Arts Thread

Jhoram was a fertile flatland in Asia where the Drokpa tribe thrived, cultivating a dragon-blessed plant called tsemaize, which they used for food, tools, and art. When outsiders discovered its unique properties, a war broke out over the resource, ultimately leaving the land devastated and the Drokpa defeated. The souls of fallen warriors became vengeful spirits known as rigdral, haunting the land at night. With tsemaize nearly extinct and their homeland cursed, most of the surviving Drokpa fled in search of safety. Tsemaize: Tsemaize is a corn-like plant native to Jhoram, now scarce and once vibrant with many colors lost to war. The Drokpa cherish ancient crafts made from it as symbols of their heritage. Mixed with morchu acid, tsemaize forms a clay that hardens like metal, with rarer colors creating the toughest items. Yeshe: Yeshe carries the scars of his family’s loss and his tribe’s destruction. He wears a dragon mask made from animal bones to frighten rigdrals, spirits that fear the dragon’s presence. To protect himself further, he burns tsemaize in a special section of his staff, using its calming scent to repel the spirits. He also carries a tsemaize bag from his mother. Chagkhar: The Chagkhar is a large, gentle, beetle-like creature vital to the Drokpa, living over a century and grazing peacefully on grass. The Drokpa build homes on its back, guiding it with reins connected to a wheel. These mobile houses use chimneys and balcony fireplaces to burn tsemaize, whose scent wards off rigdrals, while entrances are adorned with tsemaize for extra protection. A sturdy wooden elevator provides access to these elevated, moving dwellings. Morchu: The Morchu is a unique bird native to Jhoram, known for its valuable sweet acid stored in its large gular pouch. This acid attracts insects like locusts—which threaten Tsemaize crops—and helps the Drokpa soften tsemaize for crafting. Once kept as pets for easy access to the acid, Morchus were released into the wild after the war. With vibrant feathers used to attract mates, Morchus play an important role as natural protectors of Tsemaize. Rigdral: The Rigdral are vengeful spirits of warriors who died defending Jhoram and its precious Tsemaize, now blinded by rage and attacking indiscriminately after dark—even their own kin. Their armor, forged from Tsemaize, varies by rank, with generals wearing rare, vibrant types. The calming scent of Tsemaize can soothe some Rigdral, allowing them to release their grudges and move on to a peaceful existence between the mortal and divine realms.