MinstrelFor the past two months I've been working on the main society for novel I call the Ninkurrai. I think it's finally detailed enough to show to others. I still need help/opinions though on tightening up all the details.
I did not base them at all on anyone society, rather meshed a million different ideas I had to the best of my abilities any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Originally Ninkurra was the nation of Shurrupak, with the cities of Sin, Shamash, E'gish'shir'gal, Siduri, & Agasaya as vassal states. When Siduri rebeled the Baraggal of the time, rather than waging war brought all other city-states under one rule and created the nation of Ninkurra. These vassal states were required to adopt the culture and political structure of the Shurrupak valley nation.
For fifty years the Sidur were punished with heavy taxes and restrictions on trade until a treaty was signed making them an independant state under the authority of Ninkurra.
Bel Hamon; Lord of a multitude. Religious leader of Ninkurra in Esharra. Also known as the Baraggal.
Bel Uri - Leaders of each city or village district (Alu or Nagu) from among the nirgal. The eight Alu Bel Uri more influential than the Bel Uri of the seventeen Nagu.
Nirgal — nobles
Sebitti (police/army)
Tibira (Merchant tradesman,metal-workers, etc, etc.
Mare Ali (Citizens) The poor
Arad (Deacon) criminal debt slaves.
Kiprat Arba (The four races/nations) The Bosma, Ophir, Es'air, and Shekinah.
Samana- Ninkurrai insult meaning "Skin disease;rust" directed at the Genya.
Akhkharu - Mazikim (a vampiric people)
Haduan - The people of Hadad.
People of Ukinakku treated as if they're nonexistant or beneath acknowledgement.
Manzaz Pani "Royal attendant" The right hand man. He controls direct access to the lord, and can settle trivial disputes in the his/her name.
Garash "Supply master" Steward in charge of all the cooking and cleaning crews, the stablemaster, and assorted squires,etc.,etc.
Sukkallmah "Vizier" - the guy in charge of the bureaucracy - tax collectors, inspectors, heralds, that sort of thing. Possibly also in charge of the treasury.
Ul Nabu "High Seer" A court priest. Two steps below the Baraggal, the 'holy of holies'.
Ul Dayyani "Three high judges" who oversee the courts, in charge of hunting down criminals. Ull Dayyanum - singular.
Employ the Sharur (supreme hunters) Something Akin to bounty hunters.
Sharur sometimes Shargath sometimes Bu'idu.
Sar Bu'idu "King of ghosts." Spymaster. Not a public figure. Deals with the Shargaz in place of the Bel Uri on most occasions.
Nirgal Meli "Noble voice" Literally the voice of the nobles. Usually a son of a Nirgal, not first in line in his family but distinguished in his own right. Elected by the Nergal to act as their representative in council meetings and other business. Also, essentially a messenger for the Bel Uri and even Bel Hamon to communicate back down to nobles.
Sut Resi; Heads of the three branches of the Sebitti. Land, Air, & Sea.
The twelve advise the Bel Uri on their respective fields for better governing of the city, but ultimately his will is final. Only a 12-0 vote can overturn a decision or intercession by the Bel Hamon himself.
For every 1000 citizens there are 8 Sebitti working either as policeman, patrolman, caravan guards, pilots, or midshipmen.
In a city such as Antum with a population of about 400,000 that equals out to roughly just over 3200 men. Sebitti incorrectly called centurions. Not divided into groups of one hundred as name would suggest. Rather, they are divided into coteries of eighty men, each assigned to a different Dagrim, or precinct.
In Antum there are thirty-six dagrim. Technically forty if the three sea and one of air coteries are counted though they do not consider themselves to be in any dagrim, just sea or air.
The Essuru coterie patrols all the air space above all the Dagrims as well as surrounding areas. Fly gear and pully operated flying machines called a margidda (celestial chariot) or chiropter.
Each region of Ninkurra, of which there are three - Shurruppak, Eqal Namrase & Sagkal - keep a full coterie of chiro pilots who patrol the wilderness area and trade routes as well as the Alu and Nagu pilots. These Essuru called the Rimanis Essuru (wild birds) Many of the Shargash are of the rimanis.
Rarely do they return to the major cities, instead living out in smaller villages and the Usan Eanna, the (evening sanctuaries)
Crudely formed half circles of low hanging trees with interwoven branches above and to some sides to protect from the elements. Small stone pits scattered about near the edges of the enclosure large enough for a few small parties to each have fires. Original a Hurāsum concept adapted for the mountains of Ninkurra.
Custom and common decency states than any and all firewood be replenished for next user. It is unlawful for anyone to refuse use of the usan eanna to another traveler.
