Harskar

Background

In their own tongue (Old Tongue ) Nomads are known as the 'People of the Forests and the Mountains'. They understand their place in the natural world and name themselves after where they came from, where they are and where they're going.
They are called the 'Nomads' by outsiders because they are thought to be nomadic by the Townsfolk, but this is a misnomer. While some clans choose to travel around, they stay in the same place for anywhere between a few days to ten moons. Others stay in permanent camp where they live for years at a time.

Being Harskar

Hereditary

Harskar, which roughly translates as "ruler" in the old tongue, is a position which is only found at the few permanent camps in the Known World.
It is a hereditary position which is passed down to the most competent next of kin. People are marked as being the next in line when they reach adulthood, between the ages of 15 and 20 years old. They are marked with a tattoo across the whole of their chest of the tree of the forest where their permanent camp is based. If by the time they reach adulthood a potential future Harskar has not demonstrated sufficient competency (as perceived by the current Harskar) they are not marked and they have missed their opportunity.
It is possible for someone to walk away from the position, even if they have been marked with the tattoo, although this has only happened a handful of times in the last thousand years.

The History

The first Harskar was appointed when the first permanent camp was formed in the Time Before Record.
It is said that the people gathered and together they chose not a person, but a family to lead them. They knew they needed someone who could make decisions on behalf of a group, as a Chief Among Equals would, and be the heart and the head of their settlement. But clans disbanded when the Chief Among Equals died, and this permanent camp was going to last longer than a single person's lifetime.
So, they chose a family who could be that deciding force for generations to come.

Role

The role of the Harskar is to look out for the permanent camp they are leading. This includes:

• Overseeing law and order
• Ensuring sufficient resources
• Ensuring they are protected
• Managing relationships with clans

Reputation

The reputation of the Harskar does differ depending on who is filling that role, but regardless there are two quite separate opinions of the sort of person who is likely to take such a position.

Inside the Settlements

People inside the permanent camps or settlements believe that the Harskar is a great person and that their family was chosen for a reason. They tend to fear or respect the person in this position, often both, and treat them as someone inherently special.

The Clans

People who live in clans see the Harskar as a strange and slightly unknowable position. They are used to working alongside their Chief Among Equals so there is some derision for a person who places themself above their community as a Harskar does.

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