A Land Fit For Heroes And Their Horses: The Hirenmadorings

The Hirenmadorings

What the histories tell us:

Before the Dawn

The western emperor Urvairinus marched to the Yellow City, probably the ancient Amber Camp, bringing peace and spreading the herding of pigs.

Kestinoros, a good man although he had been raised to follow Ghevengus, ruled Dara Happa and much of the Western Steppe, but thereafter the empire withdrew into itself.

We arrived in Raibanth and replaced the demon-worship of Veng, with that of Kargzant and Gamara.

The Kuranits Tribe adopt Kalikos as a deity, and become rulers over Jarasan.

Silver wine jug dating back to
the period before the Dawn

The Hyalorings become more mobile, and even place a nomad emperor upon the throne. He conquered the Veshtargos tribe for a generation.

Huradabba the Vettebin failed to follow Kargzant with sufficient devotion, heralding a decrease in Kargzanti power in Dara Happa.

Although other emperors rose and fell, and even followers of the Truth ruled again, the power of the peasants rose to rival that of the Riders.

Eusibus the Hirenmadoring was the last true Rider emperor of the Oslir Valley before the Full Dawn.

The Sankenite revolt cast the Riders out of the Valley, and brought a far greater human population onto the steppe.

The First Age

~230 The Shadzoring remnant escape onto the steppe

The Riders adopted their new lifestyle readily, although many of the refugees died in the early years.

They settle in a broad sweep across the Western and Central steppes, their range shifting and extending over the course of the Age, eventually discovering the Hot Lake and setting up several semi-nomadic kingdoms there.

The Second Age

~500 The nation of Velthil arises, a land with joint Pentan and Rinliddin heritage.

~570 Kastok leads an army of horsemen onto the steppe to discourage the nomads from raiding.

~700 The south-western clans are in contact with Jarst and the Votanki, the north-western with

Althil.

717/8 Redlanders move through Elder Wilds & Balazar to raid into Dragon Pass. Ambushed on

their return.

~750 The Korer gain their independence when Althil is reabsorbed into Dara Happa.

Velthil begins significant expansion.

~830 The Korer begin westward expansion into Karasal. Velthil expands up the White Sea coast.

~900 The south-western clans are in contact with Zarkos and the Votanki, the north-western with

Althil, Velthil and the Rinliddi. The easternmost clans neighbour the Kingdom of Wisdom.

1051 Senbar spills demons, ghouls, and the Huan To onto the steppe.

~1070 Dara Happa conquers the Korer & the western province of Velthil.

Velthil is split into two, with a more pro-Dara Happan regime in Althil.

1122 Althil applies for membership of the Empire. Northern clans skirmish with the

Blue Moon Digijelm. Eastern clans are in frequent contact with Chern Durel.

1127 The Empire conquers Velthil

The Third Age

~1210 Velthil struggle against the Empire’s Carmanian overlords.

~1220 The nomads on the borders are dominated by Velthil in the north, the Char-Un in the south.

1247 Great Contest held in Chern Durel to break the drought in Pent. Agartu Say is a contestant.

1250 The Lunar Empire is established, with two of the major cities and provinces having distinct Pentan influence – ‘Dinzizzi, ruling Velthil, blessed by the Child of Kuranits’ and ‘Jillaro, ruling Saird, blessed by Vuranostum.’ Agartu Say invades Boshan, but is enslaved.

1352 Agartu Say, now a follower of Zho Lath Ey (or Jolaty in Pentan script), achieves

Illumination. He adopts the name Sheng Seleris.

1355 Sheng achieves leadership at a new Great Contest.

1356-1460 Seleran Empire

1461-4 Pentans driven out of Lunar lands.

1470s/80s Hon-Eel’s magical contests with the northern Redlanders.

1503 Pentans returned to Oraya

1506 Nights of Horror. The Redlands are abandoned to the Lunars.

What we can know from these histories and our other sources

The Hirenmadorings have a historically and religiously charged conflict with the Rinliddins and other bird-worshippers. Lunar Dinzizzi is also considered to be part of their inheritance, fuelling the rivalry still further. Although they have a traditional rivalry with the Hyalorings, it is seldom malicious.

They revere the memory of Eusibus, denying the Targosite claim to him, and claiming his blood-line to be rightful heirs to Dara Happa. By now, every Hirenmadoring can make some claim to being part of that bloodline.

