Category Archives: Balazarings

Votanki vs Balazaring

Background, Balazarings, Setting

There are two phrases which pertain to the hunters of the elder wilds, Votanki and Balazarings. The term Votank comes from the children Votank the ancestor who survived the Darkness and taught his children the ways of life.

The term Balazaring generally refers to people who dwell in the kingdoms of Balazar which was created for the humans of the Elder Wilds towards the end of the second age. Often these terms are used interchangeably but they have actually come to refer to two subtly different groups.

The foundation of the kingdom of Balazar brought change to the humans of the Elder Wilds,

  • the importance of the Clan was challenged by the importance of the tribe
  • domesticated animals (pigs) were brought to the area
  • foreign Gods were now worshipped
  • Dynastic leadership was introduced
  • Metal was sought and used on a much larger scale
  • Permanent dwellings were built
  • A professional a warrior cast started to exists

For some hunters this was progress for others it was affront to the ways of Votank that had been passed down via the ancestors. The humans in the Elder Wilds split, those happy with Balazar and his ways who have been called Balazarings since and those who wanted to maintain the ways of Votank who kept the title of Votanki.

The Balazarings gathered around the citadels and the central areas of Balazar. The Votanki removed themselves and hunted the wilder places, the fringes and the Elder Wilds proper. Votanki Clans can be found on the Redlands borders,  in woods and hills in the pent borderlands, in the less dangerous areas of the Elder Wilds and the fringes of Balazar.

Over the years the numbers of Votanki know of by the Balazarings dropped significantly some were killed by the elder races, some starved, other drifted too far away, some just retreated into their hunting grounds and never interacted with other Clans.

However since the Lunar Empires  invasion of Elkoi and the arrival of Lightbringers in Balazar, a new  Votanki movement has sprung up, clans have pulled away from the citadels, forgotten Votanki clans have moved back towards Balazar and Namara is leading a tradition of shamans exposing a Votanki philosophy.

A table showing some of the differences between Balazarings and Votanki

Balazaring Votanki
Affiliation Clan and Tribe Clan Only
Foreign Gods Yelmalio, Balazar, Seven Mothers, Lightbringers None
Use of Metal When Possible No
Eats domestic animals Will trade for Will avoid
Clan Leadership Council & chief Council
Clan Totem Animals, Plan, ancestor Animal, plants, ancestor, nature spirit, elemental
Worships Gods Yes No
Hereditary Leadership Sometimes Never
Permanent Dwellings Sometimes Never
Trade with foreigners Yes No

The Clans of Balazar

Background, Balazarings, Setting

stream picThe Clan is the key social unit of Balazaring society. Clans are comprised of numerous family groups called hearths, which often have close extended family ties to each other. A clan is governed by a  council of 5 to 11 elders.

Clans average 420 people but can be as small as 200 or the citadel clans can be up to 1500 members in size. With an average clan size being 420 people and there being 130,000 humans in the Elder wilds this means there are roughly 310 different clans of humans including the three citadel clans.

The clans do come together to form the three Tribes of Balazar. A clans allegiance to a tribe is earned and not deserved, but there are many Clans who have been part of the same tribe since the three tribes formed.

However other tribes move allegiance between tribes regularly, others move between being part a tribe and  being independent, and some have always remained independent from the tribes as a matter of choice.

The current splits is as below;

Citadel

Elkoi
Clans

 Trilus
Clans		 Dykene
Clans		 Independent
Clans		 Votanki
Clans

Total
Firmly Associated 16 34 24
Moderately Associated 18 26 27
Loosely Associated 12 32 14
Total 46 92 65 68 39 310
Approx population 19320 38640 27300 28560 16380 130200

A firmly associated clan is fully committed to its tribe and its tribes current leaders. They respond positively to requests from tribal king, support tribal raids, hunts and initiatives. They will respond positively to other clans in the same tribe. They tend to be have hunting lands close to the citadels, visits their citadel often and have close ties between clan and tribe leaders.

