Dorlafans
Have long formed a sizeable minority in East Zabrial but one which, since the 1320's, is rapidly dwindling. Traditionally Dorlafans have been scattered around the city in small pockets rather than gathered in a single enclave. They have tended to retain their own customs, though, in religion (there are several Garran churches, the largest now on Pynak Square), style of dress etc. Inter-marriage with Zabric is also quite rare. Ironically, whilst the group is popularly seen as foreign overlords, most in East Zabrial are lower middle class at best – shopkeepers, clerks and especially moneylenders. This combination of factors left the Dorlafans especially vulnerable as instability grew in the 1320's. The extreme separatist groups targeted groups; the number of attacks on Dorlafan people and property grew rapidly year by year. It is said that the torching of a Garran church prompted Huwdone House to send in Ham Driak. The government tends to use protection of the Dorlafan minority as an excuse for all its actions, however, and most just make things worst. In consequence the Dorlafans are fleeing the city in ever-increasing numbers. Even those who have lived there for generations are leaving. Those remaining are becoming increasingly ghettoised and are splitting in different directions. Some are trying to continue as before, some are throwing away their culture and trying to pass as Zabric. Others are attempting to fight back, forming their own terrorist groups loyal to Christoté.
Kakranfans
Links between Kakranfé and East Zabrial are ancient even if they haven't always been harmonious; contests over fishing rights and naval strength have seen to that. Nonetheless, Kakranfans have settled in the port for centuries and relations with the natives are generally good. The two cultures have a number of shared points, most notably an affinity to the ocean and its theological extension, the worship of Narlan. Accordingly Kakranfans, while easily identifiable and rarely marrying outside their race, are far more integrated than in many cities. They do tend to be concentrated in the streets around the Asti Docks. They also stick to certain trades; banking (although they don't enjoy the monopoly they do in, say, the Triple Cities), gold and metal working and masonry. These tend to pay well; the Kakranfans are the only minority group wealthier on average than the indigenous population.
Provincials
I.e. Zabric migrants not from either the city or one of the tiny ports (Nyanda, Gianni etc.) in the immediate vicinity. 'Provincials' is more or less the politest term ever used for them. More common is 'farmboys', 'pointyheads' (after the conical, brimless hats a few occasionally wear) and, well, a few more best not repeated. The distinction is a ridiculous one, with little physical, cultural or historical differences between those from the city and from the rest of Zabrial. Migration to and from the port has always been very intense and few people really cared where their ancestors came from until recently. The division now, inevitably, has political causes. Separatists chant for independence for the whole of the province but only really care about East Zabrial itself; and only there has the independence movement any force. Moreover, new settlers in the city are more likely to be moderates or even federalists. Illogically, but increasingly, they are pilloried by extremists as being 'impure' Zabric and potential fifth columnists for Huwdone House. They have not been targeted anywhere near as often as Dorlafans have, but tensions are still rising.
Nisslans
East Zabrial is famously (and perhaps apocryphally) the site where human from Ellniss first landed to begin the colonisation of Teraf. Though the mass migrations were largely over by the 300's, links with Ellniss remain vital to East Zabrial. The port has the largest Nisslan population – who are usually defined as those from families who came across the Eastern Ocean a century ago or sooner – in Teraf. Few are permanent settlers, though, with most sailors or merchants temporarily residing in the city. They are also not a homogenous mass, despite being usually treated as one. The largest group, and accordingly taken as the stereotype for all Nisslans, are from the great port of Kadiri. From they come the famous towering conical hats, blue and white chequered tunics, orgiastic religious festivals and shrewd bargaining skills. But traders, sailors and pirates from all of Ellniss' city-ports cluster around Zabrial's harbours, turning the seafront into a riot of different tongues. A small but steady trickle of permanent migrants have also been arriving for many years from Isil March, to be shunted into the slums around the Finger of Light. They are notable for wearing very dark garments, consuming extremely illegal herbs and worshiping a bizarre version of Ferlan, but are generally entirely incorporated into the wider population after a generation or so. Not all Nisslans, incidentally, are human. Elves and dwarves are both frequent visitors though almost never stay. Gnomes and the species of petty troll called oolags are also quite common sights.