Arkoth (arkoθ)

The "horse-lords" of Korgosht, the Arkoth are known well on the plains and to those of the Remaen Imperium who most often do trade with them. They sit on most of the plains' seats of power and control major trade networks across the steppes.

The Arkoth are a people who match the plains they live on perfectly. They are long-legged and barrel-chested with a light tan to their skin. Defined facial features include a broad face, small, soft brow ridges, large, but elegant nose, and an almost bulging chin.

Naming Traditions

Family names

Arkoth do not have family names. Instead, they take up a secondary name which is a hybrid of their parents' names (e.g. the son of Auhukl and Nornana maybe Auhnana), called the "kinship name."

Other names

Arkoth often define themselves based upon their home tribe: this is done through a title after their kinship name. (e.g. someone's full name maybe Ak'hul Morklekla of the Hon'har Tribe).

Culture

Major language groups and dialects

Arkoth is a guttural and harsh language. This language is, to many who don't speak it, ugly and often makes their throats sore. That said, many merchants that travel across the plains of Korgosht often learn Arkoth for the purposes of brownie points during trading. It also goes both ways, as many powerful Arkoth leaders of influence to other powers often learn languages such as Remaean for the same purposes.

Shared customary codes and values

Among the Arkoth, it is essential that one is able to ride a horse from a very young age. Arkoth tribes are nomadic pastoralists, meaning they move from place to place to find new grazing grounds for their herds. Horsemanship and care for one's horse is extremely important among the Arkoth and one is often judged harshly based on how well they take care of their horse.

Common Customs, traditions and rituals

The Arkoth are a horse culture, in every aspect of their existence. Their entire way of life revolves around the use, breeding, and worship of horses. While animals are present throughout their beliefs, horses are given special emphasis in every way, as the most important, powerful, and special among the animals and spirits. As such, horses are revered and hallowed.
The most commonly raised livestock are sheep, cattle, and horses; sheep wool is valuable as a material used for garments that can move with the people; cattle are important for their milk, a necessary resource in the dry, grassland landscape; horses are required, they can carry more than any human can and can travel both faster and longer, making travel less hassling.

Skin Stitching

One of the most important symbols among the Arkoth are the tattoos that cover their body. The technique they use is known as "skin stitching" which involves dipping a thread, in this case typically horsehair, in ink, which for them is typically made of charcoal, and sewing the thread into the skin to create a pattern or design. Often, Arkoth tattoos feature animals and animal imagery, especially of horses, and they may cover the body from the cheeks down to the ankles, although there may be areas of bare skin between tattoos. Horses are common in Arkoth tattoos, but other animals are also included for specific spiritual meanings to the person being tattooed. For example, a great warrior may have tattoos of predator species, such as wolves, or a heavily built beast, such as an aurochs, while a great dancer may feature birds like herons or Cockatrices.
These designs are not typically detailed and are usually angular, but depending on the skill of the tattoo artist in question, they can be extremely intricate and detailed, especially if they come from a long line of tattoo artists who have passed down their techniques and styles through generation upon generation. This is especially true among the Arkoth as shamans also tend to be tattoo artist or at least closely tied to them, due to the highly spiritual nature of Arkoth tattoos. In addition to be a signifier of a person's identity and style, tattoos also act as spiritual protection and anchors for the individual: by tattooing the body, the shaman is opening the door for good spirits to enter, encouraging virility, good health, and luck, and locking it for malevolent spirits, forestalling or preventing misfortune, disease, or character flaws such as cowardness.

Games

Athleticism is important among the Arkoth and that often manifests in various forms of games and sports. A common sport among the Arkoth, one of the highest regarded, is Krushtrat, a game that is similar to polo with elements of lacrosse. It is a game that is often played among both powerful leaders and common slaves, with some having slaves specifically trained for the latter. This is also one of the few sports among the Arkoth that it is normal for men and women to compete with each other. There is only one sport that is held in similarly high regard and that is wrestling: wrestling is an extremely proud tradition among the Arkoth and boys and girls both rigorously and compete ferociously amongst their respective peers. Krushtrat and wrestling are often dual events at festivals or other such important gatherings, though these are also common everyday games as well.
While not as important as the former two, there are other sports that are common in Arkoth culture, most notably horse races. Races are common among the Arkoth not just as a fun game, but also a contest of skill, a means to impress peers, and an event to bet on. Bets run high in horse races, both sprints and marathons, and many have sold themselves into slavery over a misplaced bet. Following close behind, foot races are events that many participate in and train vigorously for.

Beliefs

Arkoth animism is a mixture of animism, shamanism, totemism, and ancestor veneration, with some Remaen gods being worshiped in the regions close to the Imperium.

Birth & Baptismal Rites

When a baby is born, a shaman must feed them a special drink: milk from the mother mixed with the horse blood. The purpose of this drink is to give more life to the baby than it otherwise would on its own. After this first feeding, the baby is nursed by the mother as normal.

Common Taboos

To the Arkoth, horses are-simply put-sacred. This goes not just for religious ceremonies but also to their way of life. For this reason, deliberately harming or mistreating a horse is a horrendous offense, on par with doing such to a human being. Only under very special circumstances (assuming a noncombat/warfare setting) can a horse be deliberately harmed or killed and even then, there must be a religious persons involved, and specific rituals must be undertaken. To do so without these caveats is a serious offence and one often becomes a pariah among their peers, at best: this is due to how important horses are to Arkoth society so one's treatment of horses is a reflection on how they care for the community. However, simple mistreatment is one thing to one of the worst crimes of this nature imaginable: horse fighting. Not only is it a demonstration of one's lack of care of their horses-and the community that raised them thereupon-but also is generally viewed as a cruel practice. As an aside though, many outside of the Arkoth will note the brutality of their "wrestling."

Ideals

Beauty Ideals

Body fat is discouraged, being seen as a sign of laziness and lack of care for one's self, thus implying they cannot take care of another and therefore are undesirable as a partner. An attractive person is someone who is described as "horse-like": physically, that means someone who is strong and athletic, particularly with regards to running. Long, loose hair is favored among both sexes, as it brings to mind a horse's mane.
Men are especially strong and muscular. Men are expected to bare these muscles with pride and flaunt their masculinity. Men are also considered "horse-like" (and therefore attractive) if they are well-endowed.
Women are usually fine and lean. Women are expected, though not required, flaunt themselves often upon the man they are given to or show an interest in. Women are also expected to be faithful to their partners and loving of their children.

Gender Ideals

Just as the herd of horses is the model for the social dynamics of the tribe, so to do they model gender ideals:
Men are defenders and leaders. A stallion is fierce and takes charge, and so men take leadership and defensive roles. Men bring food to the hearth and protect the tribe from external, and internal, threats. Men are expected to be "stallion-like": they are to be warriors and guardians of the family.
Women are lovers and caretakers. A mare is protective and nurturing, and so women follow and take up caring roles. Women can hunt, provided they're not pregnant, but for the most part women prefer gathering, only bringing in small game. Women are expected to be "mare-like": they are to be mothers and nurturers of the family.

Languages spoken

• Arkothic

Related Locations

• Korgosht