Notes on the Rochlada Basically the civilized (mostly) remains of a conquering female-run barbarian horde. They swept through everything in their path, then settled down in the most fertile place they found, a high steppe at the base of a mountain range. Along with survival of the fittest, fine horses remain a primary focus culturally and economically and a Rochladabred horse is highly sought after anywhere. The Rochlada do not breed for superficial characteristics like color, and culling is very strict. Only the worst are ever sold outside the Rochladastacht, thus stallions and broodmares are never sold. The breed standard has been codified into a series of tests and examinations at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 4 years. Stamina, speed, substance, agility, attitude, loyalty and fertility are all sought after. A female Rochlada at age 18 is given the pick of her family's herdstock to make her own start in life with. This is both a test and a privilege, as a poor choice will seriously affect her over many years. Obviously if a family is well-off, the daughter has a much better and wider selection. Males in Rochlad society are regarded as firracht, a concept that roughly translates as 'equal-but-lesser'. Basically this acknowledges that males have often have intelligence and great strength, but greater wisdom and true power is held by those in charge of the next generation. In practice, this means that women are more strictly brought up and the consequences or poor choices are often harsh, to teach from mistakes, as it were. Thus if a woman makes a poor choice of a horse or a husband, it's her own fault and counted against her, lowering her chances of later being one of the ruling council. Stupidity is very harshly treated in either sex, but lack of foresight is worse for women. There is an overall ruler, the Raopacht, but she rules by acclaim and woe to her if she too many times ignores the advice of the council, the Diapacht. Thus, the Raopacht's power is more generally used to break logjams in the Diapacht. Achmuid Diasstacht Ruanntich Miruint Lannstucht, 1378th of her line, is attitude personified. At 20, she left the Rochladastacht as reward/punishment for that attitude. According to the Diapacht, she 'shows great promise, but like any fine blade, she needs experience and tempering in the forge of life.' Achmuid (better beware calling her by her ownname without permission!) is perfectly happy about this, since most of those on the Diapacht and even the Raopacht herself once went on such journeys. She firmly believes that Rochlada are better than anyone and the Rochlad way of life is by far the best and most wise, etc. Don't even get her started on why Rochladabreds are superior. Achmuid has the pale milk complexion typical of her people, with very dark eyes and her hair is a queer shade of brown so dark as to be nearly black with dark golden highlights. ("It's not black, it's dark liver chestnut!" 'Uh, oook.') This is quite long and kept smartly braided in an intricate knot around her head. At 5"8', she is a wiry 130 lbs. She is habitually dressed in a vest and riding leathers dyed to match her hair, a curious little blue wool cap trimmed in fur, and sweaters in various shades of blue. The sword by her side looks more like a curved executioner's cleaver. Her overall effect is quite dangerous but feminine all the same. In fact in non-Rochlada, the typical effect is "Holy ****, who the hell is *THAT*?!" Dunnstacht is her Rochladabred stallion, a lanky golden buckskin with one hell of a nasty temperment. As per Rochlad tradition, his incisors and canines are capped with gold inlaid steel serrated on the back edge and his face is tattooed around the eyes and muzzle elaborately in such a way that details his pedigree if, of course, one knows how to read the designs. These designs are also etched into Achmuid's vest and riding leathers in gold. The traditional warbridle of a Rochladabred stallion may look rather extreme, but in the hands of a skilled Rochlada it may be as gentle as a hackamore or as severe as the situation requires. The basic design consists of two pairs of reins, a full-cheeked ported bit (tachan), a headstall and a set of lightweight chains which can be adjusted and rearranged in a wide variety of ways. The bit bears a passing resemblance to a pelham, in that the effect of a snaffle or a curb may be used at need. However, unlike the pelham, the tachan also may be used combined with a hackamore action or even a lip chain. Not only that, but the separate sets of reins allow for any of these effects to be used nearly independently, depending on the adjustment of the side chains. Vocabulary: ============ Diapacht: the female ruling council of Rochlad. these individuals must have proven themselves over years of service and demonstrated extraordinary wisdom and foresight, as well as skill in their areas of expertise. Raopacht: the overall ruler of Rochlad firracht: equal-but-lesser. the peculiarly Rochlada concept of the status of males in society Rochlad: the nation Rochlada: the people of the Rochladastacht Rochladastacht: the geographic territory of Rochlad Rochladabred: the outstanding and highly sought-after horses of Rochlad, especially the warmounts.