Hirka

The average Hirkan is happy to roam the Tarvo Forest wearing the hides and furs from their successful hunts. They are happy to live peacefully, mostly in balance with nature. They are migratory, only coming together to trade with other Hirkan tribes. This trade usually takes place in their one permanent settlement. Kanea. While some of the tribes will fight each other, Kanea is a place of peace. No honorable Hirkan would dare disrupt the peace there, and a tribe would outcast any who dishonors themselves is such a way.

Outside of their lands, they are seen as barbarians or thieves. Their concept of ownership does not match the thoughts of other countries, and often leads to these misconceptions. They believe you can only own what you carry, and the rest is property of the tribe or whoever takes it. Anything not needed is left for those who may need it.

Each Hirkan has but one name and sometimes they may run into another of the same name. However by the time the Hirkan reaches maturity, they will have been given a title that fits their actions and deeds thus far. Rarely this can be changed later in life. Some titles might include “The Stern”, “The Butcher”, or “The Fleet”.

Their migrations take them south in the summer and north as winter freezes the south. They follow the herds of snow elk, as they rely on them for their survival though they will sometimes also hunt seals, wolves, and bears. Rarely they will take to fishing, as access to shores usually mean passing through territories rife with the Vashimi or Tarvoni. Some brave the tundra, however, to fish on the icy sea shores.

The history of the Hirkans is a brutal one. Once one people with different specializations based on a chosen animal totem, all followed the Umarran Spirits. However, some of the specialized groups felt they were superior to the others. Infighting between the groups broke out. These separate groups, called Braisla in the Hirkan tongue, each went their own way.

Some of the Braisla gave up the worship of the Umarran Spirits. All ended up hating and fearing outsiders from other Braisla. Constant battles between the Braisla helped keep the Hirkan population from exploding. The dangers of the forest did the rest of the damage. Things seemed like they would never change, until the arrival of Agonish explorers.

They were outsiders that were far more different to the Hirkan people than each other. One Hirkan, known as Hirka the Weak, called for a great meeting of all the Braisla to discuss the new threat to their way of life. The place where the Braisla met was to eventually become know as Kanea. Hirka the Weak became known as Hirka the Wise. In modern days, every Braisla claims that Hirka the Wise came from their group. All the people claim him as the progenitor of their way of life and call themselves his follower and his people.

Hirka the Wise united the Hirkan people in their desire to drive away the Agonish people. The laws Hirka set down at that meeting are held as the highest code of honor the Hirkan people will observe. They included the rule of peace within the town of Kanea. While the Braisla do not agree on much, they all came together on their code of honor. The laws of Hirka come first, and a Hirkan in good standing will do any act, no matter how otherwise dishonorable, to honor those laws.

The Braisla that worship the Umarran Spirits honor the words of the spirits as a close second. The word and bond to those within your Braisla are the next level a Hirkan will follow. Just below that is their word and bond to a Hirkan from a different Braisla. Finally comes their word of honor to an outsider. A Hirkan in good standing will never break his word of honor unless a higher word of honor overrides it.

This does not stop conflicts between the Braisla, especially between those who worship the spirits and those who do not. However, it rarely is as deadly a conflict as it had been in the past. The common enemy of outsiders such as the Agonish and the Tarvoni give the Hirkans reason to work out their differences at Kanea rather than to kill each other.

Some of the major Braisla include:

Braisla of the Bear – The bear tribe wears the white fur of the Hirkan Bear. They focus on brute strength. The final trial of a warrior of this group is to slay a Hirkan Bear in a solo hunt, take its pelt, and wear that trophy of their first kill always.

Braisla of the Boar – This group prides themselves on their single minded determination to win a fight. They claim the single minded fury of the boar and will refuse to surrender. They fight to the death. Even in situations that they know they can not survive, they will fight to do as much damage as possible before they are taken down. As stubborn as their totem animal, they refuse to worship the Umarran Spirits.

Braisla of the Hawk – They see themselves are the greatest in vision. They have a greater than normal number of shamans.

Braisla of the Ox – The largest of the tribes, this group works hard. They haul a great many hides and meats with them for trade at Kanea. They may have named themselves for a beast of burden, but like the ox they are deadly when aroused to anger. Their way of life, saving battle for when it is needed, is seen as a major reason they have grown larger than the other tribes.

Braisla of the Rabbit – Masters of stealth, they avoid conflict and are rarely encountered. They avoid other Braisla as well, even when they are called to defend the land. They only join such actions when the Umarran Spirits tell them to.

Braisla of the Seal – Often considered to be quite mad by the other Hirkans. They embrace the cold, especially the freezing waters near the Tundra. They are excellent swimmers and fishers.

Braisla of the Serpent – They prefer quick strikes, then to retreat and let the deadly poison they use do their work.

Braisla of the Spider – Prefer ranged attacks and traps. Entering a Spider encampment is a good way to find oneself snared in dozens of insidious traps. This skill also goes a long way to this Braisla’s exceptional haul in hunting.

Braisla of the Stag – The greatest raiders of the Hirkans, this tribe prides itself on speed. Like the Serpent Braisla, they strike quick and fade away. However, the tactics of the Stag are to strike multiple times from different directions in lightning quick attacks.

Braisla of the Matriarch – This tribe has a good relationship with the Silverleaf Cult of Tarvon. They do not worship the Umarran Spirits.

Braisla of the Wolf – Secret alliance with the lycanthropes. They technically worship the Umarran Spirits, but most are not strongly religious about it. They are the greatest trackers of the Hirkans.

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