Hatarians

Hatarians

Intelligent, Unruly, Superstitious, .. The Hatarian people prospered and endured harsh environments, in-spite of many traits considered to be uncivilized by many of Ardus 

Appeareance

The physical appearance of a hatarian can seem comical to the ignorant however as the teir old saying goes "A fool and his head are quickly parted". They are relatively short, with heavy stout bodies, and sometimes bowlegged from horse riding. Long, pierced ears along with prominent check bones complimented large, round heads. men had often long dropping moustaches and their skin was tanned by harsh weather and fierce winds. The most desirable Hatarian women were a little thick in the mid -section and had small noses. Black was a prominent color of ‘make-up’ for the   Hatarian  woman. She would also use loud colors. Genuinely virtuous in regards to promiscuity,   Hatarian  women did use strong language in a good natured manner. Strong cultures breed strong women as the  Hatarian  woman would only give birth crouching or standing, probably swearing. As in many cultures, a   Hatarian  man could have more than one wife. The husband and father held most of the power within the family, but the wife’s or mother’s family was shown a large amount of reverence. 

Government
Each of the five tribes (Roxolani, Sarma, Saka, Shin Qi and Wuwan) have a khan that rules the tribe. Whenever a khan dies or retires, a new one is voted on by the people of that tribe. The khan is responsible for governing the tribe and leading its militia. He is also the one that selects who will represent the tribe in the senate.

The senate oversees most of the domestic affairs, decides on tax rates and mediates intertribal disputes. They also are the ones to pick the new Great Khan, who’ll be seen as the leader of the whole federation.

The Great Khan is the warlord of the federation. He leads the armies and dictates diplomacy. As a symbol of his status, each Great Khan is tattooed with the symbol of each tribe, to show that he speaks for the entire federation.

Culture
The Hatar tribes are very much a nomadic people, following the grazing of bison as they wind their way across the plains on their yearly cycle. As their are nomads they dwell in their tents called yurts and they have no examples of architecture as such with the exception of the Great Khan's stoop.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The stoop is arrangement of granite monoliths in concentric rings each with a wooden beam wall joining the rings, with the centre is off centre leaning forward and this the seat of the current great khan and the senate. The great khan's throne sits on the forward leaning section so he is lower than the five senate members as reminder of his elected position. It also serves as a reminder that the great khan serves all the tribes and not just the one he was born into. Great Khan Serix Elrin currently sits in the throne of the stoop, facing the five seats of the senate in a stone chamber adorned in the animal symbols of the five tribes.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The stoop was built with the slave labour attained during the Samnite war and as such has weather the years well but to those not of the tribes, it seems a cave of serpent fanged wolves.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">In the other rings, tradesmen ply their wares and the Federal Guard inhabit the ring around the senate chambers as a last line of defence if all else fails to deter an enemy attack. The rings are relatively quite except on occasions of grand importance and have purpose built lodges for visiting tribal chieftains and shamans and foreign dignitaries.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">They also contain the slave pits for anyone to be caught breaking Hatarian laws, any man or woman found guilty can wind up here regardless of origin or position and it usually amounts to a death sentence albeit a slow one and the judicial system has no allowance for appeal. The judgement is generally made by a shaman of a tribe but in some cases it can go as high as a senate member. Such was the notable case of Galci Ilut a high ranking warmaster who was found guilty of corruption and spent his remaining days slopping out the pigs in chains.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Hatar have a strong raiding culture, and it still is predominant today while the Samnite war has ended anything unaligned with the the tribes is considered fair game and foreign diplomats are escorted from the border by federal guard to avoid unfortunate accidents.

Lifestyle
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Men and women fulfil separate roles in Hatarian society, The women are responsible for rearing the female children and maintaining the yurts and supply and food preparation. The men are responsible for the cattle, goats, sheep or pigs and horses and rearing the male children in the arts of war and animal husbandry as well as tracking skills.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Any boy whose has no other living adult male relatives is given to that clan/tribes chief as "Нaр үr". The boy is then trained all of his life for the arts of war and to eventually join the federal guard, foregoing all thoughts of family life and is even given a new name and upon this event is draped with the finest swords throughout Ardus known as Chai-haptyr-dee, these swords and engraved with the oaths of loyalty to the tribes and bearers blood is extracted for use while forging and so a magic is laid upon each that no enemy of the tribes can use them.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Dancing and wrester and trick horse riding are common pastimes and women exclusively play a ring toss game that involves gambling upon how many rings it take each plaer to score a predetermined number of points on numbered posts.

Relationships
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Marriage is determined by the head of each family line be it male or female and arranged marriage is commonplace. The Hatarians practice polygamy and when a husband finds himself with a wife past childbearing years, with her express consent she may allow him to take another wife. The wives and daughters live in their own yurts with boys of age who cannot walk after that the boys are taken to live with the men. Courtship is often done out of sight of others as is deemed proper and traditional. If a marriage between different tribes takes place, the groom then joins his brides tribe as their offspring are seen as sacred to the brides tribe. Divorce is extremely uncommon as is spousal abuse any man seen striking a spouse or daughter is likely to decapitated swiftly by the other men and his now ex-wife is allowed to choose a new partner and whether her former husbands offspring are to kept or thrown out into the wastes. Divorce is only granted in extreme cases and each is judged individually by the shaman of each clan and him alone. There are no precedents set in law in this unlikely event. These practices have not deviated since the tribes founding and any deviation from them can taken as a criminal offence.

