Hargel
A Hargel without a horse is like a bird without its wings.
-Red Empress Isidra V
Hargel is a country located in the north of Southreach. Its territory covers the vast Hargellish plain, and its people are what remains of the various nomadic groups that wandered those plains until relatively recently. Horse culture is integral to the Hargellish people, who care deeply for their steeds and treat them with an importance that most cultures reserve for powerful spirits.
Political
Government
Hargel is a tribal alliance ruled by a grand princess. Beneath the grand princess—and technically in equal standing—are the high chiefs, who rule the various clans and tribal units that live within Hargel’s borders. In total, there are seven high chiefs: the chief of the Aranka, the chief of the Batbayar, the chief of the Ganbatar, the chief of the Hunor, the chief of the Orban, the chief of the Todorgah, and finally, the chief of the Ugan.Military
Hargel doesn’t have a standing army in the traditional sense. Each of its constituent tribes has its own army, which can be levied by the grand princess in case of international conflict, though the grand princess hasn’t used that power since the Palabrani were expelled. Hargel’s armies mostly consist of horse-archers, who are feared for their speed, ferocity, and deadly accuracy.Demography and Population
Religion
Compared to other polities in Southreach, relatively few people in Hargel worship the Fortunes—though some did convert under Palabrani rule. Most Hargels, however, worship a handful of powerful spirits—whom the Hargellish call “small gods”—with one or two traditionally looking after each tribe. The Hargels believe that the small gods are all that stands between them and the spirits of the wild—supposing a difference between the two that also puts them at odds with people from other parts of the world.Spirits
While some spirits have forged special bonds with the tribes of Hargel, the Hargellish look on wild spirits with distrust. Wild spirits bring storms, hunger, and disease. As a result of this antagonistic nature between the Hargels and the spirits, it is rare to see spirits within Hargellish settlements that aren’t being directly worshipped. It just isn’t safe.Unicorns are one exception. These illustrious creatures are revered by the Hargellish. Many are considered small gods, and even those that aren't are generally allowed safe passage through Hargellish settlements. To harm a unicorn is punishable by death under Hargellish law.
Territories
Natural Geography
Starting to the west, Hargel is lightly forested as the climate transitions from the riverine woods and glens of Nadesh to the massive savanna grasslands that Hargel is known for. Indeed, most of central Hargel consists of dry flatlands broken up every so often by arid steppes. Finally, to the east, the land begins to fold into hills and then sea-lashed granite cliffs along Hargel's east coast.
Human Geography
Hargel is not divided into provinces like other countries in Southreach. Authority is delegated to the tribes, who rarely stay in one place. However, there are a a handful of settlements in Hargel that were established during the era of Palabrani rule. These settlements include:- Tragora
- etc.
Economics
Agriculture & Industry
The Hargels have historically been pastoral nomads. Hargellish herders raise cattle, sheep, goats, and buffalo for food and dairy products. In addition, when Palabran began settling the Hargellish heartland, they established several agricultural settlements. While the Palabrani were expelled some time ago, those settlements remain and continue to produce rice, soybeans, tomatoes, and wheat.Trade & Transport
Due to their itinerant nature, the Hargels trade extensively both intranationally and internationally. Internationally, the Hargels trade most with Ocustria, who provide the Hargels with luxury goods in exchange for horses, meat, and leather. The Hargels also trade with Palabran, but this relationship is more tense, as the Hargels tend to view Palabrani people as invaders and colonizers—which, to be fair, they were and are.Culture
Cuisine
Hargellish cuisine is a result of their nomadic lifestyle. Vegetables are scarce in the Hargellish diet—but meats, animal fats, and dairy products are common. Fried dumplings—often cooked using beef, lamb, or buffalo meat—are well-known staples of the Hargellish diet. Soups—often served with sour cream—are also commonly served in Hargel, especially during the winter.Hargel
Capital
Demonym
Hargellish
Currency
Gan
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
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