Kahzak

In central Kara-Tur, between the Zitijan Steppe and Scorched Plains, is the region known as the Nation of Kahzak.

Culture and Geography

The Nation of Kahzak

The Nation of Kahzak is a loose affiliation of five nomadic tribes: Black Hands, Followers of the Dawn, Stone Hearts, Moon Sons and Steel Bloods. Members of Kahzak are expert horsemen. Since the Plains of Raj are a largely inhospitable place there are very few permanent villages, most people travel the planes following game. For centuries the tribe wandered trading or skirmishing with the others when they would meet. Those few villages would farm, raise horses and make weapons to trade with the wanderers. When outside influence descended on the Tribes of Raj, the young Chieftain of the Moon Sons, Orisu, banded the Tribes under the singular banner of the Kahzaks and drove the interlopers from their lands. Orisu, now late in life is in his 63rd year of his reign.

The original tribes

Even though the citizens of Kahzak have begun to consider themselves all of one nation, they still identify with their original tribe to some extents (similar to a Montanan considers himself to be American, but different from an Idahoan).

• Black Hands: Staying mostly to the southern plains, the Black Hands were known for their powerful magics they received from the mysterious lands further south of Raj.
• Followers of the Dawn: Consolidating mainly in the east. The followers of the Dawn worshiped Davos, their sun god. Typically very resolute and hardworking.
• Stone Hearts: Mainly roaming the western plains, the Stone Hearts are known as the most care free of the tribes. With an oceanic coast, the currents keep the winters warmer and the summer’s cooler. Wild plants and game are more plentiful here than any other part of the Raj, therefore, there are even fewer permanent villages in comparison to the rest of the tribes.
• Moon Sons: The most transient of the tribes, they would wander all over the plains, never settling in one place for long. Because of their wide travel the Moon Sons developed into somewhat of a merchant class
• Steel Bloods: From northern more mountainous region of Raj, where the summers are short and the winters are hard, the Steel Bloods are the staunchest and hardiest of the tribes, with little time for frivolous endeavors.