Eusibus receiving fealty from Dara Happan city gods

Their Culture

Visitors to the Hirenmadorings are frequently mystified. Their musical forms are the pure throat-songs of the steppe, unmodified by western stylings. Their myths are their own, and almost universally feature birds and bird-worshippers as villains. In the midst of a religion of fire and light, powers of storm and dark are acknowledged without enmity.

Hirenmadoring homes are yurts, richly tapestried on the inside and dun or grey on the outside. They can hold 10-20 people, more if they belong to a shaman or chief.

Males wear cloth or silk tunic and trousers, felt jacket and kilt, and hide shin-length cloaks, belted in winter. Their hats are either waxed cloth core with fur surround or waxed cloth or silk turban. Females wear layered cloth or silk tunics, trousers, skirts and jackets and felt coats, fastened with wooden toggles and lavishly embroidered. Their hats are towered, one level beyond the first for each child grown to maturity, of cloth or silk on hardened rush frames.

Both genders wear reed sandals in summer, and knee-length hide boots otherwise.

Their Religious Traditions

Path of Fire Tradition [Fire, Horse]

Mythos and History

Kargzant is the One True Sun, and this was revealed in the Darkness when he rode high whilst other contenders for the title were obscured or diminished. He made the Starlight Ancestors and is thereby lead stallion for both the Great Herd in the sky, the Horse Herd in Glorantha, and the Human Herd, or Riders. His struggles against the Bird-Folk of Veng and the Storm folk of Orlanatus largely defined the Darkness, and his restrained victories define our present.

Nature of the Cult

The primary male Hirenmadoring way of being.

Depiction

None needed. He is the sun.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

Favours the other spirits followed by Hirenmadorings, and dislikes both Dara Happans and Lunars.

Cult Organization and Holy Places

The cult is based around power, with shamans acknowledging the status of their fellows, and each being the centre of a small band of followers and apprentices.

The Holy Places are those acknowledged by all solar Pentans.

Holy Days

Clan, Tribe and Arrow dependent.

The Kargzant Spirit Society (Sun, Horse)

The Spirits of the Society are not to be lightly used, since they are of the Sky Herd closest to Kargzant himself. Leaders usually leave them untouched if other powers may accomplish the task.

Imperial Sun Spirits (Sun) – These spirits can blaze with the brightness of the noonday sun, and can be released to drive off lesser solar powers. They are the sign of the true Khan.

The taboo is Never Refuse A Challenge

Cloudchaser Spirits (Sun) – These spirits can be used to chase off clouds and the spirits associated with them, and all the storm powers. They can be released to fight Storm spirits.

The taboo is Never Submit To A Storm-Worshipper

Stallion Spirits (Horse) – These spirits can strengthen a mount in every physical way, can defend it against magic, and can enable it to leap to the horizon, run on a sunbeam, or ride down a bird.

The taboo is Always Care For Your Mount’s Needs Before Your Own

Path of Fire Tradition

To join the Tradition, you must first have a Fire Rune.

For game purposes, any hero with a Fire Rune can join the Tradition at the same rating as their Fire Rune. Simply add Path of Fire Tradition (Fire, Horse) keyword after the Fire Rune.

When joining the Tradition, you receive a number of charms, as described in the HeroQuest core rules (page 112). Charms of the Tradition are chosen from amongst the spirits of the clan’s Spirit Societies.

Sun Stallions –Path of Fire Shamans

After decades of experience, a worshipper with Tradition rating of 11W or higher can become a Sun Stallion, a shaman of the Path of Fire

The Seeker’s Test is a re-enactment of Kargzant’s struggle with the raging giant. If the Sun Stallion-t-be succeeds, then he discovers his Denbitos-self.

The Fetch

The Denbitos-self manifests as a silhouette of starlight around the Sun Stallion.

The Sun Stallion performs all the functions of a fetch (cf. HeroQuest pg. 114)

Sun Stallions have access to the other spirit societies of the Tradition.

Star Captain Spirits (Star) – These spirits bolster community morale and show the way in the Darkness.

Spirits of Reprisal

The apostate will appear fringed with black to any form of spirit vision. Reprisal belongs to the clan.

