Look for anything to do with the Barbary States and you will get a feel for what those small, little-known countries 'down there' are like.
Without the piracy stuff, of course (although its not unheard of).
Edit: Perhaps even whatever you can find on Kush, of the Conan world (Hyboria) would prove helpful (darker skin, but arabic in culture).
too many arabic cultures already there
That makes those small Chultan nations a very accurate FR equivalent of the Barbary States - being of black skin but more 'semite' in culture. Basically the equivalent of the Berbers.
Not really 'Arabic' at all, but their dress and clothing would be reminiscent of that (light airy silks and arched, expansive building with open courtyards, etc..).
Since Ayesha will be run as an NPC as often as a player, I should be able to give her a distinct sound to her speech.
Cool, thanks! One more question; I don't know if it was ever specified, but what does their accent sound like when in English? For that matter, what does their language sound like compared to the sound of an Earthly language?
-That much is up to you.
Only reason I can think of would be the jungle and that Tashalar is known for it's beautifull people. As it is ofcourse dedatable, I think on Earth the Latin countries would be closest to that bit of description. (as they score high on miss world contests usually)
But like I said, that is just the impression I had when I read it.
Just... wow...
Talk about an extremely shallow way of defining an entire culture.
Hey, just kidding!Faerûn's geography, as that of many fantasy worlds, is inspired in Europe. As MT says, Chult and Tashalar is northern-Africa, but more than Arabic, I see them more as sub-Saharan, with jungles instead of savannah. African savannah is the Shaar. Calimshan is the Arabic south-Mediterranean country. Amn and Tethyr would correspond to Spain, Sembia is Italy, Cormyr is France, Chessenta is Greece, Unther and Mulhorand are... well, you know. If you look to a map of Europe and the shores of the Mediterranean you'll find the similarities. That has its logic, medieval fantasy is based in medieval reality, and that is in Europe.
Even, the other continents have the same similarities with Earth. Maztica is Central and South America, Zakhara is Arabia, and Kara-Tur is Mongolia, China and Japan.
Just my thoughts. This is not entirely exact, but you get an idea.
So you think they must be Latinos because they are 'pretty'?
Just... wow...
Talk about an extremely shallow way of defining an entire culture.
And saying it gave me the impression of certain atphosmere and explaining where I might have gotten that impression is the same as defining a culture... now which part is shallow judgement?
A lot of Latin countries take much pride is their succeses in beauty contests. Guessing it would be based on something of earth. If beauty and jungle are the only things you have than arabian style isn't every likely.
The above pertaining to the RW versions, and their FR counterparts.
@because - sorry, I didn't mean to sound insulting, but I thought that was a very small thing to base your impressions on. The Persians also thought they were the 'prettiest people on Earth' (as did many cultures, I'm sure), but I wouldn't use that as a basis for the Tahshalar either.
They are a distinct racial group that has come about by a blend of the original Chultan with several other groups, thus creating a beautiful (exotic) race through racial diversification. The same could be said of latinos - theirs is a blend of the best physical qualities of the indigenious Amerindian peoples and their European conquerors.
Why does racial diversification create more beautiful people? Its an ugly thought, buuuuut...
Its usually all the 'pretty girls' that are grabbed by the invaders.
Exactly - I was trying to get across that
Its usually all the 'pretty girls' that grabbed by the invaders.
Ofcourse we can think of a more politic correct reason :D (not more true)
As (human)race has it's typical facial charactistics... and people tend to prefer average faces and blending races "averages" those facial charactistics out a bit. Sounds a lot nicer, doesn't it ;)
Good-looking (healthy) animals are more likely to find a mate to breed with.
Humans are animals. ;)