Hortens Horse Hordes

Map

Map of claim along the River

Migrations

The Hortens migrated to Xanthea and the Luzum after migrating from the northern plains of Epona. They are linked linguistically to the Gondhavanat, and are thought to be a southern offshoot of the Gondhavanat. The Proto-Hortens are called the Karbapens, a semi-settled peoples who exhibit many cultural traits similar to other Gondhavanat groups, including mammoth-worship but had transitioned to a semi-settled, agrarian-pastoralist lifestyle.

The Karbapens uprooted their semi-settled lifestyle for unknown reasons to migrate south. Throughout their migration, they encountered different cultures, climates, geography, flora, and fauna. It’s thought that the Karbapens encountered horse domestication on this southward migration. Upon entering Xanthea, the Karbapens developed into the Hortens as they settled on the banks of the Luzum and intermingled with the local riverside cultures.

The Karbapens were a largely matriarchal society, with the tribes hailing their ancestry back to a legendary mother figure, dubbed the Linezold. The Linezold was accompanied by a paternal figure called the Zivold. Within the tribe there was always one Linezold and 1-3 or 4 Zivolds. The Linezold was the primary decision maker for the larger tribal unit and this position was strictly hereditary unless the current Linezold decided to appoint her successor, which would be seen as an adoption within her direct lineage. As the Karbapens uprooted their settled (or semi-settled) lifestyle and migrated south, for unknown reasons the Zivold position took increasing prominence in the external and internal decision making of the tribal units.

The Hortens continue this Zivold dominated political structure, with the Linezold title being largely forgotten apart from legendary stories or occasional mentions to the Zivold’s wife as a Linezold. The exception to this are the Anug, who are still dominated by the Zivold position but have maintained the Linezold as the title for the Zivold’s wife, with the expectation that she will have a hand in aiding the direction of the tribal units.

Way of life

The Hortens families are patriarchal with typically one wife. While the Zivold of the tribe may have more than one wife, within the Moraxl and the Kattarhal tribes, there is typically just one. While the Anug typically have one Zivold and one Linezold, there are periods fo time where there will be multiple Linezolds, with no clear explanation as to what drives there “fads.”

The Hortens are a majority settled, agrarian cultural group, wholly dependent on agriculture and planned, seasonal harvests of primarily sorghum.

Settlements along the Luzum make up the vast majority of the three cultural groups of the Hortens, the Moraxl, Kattarhal, and the Anug. Until recently, the Hortens were limited to numerous small hamlets or extended-family villages dotting a thin strip of land along the river Luzum. Cyclical, sometimes unexpected, flooding of the Luzum and its tributaries stimied attempts for large scale agriculture due to an inability to prevent the flooding of immature crops and the stability of riverside settlements. An intensification of irrigation efforts among larger Hortens settlements, partially in an attempt to prevent the flooding and drowning of immature plants, has allowed for a substantial increase in population and a consolidation of small settlements into fewer, more populous villages. While before the Hortens were primarily agricultural with their diet supplemented by horse slaughter and hunting, by this point the Hortens are largely agricultural in settled communities, with only the Anug continuing extensive pastoralism and limited irrigation.

As the Hortens population have consolidated into larger centers, the way this consolidation took place has differed among the different groups. The Moraxl have by far been the most successful of the three. Situated on the northern bank of the Luzum, the Moraxl by this point have several notable settlements including Alendr, Zola, Ibandr, Denosub, and Kinakals. These settlements are centered around large monuments serving practical, as well as religious, purposes: they are typically large, single or double roomed buildings which may serve as the site of religious ceremonies by the Sinnamit, gathering sites for religious festivals, storehouses for excess grain, and the place of residence for the Zivold political head. The Luzum also provides access to fishing which the Moraxl make use of.

The Kattarhal are similar to the Moraxl, with their settlements characterized by an increase in irrigation efforts, but their settlements have remained smaller with the consolidation of the population not happening as readily on the southern bank of the Luzum. Notable settlements include Flekainida, Ibutil, Dron, and Amiodarna. The Kattarhal are notable for extensive pottery production and artistry, with this period of the Hortens Kattarhal producing much more intricate designs and artwork on their pottery, ranging from geometric designs to depicting human and animal forms.

