Violet Tear: Factions - Parsaani Islands (Lore)

Parsaan is something of a democratic nation, though the common folk would disagree as of late. A leader is brought forth through the vote of the common people, named a Hal (Parsaani for esteemed ruler) to take the seat of supreme leader in the noble city of Hal Kasaar. The Hal is given military authority and is in turn tasked with keeping the nobility of Parsaani society in check. This creates something of a democracy, in which the everyday people elect the Hal, and the Hal keeps those more powerful from overstepping the mark.

It goes without saying that over the years, this system has become flawed and corrupted. For several generations the nobility have used their combined influence to bribe and persuade those with the title of Hal to turn a blind eye to the needs of the everyday people. This has created a power vacuum in which the poor suffer under unchecked greed, and the nobility are only ever brought to justice for the most deplorable of acts.

There are some safeguards in place however, as the Hal is able to select whoever he deems fit from Parsaani high society to rule as Emirs over the nation's two walled cities, East and West Parsaan. This stops one noble family becoming too powerful at any given time. Regardless, the social ladder within the country is steep, with the nobility holding majority control, only loosely checked, while the common folk struggle beneath them. And even lower are the nomads, a caste of exiles from the cities.

Being of a desert nation, Parsaani people have a distinct ethnic makeup, with dark olive skin, black hair, defined facial features, and striking violet eyes. Clothing is also very detailed and complex, with noble women wearing expensive cotton dresses and men adorned in robes.

The three cities of the country, East Parsaan, West Parsaan (Known as East and West City respectively) and Hal Kasaar, are mighty hubs of trade, commerce and industry, with thriving bazaars and markets, filled to the brim with imports, exports, fabrics, jewels and trade goods. With that in mind, Parsaan is known to be one of the richest places in the world, second only to the Coastal Pact of Nerona, in Avalon.

In terms of magical elements, Parssani people worship the arts of Shadow, something that has in generations prior (and still to this day) brought them great scorn and disdain from most of the magical world. This is due to many other countries, especially Kai, branding shadow magic as heresy, and holding it responsible for the great Shadow War many hundred years prior. Of the two dark magic schools, Serpent and Sacrifice, Parsaan's magehood almost entirely follow the path of Serpent, and worhship the Serpentine Princess Asha, lady of illusion.

Several times Parsaan has been opportunities for redemption, namely in the form of joining the nations of Kai, Avalon and Nerona in times of war (and was at one time, briefly, a part of the Magi Trinity) but was abruptly cast aside when, after several occasions, the Parsaani nobility, often known for political infighting, refused to pledge men and women to the cause.

Due to this, Kai branded the Parsaani people as traitors to the way of Magi, and banned their countrymen from setting foot on Kaian soil. Prejudice spread rapidly because of this, and while the other magical nations didn't outlaw Parsaani folk outright, they began to brand them as second-class citizens and gave them a terrible racial slur, 'Dark-skins'.

Regardless of Parsaan's rigid social class system, there have been times of great upheval. One of these was twenty years ago, when a prominent noble woman, Lady Shale Asani, led an uprising in the city of East Parsaan, blockading its trade routes after a dispute with her esteemed lover, Prince Zanir Rakaar.

In recent months the ruling Hal, Kafar Zenn, died, and was succeeded by his son Samir. Having taken the position of Hal seriously, and being somewhat outward looking in comparison to previous rulers, he has expressed sentiment toward bringing Parsaan's strongest fammilies to heel, and also wishes to mend relations between Parsaan and the Magi Trinity, realizing that the true threat lies beyond their borders in the Machina Union.

He knows all too well that while his people squabble amongst themselves, there is very little standing between the magical world and total domination. With that very thought in mind, he has arranged landsmeets in an attempt to help the noble's put aside their differences, and even reached out to Avalon in an attempt to parlay, though they have yet to respond.

All all, despite its many issues, Parsaan is something of a desert jewel, and holds a rich culture. Many hope and pray that despite outside threats and internal bickering, it stays that way.

Denizens of Parsaan are also some of the few people left in the world of Elania who speak their own native language alongside the worldwide common tongue.

"Sel kez sho cas es yo-vay rotan."

"May the desert sun warm your journey."