The Haraad

A History of the Haraad

By Lily van Thruup, Ph. D.

Professor of Tribal Studies, University of Bella-Glarus in Aridnirom

Throughout Gemini Exterro roam bands of nomadic tribesmen known as the Haraad. These tribesmen, who trace their roots back centuries preceeding even ancient Isenha-Raad, are ruthless bandits who make their living as professional thieves. Loosely governed by a tribal cheiftan, each tribe has its own traditions and culture that makes it unique to others. These culture-rich tribes are the last of a dwindling ethnic group, killed to near extinction by the Isenha-Raad armies and now struggling to keep their traditons alive amidst the growing technology and world culture in Gemini Exterro.

In ancient times, the Haraad lived alongside the Tomanian-descended Isenians peacefully. The Haraad, shepherds who had lived in the area for centuries, accepted the Isenians when they moved to the area during the Great Division of Tomania. They showed the Isenians where to find food and good water in the wild northern region. They showed them how to build shelter and keep the harsh climate from killing their herds. For many decades the Isenians and Haraad lived together peacefully. The first Isenian emperor had envisoned a unity of the peoples, dubbing the land "Isenha-Raad" or land of Isenians and the Haraad.

This peace would not last forever. 80 years after the uniting of Isenha-Raad, the cruel Emperor Salir Ibaen Bashi took power. His greed was only surpassed by his bloodlust. When Salir took power, the nation was in a bad state: drought ravaged the fields and sickness had killed nearly half the population of the southern regions. Salir convinced himself that evil forces were to blame, embodied in evil people. An Isenian, he couldn't lay the blame on his own people. The only other choice was to blame the Haraad. Salir was not a stupid man; he began his campaign against the Haraad slowly. Here a Harrad farmer was executed for rape or murder, there a Harrad herder was convicted of theft. Whether or not these crimes had actually been commited by a Haraad was not important -- the fact was that Isenians were growing suspicious of their Haraad neighbors. It didn't take much more prodding to begin the next step: all out war of the Haraad. The mighty armies of Isenha-Raad began by first capturing Haraad families at night and killing them silently. Later, the genocide moved to outright public killings. The killing was never widely opposed. After all, the new mindset in Isenha-Raad held that the Haraad were evil. The only way to bring health and prosperity back to the nation was to vanquish the evil Haraad.

After only 20 years, all the Haraad had been either killed or banished. The refugees gathered in the mountians and forests outside Isenha-Raad. These broken people now had no home, no land on which to farm, no animals to breed and herd. They had nothing with which to begin a new life. Their easiest option was to become hunters and thieves.

Excellent horsemen even before the Isenians claimed their land, the Haraad formed small tribes that travelled on horseback by day and camped by night. They hunted for food and attacked caravans for wealth. Most often, these stolen goods would later be traded with other Haraad tribes or in the cities of nearby nations.

In this way, the Haraad grew into a working, living culture. Born from strife and necessity, the Haraad have grown from the humble farmers and herders they originally were into the ruthless theives and warriors we know today.

Haraadian Tattooing & Piercing

The Haraad practice ritual tattooing and piercing. Every person, after their "Age of Innocence" is over (birth-12), goes through an initiation ceremony during which half their face is tattooed with intricate designs that indicate to other Haraad who exactly the person is. It will carry their name, title (if any), and anything they're known for. Only half the face is tattooed because the Haraad believe that, when you die, you come to a meeting ground with the Great Spirits. They will ask you to turn your face to one side so that they can see the tattoos. This will let them know how you were seen on Earth and what you did. Then they will tell you to turn your face the other way, so that they may look at the unchanged portion of your face and see your true being. This way they may judge if your soul is pure enough to enter into the Plane of Transendence with them. One of the most damaging things that can happen to a Haraad is damage to the unchanged half of their face. They beleive that if that half of their face is damaged that the Great Spirits will be offended and will expel them from the Plane of Transendence forever.

