Know your Steppe Tribe

The Khiri clan -
Current Oligarch - Bhiden
Tribal Colour - Gold
Tribal focus - Industry, internal affairs and reformation of Yassa

The largest clan both geographically and in population, the Khiri clan is famously known as the clan from which the Great Khan Ghiri rose to power and united the steppes.

Today the clan is mostly makes up the domestic peoples of Golden rock, many of whom make up the townsfolk and laypeople dedicated to improved infrastructure, consolidation of history and passing of the oral law. Of the XIII tribes the Ghiri are the least nomadic with many spending their entire lives within the vicinity of the Golden rock.

During the era of Khan Ghiri the tribe was feared for having the largest and most vicious army of the steppe. Though the best Khiri Warriors are not to be taken lightly, there is a sentiment amongst the more aggressive hordes that the Khiri have gone "soft" over the years. However not even the most violent tribes will dare insult the Khiri to their face, owing to their legacy and the respect that remains held for Khan Ghiri. This does not however, stop the other tribes from thinking it to themselves loudly and implicitly treating Khiri tribesmen differently (e.g. "oh a Khiri tribesperson? Don't worry about them, most of them peaked in High school"). Though the Khiri clansmen take pride in their heritage there are some who acknowledge that there has not been a Khiri Khan since Khan Ghiri and there is a sentiment of increased stagnation amongst the tribe. Despite this, the Khiri Oligarch is often the most influential and respected member of Organisation XIII, with many Khiri Oligarchs being direct counsel for the ruling Khan.

Amongst the Khiri people are a sect of Nomadic purists who travel along the steppes to relive their glorious nomadic heritage. Some Azem scholars theorise that the current Khiri oligarch "Bhiden" sends troublesome Khiri tribesmen into exile with the nomadic purists in order to keep dissenters away from Golden rock. Many of the Khiri people feel that although Bhiden was a strong and level-headed Oligarch, his age is rapidly catching up to him and that he grows increasingly more paranoid. A loud minority from the nomadic Khiri sub-tribes wish to appoint the Khiri Warrior "Dhark Bhrandhon" as the new Oligarch hoping to usher in a new age for the once great Ghiri Tribe.

The Chhahd clan
Current Oligarch - Ghigha Chhahd
Tribal Colour - Purple
Tribal focus - Military, prestige.

The tribe that makes up the largest portion of the Zerleg An, The Chhahd are notorious for their strict code of honour, muscular physique and hunger for battle. The Chhahd people are prideful of their tribal heritage, with distinguished men of the tribe going by the title "Chhahd" after proving themselves in battle. To be part of the Zerleg An is considered a great honour amongst the tribe.

The Chhahd people were the first tribe "conquered" by Khan Ghiri in the Golden age. However many Azem Scholars dispute that the Chhahd people were not defeated but actually followed Khan Ghiri willingly on the promise of further combat. The Chhahd people are historically close allies of Khiri clan with many Khiri women taking Chhahd husbands (often much to the disdain of the vhirgin Khiri man). Chhahd men are also notorious for taking back women from their raids on neighbouring nations as "trophies", which many among the steppe consider to be a great honour.

Despite their martial prowess the Chhahd have only had one Khan appointed in the history of the steppe, "Khan Ohmhega Chhahd IV", who was notorious for having the shortest reighn in the steppe. Azem Scholars depict that Khan Omhega Chhahd famously stated "yo this shit is dry as fuck fam" within 2 months of his reign before declaring war on a neighbouring village to the east. Omhega Chhahd famously perished in this battle, having decreed that he alone would fight the 300 strong army with only his horse and bow, perishing only after dealing the final blow. The Chhahd clan have since dominated in most festivals and seem to intentionally lose in the end, not wanting to take on the responsibility of Khan, preferring to send their Warriors into the army.

The Chhahd are not overly concerned over internal or external affairs and mostly just want to partake in glorious combat regardless of whether the target is another tribe or a foreign nation. Unlike the more bloodthirsty tribes the Chhahd tribe follow a strict honour system and tend to only kill Warriors of equal strength, whilst humiliating the weak and leaving them alive to "grow stronger and came back when you less of a bitch ass".

