Brutgors are divided into clans, commonly referred to as hordes. Every clan has its own distinct culture, traditions, and ideological beliefs.
King: Dela-Kar, Shaman: Tarka-Sor Population:
000 Brutgors, 3.000 slaves
Enclave: Kar-Goroth
This tribal region borders the Triton Sea and extends from Dosi River to Roga. The sacred mountain, Naktar, belongs to this region and it has been historically used as an argument for the pre-eminence of the Stone Ram over all other tribes. It’s the most powerful, influential and populus tribe as it is the largest of the two major centers of trade with the outside world, their lands are safer and food is more plentiful. The High Chief is Dela-Kar and he’s also the King of Armorgrand. This tribe’s totemic beast is also the kingdom’s emblem. Dela-Kar and his predecessors never saw fit to correct the misconception of outsiders about the distinction between the kingdom and wider Armoria. Early in his reign, he also deceived cartographers from the Trident and the Forklands into listing the hordes of all tribes within his kingdom. In reality, the king’s influence extends to barely more than half of Armoria because the major Volcanic tribes reject his rule. Brutgors of this tribe are fiercely proud and consider themselves superior to all other tribes but this claim is contested by all bruts outside Armorgrand (and by the Lava Bears when they’re part of the kingdom.) It’s an open secret that Delan-Kar hoards wealth and he’s seen as a miser and a greedy chief by the tribes that deny his rule.
The Kar-Goroth enclave is the king’s seat and hosts the Serpent horde’s stronghold, the Serpent Tower. This region also holds two more permanent enclaves, Fetkaroun and Roga. The only shamanic circle is the Salt Circle and Tarka-Sor is the founder of this circle which has expanded rapidly and successfully among Armorgrand’s shamans.
High Chief: Horga-Nord High Shaman: Khulgan Population:
000 Brutgors, 1.500 slaves
Enclave: Nin-Adros
The second of the Salt Tribes holds the territory east of the Dosi river up to the Lothen border. They raid regularly into Lothen with the Serpent Horde but they’ve also tried their hand at piracy in recent years. They attack lothenian ships along the coastline with small sailing boats at night or even at day. Their attempts often fail as the ships detect them and outrun them but sometimes the bruts manage to catch the crew unawares, get alongside the ship and throw hooks or climb aboard. As time goes by, the bruts learn and refine their methods and become more dangerous. Sailors laugh away the bruts’ feeble efforts today but they will have cause to fear tomorrow. Warriors of this tribe also sign on as sailors with Trident, Orkandus and Caran ships, whether they’re traders or pirates - it makes no difference to them. Curiously, the bruts of this tribe also trade with Lothen’s border villages and even ships but they do so secretly as they’d lose face if it became widely known. Dela-Kar is aware of this practice and lets it continue.
Nin-Adros is the main tribal enclave and it once hosted the horde’s stronghold but not anymore. Two more permanent enclaves are situated further north - Sandrag and Saya-Kal. The major shamanic circle is Salt with War as a minor one.
Serpent: Dela-Kar Population:
000
Enclave: Serpent Tower
Giant: Ardas Population:
000
Enclave: Lair of Bones
Dela-Kar has consolidated the hordes of the Stone Rams and the Cyclone Griffons into two mixed hordes. He leads the larger horde of the Serpent with its stronghold being the Serpent Tower in Kar-Goroth. Warbands of the Serpent horde raid southern Lothen every two years and rarely they also attack the Rose. The Serpent’s feud with the Eagle horde is the most vicious in Armoria and they perform raids and counter-raids in force throughout the year.
The Giant horde is led by warlord Ardas of the Cyclone Griffons and it has the Lair of Bones in Roga as its stronghold. A large warband of this horde - at least half of it - is always present there. They attempt piracy on all ships on the Fang River from the Rose and they regularly clash with the rosian marines and wizards.
