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AnimalsBecause of their deep philosophical belief in the balance of prayer and nature, the Zuberi people are passionate about animals and the role they play in daily life. They are superior herdsmen and breeders who take great pride in their animals, especially their horses and dogs. There are several lines of hunting dogs in the Zuben Empire, including the Akbash, Kangal, Kars and Tazi.
Kangal- similar to the Akbash, these are also strong animals with black muzzles and ears, a flat head and a thick, soft coat that ranges from cream color to steel grey. The average male stands at least 30" at the withers and weighs on average 120 lbs. They almost always wear spiked iron collars. Kars- an excellent herding dog, especially for sheep. They do best in mountainous areas where winter strikes hard. They come in all colors from black to white, although white chests and front legs are a common factor among most colors. The kars is often born with a 3-4 inch stump tail; otherwise they have a nice plumy tail. They are hard workers who seem to be able to assess threats quickly. Tazi- This elegant dog is a gazehound, used almost exclusively for hunting and tracking. They have extremely keen eyesight and can actually ride across a saddle. Tazi stand as tall as 70 cm and are strong, agile even tempered and extremely intelligent. They are good runners and can reach speeds of almost 45 mph. They are fiercely loyal and will put themselves at risk to protect their owner; because of this they rarely need to be tied up. A Tazi will actually become morose if it cannot be near its owner. Zuberi respect the dog's pride and treat it as a valued member of their household. Hanim-kpegi- Nobility and wealthy bureaucrats or merchants often gift their wives and concubines with small hanim-kpeg or "lady's dog". These lapdogs come in a variety of breeds, all of which require constant grooming and attention. Cats- Though the Zuberi have their share of garden variety felines the Empire also has a wide variety of exotic breeds which have been trained for domestic use. One of the most remarkable pets in the Zuben Empire is the yuzmek-kedi or "swimming cat". These large felines measure up to three feet long, white with colored markings on their ears and large fluffy tails. The rarest have different colored eyes, and are highly prized by mystics and those with spiritual inclinations. The careless are athletic, fearless and demanding, with very sharp front teeth that they use to show their displeasure. Rather than hunt mice, they prefer to fish, spending much of their time near bodies of water. Tamed specimens can often be found cavorting in the pools and shallow baths of harems. The other common breed is the bulut kedi or "cloud cat". This medium sized feline (5-9 lbs) is very bright, fast and sometimes hot tempered. a bulut is quite adept at doing whatever it takes to get what it wants. They are also intensely curious and often get themselves trapped in cupboards, closets and baskets. They like to ride around on their owner's shoulders surveying what they regard as their domain. Their name comes from the condition of their fur, which is incredibly soft. They are usually pure white or black with no extra markings. Livestock Herding, the main source of the nomadic lifestyle, is another important facet of Shaula culture. The Shaula raise and care for their livestock. Horses, cattle, sheep, goats, and camels are praised as the "five treasures". Horses are considered the "emeralds" and are highly respected. Thousands of teachings, sayings, proverbs, tales, epics, songs, and dances have been created in praise of the "five treasures. Wild AnimalsNot all animals thrive in the wilds of Zuben. The following is a list of what could be found wild in Zuben
DomesticAnimals can be gotten from other kingdoms and will do well in a farm setting as individual creatures.