Finally, the Anug, on the southeastern-most bank of the Luzum, have adopted the fewest riparian advancements. Their settlements have remained numerous and small, and continue to rely on horse-herding and hunting as a necessity for their diet.

Resources

The Hortens subsist primarily on the cultivation of domesticated sorghum, river fish, and domesticated horses (for meat and horse-related dairy products). One of the initial population increases for the late Karbapens/early Hortens was the increased use of equine milk and dairy fitted into the Hortens diet. While the Kattarhal and Anug are not quite as successful regarding surplus agricultural production, the Moraxl have created extensive irrigation networks providing water for crops far out from the Luzum. As a result, the settlements of the Moraxl have instigated a rush of food allowing for some Moraxl Hortens to increasingly specialize away from agricultural cultivation. Pottery, copper craftsmanship into the development of tools for agriculture, building, and fishing for trade rather than sustenance have all increased substantially within the Moraxl at the time of Dawn.

Mineral resources are poor within the Hortens cultural range. The lands outside the Luzum are resource-poor in both mineral and agricultural wealth: irrigation networks have helped to solve the latter, but the former problem remains. Copper is the sole ore that, while still scarce along the Luzum, is used extensively within the three Hortens subgroups. Tools, jewerly, and even basic pieces of clothing representing armor (but used solely in religious purposes at this time) are fashioned from copper metal, with its use as a tool representing a great leap forward for the Hortens in terms of agricultural production and livestock movement.

Copper is used in all aspects of life, but its rarity poses a distinct problem for the Hortens. Copper deposits are not spread evenly along the Luzum. Certain Hortens tribes or settlements will have more copper than others which has strengthened trading links between Hortens settlements. At the moment, the Moraxl settlement of Ibandr has the most copper ore compared to Moraxl and Kattarhal settlements, while the southeastern Anug also sit on a deposit of copper ore but the extraction is limited compared to the more industrious Moraxl at Ibandr.

Obsidian is present not as an inherent resource along the Luzum, but as an acquired stone from trade networks to the west. While these trade networks are not at all sophisticated for large-scale transport of goods or dependence on outside sources, there do remain small, slow links between the riverside Hortens and the coastal civilizations of the west. From these trades obsidian has made its way to the Hortens, who universally revere it as a sacred stone.

Economy

Hortens villages and cities are primarily situated right on the Luzum riverbank. However, the recent agricultural innovations of the larger Moraxl settlements have allowed for irrigation canals to drive population expansion further and further from the river bank. The Kattarhal remain predominantly near the river, while the Anug vary as they are still reliant on their pastoralist nature.

Hortens houses are mud-brick, one-story, typically 1-3 room houses built in close proximity to one another. At the beginning of Dawn, these houses are built in “clumps” or housing complexes with no room for streets in between one another. They were built haphazardly and staggered in height, with wooden frames for support and small windows to keep out the heat of Xanthea. Hortens would work in the house, on the roof, on the streets in between the complexes making their jewerly, pottery, fashioning fishing nets or farming tools. The Hortens make use of an extensive array of farming tools including hoes and sickles, primarily made out of copper. While stone tools still are used in times of copper scarcity, the increased integration of the Anug in these early trade networks has allowed a more steady supply of copper to the copper-starved Moraxl (except for those at Ibandr). The relatively simple style of the Hortens mud-brick house has rapidly evolved with the urbanization of the settlements and people, and it is now common to find two story-homes, or one-story homes centered around a small courtyard, with increased sophistication on the planning of rooms and windows to ensure cool air from the river flowing throughout the home.

