Introducing the Clans - Part 5: Genzet

Today’s clan is one of my favorites. They show up in book two, Over Land & Under Stone, so please look forward to that. I debated on whether or not to share the info about them now, or closer to the time that book comes out. But why not? They’re different and fun to discuss.

The Genzet Clan

• Name: Genzet
• Pronunciation: ‘G’ sounds are always hard in the world of Y’Dahnndrya. The soft ‘g’ sound will always be represented by ‘j’. So the pronunciation is GHEN zet.
• How They Interpret Their Name: Guardians of Life
• Clan Color: blue
• Clan Symbol: The largest moon of Y’Dahnndrya, Min, which is a deep blue color.
• Location on the Map: The northern portion of the continent of Emidar (EH mee dar).
• Terrain Type: Mountains, mountain forests, valleys, mountain desert, grasslands
• Language: Enzi (EHN zee)
• Naming: Male children are given a three-letter first name. Female children receive a four-letter first name. All children take on the surname of their father. Tanderali cities are named using altered forms of the names of rocks, minerals, and gemstones.
• Type of Government: Tanderali Genzetti are ruled by a Council of Guildspeople. I’m not sure how the overland Genzetti rule themselves yet.
• Current Person In Charge: There is no one person listed as the head of the Genzet Clan.
• Factions: Tanderali - (tahn dare AH lee) - Those Genzet who live under the mountains. Drositiri - (droe see TEAR ee) - Those Genzet who live in the southern regions of Genzet territory in stone homes above ground. These factions do not get along and both have their own capital city.
• Capital: The capital of Tanderali Genzet is Turmali City. The capital of Drositiri Genzet is Kwarta.
• General Conduct: Genzetti have a strict code of conduct they adhere to. They are very conscious of their duty and meticulous in their performing of it. Since their form of government is based on their progress within their guild, there’s a lot of intrigue and undermining that goes on in the Tanderali sector. The Drositir don’t seem as concerned with this type of ‘honor’. They prefer to earn honor by performing heroic deeds. No matter which faction they belong to, there is very little physical contact between the members of the Genzet clan outside of their own families. Males are extremely polite to females as a rule, because it is the female who chooses her life-mate.
• Tolerance Level: They are probably one of the least tolerant of out-clanners. They and the Shinnoahns are similar in this, though I think they’re probably the least tolerant of all. The two factions don’t tolerate each other very well, much less out-clanners. They are on their best behavior for Trade Days, though, because there are many things their land can’t provide them with.
• Religion: The Tanderali are mostly monotheistic, worshiping the single creator deity who they call Andurdrao (ahn DOOR drow) (‘u’ says ‘oo’ of ‘moon’), meaning ‘Breath of Life’. The Drositiri are split fairly evenly between worshiping Andurdrao or serving the Sekot Mundei (SEH caught MOON day). The Sekot Mundei is a cult that worships the gods and goddess of the moons and suns. I’m still working on that pantheon.
• Shrine and Current Guardian: The shrine of the Genzet is Mt. Gild’n Shrine. It’s built into and jutting out of Mt. Gild’n in the north-western part of Genzet. All Genzetti, regardless of faction or religious preference are supposed to make a pilgrimage to the shrine. They learn about different career paths and who they are as individuals during this one sun-cycle (two in special circumstances). Bal Shif is the current Guardian of the shrine.
• What sets them apart from the other clans: Lots, actually! They are the only clan to have colorful skin. Their skin, hair and eyes are the same color. Tanderali tend to be darker-toned or more muted in color, while Drositir tend to be brighter colors. But there’s really no way to tell a person’s faction unless you ask them. They are also the only clan to have slightly pointed ears and short fangs. They are not vampires. They are not elves. They are not dwarves. They are Genzetti. Another thing which sets them apart are their piercings, of which they may have many.
• Clothing Style: Genzetti like to show skin, for the most part. So tight-fitting garments, deep ‘v’ necklines, backless shirts, shorts, anything that will allow them to move easily in a fight, these kinds of garments are desirable to them. There are exceptions and no Tanderali male would ever walk around shirtless. Also, they prefer darker colored clothing or clothing that helps them blend into the territory they are passing through. I think this is a carry-over from their role as ‘Guardians of Life’ which they have all but forgotten over time.
• Special Food and Drink: Tanderali - Gajilen Crumble is blend of berries baked in a stone oven, topped with sweet crumbles and drizzled with hane’en sauce. It’s a favorite dish of children. Drositir - Towering Floryl is not a dish just anyone can make. Floryl bloom cut out of slightly sweetened dough are ‘cemented’ atop each other in a pyramid. Before assembly, the four-petaled flowers are basted with a sweet syrup which crystalizes, leaving a sparkling crispy crunch on the top. A single candy pearl sits at the center of each.
• Exports: They are miners, gemstone workers (carving, cutting, setting), metal workers, stone workers, religious leaders, and warriors