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| Female slave and Rhezan mange |
In Book 2, Spirit Shear, we learn a lot more about Rhe'zan society. It's very different to humanek society.
On Rheza a family of Rhe'zans are called a '
cult'. This is because they may not all be related, but they live and work together as one. For example, if a family has too many children they sell one of them to another family and the child becomes part of that 'cult'.
A cult is headed by a dominant male or
fader. He usually has one wife, his c
e (pronounce che), but can have multiple females who serve different functions in the family. The c
e produces heirs for the dominant male and other females are allowed to produce one or two children or
kits. The only other males allowed in a cult are sons of the c
e. Other males may be sold off or traded between cults for labour or sold to the state for military purposes. This is considered an honour to produce men for fighting. If a cult has too many females some are sterilised and look after the kits or work. They are called the
mange of the cult and are essentially the cult's property. Their tails are bobbed to show their status. If a dominant male is convicted of a crime he and his sons are killed and all of his females have one ear and all of their tails cut off and are sold as slaves. These slaves have no name and are referred to as
mek.
Slavery on Rhe'za
On Rheza slavery and the trading of people is legal. They can trade both Rhe'zans and humaneks as slaves however the majority of slaves on Rheza are humanek. Humaneks are considered 'beasts of the earth' meant to toil and Rhe'zans are considered 'people of the sun' - the sun being their principle deity.
There are only two names for humanek female slaves or
ome (pronounced Oh-may): Vesh and Brook.
A Brook is the most valuable slave because they are allowed to breed. If a Vesh gets pregnant, the father is killed and once the baby is born Vesh is killed as well. Before female slaves come of age they do not have names. Also, not all Rhe'zans are allowed to own a Brook. Only once they apply to have two females can one then become Brook. Female slaves often live in the house away from the men and have house duties like assisting the lady of the house.
A cult can own up to 10 males or
mahtlac. Their names can be: Sheck, Bell, Mahn, Coz and Dar. Each Male is allowed a companion/apprentice male to teach his specific craft. These companions have the suffix 'ra' after their name. Any punishment they incur is dealt to their better.
All males work in whatever labours their owners deem fit. Their specific crafts beside that are:
Sheck - studs and the only ones allowed to mate with a Brook.
Bell and Mahn - tool handlers and craftsman
Ryn - cook, medic and general domestic
Dar - usually a prepubescent male, the only humanek male allowed inside a Rhe'zan home.
Males can be 'renamed' depending on the structure of the family they serve and can also have two roles. You can have a Sheck-bell or a Dar-ryn. Though typically Ryn and Dar tend to be among the less stocky sort so tend not to be Sheck as well. If there is no Brook there is no Sheck. If there are not enough men for there to be a Ryn or Dar, the humanek women take on those roles in addition to their house duties.
So, now we know a little bit about Rhe'zan society. I don't know about you, but I'm in no rush to visit!
Enjoy!
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