Buyantu

Description

The Buyantu are a religious militant people who live in the north-east of the Eastern Steppes. They are comprised of mostly Goliaths, Humans and Halflings (~80%) with the occasional Orc, Half-Orc and Urchae (~20%). They are scattered among many different tribes, but all these tribes live within a tall mountain range they call 'Amid Bulkhai', also known as Argor's Bulwark by other cultures. They are extremely hostile to the Khalag due to a long, long history of war and bloodshed between the two.

Culture

The Buyantu are highly religious and devout worshipers of Argor who they call 'Amid'. They recognize that other Gods exist, but their worship is limited to Argor specifically. Their tribes are lead by the priests or 'Takhil', who also form the nobility caste in their society. They are both the religious leaders, as well as the civil leaders of their tribes and they mediate between the different parties if there is a conflict within the tribe. The second highest caste within their society is that of the 'Khürmin', which are both their cavalry force as well as the chosen messengers of the Takhil. They ride on 'Sarmen', more commonly known as Jackbats. These creatures are much better adapted for the mountainous environment than traditional mounts such as horses. Lastly, there are the 'Aboljin', which are the regular worker caste of Buyantu society.

Farming and Raiding

The Buyantu live off of a combination of agriculture, herding and raiding. Their agriculture is centered around the rivers that start in these mountains and the lakes these flow into. Around the water are plentiful pastures where they keep sheep and goats for meat and milk. Cultivating mountain areas, with their patches of usable land dispersed at different altitudes, means it occurs mostly in the form of terrace farms owned by families. The Khürmin occasionally go out to raid the nearby lands, often specifically targeting Khalag tribes, but they will pillage any 'heathen' settlements. Any loot they bring back is divided among the tribe by the Takhil, but the Khürmin themselves gain a larger portion and are often given first choice, or second choice just behind the Takhil themselves, in what part of the loot they want.

Gender Roles

The Buyantu have a strong believe that the genders are inherently and intuitively better at certain tasks. Therefore it would be considered inefficient to place a man in a role where a woman would serve better or the other way around. The Buyantu value education and are almost universally taught Common. And they know how to read, speak and write it perfectly, but they also have their own language called "Shashi". Buyantu society also has a concept called "Esregan Khuyiz", which means to be born as the opposite gender. If a female shows sufficient interest and aptitude for a traditionally male role such as fighting, she will be considered as male if she so wishes and undergoes the proper ritual. This also works the other way around of course.

Attitude to Society

The Buyantu have a strong sense of duty and they see their society almost as a living creature. The well-being of society is the responsibility of all and each must do not what is best for themselves, but what is best for the survival of their society as a whole. This does not mean that corruption never occurs, but when it is found out, the perpetrator is publicly humiliated, scarred and subsequently exiled.
They have never shown any interest in expanding beyond their mountains, which they consider to be blessed lands. On the other hand, they are also quite resistant to invasions despite their relatively low population, because the mountain passes provide a significant obstacle to any would-be invaders.

Religion

Religion pervades almost every aspect of the Buyantu's lives, even the governing structure is dictated by it. The three head figures within a tribe are the Takhil Tsuran, the Takhil Gulan and the Takhil Ghalam. The Takhil Tsuran represents the body and is the one who leads the military; the Takhil Gulan represents the mind and leads the craftsman, farmers and herders; while the Takhil Ghalam leads the priesthood and is usually the most powerful figure within the tribe. Although they represent different aspects, the three head Takhil and their lessers all work in unison to complete their society.
To survive, all have to work together, and to strike out on your own is to fight against the natural order of the world. The individual is part of the whole, and that is as it should be. Therefore society is natural as well, rather than artificial. According to the Buyantu, all the other societies who do not live according to these teachings will live in debauchery and suffering. Thus contact with these other societies is considered perilous as one might become 'infected' with their 'corruption'.
The Buyantu are fond of rituals and there are different rituals for a variety of events such as, but not limited to: coming of age, marriage, "Esregan Khuyiz" gender change or before a raid. These rituals usually involve the participants being painted with goat blood in intricate patterns and they are often accompanied by the Buyantu's unique style of throat singing.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

Aigarn, Chabi, Kokachin, Torugrene, Solanqa

Masculine names

Berke, Atankay, Buqu, Chagetai, Koqetu, Ular, Uquna

To disregard one's role, is to blindly walk backwards.

— Buyantu proverb

Gender roles in Buyantu society

Because the Buyantu believe that the different genders are inherently more capable at certain professions, there are very clear gender roles within their society. The men are expected to perform all jobs that require physical exertion due to their stronger physique. This includes soldiering, tilling the land and construction work. The Khürmin are almost exclusively men.
The women on the other hand are expected to be the calmer judgement and the delicate artisans of the tribes. They are the jewelers, clothiers and teachers of the tribe. Being the teachers, also generally means that women are more likely to end up in the priesthood and leadership roles. Indeed the majority of leaders within the tribes are female, although it is an unisex role. The exception is the the Takhil Tsuran, who is traditionally always male.