Vakaser Herders

A tribe of semi-nomadic Kobolds, ruled by a central figure, the Vakast of the group. The Vakaser are most familiar with the Southern Gaunasub Desert, where they maintain some permanent camps, considering it their territory more akin to how wild animals will hold land than through any lense of national sovereignty. For purposes of pillaging, trading and information gathering however, they have been known to send small parties to travel vast distances on land. Most frequently they raid and occupy the stationary settlements of other peoples or fight them for water sources, namely native village tribes and the Kuri//aes, with whom they keep irregular relations.

They are sometimes referred to as the "Kasholo", a term from the Kuri//aes, and will specifically use it for themselves when interacting with them. It is also used as a lighthearted insult among the Kobolds, although they do not seem to be aware of any meaning this word might posess.

History

Arrival in Gaunasub

It is currently not known when the tribe arrived in the Gaunasub Desert, but it is assumed that they are the descendants of a Clan expulsed from the Covenant of Grusaak. Further inquires to the Kobolds of the Covenant and the Kaptein of the Krui//aes might shed some light on their history.

Occupation of Amerue and Lofoai

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Soceital structure

The Vakast

The Vakaser Kobolds do not follow the principle of the separation of powers, quite the opposite in fact. The tribal leadership is trusted entirely to the Vakast, a position of universal authority. There is no code of law to legitimise this power as it is soley based on which Kobold, undead or alive, has the support of those that are best able to cheat, talk and brutalize their surroundings into submission. This group of supporters, known as the Vakasts "Herders", is usually given some slight privileges, like more comfortable housing and being excempt from doing unpopular chores, but are otherwise not treated much different from the less capable or outstanding tribe members. The most significant boon the Vakast provides is their spiritual protection to the whole tribe. To be worthy of this duty the Vakast must always seem to have the greatest influence with magical beigns - both imagined and real -, have the greatest collection of occult trinkets and charms and have a powerful patron deity. As long as they are the one most capable of performing this perceived service to the rest of the tribe, they are repayed in trust, privilege and power.

Internal equality and external oppression

Excluding the singular position of Vakast, all Kobolds in the tribe are fairly equal. The Herder does not eat any food the regular Vakaser cannot have and does not get a more favourable place in raids, the same way the sane Undead are not considered something less than an able-bodied living Kobold, although they are relegated to special "Living Graves" while in the permanent settlements. The Vakaser are remarkable in their general sense of unity and upward docility in parts because they have a strong group identity, the unfying influence of their figurhead and believe they are constantly under assault from evil spirits, bad luck and other supernatural forces. While these factors are not to be disregarded, the biggest contribution to tribe unity comes from the oppression and exploitation of the human population within their territory. The smaller village tribes are raided so frequently for ressources, that the relationship is often more a kind of ritualistic protection racket than truly violent conflict, and similiar tithes are expected from all production and commerce in occupied settlements. During occupation, which may be simply for the duration of a sandstorm or hold across several generations, desireable housing, food and equipment is repossessed entirely by the Vakaser and sometimes extended to favoured humans if there is excess. This way no Kobold has to feel like they are being put down within the tribal group, since even the least of the Vakaser is still an elite of wealth and political power within the larger highly stratified soceity they maintain.

Hierarchical worldview

Legitimising their despotism is an instictive belief in the right of the strong to do as they please; that if a person can do something, they gave themself any neccessary right by having that ability. The Vakaser know they can get their way with aggression and imperialism in the context of the small stretch of desert they inhabit, so they do their best to maintain their relative strength. They are also aware of larger and more advanced civilisations in the north of the central continent and subsequently terrified of being subjugated themselves. Kheta-Kedet especially, ancient and imposing, is considered a civilisation of unknowable strength and motivation and the Six Gods are the only known instance of the Vakaser not choosing to adopt and worship powerful deities upon discovery, possibly to avoid drawing their attention.

Locations

Amerue

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Culture

Architecture

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Religion

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Literature

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Military

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Geography

Major points of interest.

Gallery

Nation related images.