Post by Harkovast on Aug 15, 2015 22:29:13 GMT
Karack
The Karack dwelt in the north west of Xalkara, a harsh land with few natural resources and swept by cold, unforgiving winds.
Amongst the Ishmus they were considered wild, vicious barbarians, while the southern nations considered them quaint, noble and simplistic savages.
The main interaction they had with another nation was generational conflict with the Naljat, which would come to shape both cultures.
The Karack lived in numerous tribes and families. These were not formal or constant arrangements, but an ever changing web of alliances, marriages and shifting social groups.
The bottom rung of their society were slaves, either indentured or captured in battle, who had little or no rights.
The majority of the population were free folk, who were allowed to vote in the election of the tribe's king or queen.
The king or queen could only be selected from those coming from particular families who (the Karack believed) had divine ancestry and so had the right to rule.
Once selected, these rulers held power until death or being over thrown. With tribes changing, absorbing each other and breaking apart over time, a monarch's position was not a certainty for the future.
This lack of serious organisation always limited the Karack, ensuring they were only ever a minor power, in spite of the great might of their warriors.
Karack were often said to live for battle, with raiding and warfare being a major factor in their economy. The Karack and Naljat attacked each other almost constantly, with small bands raiding, pillaging and stealing in the other's territory all the time.
A channel of sea water divided the two peoples, but raiding boats usually outnumbered fishing boats as the two groups struck at each other.
Large scale warfare was a rarity, but the wilderness was invariably home to warrior bands, seeking easy targets to plunder to steal.
Near the channel, alliances grew complex, as families or tribes from each side would switch allegiances and swear loyalty to the other nations rulers for a time in order to gain some advantage.
Sometimes warrior bands would prey on their own people when the opportunity arose, so travellers could never feel entirely safe.
The Karak were hardened by such tough conditions, ready to fight for what little there was to be had in the desolate north. Dressed in furs and the hides of beasts, their warriors were powerful and fierce but also skilled in stealth and ambush. They operated in independent, roaming bands, seeking to strike at the hated Naljat but also plunder and (for the ambitious free man) glory on the battle field that could improve their standing.
The temples and shrines of the pious Naljat were considered particularly rich pickings, and warriors who could bring back golden Naljat idols would be viewed as conquering heroes on their return.
Despite their reputation for brutality, the Karak actually followed a strict and complex series of laws.
Punishments for crimes were based on the status and gender of the victim (crimes against women receiving roughly twice the punishment.) Mostly they imposed fines upon the criminal and their families, which could be a harsh punishment indeed in such an unforgiving and deprived part of the world. Victims' families also had a say in what the sentence should be given,
In cases where evidence was unclear, it was possible for a defendant to demand trial by combat to the prove their innocence. There was a complex series of rules relating to who could refuse an offer and the conditions and stipulations of these battles.
Karak warriors also attacked wealthy Ishmus caravans to the south, and many times the king of kings would have to send his armies to drive the Karak further north. The Karak would withdraw to their desolate territory, but in time they would return, as they could never ignore the lure of plunder and battle.
The Karak religion was simple, worshipping anthropomorphic personifications of natural phenomenon, such as the sea, fire, sky or rain. The monarchs also served as high priests in charge of over seeing worship, offerings and sacrifices to these elemental gods. This simple, informal structure suited the Karak and stood in sharp contrast to the carefully worked out religious structures and hierarchies of the Naljat.
One strange subset of their race were the followers of mysterious figures that the Naljat referred to as the Ancient Priests, secretive figures covered in robes and masks who had dwelt in the hills in the most desolate areas of north. Both the Naljat and Karak viewed these beings with fear and reverence and mostly gave their territory a wide birth. The few that decided to serve them were considered insane, and usually lived up to this reputation. They dressed in bright colours and weird masks, living as hermits around the caves in which the Ancient priests dwelt. Why anyone would choose to serve the Ancient Priests was unclear, or indeed what their role was in the secretive society of the Ancient Priests.
The Karak did not give much concern to peoples' sexual orientations and genders being mostly equal, but females being valued more due to being seen as more essential to the tribes continuation. Males were viewed as more expendable on dangerous undertakings.
Eventually, the Naljat would gain the upper hand over their rivals.
With the coming of the Godhead, which the Naljat saw as the culmination of their religion, the Naljat became ever more united and decisive.
None suffered more from the demon plague than the Karak, and soon entire settlements were laid waste, leaving their nation crippled.
Vast Naljat armies swept across their lands, before moving south to crush both the Ishmus and Vort.
