The Ethengar Khanates are a confederation of nomadic tribes that inhabit the vast, arid grasslands known as the Sea of Grass. Their culture is entirely centered around horsemanship and a nomadic lifestyle. The Ethengars are a fierce and warlike people, famous for their cavalry and guerrilla tactics. Though historically a collection of warring clans, they have been united under the rule of a single leader, the Golden Khan. The Golden Khan's court is a mobile city of pavilions and tents that moves twice a year between two designated sites, Chagon-Nah and Bargha. The Ethengar people are hardened by their extreme climate, which is characterized by hot, windy summers and long, freezing, and snowy winters.
The Ethengar people are a hardy folk, well-adapted to life on the open plains. Their appearance is influenced by their nomadic lifestyle and the harsh environment of the steppes. Their clothing is practical and designed for riding, often made of leather and felt to protect against the elements. They live in yurts, which are portable, round tents made of felt or hide, allowing them to move their entire settlement quickly. The landscape of their territory is a vast, mostly featureless plain, with some rivers and lakes that attract competing tribes for grazing lands. A notable landmark is the "Land of Black Sand," a blasted expanse of dark sand and rock, which is a burial ground for previous Great Khans.
Ethengar culture is deeply rooted in a nomadic, horse-based existence. The entire culture, from their food and drink to their military tactics, revolves around the horse. They are a deeply spiritual people, with shamans and clerics who revere both Immortals and animal spirits. Their society has a tradition of communal property, where possessions belong to the Khan and are given to his subjects for use on a yearly basis. This system means there is no private property and little internal theft. Men and women are both trained in archery and horsemanship, and women often handle trade. Their language is unique and unrelated to the tongues of their neighbors.
Ethengar society is organized into tribes, which are united under the rule of the Golden Khan. The Golden Khan directly controls his own tribe and an elite military force known as the Keshak. The other tribes are led by their own khans, who have sworn loyalty to the Golden Khan. Their society has few social classes, aside from the tribal warriors and the Keshak. Hakomons, who are magic-users, and shamans often leave their tribes to serve the Khans. A special class of scouts and spies, known as "brataks," are also an important part of their society.
The territory of the Ethengar Khanates is the "Sea of Grass," a massive grassland plateau bordered by mountains. The land is subject to extreme weather conditions. The borders of the Khanates are not formal or well-defined, and the nomadic nature of the tribes means they are constantly moving within their territory. They have no permanent cities, towns, or villages, with the only settlements being the mobile courts of the Golden Khan.
The primary resources of the Ethengar Khanates are their herds of yaks and horses, which provide them with food, drink (such as fermented mare's milk), and transportation. They are also masters of the land, using natural materials for their homes and clothing. While they do not engage in mining or large-scale agriculture, their mastery of their unique environment and their military prowess can be considered their greatest assets, often used to acquire goods from other nations.
The Ethengar military is composed almost entirely of cavalry, and they are considered to be the finest horsemen in the Known World. Their soldiers are highly skilled archers and lancers who fight from horseback with unparalleled speed and mobility. The Ethengar military does not use a traditional supply train; instead, soldiers carry dried food and can subsist on their horses' milk and blood if necessary. Their tactics are based on guerrilla warfare, including feigned retreats and ambushes. The Ethengars' use of psychological warfare is also a key part of their strategy, and they are known for their ruthlessness in combat. Their elite soldiers, the Keshak, are a highly disciplined force directly serving the Golden Khan.
How Ethengar Feels about Others:
Glantri: The Ethengars have a long history of conflict with the Principalities of Glantri, and a state of stalemate exists between the two nations. The Ethengars see Glantri as a rival, but they are wary of the Glantrians' magic.
Heldann Freeholds: The Ethengars have a history of conflict with the Heldannic people, and the Uighur tribe in particular longs for open warfare with them. They see the Heldanners as an enemy who has encroached on their territory.
Darokin: The Ethengars have some diplomatic and trade relations with the Grand Duchy of Darokin, but they often see the Darokin merchants as too focused on material wealth.
How Others Feel about Ethengar:
Darokin: Darokin merchants are wary of the Ethengars, but they recognize their strategic location and are willing to trade with them.
Glantri: The Glantrian mages view the Ethengars as a savage and untamed people. They are locked in a struggle of espionage and subversion with the Ethengar, with Glantrian magic pitted against Ethengar spies.
Heldann Freeholds: The Heldannic people view the Ethengars as a threat, with a history of conflict over land. They fear the Ethengar's skill as horsemen and their ruthless attacks.
The Ethengar Khanates have a reputation as a nation of fierce and savage horse warriors. Their military is feared throughout the Known World, known for its mobility, skill in archery, and ruthlessness. While they are often seen as primitive "barbarians" by outsiders due to their nomadic lifestyle, those who have dealt with the Golden Khan's court find it to be a more sophisticated and cunning society than its appearance would suggest. They are widely considered to be masters of their unforgiving homeland and a formidable military power.