The Howling Tribes: Keepers of the North
When the Giant Empires fell, the Wolf-Fera and Goliaths set to establish their own groups and their own identities. It took ages but with the help of the Lunari, exiled guardians, they had a chane. For milennia, it seemed like the north would heal from the scars of the past tyrants that ruled over them. But the Eternal Age brought those ideas to an end. The arrival of the Elders awakened the Giants once more and now they have their sights set on reclaiming their lost empire. With the Howling Coast first to face their wrath, the descendants of those who rose up against them must now find a way to fight for their freedom. Or be prepared to live on their knees.
History
When the Giant Empires fell in the Ancient Age, the Wolf Fera and Goliaths were the only two left standing at first and they had a deep hatred for each other. The north is soaked in the blood of these two species as they fought each other for centuries until the arrival of the Lunari. The wolfkin from Faenum easily outclassed the two of them and convinced the two to live in peace as the Lunari served as protectors of both people. It is said they swore an oath to defend them should their former masters return to reclaim them.
The Elders were the first to test this oath as they invaded the north near the end of the Ancient Age. The Firbolg returned to the land around this same time and offered refuge to any who wanted to escape the conflict while the Lunari fought back against the aggressor. This helped to form the close-knit community between the four groups across the different tribes as the the threat of the Elders came to an end. And now they are tested once again with the Giants returning. And not just any but the Muspel Giants, fanatical in their drive to conquer and control the people they once ruled over. Many tribes have been conquered under the flaming banner they carry and now, the tribes stand at a crossroads. Some choose to fight on their own, never wishing to bend to unity or cooperation like Kharak. Others just to bend the knee, either to them or to Sgand to escape their wrath. And others choose instead to flee their ancestral homeland, fleeing south as fast from the conflict as possible. But no matter what choice they make, the war marches ever on. For Sgand will see Avestra under its banner once again. And it may be up to the north to stop this before it reaches any further.
Demography and Population
3 million people call these tribes their home, with 2.2 million of those people residing in Kharak. Many of the other tribes have been steadily losing people over the years since the threat of Sgand forces them to other submit under the empire, flee to safer lands, or die in the fight against them. Those that fleet either head to Kharak to join the rest of the tribes or to flee even southward towards the Aerin Valley or even the Noble Shores.
Wolf Fera and Goliaths make the majority of the population as they lived in these lands long before the Lunari landed in the region or when the Firbolg returned from their self exile. However, the majority of the warriors that defend the tribes from the Giants are usually Lunari as they made a vow to defend the citizens from any threats, especially with the revelation that Sgand has started enslaving some of the local populous again.
Territories
There are 8 major tribe group still standing in the north. The rest have been conquered by Sgand or joined other tribal groups. The strongest of these groups is Kharak, known as the United Tribes of Kharak. It was founded after Sgand made landfall so they could best defend themselves from the Giants. It has brung other tribes into its coalition over time until only the other 7 are all that remain. Some tribes consider them no better than Sgand with trampling over the independence of other tribes but others consider it a willing sacrifice.
Unkuc, Kharb, and Khungarki are the 3 major tribes that border Kharak and are not threatened by Sgand currently. As the last tribes not on the front line, Kharak has been pushing for their membership the hardest, especially since Khungarki has access to remnants of holds from the days of the Under Empire. Unkuc has been leaning towards membership since they would be easy to attack from sea but the other two are still staunchly against the alliance.
Garar, Shathar, and Numundi are the tribes on the front lines. The Lunari are focused in this area and it is where the Red-Eyed Man has been sweeping through on a blood-soaked rampage. There have been several tribes within the regions that have fled eastward to escape the conflict but some dig their heels in, not willing to give up their ancestral homelands but not wish to threaten their people as well. As time goes on, they will have to choose between joining the fight or run and find a safer place to be.
Ginarg's tribes have been unlikely enough to be cut off from the other tribes after a Sgand offensive split the north in two. Many of its Lunari died due to the conflict and now the people remaining are left with a difficult choice, fight and die, flee to the Vazi lands, or accept Sgand's rule.
Religion
The Wolfguard remains the dominant faith in the region but Sgand has been doing everything it can to spread the Muspel Ignaris beyond its borders. However, anyone who harbors that faith is ridiculed and sometimes even attacked and killed. As long as the Giants remain a threat to their way of life, their faith will not be accepted in their lands.
Foreign Relations
To the east stand Bakoren tribes and Orzin holds. The former have been rivals to the Howling tribes but over time, the two have been able to form an amicable relationship. This is especially because the Lunari are valiant warriors who impressed the Hobgoblins in the region. However, the Orzin are another matter entirely. Their relentless drive for stealing nothing has brought them into conflict with the Risir many times over artifacts and information the tribes have held. There was a minor skirmish in the winter of 1241 when a totem of Fenrir went missing and as of 1242, the two are still heated rivals.
To the west and south stand the Vazi and Quazi holds. While the Orzin have been a thorn, the Vazi have at the very least been reliable trade partners. The Quazi hold of Gabar has long been a place where refugees from Orzin and the Aerin Valley alike could come to escape chaos. It became the same for Fera and Goliaths who wished to flee Sgand's wrath. With the Giants pushing even further, even more people may be coming to Gabar.
North of the tribes stands their most hated foe: Sgand. Led by fanatical Giants, they have been a threat to the Risir way of life since the Eternal Age began. Time and again, they invaded from their volcanic island and only in the 10th century were they finally able to make landfall on the continent. And from there, it has only gotten worse. With the arrival of The Red-Eyed Man and The Protector of Avestra taking an interest in the region, time will tell whether the Tribes will be able to end this war with the Giants.
Founding Date
Fall of the Giant Empires circa 20,000 Ancient Era
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Alternative Names
The Risir Tribes
Demonym
Risir
Government System
Tribalism
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Barter system
Gazetteer
- Kegke: Capital of the United Tribes of Kharak
- Khizdush: Meeting Ground of the Unkuc Tribes
- Galkege: Meeting Ground of the Khungarki Tribes
- Theodgor: Meeting Ground of the Kharb Tribes
- Gulukhaz: Meeting Ground of the Numundi Tribes
- Obira: Capital of the Shathar Tribes
- Diratil: Capital of the Garar Tribes
- Shunarg: Capital of the Ginargarian Tribes
Currency
Copper, Silver, Gold Coins
Official State Religion
Location
Neighboring Nations
Related Ethnicities
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