Batu

The Batu Khaganate is a nation located on the southern regions of Eldham. The nation is mainly composed of the Batu people, who found their origins within the snowy tundra and mountains located within the country. The country's culture is heavily family oriented, and as such the most basic political subunit is that of the Mirza, families and extended families that encompass the entirety of Batu society. Governmental functions in the country are managed by the Khural, a senate composed of the heads of the Mirzas, also known as Khans, and of representatives for the people of each Mirza, known as the Darga.

Pre-History
The lands that today form the tundra of the Batu have been inhabited since time immemorial, however it is not until approximately 3,000 years ago that the ancestors of the peoples that would eventually come to be known as the Batu migrated to the region from an unknown location. When these early settlers came upon the land, they found a snowy, yet easily livable landscape, filled with forests and different native edible plants adapted to the local climate.

Early Batu society was composed of mostly nomadic hunter-gatherers, however even from these early days there is evidence of familial connections becoming important parts of the society of these early settlers, with the different tribal settlements being composed primarily by the chief's direct and extended family, and some scholars believe that it is from these tribal families that our modern concept of a Mirza has been derived.

Eventually, a majority of the nomadic tribes would come to settle down, forming small, permanent communities, which would slowly merge with neighboring communities as populations intermingled and families grew, leading to a merging of the many families that once dominated the Batu tribal settlements, forming the earliest recognizable form of the institutions that we now know as Mirzas.

Throughout their history, these Mirzas would rise and fall in prominence, the names of many are today forgotten, yet we see what they have begotten; many of the major Mirzas and families of today are directly descended from these ancient Mirzas, sometimes as splinter groups and sometimes as direct descendants. One thing is always consistent in early Batu society, however, and that is conflict between the Mirzas.

The Khural
The principal body of the government of the Khaganate is the Khural, the senate. The Khural is composed of the heads of the separate Mirzas, known as the Khans, as well as of representatives given to the Mirzas to account for population differences, known as Dargas. The executive of the government is also the head of the Khural, known as the Khagan. The Khagan is elected from among the Khans, and by the Khans.

The Mirza
While Mirza are ever-changing as families rise in power and decline in prominence, current Batu society is dominated by the following major Mirza:

The Altercast Mirza: Born from centuries of conflict over the scarce resources of the tundra, the Astercast are highly skilled warriors. Preferring to always be prepared for any situation, the Astercast have a tendency towards living in highly fortified settlements and always training for battle in their free time.

The Rickerstein Mirza: This family is known for the prominence of its architects, the bravery of its miners, and the skill of its smiths. The lords of the underlands, the Rickerstein were molded by the great caverns of their ancestral home, filled with buried treasures and ancient ruins from empires of days gone by. The Rickerstein tend to be warm and welcoming to travelers seeking refuge in their hearths.

The Eriki Mirza: Known for the influence of its merchants in international commerce, as well as the fertility of the lands where their farmers produce their crops, the Eriki are influential suppliers of essential supplies for the Khaganate. This family is known for having a tendency towards isolationism and protectionism, often finding themselves arguing against the belligerent attitudes of other Mirza. The Eriki are warm and welcoming to fellow Batu, however they have found themselves being accused of being cold to foreigners.

Ukok Mirza: Made up primarily of religious functionaries, wisened scholars, and gregarious diplomats, this Mirza feels most at home socializing with foreign individuals and teaching them about their faith and culture. Members of this Mirza typically prefer to maintain friendly relations with their neighbors. Pass-times of this Mirza include drinking and socializing with folks, as well as eating good food over an interesting conversation around the meal table. They may have a propensity to being on the heavier side