Nomadic tribes

Before the formation of the Fenixian Empire, The Hollow Expanse was the home to ten nomadic tribes.
The tribes were the Strong Oxes, the Dancing Horses, the Cunning Snakes, the Secretive Mice, the Serene Fish, the Loyal Hounds, the Proud Goats, the Patient Camels, the Biting Lizards, and the Protective Wolves.
Each of them drew inspiration from one of the animals common in the area, and they followed the winds across the land to graze their herds. At certain times of the year they would meet, sheltering together through Zaydael, or celebrating the arrival of Phaedri together.
More frequently, they fought over the limited resources in the area, like access to the Soimomble River, prefered grazing, shelter from the winds. It felt like this struggle would be never-ending as each tribe struggled to be self-sufficient and ensure they had enough of the limited resources in the area to thrive.

The end of the tribes

Horaeri, The First Emperor was the eldest son of The Dancing Horse Clan Chief. He invited the sons of the other tribal chiefs to meet at the Shautane Grotto to discuss peace. While there, the phoenix was reborn nearby. This gave them the power to wield crystals.

Forming an Empire

Horaeri was adamant that the tribal system was inclined to violence and competition. He insisted that the tribes were over. Instead, they were now families and had to work together. He split up all the families resources and gave each of his supporters certain things to harvest and maintain, as well as splitting the land between them. This meant each family relied on the others to have everything. And he built the City of Fenixia, insisting that be the permanent home of each family.
The tribes which didn't support him were given the choice of pledging allegiance, and becoming their servants, or leaving the area and risking their lives in the Whispering Sands. Only one tribe refused to swear to him, and so everyone from the Cunning Snake tribe left the Hollow Expanse.

Influence today

While the names of the tribes are no longer revered, their characteristics have continued on to their families. Through the Veneration of ancestors, the knowledge of where you came from is a part of you. The celebration of the family leaders at the Shautane Grotto is the same as the tribal leaders would have done generations previously.
Life on the edge of the desert is harsh, whether you move from place to place, like the tribes did, or root yourself in the City of Fenixia, like the families. So, while some things have changed because of that, the tribal reverence for life, appreciation of the power of their environment, and insistance on sustainability and limiting the impact of your actions continue.

Related Locations

• The Hollow Expanse
• Whispering Sands