High Chief: Forda-Jak High Shaman: Zambago Population:
000 Brutgors, 1.500 slaves
Enclave: Ochmarat
This is the smallest tribe, situated west of the Fang River all along its length from Arontil until it abuts the amber wall. The tribe belongs to the kingdom of Armorgrand. Since they’re the smallest tribe, they take care to avoid excessive violence in their raids. They cross the river in canoes and raid the Fire Lions and Sun Eagles mostly at night to steal livestock. They count as victory to draw first blood from their enemies and disengage. The most adventurous of them travel to Orkandus either to raid or to find opportunity and employment. Those who go there to raid, cross the Cell Canal from Roga in canoes. Those who seek employment and adventure, go to Goliath through the Arcania Gap or the Amber Gates and enter Orkandus through the Southgate or Midgate respectively. A large number of Bone Wolves also travel regularly to the Magocracy of the Rose and are employed as herders of the flocks of livestock that are sent to Orkandus and Caran. High Chief Forda refrains from raiding the lands and ships of the Rose in return for tolerance and steady employment for his tribesmen. Also, rosian ships that travel the Fang upriver, pay the bruts to haul the ships in a canal built on the western side of the river for this purpose.
The Bone Wolves are looked down upon and even reviled by the other volcanic tribes. They are seen as weak and lackeys of the Rose. The salt tribes on the other hand accept them as equals and Delan-Kar values them which makes them loyal to the king. The main tribal enclave is Ochmarat which also houses the horde’s stronghold. The major shamanic circle is Blood with Salt as a minor one.
Warlord: Laras-Jak Population:
000
Enclave: Lair of Blood (Ochmarat)
The Claw’s stronghold is the Lair of Blood in Ochmarat and the warlord is the high chief’s son. Since many of the tribe’s warriors are abroad for long periods of time, the horde is never at more than half strength. Small warbands raid south-eastern Orkandus and join the Serpent horde when it raids Lothen. The serpents use the claw as scouts and send them ahead to identify soft targets and count the enemy numbers and also to remain unseen if the serpent warlord wants to be sneaky.
Warlord: Ourdal High Shaman: Eban-Zal Population:
000 Brutgors, 1.000 slaves
This is the easternmost tribe and it has the widest border with Lothen. The Bears are the most savage bruts; they glorify pillaging, raping and killing and consider it the true calling of their race. They have few slaves because their lives are short. They are the face that lothenian children see when they wake up screaming from a nightmare. They pay lip service to the king but don’t care much about Delan-Kar and his progressive ideas of unity. It’s every high chief’s prerogative to take the tribe in or out of Armorgrand every year based on what he gains from Delan-Kar in the summer gathering of chiefs that takes place at Kar-Goroth. For now, Ourdal is aligned with Armorgrand but next year the Bears may be an independent tribe of Armoria. Eban-Zal is the leading voice of the Warmongers and he pushes for ever more frequent and larger raids into Lothen. The main tribal enclave is Bearclaw but the horde’s stronghold is located closer to the border with Lothen. The only shamanic circle is War.
Warlord: Ourdal Population:
500
Enclave: Lair of Flames
The Lair of Flames faces Fort Larman and guards the Armorpass. At present it also hosts a warband of the Serpent horde - part of Ourdal’s deal with Delan-Kar in order to accept his rule. The volcano horde is never idle - they’re always raiding the territories of all their neighbours, fight the horrors of the Dead Gods Lane or indulge in their highest calling - raiding and pillaging Lothen. All other hordes have to cross their territories in order to raid central or northern Lothen and the Bears feel obligated to join and - if possible - lead every raid. The duels to determine each raiding band’s warchief are held when hordes meet and the Bears only give precedence to Delan-Kar or his sons - when the tribe is aligned with Armorgrand. The Fire Lions are their greatest rivals and the usual insult that the Bears are weak because they tolerate a lothenian fort in their territory always ends in a brawl.
Shaman King: Nurda-Maga Population:
000 Brutgors, 2.000 slaves
Enclave: Karagand
This is the largest tribe after the Stone Ram and traditional enemies of the Rams. Their territory is the heart of Armoria. This is the only tribe to be ruled by a shaman and Nurda has taken the title ‘shaman king’ to contest Delan-Kar’s title. The rivalry between the Rams and the Eagles is the most intense in Armoria with excessive violence in their raids and counter-raids along their shared border. Their shamans are recognized as the most learned in Armoria and they seek to gain ever greater power so as to contest the rosian spellcasters and the terrors of the Dead Gods Lane that threaten the tribes that border with this unholy place. Their land is rich in magic of fire and spirits of war and they always delve deep into these mystical reservoirs. The Eagle shamans are also the main proselytizers of a new religion among Brutgors - that of an Amar called Ruath Kron. The shamans claim that Ruath is appointed as King of the Fire Mountain by the Sentinel and resides on the peak of Vlada.
