The Murai

The Murai, or Arashin'karik (Arashin Ethnicity), are an East-Kosenian ethnicity and nation native to the Ikhvan region. The term "Murai" is a foreign term, originally coming from the Rusani word "Kamurat", which is to say "Foreigner", eventually being adopted by the majority of the other peoples of the world.

Language
The Murai language is an Arasitic language that is closely related to the Shinai and Nirai languages. It includes many loan-words from the Avosai languages, as well as, due to more recent influences, some loan-words from Ekroi and Nodriketi.

Dialects (of the Arasi language in general)

 * Ancient Arasitic
 * Classical Arasitic
 * Early Murai
 * Middle Southern Murai
 * Modern Southern Murai
 * Middle Northern Murai
 * Modern Northern Murai
 * Middle Western Murai
 * Modern Western Murai
 * Nirai
 * Early Shinai
 * Middle Southern Shinai
 * Modern Southern Shinai
 * Middle Northern Shinai
 * Modern Northern Shinai

Religion
The Ishitic faith is the primary religion of the Murai, though it is not practiced exclusively. Rather, it is often syncretized with local faiths.

Ishitic
The Ishitic faith is the primary faith of the Murai, with it's practitioners being known as the "Ishii". In the Ishitic faith, followers believe in spirits known as "Kani" that are present in areas and objects of great ethereal importance. Practitioners seek, above all other things, to maintain balance between the Physical and Spiritual realms, honoring these spirits through prayer, meditation, and the building of shrines. There are four major deities in the faith, however, those being Ishen, Veren, Ikhai, and Vorosh, who are known as the "Vakani", or "Great Spirits". It is said that Ishen in particular is the most important of these spirits, keeping the world in balance and governing the cycle of reincarnation after death.

Nikaivashin
The Nikaivashin faith is a relatively modern interpretation on the ancient spiritual practices of the Avosai and other natives of Ishan, in which the dragons of old were worshiped as gods. The word "Nikaivashin" roughly translates as "Follower of the Eternal Dragon", stemming from the worship of the Dragon-spirit, Mata'Akran.

The Imperial Cult
A modern invention, the "Imperial Cult" is the common term for the frequent veneration of the Emperors of Ishan. In Murai homes and other buildings, it is not uncommon to see a portrait or photograph of the reigning Emperor or of Emperor Arkan I. This is a result of the perceived sanctity of the Emperors, who are seen as the descendants of Veren, and by extension, of Ishen.