Northern Barbarians

Biodata

Background / History

The Northern Barbarians are a northern power historically hostile to Great Yong. Their territory is largely harsh wilderness bordering Great Yong; only roughly one-third consists of plains suitable for farming, settlement, and cities. Most nobles reside in this more habitable region, while numerous tribes occupy the wilderness. 134

Their political foundation was weakened by internal strife. A previous ruler seized power after enduring for more than a decade, but sustained injuries that could not be healed; the resulting instability left the new ruler's position insecure and encouraged pressure from both Great Yong and Great Yu. 73 Under Empress Xiao, many powerful nobles and tribes nominally obey the Imperial Capital while retaining substantial autonomy, including control of about one-third of the Imperial Guard. 134

Before Lu Yuan entered their service, the Northern Barbarians struggled with recurring conflict against the Raw Barbarians and Ancient Barbarians over grazing land. The two neighboring powers together were slightly stronger, while the Northern Barbarian court also faced declining national strength, resource shortages, and unreliable vassal tribes. 134 137 138

The Northern Barbarians initially sought cooperation with forces Beyond the Frontier rather than direct confrontation with Great Yong. They supplied cooperating strongholds with warhorses, allowed grain and fodder trade, and offered limited weaponry, while tightly restricting armor and medicinal pills. 94 104

After Great Yong agreed to exchange Lu Yuan for Marquis Wushuang, the Northern Barbarians deployed their elite Beast Cavalry to receive him, demonstrating his value to their court. 132 133 Lu Yuan subsequently entered the Imperial Capital, was enfeoffed as Prince of Qin, and received command responsibilities over the Imperial Guard and northern campaigns. 134 135

Under Lu Yuan's command, the Northern Barbarians subdued the Mantu, Manhun, and Man'e tribes, prompting the Raw Barbarians to withdraw from Guhe Pass. 139 He later led 50,000 Beast Cavalry in a surprise campaign that captured Raw Barbarian King Man Gutun and Ancient Barbarian King Man Guhun. Both rulers surrendered and were granted hereditary titles and fiefs, formally unifying the Three Barbarian Tribes. 156 157 158

Society and Territory

• Two-thirds of Northern Barbarian territory is wilderness along the Great Yong border, inhabited by numerous tribes. 134
• The remaining third consists of agricultural plains and settled cities; this land is the principal base of the nobility and Imperial Capital. 134
• The court's strength depends on silver, population, cultivation resources, grain, horses, and military equipment. Financial shortages repeatedly threatened the Imperial Guard and border cavalry's supply. 139
• Many outer nobles possess independent territory and military power, creating persistent risks of rebellion or noncompliance. 134 135
• The Northern Barbarians maintain trade with other imperial courts and regard Raw Barbarian territory as valuable for medicinal herbs, beast herds, and mineral deposits. 155

Military

Northern Barbarian Scouts

Northern Barbarian scouts frequently raid and patrol the frontier around Ice Plain City. They are typically robust warriors wearing crude, thick leather armor, often without helmets; some have bald heads or a single tuft of hair and facial totem tattoos. 11

• Common weapons include short spears, long blades, spiked clubs, battle-axes, and other heavy weapons. 3 11
• Scouts at the Entry Realm wear armor with iron plating. 11
• Dozens of hundred-man scout squads were deployed to obstruct Great Yong reconnaissance during the right-flank offensive. 65
• Their patrols and ambushes were a major source of military merit for Great Yong frontier soldiers, including Lu Yuan. 3 11 12

Iron Sparrowhawks

The Iron Sparrowhawks are elite Northern Barbarian cavalry feared by the three fortress cities. 43

• Iron Sparrowhawks — Elite cavalry operating near the frontier, including scout units led by centurions. Their fighters include Bone-Forging and Tendon-Refining Realm warriors. 17 20
• Silver-Armed Iron Sparrowhawks — An elite troop of approximately one hundred riders identified by unusually heavy hoofbeats and distinctive mounts. 43
• Golden-Armed Iron Sparrowhawks — Elite troops deployed during the main offensive; their presence made Great Yong scouting difficult. 64 65
• Their leather armor can be inlaid with refined copper plates, and they employ Iron-Core Bows. 21

Beast Cavalry

The Northern Barbarian Beast Cavalry are the imperial court's premier mounted force, considered comparable to Great Yong's Imperial Guard and once superior to it. Internal strife reduced their numbers by nearly half before Lu Yuan's arrival. 133

• Warriors wear refined copper armor and Asura masks, carrying curved blades, long spears, flails, and bows. 134
• Their massive scale horses have additional iron protection over vital areas. 134
• The lowest-ranked riders are Tendon-Refining Realm cultivators, while many have reached the Organ Refining Realm; senior commanders can reach at least the Divine Origin Realm. 134
• A 50,000-strong force under Lu Yuan was equipped in uniform black heavy armor, with two mounts per warrior; each soldier had reached the Organ Refining Realm. 156
• Following the Three Barbarian Tribes' unification, former Raw and Ancient Barbarian troops were integrated into the Beast Cavalry, expanding it beyond one million soldiers. 158

Government and Political Situation

• Empress Xiao / Madam Xiao — Ruler of the Northern Barbarians. She attempts to stabilize the court while balancing military shortages, rebellious nobles, and external threats. 134 135 139
• Xiao Hua — Crown Princess and Empress Xiao's daughter. She explains that the court faces both internal pressure and hostile neighboring powers. 134 135
• Imperial Guard — The court's most elite force; 50,000 troops were directly associated with Lu Yuan's elevation as Prince of Qin. 135
• Outer nobles and tribes — Powerful local interests who hold territory, influence the Imperial Guard, and may exploit court weakness. 134 135
• Vassal towns — Twelve feudal towns were subject to reorganization as part of efforts to relieve the court's financial and political strain. 150

Relations

• Great Yong — Long-standing adversary. The Northern Barbarians use scouts and elite cavalry to hinder Great Yong intelligence operations, while Great Yong previously exploited their internal strife. 65 137
• Great Yu — Relations deteriorated after the dissolution of their alliance; war was considered possible. 134
• Raw Barbarians — Rival northern power that repeatedly fought the Northern Barbarians over land and resources. They later surrendered and were incorporated into the unified Three Barbarian Tribes. 134 158
• Ancient Barbarians — Rival force distinguished by Sacrificial Priests and ritual-like formations. They later surrendered and were incorporated into the unified Three Barbarian Tribes. 137 158
• Forces Beyond the Frontier — The Northern Barbarians offered cooperation, warhorses, trade access, and limited equipment to develop allied buffer forces against Great Yong. 94 104
• Lu Yuan — Initially an enemy frontier soldier who killed numerous scouts and Iron Sparrowhawks; later exchanged from Great Yong, enfeoffed as Prince of Qin, and entrusted with major campaigns. 3 20 133 135

Trivia

• Northern Barbarian warriors are associated with leather armor, heavy weapons, warhorses, and visible totem tattoos among frontier scouts. 11
• Their Beast Cavalry are renowned for mounts capable of covering approximately a thousand miles in a day. 156
• Lu Yuan described the Beast Cavalry as worthy of being called the strongest iron cavalry in the world. 134