Keeping HerdsThe raising of herds in the desert is the primary activities of the shaula tribes, and with the advanced skills of these herdsmen cattle, sheep, goats, and camels do well. Chickens and pigs can not be kept as large herds. (The question of "keeping herds" does not come in until animal breeding is finished. But when that is completed, there will be a limit on the sizes of herds for certain animals as listed above.) Horses, The Ibn'Kamil
Ibn’Kamil horses are well known for being affectionate and bonding well with their owners. They have high stamina and agility. Ibn’Kamils become devoted companions, a testament to their long history of importance in the people's lives they share. The horses were of great importance to the Zuberi, and "the head men of the tribes could relate the verbal histories of each family of horse in his tribe as well as he could each family of Zuberi. Like most horses, the Ibn’Kamil horse was primarily used in war. "A well mounted Zuberi could attack an enemy tribe and capture their herds of sheep and goats, adding to the wealth of their own tribe. This warfare depended on the stamina, agility, and speed of the Ibn’Kamil horse. In many breeds of horses, stallions are held at higher importance than mares, yet the Zuberi considered their mares to be the prized possessions in their herd. Mares were the best mounts for raiding parties, as they would not nicker to the enemy tribes horses, warning of their approach. The best war mares exhibited great courage in battle, taking the charges and the spear thrusts without giving ground. The Zuberi would also race their horses, the winner receiving the best horses in the losers' herd. It was considered a great honor to receive a mare as a gift, and legends were often told of mares stolen or bought at great price. For many years the greatest prize was the exotic and beautiful 'ebon-silver stallion of the desert night ' the purebred Ibn’Kamil horse -- a coat of the deepest black, that shines with the silver light of the moon. The word of the elegant horses of the Zuberi Lands had begun to spread out to other races. All races on Comraich have developed horses through the ages to carry a warriors into battle. Their heavier horses had nothing to compare with the small, fast horses upon which the Zuberi's were mounted. The world was becoming smaller as groups traveled from kingdom to empire, bringing with them gifts and possessions.
The Zuberi tribes kept their breeding records in memory, passing them down to later generations through verbal stories The Ibn’Kamil was a gift from the Great Prophet Kamil, and was meant to be kept in the pure form intended by him. Several strains of Ibn’Kamils developed as the Zuberi bred their choice mares to select stallions exhibiting the type they preferred. Mare families, or strains, were named, often according to the tribe who bred them. The tracing of a Ibn’Kamil horse family was done along the dam line, proving the importance of the mares to the tribe. Other desert type horses evolved, but none were ever considered by the Zuberi for their Ibn’Kamils. The Zuberi's were the Ibn’Kamil horses' first caretakers and protectors. They were conscientious about the breeding of their prized herd. The Zuberi valued pure in strain horses above all others, and many tribes owned only one main strain of horse. When the strains were bred pure, they developed characteristics that made them identifiable. All purebred Ibn’Kamil horses are distantly related; they all trace back to their desert origins. Desert bred horses can trace their pedigrees straight back to original desert tribes. They are bred mostly for their specific strains in the tradition of the Zuberi . For centuries Ibn’Kamils have been the mount of choice from Kings and Queens to common civilians. Their exquisite beauty, intelligence, stamina, and devotion to their owners have made Ibn’Kamils one of the most popular breeds to own. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Of the Ibn'Kamil [draft 6-9-2003] By Ciego
When a man tied a mare in his stable, this was a sign that he owned it and the horse took his name. If the mare foaled, her offspring might be sold to a horseman or warrior and then its name would be composed of two names, its Dam's name and the name of the Grand Dam's owner, and so on. As an example, the name, "Seglawi Jedran Ibn Sudan," would mean that the female ancestors on the dam's side were owned by two different men, Jedran, and Ibn Sudan; Seglawi being the Family Name of Ibn'Kamil and is a permanent part of that horse's name as well as all of its progeny. Jedran would have been the owner of the Grand Dam and Ibn Sudan the owner of the Dam. If both the Grand Dam and the Dam had been owned by Jedran, the new owner would be free to add his name to the horse's pedigree. In that situation, if Jedran sold a foal to Farha, the horses name would be Seglawi Jedran Farha. Over the centuries, many glorious days were seen by these horses and their masters. Songs and poems were sung to their speed, courage, and loyalty. Many a man's heart was equally stricken by the loss of their Ibn'Kamil who was likely more than just a friend but truly as much a part of his family as his brother or sister. Out of this binding between beast and man the following wisdom has been gleaned:
