The Water Hunter Tribe
The elves of the Water Hunters tribe wander the sandy wastes and rocky badlands in an endless search for sustenance. The hunter-gatherers and herders that make up the tribe embrace the old elven ways. They reject the "new" ideas that other tribes have adopted, declaring mercantile activities to be the province of the slower races and not worthy of true desert runners.
The Water Hunters look down upon the Silver Hands tribe with especial scorn. Not only has that tribe settled in one place, its members have gone so far as to build a permanent fort to wall in a portion of the desert. This goes against everything that Coraanu Star Racer taught the elves of Athas. It is only a matter of time, the Water Hunters believe, until the worst hardships of life catch up with these heretics of elven nature who have given up the gift of running free.
The Water Hunters are ferocious fighters. While they do not actively pursue caravans to raid or search out settlements to plunder, they will battle any outsiders who invade what they consider to be their territory (currently the area within the vicinity of Utbo Grove). They will also attack those who interfere with their hunting and herding activities.
These elves hold to a number of barbaric practices that date back to an earlier time; as such, they are much like the halflings of the Forest Ridge. The Water Hunters consume raw meat, often carving it off the still-living creatures they have chased and captured. They collect trophies from their prey and fallen foes, proudly wearing the bones of those they have bested in the hunt or by combat. For all their savagery, there are no better hunters, trackers, or scouts in the Tablelands than the elves of the Water Hunters tribe.
Recent History
The Water Hunters are in something of a crisis mode of late as they focus all of their efforts on protecting the tribe's most sacred site, Utbo Grove. Four months ago the tribe's nomadic wanderings brought them back near the grove once more and they were shocked to find the merchants of House Stel constructing one of their fortress-like outposts less than five miles from the hidden grove. This might not have been quite as much of a problem if House Stel hadn't been known for its close ties with Urik, a city whose warlike inhabitants have made a long practice of slaughtering elven tribes. With that in mind Lismuuk ordered his tribe to attack and, owing at least in part to surprise, they managed to slaughter every living being in the outpost. Since that attack Lismuuk has ordered that all Water Hunters remain within a day's run (50 miles) of Utbo grove. This practice has already paid off once since about two months ago, an additional expedition from House Stel made its way west, this time much more heavily armed as this group contained solders, psychics, templars, and even a few of the hated defilers. Thankfully Lismuuk managed to repulse House Stel's attempts to set up their outpost again although this time the tribe took heavy losses. Now the tribe waits for what they feel is an inevitable third push from the merchant house. From what is known about Stel's patriarch, Hargan Stel III, he's unlikely to relent, and given the house's close ties to Urik's sorcerer-king not to mention the inclusion of some of the city's templars in the previous attempt there is likely to be more military aid from the city-state. None of this bodes well for the tribe or its few allies, but tradition demands they defend the grove so that is what they're likely to do.Territories
The Water Hunters are a primarily nomadic tribe. They follow wild herds, search out water sources, and seek grazing land all while remaining relatively close to their sacred, hidden grove. Practically this means one is likely to encounter them along the Ringing Mountains as far south as Tyr all the way to the Smoking Crown and spots even further north. Their wanderings east are hampered by Urik's presence and they refuse to ascend west into the mountains themselves.
While the tribe is, as mentioned, primarily focused on hunting and herding, they do occasionally raid caravans, particularly those bound to or from Urik. They also indiscriminately attack all who enter their current hunting grounds. Their striking out like this is primarily for defensive purposes, but sadly that's not the only reason as, much like the halfling tribes to the west and the nomadic thri-kreen, the Water Hunters tribe does practice some level of cannibalism.
Type
Geopolitical, Tribe
Leader
Head of Government
Government System
Tribalism
Neighboring Nations
Notable Members
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