Yeah, basically the reason Azurei didn't get stomped by the more advanced/larger nations is because trying to assault them on their own ground is difficult. Kind of in the way colonists fought back the British using guerrilla tactics because they knew the land etc. Azurei is a harsh landscape which is why it's so small and not as developed or wealthy as other nations. The Azurei know their land very well and use it to their advantage when strangers come knocking. 

Also as a general note, they do have technology like guns and things (and obviously bombs) but their big thing is swords. It's a cultural thing (something you'll learn as you get to know Ridahne) and it's an art that's stuck around, almost in the same way that martial arts in Asia are today. 

Yeah, Haban killing some eija seems good. Eija (unless I start giving one a name and make them a character) are expendable, if that makes sense. Taja...there are a small, set number. Cultural things you'll learn from Ridahne, but each Sol (matriarchal leader) has a certain amount of them. If one dies, a new one is trained and brought in. They're like the secret service almost, but with the badassery of the SEALS. If that makes sense?

As far as what would distinguish a taja from an eija...well there are a few things, but the most obvious would be the sashes they wear. Black across the chest, white around the waist. They'd be silk, exquisite but not froofy. Eija have neither of these--instead they have a blue and white star tattooed on the upper bicep of the left arm. Spoiler alert, Ridahne has one of these so Haban would know she either is or was eija. Should make things fun when they all meet up for the first time. Heheheh.

Also I'm gonna let [@vFear] post before I do...I think in my next post, things are gonna go boom but I wanna give Vilcjo a chance to have another appearance before I do.