The Grand Caravan of Bhutaar

The nomadic caravan of skilled horse riders and patient tradesmen, the thousands who dwell as Bhutaarians make home where they can across Erolan.

The Grand Caravan of Bhutaar is the nomadic home of the Mogatai Orcs, though anyone of sufficient skill may ride with the Caravan. Populated mostly by and founded by the Mogatai orcs, this caravan is well regarded for breeding of the finest horses in Erolan, and the skill to fight atop them. Surviving amongst the other kingdoms by travel and trade, they are a tribal folk who believe in the duality of nature, worshiping mostly the tandem of Stalk and Solace. Not many generations ago, they united under a warlike leader known as the Andakhan. The Andakhan, a talented general and profiecient warrior, sought to create an empire in his image. He drew several other caravaans of Bhutaar into the fold before waging war on much of southern Erolan. He began carving out a sizable fiefdom in the northern Black Sea region and territories contested by the Magocracy of Valsan, but his sudden death after several years of war led a series of leaders to rise in his place, who drew the component Caravans away from the path of war to join the rest of the Grand Caravan once again. Following the wisdom of their new leaders, they have since returned to the peace of the long road, hunting the herds that their caravans follow for sustenance, trading for anything else they may need as the caravan in their thousands travels across the width and breadth Erolan.
Currently, the Grand Caravan is ruled by a loose confederation of chieftains who occasianally break off the main caravan for a diversion, taking their tribe members with them, before returning to the Grand Caravan in a later season. Normally, this confederation of chieftains are free to decide their own path, widely agreeing the on path of the Grand Caravan, but in times of war, the Caravan changes to a war footing. A khan is chosen from the most skilled generals and warriors, who guides the caravan in the times of war, setting aside the title once the threat is passed.
The caravan is mostly self reliant, trading pelts, cattle, and well trained Bhuutarian horses for anything they may not be able to gather for themselves in the wild. They have also been known to sell their powerful recurve bows, and fine fletching. Having largely repaired much of the animosity between themselves and the other kingdoms, Bhutaarian trade groups are welcome in most trade houses, known for the quality of their goods, and honest practices of the Mogatai tradesmen.
Faith in the nomadic Grand Caravan revolves primarily around the worship of Solace, Goddess of Nature, and Stalk, God of Beasts. While other teachings are tolerated, the Grand Caravan feels that it owes much of its survival to the benevolence of these gods. Solace graces the Bhuutarians with feed for their animals, while Stalk gifts the hunters with the skill to feed their families. Much of their religious practices revolve around the respectful and pragmatic use of everything they collect, so as to not waste any part of a gift from the gods.
The life of a Bhutaarian citizen is a life on the move, as they do not stay too long in one grazing grounds or trade post. They do their best to not cause a disturbance or cause an issue within the area that they are staying, but they find their respite in nightly revelry and entertainment. When camped at night, music fills the air, as the Saikhan Delkhin are constantly playing music, putting on plays and performances. They also tend to take part in any festival or celebration in the area it is staying in, it is known that almost every Bobbin holiday the Grand Caravan is there celebrating with them, and it is also not unheard of for some Mogatai to stay behind, to live amongst the locals for a season before returning to the Grand Caravan.
In the early weeks of the Spring of 1024, the people of the Grand Caravan of Bhutaar were pressed into a war footing. Currently placed in the northern regions of Erolan, the Mogatai have been forced to defend their people and their allies. Answering the call for aid, the Bhutaarian cavalry masters rode north to contain the threats of the Eternalwoad. It is all their forces can do to hunt the borders of the forest and slay as many fomorians and horrors that make their way out of those now haunted woods.
The chieftains of the Grand Caravan have been in communication with nearby Il Paraonde and Alfheimr as well, and sent to them what forces can be spared. They do what they can to patrol the tradeways between these nations, to keep supplies moving as best they can, but the demand from the Eternalwoad is great, and manpower is managed harshly by the chiefs. Meanwhile, there is talk amongst some chieftains that in such monstrous times, a new leader must be chosen, to lead the Grand Caravan with one voice and maintain cohesion in the face of chaos.
9/1024 - The Grand Caravan has earned the goodwill of many kingdoms over the recent months, riding to the aid of the neighbors of the Eternalwoad and patrolling its borders for fomorian mutants that crawl from its depths. Such attacks have begun to dwindle thanks to the efforts of the Loyalist Fae within the Eternalwoad, but the mogatai of the Grand Caravan remain vigilant, as even a small pack of fomorians can mean the infestation and death of entire communities. Many patrol oaths have been made from Il-Paraonde to Zenith, and Bhutaar’s riders get little rest given the great distance of territory they must protect. The sentiment for the appointment of another war leader to unify the clans during wartime has gained momentum, with several great chiefs of the Caravan laying their claim to the title. Time will tell if the many chiefs of the Grand Caravan will once again unify under singular leadership, or if differences of leadership will keep the various minor caravans separate under the wills of their varying chiefs.

Cultural Dress
Bhutaarians dress light, but sturdy. Leather armors, cloth pants, and sturdy boots are common amongst the riders of the caravan. Furs are common for the colder climates, though many exotic goods can be found amongst the Grand Caravan. These goods are traded from every corner of Erolan, and it is not uncommon for a Bhutaarian to own a Harshorne leather vest and an Azerak forged blade. No distance is too far for a member of the Grand Caravan.

Kindgom Skill
Animal Friend: Once per day, 10 second RP, a natural beast regards you as ally 5 minutes