Oaleed

Oaleed /'wɑliː/ are a people in northern Tarnaria who primarily lived in the area around Mantar. They began to expand to the north, entering into conflict with Deeras and then Toor, until being driven south of Mantar by Gole Tōrmoh in the 1st century of the second revolution. Throughout the next two centuries, the Oaleed lost even more territory, eventually founding the city-state of Mantar and settling there.

Today the Oaleed are one of the peoples of Mantareia.

Etymology

Oaleed is a Asdoh word that means "free people", although it might also be understood to mean "people free of any duty", which could be a pejorative. The Oaleed call themselves Tarsad, a word in old Hureed which means "the chosen ones".

Culture

Religion

Oaleed are Xaewoon Blue followers, but have since the ancient times developed their own mythology, centered around Mantar. Considered to be a sacred place, the early Oaleed believed that Mantar is populated by giant demigods and demigoddesses. The pantheon of Oaleed deities is called "Stron Hoorhae" (the Song of Light). It is also a literal song, which lists all the deities, their abilities and role in the world.

Stron Hoorhae is the connection tissue between Oaleed's Xaewoon beliefs and the myth of Eater. Stron Hoorhae are the guardians of Gidna, the world, against the hunger of Eater. All Oaleed superhero warriors are thus considered to be children of demigods who are sent to the human world in order to teach or protect, as well as spread the Stron Hoorhae.

Oaleed mythology folds back into Xaewoon Blue by stating that staying on the path of light ensures that one is under the protection of the gods. By deviating from the path, one gets lost in the shadows and becomes susceptible to Eater and his minions.

Music

Oaleed music tradition is one of the most influential in Tarnaria and largely established traditional Xaewoon stron singing. They employ dalas, a single string instrument, which represents one's guardian. Tarati is a flute which represents challenges and luck. Music pieces involve a duet between a dalas and a tarati, with a singer performing a stron.

In modern mainstream Xaewoon dalas typically represents Eternal Companion and tarati represents either Cangon or the Great Hornet.

Guarding

Although less prominent than in the Utuka culture, Oaleed also have the tradition of guarding: placing unusual emphasis on guarding one's surroundings, especially at night. This tradition has a somewhat religious side to it, with Oaleed considering themselves to be the guardians of Mantar.