A moderately associated clan is comfortable with its role in the tribe, but any not have close ties with the current king of Dynasty. It will make sure they do not upset the King or other clans in the tribe.  Responses will be varied, and clan issues are much more important than tribe issues. They usually have hunting lands further removed from the citadels, and ask for aid from Citadel warriors much less frequently.

Loosely associated clans have little interest in the tribe at all, but are not willing to take the risks needed to  leave the tribe and sever ties with the king. The try to isolate themselves from the affairs of the tribe as much as possible. This tends to be for reasons of geography, decisions of the clan elders or incompetence of the current King.

Independent clans are clans which have been part of a tribe before but currently have broken all ties with tribes and are self governing. they share very similar culture and outlook as clans in tribes and tend to be related within Balazar proper.

Votanki clans tend are independent and have never been part of tribe. They are much more conservative that the other clans and reject the tribal system and the worship of foreign Gods just as Yelmalio and Balazar. They are situated on the fringes of Balazar, across the Dangerground and towards the northwest of the Elder Wilds.

Namara, High Shaman of the Old Ways

Balazarings, NPC's

namara_picRunes: Spirit, Stasis, Disorder
Threat Level *****
Traits: Brilliant, Driven, Fearless, Pious, Stubborn

This female shaman is a former apprentice and lover of Blueface. Slight and wiry, she would be beautiful but is dirty and very unkempt. She has lost one eye, it is rumoured she plucked it out to gain further spiritual understanding.

Raised in the Dusk Owl  Clan a Votanki Clan living on the shore of the Elf Sea at the north end of the Dangerground.  She was always seen as touched by the ancestors and started her apprentice training at the age of 9, at the age of 13 Blueface came for her and assume the role of her mentor, by the age of 16 she was also his lover.

She was his muse for the next ten years, constant companions in there exploration of the spirit world. Then one day he was gone, no explanation, no goodbye, nothing. A hole in her life which had previously been  filled by the great shaman.

She was tormented by what she had done to drive him away, and decided she had not been a good enough shaman, she was impure, compromised, unclean.  The spirits need purity, conviction, single mindedness. Maybe if she achieved that Blueface would come back to her.

She has since started to violently oppose new Gods polluting Balazar and is antagonistic to all foreign cults (including Yelmalio). She has been outlawed from all three citadels for different attacks on foreign cultists, including an assault on Dushi Sone. It is perceived by many that she is still under Blueface’s protection; he has done nothing to confirm or deny this. If she hadn’t been she would have probably been executed for the assault on Dushi Sone.

Namara is so engulfed by her beliefs that she lies on the edge of madness but still she has a considerable following amongst many of the more conservative and independent tribes of Balazar and could raise a fair sized raiding party if needed.

She wields the heart of the forest, an ancient staff made from a bough one of the Aldyrami  Great Trees of the Elder Wilds. This makes her a mortal enemy of Trolls, elves and dwarves.

She has a great passion for the religions and legends of Balazar, and she is currently searching the Elders wilds for Frishnas Pillars in a quest to free the native fire spirit.

Plot Uses:

  • Namara is an adversary to all but Votanki and conservative hunters, she will stir up clans, rouse troubled ancestors and accuse the most innocent of foreigners of vile deeds.
  • Marusa will seek to aid Namara, hopefully without her knowledge, the players could be sent to secretly protect her from a threat the Lunars anticipate.
  • The players learn that Namara is planning to sacrifice one of King Yalarings children to bring back Frishna, they must thwart her plans by negotiation or force in necessary
  • Someone wants the Heart of the forest, retrieve it for them.

Garnst the Chaos Tracker

Balazarings, NPC's

garnst_picInitiate of Foundchild
Runes: Movement, Air, Death
Threat Level ****
Traits : Quiet, formal, kind, introvert, stubborn, occasional outbursts of pathological rage and violence

Garnst is a Balazaring Hunter Tribesman, formerly of the Blood Viper Clan of Trilus. He stalks Balazar bringing warning of chaos threats, leads hearths away from it and guides parties to raid against it. He has been doing so for 6 years, though he is only in his mid 20’s.

