Huszari

Huszari

Totem: Turul. Massive hawk that guides the herd to fertile plains and defends the herd, delivering messages and scouting.

The Huszari is a tribe of fierce horse people, though in recent history have since retired to a lifestyle more peaceful and neighborly than in times past. Their herd was their life and from the herd they harvest their sustenance. Living largely off horse meat, and fermented horse milk, the Huszari also carry with them portable pots of root vegetables, herbs, and small fruit bearing bushes. Their semi-nomadic lifestyle, following the guidance of the Turul to new grazing pastures, has cultivated a very close knit community of several large sects consisting of many more, large family units who share their massive portable round tents.

In combat, they are swift as lightning and as fierce. In times past, they have taken the land they mean to graze on by any means, including wiping out the people residing there if necessary. Their horse mounted archers are legendary, having perfected their own technique of bowery and archery, while their equestrian skills remain superb to this day. Their curved swords and lances were also used to great effect.

They follow a largely shamanistic cult interpretation of the religion of the Atravi and Grima, though it is not so far removed to be unrecognizable. The blood of horses, humans, and other animals is often used in their rites and rituals.

The Huszari have always held loyalty to one’s family and Tribe above all else. They may still hold to views that those not of Atravi blood are less developed and civilized than they, with backwards views and customs. The Huszari’s own customs, many buried in the sands of time, have developed through time to align further with those of the other Atravi clans, save few which are held close and secret to those not of their clan, sect, or family, respectively.

Though not all aspects of their culture are blood and war. Many games, suited for their mobility, were and ared played. Throwing very long, specialized spears on a field at a target is one such pastime. Using horse teeth carved with various numbers of  pips for gambling, and throwing or kicking a horse’s bladder are other examples.

The women of the clan specialize in impossibly rich embroidery, weaving coins, jewels, and metallic chains into the cloth, either along the edges or in patterns.

Due to the harsh requirements of ancient life, families must have as many offspring as can be supported. This necessitated the taking of multiple wives by men. A loose hierarchy formed around the family tent. The First Wife, and then the favorite wife were placed in positions to run the “household” as it were. In modern times, this custom is still practiced however it is typically limited to only two or three wives, and in just as many cases, only one wife.

The Kozanu, due to their shared interest in herd animals, are usually on the best terms with the Huszari out of all of the clans, with the Ruska, having shared a similar raiding history, are a close second.