N is for Nomads

West of Rusheniya are rocky hills where stone and clay are quarried as raw materials. Further west, and to the south west are rolling prairies, where the nomadic orc, human, and other humanoid groups ride the most amazing horses. It is desire for these steady mounts that led Rusheniya to sign treaties with the nomads, creating trading partners of the folk that would raid the city’s outlying villages. The peace began about 200 years ago, and allowed Rusheniya to grow beyond its walls. The treaties require periodic upkeep and renewal, and festivals honoring the peace are held every few years, both in the city and on the plains.

^{Photo by Boys in Bristol Photography: https://www.pexels.com/photo/brown-and-white-horse-on-green-grass-field-5350167/}

I picture these nomadic groups as a mash-up of the Rohirrim from The Lord of the Rings, the Dothraki from Game of Thrones, and possibly the Aiel from The Wheel of Time. Somewhere on the plains there is a great meeting place for all the various groups. And just as each group has a leader or Joktaja (yoke’ tie ah), there is a Joktajien Joktaja, or leader of leaders. I’m using Finnish for these names, as it isn’t too obvious (Norwegian for “leader” is “leder” according to Google Translate) and it isn’t too rough to pronounce. I also like the idea that the culture of the nomadic groups might be based on Norse myth. Gruumsh, the orcish deity in D&D lore has only one eye, as does Odin from the Norse pantheon. I’m thinking the nomadic groups’ main deity might be the one-eyed Gruudin, who rides a horse named “Henki” (spirit, breath, or wind), and is attended by a raven, Muisto (Memory). (I know, Odin had two ravens; but I decided to go with only one. Makes me wonder about Gruudin’s relationship with the Raven Queen.)

The nomads might prove to have some good story fodder:

• What happens if one of the treaty renewal festivals is interrupted?
• The great meeting place might have texts, or some of the nomads stories might give clues as to the origins of the ancient city and fellstone.
• If the great meeting place is sacred ground, who is allowed and who is not allowed to be there?
• Could a rogue group decide to start raiding the outlying villages, and what might their motivation be?