The main tribal enclave is Karagand which hosts the horde’s stronghold, the Lair of the Eagle. The only shamanic circle is War and as Nurda contests with Delan-Kar for kingship, so he contends with Eban for leadership of the Warmongers.
Warlord: Tharas-Zad Population:
000
Enclave: Lair of the Eagle
Warlord Tharas-Zad is a legend among Brutgors and he would be high chief in any other tribe. His horde is always on the move with warbands raiding the Salt tribes, Lothen and the Rose at any one time. He’s loyal to Nurda and puts his faith to Ruath Kron. He has said many times that he wants to meet Delan-Kar in battle and humble him but such a duel hasn’t yet taken place. The only time that Tharas and Delar have met is when their hordes have raided Lothen together, when duels among bruts are forbidden.
Warlord: Valka High Shaman: Durkosa Population:
000 Brutgors, 1.000 slaves
Enclave: Numa-Dara
This is the northernmost tribe that borders the Rose and the blasted lands of the Dead Gods Lane. They’re aligned with the Sun Eagles and do not accept the king whom they resent for his greed and progressive ideas and whom they see as soft. Bravery and fierceness in battle are their hallmarks and they have a code of honour that differentiates them from the Lava Bears who are on par with them as the pinnacle in the skill of war. They even respect the right of their female slaves to choose their partners and never engage in rape in the battlefield. The Lions exemplify the ideal of the noble barbarian and despise magic that is not of their shamans and supernatural elements that are not native to Armoria. The main tribal enclave is Numa-Dara where the horde’s stronghold is also located. The major shamanic circle is War with Blood as a minor one.
Warlord: Valka Population:
000
Enclave: Lair of Stone
The former warlord, Gioubar, fell in battle in a raid against the Rose and Valka took his place as the new high chief and warlord. This horde’s warbands raid either the Rose or Lothen or both at any one time. They’re also the first river raiders to try their hand at piracy on rosian ships that sail down the Fang. However, many of their warriors are also needed to face the horrors that invade their territory from the blasted lands they border and the spirits that skulk in the shadows. They frequently partner with the Lava Bears to raid Lothen but they’re uncomfortable with the savagery of their cousins and only the horde’s code prevents in-fighting. The horde also raids Bear territories and the rivalry between the two tribes is second only to that between Eagles and Rams. Their favourite raiding partners are the Eagles with whom they raid both the Rose and Lothen. They refuse to fight with the Salt Tribes or the Bone Wolves.
My liege, the armorian hordes is the greatest threat that Lothen faces today and has had to contend with historically. Several kings of the past attempted to subjugate and control Armoria, to no avail. It is my humble opinion that the tribes cannot be defeated through might of arms; a victory over the Brutgors has to be cultural. The Blood Circle is doing the work for us - the more Brutgors that migrate to other lands, the less there will be of them to raid Lothen. The King’s standing order that Brutgors who come in peace be tolerated in the kingdom is a step in the right direction. Shamans and warriors as well as women and children have to be encouraged to settle in Lothen or at least to wander without being persecuted. The stronger the Blood Circle becomes, the less strong the War Circle and Armoria overall is going to be.
In this vein, Delan-Kar’s proposed unity of all tribes into the kingdom of Armorgrand is a threat to Lothen. Tribal infighting and division is to Lothen’s advantage as it makes the hordes and the race overall, weaker. The self-styled King of Armorgrand must be considered a threat to Lothen and be dealt with accordingly with every means in our disposal. If the rumours about his greed are true, perhaps he can be bought; if not, he should be assassinated.
The Brutgors live as permanent dwellers in cities but they’re also desert nomads. The desert Brutgors ride giant lizards and form caravans that connect the cities and carry goods. They’re also desert raiders that pillage medai and freelander caravans and settlements or neighbouring lands. The city dwellers are concentrated mostly in Lian but there are communities in every major city. They are shepherds, traders, smiths, gemcutters, hunters, miners and gladiators. No matter where they live and how they make a living, all Brutgors belong to one tribe, the Desert Iron. The shamans created this tribe after the founding of the kingdom and instead of seeking inspiration in a beast, instead they found it in the spirit of Iron, the metal that produces the strongest weapons. The shamans also created the Iron Circle but in the fifth age, the Blood Circle has become dominant in the Freelands. The shamans are responsible for the continued existence and unity of the tribe by carrying news between the far-flung Brutgor enclaves and families, reinforcing family and cultural ties and imposing the will and decisions of one leader who is titled High Chief - the governor of Lian at present. The shamans cooperate effectively and they form the pillar upon which the tribe stands. In recent years, the Blood Circle quietly promotes its vision for the pre-eminence of Brutgors in the Southern Freelands because they want to see a Brutgor on the kingdom’s throne.
