Ochre Horde

The Ochre Horde is a nation located on Ochre Island, located at the northwestern corner of the nether.

## History

### Founding

The Ochre Horde was founded soon after Meso, a piglin from a distant bastion, fled their home and arrived at the island. They recited legends of ancient hordes of piglins, who reached unfathomable heights in the nether, and even claimed Sazius for themselves. Enamored by these tales, an Ochrean by the name of Fred helped Meso sell the idea of creating a new 'horde' to the entire island. Word spread and eventually, the Ochre Horde was founded with Meso as their leader. Their first territory in the overworld was Kikkerand, Meso's old home in the swamp.

### Alliance with Yerpsburg

As one of the first orders of business, Meso decided to take over New Yerpsburg, as all nether portals on Ochre Island led to there. Despite being a self proclaimed "peace nation" though, the Yerpians were far more powerful than the horde. So after some negotiating, Meso called off the invasion, and the two formed an alliance instead. There was also a brief period where the Ochre Horde merged with Lochford before quickly regaining independence, as Lochford's leader declared themselves king, while reducing Meso to the "Earl of Kikkerand".

### Halaesa

Eventually, news came that a being called 'Halaesa' was banished back to the nether. Outraged by this, Meso plotted to help this being back into the overworld, so that she would wreak havoc on Sazius and leave the nether alone. After some research though, it was found that Halaesa actually had a significant presence in the nether before this, under a variety of different names. She wreaked havoc on piglins throughout the nether's history, deeming them "impure". She was the one who summoned the first wither skeletons to help her, one of the few creatures universally despised by piglins all across the nether.

More news came of a cult in Sibilare who worshipped Halaesa and wanted to resummon her. Meso was obviously displeased at first given her reputation, but eventually decided to help them as it furthered Meso's original plans. Unfortunately though, Halaesa would see and kill the esteemed Piglin. Meso's old friend and second in command Fred would assume the title of 'Great Hogan' in their place.

## Caste System

Ochrean society is generally distributed into three castes based mainly on profession, loosely resembling the three horde's of Meso's legend. Each caste contributes to the horde in their own way, and all of them have opportunities for success.

### The Nigrederin

Formed by military personnel, it is the highest social caste for citizens, who dedicate their lives for the glory of the Horde.

### The Albeditati

Formed by scholars and bureaucrats, responsible for maintaining the nation's history, designing buildings and technology, researching various subjects, and other intelligence heavy tasks.

### The Rubederat

Formed primarily by workers and merchants, such as miners, farmers, hunters, traders, barkeepers, and laborers. These piglins form the backbone of the horde's internal economy.

## Government

### The Great Hogan

The Hogan is the rightful supreme leader of the government, chosen by the Eternal Red Sky to rule over all the great Ochre Horde under divine protection.

### The Seeran

The Seeran is the Great Hogan's right hand piglin, who assists the Hogan and manages the Horde in their absence. The Seeran is very carefully chosen by the Great Hogan, as they can potentially become the next Hogan if the previous one dies.

### The Banner Lord

The Banner Lord is the Army's supreme general, who represents the Nigrederin in the council. They are responsible for commanding the Banners in conflicts, military training, and the sacred duty of protecting the Hogan's honor.

### The Banner Keep

The Banner Keep is the designated officer of a Banner, responsible for commanding that part of the Army under the Banner Lord.

### The Alcinate Council

ided by the Hogan and Seeran, it is the council responsible for administering all of the Ochre Horde's possessions, managing the civilian population, and implementing new laws. It's made up of three representatives from each caste, inspired by the three piglin leaders from Meso's original legend

## Religion

### The Eternal Red Sky

The Eternal Red Sky represents the ever-present, timeless dimension of existence where spiritual energies intertwine with the physical world. It symbolizes the constant flux of life, the fiery essence of creation, and the transformative power that lies within each individual.

### The Main Doctrines

#### • The Divine Embers

Within each of us, there exists a Divine Ember—an eternal spark of consciousness and potential. It is this ember that connects us to the Eternal Red Sky, guiding us on our spiritual journey and reminding us of our intrinsic worth and interconnectedness with all living beings.

#### • The Way of Trials

Similar to the challenges faced in the Nether, we believe in embracing life's trials as opportunities for growth and transformation. These challenges are essential for spiritual development, allowing us to rise from the ashes of adversity and emerge stronger and wiser.

#### • The Great Balance

In the Eternal Red Sky, we honor the balance of elements—fire, water, earth, and air—as representations of the diverse aspects of life. Embracing the harmony of these elements fosters a balanced and holistic approach to spiritual growth and personal well-being.

#### • The Communal Forge

Just as in the Nether, where all collaborate to build grand cities, the Eternal Red Sky values the power of community and the collective efforts of its members. Together, we create a communal forge where we forge connections, support one another, and kindle the flames of compassion and empathy.

### Rituals and Practices

#### • Ember Meditation

In our Ember Meditation practice, we connect with our inner Divine Ember, visualizing it as a glowing ember within our hearts. Through meditation, we seek clarity, strength, and a deeper understanding of our spiritual path.

#### • Flame Ceremonies

Flame ceremonies serve as sacred gatherings where members come together to honor the Eternal Red Sky and share their experiences of personal growth and transformation. Candles or symbolic flames are used to represent the Divine Embers within each individual.

#### • Pilgrimages of Discovery

Inspired by the adventurous spirit of the firsts, we undertake physical and symbolic pilgrimages to locations of spiritual significance. These journeys allow us to explore the depths of our inner selves and the profound connections we share with the world around us.