Description
The Ritchtka Tribe is a periodically nomadic tribe, settling every 20 years in a different place. They are a smaller tribe of only 300, and are rather technologically handicapped, with the most inventive designs coming from the tribe are general purpose weapons, which shall he expanded upon. The language spoken by the tribe is a precursor to the Mando'a of modern Yaim Rusur, with hints of other languages as the tribe learns of new things.
Culture
The Ritchtka tribe is one that knows very little other than the cold embrace of snow and wind. Thus the only god they pray to are essentially animal spirits who grace them with food and shelter. The nature of their home environment has led them to lead a purely meat and tundra grain diet, with no fruits or vegetables, and they would be hesitant to try them. They might be considered a more barbaric tribe, and whilst this is true in many cases they have knowledge in a large range of subjects. Things such as animal and herb health benefits, complex and flowing fighting styles, and most importantly, a superb skill in horseback riding. Though mostly nomadic, when they do settle in an area they build wooden and stone homes, not unlike those of the Mohawk Native Americans. To compare them to other Real life groups, one would compare them to the Mongols and Huns, and combine their lives with the weapons similar to the African tribes and Dothraki of Game of Thrones.
History
The Ritchtka people originate from an ancient tribe that wandered off north in hopes that they would one day find a home among the Northern Lands near the Mountains. They then became somewhat organized and began developing their own culture, fleshing out their own language and creating a government-elder and chief system. The Ritchtka soon began the nomadic process of moving around every few years. Their life revolved around 3 things, the Mount (Horses most common, but Reindeer and other hooved animals where not uncommon), Hunting, and honor. Living near the ice coated mountains, called the Cerar be Oya'lahaabar (Mountains of Living Terror) to the Ritchtka, they evolved with much more prehensile limbs, resembling that of an ape. These people would later become the group that would break away from Mandalore in the present to become Yaim Rusur.
Mounts and other Animals
The Ritchtka people are heavily dependent on their mounts, as they are the centre of their lifestyle. They are literally born into a saddle at birth in a grand ceremony, worship a god and his holy steed, and most importantly, utilize them in combat and hunting. The beasts are wide ranging in terms of shape, size, and species. The most common are the horses, small and stocky beasts similar to Icelandic Horses or mongolian horses. The next most common are Reindeer. These were prized by the Ritchtka for their nobility, being ably to use their own mount as a weapon in battle by (somewhat inhumanely) sharpening their antlers to be used in a charge. There are other larger reindeer, more like a moose than a their smaller cousins, and these were saved for the higher positions in the tribe due to their imposing appearance. Small children would ride younger animals or small deer, and shamans would ride creatures like a type of bison. The hunters sometimes used birds of prey to hunt smaller game. The biggest non ride-able animal was what they called the nekhu. The Nekhu was a large tiger like creature, with some strange traits that had been bred in the line. This included a wide face, giving it a strange smile and non-feline face. The beast also had especially large claws on three of their toes and each paw, helping them in both climbing and hunting large game such as mammoths. The creature is of average about 4.4 meters in length including their tail and stood 1 meter in height. While they were primarily used in hunting, the tribesman of the Ritchtka would not be against using them as an excellent terror weapon in times of war. The A'lore of the Ritchtka currently has a nekhu that is larger than most, and it is said that he has known the beast since birth, and that it grows in power with him. Average lifespan of a nekhu is around 59 years in modern human years.
Weaponry & Technology
The weaponry of the Ritchtka has to be the most advanced technology available to the tribe. The craftsmanship of the different swords, axes, staffs, are all intended to have as many capabilities on one tool as possible, to allow weight to be reduced as opposed to carrying multiple tools. There is one type of sword used, called the Beskad, is a cross between a kopesh sword and an actual sickle, with sharp edges on both sides (Think of the Dothraki Arakh from Game of thrones). This allows it to cut very well, cut wood and grains, and used as a climbing hook. Another weapon is the spear-scythe, or Beviirabes. This tool has a massive spear head, resembling a small sword, on one side, with a large curved blade on the end for hooking enemies, prey, or and opponent mount's legs. There are also simple tools such as tomahawks with large curves and rear spikes, making an axe with both climbing hook and ice pick, and various shaped knives, all to aid in combat and hunting.
The People
The people are short, with few members ever reaching above 1.6m in height. They have feet that largely resemble hands, with toes that can act as fingers for holding on to foothold on horseback should the rider loose his boots. In the face they resemble real-life Yupik eskimos, and often have black hair and dark eyes, with some exceptions. Clothing is comprised of handmade sheepskin and fur coat-like clothing with bear hide pants, with the fur facing inwards for insulation. The lower legs are covered with animal fur wrappings with a heavy glovelike sock, allowing the feet to grasp things. Over these socks, sheepskin boots are worn, and these also have fur on the outside, wool inwards. The hands are covered with leather gloves, typically made of horse or other riding animal hide, with fur or wool on the inside, and some fashion small metal claws for the fingertips of these gloves. The people live most of their lives on the back of a mount, horse or otherwise, and they live by hunting, herding sturdy livestock, and occasionally sacking small towns or tribes. They use violence more as a middle response, first offering trade, then attempting attack, and if that fails, giving up.