Horse Lords of the Red Plains

Proper Name: Horse Lords of the Red Plains

Ruler: Duke Bendekar (CG male human, fighter 15)

Government: Duke is elected from and by the Lords of the Clans.

Seat of Government: Indrovore

Cities: Indrovore (SC)

Resources: Livestock (horses, cattle, sheep), leather

Population: Human 79%, halfling 9%, elf 5%, dwarf 3%, gnome 2%, half-elf 1%, half-orc 1%

Law: CG

Regional Feats: Bullheaded, Saddleback, Survivor

The Duchy of Maryam is the official name for what is commonly known as the Red Plains.  The Red Plains take their name from the red soil and red grasses that cover them.  The inhabitants of the Red Plains call themselves the Jakar.  To others, they are the Horse Lords.

The plains lie south of the Ironspikes and Silver Range, west of the Taristrae River, and east of Hartshome and Bluestar Lake.  To the south, the Red Plains merge into the rich farmlands of Molndal.  A thousand years ago, the farms of Molndal were a favorite target of Jakar raiders.  Neither side has forgotten that.

The Jakar are a proud nomadic folk, who wander the plains, some with herds of cattle, others with sheep.  They are divided into clans who identify themselves with names like Black Wolf, Green Ram, and Blue Stallion.  Every five years, the clans meet in a moot to choose the Duke of the Horse Lords.

In mounted combat, the Jakar have few rivals.  Jakar children are taught to wield the lance and shoot a bow from horseback from the time that they can walk.  The most numerous order of knights in Lozar, the Red Lancers, originated among the Horse Lords.  The Red Lancer headquarters is located in Maryam's only city, Indrovore.

Maryam is also home to the Red Archers.  An order of archers skilled in the use of the bow from horseback.  The Red Archers are rare outside of Maryam.  Few outside the Jakar meet the rigorous standards that the Red Archers require.

Shorthand/Influences: Fancy Dothraki. Magipunk cowboys