Arts of War
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">All Hatarian males older than 10 carry a scimitar or falchion at all times and expected to go to bed with it, if the need arises, each one is drilled thoroughly in its use and is a great shame to return from combat without it. It is the perfect hand to hand weapon to strike from horseback. they also are drilled in the construction and use of composite shortbows.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The bow core is wooden, with horn on the belly (facing towards the archer) and sinew on the back, bound together with animal glue. As animal glue is dissolved by water, composite bows may be ruined by rain or excess humidity; a wrapper of (waterproof) birch bark may give limited protection from moisture and from mechanical damage. The bow is usually stored in a leather case for protection when not in use. These bows have heavy killing bow and surprisingly long range for their size The principal difference between the Hatarian bow and other composite bows is the presence of a "string run" - an attachment of horn, leather, or wood used to hold the string a little further apart from the bow's limbs at the base of the stiffened end. This attachment aids the archer by increasing the draw weight in the early stages of the draw, thus slightly increasing the total energy stored by the draw. This along with specialised hardened and barbed arrow heads means these arrows are capable of piercing mail and occasionally plate armor ( in this circumstance only tips of the barbs found their way through and proved to be deadly due the toxin coated tips)

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Hatarians are also known to poison their scimitars and curved knives from time to time. These poisons are extracted from the xi-chill serpent, a creature that looks like a snake but if fact is a type of large water worm that can be found living in the depths of ponds with a high sulphate content near the mountains surround Hatar, the creature is harmless unless eaten and Hatarian women often go out to forage for them when times of battle grow near, the worms are simply boiled down to their base constituents and the arrow heads are glazed in the now concentrated toxin.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">A poisoned individual will experience extreme dizziness and nausea then an outbreak of pus filled boils and purple itching rash before going a coma and then death will follow swiftly. The poison can be treated and cured, and wounds to the limbs can be cleaned out before the poison takes full effect however, if the throat or lungs are exposed to it then the reaction very fast with the windpipe bursting into blood filled boils or the lungs collapsing and death is immediate. The Hatarian women use special cast iron pots with a single round cork like entrance with animal sinew tube attached to release the gas into a container of water and then fire is then lit while the women all then retreat to a safe distance to keep watch and do some small tasks like sewing.

Sarma, Might of the Dragon
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Sarma tribe are the most ferocious of the five tribes, uncompromising and ruthless they are a force of martial strength with their khan able call upon thousands of battle hardened and disciplined warriors. Various warrior sects exist inside them with each family paying to have a male child trained in the particular sect adopted by their ancestors.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Dragon to them is a creature of dominance in will and strength and they strive to display its indomitable will and unyielding strength in their daily lives, taking great pains to preform even the smallest task to their best.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">And as their ancestors followed the dragon so did their paragons which reflects in the nature of their spectra abilities. Their most powerful warriors can crush boulders with their hands, preform displays of unimaginable strength and stand up to the most debilitating effects on the mind. They have no time for subtly and as a point of pride they believe any challenge can be met with overwhelming force if needs be.

The Cult of the Eternal Fist
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">On rare occasions an individual might find himself more and more spiritually drawn to the dragon and focus on it to the exclusion of all else, these individuals begin to show signs, small patches of scale and an increase in muscle mass, they voice carries terrible power and they become prideful.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Before they lose control of themselves they are approached by the Exarch of the Eternal Fist, who takes them away into secrecy and they are inducted into the cult and begin to control and fully manifest their powers. This cult and those of the other tribes are not considered as Hatarians and not subject to the law of the tribes. Instead they now answer to their paragons directly in a way beyond that of a shaman.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Each becoming a manifestation of their past. The cults motives are secretive but they are true to the plains in all things and truly terrible when their hand is forced.

Saka, the Thunder of Hooves
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Saka are the most skilled horsemen of the tribes, each member owning their own mount and caring for it as if it were an equal or sibling. In fact the Saka feel such a strong bond with horses that even a few of their revered ancestors were actual mounts.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The horse exemplifies traits such as speed and the herd, and there is no greater joy to a Saka warrior like riding down any enemy force scimitar flashing with his close friends and fellow warriors then turning and barrelling away before the enemy can retaliate, hooting and howling all the way before a sharp turn for another pass. The Saka favour fluid moving combat and do not like prolong standing battles where they cannot use their speed. Their Khan can call upon a massive cavalry unit at ay moment and the Saka will answer en-masse. As such their spectra manifests itself in that the Saka can heal their horses with but a touch and soothe a frayed animals nerves. The Saka have a fanatically harted of the Dar-Vash, despite the ogres looks and the feeling is mutual and the bloodiest battles ensue when both sides take the field.

