> First things first. I know the scales on the GcotHW maps are
>approximate, and population data are highly suspect, but Rathorela has a
>surface of 20000-25000 square kilometers (or is it miles? Well, I can live
>with a 2.5 factor) and 1 million rathori.
FWIW I get 230 000 square kilometres for the size of Rathorela, almost ten times larger than your estimate. But I think the population is a mere guesstimate as, if taken seriously, it translates into a population density of roughly 4 people per square kilometre which is too large for a hunter/gatherer culture. A more credible population estimate would be half that size.
>- - Not all rathori live in rathorela.
I doubt this. Their culture is strongly dependant on the gathering of acorns. Tastolar is tundra/taiga and unsuitable for them and to the south are the settled cities, all of which strongly discourage hunter/gatherer inhabiting their turf (the closest european parallel would be gypsies).
>- - Even then, 100 people clans are unlikely. Bigger clans are needed.
>- - To live so highly packed, society must be, at least, elaborated,
>especially if the rathori are so aggresive as they are portrayed, where
>raiding is a common activity. So becoming mercenary is a kind of "advanced
>raiding".
I think you underestimate the impact of a low population density. You can move around for ages before you will meet anybody else. And the raiding is done against city people
>All the city states control the surrounding territory, and none of them has
>a great military tradition.
I seriously question the worth of such blanket statements to prop up a pet theory. Southbank has soldiers that a Rathori consider good. "When I outfought the Soldier of Gold three years ago, it was my strike that killed him, but..." (PB:G p7). Furthermore the people of the Janube Cities are not effeminate debauchees that rely on mercenaries (like Safelster) but kindred to the Jonatings and some Hsunchen folk as well as lunar refugees.
>What is the use of a company of fifty rathori
>tribesmen? Certainly not to man the walls. You patrol your borders, raid
>your neighbours, and scout your enemies. Just like home.
I do not think the Rathori organize themselves into 'companies'. They are more likely to travel in a band of brothers and attach themselves to some leader in return for a steady share of plunder and some interesting trinklets in lean times. Because of this, they are unlikely to reach double digits in size. Fifty Rathori would mean the entire malefolk of the clan! Who is looking after the missus?
Secondly patrols would be considered dead boring for the Rathori and they are more than likely to go and find something better to do.
>In the "What my Uncle told me" section of the Player's Book you can see
>a selection of Rathori deities. Not very different from what I would
>expect in Far Point, really.
I fail to grasp the point here. All Hsunchen would worship similar spirits as they are not monotheists. Secondly the array of spirits the average praxian shaman contacts easily exhausts the array of gods worshipped at Far Point. Are the Praxians more sophisticated than the Far Point orlanthi then?
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