Universally throughout the culture, the Hortens have made use of symbols of ownership to signify who owns what when goods are stored in their vast, central storehouses. A clay pot or jar would had a thin, knotted rope tied around the neck, a lid placed on it, and a wet ball of clay impressed onto the knot. The wet ball of clay would then be pressed hard with a stone carved in some distinct shape or symbol that would signify an individual or a family. In this way, the Hortens villagers would be able to store their grain or other goods within a larger storehouse. While this practice developed when the Hortens were primarily pastoralist and would leave the settlement for long lengths of time, it remained through the urbanization of the people. At the present, it poses a distinct source of tension as the storehouses are typically also the palace of residence for the Zivold, and questions of ownership as the storehouses only grow in wealth has increased substantially with the growth of the city and responsibility of the Zivold.

Religion

In Hortens religion, the world is divided into three: the Upper world, Lower world, and Outer world. Hortens beliefs are tightly linked to the beliefs of the Karbapens prior to them, but seem to have been adjusted to the riparian, settled way of life into which the Hortens have transitioned. The three aspects of the world are tightly linked to the evolution of a river: the Upper World is associated with mountains, where spiritual forces and energies are at their strongest, as mountains are the meeting points between heaven and earth; the Lower World is linked to the rivers, flatlands, and highlands, with the rivers being the most important for humanity and seen as the lifeblood of spiritual energy through the mortal world; the Outer World is linked to the ocean, and is seen as unfit for human lifestyle and the residence of aspects, feelings, and skills antithetical to a proper way of life.

The Upper World

The Hortens view the sky as imbued with the highest power of spirituality, mysticism, and god-like beings, and the mountains as the transition from this ethereal state to the mortal world. Mountains are well-revered as they are also understood as being the source of life, their rivers. Due to their presence as a doorway to Vastatn, (closest translation would be heaven), mountains are also feared by the Moraxl and the Kattarhal as being too dangerous for mortals to live in. The Anug, however, generally view their position in the mountains as essential to living a spiritual, godly way of life. Gods are not seen as overlords of domains but rather as champions of a certain spiritual force or being. The Gods, also called Paroxl (closet translation would be hero, champion, and ideal), do not have a hierarchy and instead all share the same rank; however, the prominence of different Paroxl will depend on which tribe or group of Hortens you are looking. The following are some of the most commonly revered Paroxl among the Hortens:

Niovolin: Son of the creator god, Somvastatn, instrumental in creating the channels through which water flows. When Somvastatn created the Upper, Lower, and Outer worlds, it was Niovolin who carved out the channels stretching from the mountains to the ocean, creating a link between the three worlds through which one coild traverse or floor either to the Vastatn or the Outer world. He imbues his spirit into rivers, tributaries, streams, brooks, and any flowing body of water. He is held prominently in the Moraxl traditions, and is the most prominently revered Paroxl in the Moraxl. Sacrifices are made to him in addition to the local body of water, the reason for which the sacrifice is necessary, and any related Paroxl or forces.

Anakinr: “Blessed/Heavenly Woman”, the progenitor of mankind. Following Niovolin’s carving of the channels, Anakinr is generally seen as the god who populated and fertilized the lands. While in Karbapens she represented a general motherly figure, by the time of the Hortens she’s transition to a single individual who is seen as the mother of all mankind. All things related to human birth, growth, and development are linked to her. She is linked to rain but also to famine, as famine is seen in some Hortens cultures as the “rebirth of the strong.” Anakinr is not seen as causing famine, as that would more likely be the spirit Modafn and the god Kloponin, but she is seen as ensuring the survival of the strongest through and following it. She is also not linked to fertility outside of human fertility, as there are other Paroxl and forces that are worshipped for it.

Kloponin: Created by Samvastatn as a balance to his power, Kloponin is the representation of spiritual corruption or illness, and is also seen as the overlord of gates, doors, and other entrance/exit platforms. Evil spirits, omens, failures of transition, and the corruption of otherwise good people are all linked to him. However, the Hortens value transition stages highly. Kloponin represents the danger transition periods pose for the character of an individual, and how difficult or good times can fundamentally change the person. In this regard he is linked to all doors, gates, etc., and simultaneously inhabits the places where the Upper, Lower, and Outer world border one another.

