Ishkari
The Salt Steppes are a harsh salt plain where little life survives. However, the Ishkari and their animal mounts are the exception. It is believed that long ago, the Ishkari were tribals from the Rustilians that immigrated south past the mountain ranges. However, over time, they would discover the Blood Mother, and from there build their society as warriors to exonerate their bloody goddess. While most of Ustaria seeks to leave them alone, as trying to colonize their land is simply not worth the hassle, the Ishkari have been known to raid outsiders, or trade with them at times. One must be careful when traveling into the harsh steppes, for the warriors it breed are harsh indeed.
Culture
Major language groups and dialects
The Ishkari have their own language called Tartic, however many also know Rustilian.
Culture and cultural heritage
Animal husbandry is a big thing for the Ishkari, for they are great steppe nomads. As such it is considered a mark of pride that they breed some of the best mounts in Ustaria. These mounts help bear their warriors into battle, for the Ishkari are a very warrior like people. For this reason, martial prowess is considered a great virtue, and one must prove themselves a capable warrior or else be considered weak. Life is hard on the Salt Steppes, but for the Ishkari, it is simply their home, and one they will zealously defend should the need arise.
Shared customary codes and values
For Ishkari, ones word is ones boned. The Ishkari swear oaths by slicing their palm on a knife or sword and holding their closed, bleeding fist in the air and swear upon their blood. For this reason, the Ishkari absolutely despise liars and thieves, for such people that break their oaths are to reviled. Another custom of theirs is to revere the first animal they see in the day, for animals are ways in which the Blood Mother interacts with the world, and her holy blood runs in their veins. As such, from the humble ant, to the terrifying griffon, the Ishkari will say a small prayer to the animal in respect to the Blood Mother.
The Blood Mother is the chief deity of the Ishkari, and for good reason. In the center of the Salt Steppe is a great obelisk, with depictions of a terrifyingly beautiful woman that is lined with blood that never dries. From this obelisk is said that the great blood veins around the salt steppes lead to. This religon is centered around the holiness of blood relations and bloodlines, and the way in which blood flows through most living things. From blood, life is given form, and is that not a sign that blood is the tool of the divine. Ever since the tribes came to be, the blood mother has been the center of their culture.
Common Dress code
Typically, Ishkari wear fur lined clothing, and are widely known for their very beautiful and fancy looking dresses and headwear, which the people take great care in making. In fact, fine clothing is one of their main exports to people outside the Salt Steppes.
Art & Architecture
Art from the Ishkari typically revolved around nature shots, with the color red being a common color to use in such pieces. Many art pieces typically revolve around showing the beauty of life simply at work.
Coming of Age Rites
The typical coming of age ritual is for an Ishkarian to be able to hunt an animal from horseback with either bow or spear, as one must be expected to fight should the tribe come under attack from foreigners or other tribes. One they have slain the beast, they will drink its blood to show their worship to the Blood Mother.
Funerary and Memorial customs
The body is trained of blood, and shared amongst the surviving family members, which in this way helps their blood live on. However if the dead died of a disease, or they have no surviving family, then the blood is scattered across the ground as an offering to the blood mother. The body is typically burned as their is no real other purpose to hold onto it or bury it.
Ideals
Beauty Ideals
Despite being such a fearsome warrior people, the Ishkari are considered to have some of the most beautiful people amongst their tribes, wearing gorgeous clothing and having great and soothing voices. This reputation leads to the Ishkari considering themselves to be a cut above the typical city dwellers, and for this the Ishkari wear this reputation proudly. It is for this reason that many of their warriors wear masks that are stylized after faces, for their visage will remind their enemies of just how woefully uncivilized they are.
Gender Ideals
The Ishkari are an egalitarian people in nature, however their society is matriarchal, with the warrior Queens being trusted to lead each tribe wisely and fairly.
Major organizations
The Ishkari tribes are the main group the Ishkari reside in.
Related Locations