In time, they would be forced to flee south for protection, but their protection would come at a terrible price.
The Karack dwelt in the north west of Xalkara, a harsh land with few natural resources and swept by cold, unforgiving winds.
Amongst the Ishmus they were considered wild, vicious barbarians, while the southern nations considered them quaint, noble and simplistic savages.
The main interaction they had with another nation was generational conflict with the Naljat, which would come to shape both cultures.
The Karack lived in numerous tribes and families. These were not formal or constant arrangements, but an ever changing web of alliances, marriages and shifting social groups.
The bottom rung of their society were slaves, either indentured or captured in battle, who had little or no rights.
The majority of the population were free folk, who were allowed to vote in the election of the tribe's king or queen.
The king or queen could only be selected from those coming from particular families who (the Karack believed) had divine ancestry and so had the right to rule.
Once selected, these rulers held power until death or being over thrown. With tribes changing, absorbing each other and breaking apart over time, a monarch's position was not a certainty for the future.
This lack of serious organisation always limited the Karack, ensuring they were only ever a minor power, in spite of the great might of their warriors.
Karack were often said to live for battle, with raiding and warfare being a major factor in their economy. The Karack and Naljat attacked each other almost constantly, with small bands raiding, pillaging and stealing in the other's territory all the time.
A channel of sea water divided the two peoples, but raiding boats usually outnumbered fishing boats as the two groups struck at each other.
Large scale warfare was a rarity, but the wilderness was invariably home to warrior bands, seeking easy targets to plunder to steal.
Near the channel, alliances grew complex, as families or tribes from each side would switch allegiances and swear loyalty to the other nations rulers for a time in order to gain some advantage.
Sometimes warrior bands would prey on their own people when the opportunity arose, so travellers could never feel entirely safe.
The Karak were hardened by such tough conditions, ready to fight for what little there was to be had in the desolate north. Dressed in furs and the hides of beasts, their warriors were powerful and fierce but also skilled in stealth and ambush. They operated in independent, roaming bands, seeking to strike at the hated Naljat but also plunder and (for the ambitious free man) glory on the battle field that could improve their standing.
The temples and shrines of the pious Naljat were considered particularly rich pickings, and warriors who could bring back golden Naljat idols would be viewed as conquering heroes on their return.
Despite their reputation for brutality, the Karak actually followed a strict and complex series of laws.
Punishments for crimes were based on the status and gender of the victim (crimes against women receiving roughly twice the punishment.) Mostly they imposed fines upon the criminal and their families, which could be a harsh punishment indeed in such an unforgiving and deprived part of the world. Victims' families also had a say in what the sentence should be given,
In cases where evidence was unclear, it was possible for a defendant to demand trial by combat to the prove their innocence. There was a complex series of rules relating to who could refuse an offer and the conditions and stipulations of these battles.
Karak warriors also attacked wealthy Ishmus caravans to the south, and many times the king of kings would have to send his armies to drive the Karak further north. The Karak would withdraw to their desolate territory, but in time they would return, as they could never ignore the lure of plunder and battle.
The Karak religion was simple, worshipping anthropomorphic personifications of natural phenomenon, such as the sea, fire, sky or rain. The monarchs also served as high priests in charge of over seeing worship, offerings and sacrifices to these elemental gods. This simple, informal structure suited the Karak and stood in sharp contrast to the carefully worked out religious structures and hierarchies of the Naljat.
One strange subset of their race were the followers of mysterious figures that the Naljat referred to as the Ancient Priests, secretive figures covered in robes and masks who had dwelt in the hills in the most desolate areas of north. Both the Naljat and Karak viewed these beings with fear and reverence and mostly gave their territory a wide birth. The few that decided to serve them were considered insane, and usually lived up to this reputation. They dressed in bright colours and weird masks, living as hermits around the caves in which the Ancient priests dwelt. Why anyone would choose to serve the Ancient Priests was unclear, or indeed what their role was in the secretive society of the Ancient Priests.
The Karak did not give much concern to peoples' sexual orientations and genders being mostly equal, but females being valued more due to being seen as more essential to the tribes continuation. Males were viewed as more expendable on dangerous undertakings.
Eventually, the Naljat would gain the upper hand over their rivals.
With the coming of the Godhead, which the Naljat saw as the culmination of their religion, the Naljat became ever more united and decisive.
None suffered more from the demon plague than the Karak, and soon entire settlements were laid waste, leaving their nation crippled.
Vast Naljat armies swept across their lands, before moving south to crush both the Ishmus and Vort.
In time, they would be forced to flee south for protection, but their protection would come at a terrible price.
