Grassland culture

Legend

“Guardians of the endless green, where thundering hooves meet the earth like rolling thunder and rains of life.”

Skjald Sejrik

 

Description

The Grassland people are a nomadic or semi-nomadic society deeply intertwined with the vast open plains they inhabit. They have a profound connection to the land and its creatures, cherishing freedom, independence, and the art of horsemanship. Renowned for their skills in animal husbandry, they thrive on the open spaces that provide for their herds.

Lifestyle: Their culture often emphasises horsemanship and animal husbandry, and they have intricate systems for managing herds and protecting them from predators. They are also hunters and gatherers who live in extended families and reside in villages and fortified clan-holds. While they are nomadic, the focus of their migrations is generally different from typical Nomads. They follow seasonal patterns of grazing, moving their herds to areas with fresh grass and water. Their camps are often organised around central watering holes or fertile patches of land; they often settle disputes by fighting. Oral traditions keep the law. Warrior Culture: Given their reliance on herding, their warrior traditions might be tied to the defence of their livestock from raiders or predators. They can have unique combat styles and weapons adapted to their way of life.

Diet: Grassland cultures rely on herding livestock, so their diet includes a lot of meat, dairy products, and hardy grains. They also gather wild plants and hunt for game. Their diet is rich in protein and fats, ideal for sustaining them through long days of travel and work on the plains.

Traditions and Stories: Their oral tradition is rich with epic tales of legendary heroes, great migrations, and battles. Songs and stories are passed down through generations, preserving their history and teaching moral lessons. Seasonal festivals celebrate important events like harvests, births, and victories.

Marriage Pattern: Marriages are often arranged to strengthen clan alliances, with ceremonies featuring elaborate rituals that reflect their connection to nature and the gods. Dowries may include livestock or crafted goods, emphasising the importance of wealth in animals.

Religion: Devotion to the “True Gods” is central, with sacrifices being a common practice. Religious ceremonies are integral to their daily lives and seasonal events.

• Religious system: Belief that deities represent the sun, wind, rain, and earth.
• God-Mortal Interaction: Shamans are revered for their ability to communicate with the spirit world and heal the sick.
• Rituals: Seasonal ceremonies to ensure fertility, harvest festivals, and rites of passage.
• Impact on Society: A deep reverence for nature often leads to a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle. Shamans hold significant influence in decision-making.

Skjald Ulrich

 

Craftsmanship: Grassland people are skilled artisans, creating practical yet beautiful items from available materials. Their craftsmanship includes intricate leatherwork, weaving, and metalwork using bronze, copper, and tin. These items, while not always durable, are aesthetically pleasing and highly valued within their culture.

Clothing & Decoration: Their clothing is made from lightweight, breathable materials suitable for the fluctuating temperatures of the grasslands. Attire is adorned with symbols representing their clan or herds, featuring crude wool and hide tunics, leggings, rough over-coats, and short cloaks. These garments are woven to indicate family and clan affiliations.

Armor: They wear minimal armour, usually soft leather, prioritising mobility and speed over heavy protection.

Weapons: Their arsenal includes broadswords, clubs, daggers, handaxes, javelins, short bows, spears, staffs, flails, scythes, and slings. Each weapon is adapted to their way of life, with some designed for mounted combat.

Special Items: While their workmanship may seem rustic, it holds a unique aesthetic appeal. Items are often made from materials like leather, yarn, wood, and metals that may not endure long but are treasured for their craftsmanship and beauty.

Skjald Valgrif

 

Time: Nomadic grassland cultures are cyclical, based on agricultural seasons, herd migration patterns, and the availability of grazing land emphasising adaptability and mobility.

Accomplishment and achievement: Tribe-orientated with a touch of individuality, with a focus on good harvests, hunting, herd management, and skilled horsemanship. Maintaining strong tribal unity through kinship relationships, achievements are measured in terms of herd health and tribe prosperity.

Authority Interacting: They are respectful, yet leadership is frequently based on the merit of those who contribute the most to collective benefit, rather than birthright. Tribal chiefs, shamans, expert herders, and respected elders may have authority, but choices are reached through consensus.

Fears & Inabilities: Superstitions are rife, especially a fear of darkness and spirits. They avoid travelling at night and perform rituals to ward off evil.

Mien: The culture has a medium influence on demeanor and might foster a sociable, outgoing demeanor, but individual personality is still evident.

Mannerism: Generally merry and vocal, enjoying talking, laughing, and singing. Their social gatherings are vibrant, filled with music and storytelling.

Prejudices: They harbour deep animosities towards the Nomads and often despise urban dwellers and nobility, seeing them as threats to their way of life.

Skjald Kazumix

 

Resistance: They have developed a resilience to ailments common in open environments, though their communal lifestyle can lead to disease outbreaks.

Disease Resistance: Their outdoor lifestyle provides some protection against diseases, but living closely together means they still face occasional outbreaks.

Poison Resistance: Exposure to certain plant toxins gives them a low to moderate resistance to poisons.

Remedies: They use animal-based remedies and treatments, drawing on their extensive knowledge of herding and animal husbandry.

Skjald Yell'a'Beard