Fragment of Hirenmadoring
warrior sculpture, Rinliddi

Tradition Spirits

Hirenmadoring Names

Imperial Sun Kargzant

Leader Jenarong

Elder Zayteneras

Warrior Kuranits

Founder Hirenmador

Hawk Karesk

Starlight Wanderer Vettebbe

Polestar Dayzatar

Followers of Karesk must also follow either Kargzant or Jenarong. Those of Vettebbe must follow Kargzant. Followers of Dayzatar must wear sandals or boots with a prominent platform sole, painted white or blue.

Path of Earth Tradition [Earth, Horse]

Mythos and History

Gamara is the Great Mother of the Horse Herd. She was the patron Goddess of the people of Nivorah before the Great Betrayal by the Dara Happans, when her rightful place in the Oslir Valley was usurped by Veng, raptor and carrion-beast. Her faithful children went forth, until eventually returning and destroying the worship of Veng forever, although his young still strut about as arrogant nuisances. She has been faithful to the people, although tormented by her enemies.

Nature of the Cult

The primary female way of being amongst Hirenmadorings

Depiction

A majestic golden-brown mare, usually made from reflective materials.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

Favours the other spirits followed by Hirenmadorings, and dislikes both Dara Happans and Lunars.

Cult Organization and Holy Places

The cult is based around the female gatherings, with shamans acknowledging the status of their fellows, and each being the centre of a small band of followers and apprentices. They meet in

non-competitive conclave to decide on clan policies. The Holy Places are those of all Pentans.

Holy Days

Clan, Tribe and Arrow dependent.

The Gamara Spirit Society (Horse, Earth)

These spirits are the great and powerful herd mothers of the past, empowered still further after death by Gamara herself.

Golden Spirits (Horse) – These spirits can enhance the beauty and power – including fertility – of a mare. The taboo is Defend The Herd

Brown Spirits (Earth) – These spirits can be used to bring ripen fruit, find healing loams, and strengthen and defend the rider in combat. The taboo is Defend The Defenceless

Nivorah Spirits (Horse) – These spirits hold the long resentment of the Hirenmadorings against Dara Happans and Rinliddins. They may be used to outwit them, or to escape from Underworld or Ice powers.

Path of Earth Tradition

To join the Tradition, you must first have an Horse Rune.

For game purposes, any hero with a Horse Rune can join the Tradition at the same rating as their Horse Rune. Simply add Path of Earth Tradition (Earth, Horse) keyword after the Horse Rune.

When joining the Tradition, you receive a number of charms, as described in the HeroQuest core rules (page 112). Charms of the Path of Earth Tradition are chosen from amongst the spirits of the Clan’s Spirit Societies.

Horse Wives –Path of Earth Shamans

After decades of experience, a worshipper with a Tradition rating of 11W or higher can become an Horse-Wife, a shaman of the Path of Earth.

The Seeker’s Test is a re-enactment of Gamara’s escape from Nivorah . If the Horse-Wife-to-be succeeds, then she discovers her Golden Mare.

The Fetch

The Golden Mare manifests as a Spirit Mare of breath-taking beauty. She performs all the functions of a fetch (cf. HeroQuest pg. 114)

Horse Wives have access to the Ancestors of the Clan and of the Herd.

Spirits of Reprisal

Charai statuette

The apostate will be thrown by any horse they try to mount

Tradition Spirits

Hirenmadoring Names

First Wife Gamara

Spring Horse Charai

Crone Oijampek

The Dawn & Dusk Tradition [Runes of the Spirit Society the character intends to join]

Nature of the Cult

A collection of various spirit cults bringing purpose and life to those who cannot, or will not, follow the major paths.

Depiction

Varies with the Spirit Society & the clan.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

Favours Pentans, especially those of the clan. Otherwise neutral.

Cult Organization and Holy Places

There is a distinct lack of organisation within the cult, with local and wandering shamans leading rites when called upon, or at their whim. Holy Places vary with Spirit Society & clan.

Holy Days

Dependent upon the individual shaman.

Path of Dawn & Dusk Tradition

To join the Tradition, you must first have a Rune connected to one of the Spirit Societies.

For game purposes, any hero with a such a Rune can join the Tradition at the same rating as that Rune. Simply add Path of Dawn & Dusk Tradition (chosen Rune) keyword after the Rune.

