The A'ha'Kacili
Through most of their history these nomads have been raiders, mercenaries and traders. They have had a major influence on nations who border on the Great Desert. Since the founding of their holy city, Kacili (0K [109SA]), they have developed a degree of religious fanaticism and launched periodic jihads against their neighbors.
Population
The Holy city of Kacili (7,000) is the capital and religious center of the nation. The Kacili tribes are the Ki'alabanti (13,000), the Mochutti (12,000), the A'anar (10,000), the Acheri (10,000), the Ki'sana (9,000), the Riazza (8,000), the A'hammali (7,000), the Mahomet (7,000), the A'qamar (6,000), the Ki'sanq (6,000), the Achizi (6,000), the A'ud (5,000), the A'rianir (5,000), the A'alia (4,000), the Pava (3,000) and the Topapa (3,000). Including the city, the total population is 121,000.
Kacili can levy 11,000 warriors during peace and 22,000 for war. In addition, the city has a standing military force called the Mah'cil (the Great Tent) which contains 3,000 cavalry. Mah'cil patrols all Kacili lands, protects Kacili from infidels and is the personal guard of the Grand Mullah.
NOTE - Except for the early morning hours, dawn to noon, and major festivals, non-believers are forbidden entry into Kacili. Any infidel found in the city during a proscribed time is guilty of sacrilege. Unless he can prove that he had no other choice, his penalty is death.
Economy
The city's economy is based on the sale of fine goods, tolls charged for the use of desert roads, contributions from the faithful and money raised by Mah'cil through punitive raids and taxation. Tribesmen live off their herds, raiding and trade, including the slave trade. They are nomads with a violent lifestyle.
Religion
The Kacili worship the Peri as "the beneficence of the desert." They try to placate Eblis and his children, the jinn and ifreet. Their major festivals, held thrice yearly, feature human sacrifice to these forces. Captives, criminals and select virgins are sacrificed at these times.
Personality
The Kacili are devoted to their faith and the city. They defend either to the death. Most tribesmen are skilled traders, craftsmen and warriors. As a culture, the Kacili have refined the slaver's art to a science.
Women have little status in this society. Their value lies in their children. Nothing of greater importance to a Kacili warrior than strong sons. The status held by a woman is directly proportional to the strength, power, and wit of her offspring. The amount of influence she has with her husband, and his station in the tribe, are also important. Polygamy is the rule among the Kacili and wives spend a great deal of time "jockeying for position," especially in noble houses.
The Kacili are a cunning people with definite ideas about what is proper. They place a great deal of importance on ritual acts and statements in dealing with others and are often quite formal. To omit the niceties is impolite. If the person you are dealing with has a violent temper, it can be fatal.
Legal System
This culture is ruled by the Grand Mullah of Kacili, tribal leaders and lesser Mullahs of the faith. The Mullahs serve as judges and administrators. The tribal leaders are the princes of their tribe or clan and owe fealty to the Grand Mullah. The Grand Mullah is king over all. Each tribe also has a hereditary Royal Mullah who advises its chief and serves the faith.
The Kacili determine guilt and innocence with contest. In all cases the winner is right and/or innocent, the loser is wrong and/or guilty. Arguments and minor crimes are resolved with tests of skill and races. Major crimes require trial by combat. If the accused is injured, unable to defend himself or a woman, a champion is appointed. In all cases, the fate of the champion decides the fate of the person he stands in for.
This trial system does not apply in the city of for religious crimes. These crimes are judged by the Mullahs. The penalties are imprisonment, slavery and death. Where the crime is sacrilege, the penalty is to be blinded, flayed to the point of death and staked out on the desert to die.
Allies
Kacili warriors often serve as mercenaries in the Rogizini Empire, Ro'babza and other nations. Their most important trade partner, and only potential ally, is Gom.
Enemies
The Kacili dislike the Rogizini Empire and detest the Robari on religious grounds. They have poor relations with Ma'Helas, Shanda and Ja'xon. They often raid south to gather slaves.
Language
| Sair'a'cili | (The tongue of the tents) | |
| Sair'Kacili | 30% | (The tongue of God's tents) |
| Rogizini | 25% | |
| Gomese | 25% | |
| Shandar | 10% |
Basic Characteristics
| Height | 66" | |
| Weight | 150lbs |
Favored Weapons
Lance, Scimitar and Bows
Earth Equivalent
North African Berbers
Other Notes
The Kacili prefer peaked helmets and flowing robes. When they choose to wear armor, only in battles, it is light leather or scale mail. The only shields used by the Kacili are bucklers.
Calendar (Solar)
This calendar dates from the founding of the A'ha'kacili's sacred city. It is the year 991 by their reckoning.
Population Details
Kacili is supported by 4 towns (average population of 1,150). Total town population is 4.600.
There are 569 villages distributed about the land (average population of 195). Total villiage population is 111,400.