Dezmedetem: “Warlord” of fire in the Karbapens mythology, he has transition to be a god of general warfare or conflict, with fire built for cooking meat or set in war camps or travel parties as the symbol most associated with him. It is important to note that he is not associated with all fire, so the fire used for roasting vegetables, warming homes, or baking was not associated with Dezmedetem, specifically only the fires for roasting meat or fires set in times of conflict.

The Lower World

The Lower World is the meeting point between the Upper World and the mortal world. As stated before, Mountains are seen as the transitory point between Vastatn and earth, with rivers channeling the energy throughout the world. The Lower World is shared between humans and offshoots of spiritual energy, whether it be the energy imbued by the Paroxl within certain objects, aspects of nature, seasons, or environmental systems, or spiritual creatures whose existence often revolves around directing humans in positive or negative ways.

The souls of the Hortens were believed to be everlasting barring extreme corruption of the spirit. Mortal life was seen as a preparation for spiritual life eternal, although whether spirits following death resided in the Upper World or were relegated to migrations throughout all three is unknown. However. Certain individuals known as Sinnamit who played a shamanic role in Hortens religion. Their souls were believed to be a combination of spiritual and mortal energies, imbued with the energies of many Paroxl to be given the power to walk all three realms at once. They also had the ability to speak to spirits, oversee rituals, and provide a link to the Worlds through prayer. The Sinnamit’s abilities to split their souls into essentially three can only occur through deep meditation and induces a trance-like state in the individual. When in this trance, the SInnamit could communicate with spirits, find lost souls wandering the Lower World and bring them to their place of burial, curse or remove curses, ward off mischief makers of Kloponin, and heal. Sinnamit act as spiritual leaders, healers, and important members of the community. They were chosen based on peculiarities of their body or their birth, including: pale skin, born or growing white hair, additional fingers, unique eye volors, and birth with a caul. The caulbearer was typically seen as the most sought after Sinnamit.

After death, the body would be buried by or near the bank of a river, strem, or other flowing body of water, with their feet pointing to said body.

Outer World

The Outer World is synonymous with the ocean for the Hortens, and goes by many names. The Moraxl use Rosvastatn, the Kattarhal called it either the Rosvastatn, Bevakiz (synonymous with ill omens), or the Uarafr, and the Anug call it the Bevakiz. The Outer World is seen in several aspects: it is a source of evil energies and lifestyles, a place of spiritual temptation, and an opportunity for betterment and transformation for those who attempt to pass through it and back.

Research

The Hortens are primarily agrarian and settled, with only a small subset still using pastoralism to supplement their diets. They still maintain their use of horses as food and occasional riding for longer distances, but primarily they are a settled and agrarian peoples.

Starting Technologies

The Hortens have adopted extensive agrarian practices as they have entered and settled the Luzum River Valley. They have maintained their domestication of the horse but have also developed methods of controlling the river's unpredictable flooding.

Key Tech: Hand-Ard Plow

The back-breaking work that was Hortens agriculture has been substantially improved with advancements in cultivation tools. Developed from the hoe, the ard currently is restricted to use along irrigated canals as its long, narrow body is unoptimized for more difficult terrain. Nevertheless, it has been a boon for agricultural production and cultivation along the Luzum, in particular for the Moraxl that have made the most use.

Major Tech 1: Granaries

Old storehouses used by Hortens pastoralists have evolved into large chambers for the storage of grain, meat, and other goods in a communal, central building. This building has evolved to be the place of residence for the Zivold as well as an area for religious rites and ceremony, but its original purpose remains: the central storage of food.

Major Tech 2: Intercropping

The advancements in cultivation by the Hortens has rapidly allowed the most prominent adopters of innovative technologies to produce in increasing surplus. Sorghum, the primary crop planted and used by the Hortens, is now commonly planted among chia, hemp, sunflowers, and even cotton, depending on the farm in question. Improved ploughing techniques, tools, and understanding and control of the river has allowed increased variety and robustness of Hortens agriculture.

Welcome and Embrace the Coming Dawn!