He is of medium build, graceful, and fair features, though often has a distant look in his eyes.

He is well regarded hunter, brilliant tracker and competent fighter, who fights with hatchet and long knife. He is thought to be one of the most knowledgeable men in Balazar regarding chaos and its incarnations in the Elder Wilds.

People like and appreciate but don’t trust him. As he has be known to slay people out of hand it he believes they are tainted by chaos.

He is an orphan and has no close family, he doesn’t stay with his home clan, who say little about him, but seem sorrowful when his name is mentioned. Rumours are that he and his mother were captured by broos as a child, but few can or will tell the whole story.

His only close friend is Cela a childhood companion who being mentored by Dushi Sone at the Lightbringers Hall, it’s a deeply affectionate but troubled and difficult friendship. Which seems to verge on awkward and unfulfilled relationship.  Neither has been known to have romantic involvements elsewhere. Garnst will be very violent towards anyone who endangers or gets to close to Cela.

A number of the Orlanthi have tried to befriend Garnst,  but he always is polite but distant and heads back out into the wilds on his own to keep his solitude.

Deeper Background:

At the age of six Garnsts mother managed to hide him seconds before she was captured by a number of Broo Raiders. The child Garnst watched his mother raped by the foul beasts from his hiding place. Traumatised he lay silent as he watched as his mother lay in her blood, left to suffer the consequences. He also watched as his father found his mother, wept profusely and then slit her throat out of mercy. He then watched his father slit his own throat in remorse. It was three days before his clan found him.

He was raised by relatives but was very disturbed and violent child and was asked to leave his clan at the age of 14.

Unknown to Garnst he has always been blessed by Blueface the Shaman. Blueface used incantations  to hide him on the day of the broo raid. Blueface has sent spirits to watch over him, Blueface has guarded his soul from inner demons.  Blueface has palmed of numerous spirit charms onto his person over the years. Garnst is never aware of meeting Blueface the shaman

Plot uses:

  • Garnst can be used to introduce any number of Chaos beasty over the hill plots
  • He can be used as resource to get players to any chaos creature or site they want to track down
  • Dushi Sone may ask players to track him down if he has been gone too long
  • Blueface may manipulate the players to help Garnst
  • He also can be used to examine the personal cost and the horror of fighting chaos
  • Also Garnst maybe the subject of a get the uptight nice guy chilled, relaxed and happy subplot

New Balazaring Rumors List

Background, Balazarings, Setting

fire lake pic

Griffin Mountain isn’t  Griffin Mountain without a rumours list, so here as list for the new campaign, the 2nd line in italics shows the likely source of the rumour.

