Arenko
The clan confederacy of the Silverlands
Though less pervasive than the fire sign, there's a moon sigil that recurs in myths of Eldorado. Seeking leads about its meaning we sent Fullbeard north to meet the Spirit Talkers spiritual leaders of the Silverland Clan. Before speaking with any of these holy men, Fullbeard was obliged to present himself at the Court of the Silver Raven and explain his purpose. The Silver Clans remain wary of foreigners taking interest in their spiritual beliefs ever since an event they call the Heresy War, a conflict that preceded the dominance of the Pachucese solar cult over the other religious creeds of the Pachuco and Outramar Jungles. Evidently, Fullbeard discovered that there's still many in Enderwild that keep the old ways in spite of what Pachuco's solar emissaries preach.
After fifteen years in the Zone I've seen what it has to offer. I've witnessed the Water Wall of Trinity. I've stood in Pachuco's Panoptic Hall. I've survived the blood pits of Tabazan. I've climbed the Pyramid of Two Suns and witnessed the oracle tower of Azoturia.The most remarkable things I've seen in this land of wonders are the simple beauties of the northern plains. They remind me of the Middowest Flats back home in Larada. O to be reunited with kin in the country I call my own!
I met the Xhan of the Silver Court within the Raven Citadel. It was an impressive fortress. The interior halls were lined with rough hewn marble columns and decorated with fine silver adornments. The Xhan's throne chair is what really caught my eye. It was built into the hollow chest cavity of an ancient steel walker, an automaton from the old days of the Hidden Empire. Until now the first, last, and only time I'd ever seen such a thing was when I saw the last charge of the Steel Legion back in Nehark
The Silverlands (Arenko) of Old Orad are home to a group of nine clans that have united to form a tribal confederacy. Collectively, these clans identify themselves as the People of Silverland (in Ornish the Arenkan). The Arenkan Confederacy shares common Ornish language, common customs and spiritual beliefs, and rules itself through a common tribal government, known as the Court of the Silver Raven, the Arnvandar.
Structure
Arenko is structured as a clan confederacy that invests the individual tribal clans with a great deal of individual sovereignty. Each clan has a chieftain who functions as the principal governing potentate and is chosen in whatever manner the local Arenkan deem appropriate. Depending upon the specific clan in question, the chief may rule as an autocrat (as is the case with Margrave Toktamish of Lowdown or alternatively the chief could lead a governing council in which authority and responsibility is shared more widely among the notable families of his clan (as is done in the Elder Council of the Rewan tribe).
However, when dealing with matters of mutual clan interest such as the common law, the management of shared resources (such as access to migratory herds), inter-tribal conflict resolution, and common defence of the Arenkan people, the ruling power is held by the Arnvander confederacy council, "The Court of the Silver Raven," which is led by a Xhan or "high king," who is chosen annually from among the clan chieftains. These chieftains thereafter serve the Xhan as advisers and retainers.
Public Agenda
The Arenko Tribes are committed to maintaining their unique traditional customs while furthering their collective pursuit of peace and security. They are currently maintaining a neutral stance in the Vril-Pachuco War, but Xhan Moxammatsa has secretly accepted weapons and pilfered Merikan tech in exchange for granting free passage to Vril warriors moving in the Silverlands.
Assets
The plains of silver are so-called because they are indeed rich with precious silver deposits, but not all the Arenkan Tribes can claim such wealth within their ancestral lands. Fortunately, the high plains of Arenko boast of other riches, including fertile lands for farming and grazing, ample supplies of fresh water, and expansive herds of bison and impala.
History
The Arenko Tribal Confederacy was founded as a mutual defence pact in the aftermath of the Heresy War. The Pachuco Kingdom's defeat of Terragar and occupation of the Vale River Reach eventually led to zealous demands for spiritual orthodoxy from its neighbor nations. Faced with bold military incursions and unwelcome missionaries of the Ormaz solar cult, the Arenkan united for their common defence under the leadership of the White Horn chieftain, a Xhan known as Acalan.
Acalan had claimed the ancestral title of Xhan through right of conquest after subduing the Zelenas and Buckhorn clans in tribal warfare. Instead of reigninig as a tyrant, Acalan used his authority to persuade the other Arenko tribes to join under a single Arenakan banner. Acalan's legacy lives on in the unbroken chain of unity that has guided the Xhan's of Arenko ever since.
Two Suns but one Moon
Founding Date
943 PCE
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Alternative Names
Arenko, Land of Silver Lake, Silver Plains
Demonym
Arenkan
Location
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