Ute

The Ute are a group of humans who have a spiritual connection to the land around the Rocky Mountains in what was Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico. A hard people in a hard land, they have made their homes in the mountains, cliffs and caves of the region. And as survivors, they have a militant view of the world around them, establishing uneasy but respectful relations with the surrounding intelligent creatures, deebees and other humans.

Structure

Loosely assembled, but socially close. There is a chief of the tribe, but the chief takes very little action except to arrange for the common defense. There is very little commerce or governance otherwise.
Children become full members of the tribe when they reach the age of majority. This is a celebrated event that occurs not on any birthday, but at the discretion of the family unit and their most proximate elders. Usually the child must accomplish some feat of survival, skill, martial aptitude and loyalty to prove they are no longer dependent upon but are capable of contributing gainfully to the welfare of the tribe. Usually it entails a year-long exile from the tribe.
When they return they are treated with a great feast and are appointed positions within the military, which provides lodging for them. They are expected to find mates and a place to live shortly thereafter.

History

After the coming of the Rifts, the Native Americans who had preserved their spiritual traditions experienced a surge in their power. The few that remained after the great cataclysm and the eruption of the Yellowstone Caldera gathered their families and made their way to where they felt their connection was the most potent. The peoples of the various Ute bands ended up in the Rocky Mountains west and south of the Colorado Baronies.

Demography and Population

Since the Utes as a people in Rifts Earth originated from the congregation of people who felt the pull of the land, the vast majority of them have some affinity for Earth elemental magic which would classify them as earth warlocks.

Military

All Ute serve in the defense forces for two years at the age of majority. Those who prove themselves most capable are asked to remain in the armed forces while the rest return to their families' communities. All Utes continue to serve in militia capacity for the rest of their adult lives once their active service is complete.
There are several permanent Ute military installations. One of the most noteworthy is Yampah Hot Springs, but they keep small security detachments throughout their territories.  Interestingly, those serving their 2-years of active service will always be stations away from their homes.  This is done to provide exposure to all the various interests of the tribe, to keep any certain family groups from becoming too isolated from the rest of the tribe, to prevent any conflicts of interest between the families and the tribe in the eyes of the soldiers, and finally to introduce the youth of the tribe to members of other families with whom they can form bonds of understanding, friendship and potential marriage.

Trade & Transport

The Ute keep mainly to themselves, having no interest in larger geopolitical affairs. However, since the Ute maintain the truce at Yampah Hot Springs, they are most likely associated with it and encountered there.

Founding Date

There was no set founding date, but rather a gradual congregation of peoples who came to realize they had a common bond to the land around them.

Type

Geopolitical, Tribe

Alternative Names

Parianuche, Yampah People, People of Sun Mountain

Demonym

They identify themselves by the land they call home. Thus each settlement or family group could call themselves something completely different.

Government System

Tribalism

Judicial Body

Every family group is empowered to implement its own form of justice. Their connection to elemental earth ensures a surprisingly fair and objective outlook in their judicial proceedings.

Official Languages

• Elemental Earth

Controlled Territories

• Wailing Rocks
• Yampah Hot Springs