Usually planted with a well or spring nearby, or near a road or good foraging.
The Malah coteries patrol the lakes and seas watching for pirates and the like. The Essuru make occassional fly over and act as quick messengers when need be.
Ilat Sut Resi in military terms is the Bel Uri
Rabu Sut Resi (Great Commanders) (2) Usually called Rabu for short or Rabu Etlu and Rabu Malah
Rabu Essuru Bird commander. Lowest ranked Rabu.
Sut Resi; Coterie commanders (40) 36 Etlu, 3 Malah, 1 Essuru
Individual soldiers called Etlu (Land) Tamtulu (Seamen) Essuru (Air)
Each land and sea coterie broken into four groups of twenty with one man as leader of each group, called the Ull Urbarra; High Wolf.
The four high wolves report to their Sut Resi, who in turn report to the Rabu Sut Resi The three Rabu Sut Resi then report directly to Bel Uri as part of his inner circle.
Depending on size of city either have a full or half coterie of chiro pilots.
City of E'gish'shir'gal has a substantial Malah prescence, eight coteries, as well as 2 essuru coteries. Only city with that many pilots. These ten coteries patrol not only the city and Istan Baba but an extensive portion of the Nanshe sea halfway to Siduri, and up and down the ocean coast line.
All Sebitti carry the Shuhadaku, a long sword, crescent shaped partway along its blade. A khopesh.
Uniform is a high boots, pants, long kilt (past knees; split front and back) long gloves, long double breasted coat (button down and at wrists) side slung pouch on belt, Shuhadku slung over back and club at belt. All rust red color.
On breast, patches denoting whether they are Etlu (Land) Tamtulu (Seamen) Essuru (Air) or Rimanis (Wild Bird) and their ranks therein.
The Essuru and Rimanis wear their hair in thickly braided tails pinned back.
The Tamtulu go with unbraided tails while the Etlu wear beret-like hats pinned into their hair which is bundled inside.
Only the richest of the Tibira can afford Sebitti to guard their caravans. Like the Nirgal customarily do.
Working above the law and completely unoffical as assassins, trackers, undercover operatives, spies, and sabateurs are the semi-mythical Shargaz. Their existence known but publicly denied.
These men, and women made up of people from all walks of life, sometimes not even of the Ninkurrai report only to the Sar Bu'idu, Bel Uri and Bel Hamon. They follow no chain of command, free to ignore or even countermand orders of highest ranked Sut Resi, the Rabu.
Culled from the ranks of the orphaned, the Arad, and the disillusioned the Shargaz are put through extensive and intense training where they are then sent out on their varied missions.
Before being accepted in they swear an oath to keep their secrets unto the grave on punishment of public mutilation and death, not only of themselves but any loved ones along the way.
Say oath in front of their Sar Bu'idu, Ull Nabu, Bel Uri and Bel Hamon, in secret.
Oath goes as follows:
"Salamu, Titaan, Ina Etutti Asbu, Summu Nurra, Tiit. Peta Babkama Laruba Anaka Anna Ana Harrani Sa Alaktasa La Tarat Parasu Kima Shargaz."
"To become black, Those who in heaven live, dwell in darkness. They are deprived of the light that which is life. Open the gate for me so that I may enter unto the road who course does not turn back to render a decision as Supreme smiter."
They then have 'Ina Etutti Asbu' or 'dwell in darkness' tattooed on inner lower lip for identification to those who know them. Tattoo accompanied by a small series of dots and lines denoting city/district they started in.
Only the Sar Bu'idu, Ull Nabu, Ull Dayyani, Rabu, Bel Uri of each city and village district know of their existence as well as Bel Hamon. Not even the Nirgal are privy to the Shargaz.
The shargaz are generally religious fanatics intensely loyal to the Bel Uri and Bel Hamon. No followers of Addagal allowed among the ranks. Only foreigners allowed their religious freedom and foreigners extremely rare among the Shargaz.
Only six that Fen (my MC) knows of, inlcuding himself, though there are likely more. Identity sharing not encouraged.
Fen Gulo - A Tomer (Mazikim) by birth.
Everyone believes he is from Ashlyn and a half breed.
Erra Twyla - Half Haduan Half Ophir Brionite. Hides Haduan side.
Ayelet - Shekinah
Ensalmu - "lord black" real name unknown. Semi-legendary, only Bel Uri Damkina knows who he is.
Nina - "Lady of the water" real
name unknown. Shekinah or Acaphi. Partner/wife of Ensalmu.
?????- Bosma. Spy and book seller. Fens instructor. Runs into Fen and Tully in Uri Nebo.
