Īkagh

The Īkagh are a tribe of desert dwellers who call the vast, sandy expanse of Shuri their home. A hardy and resourceful people, they are well-accustomed to the harsh conditions of the desert and skilled in the arts of survival.
Like most other regions adjacent, their society is divided into small, tight-knit tribal groups. Family and tradition are of crucially important to the Īkagh and there is a strong streak of conservatism within their culture, and their system of government.
The Īkagh speak the Alawaq language, a complex and nuanced tongue spoken primarily in the neighbouring nation of L'ai Alaq, although distinguish themselves from their brethren here, believing their culture far older and more impressive, and especially oppose the proposal of Nazhbehtaq rule, floated in recent years. But even prior to those upstarts, the two nations were at odds for centuries; skirmishes and casual raids across borders are not uncommon. Shuri has an additional grudge with Tifwa Akn, which bears similar consequences. One might say contention simply runs through their blood.
Be this as it may, the Īkagh do have allies: for one, the powerful Uvan Empire . This alliance has allowed the Īkagh to maintain their independence and protect their way of life given the promise of threat should Nazhbehtaq ambition seek to overturn the balance, but the demands of the Empire are always increasing, placing a strain on diplomats to explain to Shuri's nobles why ties must be preserved at any cost.
The Īkagh are known for their skill in the arts of war, and their warriors are feared and respected throughout the desert. They are also skilled traders, and their caravans can be found traveling the desert highways, bringing goods and trade to distant lands.