Arad Doman and Murandy
Arad Doman is a nation between the Mountains of Mist and the Aryth Ocean, and north of the unclaimed Almoth Plain. The Domani are known for many things. One is their style of food. One popular meal is spiced meat slivers and vegetables. They eat the food in an even more exotic fashion, using sursa, two thin sticks held in one hand to pick up the food. There is often a joke that many visitors to Arad Doman leave hungry!
Another thing that the Domani are famous for is their women. Copper-skinned and graceful, Domani women are said to be able to twist a man around their wrist with a look, and emprison them with a smile. Mothers teach the art of seduction to their daughters, from generation to generation. Because of this ability, Domani women make very good merchants. The costume of Domani women is representative of their customs. Though the dress covers them from head to toe, it is barely opaque, and it clings to every curve.
The men are known more so for their temper. It is said that it is dealing with the Domani women which gives such temper. Others say it is eating with sursa. The men have long, thin mustaches, and wear earrings. All Domani nobility wear jewellery engraved or embossed with their house symbols.
Murandy is a nation north of Altara, and south of Andor. It’s a very different nation, as it respects local nobility much more than a political identity. As a result, the king seldom has control over events outside of the capital, much less those inside. The Murandy are very suspicious of outsiders, similar to the Ghealdanin. Andorans are particularly despised, because of a long history of border disputes.
Lugard, the capital of Murandy is right in the heart of the nation, on the River Storn. The trade in Lugard is really what keeps the nation alive, as it’s commercial reputation is well earned. Unfortunately, Lugard also has a reputation for thievery and licentiousness. Even the appearance of Lugard has an aura of malaise. It’s tall gray perimeter walls have tumbled down in many spots, the streets are unpaved and dusty and the buildings are covered with a layer of dust.
As for their clothing and appearance, the men have curled mustaches and goatees. Their coats are long, about knee-length and they wear high-crowned hats. The women wear skirts just above ankle length, over which are worn striped or colourful aprons. They wrap their heads with bright scarves.
So! That’s about it for today’s lesson. For homework, I would like you to do a creative writing assignment about visiting Arad Doman. You can write reactions to the clothing, and to the food if you’d like. And don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be very long. 150 words is certainly enough!
If you’d like more information, be sure to visit these following sites:
WoT Concordance - http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/241/wotc.txt
Illustrated WoT Worldbook - http://www.fantasyalternative.org/wot/world/worldbook.htmlSayings:
"The more woman there are about, the softer a wise man steps."
Cairhien
Altara Tarabon
Tear
The Borderlands Illian and Mayene
The Atha'an Miere The Ogier