Seh'ra Lizard{fiction needed}
Camels
Camels tend to be good-tempered, patient and intelligent. The moaning and bawling sound they make when they're loaded up and have to rise to their feet is like the grunting and heavy breathing of a weight-lifter in action, not a sign of displeasure at having to do some work. Their hearing and eyesight are acute, and well protected from the vicious, blowing desert sands. They can go long periods without food or water, but at great cost to their body weight, and must later recuperate. The Zuben tribesmen are masters at knowing not only their Ata Acrab’s advantages, but working around their limitations, to the benefit of both their existences. The camel stands many hands taller than any horse of the desert people, and taller than most men even, and weighs as much as 8-10 men. They can lift more than half their own weight, but their average burden is limited to the weight of about 3 men, as to carry more for long terms is stressful to their health. Normal pace for a walking camel is slightly slower than that of a jadir; a working camel will typically cover 40km/25 miles a day. Racing camels can reach 20kph/12mph at the gallop. Camels milk is full of health, and vitality for those who imbibe of it, and it is normally drunk fresh, and the warm frothy liquid, heavy and sweet, is usually an acquired taste for the ajami palate. The best camel meat comes from young male camels. It is regarded as a delicacy in the Zuben diet, and is popular in arid lands where it is difficult to herd sheep, cattle and goats. Although it makes for tough chewing, the taste is not unlike beef. Their hair and hides also can be utilized to a great extent by the creative
people of the sands. The hair for making rugs, tents, and garments, the hides
are leather for use as any leather would be used, everything from footwear to
pack straps. Even the shade the camels body generates is put to use, during
walking, or resting in the sun, its great form comforts the traveling people. It
is truly Ata Acrab. |
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Akbash- long coated sheep dogs of the nomads. Used for herding and guarding.
Usually white or light brown, they have sturdy bodies, tremendous stamina and
high intelligence. They are also fiercely loyal and can actually be left to
guard children without fear they will harm their charges. 
There are several characteristics that set the Ibn’Kamil horse apart from
other breeds, the most noticeable being their face. The Ibn’Kamil's head has a
characteristic dished profile with a prominent eye; large nostrils and small
teacup muzzle The large forehead is said to hold the blessings of the Great
Prophet Kamil. High tail carriage was symbolic of pride. The arched neck and
high crest signified courage. The Ibn’Kamil's broad chest, short, but strong
back, and sloped shoulder give him his own characteristic look. Ibn’Kamil horses
come in many colors, grey, chestnut, bay, roan, brown, and the rare shades of
black. 
Thousands of years ago in the days when the Ghiyath flooded regularly giving
abundance to all living near it, Zuberi civilization flourished. One year,
however, the flood was not so gentle. The river rose higher than any could
remember and flooded the desert over areas so vast that all horses were turned
loose for some little time and it became difficult to recapture them. After the
flood subsided, the Prophet Kamil and four of his most loyal sadiqs were hunting
in the desert. Here they saw five mares by a well. After several days they
succeeded in capturing them. On their way back home they were unable to find
anything to eat so they at last decided to kill one of the captured mares. Which
one became a matter of heated discussion. It was finally decided to race them,
the loser to be killed knowing that they would be preserving the best of the
lot. While the race was in progress, they spied a deer which they easily ran
down and killed. This allowed them to avoid sacrificing one of the precious
mares. These mares were the progenitors of the Five Families of the Ibn'Kamil.
They named one Seqlawi, because she had glossy hair; another Om Arkoob, because
she had a defective hock. Another they called Showaima, because she had many
cow-licks; another Ibayyah, because the dress of her rider slipped down and she
carried it all the way back on her tail; and lastly Kahilah, because she had
dark eyes. 
Ata Acrab, the sacred camel,
ship of the sands, a more important animal there cannot be for the people of
Zuben. For many tribes the camel is their main source for transport, shade,
milk, meat, wool and hides. Without this long suffering beast of burden, their
entire existence would be forever altered or perhaps not even possible. Ata
Acrab, the gift of god, camels pull ploughs, turn waterwheels and transport
people and goods to market along desert routes impassable by wheeled vehicles.