Culture & Lifestyle

The Sabrasi are a deeply communal people, valuing family, tribe, and their nomadic way of life. Their society is decentralized, with no formal leadership or government. Instead, they operate within travelling communes—groups of families or individuals who travel together, often in elaborately decorated caravans or mobile homes. These communes are close-knit, sharing resources and responsibilities while on the road. Many Sabrasi communes maintain vibrant traditions of music, storytelling, and crafting, with large gatherings often centered around communal meals and performances.
  Sabrasi live by the philosophy of freedom and adaptability. They dislike being tied down to one place or rigid structures, preferring to move with the seasons or opportunities. Their caravans travel all across Avanté, selling handcrafted goods, offering services, and bringing their unique culture to the settlements they visit. Despite their travels, the Sabrasi maintain a strong bond with nature and respect for the lands they pass through.
  However, due to their itinerant lifestyle, the Sabrasi often face prejudice from more settled populations, who view them with suspicion or misunderstanding. Nevertheless, they remain proud and resilient, continuing to uphold their cultural traditions.
 

Physiology & Appearance

The Sabrasi’s physiology is distinct, drawing from their sabre-toothed tiger ancestry. Their tall, muscular frames are built for agility and power, which aids them in both combat and their nomadic lifestyles. Their most iconic feature is the sabre teeth—two large, curved fangs that protrude from their upper jaw. Though intimidating, these teeth are often used for show rather than violence, symbolizing their pride and strength.
  Their fur-covered bodies provide natural protection from the elements, with variations in coat length and thickness depending on the climate they are accustomed to. Fur colors range from tawny yellows and golds to darker browns, blacks, and even silver hues. Some individuals bear striped or spotted markings, reminiscent of large wildcats, which help them blend into different environments.
  A Sabrasi’s tail is another distinctive feature, long and flexible, aiding in balance and dexterity, particularly useful during combat or while navigating difficult terrain. Their feline eyes, often in shades of amber, green, or yellow, give them keen night vision, a crucial adaptation for their nocturnal activities and travels.
  Sabrasi possess an exceptional sense of smell and hearing, allowing them to detect threats or opportunities from far distances. Their claws, though retractable, are sharp enough for climbing, hunting, and defense. Despite their fearsome appearance, they move with graceful agility, making them both formidable foes and skilled survivors.
 

Religion & Beliefs

The Sabrasi do not follow a single deity but instead have a broad, animistic belief system that reveres natural forces, spirits, and the stars. They believe in the importance of the journey over the destination and emphasize the cyclical nature of life. Many Sabrasi communes honor the spirits of the wild, seeing them as protectors and guides on their nomadic travels.
  Their oral traditions are filled with fables and myths, many of which feature great animals or celestial bodies as metaphors for the Sabrasi experience. It is common for a Sabrasi commune to have storytellers who pass down these tales from generation to generation, keeping their rich history alive.
 

Nomadic Culture & Way of Life

At the heart of Sabrasi society is their nomadic lifestyle. The Sabrasi have no fixed homeland or centralized government, preferring to travel in communal caravans that journey across Avanté’s vast landscapes. These travelling communes are often made up of multiple families, each contributing to the survival and well-being of the group.
  Caravans are not just a means of transportation but a symbol of their freedom and adaptability. These moving homes are elaborately decorated with vibrant colors, tapestries, and personal keepsakes that tell the story of their travels and their identity. Communes often follow specific routes that align with seasonal changes, festivals, and trade opportunities. Community and cooperation are vital; decisions are made collectively, and tasks are shared equally, with no formal leadership structure.
  The Sabrasi’s constant movement across diverse regions has made them masters of adaptation. They are skilled in living off the land, using their sharp senses to hunt for food, find fresh water, and avoid dangers. This nomadic existence also makes them excellent traders, as they bring goods from distant lands to local settlements, forming temporary markets in towns and cities they visit. Many Sabrasi excel in handicrafts, creating intricate textiles, jewelry, and other wares to sell during their travels.
  Despite their peaceful nature, the Sabrasi are fierce defenders of their people. Every commune has a group of protectors known as the Vanguard, warriors skilled in both combat and tactics who ensure the safety of their people. Conflict is avoided when possible, but should their way of life be threatened, the Sabrasi will fight with the ferocity of their wild ancestors.
 