When joining the Tradition, you receive a number of charms, as described in the HeroQuest core rules (page 112). Charms of the Dusk & Dawn Tradition are chosen from those of the chosen Spirit Society.

Half-Lights –Dawn & Dusk Shamans

After decades of experience, a worshipper with a Tradition rating of 11W or higher can become an Half-Light , a shaman of the Path of Dawn & Dusk.

The Seeker’s Test is avoluntary exposure to a life-threatening disease. If the Half-Light-to-be succeeds, then they discover their Other Half.

The Fetch

The Other Half manifests as a visual ‘negative’ of the Half-Light. The Other Half performs all the functions of a fetch (cf. HeroQuest pg. 114)

Half-Lights have access to the Spirits of other spirit societies of the Path of Dawn & Dusk Tradition.

Spirits of Reprisal

Over the course of a season one side of the apostate’s body will turn ashen grey. Only return to the fold will reverse this change.

Argoom slaying Durbaddath

Tradition Spirits

Hirenmadoring Names

Foresight & Death Talker Tunal & Yunal

Throat Singer Duyadoya

Body Marker Oigirkuru

Outsider Folarene

Wrath She-of-Wrath

Shadow Rider Argoom

Hammerer Badask

Argoom gains many temporary followers when at war with or raiding Hyalorings.

The Path of the Storm Tradition [Storm]

Mythos and History

While the spirits gathered into this Path had long been followed by the People, most of their nature’s had been misunderstood, and they had been viewed as hostile or distorted spirits that were independent of any Tradition. It was only after the Nights Of Horror, as the People sought for spirits with whom to take refuge, that they were perceived as being worthy of a Path of their own.

Nature of the Cult

A refuge for those who have not found the Path of Fire an adequate answer to the Lunar challenge..

Depiction

Four horsemen, armed with Lance, Sword, Axe and Darts.

Particular Likes and Dislikes

Favours the Path of Earth, pities the Path of Fire, and hates anything Lunar.

Cult Organization and Holy Places

There is a distinct lack of organisation within the cult, with local and wandering Winds leading rites when called upon, or at their whim. Followers may choose to attach themselves to a Wind, or to stay within their community.

Holy places are locally deduced by experiencing a daytime darkening of the sun.

Holy Days

At the local Wind’s whim.

The Path of the Storm Tradition

To join the Tradition, you must first have a Storm Rune.

For game purposes, any hero with a Storm Rune can join the Tradition at the same rating as their Storm Rune. Simply add Path of the Storm Tradition (Storm) keyword after the Storm Rune.

When joining the Tradition, you receive a number of charms, as described in the HeroQuest core rules (page 112). Charms of the Tradition are chosen from amongst the spirits of the Spirit Societies present in the clan.

Winds – Path of the Storm Shamans

After decades of experience, a worshipper with a Tradition rating of 11W or higher can become a Wind , a shaman of the Storm.

The Seeker’s Test requires exposure to the storm that was their primary Spirit Society. If the Wind-to-be succeeds, then they discovers their Tempest.

The Fetch

The Tempest manifests as a seething cloud above the Wind’s head. The Tempest performs all the functions of a fetch (cf. HeroQuest pg. 114)

Spirits of Reprisal

The apostate will attract the interest of every Storm spirit near them. Life will be a miserable struggle, simply to keep on one’s feet.

Tradition Spirits

Hirenmadoring Names

Leader West King Wind

Warrior North War Wind

Whispering Wind South Rage Wind

Body Marker East Sting Wind

Deities

Vengeance Gorgorma

Horse Goddess Redaylde

Eater of the Dead Unnek

Eater of Horses Yara & Her Mother

Underworld Three Guardians and the Vile Demons

Reydalde in human form

Unnek cultists are bound to individual shamans, and act as clan scapegoats. They have the benefit of first cut of the feast after the chief, shamans and champion.

Hirenmadoring Names

As spread out as they are, there is a lot of variation between the clans. However, there are discernible patterns in terms of syllable structures. Male names along with places and peoples are equally divided between two, three or four syllables with an occasional five syllable word, differing from women in that women’s are equally divided between two and three.

The syllables themselves differ also.

Male Initial Syllables

Ar-, Tar-, Hir-, Kar-, Kur-, Ker-, Dar-, Gerr-, Hur-, Vir-, Jen-, Vett-, Ill-, Eus-, Haz-, Zay-, Day-, Karg-