Yorqora
Also called the Bull People or the Montuli (as they oft call themselves), the Yorqora are a nomadic hunting folk who occupy the stretch of grasslands in north-central Olveiria called the Yorqora Cauldron (or the Yorqor Plains). They ride huge bulls called Buchals, which many consider deadlier than the Mornal Unicorn, and far more difficult to control.
Yorqor is a uniformly matriarchal society. Women occupy roles as priestesses called Zraiars (a term presumably taken from the Zira Zrai to the east), and the bull-riding warriors called Montars are exclusively female. Men ride horses and mules, and typically specialize in caring for livestock and children. Indeed, the girls first learn to ride horses, taught by their fathers or uncles or brothers, before being deemed old enough and brave enough to ride a Buchal. Some older men also serve as assistants to the Zraiars, but this position has no known title, and is often fulfilled by one of the Zraiar's husbands.
The Yorqora organize themselves into raiding bands called Yoruqs, which ride across the plains to "barter," as they call it, with foreign traders. This "bartering" means taking by force whatever they desire from others, fighting and even slaying any who resist. Yet once the fighting is over, and they have everything they desire, the Yoruq's leader (called the Yoruq Quhai) will offer some of their own supplies in trade. None will ever call these trades fair, but most will shrug off these misfortunes as the cost of travel in the region. Peace in Northern Olveiria is very fragile, where it exists, and many consider it safer and even cheaper to risk the Yorqora Cauldron than to try taking their wares through foreign territory. This is especially true of those who risk stealing into the Saltstones in hopes of making off with precious gems, or moving their wares farther south into the Batsalian Union.
Yorqora warriors are a startling thing to behold. Smaller riders are praised for their ability to control the huge Buchal bulls, meaning that these warrior women tend to be absolutely dwarfed by the fearsome mounts they ride. Further, it is Yorqora fashion for a warrior to grow her hair out and grease it into the shape of massive horns, growing larger and longer as she ages. Some call the sight comical, but wise folk keep such humor to themselves. Some of the Zraiar priestesses are also seen to wear their hair in horns, though only partially and much smaller. Men either grow their hair straight down or shave their heads completely. On top of all this, the Yorqora are sometimes called the Mottled Folk, for most of them have complexions mottled dark earthen and marble ghast.
Warriors will fight from a distance with bow, sling, or spear, and Yoruqs are often formed based on a preference for one particular weapon. All warriors keep knives in their belts, though, and many a once-boastful traveler will speak of the terror he feels when a tiny warrior leaps from her bull onto his own mount to slit its throat, bringing him and his valuables down with it.
Yorqora "bartering" proves a danger to all the surrounding nations, yet none more so than Mornalith to the west. All manner of horrid epithets are thrown at these women warriors there, where men dominate all facets of society. Many have said that for this alone do the other nations tolerate Yorqora "bartering," so much of a nuisance do they pose the Mornals.
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