The Marakai, also known simply as Maraka, are renowned for their natural benevolence and passion for life. Their society is characterized by a deep appreciation for the vibrancy of existence, often reflected in their art, culture, and interactions with other beings. The Marakai are among the most populous species on Anarkand, outnumbered only by insectoids and small creatures.


The largest concentration of Marakai is found in the country of Marrakis, a stronghold and cultural heartland for their people. Marrakis is a beacon of Marakai society, known for its beautiful landscapes and harmonious cities. The Marakai also had a significant presence in the country of Mara, which was unfortunately torn asunder by the Radamis Empire’s invasion, resulting in the division into North Mara and South Mara. This division has led to ongoing tensions and conflict between the two regions.


Relationship with the Radamis Empire
The Marakai have a long and storied history of opposition to the Radamis Empire. Radamis, the homeland of the Empire, is ruled by Emperor Radamik and Empress Sujira, who are venerated as the gods of creation by their followers. The Marakai reject this belief, arguing that there is insufficient evidence to support such divine claims. This fundamental ideological clash has fuelled centuries of conflict between the two powers.


The Radamis Empire is notorious for its resource-hungry invasions and harsh subjugation of smaller nations. The Marakai have positioned themselves as the staunchest adversaries of the Empire, waging wars across many eras to counteract the Empire's expansionist policies and protect those who cannot defend themselves. These conflicts have cemented the Marakai’s reputation as defenders of the oppressed, though this image is not universally accepted.


The Marakai maintain good relations with the majority of the nations on Anarkand due to their protective and benevolent nature. However, their fierce opposition to the Radamis Empire has earned them numerous enemies. Despite their efforts to help others, there are factions and individuals who criticize the Marakai, arguing that their image as heroes is overstated and sometimes unjustified.


The Marakai are celebrated for their numerous acts of bravery and resistance against the Radamis Empire. Their military campaigns are legendary, with stories of their battles permeating the lore of Anarkand. These tales often highlight their courage and strategic brilliance, portraying the Marakai as noble warriors fighting against tyranny.


In addition to their martial prowess, the Marakai are known for their cultural richness. Their cities and towns are adorned with art and architecture that reflect their love of life and nature. The Marakai place a strong emphasis on community and mutual support, fostering societies where cooperation and compassion are paramount.


The division of Mara into North Mara and South Mara remains a significant point of contention. The Radamis Empire’s invasion left scars that have yet to heal, and the resulting tension between the two regions is a constant source of conflict. The Marakai strive to mediate and stabilize the situation, but their efforts are met with varying degrees of success.


The ongoing struggle against the Radamis Empire continues to define much of Marakai society. While many admire their dedication to justice and protection, detractors criticize them for what they perceive as meddling and overreach. This dichotomy ensures that the Marakai remain both revered and controversial figures on the global stage of Anarkand.


The Marakai live with the weight of ancestry and destiny upon their shoulders. Every child born into their race is told, from their earliest days, that they are part of a lineage unbroken since the dawn of the 2nd Era. This sense of continuity drives nearly every aspect of Marakai life, from family rituals to the ways they fight their wars.

Rites of Passage:
A Marakai’s life is punctuated by rituals that mark their growth and bind them closer to their kin. At the age of seven, children undergo the Rite of the First Blade, in which they must forge a small ceremonial knife under the guidance of an elder. It is not the weapon’s sharpness that matters, but the discipline and patience shown during the forging. Later, as they enter adulthood, they face the Blood Oath of Loyalty: a ritual where they pledge their life not only to Marrakis but to the unity of the Marakai people themselves. Betrayal of this oath is considered a sin worse than death, and those who break it are exiled, stripped of their name and honour.

Martial Traditions:
Martial practice is not a profession but a cultural expectation. Even Marakai farmers or artisans train weekly with weapons, for the belief holds that every Marakai must be prepared to defend their kin at a moment’s notice. Dueling is common, though often highly ritualised: a clash of honour rather than a fight to the death. These duels, known as Clashes of Iron, are as much about demonstrating discipline and control as they are about strength.

Faith and Philosophy:
While they are not bound to one god or divine figure, the Marakai believe in what they call the Eternal March — the idea that their souls, upon death, join the ranks of their ancestors in a ceaseless, otherworldly army. To them, death in battle is the purest way to join this march, and it lends them a fearlessness in combat that many other races struggle to comprehend. Religious ceremonies are often communal, featuring chants that recount the deeds of fallen warriors, ensuring that no Marakai name is forgotten.

Daily Lives Across Anarkand

Though Marrakis remains their homeland and stronghold, Marakai communities have spread across the continents of Anarkand, carving out lives in faraway lands while retaining their cultural identity.

In Kabal: After the devastation of the Southern Strait War, many Marakai remained in Kabal as protectors, engineers, or merchants. Generations later, small enclaves still exist within Kaballan cities, where Marakai are both respected and watched warily. These communities are known for their ironworking, a craft they have refined for centuries.

In Baalmark: The Marakai presence is less welcome. Baalmark’s heavily religious politics clash with the Marakai’s focus on destiny and honour without divine figureheads. Yet some Marakai mercenaries and traders thrive there, tolerated for their skill and feared for their pride.

In Andromania: Here, Marakai have found a curious harmony. Though culturally different, the Andromanian respect for logic and structure appeals to Marakai sensibilities. Many serve as military advisors, guards, or even scholars studying warfare as a science rather than an art of honour.

In Murdu and Other Lesser States: Small travelling bands of Marakai can be found scattered across Anarkand, often serving as mercenaries or protectors of trade caravans. To the Marakai, there is no dishonour in serving abroad, so long as they carry their traditions with them. Wherever they settle, they erect stone circles or shrines to honour their ancestors, physical reminders of the Eternal March.

Festivals and Cultural Identity

The Marakai celebrate several festivals that bind their communities together. The most significant is the Day of the Fallen, when names of the dead are recited in long communal chants that can last for days. Offerings of food and weapons are made at shrines, believed to sustain the spirits of the Eternal March.

Another is the Festival of Iron and Fire, where artisans compete to forge weapons and armour not for war but as offerings to Marrakis itself. These works are buried in consecrated ground, symbolising the bond between the people and their homeland.

Despite their martial image, Marakai family life is surprisingly tender. Families live communally, often spanning multiple generations under one roof. Storytelling, song, and the passing of oral histories are vital, ensuring every child knows not just the names but the deeds of their ancestors.

The Marakai, wherever they are found, carry themselves with an unmistakable presence. Their traditions are not diluted by distance; if anything, exile or migration only sharpens their commitment to their identity. They are a people who believe themselves eternal, and through their rituals, communities, and unbreakable unity, they make the rest of Anarkand believe it too.