Artifice is an old mystical discipline that belongs to the greatest of wizards. However, lesser disciplines of artifice do exist and two such crafts are practiced by the Brutgors and dwarves of the South Freelands. The two races have specialized in different areas of lesser artifice; dwarves build smaller constructs, even tiny ones and they have mastered the skill of flight whereas Brutgors build large, landbound constructs that are suitable for heavy work or useful as mounts. The Brutgor craftsmen are called ironmongers and their constructs are called iron animals. A shaman is necessary to wake the spirit of iron and provide such a construct with its animating force. The iron animals are affordable and dependable and so they’re used throughout the Freelands by commoners as replacements for work animals since they don’t need daily and costly food or water but rather simple, cheap and infrequent maintenance.
Warlord: Kon High Shaman: Mogari the Red Population: Unknown Enclave: Cities
The tribal emblem is an iron, bowl-shaped helmet with a spike. It’s a major divergence from the armorian tribes that have a sacred beast as their emblem. All Brutgors wear ornaments and accessories made of iron and add iron clasps and buckles in their clothing. The tribesmen mine iron in the desert, in the mountains that border the Freelands and also in the Iron Karsts that are found throughout the Red Desert. The Karsts are conglomerations of monoliths comprised of iron ore that seem to grow out of the desert. The nomadic tribes mine this ore and carry it to the smelters in the desert enclaves and the cities.
Warlord: Kon Population:
000
Enclave: Cave of the Lizard
As all armorian tribes, so too the Desert Iron gathers a horde for war. The shamans added a seventh totemic emblem to the six traditional ones, the Lizard. It represents survival and endurance and in the totem poles it always stands below the tribal emblem. The horde’s stronghold is the Cave of the Lizard in Lian and it’s also the city’s standing army. This horde diverges from the traditional concept because it contains dwarves, humans and serenians. Brutgors throughout the Freelands share a code of respect for one another and never steal, kill or raid their own. This code is extended to soldiers of other races that are members of the horde. This code doesn’t apply to those that fight in the gladiatorial arenas. The tribal emblem is also the traditional helmet worn by horde warriors. It’s called Khud and it incorporates an aventail - a mail cover for the neck and sides of the face, sometimes even the eyes and nose. The khud may be either plain, as the emblem or have two feathers (humans mostly use this) or two short horns (dwarves mostly use this).
The north freelands is an environment as inhospitable and dangerous as Armoria and the area is much larger. Because of this, the tribal cohesion of the Brutgor population is loose compared to every other region that they inhabit. Also, the Brutgors share a cultural cohesion with the other races that inhabit the north that rivals the one shared within their own race. Moreover, the shamans of the Blood Circle aren’t revered by Brutgors alone but by all freelanders as priests of the Sentinel. Therefore, a cultural revolution has begun in this kingdom where members of other races may enter the tribe and enjoy equal status. Even shamanism is shared with freelanders who are spiritually pure enough to access the Sentinel’s presence. The totem poles reflect this break with tradition and do not include the six armorian emblems. Instead they include the racial spirits of the people of the north - a fist for Brutgors, a heart for serenians, a bearded head for dwarves and a many-branched tree for humans. The white stag which represents the spirit of the north, sits above all of them and the snow panther crowns the pole.
This is a tribe in the loosest sense of the word and it’s actually comprised of many sub-tribes that all share the same sacred beast of the north. Because the Brutgors are widely dispersed and communication is difficult, the shamans haven’t been able to enforce the strong ties that all other tribes enjoy. However, it’s of no matter because the cohesion of the freelanders reinforces that of the tribe. This cultural shift is acceptable by the Blood Circle of the northern freelands because it’s the first step towards a future where the tribes will include all children of the Sentinel, not just Brutgors. This is the ultimate goal of the shamans of this circle, to integrate all the races of the Sentinel into the traditions of Brutgors who are the strongest of them and therefore make everyone else as strong. Another break with tradition is that this tribe isn’t represented by a horde. Instead, the shamans offer every tribesman willing to take up arms to fight or hunt, the white stag spirit painting. The northern spirit is represented by the head and antlers of the white stag and it seals the commitment of the warrior, hunter or shaman to tame the land and defend its people.