Zapaha

Zapaha
Image	Engraving of a Zapaha playing music
Plural	Zapaha
Spirit Origin	Ettal
Classification	Non-Human
Homeland	Yeege Peninsula
Average Height	12–16 in (30–40 cm)
Average Lifespan	About 30 years (queens much longer)
Language	Eheeny
Factions	Yeege Kingdom

Introduction

The Zapaha are a small winged people native to the Yeege Peninsula, the mountainous northern end of Gosterra. They were created by Ettal, the Ascendant Spirit of cliffs and shores, and live in colonies on the sea cliffs of the peninsula, where they build their settlements as small castles and towers. They number about 150,000 and are governed by their own kingdom, Yeege. Zapaha society is organized in colonies: nearly all Zapaha are female, and only the queens lay eggs.

Etymology

Zapaha comes from zapha, the Eheeny word for "the people".

Origin and Nature

The Zapaha were created by Ettal in the Age of Ascendance, after he made his home in Gosterra following the Great Erosion. They are attuned from birth to their creator and have lived on the cliffs of the Yeege Peninsula ever since.

History

The Zapaha lived on the Yeege Peninsula through the Age of Ascendance. By 1000 BME the colonies had gathered under three queens, and Nenye Nuuxoo became the seat of the senior queen.

Humans landed in Gosterra in the Great Migration in 0 ME. Relations between them and the Zapaha were tense but peaceful from the start, and the two have never been at war. Humans have never settled the peninsula: its mountains make it hard to reach, the Zapaha defend it with Osia, Ettal is fiercely protective of it, and humans have been reluctant to make war on so small a people. Soon after the Kingdom of Bóinbile was founded in 151 ME, it recognized Yeege and agreed by treaty that its subjects would not settle the peninsula.

Biology and Physical Traits

The Zapaha are small humanoids, about 12–16 in (30–40 cm) tall, with long hair and wings. Their wings vary widely in shape, size and pattern from one Zapaha to another. They can walk but mostly fly. A Zapaha can fly a few miles at a stretch, but not long distances, and cannot carry heavy loads in the air.

Nearly all Zapaha are female. New Zapaha hatch from eggs laid by the queens; ordinary Zapaha do not lay eggs. A small number of males are hatched to mate with the queens and replenish the colonies, and they have no other role. When a queen dies, a new queen is raised from an egg in her colony. Most Zapaha live about 30 years; queens live much longer.

Abilities and Osia

The Zapaha are attuned from birth to the Path of Ettal. They can sense coming rockfalls and storm surf, and they shape and hold the rock of the cliffs, building their towers into the cliff face. They defend the peninsula with the same skills.

Culture and Society

Zapaha society is organized in colonies, each under a queen. Most Zapaha are workers who tend the cliff gardens and orchards, build, and weave. The kingdom of Yeege is divided into three duchies, Kappee in the north, Edhaa in the east and Eluu in the west, each ruled by its own queen. The queen of Edhaa is the senior queen and the monarch of Yeege; the current senior queen is Nyekee Dhenne of the Dhenne Dynasty.

The Zapaha eat fruit, flowers and seeds from their cliff gardens and orchards, along with fish and seabird eggs from the shore. They also keep bees for honey. Weaving is their most esteemed craft, and Zapaha tapestries are their principal art; they are valued well beyond the peninsula.

Very few Zapaha live outside Yeege. Those who do are mostly traders and envoys.

Notable Individuals

Nyekee Dhenne, senior queen of Yeege

Notable Settlements

Nenye Nuuxoo, the capital and largest settlement (about 15,000)
Reke Edhoo (about 8,000)
Keekale (about 7,000)

Spirituality and Beliefs

The Zapaha revere Ettal as their creator. They also revere Yavi, the Primordial Spirit of air. They do not follow any of the human religions. The House of Ettal stands in the north of the peninsula, in the Duchy of Kappee.

Technology and Warfare

The Zapaha do not use firearms. They defend themselves with bows and with Osia. They buy metal goods from the Gostaldi and sell tapestries and fruit in return.

Relations with Other Races

The Zapaha's closest neighbors are the Gostaldi of the Kingdom of Bóinbile. The Kingdom has recognized Yeege since early times; the two trade across the border, and Gostaldi settlement on the peninsula is forbidden by treaty.