1. The Lunars will be bringing a group of Broo Soldiers to Elkoi – False
Balzaaring Hunters, Trilus, Dykene, Orlanthi
2. There are more great artefacts hidden in the Elder Wilds – True
Religious Leaders, Orlanthi, Traders
3. The Vampire of Gorks Hills has been sighted after 80 years- Partial
Trolls, Troll fiends, Orlanthi, Votanki Hunter, Traders
4. Dragonewts are scouting Balazar under false pretences – True
Balazaring hunters, Dykene, Shamans
5. Troll numbers are growing the Elder wilds – Meaningless
Balazaring Hunters, All Citadels
6. Increased numbers of refuges from Satar and the Empire suggest troubled times are ahead – Meaningless
Balazaring Hunters, All Citadels
7. The Lunar command is split about pushing deeper into Balazar – Partial
Elkoi, Trilus, Associated clans
8. There is a massive troll temple complex at the heart of the Troll Hills – True
Trolls, Troll friend, Traders ,Votanki Hunters, Dykene, Orlanthi
9. The forest are on the move – Partial
Orlanthi, Votanki Hunters, Dykene, Trilus, Balazaring Hunters
10. Elves have been seen crossing the Elf Sea– False
Anyone
11. You can stop broos from breeding by killing all the local goats – False
Balazaring Hunters, Citadels
12. The Griffins are demanding the heads of those who raided their mountain –True
Dykene, Balazaring Hunters, Traders, Orlanthi
13. The baboons of the Elder Wilds are tainted with chaos – False
Balazaring Hunters, Citadels
14. A bounty has been put on the head of all baboons – True
Balazaring Hunters, Citadels
15. The Lunar Empire have put a bounty on the head of all baboons – False
Balazaring Hunters, Citadels
16. Foreign Orlanthi are planning raids against Elkio – Partial
Elkoi, Trilus, Dykene, Balazaring Hunter, Lunars, Lunar High Command, Traders
17. Both the Orlanthi and the Lunars are desperate to know where the Windsword is – Partial
Citadels, Hunters
18. A large party of tusk riders is heading up from dragon pass into Elkoi lands – True
Elkoi, Elkoi Clans, Balazaring Clans, Orlanthi, Traders
19. Orlanthi are planning on taking over the Citadel of Dykene – False
Trilus, Dykene, Elkoi, Balazaring Clans
20. The Lunars poisoned their own Priestess Electora Kindtounge – Rumour
Elkoi, Traders, Trilus, Orlanthi, Lunars
21. Relics of the Empire of Wyrms friends can be found within the Elder Wilds – True
Orlanthi, Traders, Sages, Religious Leaders, Shamans
22. The Lunars in Trilus are all Lunar spies and plotting invasion – False
Trilus, Dykene, Elkoi, Orlanthi, Balazaring Hunters
23. The Yelmalio temple moved to Dykene because the Lunars threatened the priests – Partial
Dykene, Yelmalions, Religious Leaders, Trilus
24. Now the Windsword has been found the Orlanthi will leave Trilus – False
Dykene, Elkoi, Hunters, Traders
25. Some tribes from Elmwood have abandoned the citadel of Elkoi – True
Elkoi, Trilus, Hunters, Dykene
26. Broos are mating with dinosaurs at Festering Island – False
Hunters, Lunars, All Citadels, Drunkards, Idiots
27. Wind child scouts have been chased away from Griffin Mountain by the Griffins – True
Dykene, Yelmalions, Votanki,Orlanthi, Elves
28. The Elf sea is shrinking ever year– False
Hunters
29. Pentian scouting parties have been seen in the Elder Wilds – False
Hunters, All Citadels
30. Something is stopping trolls moving into Balazar in numbers – False
Dykene, Trilus, Hunters
31. There are a number of Votanki Clans in and around the Elder Wilds – True
Hunters, Orlanthi, Traders
32. The presence of farming in Balazar is going turn the animals spirits against the hunters – False
Shamans, Hunters, Dykene
33. Undead have started to be seen in eastern Dykene Lands – True
Dykene, Hunters
34. Ruins dating from the Empire of Wryms friends can be found deep in the Eloring wilds – True
Orlanthi, Traders, Sages, Religious Leaders, Shamans
