Hungarians/Magyars
The Hungarians are a steppe people from central Asia who have moved into the Carpathian basin in eastern Europe. Their raids applied pressure on central Europe from the east and southeast. Renowned for their horsemanship their lightning raids were difficult to stop. In a pitched battle, the more heavily armed knights of Europe would usually win, but the Hungarians rarely fought pitched battles, preferring to use the greater reach of the bows and the greater speed of their horses to outflank and outmaneuver their enemies. A favorite tactic of the Hungarians was the fake rout, where they would pretend to be routed by the enemy and flee the field of battle. When the enemy pursued (usually breaking ranks in their hot pursuit of an enemy that they believe was on the verge of being destroyed), the Hungarians would immediately turn and counterattack. With their own highly disciplined troops they would then destroy their disorganized and overconfident pursuers. The knights of central Europe began winning important battles against the Hungarians in the late 900's by maintaining very strict battlefield discipline.
Hungarian warriors were disciplined horsemen who wore lamellar armor and used reflex bows and sabers (the saber is a signature Hungarian weapon).
They maintained settlements in Carpathia (modern Hungary) where crops were grown. It is believed that they were semi-nomadic and moved back and forth between semi-permanent settlements. Hungarian raiders took captives and sold them into slavery further east as a way to make money. Slaves were used in their own settlements but it is not known to what degree their economy was based upon slave labor.
Culture
Average technological level
Basic iron forging, they are capable of producing low-grade steels. They are able to create high-quality composite bows using horn and sinew (Hungarian bows are among the best in Europe). They are fairly advanced with animal husbandry and agriculture. They are semi-nomadic but maintain fields that yield crops, rotating between fields and locations at different times of the year.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Men displayed wealth with jewels on their hilts and scabbards and silver and gold ornaments on their belt and pants. NO accessories are worn above the waist except for earrings (necklaces, etc. would interfere with shooting arrows while riding). Women wore elaborate headdresses and jewelry.
Gender Ideals
Men were warriors, merchants, etc. Women gathered crops, made clothing, etc. Women were subservient to men in all things. Because of these gender ideals, the Hungarians are especially antagonistic toward the Centurions. They see the Centurions as opposing the natural order of things and disrespecting the gods because of the respect and equality that they accord to women.
Courtship Ideals
Kidnapping the bride was common, both as a stylized part of a traditional marriage (where the parents of the bride know that it is going to happen and pretend to resist) and as a forced marriage ceremony against the wishes of the bride's parents.
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