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| - The Barghast were a non-human pastoral nomadic warrior society who were found on several continents. The Barghast of Genabackis were concentrated in the Barghast Range. Generally larger than humans, they were often seen as exotic barbarians or savages by non-Barghast. They were divided into many clans with each hunter group identified through their woad tattooing. The tattoos depicted the history of their families going back as many as hundreds of generations. Rivalries between clans were fierce with some clans recognising others as their Avowed enemies. Duels to the death between rival clan members were common and tolerated at inter-clan gatherings. Each clan was led by a warchief and guided by its shamans (also known as shouldermen). Shouldermen communicated with the spirits of their dead ancestors through dreams. Spirits provided guidance and patrolled the Barghast lands warning of trespassers. Questions of leadership could be settled by ritual combat to the death. Barghast shamans could create Blood-iron to invest weapons with a power that linked the wielder to the weapon. They could imbue protective powers on individuals through the use of bone circles. Individuals were placed inside the circle while shamans danced for days around it. Not all spirits were welcome among the Barghast. The older and more powerful spirits were kept at bay. When shamans and other powerful Barghast died they were buried in barrow mounds. Trunks of oak trees were carved with magic bindings and pressed into the ground upside down atop the corpse. This pinned its spirit in place and prevented malicious wandering. Additional traps and guardians were placed in a circle about the barrow. Souls who were caught in the wooden traps were known as Sticksnares. Any that managed to escape the barrow often attempted to return to their clans and were destroyed. The Barghast remembered the dead with mourning chants. Barghast lived in tents, tipis, and yurts made of wicker and hide. Their clothing was made of natural materials and found objects unique to each tribe. The Senan studded their clothes with coins from an ancient hoard. The Barahn made use of porcupine quills. The Ahkrata stitched together multi-coloured bits of armour from slain Moranth. Every tribe made use of ash, paint, and foul smelling grease on their skin. Grey ash on the face, for example, was a sign of mourning. Bhederin grease applied to the skin kept away biting flies and insects. They were known for their use of crudely made hook-swords' hook-knives, and lances. Barghast were sexually free and amorous. They openly propositioned those they were attracted to and casually paired off with strangers. Barghast were known for their odd sense of humour. They possessed a fear and hatred of the Moranth, a circumstance Twist blamed on false memories passed down from ancient times. As a sign of respect, the brought the backs of their sword-hands to their brows for a brief brush of glove to skin.
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