Zaun Ajma Webzine

Note from the Author

It’s the first ever Zaun Ajma newsletter! Wahoo! I had the idea to do this several months ago, but put it off because of some major life transitions at the time, but now after I've mostly settled in, the idea has stuck with me. I decided to start publishing this newsletter for a few reasons:

1. All of my Zaun Ajma projects are too big. Novels, grammars, massive worldbuilding documents… It’s too much! I wanted to produce something smaller so that it would be easier for me to produce and easier for potential readers to enjoy. 

2. I’ve got a lot of ideas, not all of which are gonna fit in my larger projects. I want somewhere I can share whatever I want whenever I want. A character that doesn’t show up until Book 17? A location that none of my scenes are gonna be set in? A historical event that is only barely relevant to the main lore, but still interesting? I can put all of that here.

3. I haven’t been writing nearly as often as I’ve wanted to. I love this world and I love typing out my rants and rambles about it, but I’m so out of practice that I really want to get back into it.

I hope you enjoy reading this little document. I hope you find something interesting, beautiful, or inspiring. If you want more, make me make more. 

Liya bi! 

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For most Wistanians, archery is a basic skill used for hunting and, in extreme cases, self-defense. For this young Taliv Wistanian, archery is an art, an extreme sport, and a way of life. Lim was a born performer. Their family often joked that they somersaulted out of their mother when they were born and learned to walked on their hands before their feet. As soon as Lim had the motor skills to draw back a bowstring, they joined their local iggazauz troupe, a group that combined the thrill of acrobatics with the wonder of precision archery and the danger of hand-to-hand combat in front of large crowds of breathless spectators. 

This was a dangerous sport, however. At the age of nine, Lim was involved in a bloody accident during rehearsal when a stray arrow struck the left side of their face, ripped open their cheek, shattered their molars, and severed their tongue. After nearly a year of excruciating recovery, Lim was no longer able to speak intelligibly and a large, ugly scar stretched from their cheekbone to the corner of their mouth.

They rejoined the troupe at eleven years old and continued to improve their craft, especially after their body had strengthened and matured. By fifteen, Lim performed their first “perfect triple” when they shot all bullseyes, performed a perfect acrobatic set, and then won in hand-to-hand combat. They gained the nickname “The Silencer” (lavaz mauman) as both a reference to their muteness and their ability to stun crowds with their performances. 

Over the year-long recovery, Lim had to reconsider everything that made them who they were. After all, the scar across their face could never be hidden and their voice could never be understood, so they embraced a philosophy of material detachment. By the time Lim became an adult, they had no gender, no house, and no allegiances. They stopped introducing themselves with their full name and gave away their belongings until they could all fit in a back pack. Eventually, Lim was only performing when they needed money for food, and instead dedicated themself to serving the suffering. It was a radical change that their family disapproved of, but in reality, it was the only thing that would keep Lim alive.

Lauri, Ajma of Love, is the most important ajma in Wistanian mythology outside of the nine Ancients. Characterized by her great love for all things, it is said that she knows no strangers nor enemies, and has a deep connection to the spiritual and physical worlds, being the cause of all improvement and positive growth. 

She is the firstborn of Alaumi, Ajma of the Mind, and one of the lovers of Vaal, Ajma of Life (the highest and most authoritative of the Ancients). She is often called the Provider of the ajma, as she uses her power and resourcefulness to give all that is needed. She does this with the help of her three silly ghost companions Ji, Ubbi, and Vali. Her ghost companions are her own creations, but they possess very little power beyond carrying items and communicating through exaggerated facial expressions and body language. 

Wistanians associate the second moon with Lauri. This moon is smaller and further away than the first, making four revolutions around the planet every year. Every eighty-one days, when Lauri’s moon is full, Wistanians celebrate a “Festival of Lauri,” each one focused on a different theme related to a basic human need.

The first Festival of Lauri is the Festival of Food, celebrated with massive public feasts that all are invited to partake in, regardless of socioeconomic status. The second is the Festival of Water, celebrated by all-day swimming, water sports, and drinking. Third, is the Festival of Shelter in which observers will deep-clean, decorate, and visit one another’s homes. Finally, the fourth is the Festival of Clothing, a day to host fashion contests, parades, and elaborate costume parties.

LOCATION SPOTLIGHT

Aazunal, Nati Territory, Wistania

Aazunal /AY-zuh-nal/ is a small town that surrounds a distinctive bend in the Rauzal River. To its west is the towering mountain range of the Taliv territory, and to its east is the seemingly infinite forests of the Nati territory. As a result of its location, Aazunal serves as a “gate” of sorts between the Taliv and Nati peoples. During the Wistanian War, the Taliv and Nati cooperated with one another and founded Aazunal as a midway point between their two capitals, making it an important political and military hub for the duration of the war. However, after the Peace Treaty was signed, Aazunal’s population dropped drastically in favor of the more resource rich areas like Rauzal and Nira. Most of the remaining population were innkeepers, hospitality workers, and vendors who served travelers between the two cities. 

The infrastructure that once served politicians and armies was converted into historical landmarks, schools, and markets, giving this relatively small town a unique identity and culture that makes it one of the most important population centers in the Nati territory.

Notable locations within Aazunal include:

The Keepers Market: Near the center of town, this is Aazunal’s only public space dedicated to vendor business. The market is loosely organized on three streets: one for food, one for housewares, and another for raw materials. Prices here tend to be higher than they are in larger cities due to vendors taking advantage of Aazunal’s isolation and lack of competition.

Garana’s Fort: Built to house and train soldiers during the Wistanian War, Garana’s Fort (often just called “the Fort” by locals) has since been converted into a Yabba academy, a Nati martial arts school for young boys. Although it is the smallest Yabba school, around half of the boys from Aazunal attend it, giving it the highest ratio of students to non-students than any other school.

The River Park: On the north side of the river bend, there’s a long stretch of public land that is often used for gatherings, festivals, and events. 

Town Hall: Built as a gathering place for Taliv and Nati commanders, this small hut has been extended several times to house local government meetings.