I did not base them at all on anyone society, rather meshed a million different ideas I had to the best of my abilities any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
NINKURRA
Originally Ninkurra was the nation of Shurrupak, with the cities of Sin, Shamash, E'gish'shir'gal, Siduri, & Agasaya as vassal states. When Siduri rebeled the Baraggal of the time, rather than waging war brought all other city-states under one rule and created the nation of Ninkurra. These vassal states were required to adopt the culture and political structure of the Shurrupak valley nation.
For fifty years the Sidur were punished with heavy taxes and restrictions on trade until a treaty was signed making them an independant state under the authority of Ninkurra.
HIERARCHY
Bel Hamon; Lord of a multitude. Religious leader of Ninkurra in Esharra. Also known as the Baraggal.
Bel Uri - Leaders of each city or village district (Alu or Nagu) from among the nirgal. The eight Alu Bel Uri more influential than the Bel Uri of the seventeen Nagu.
Nirgal — nobles
Sebitti (police/army)
The Eren (Commoners)
Tibira (Merchant tradesman,metal-workers, etc, etc.
Mare Ali (Citizens) The poor
Arad (Deacon) criminal debt slaves.
Kiprat Arba (The four races/nations) The Bosma, Ophir, Es'air, and Shekinah.
Samana- Ninkurrai insult meaning "Skin disease;rust" directed at the Genya.
Akhkharu - Mazikim (a vampiric people)
Haduan - The people of Hadad.
People of Ukinakku treated as if they're nonexistant or beneath acknowledgement.
BEL URI'S INNER CIRCLE
THE SINSER "THE 12"
THE SINSER "THE 12"
Manzaz Pani "Royal attendant" The right hand man. He controls direct access to the lord, and can settle trivial disputes in the his/her name.
Garash "Supply master" Steward in charge of all the cooking and cleaning crews, the stablemaster, and assorted squires,etc.,etc.
Sukkallmah "Vizier" - the guy in charge of the bureaucracy - tax collectors, inspectors, heralds, that sort of thing. Possibly also in charge of the treasury.
Ul Nabu "High Seer" A court priest. Two steps below the Baraggal, the 'holy of holies'.
Ul Dayyani "Three high judges" who oversee the courts, in charge of hunting down criminals. Ull Dayyanum - singular.
Employ the Sharur (supreme hunters) Something Akin to bounty hunters.
Sharur sometimes Shargath sometimes Bu'idu.
Sar Bu'idu "King of ghosts." Spymaster. Not a public figure. Deals with the Shargaz in place of the Bel Uri on most occasions.
Nirgal Meli "Noble voice" Literally the voice of the nobles. Usually a son of a Nirgal, not first in line in his family but distinguished in his own right. Elected by the Nergal to act as their representative in council meetings and other business. Also, essentially a messenger for the Bel Uri and even Bel Hamon to communicate back down to nobles.
Sut Resi; Heads of the three branches of the Sebitti. Land, Air, & Sea.
The twelve advise the Bel Uri on their respective fields for better governing of the city, but ultimately his will is final. Only a 12-0 vote can overturn a decision or intercession by the Bel Hamon himself.
THE SEBITTI
For every 1000 citizens there are 8 Sebitti working either as policeman, patrolman, caravan guards, pilots, or midshipmen.
In a city such as Antum with a population of about 400,000 that equals out to roughly just over 3200 men. Sebitti incorrectly called centurions. Not divided into groups of one hundred as name would suggest. Rather, they are divided into coteries of eighty men, each assigned to a different Dagrim, or precinct.
In Antum there are thirty-six dagrim. Technically forty if the three sea and one of air coteries are counted though they do not consider themselves to be in any dagrim, just sea or air.
The Essuru coterie patrols all the air space above all the Dagrims as well as surrounding areas. Fly gear and pully operated flying machines called a margidda (celestial chariot) or chiropter.
Each region of Ninkurra, of which there are three - Shurruppak, Eqal Namrase & Sagkal - keep a full coterie of chiro pilots who patrol the wilderness area and trade routes as well as the Alu and Nagu pilots. These Essuru called the Rimanis Essuru (wild birds) Many of the Shargash are of the rimanis.
Rarely do they return to the major cities, instead living out in smaller villages and the Usan Eanna, the (evening sanctuaries)
Crudely formed half circles of low hanging trees with interwoven branches above and to some sides to protect from the elements. Small stone pits scattered about near the edges of the enclosure large enough for a few small parties to each have fires. Original a Hurāsum concept adapted for the mountains of Ninkurra.
Custom and common decency states than any and all firewood be replenished for next user. It is unlawful for anyone to refuse use of the usan eanna to another traveler.
