The Waoi'ch:

     The Waoi'ch are a nomadic people with what some would call a roving lifestyle.  The Waoi'ch would say they are questing, but do not have an easy answer when questioned about exactly what they are questing for.

     They have a natural affinity for the Kerk Barbarians further to the west.

Social Structure:

     The land is seen as very valuable to the Waoi'ch, but not for the same reason as other peoples'.  The land is there for them to appreciate and ride upon, anything else is tantamount to vandalism or worse.  There is very little agriculture in Wao, as the overturning of land and ripping up of it's soil is seen as a horrible practice.  The Waoi'ch trade for what fruits and vegetables they cannot garner out of the wilderness.   They trade in very sought after herbs and flowers which, as luck would have it, seem to only grow within the confines of the Wao.

     Any foray into Waoi'ch land has been met with failure, because the Waoi'ch have another plus on their side.  The Chiyan Elves which reside in Wao land, prefer the Waoi'ch to any other human race they've encountered and they are determined to keep it that way.   These Elven allies are not challenged for land-right by the Waoi'ch, nor are the Waoi'ch challenged by the Elves.  The Waoi'ch prefer the wide open grasslands, while the Elves prefer the forest.  The Waoi'ch's eccentricities are overlooked by the Elves, by the simple fact that the humans did not destroy the forests or the land and were in no danger of expanding into Elven territory.

     The Waoi'ch are excellent horsemen. To see a Waoi'ch without a horse is a very rare sight indeed.  Within the hour of a Waoi'ch's birth, he/she is brought to the stables and rubbed against a foal, to bring the human spirit & horse spirit closer together.   A baby Waoi'ch and a baby horse born within the same hour, is a fortuitous event indeed; wrought with superstition.    

     To an outside observer, the main occupations of the Waoi'ch are; to be constantly moving, boasting and feasting.  To a Waoi'ch, staying in one place was only for the old and infirm.  To live was the thrill of the wind through your hair as you raced after your prey.  The prey tends to be other bands of Waoi'ch. 

     When another band is sighted nearby by keen eyed scouts, the best of both bands would ride towards each other, generally meeting in a clearing.  All the rest, from each side would follow approximately 20 paces behind the first two bands.   The two opposing bands would meet in the clearing, keeping at least 20 paces away from each other.  Then would start the contests, with the unchosen ringing around the two bands as a captive audience. 

     First would be the boasting contest.  Where each man, alternating from one band to the other, would shout his accomplishments to the opposing band.  The people ringing around the clearing would cheer on the most nimble tongued opponent, irregardless of whether they were from the same band or not.  From there would be the riding contests, with various tests and shows of daring with skill on horseback.  Then, at the end, if it was not obvious that one band was favored over the other, there would be a contest of battle skills.

     The best warrior from each band was chosen and sent alone to the middle of the clearing, where they would fight each other to the best of their ability, till one yielded.  If there was no yield, the fight would go to the death.  A fight to the death was to be avoided, because it could precipitate into a deadly battle between all of the warriors within the two forces.  It is seen as more honorable to yield to the better adversary, than to start a bloodbath.

     After a winning side is chosen, the losing tribe leaves the victors half of their food and then leaves the area.  The winning tribe not only wins the right to boast of this win, they also gain in land area of the losing tribe.  The amount of area seems to vary from tribe to tribe.  (which is why there are widely fluctuating borders)

       In the Waoi'ch society there are various 'classes' and these classes are open to both sexes.  The Waoi'ch value and esteem those individuals who are fleet of wit as well of foot or battle.  The head of a tribe can vary from year to year as they are picked for prowess in physical battle, battle of the wits and battle of limberness.  When the chief seems to falter in any of these, it is unanimously agreed that another should take his/her place.

     There are those who seem more adept at weaponry and these are taught by the master warrior to become the main warriors of the group. While the expert use of boasting is not as easy a skill to master as one might think, there are those who seem to have a natural inclination and are carefully tutored.  They tend to become the foundations of knowledge and history; a few of which seem to have a supernatural way about them.  And there are those who almost seem to have the ability to meld with their horse, so good are they at riding and moving about in and with nature.  Not only do they seem to make the perfect scouts,   they are also much envied and rejoiced about.  Every Waoi'ch wishes to become 'Eonha Waoi'ch neyach' ; roughly translated into "The mingled spirits of those who ride with the wind and the windrunner" ... the ones who've crossed the barrier between riding the horse and becoming a part of the horse.  Everyone in the Waoi'ch has a skill which is valued to the community.

     Tribes seem to come and go, as young people join other young people and fairly unsuccessful tribes break up to either join other tribes or to make a brand new tribe.  There is no indication that a tribe has lasted longer than 60 years at he most, before disbanding or joining with another as it's original members either died off or left for other tribes.

     The only time a Waoi'ch stays in one place, a town of sorts, is when very old, crippled or at the last stages of pregnancy.  These 'towns' are very few and far between.  They seem to be neutral territory, because there are no challenges allowed on the grounds or in an approximate 5 kilometer radius around the town.  The mainstay of these towns seem to be in the breeding, upbringing and care of their special horses, and the storage of most of the Waoi'ch's food.  The towns are protected by all Waoi'ch, regardless of tribe and their whereabouts are *not* given out to anyone other than Waoi'ch.

Physical Characteristics:

   Both sexes wear unisex, non constricting clothing apart from the tight, multi-beaded vests.  A closer inspection by the knowledgeable, reveals that the vests are made out of horsehide, while the rest of the garments are of normal make.

     They tend to have darker complexions than the fair Essalee.  Eye color tends to be dark brown to light brown/hazel and the hair color matches.  It is exceedingly rare to find any Waoi'ch with a light color complexion, hair color or irises.  There seems to be a little more pressure to succeed on those individuals than is usual, but no overt sign of prejudice.

Honor:

     There is no honor in ambush, nor simply killing for killing's sake.   Your enemy is simply a challenge along your quest and challenges are to be relished. 

     It is not honorable to say nothing but evil about your opponent, for if they are nothing but scum, you are lowered to their level by challenging or being challenged by them. 

     It is an honor to be boasted about, even when others are boasting about besting *you*.   Why would they boast of besting you, unless you were worthy of boasting? 

     It is not honorable to attack en force, especially when your group outnumbers the other.