The Federated Lands of Palava
The Palava are infamous Dire Stag riders. They are rebels against all kings and laws, who spit in the face of all empires who would rule them. They lead their fellow tribes in war and peace, but otherwise leave the local towns and villages to themselves. They are skilled warriors, merchants, and diplomats, and Palavan mercenaries are valued around the region. But whomever they serve, Palavan culture values freedom above all else - even wealth.
Not everyone in the land is a hardy raider-merchant, of course. Many are shepherds, farmers, orchard-keepers, and brewers - Palavan feycider is matched only by Okina's. The lands kept by these gardeners is remarkably safe and prosperous, though there are patches of wilderness between these villages that can harbor bandits and monsters.
Structure
There are 30 tribes in the Federation, all linked together by close ties of kinship and historical alliances. The dominant tribe that protects and organizes the others is the Palava tribe: the largest, richest, most famously militaristic of the bunch. The Palava tribe has two main tracts of land that they personally own: the stretch of land near the Borderlands and the land near the Empire of Nefka.
The Palava are led by a council of elders, though the individual elders spend most of their time leading their individual townships or holds. The elders tend to manage domestic affairs and grant permissions to raiding groups. These raiders have immense autonomy, and are usually led by experienced warleaders. The most famous and revered warleaders of the Palava is Itrem Palava - perhaps the only person who could be referred to as the "leader" of the Palavan armies. Itrem is often known as 'King of the Palavas' to foreigners, but in truth Itrem must still bow before the elders.
History
In the early days, the Palava were one just one of many local tribes who inhabited the Southeastern Feywilds. They were more known as animal handlers and hunters than warriors prior to the rise of the Empire of Nefka. As the animals grew older and more changed by the magic of the Feywilds, the Palavans forged a strong bond with the creatures.
In the 500s ME, the Palavans were conquered by Nefka along with the others of the region. For four hundred years, the Nefkans called upon the Palavans for war-mounts and raiders. Under the Empire, the Palavans learned the arts of raiding and mass warfare. They excelled as raiders under Nefka, and by the late 900s ME they were among the Empire's favorite tribes to levy warriors from. The Nefkans conscripted more and more Palavans into their wars when the empire began to collapse in the late 900s - and the Palavans resented the Empire's heavy-handedness. The Palavans rebelled in 1079 ME, and in 1080 they were able to defeat the Nefkan army and sack the capital city of Nefka. Palava allied itself with Okina and crowned themselves the protectors of the Southeastern Feywilds.
For almost four centuries, the Palavans ruled their corner of the Feywilds and kept to themselves. But the Nefkans would not leave them alone: in 1412, a Nefkan army marched under a new emperor and a new empire to bring the Palavans to heel. The disorganized Southeastern tribes were not enough for the disciplined Nefkan military, and Palava again fell to Nefkan overlords. For four more centuries, Nefka punished the Palavans, forced them into settlements, and conscripted their youths.
When the united armies of Orthodox Desmianism broke into the Feywilds to invade Nefka in 1850, the Palava rebelled once again. Sometimes they were allies to these foreign crusaders, sometimes they were enemies - but through their united effort, the Second Nefkan empire fell. When the crusaders finally fled and Nefka burned in civil war, the Palavans called together the local tribes and forged an agreement: the Palavans would be the protectors, but all tribes and bands would retain their rights to free trade, free raiding, and freedom from interference. Ever since, the pact has held and Palava has been peaceful (for a land of raiders) and prosperous.
Demography and Population
Territories
Palavan territory spans a stretch of hills and mountains 45 to 60 miles by 41 to 60 miles. The land is mostly temperate forested hills.
Military
During peacetime, Palava's warriors operate in decentralized bands that gather together for loot or vengeance. These warbands often recruit around village community or shared family bonds, but charismatic leaders with compelling promises can recruit more broadly across the land. Weapons are extremely common here, most children are trained in the use of arms, and most of the population has participated in some kind of raid or skirmish, so a compelling call to arms can raise a sizable army from nothing.
Palavan warriors prioritize mobility, with many acting as skirmishers, light infantry, and cavalry. The goal of a good raid is to loot rather than kill, after all. Vengeance wars are a different story - in a war of revenge, enemies should die honorlessly, in their sleep. Either way, stealth and speed is essential. The most fearsome of Palava's warriors are their famous Stagriders: elder warriors who have formed a close bond with a dire stag, which they ride into battle. Stagriders are ancient warriors who ride ancient creatures, and many still remember the horrors of nefkan occupation. They are a force to be reckoned with, but not easily replaced.
Religion
Palava is a land of Zirun religion, and has a fairly open approach to religion. The tribes here have their own local ancestors and spirits, but the Stag-God Gidren, spirit of power, survival, and loyalty, is the most popular and iconic. The classic Zirun gods Tonia, goddess of life, and Kokoa, goddess of the hunt, are also extremely popular here.
Most religion is family and community based, with little formal hierarchy.
Foreign Relations
Palava's highest priority is always the containment of the Empire of Nefka, whose power looms over the Southern Feywilds. When Nefka rises, Palavans suffer- and so, the tribe's natural ally is Nefka's rival, the Serene Principality of Okina.
Palava's Western neighbor (Etska) and Northern neighbor (Tikra), are both Nefkan tributaries and on very poor terms with Palava.
Agriculture & Industry
The Feywilds drastically reduce one's need for food, allowing the people of Palava to dabble in trades outside of agriculture. Many are still farmers, orchard-keepers, and shepherds, to be true: wheat, buckwheat, apples, and cheese are common products here. There are many weavers for the harvested wool. And there are some active mines and lumberyards.
For the most part, the economy revolves around two industries: brewing and animal husbandry. The herding and breeding of animals here - stags, wolves, dogs, birds, and rams - is a major part of everyday life. Those who do not herd are often involved in the distilling business. Fey-apple cider, beers, and hard liquors are all common products for use and sale.
Trade & Transport
Every warband has a second life as a trading convoy; every mercenary doubles as a peddler. In this way, the warbands and the farming folk are bound together, each relying on each the other.
"Freedom Through Strength"
Founding Date
1862
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Demonym
Palavan
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Gift economy
Currency
Gold Dragons, Silver Eagles, Copper Bulls
Major Exports
Dyes, cider, mercenaries, raided luxuries
Major Imports
Steel
Official State Religion
Location
Neighboring Nations
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