35. Fugitives from the south are travelling through GonOrtas pass in greater numbers than ever before- True
Traders, Orlanthi, Dykene, Trilus
36. Festering Isle is a pit that keeps spitting out chaos and will never be controlled – Partial
Trilus, Hunters, Orlanthi, Yelmalions
37. All merchants passing into the Elder Wilds are ogres on their way to chaos grounds – False
Hunters, All Citadels
38. Metal armour is offensive to nature and animal spirits – False
Shamans, Votanki Hunters
39. Local shamans are forming an alliance to push all foreign gods out of Balazar – Partial
Shamans, Hunters, Dykene
40. Three giant corpses have been found in the Dangerground – True
Orlanthi, Hunters, Dykene, Trilus, Traders
41. The wielder of Windsword is coming back to conqueror Balazar – Partial
Trilus, Dykene, Elkoi, Hunters, Lunars
42. Troll caravans travel to GonaOrtas castle and then to Dragori Inkarth and back again – True
Trolls Friends, Trolls, Dykene, Traders
43. Some of the trolls of the Elder Wilds can work metal – True
Trolls Friends, Trolls, Dykene, Traders
44. The Crimson Bat will visit Elkoi soon – Rumor
Lunars, Elkoi, Trilus, Hunters, Traders
45. Lunar Slavers operating out Elkoi are trying to capture anyone they can – Partial
Trilus, Orlanthi, Hunters
46. Rhegus Whitehair was killed by some Orlanthi for consorting with chaotic demons – Partial
Orlanthi, Traders, Trilus, Hunters
47. Orlanthi have been banished from Dykene – True
Dykene, Trilus, Orlanthi, Hunters
48. Starnia Stormreander Yelmalian daughter of King skilful heart piercer took an Orlanthi Lover – Rumour
Dykene, Yelmalions, Orlanthi, Trilus, Hunters
49. Praxena concubine of King Skilful heart piercer was murdered for being a Lunar spy – Partial
Dykene, Yelmalions, Lunars, Elkoi, Orlanthi
50. The Redrock clan were banished for Dykene about 20 years ago, and was much larger then – Partial
Dykene, Orlanthi
51. Gondol Holst was a friendly merchant ambushed by foreign outlaws – False
Lunars, Elkoi, Hunters, Dykene
52. The Lunars have promised tusk riders some of Elkoi’s tribal lands – Rumor
Elkoi, Hunters, Lunars, Orlanthi, Trilus, Traders
53. Lunar hunters don’t use the peaceful cut because they are tainted with chaos – Partial
Shamans, Hunters, Orlanthi
54. The Ancient & Great Brown Bear has been spotted in North woods, the great animals spirits are coming back – Rumor
Hunters, Shaman, Trilus
55. Foreigners have attacked Blueface the shaman – Partial
Shamans, Hunters, Dykene
56. Orlanthi warriors have attacked Blueface the shaman – False,
Lunars, Elkoi, Hunters, Shamans
57. Blueface has been killed – False
Anyone
58. Dwarves have stopped visiting Balazar and dealing with hunters- False
Trilus, Hunters, Elkoi
59. Dwarves will now only deal with the Dykene citadel and closely associated clans – True,
Dykene, Hunters, Traders
60. Dwarves built the new Yelmalion temple at Dykene in 2 Seasons – True
Dykene, Yelmalio, Traders
61. The Red Emperor is considering a hunting party to Balazar – Rumor
Lunar Nobles, traders, Elkoi
62. Dwarves will take a dim view on people exploring disused tunnels and mines that exist in the hills near Greatway – True
Prospectors, Elkoi, Dykene, Traders, Southern Hunters
63. There is still gold is disused dwarf mines near Greatway – False
Prospectors, Elkoi, Dykene, Traders, Southern Hunters
64. The dwarves will never give up Greatway as its sat on large iron deposit- Meaningless
Dykene, Traders, Prospectors
65. Elves are moving more than they ever have in living memory across Balazar and the eoring wilds – True
Votanki Hunters, Orlanthi, Trilus, Dykene
66. A troll warlord is building a significant powerbase within the troll hills – Rumor
Votanki, Hunters, Orlanthi, Dykene, Traders
67. The troll clans of the Elder Wilds fight amongst themselves more than the Balazaring clans – True
