Sarminians

The Sarminians hail from the far east, where thick forests of Katraddia thin into endless rolling hills and windswept steppes, and the vast empire of Kathun-Kai is a more relevant threat than the distant Aversaria. They are a matriarchal culture of fearsome horsewomen and warriors, with a long history of raiding and subjugation of their more peaceful neighbours such as the Izikalek.

Sarmonian Queendom, known as Kizenag of Samadithys, was located on the western flank of a much larger nomadic confederation that was reportedly a military equal to the Kathunians. It held a central position in the Sarminian hierarchy, with tribal leaders of both the large Urvazegs and the smaller Tasuyegs - roughly equivalent to Dukes and Counts respectively - swearing fealty to the Kizengana of Samadithys. If the queen was absent or indisposed, seven Boszoj - meaning both "Regent" and "Commander" in Sarminian - were appointed as leaders of Sarminian warhosts. The Sarminian people venerate the falcon above all other beasts, building roosts for them and taming them as companions that serve as an extension of a horsewoman's body.

Frodbrokna and Sjalvolki Migration
The Sarminians were separated from their nomadic brethren by the Fog in the aftermath of the Frodbrokna, which forced them to flee west into Katraddia. Nearly a generation of strife and conflict later, they were approached by the ambassadors of High King Cenware and joined forces with the Sjalvolki Imperrech on the promise of new lands to settle. Having suffered many losses, including that of their queen and six of the seven Boszoj, during the migration, the Sarminian tribal structure was finally shattered with the valiant death of Boszoj Resplendia and her companion horsewomen at the Battle at the Black Pass. As the title of the last existing Boszoj was inherited by her niece Achake, some of the surviving Sarminian clans have refused to swear allegiance to her, risking a complete disintegration of the Sarminian warhost.

Religion
The Salacad faith is native to the Sarminians, who believe in two primordial creator deities that are in constant conflict with each other: Mother Sky and Father Earth. The former is seen as the protector of humanity, shielding them from the destruction brought about by the latter. Indeed, it is a Salacad belief that the Frodbrokna and the encroaching Fog are the deeds of Father Earth, his final act of spite and atrocity against Mother Sky in a bid to destroy humanity and start the world anew.

In traditional Salacad beliefs only women can serve as shamans, communing with Mother Sky and divining her will to guide the faithful towards glory under the watchful gaze of her blue eyes. Salacad adherents practice Sky Burials, where the dead are left in the open in the mountains to be consumed by scavenging birds instead of being buried in graves.

A divergent religious tradition of the Salacad faith, the Segyetes view Mother Sky and Father Earth as lovers, with the latter growing jealous of the creations of the former. As a result, the Segyetes attribute demons to be the creations of Father Earth, whom he made from his dirt. These demons terrorized the world, forcing Mother Sky to plunge her spear tearfully into Father Earth, sundering both sky and earth and separating humanity from their creator. The Segyetes believe that true salvation lies in reconciling the relationship between the two deities, making the world whole again. Consequently, the faith has both men and women serving as shamans, seeking to emulate mending of the broken bonds.

Achake, the last Boszoj
Achake is a niece of Boszoj Resplendia that fell in the Battle of the Black Pass. Inheriting a disintegrating Sarminian warhost, her ascent has not been unchallenged, with some Sarminian tribal cheifs refusing to swear fealty to her. Should she not be able to find a new home for her Sarminian people, they can be left as but a footnote in history.