zhadeva Priestess to learn how to fight in the ways of the Devote Warrior which revolves around wielding six longswords and striking with quick and precise attacks. When Magic became known to the Mortals of Auria, the Devote Warrior Shivana believed that magic was a gift sent by the gods for them to further their combat prowess, bringing that knowledge back to her temple where they would weave the use of magic into their fighting style. Over the course of history, magic became equal in importance to faith among the Devote Warriors of Seventh Haven which has led the strongest of them into becoming powerful spellcasters rivaling Dragons in their knowledge and power, though much like with their swordplay they swear to only use lethal magic on those that oppose the Gods themselves.
The Zhadeva, much the Church of Divinity, view Dragons as messengers of the Gods. The Zhadeva especially honour them and oft offer their own body to the pleasure of a Dragon should they see it fit, yet the Zhadeva are also known for retaliating against an hostile Dragon, believing them to be corrupt and swaying away from the side of divinity.
Chosen Zhadeva are handpicked every seven years to leave their temple grounds to explore the world and further their believes onto others willing to listen. Some chosen Zhadeva also lend their might and power in the fights against evil as well as to teach their own chosen few their Magic.
Society and its Structure
The Zhadeva are a woman-only race, with the possibility of male Zhadeva being absent in their genes. Gender is of little value to the Zhadeva as they view one another as equals in the eyes of Gods. The Zhadeva are also few in number and their society is structured around the Priesthood of Seventh Haven where most Zhadeva belong. When a Zhadeva is born, she is placed at the very bottom of their social hierarchy as a simple Devotee who has yet to learn their faith nor their fighting style. As they grow older and become more wise, the Zhadeva move up this hierarchy becoming Devote Warriors around the age of 250, though this goalpost is often shorter or longer based on the individual.
For most, the rank of Devote Warrior is the highest they may ever go, but for the select few the priesthood leading their people may also elect them into the inner circle of their theocratic officials, which always consists of seven Gura and the High Saint.
Physical Appearences
Zhadeva are tall, six-armed women with short pointy ears and slender figures. Their skin is smooth and Human-like ranging between different hues of blue, purple, red, green and even black, white or grey. As it is their belief that cutting one's hair is a defilement of one's body, the Zhadeva never intentionally cut their hair and let it grow long, the lushness of it becoming a sought-after reagent for alchemists who use locks of Zhadeva hair in making strong potions.
Zhadeva wear religious garbs that expose much of their skin, once more believing that their bodies are to be exposed to the light of the gods if they wish to remain blessed. What little clothing they do wear is often etched with markings and details of the priesthood. The Gura also wear large chapeaus on their heads to signify their status, the backs of these headwears open for their hair to flow freely.