The Nhormah Tribe
Current Ogligarch - Dhon Bhurkh
Tribal Colour - Green
Tribal Focus - Agriculture/Husbandry/Expansion

The Nhormah Tribe may be the oldest tribe amongst the tribe with it's ancestor's being the original nomads who fled from the far east. The Nhormah tribe have a number of nomadic settlements across the steppes alongside a permanent settlement to the south east of the plains near the Southern desert region.

Azem scholars debate whether this tribe or the Ghesh tribe make up the second most populous tribe on the steppe. A Nhormah nomadic outpost tends to stay around for much longer than other tribes, and the outpost will often  take full advantage of fertile land in order to grow numerous crops for the other tribes. The Nhormah tribe has long specialised in Agriculture and have an intricate understanding of a crops germination cycles, animal rearing, husbandry and knowing how to spot fertile soil.

Although the tribesmen tend to focus on farming, they also tend to be some of the stronger warrior's of the plains with many young adult Nhormah men being known to be as strong as Chhahd, Dhotharl and Dhorben warriors. Years of tending to crops and hoeing the land has made Nhormah tribesmen of strong disposition. Often Nhormah men will form small raid groups who will seek out nearby tribal outposts or foreign outposts to steal grains, fruits and crops to bring to the tribe for their own use.

Nhormah tribesmen tend to be on good terms with the Khiri and Ghesh tribes, often trading internally amongst them the results of their yearly crop yield. The Nhormah tribes, however, will not shy away from launching a raid on a neighbouring tribes, with non-council tribes being prime targets, particular if they've got a horde of crops for the taking.

Dhon Bhurkh sits on the organisation and is considered one of the more moderate voices of the organisation. He is an experienced Warrior who led numerous succesful raids in the past, introducing the carrot crop to the tribes people. Many of the tribes consider him a popular choice for Khan and many suspect that the Nhormah militia are trading in their hoes and hatchets for bows and arrows in order to ensure his leadership next festival.

Dhotharl
Current Oligarch - Sahdhu
Tribal colour - Dark Blue
Tribal focus - Militant/Spiritualism/Female domination

The Dhorthal is a matriarchal clan of fiercely territorial warrior women. The Tribe has a reputation as one of the more ruthless and aggressive tribes among the steppes. Many of the meaker tribes tend to avoid Dhotharl encampments and their permanent outpost bordering the madlands.

The Dhotharl worship the night mother tengri, an ancient Warrior who Dhotharl Warrior shamans claim has been deified and who grants them strength in battle. The Dhotharl military is made up of male horse cavalry from the lower caste men of the tribe who are led by Dhotharli generals made up of distinguished female Warriors. Dhotharl warriors are just as adept on horseback as they are on foot and many Dhotharl generals forego ranged combat for Axes and sabres. While the Dhotharl do not make a substantial portion of the Zerleg An, the few generals tend to be the most revered generals. Dhotharl will ritualistically sever the genitalia of their victims in battle and crush it within their bare hands as a "sacrifice for the night mother".

Dhotharl women are subjected to rigorous combat training from a young age. Dhotharl men are expected to be subserviant to Dhotharl women and many are purged from the tribe at a young age in order to maintain superiority. Most Dhotharl men tend to take up roles as farmers to support the tribe. Dhotharl women will raid other tribes and foreign outposts and sometimes steal fertile young men to mate in order to increase their population. These men are "disposed off" after their role has been completed. The Dhotharl shamans claim that it is "impure" for Dhotharl women to copulate within their own tribe and inter-tribal romances are uncommon. However, because of these believes, the Dhotharl may have one of the smallest populations amongst the council tribes.

The Dhotharl have a savage rivalry with both the Chhahd and Dhorben clans. The Dhotharl consider the Chhahd clan to be comprised of the more "Dirty impure men" and have been known to only associate with them by raiding their nomad outposts to steal weaker men for copulation. The Dhotharl have a negative reputation due to their inter-tribal raids and attitude to male nomads who come across them in travel. The Dhotharl are also notorious for the reign of "Khagan Khutulyun V" who is known for bringing the darkest age of the steppes, considered one of the most tyrannical khans in the history of the steppe. The other members of Organisation XIII are weary of the current Sahdhu for her fierce disposition, strength and misandry. Many fear a repeat of the age of terror should the Dhorben tribe win the next festival.