Hunters, Dykene, Trilus, Trader
68. Trolls are massing for an attack on Dykene – False
Dykene, Yelmalions, Hunters, Traders
69. Griffin Mountain is a place of Mystical and magical importance to the air rune which goes back before the dawn of time– True
Shamans, Priests, Sages, Orlanthi, Wind Children
70. Small numbers of Beastmen have been tracked and seen travelling across Balazar from south to north avoiding humans – True
Hunters, Shamans
71. Orlanthi are actively recruiting Balazaring warriors for raiding parties – Partial
Elkoi, Hunters, Trilus, Lunars
72. The healing house which is part of the lightbringers hall in Trilus is prospering and growing significantly under DushiSone. – True
Trilus, Hunters, Traders, Orlanthi
73. Orlanthi Heralds from the south have come to Trilus seeking military alliance – False
Hunters, Trilus, Dykene, Elkoi, Lunars
74. There is a blood feud between Orlanthi and certain baboon packs in the elder wilds – True
Hunters, Orlnathi, Trilus
75. The Lunar Empire has actively supported chaos within Balazar and the Elder wilds – Partial
Orlanthi, Trilus, Traders, Hunters
76. There is a chaos shrine in the Elder Wilds – True
Orlanthi, Hunters
77. Trolls worship at the chaos shrine within the Elder wilds – False
Yelmalians, Drunkards, Idiots ,Hunters
78. The king of Trilus is sponsoring raids on the Lunar and Elkoi – False
Elkoi, Hunters, Lunar Soldiers
79. Chaos worship happens within the Temple the Seven Mothers – Rumor
Orlanthi, Elkoi, Hunters, Traders
80. The hero wars will mean a army comes out of the troll strongholds to invade Balazar and then the Lunar Empire – False
Yelmalians, Dykene Hunters, Hunters, Shamans
81. Dykene has entered into an alliance with the surviving Griffins – True
Dykene, Yelmalions, Griffins, Hunters
82. The King of Dykene has become even more paranoid – Partial
Trilus, Elkoi, Hunters, Orlanthi
83. The presence of farming near Elkoi offends the ancestors – Partial
Hunters, Trilus, Elkoi
84. The Lunars want to steal the giant Eagles off the king of Dykene – Partial
Dykene , Yelmalians, Traders
85. Dushi Soan does not think she will survive another cold winter – Rumor
Trilius, Hunters, Traders
86. Bluebird has kidnapped by the Lunars – False
Hunters, Traders
87. A rediscovered troll holy site is bringing trolls from distant lands to the elder wilds – True
Trolls, Orlanthi, Hunters, Dykene, Trilus
88. The Lunars are hiring Mercenaries to form an invasion force – Partial
Orlanthi, Hunters, Trilus, Elkoi
89. Dykene Hawks have become famous, and are now wanted across the Lunar Empire -Partial
Dykene, Elkoi, Yelmalians, Hunters
90. The Orlanthi plan to bring Shadowcats to Balazar to fight all dogs – False
Yelmalaians, Lunars, Elkoi, Hunters, Dykene
91. There is a giant who is friendly with Trolls, Elves and Humans – True
Hunters, Trilus, Orlanthi
92. The elves of Eloring wilds hate humans as much as trolls – Partial
Dykene, Hunters
93. Lunars are considering setting up a mine with slaves in the hills west of Tarshford – Rumour
Hunters, Elkio, Lunars, Dykene, Trilus
94. The burned man knows most things happening in Balazar – Meaningless
Hunters
95. The Giants keep the Dragons out of Balazar and the Elder Wilds – Rumour
Shamans, Sages, Traders
96. The new lunar temple in Elkoi was a failure because it did not extend the Glowline – False
Trilus, Dykene, Hunters, Orlanthi
97. King Yalaring Monster Slayer of Trilius is partial to blue goats cheese from Imther – True
Traders, Trilus, Hunter, Imther
98. Trees in the Elf woods both talk and move – Partial
Hunters, Shamans, Trilus
99. The spirit of Elkoi left the Citadel with the Yelmalio Temple – False
Yelmalians, Ex Elkoi Clans, Hunters, Trilus, Orlanthi
100. Blueface is able to change his appearance and take a younger body when he wants. – Partial
Hunters, Shamans

