The Eleshem

The Eleshem, or Plainstreaders to outsiders, are a collection of roaming bands of herders and traders. They primarily live in the western region of Argonen, on the western side of the Gorlard Mountains all the way to the eastern banks of the Vermat River. Their territory is large, but not quite as expansive as the Draconic Empire’s. Understandably so, as their land’s value is not in its expanse, but rather in its soil. Vast tracts of grassland are used to feed the massive herds of cattle and horses the Plainstreaders use for both transport and trade. It is said that no finer horse can be bought in all of Argonen than one reared by the Eleshem. Being nomadic, the Plainstreaders don’t have formal cities, but rather established “campgrounds” throughout various areas of the Einsam Plains. These campgrounds are used for a period of the year before the band moves on to the next one, following the herd’s food supply. Bands are usually 50-200 strong and are organized by various large families. Families are defined by the service they provide to the band, such as healing, herding, and hunting. While all Plainstreaders know how to ride a horse, only a select few master the art of raising them, meaning families with the largest number of horsemasters are regarded more highly within Eleshem society.
That being said, there is no official nation of the Eleshem; they are instead a collective of various tribes, for lack of a better word. They rarely meet on their travels, but are cordial with each other when they do, though some families might bear a generational grudge against another from another band. Beyond that, they have no formal system of government and only convene with the other nations by way of trade. It is due to this lack of a centralized, formal government that the Plainstreaders have never been conquered, nor their land taken from them. Only once in the last 200 years have the bands formed together into an army to defend their land from invaders to the south.
The Eleshem are comprised of a mixed group of orcs, hobgoblins, bugbears, and tabaxi, as well as small populations of other races. Due to the nomadic nature of the Plainstreaders and the necessity for skilled workers, no race is placed above others, though the orcs and hobgoblins are considered the oldest members of the Eleshem. Other races are welcome to join bands so long as they prove themselves useful to the workforce.

Type

Geopolitical, Nomadic tribe

Demonym

Eleshem, Plainstreaders