Ere Olque

This semi permanent settlement is used by the tribes of the Hgtoha to shelter from the worst of the winter. It stands near empty for much of the year, and is usually only occupied for a couple of months of the year.

Government

There is a long standing agreement between the tribes around how Ere Olque is managed. A council of powerful shamans spend the whole year here. These shamans have a great deal of knowledge that is well repected amongst the tribes, but since they are no longer able to keep up with their tribes, having them here helps everyone. The shamans can come from any tribe and species has proved no barrier to being asked to join. In the same way the warriors place more importance on strength and victory than species, the shamans place more importance on wisdom and power.
The shamans keep watch on Ere Olque and arrange for some basic maintenance of the structures. They gather workers and supplies from those who travel to Ere Olque to seek their wisdom.
During the coldest of the winter months many of the tribes travel here to seek shelter. The shamans oversee the test of who will be admited, and collect the tithe for entering. When the tribes are assembled the shamans keep an eye out for trouble and decide any punishments necessary for breaches of the peace. For the most part the tribes remain in areas they have claimed for generations and don't stray too far so there is usually relatively little trouble. If one tribe should cause a disturbance or attack another then the shamans can call on all the other tribes to deal with the rule breakers.

Defences

Ere Olque is built to protect from the weather rather than attack, and the occupants would have difficulty remaining behind defences even if there were any. It's greatest defence when it is fully occupied is the sheer number of warriors that would be unleashed if anyone was foolish enough to attack it.
When it isn't fully in use, a small contingent of guards is drawn from the tribes who have a shaman in residence. This duty is seen as a great honour and many chieftains have taken on this duty prior to taking on the responsibility of leading their tribe. Normally though they are only called on to drive away the occasional beast, as the shamans keep an eye on any large force approaching and will either call in some tribes to help or deal with it through magical means.

Infrastructure

Most of Ere Olque consists of the small domes favoured by the Hgtoha. Wide gaps separate clusters of the domes. Each of the groups of domes is raised up about 2 foot above the gaps. Each tribe claims one of the clusters and the separation helps to keep trouble to a minimum. Withing each cluster is spce set aside for storing the tribe's supplies and the larger clusters have space for any animals the tribe brings with them.
Walls are placed at key points to help act as windbreaks, though the entire settlement is built to be as out of the prevailing winds as possible.

Location under

Savage Lands

The laws of Ere Olque are fairly simple:

• Don't attack another tribe.
• Don't start any fights.
• Don't damage any buildings.
• Don't damage any supplies.
• Don't steal.

Entering Ere Olque

Admittance to the settlement must be earned by each tribe, with the final decision resting with the shamans that oversee it. For most a trial by combat will be used, where warriors of the tribe will have to face champions chosen by the Shamans in a fist fight or wrestling match. Tribes can avoid this trial if they have performed some great deed in the previous year and already demonstrated their strength.