Overview
A largely patriarchal society, bound by class between a ruling 'Pure Horse People' class and a serving 'Vendref' class. Despite the Patriarchy, supreme authority rests in a Matrilineal Queen, whose successor is chosen from amongst her daughters (physical or adopted).
Political Situation/Current Ruler
The Ruler of the Grazelands is the Feathered Horse Queen. She acts as High Priestess of the Earth for both Pure Horse People and Vendref (see later), and is generally adored. The Current FHQ is called 'Reaches All', and is the daughter of the previous Feathered Horse Queen and a King of Tarsh, making her half-sister of King Pharandros. She became Queen on the death of her mother during the Dragonrise.
The Luminous Stallion King is leader of the Pure Horse People, deferring to the Feathered Horse Queen. He is Chief Sun Priest, Warleader, and Chief Judge of the Pure Horse People.
Traditionally, the Grazelands have been allied with the Lunar Empire, but this police was reversed after the Dragonrise, and currently things are much more fluid.
Culture
There are two primary cultures within the grazelands
- The Pure Horse People (or Grazelanders)
- The Vendref (or land-bound workers, of Orlanthi origin)
The Pure Horse People
These are the descendants of nomads who ruled to the north, in the lands of Pent, which are now part of the heartland of the Lunar Empire, back in the Dawn times. They are tall, often blonde (a minority have black, brown, or reddish hair), and often tattooed with their runes, clan markings, and signs of their Gods. They are classically aloof, traditionalist, arrogant, and contemptuous of those they call 'Ground People'- Farmers, and those who herd livestock other than horses. Their two occupations are riders and priests. Anything else is below them.
The Vendref
No mere serfs, these are land bonded agricultural workers, craftsmen, scribes and so on. Many amongst them are adroit at getting and keeping wealth (which the Pure Horse People tend to view as beneath them) and they can keep half of what they earn. They cannot be bought or sold, have been known to move en masse, and have been known to buy their own freedom or join armies (either their overlords, or those of invaders, depending on how they have been treated). They typically are of Orlanthi origin.
Dominant Cults/SubCults/Represented Species
The Pure Horse people worship an ancient Fire/Sky pantheon, headed by Yelm (whom they call Yu-Kargzant the Sun Horse). Arandayla the Horse Goddess is beloved by all Pure Horse People and Hyalor the Rider is revered as the first king of the people at the Dawn (Culture Hero).
The Earth goddesses have great authority in the Grazelands. The Feathered Horse Queen incarnates imposing Earth powers for her worshipers and is the embodiment of sovereignty for all Dragon Pass. Her goddess has many names: she is called Ernalda by the Orlanthi and La-ungariant by the Pure Horse People amongst others. She is also considered the current incarnation of Sorana Tor, the divine priestess of Kero Fin.
The vendref worship Ernalda and Barntar, as well as Maran Gor. Issaries, often called Kanestal the Counter, is a popular cult in the market towns, and Lhankor Mhy scribes serve the Pure Horse People rulers. A local subcult of Humakt, founded by the hero Hiia Swordsman, serves as the bodyguards of the Feathered Horse Queen.
Climate
Located in the rain shadow of the Western Rockwoods, the Skyreach Mountains, and the Hydra Hills, the Grazelands are the driest region of Dragon Pass, although still significantly wetter than Prax. Temperatures range from an Average of 35c daytime in Fire Season, through to -1c in Dark Season, with night temperatures ranging between and average of 21c in Fire Season and -5c in Dark Season
Notable Locations
Black Horse County
- The land of the Hero Sir Ethilrist, whose men ride strange black horse-like-creatures.
Golden Horse Valley
- The Heart of the Grazelands. It contain Queen's Post, a small city under the control of the Queen (duh!), and Portran, a ruin of the Empire of the Wyrm Friends, avoided by the Pure Horse People.
Hiia's Valley
- Mostly agricultural. It contains the Smoking Ruins, a ruined hill fort, permanently wreathed in smoke from a smouldering heap of troll corpses which has been burning for the last 4 centuries.
High Meadow
- Reserved for the Pure Horse People. Above it lies Green Dragon Vale, a valley inhabited by a True Dragon. Although mostly covered by soil and vegetation, the outline is unmistakable.
Mare Graze Vale
- Mostly reserved for the Pure Horse People, but there are some Vendref villages. Contains North Point, a small city, where trade with the Lunar Empire occurs.
Seven Foals Vale
Mostly reserved for the Pure Horse People, but there are some Vendref villages. Contains Rich Point, a small city with strong cultural ties to Esrolia, and grown rich as a waystation on the trade routes from Tarsh to Esrolia.
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