Ulakandar, Plains of
The Plains of Ulakandar stretch between Zeif and Ull, inhabited by the fiercely independent Ulakandar people. Skilled horsemen and warriors, they migrate seasonally between the plains and the Dry Steppes, serving as mercenaries for neighboring Baklunish states while engaging in their own tribal feuds and conflicts with the warlike Ull.
History
The Ulakandar have roamed these lands for over a thousand years, their way of life shaped by the vast open plains and the rugged Dry Steppes to the south. Scholars speculate that they share ancestry with the Tiger and Wolf Nomads, separated by later migrations of different nomadic groups. Though outsiders often refer to them as Paynims, a mildly derogatory term, the Ulakandar take pride in their heritage as descendants of the fallen Baklunish Empire. Their mastery of horsemanship and the bow makes them a formidable force, both as raiders and as sought-after mercenaries. Despite frequent intertribal feuds, their most persistent conflict is with their warlike cousins in Ull.
Politics and Society
There is no central authority among the Ulakandar. Instead, numerous independent tribes roam the plains in seasonal cycles, moving south into the Dry Steppes when the rainy season makes them more hospitable. Leaders among the Ulakandar hold a variety of titles, including Amir, Shah, and Padishah among the northern and western tribes, while those from the Dry Steppes favor Khan, Il-Khan, and Tarkhan. Despite their differences, the Ulakandar are bound by shared language, customs, and superstitions.
The Ulakandar maintain a complex relationship with the settled Baklunish states. They frequently raid their neighbors, yet are also hired as mercenary cavalry by Ket, Tusmit, and Ekbir, often fighting on behalf of one state against another—or even against rival nomadic clans. They share the plains with several nomadic centaur clans, who follow the same migratory patterns.
Religion
The Ulakandar practice the Baklunish faith, revering the Four Feet of the Dragon and maintaining ties to the great monasteries found on the edges of their lands. These centers of learning teach philosophy, mysticism, and martial arts, attracting pilgrims seeking enlightenment and self-mastery.
Military
The Ulakandar are masters of mounted warfare, renowned for their speed and precision. Their warriors are lightly armored but highly mobile, with three-quarters wielding powerful horn bows and curved scimitars, while the remainder fight with lances, maces, or flails. Their horse-herding culture ensures a steady supply of trained war mounts, making them one of the most mobile fighting forces in the region.
Despite their lack of heavy armor, their swift hit-and-run tactics make them an enduring threat to their enemies—and an invaluable asset to those wise enough to seek their allegiance.
Proper Name: Tribes of the Ulakandar
Ruler: Various Ulakandar clan leaders
Government: Numerous tribal leaders varying from noble to royal titles
Major Settlements: None
Resources: Horses, livestock, hides and furs, medicinal herbs, mercenaries
Population: Human, Centaur, Halfling
Allies: Other Baklunish states (sometimes)
Enemies: Ull, Other Baklunish states (sometimes), Knights of the Watch
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