Balazaring Names

Background, Balazarings, Names

Balazaring names have two components, the first or birth name which is given by the senior female clan member at or close to the time of birth, this is the only name which the child will have until there initiation into adulthood.

They are usually traditional Balazaring names and it is rare for the same name to be used twice for children of the same clan.

The 2nd part is there spirit or given name which is given by the clan ancestors at the point of initiation. This name will reflect one or more of the following things;

Continue reading Balazaring Names →

Balazaring Appearance & Dress

Background, Balazarings

Physical Appearance

Balazarings and Votanki are a sub branches of Pelorians, with usual Pelorian traits of fair skin and light or brown hair. However due to their lifestyle they are a lot more weathered than most Pelorians so skin will tend to be bronzed most of the year, paling in late Dark and Storm season.

Eyes are often brown and blue, but can vary greatly due to the impact of various animal spirits. Also these same spirits give a more extensive range of natural hair colours from fair through brown and black.

Very few Balazarings are either over weight or of weak build, most being well muscled and athletic. Balanced healthy diets ensure that most Balazarings are in good health most of the time, rotten teeth are rare and complexions are usually healthy.

Physical features of clans totem spirits can have profound effects on clan members physical appearance and , sometimes changing some traits beyond what would be considered human, such as animalistic eyes, fangs, ears, or claws instead of nails. These features are seen as normal and attractive to Balazarings, even if not to other humans.

Balazaring Clothing

Balazarings clothing and appearance is largely determined by a  number of factors;

Available Materials

Traditionally Votanki clothing, textiles and decoration has been made solely from the skins of prey animals or from gathered grasses and plants. Textiles and fabrics have not been available, they still are not manufactured in any volume in Balazar. This has lead to very high skill levels in skinning tanning, fur and leatherwork within the clan communities.

However the existence of the citadels has created trading centres to which textiles are imported and more civilized clothing can be purchased if at a high price. At Dykene and Trilus these are  more primitive and straight forward garments, at Elkio a much greater range of textiles and garments are available at more reasonable prices.

Broadly speaking Votanki will use traditional materials as will clans from Trilus and Dykene for the most part. Clansmen from the Elkio area  may be seen in a mixed array of traditional and more civilized garments, especially those friendly with the Lunar administration. Citadel folk will usually be seen wearing a mix of traditional and civilized garb, expect in Elkio which sees mainly Lunar and Tarshite clothing styles  worn by most citadel inhabitants.

Clan Tradition & Totem Spirit

Most Votanki and Balazaring clans will seek in some way to reflect its totem spirit in the dress style and personal decoration of its members, this can be done through skins and pelts used, cut and style of dress, use of dyes,  tatoos, feathers and other decorations.

This can lead to vast differences in appearance between neighbouring clans of the same tribes, it has been noted that the clans further away from the influence of the citadels tend to be more extreme in the visualisation of their tribal spirits. Those closer to citadels seem to be plainer in presentation.

It s also worthy to note that to most Balazarings hunting is a sacred act and they will dress and prepare ritual clothing and markings for significant hunts whenever  practical. This also means that most ritual decoration is helpful in camouflage.

Shamans as a whole are more extreme, diverse and to be frank weird in their  appearance often including bones, mummified remains, dung, blood and death masks as part of their ritual and some times daily regalia.

Generally Balazarings are not overly prudish when it comes to bare flesh and in the hotter seasons scant clothing is very common across many clans, however certain spirits maybe more conservative and also the Yelmalian influence around Dykene does creates pockets of Balazar where large amounts of bare flesh may not be tolerated as much.

Climate and Weather

Its changeable climate brings as much variation to appearance in Balazar as any other factor with its continental weather patterns of hot summers and bitterly cold winters, tribal preference and decoration may have to take second place. In the deep cold of dark and storm season heavy furs, cloaks and coats are common across  all tribes and clans.

Fire and Earth season see very light practical clothing being used, with higher degrees of body painting and decoration being used.

Personal aspiration and spirituality

A Balazarings spirituality and direction in life will also show through in attire, hunters and clansmen are content to wear traditional garb. However those who are embracing foreign Gods and seeking spiritual power through them do tend to reflect this in the way they dress.

Leaders of the Yelmalio cult in Dykene are eager to mimic the styles found in some of the larger Sun Dome Temples which can be found  in Saird, Holay and Trash. With ceremonial armour, short linen tunics, long cloaks and bare legs being preffered attire.