Usually planted with a well or spring nearby, or near a road or good foraging.
The Malah coteries patrol the lakes and seas watching for pirates and the like. The Essuru make occassional fly over and act as quick messengers when need be.
Ilat Sut Resi in military terms is the Bel Uri
Rabu Sut Resi (Great Commanders) (2) Usually called Rabu for short or Rabu Etlu and Rabu Malah
Rabu Essuru Bird commander. Lowest ranked Rabu.
Sut Resi; Coterie commanders (40) 36 Etlu, 3 Malah, 1 Essuru
Individual soldiers called Etlu (Land) Tamtulu (Seamen) Essuru (Air)
Each land and sea coterie broken into four groups of twenty with one man as leader of each group, called the Ull Urbarra; High Wolf.
The four high wolves report to their Sut Resi, who in turn report to the Rabu Sut Resi The three Rabu Sut Resi then report directly to Bel Uri as part of his inner circle.
Depending on size of city either have a full or half coterie of chiro pilots.
City of E'gish'shir'gal has a substantial Malah prescence, eight coteries, as well as 2 essuru coteries. Only city with that many pilots. These ten coteries patrol not only the city and Istan Baba but an extensive portion of the Nanshe sea halfway to Siduri, and up and down the ocean coast line.
All Sebitti carry the Shuhadaku, a long sword, crescent shaped partway along its blade. A khopesh.
Uniform is a high boots, pants, long kilt (past knees; split front and back) long gloves, long double breasted coat (button down and at wrists) side slung pouch on belt, Shuhadku slung over back and club at belt. All rust red color.
On breast, patches denoting whether they are Etlu (Land) Tamtulu (Seamen) Essuru (Air) or Rimanis (Wild Bird) and their ranks therein.
The Essuru and Rimanis wear their hair in thickly braided tails pinned back.
The Tamtulu go with unbraided tails while the Etlu wear beret-like hats pinned into their hair which is bundled inside.
Only the richest of the Tibira can afford Sebitti to guard their caravans. Like the Nirgal customarily do.
SHARGAZ
Working above the law and completely unoffical as assassins, trackers, undercover operatives, spies, and sabateurs are the semi-mythical Shargaz. Their existence known but publicly denied.
These men, and women made up of people from all walks of life, sometimes not even of the Ninkurrai report only to the Sar Bu'idu, Bel Uri and Bel Hamon. They follow no chain of command, free to ignore or even countermand orders of highest ranked Sut Resi, the Rabu.
Culled from the ranks of the orphaned, the Arad, and the disillusioned the Shargaz are put through extensive and intense training where they are then sent out on their varied missions.
Before being accepted in they swear an oath to keep their secrets unto the grave on punishment of public mutilation and death, not only of themselves but any loved ones along the way.
Say oath in front of their Sar Bu'idu, Ull Nabu, Bel Uri and Bel Hamon, in secret.
Oath goes as follows:
"Salamu, Titaan, Ina Etutti Asbu, Summu Nurra, Tiit. Peta Babkama Laruba Anaka Anna Ana Harrani Sa Alaktasa La Tarat Parasu Kima Shargaz."
"To become black, Those who in heaven live, dwell in darkness. They are deprived of the light that which is life. Open the gate for me so that I may enter unto the road who course does not turn back to render a decision as Supreme smiter."
They then have 'Ina Etutti Asbu' or 'dwell in darkness' tattooed on inner lower lip for identification to those who know them. Tattoo accompanied by a small series of dots and lines denoting city/district they started in.
Only the Sar Bu'idu, Ull Nabu, Ull Dayyani, Rabu, Bel Uri of each city and village district know of their existence as well as Bel Hamon. Not even the Nirgal are privy to the Shargaz.
The shargaz are generally religious fanatics intensely loyal to the Bel Uri and Bel Hamon. No followers of Addagal allowed among the ranks. Only foreigners allowed their religious freedom and foreigners extremely rare among the Shargaz.
Only six that Fen (my MC) knows of, inlcuding himself, though there are likely more. Identity sharing not encouraged.
Fen Gulo - A Tomer (Mazikim) by birth.
Everyone believes he is from Ashlyn and a half breed.
Erra Twyla - Half Haduan Half Ophir Brionite. Hides Haduan side.
Ayelet - Shekinah
Ensalmu - "lord black" real name unknown. Semi-legendary, only Bel Uri Damkina knows who he is.
Nina - "Lady of the water" real
name unknown. Shekinah or Acaphi. Partner/wife of Ensalmu.
?????- Bosma. Spy and book seller. Fens instructor. Runs into Fen and Tully in Uri Nebo.
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Scribe
Auror
