Mallash

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The Mallash are an ethnic group of Snefaldia, inhabiting a variety of areas collectively referred to as Mallasham. The term Mallash is a Sringi word for "people of the hills," and is a reference to the fact that the Mallasham territories are found in the high mountains and in the more inaccessible places of Snefaldia.

Origins

The Mallash have legends that speak of an ancient nation that once ruled over what is now Snefaldia in the past, led by great kings in a golden age. According to the legends, the domain of this ancient nation extended far into the forbidding mountains surrounding Snefaldia.

There is no modern scientific evidence to prove or disprove this theory, and similarly the biological origins of the modern Mallash are shrouded in secrecy. Many Mallash villages located in mountain glens that are effectively outside Snefaldia's borders. The historical origins of the Mallash begin in the Guea period of Bae, referenced in court records as "mountain-root-people," ostensibly a reference to their mountain dwelling and belief that they once ruled the world.

The Mallash were infamous as raiders and hardy warriors throughout the Guea period, and were more referenced in Sring Issan Kingdom records as "Mal-Sham," specifically mentioning an attack on the wooden town of Rettin in the north as led by "the Mal-Sham on their horses."

It is believed that the marauding Cahn people of eastern Sring Issa and north-west Allasha are related to the Mallash group, DNA tests have shown a high degree of relation between Mallash groups in that area and the nomadic Cahn.

Modern Day

Starting in 1500, the Mallash began to interact more with Snefaldian society, specifically with Aatem Nal in Serasarda. They ran afoul of the religion's official persecution policy. Despite this policy ending in 1522, the Mallash were regarded as backward and savage, and systematically persecuted and subjected to pogroms and raids up to the Segovan period.

At the start of the Segovan government, the Mallash largely withdrew from view, retreating into the harsh mountainous areas, which deterred the Snefaldians from pursuing them. Some groups established themselves in Snefaldia proper, largely in Neer Dal and Allasha, and married into the ethnic groups of that region.

Mallasham was officially created in 1895 on the establishment of the Republic, and the persecutions were put to an end. The situation of the Mallash has improved greatly over the past 100 years, although ethnic Mallash still face dsicrimination, and are generally looked down upon.

Society

Still very secretive, the Mallash are celebrated hunters and warriors, and their traditional religion (which has changed little over the past two thousand years) is centered around the worship and veneration of the cave bears of the mountain. They ride large, hardy horses and forge iron weapons.

The Mallash might be regarded as backward relics, but they are very proud and defensive of their traditional ways. One of the few ethnic groups that did not adopt one of the Three Native Faiths, they are the only group that has outright refused to associate with Aatem Nal, claiming that everything they need to learn they learn from the Bear-King.

Their villages are isolated and restricted; and while it is possible to visit them it is very difficult to traverse the mountains to get there.