DARKTIMES: The Golden Plain
The origins of the tribes that dwell on the Plain remain shrouded in mystery. Even the people themselves cannot agree, as there are differing legends about how they came to occupy these unforgiving lands. Some contend that they originated from a single family created by the gods. Others say that they are a people made up of brave travellers who left the other six realms to carve out their own domain. A few claim no common ancestry with the other tribes at all.
For this is a divided land. There are three main tribes and a host of smaller groups, some of which number less than a hundred. Incredibly, conflicts are rare, mainly because the tribes have simply learned to live in harmony and have an enormous space to share.
Of the three larger tribes, the Makto are the most settled. This is because they operate the mines in the centre of the plain. These mines do not produce silver, gold, iron or tin. They mine a substance called blueseam. It is a shiny, beautiful, highly resistant metal that can be used for weapons but is more commonly shaped into jewellery. The Makto profit from these mines but extracting the blueseam is gruelling work and some resent how this industry affects their traditional nomadic lifestyle. Although there have been occasional attempts by other tribes to take over or start their own mines, the other factions are in fact even more resistant to sedentary life. Although the Makto operate workshops making simple jewellery and weapons, the majority of the blueseam is sold to traders in the Three Fjords. Indeed, the main route that runs from the plain to the coast is known as the Blue Trail.
While the Makto can claim to be the most prosperous tribe on the Plain, the most numerous is the Lanako. Three times larger than the Makto, this tribe migrates yearly, spending the colder months on the plain, the warmer months in the sandy hills to the south. Their work never ends. If they are not water-divining or digging wells, they are caring for the dreya: the hardy breed of horse that enables them to travel vast distances. These valued creatures are never used for food. Instead, the Lanako hunt herds of onak, horned animals that can stand up to twelve feet high at the shoulder. They live off the grass found in most parts of the plain and just one beast can provide sufficient meat to sustain a family through many months. Hunting them is not easy but the Lanako are masters of bow and spear. Even so, it can take ten expert hunters to bring down an onak and the risk of injury is ever-present.
The third main tribe seen on the Plain is the Yoriko. They are true hunter-gatherers, with their own pantheon of spirits to help them in this most hostile of environments. Even in the blistering heat of the summer and the vicious cold of the desert night, they do not leave the Plain. While they will occasionally hunt onak, they prefer to take smaller creatures and are expert at making the most of the limited flora and fauna on offer. They are specialists in drying and salting food. While some use the dreya horses, others remain on foot. All Yoriko carry tents but they will often live in sand burrows when the conditions are right.
There is no large settlement on the Golden Plain. The most populous settlement, Urahu, grew up around the largest blueseam mine and is permanent home to many hundreds. Some of the more prosperous Makto chieftains dwell here and they have used their wealth to construct The Great Fort. Constructed of wood transported hundreds of miles, it is the Makto’s answer to the other six realms: to show that the tribes of the plain are also able to build great structures. Though in truth it is comparatively small, many tribesmen are awed by their first sight of the fort because there are no other man-made structures. Here, in a grand hall decorated by blueseam, trade is conducted and religious ceremonies are held.
The Golden Plain is so named because of the sand that dominates the region. Water supplies are predominantly below the surface, though there are a few oases to the north. Travellers from other realms occasionally pass through but never do so without a guide. Some — the Yoriko in particular — are fearful of outsiders but the tribes are generally peaceful unless provoked. However, any threat to either the water supply or the onak will meet with a violent response.
Due to the tribal nature of the society, it is rare for individuals to rise above the masses. However, there are a few names known and respected across the Makto, the Lanako and the Koriko. The first of those is Ka-Elspo, a member of the Lanako tribe. In his era — around three centuries ago — the tribes depended on the sun, stars and their memory for navigation. It was Ka-Elspo who introduced the use of marker rocks to help individuals orientate and move within the plain. One of the few practices the tribes have in common is to maintain these markers. They use a simple form of hieroglyphics and are often placed only five miles apart.
Another noted individual is So-Palko. The story of this young woman is known across the Golden Plain. It is said that she lived an isolated existence with her father. When he was killed while hunting an onak, she found herself alone in the desert. Instead of giving in to the relentless elements, she tracked the wounded onak and killed it. Using skills learned from her father, she then cut out the beast’s stomach and used it to carry blood — which she then lived off for ten days until she reached safety.
The most famous person in the Golden Plain still living is Ka-Nonto, who heads the richest family in Urahu. Following the teachings of the spirits, he shares most of his wealth with the community. He has dedicated funds to building houses, places of worship and irrigation tunnels. There are few tribesmen with better knowledge of the outside world and Ka-Nonto is also one of a tiny minority who speak the language shared by the inhabitants of the Coast of Bones and the Three Fjords.
In fact, one of these close friends is an envoy from the Three Fjords. During his latest visit, this man relayed some intriguing news about the Darklands. An organisation calling itself the Red Order has put out a call for warriors to take part in a fighting competition. Ka-Nonto knows that some of the brave, ambitious warriors within the Golden Plain will be tempted to take part.
Times are changing ⏳