Social Structure & Values

Sabrasi society is deeply rooted in communal living. Unlike many other races, they do not have kings, queens, or centralized leadership. Instead, the Sabrasi function under a system of collective governance, where decisions are made through communal consensus. Elders often hold a significant amount of influence due to their wisdom and experience, but they do not have absolute authority. Every member of a commune has a voice, from the youngest cubs to the most seasoned hunters.
  Family and kinship are central to Sabrasi life. Even though their communes are mobile, they maintain strong familial bonds, with large extended families often travelling together. Marriage and partnership are celebrated, but personal freedom is equally important. Sabrasi have a flexible view of relationships and partnerships, and monogamy is not enforced, though some choose it. Commitment to one’s commune and family, however, is unwavering.
  Their societal values center around the ideals of freedom, respect, and creativity. Sabrasi reject rigid hierarchies and control, believing that each individual should have the freedom to shape their own destiny. Creativity is encouraged, and every Sabrasi is expected to contribute in some way, whether through craftsmanship, trade, hunting, or storytelling. Storytellers and musicians are particularly revered, as they play an essential role in preserving Sabrasi culture through oral traditions and art.
 

Spirituality & Beliefs

The Sabrasi are a deeply spiritual people, with a worldview that is tied closely to nature, the stars, and the journey. They practice a form of animism, believing that all living things—plants, animals, rivers, and the earth—contain spirits that guide and influence the world. These spirits are revered and honored through small rituals and offerings during their travels.
  A key component of Sabrasi spirituality is their relationship with the stars. They see the celestial bodies as ancient guides that chart the path of life and fate. Many communes have a dedicated Stargazer, an individual who reads the patterns of the stars to divine upcoming events, predict safe routes, and interpret omens. The Stargazers are often seen as spiritual leaders within a community, although their influence is advisory rather than authoritative.
  The Sabrasi also follow a philosophy of cyclical life, viewing birth, death, and rebirth as part of an endless journey. They hold sacred the idea of the eternal journey, which reflects their nomadic existence, believing that all beings are destined to move through life in a series of phases, much like their own caravans travel from place to place.
  While they are not typically organized into formal religious institutions, the Sabrasi respect the spirits of ancestors and often carry personal totems or tokens passed down through generations. These relics are treated with great reverence, as they are believed to house the spirits of past Sabrasi who continue to guide the living.
 

Relations with Other Races

The Sabrasi’s nomadic lifestyle has made them frequent visitors to a wide variety of cities, towns, and settlements across Avanté. They are known as skilled traders and artisans, but their transient nature often leads to them being regarded with suspicion or mistrust by more sedentary societies. Some view the Sabrasi with awe for their strength and independence, while others see them as outsiders, strangers who bring change and unpredictability.
  Because of this, Sabrasi often face discrimination or prejudice, with outsiders sometimes attributing negative stereotypes to them. These misconceptions, however, do little to sway the Sabrasi from their way of life. They are proud of their culture and are used to navigating between worlds, making allies with those who welcome them and moving on from places that do not.
  Despite these challenges, Sabrasi communes are well-respected for their ability to negotiate trade agreements, especially when they bring rare or exotic goods from far-off lands. Some Sabrasi have even found permanent homes within cities and towns, where they integrate into society while maintaining strong ties to their travelling kin.
 

Myth & Legend

Sabrasi folklore is rich with legends of great beasts, heroic ancestors, and celestial guardians. Among the most revered figures in their stories are the Great Sabres, legendary ancestors believed to have the power to commune with the spirits of nature. These mythical beings are said to have led the Sabrasi during ancient times, guiding their people through perilous lands and protecting them from danger.
  One of the most prominent myths is the tale of Va'shra the Wayfinder, a legendary Sabrasi who, according to myth, was the first to unlock the secrets of reading the stars. Va'shra is credited with teaching the Sabrasi to navigate their journeys based on the position of the constellations. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of adaptation and trusting in the journey, no matter how perilous.
  Another common legend is that of the Great Caravan, a mythical convoy of spirits said to be constantly traveling across the skies, a reflection of the Sabrasi’s eternal journey. Many believe that when a Sabrasi dies, their spirit joins this caravan, continuing their travels in the afterlife. This belief comforts the Sabrasi, reinforcing their view of death as part of life’s ongoing cycle.