Upwardly mobile  Elkoi citizens do all they can to mimic Lunar dress and styles, with long gowns and ornate decoration for higher ranking individuals, and short toga like tunics for the practical requirements of  more mundane workers.

Those from Trilius who are embracing the Orlanthi Gods are less set on  imitating style than embracing new powers ideas and capabilities. However metal armour is worn when available, and more practical forms textile clothing are used but tend to be homespun Trilus garments or Lunar styles amalgamated with more traditional hunter garb.

Balazaring Clan Leaders of Note

Background, Balazarings, NPC's

Outside of leaders of the three main Tribes of Balazar there are a number of other notable clan chieftains, heros and leaders. Some owe allegiance to the tribal kings others  lead their clans independently of the politics of the citadels.

Duvan Drawf-Friend – Elder of the White Goat Clan

The most important and influential tribal Chieftain of the Vale of Hammers, a conservative man of later years. He no longer hunts, but is a formidable warrior and owns a shirt of Dwarven mail.  He has good relations with the Dwarves of Greatway and is strong ally and friend of the King of Dykene.

Yontak the Red, Master Hunter – White Fox Clan

A young ambitious master hunter who leads the White Fox Clan in the Elmswood, he is currently leading young braves from 4 clans against the Lunar empire and the forces of Glyptus the Good, mainly raiding the supply route from Soldiers Ferry, and occasional hit and run attacks on a smaller groups. He has been receiving aid and support from the Balazaring Orlanthi and is considering converting to the cult.

Vilic the Snake – Warlord –  Grass Viper Clan

A leader who has recently emerged in the green viper clan as they have engaged the propitiatory worship toward of the Chaos from festering isle, he is now a devotee of Cacodeman and the clan has embraced deeper forms of Chaos worship unbeknown to other local clans.

The green viper clan leads 3 a loose alliance of other clans in the bear woods area in propitiatory worship of chaos to ward off raids, and for support  against raiding trolls.  The pay lip service to the King of Dykene, but no tribute or formal allegiance.

Wurtarg the Pure –  Master Hunter – Red Otter Clan

An seasoned hunter and he is a hyper conservative leader and a follower of the Shaman Namara, he leads a coalition of 3 clans which have broke away from Elkoi tribe in the higher reaches of the South Woods. They reject all foreign Gods and presence of outsiders in Balazar, but are placed far from where most will be found.

Personable, wise and considered with Balazarings, he refuses to deal with outsiders in any manner apart from the spear and the bow.

Kolsar Strongarm – Master Hunter -Winter Bison Clan

A hunter from Oakwood famous for killing a bear with an axe on his own about 10 years ago,  he is but one of the council members on his clan, but his reputation makes him influential beyond his role with surrounding clans.

Of considerable bulk,  gruff in nature, of few words, and his mood has not improved as his three golden haired daughters  have approached marrying age. He is staunchly loyal to the tribe of Trilius and a friend of Yalaring monster slayer

Vulric Longrunner – Master Hunter, The Running Men

One of the most notable Hunters and clan chiefs of the east plains, if well known for his ability to chase down prey over long distances and is most famous for chasing a wounded Giant Elk for 3 days on a hunt, long after all the dogs and other hunters had given in.

He is a charismatic man and well liked and popular amongst the clans of the east plain, and has changed the name of his clan to reflect his prowess. He is well respected by the tribal leaders of Dykene and Trilius, but currently his allegiance is with Trilius though he rarely visits either citadel.

Banathi Moonsong – Seven Mother Initiate, Barking Dog Clan

Clan chief notable for fully embracing the Lunar ways, he has travelled to Mrins Cross and met with Lunar priests and leaders there.  His clan hunts in the region in the south of the Dog Hills and they are enjoying a period of prosperity, trading with Lunars in Elkoi, the villages and at Holay fort

Banathi is peaceable man of middling years who is well liked and respected by all me meets, he is not the most proficient hunter or warrior but leads his clan with skill and diplomacy.