Northeast Region: Empire of the Horse

The entire stretch of steppes and woodlands stretching along the edge of the Vastlands from the north sea shore in the east to the Trollbogs and East Rodite flatlands in the south is claimed by a mighty Halfadam warlord, the sixth in his line. His empire commands the loyalty of eight tribes including his own. Like most empires, many occupants of the Empire of the Horse are unaware that they have an emperor. Vast swaths of this region have never been seen by Humans, and other areas are home to Human communities that haven’t known outsiders for millennia. Unlike most regions, which are clearly demarcated between urban, pastoral, and wild terrain, the East Steppes contain scattered settlements of widely divergent types. The whole region is nominally under the rule of the Great Khan Montelbahn, Master of Horses, but it is far too vast to govern effectively and most chieftains can lord over their domains as they please as long as tribute is paid to the Great Khan. Villagers within the Empire who are victims of raids can theoretically appeal to the Imperial throne for intercession, but the odds of getting through to the capital are very slim. Major disputes between factions in the empire are supposed to be resolved by the Imperial Council, but often turn violent before the authorities can intervene. If it is not clear who is at fault in the dispute, the emperor may declare a warpath against both offending parties for breaking the peace and shedding blood without sanction.

Clans: Falconcrest, Eaglecrown, Bearhide, Boartusk, Horsehead, Yakwagon, Whalespear, Wolfmaw
Races: Human, Half-Orc, Orc, Half-Giant
Common tongue: Tengric
Classes: Samurai (Falconcrest, Eaglecrown), Fighter (Bearhide, Horsehead, Fc, Ec, Yakwagon), Bushi (BhFcEc), Wokou (Whalespear), Survivalist (Wolfmaw, Bh, Boartusk, Hh, Fc, Ec,Yw), Mariner (Ws), Siku (WsWm), Sylvanean (BhBt), Paskwaw (HhFc), Gobi (EcYw), Mounted Archer (WmHhFcEcYw), Kensai (BhHhFcEcYw), Skald (WsWmBhBtFc), Merchant (all), Pirate (Ws), Thief (BtHhFcEc), Sha’ir (HhFcEc), Shamanic Bard (HhYw), Angatkuq (WsWm), Witch (WmBhBtHh), Wudang (WsYw), Medicine Wo/Man (BhHh), Witchdoctor (Bt), Minstrel (HhFcEc), Assassin (HhFcEcYw), Wu Jen (BtHhFcEcYw), Sifu (BhHhEcYw), Martial Advisor (BhHhFcEC), Shukenja (Yw), Jhakri (Yw), Monk (Yw), Dervish (HhYw), Ninja (Ec), Sage-Mentalist (Yw), Sadhu (FcEcYw), Sage-Magician (Fc), Clerk (EcHh)

Mythology & Lore

Deities:
Tengri – god of sky and creation
Ak Ana – goddess of water and creation
Asena – goddess of motherhood
Ay-Ata – god of the moon
Bainai – goddess of nature
Bura (Pura) – god of horses
Burcha – god of prosperity
Burkut – god of chaotic birds
Daichin – god of war
Erlik (Erklig) – god of the underworld
Karakus – god of lawful birds
Karash – god of darkness
Kayra – god of time
Kerey – god of discord
Komur – god of evil
Koyash – god of the sun
Kun (Gun) – goddess of the sun
Maitreya – messenger god
Matyr – god of courage
Od Lyesi – god of fire
Shyngay – god of chaos
Temir – god of iron and mining
Tulpar – legendary beast, sire of the Pegasus race
Tung-Ak – god of chiefs
(Bai-)Ulgan – god of creation and humanity
Umay – goddess of hunting
Ur-Ana – goddess of the earth

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Demonym

Tengrics (Falconcrests, Eaglecrowns, Bearhides, Boartusks, Horseheads, Yakwagons, Whalespears, Wolfmaws)

Government System

Tribalism

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

Precious stones, imported coinage, livestock