South Region: Empire of Cattle

At the Spider Jungle’s eastern limit, the plateau ends sharply and the foliage gives way to open prairie with scattered copses and patches of desert. From here to the east coast of Wadwala and from the Jaraian Highlands to the Scorching Sands is the territory of the Duvan-speaking people. The population is very spread out, and wildlife abounds. Large predators can see for miles on the plains, so long-distance travel with anything less than a five-person party is seldom attempted. Instead, for long-distance communication, runners relay messages to the neighbouring village, whose runner passes it to the next, and so on. Trade is conducted in the same manner, with merchants and their guards never venturing beyond a small circle of villages and relying on runners to cross the larger gaps with light loads of goods.
About half the population of this region leads a hunting-gathering lifestyle. The remainder are involved in the cattle industry in some manner or another. A powerful warlord who proclaims himself the Emperor of Cattle is accepted by most ranchers as the de facto representative of their collective interests, and the economy operates under his authority. However, there are a few ranchers who ignore the Emperor and deal directly with the Jaraians and Stanlandians tax and tariff free.
Races: Human, Wemic
Common Tongue: Duvan
Classes: Fighter, Survivalist, Paskwaw, Griot, Merchant, Witch, Witch Doctor, Houngan/Mambo

Structure

The tribal Duvan villagers and nomads are led by their elders. Larger towns are independent except for the presence of a tax office in each one that tracks merchant activities. Towns generally elect mayors from among their wealthier residents, with a minimum amount of livestock ownership being required to vote.

Mythology & Lore

Deities:
Nana Buluki – chief goddess, goddess of creation
Age’ – god of hunters, wilderness, and animals
Dan – god/dess of communication
Danh-Gbwe – god of divine power
Lisa – god of the sun
Mawu – goddess of the moon
Ogun – god of metalwork
Oya – goddess of storms, death, and rebirth
Shakpana – god of smallpox

Demonym

Duvans

Government System

Corporatocracy

Economic System

Market economy

Currency

Duvan coinage, livestock