Rafaite Empire

Fashion

The Rafaite people wear a similar fashion to a toga. Rafaite people wear long cloth wrapped around their bodies held by metal loops on shoulders. They wear a belt to keep the loose flowing cloth from being displaced when they move. It is common to see only one shoulder have cloth looped over it, leaving the other bare. This is seen in both male and female fashion.

During the warmer months, the cloth is lighter, which makes it more transparent yet breathable to help keep people cooler. Conversely, in the cooler months, people use thicker and warmer cloth, which also includes extra lengths of cloth as shawls, cloaks, and hoods.

Religion

The people of the Rafaite empire worship Sapo (Photon), the god of light, who they believe literally holds the world within its light. They believe god is underneath the world and its constant shining light keeps the world alive. It holds everything in its out-stretched arms. They have a temple on the underside that is a pilgrimage destination to prove their faith in the sun god's protection from darkness.

Along with their beliefs, they believe that all darkness is evil and needs to have their god’s light shine on it to save those who dwell in it. The darkness is Fureta (Midway) and all the inhabitants within it. Passing through the darkness from the surface side to the underside is a rite of passage for the true believers.

Society

A typical Rafaite city is centered on a central massive tower, that is the burial grounds for their elders and honored citizens. Rafaite cities can be massive as they formed the different districts around the central tower and branch outward based on how many people settle. The people of this culture thrive on the plains and love the feel of the open space which is reflected in their cities. Their streets are wide and designed for walking, not for carriages and other vehicles. They don’t believe in walled cities as it confines the people when their belief is that all people should be free to roam. The feeling of being free to roam or come and go as they please comes from their connection with the Nomadic culture and the Shishiza who dominate it.

The Shishiza train Rafaite companion lions for families who want to bond with a lion cub.

Slavery

The Raf’Shat Empire does not have slavery, as it is a weakness. They believe forcing someone else to do the hard work makes the master look incompetent and weak. Taking on the hard tasks of life shows strength and accomplishment. Therefore, they do not have slaves and any slave who escapes to their land is given freedom regardless of their slave debt or who owned them.

The empire’s borders are constantly patrolled to keep slavers, bounty hunters, and other similar characters out of their lands. The only way for slaves to be brought into the Raf’Shat Empire without being given freedom is through trade. A merchant can bring their slaves into the empire with legal documentation and proof of ownership. While in the empire, any slaves who attempt to flee are considered fugitives and are hunted down and returned to their owners.