Gargun

Gargun hunting bands are the typical group a party of travellers will encounter. The size of Gargun hunting bands depends on the number of garguns of a tribe. Generally speaking: the more populace a tribe has, the larger its hunting bands will be. On the other hand this rule is modified by the political situation a tribe is in. After a swarm, hunting bands will either be very small or may consist of the remainder of the tribe. In a tight spot - surrounded by humans, dwarfs or other hostile Gargun, hunting bands may increase in size, in open territory maybe with only a few nomadic humanoids neighboring, possible on friendly terms, hunting bands may decrease in size. Another factor are orders from the king of the tribe, which does not need to conform to rational standards.

The other type of group that is present on Harn and present a danger to travellers are the war bands. War bands are generally better armored, bigger in size and more apt to deal with armed opponents. While hunting bands generally shun anything armed that is not easily overpowered, war bands may take more risks. Fortunately, war bands are not as common as hunting parties. Approximately 5% of all encountered groups are war bands. But keep in mind that this is highly dependent on the location and situation of the involved tribe, so treat this only as a rough figure. War bands generally either patrol an area or are out to attack and raid another settlement or tribe. It is thus not uncommon to encounter a specific group more than once in the first case or to be somewhat ignored by the band in the second.

Apart from the criteria just mentioned there are other distinguishing features between war and hunting bands. War bands do not care as much about their tracks as hunting bands. Hunting groups clean up their camps if appropriate and try to leave little tracks, while war bands may even attempt to make their presence known by making tracks.

If a tribe of Garguns is enslaved by another tribe, for instance Gargu-Khanu, the hunting and war bands will tend to differ from bands of free tribes. The make-up of such a band is generally one or two leaders of the opressors, which is well equipped with a average selection of the enslaved type. Seldom are opressed tribes allowed to send out their own hunting bands. Note hoewever, that it is the enslaved Gargun which do the work and they are more proficient in hunting. Revolts are not unheard of, but due to the social nature of the suppressed Gargun the revolting Gargun will not survive for long. They are not allowed to return without their masters.

Michael Jung