Every woman and man will go through this tattooing at the age of 12. Further, when married, the Haraad pierce a part of their body for every husband or wife they take on. They will wear a small silver hoop in the piercing to signify the willingness to sacrifice for their new spouse. When a Haraad has a child, both parents have a traditional prayer tattooed in a vertical line down their backs, in order that the child may recieve the blessing of this prayer. Other accomplishments are also signified through tattooing and piercing, including miracles, heroic battle feats, and sacrifices.

Some examples of Haraadian Tattooing.

The Haraad have never fully explained what each tattoo means, but they can tell by looking at the face of another their region, tribe, and sometimes their name. This is why is it very impolite to keep one's face covered when greeting a Haraad.

Please note that tattoos vary by tribe and these kinds of tattoos might not be seen elsewhere. Also, both men and women wear veils and ornaments, and so the ornamentation you may see in one part of the desert is not necessairly representative of all Haraad.

Well-known Haraad Tribes

Ríbetó ybén Cbäarath:

This is the tribe of the Great Lord. The largest, its population boats approximately 90,000. This tribe is known for their special ferocity. They are one of the most feared tribes in all the Exterran deserts. Every other tribe pledges alleigance to this tribe, although how well the alleigance is upheld is unknown.

Tróngestsï foën Ómënwá:

This tribe is comprised exclusively of women. They are expecially fierce and known for being the best riders in the desert. Tied strongly to ritual, all the women of this tribe cut off their right breast so they may be better archers. Once a year they kidnap men so they may mate. The men are later killed.

Iërcefó Úntershí:

A small tribe, these people are most well-known for their unbelievable hunting abilities. They use both hawk and man-held weapon. Also good fighters, they are the tribe to which one would come asking for help in a time of famine.

héten Mallsó Ightërsfï:

This tribe's people are unusually small for the Haraad. They are known for their extraordinary fighting skills. Although they are only moderately-sized tribe they have been known to take down the most impressive of caravans. It is said that they once sucessfully attacked the caravan of the King of Gavleborg-Uppsala.

Éacepë oten Llaén:

A very peaceful tribe, they live in a secluded part of the desert and use their weapons only for defense and hunting. The reason no other Haraad tribe has taken them is that, although weakly defended, there is a myth that this tribe is protected by the gods. Therefore, no tribe is willing to perhaps offend the gods by attacking. Many tribal lords visit the shaman of this tribe for advise.

Anníbalcá:

The most feared tribe of all tribes. Living in the hottest, driest part of the desert, some think the environment has driven this tribe mad. If this tribe attacks, they will rape you to death, eat your flesh and sew your skins into their clothing. If you're lucky, they'll do it in that order. There are very few people who have lived to tell the tale of an attack by this tribe.

Ënmen foén héten Edïcínemï:

Perhaps the most well-liked tribe of them all, this tribe specializes in medicinal remedies. Because of their talents they will never be attacked. The Ënmen tribe very rarely needs to make raids to stay alive; other tribes will seek them out for their talents in medicine and pay them for their trouble.

Risónérspá fóën hëtën Ómániäté:

This tribe lives on the most western edge of the Exterran deserts. Very good fighters, they make an exellent living hitting most of the caravans first. The only downfall of living so close to the rest of Gemini Exterro is that Tomania often kidnaps members of this tribe for their armies.

Ätscí Óvelä:

This tribe is most well-known for their special companionship with the giant desert cats known as the Ätcen. They have the ability to use these cats for hunting purposes and for other things such as protection and guidance. Very rarely is this tribe ever attacked, for fear of the cats' vengance.

A Guide to the Flags of the Haraad

The Haraad tribes all have at least one flag pole displayed at all times that carries both the flag of the Haraad and the flag of the specific tribe. This is done so that tribes can recognize each other from a long way off. The Haraad flag is displayed on the top, with the tribe flag, a bit smaller, displayed below it. If the outer right edges of the flag are decorated in gold, that means that the tribe displaying that flag is royalty (or, at least the closest thing that the Haraad can come to royalty).