A couple centuries ago, the light-skinned Adzans managed to eradicate, banish, erase or enslave all other ethnicities of the region under the leadership of Karuman the Red Hand.
Karuman was many things: A powerful warrior, a genius commander and a prolific philanderer. But, perhaps most notably, he was also the one who first revealed the names of the Gods of The Annaket, powerful spiritual beings who reside in the eponymous mountains.
For this reason, Karuman is not considered by the Adzans as merely an ancestral hero, but also as a legendary prophet, the only scion of the Gods.
The Red Hand singlehandedly took control of and altered Adzan society. The Adzans (by their own reckoning) went from just one of many tribes, to the superior, hegemonic civilization they are today.
From an outside perspective, the Adzans have culturally regressed... Their worship of the Gods borders on fanatical, their political system is one that not just incentivizes but celebrates oppression and abuse from those in power, and the twisted, misogynstic Karuman caste system has caused unmeasurable suffering.
In Adzan society, people are believed to be born with inherent traits depending on their caste. Socially, they are treated as such:
- The highest caste, the Surzans, are considered as chosen by the Gods themselves, and closer to them for it. Surzans occupy positions of rulership, military command, or religious authority. Adzans broadly consider it the right of Surzans to trample on those beneath them. Notably, Surzans are born only amongst rare light-haired and light-eyed Adzans, considered to be blessed by the Gods of the Annaket.
- The second caste, the Manzans, make up around half of the populace. Manzans are divided into three tiers, with those in higher tiers having more rights and property. Manzans are the only cast where movement is possible. Ascending each tier requires both recognition from a Surzan, and completing a religious ritual. The majority of professions and roles in society are covered by Manzans. Manzans can never become Surzans.
- The third caste, the Levans, are less populous than the Manzans, but still account for a lot of people. Levans are considered barely better than slaves, their lives consist of desperate farming, brutal labor or military enlistment. Levans are usually the main force of a settlement and are considered to be personally owned by its ruler. Levans have almost no hope of becoming a Manzan, but it's technically possible, and so many hold hope for such a day to come. While crimes against Levans are rarely punished, they are not exceedingly common due to the need for their labor.
- The fourth caste, the Inrans, are a loose definition, made up of slaves from extant tribes, the families of those who have earned a Surzan's ire, castrated men, criminals, and all women (though in practice, women can have somewhat better treatment). This caste has absolutely no rights.
All castes except for the fourth exist in family units. A typical Adzan household is multigenerational and patriarchal. Depending on the family, the treatment of women ranges from familiar but deeply controlling to utterly inhuman. Households can function very differently, largely depending on the caste. For example, Surzan households are viper nests of betrayal and succession battles, Manzan households seek expansion through alliance, development or conquest, and Levan households are close-knit families who do not even own the property they maintain or the land they tend.
In modernity, the Adzans are politically divided by settlement. Each of their cities is ruled by a Surzan Prince (thus making the city a Principality), who appoints a military commander and a high priest. Within and around these settlements are various Manzan vassal families that serve the Prince and vie for his favor. Levans are usually kept out of the city proper, instead having their agricultural homesteads managed by their Manzan superiors.
While Adza does technically have a High Prince, it doesn't bestow much power of its own, only granted in recognition of the most powerful Prince among the others. The most powerful position in Adza is actually the Arch Priest, who is considered on par with and even somewhat superior to any other individual, regardless of rank. All high priests swear dual loyalty to the Prince who appoints them, and the Arch Priest.
In terms of wildlife, the Adzans have long domesticated beasts for war and burden, namely horses as well as a rhinoceros-like animal known as the Sejur. Similarly to Inran slaves, decorated pottery made from the clay of the mesas, and bronze items, livestock is widely considered a major status symbol.
Only one language is spoken in Adza: Zanaek.