The Cult of Reaving Hooves
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">A warrior cult predominately, it consists of warriors who never leave the saddle whose spectra manipulation has fused man and horse for war. These are the Reaving hooves, the most deadly horsemen in Hatar. The dress in black attire and armour and so do their horses. Armed with Kilij that have been weighted at tip of the blade for increased damage, they ride down enemies, dismembering them with deadly slashes. They never ride alone and always travel as a herd, they do not interact with other tribe members instead they spent their time watching out for the herds of wild horses. They are lead by a warmaster who searches out likely candidates from the tribes, and takes them away to join the cult as to what the cult teachings are known can say as the cult members refrain from speech and only the warmaster speaks to his khan and to new recruits in public.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">They have demonstrated on rare occasion a unique spectra ability, as a unit they can combine the energy into a greater output and deliver it as a blistering charge that scorches the earth and connects with enough force and momentum to split the earth itself.

Shin Qi, the Coiling Serpent
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Shin Qi revere the serpent whose qualities of subtly and patience and as such are more restrained, and more refined then the other tribes however in terms of personality thye are introvert rather than extrovert. They are the masters of subtlety and are profoundly wise. They consider each course of action carefully and only when the time is right do they act. This rings true whether diplomacy, business or combat. As such their senate member is often held in the highest esteem by all the tribes "and when the snake finally speaks all will hear him" as the saying goes.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Shin Qi's warriors are more tactically flexible than the other tribes learning each aspect carefully but not mastering it as thoroughly, they real use comes in when a situation changes for good or ill, the Shin Qi react faster and give the others time to adapt. The Shin Qi also produce a great number of scholars who record the tribes tales and history's and produce a number of writings themselves.

The Cult of Serpents Eye
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">This cult is quite different from the other cults as it has no military leanings. Its members are often old scholars whose wisdom and knowledge are legendary. They can be compared to arch-mages from other races, such is their knowledge and mastery over spectra. Each of them has the eye of a serpent and can see the cause and effect of any situation so the legends say.

Wuwan, the Gazing Eagle
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Wuwan revere the eagle, its freedom of movement, its form aloft on the wind in which to gaze the plains in their full majesty. The Wuwan are a free spirited people, they are constantly on the move, roaming for miles weaving across the plains. They are master archers, the most skilled in all Hatar seeing the similarity between and the swooping dive from distance upon its prey, a perfect strike from distance unseen and entirely fatal. The tribe has a great deal of latent talent as austringers, breed and training birds of prey and even messenger pigeons but it is the young females that deal with them.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Their manifestation of spectra is often quite diverse unlike the other tribes, the most common however is the manipulation of wind from increasing the impact of an arrow to even small bursts of pseudo-flight. Their khan has often line after line of mounted archers and potent spectra users, and the tribe produces the most powerful shaman. As such many lesser chiefs and fellow shamans often seek counsel with their elders.

The Cult of the Aerie Speakers
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">Some of the tribes folk predominantly the women show a connection to predatory birds far deeper then trainer and pet, it is a spiritual connection and they can tap into the birds mind and see what the bird sees, this makes them invaluable as scouts and if the occasion demands it spies. This gift comes with a cost as the line between bird and master blurs, the Hatarian in question will find their body becomes more birdlike stiff feathers grow amongst their cranial hair,and movement becomes flitting and sudden while their nails harden and grow slight points.

Roxolani, the Sturdy Bison
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">The Roxolani revere the bison as a sturdy, resolute, hard working and dependable animal. They emphasize these traits to their children, and as such become reliable and fair people. These qualities produce natural leaders and quite often the Roxolani act as neutral judges in tribal disputes. They are held with the uttermost respect for the most part and do not take to battle as readily as some of the more gung-ho tribes. However this isn't a weakness as such while they have a great number of capable warriors, their skills as diplomats can reveal more about an enemies psyche they the enemy would like.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">They are a tough but fair people for the most part and are currently trying to come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Dar-Vash sending diplomatic envoys to Vark Swiftwind, Chieftan of the Kom’har tribe to end the years of extremely violent clashes between the two sides, despite the strong objections of Saka. The Roxolani are the least likely tribe to produce spectra manipulators and it is very rare indeed for anyone outside the individual clan shamans to have any power at all.

The Cult of the Lone Buffalo
<p style="line-height:19.1875px;font-size:13px;">In every herd or tribe there are individuals who not wish or possess the skills to fit in. these individuals often band together into a tightly knit if unstable collective and in the case of the Roxolani it is the cult of the Lone Buffalo. The cult is made up of those seeking to differentiate themselves with power or knowledge but willing to take any short cut or preform what deed is required as a result they are considered as outlaws and renegades with as much a sense of honour as a Rathyan tradesman. This is the case in most circumstances and a few malcontent's from other tribes can be found mixed amongst them, however a few will ride to war along with the rest of the Hatarians and often their unique skills are put to use for good this way.