Cultural Studies: Magnia (The Five Tribes)
Celdos reveal, your grace.
In the past, we spoke of the Magnian heartlands and those that populated it - the Three Men. Those were the founding peoples of the Sun Empire and often what one would consider to be called ‘Magnians’.
What remains are the Five Tribes. These are peoples absorbed into the Empire over its thousand year history, some by the sword and others by words.
First were the Rodzha, the people of the Shadowed Glens. They live near to the Basilica of Starless Night, the dark sibling to the Cathedral of Resplendent Dawn. Its corruption poisoned the minds of the Counts and lead them to war with the Empire. Bitter fought, they were brought into the Empire by force of arms. Even before then, imperial influence proceeded conquest and the Rodzha are not so different from the Three Men.
Next are the Dheikara, dwellers upon the river that runs from the Deep-Root Mountains and empties into Soul Lake. Traditionally this tribe is split into two – the Sky and Earth peoples. They dwelt in earth lodges upon the Thundering Plains, and continue this practice into the current day. Surrounded by hostile nomads, they were glad at offers to join the empire and some of their number even rose to the office of Emperor.
Two great tribes of nomads populate the Thundering Plains – the Zolkha and the Omark. Both are born horselords, and make for the finest cavalry upon the continent.
The Zolkha are Green mages who tend great herds of sheep. Their skill at bow and arrow in the saddle is unmatched, and swifter riders are not to be found. Rarely a powerful warlord will bind them into a great horde that gives even great kings and emperors pause.
The Omark, meanwhile, are masters of Spirit who hunt herds of bison. But it is their art of dragon slaying that earns them their renown and their horses are the only ones on the continent that will not balk at the scent of a dragon. It is said that Magnian knightly combat began with the shock cavalry of the Omark.
Last of the five tribes are the Ossab, who dwell as nomads the forests that grow in the shadow of the Deep-Root Mountains. Only briefly did they live under the Empire and even during that time they remained elusive. Even now, they cleave to the old ways and care not for the greater world – a disinterest that the world returns to them.
Celdos guide you.
- The Grand Sage
