| Category | Empires | ||
| World | Bal-Kriav | ||
| Region | Tribe Steppes | ||
| Government | Tribal | ||
| Capital | none (nomadic) | ||
| Population | |||
| Races |
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| Alignment | chaotic evil | ||
| Deity | none | ||
| Enemies | all |
During the early stages of the First Epoch, the Jara emerged as a result of the wrath of a petty god. These savage centaur people pose a serious threat to those inhabiting the Tamoroc Steppe when they organize into bands. Nomadic except when raiding, they follow the great herds of The Hoof Arc. Occasionally, bands of Jara will unite under a strong leader when they encounter one another, with the deceased leader being consumed by their subordinates, as it is believed that the wisdom of the former leader is passed down through these morsels, serving as kindling for a future leader. However, these encounters can also result in bloody confrontations, with only a few survivors left after the ensuing melee. As a result, the formation of larger hordes becomes a desirable outcome, and these consolidated forces, seeking plunder and slaughter, become known as Jara Hordes. These hordes, composed of swift and mobile centaur cavalry, living off their spoils, can be devastating. The leader of these hordes, one who is both strong and cunning, takes the title of Jara Khan after their third victorious battle.
The Jara are the most savage of assailants. They mercilessly slaughter everything in their path - including livestock - and then feast upon the fallen, even their own kind.
Dal-Kahad, "Huma Fodder"
The Jara Hordes view others as prey, refusing to forge alliances or establish treaties. They observe no code of warfare. Settlements conquered by the Jara are often depopulated, with the invaders slaughtering everything in sight, even their own fallen, in an unrestrained frenzy that their leader cannot quell. The dead, including the Jara's own ranks, are consumed in a gluttonous fashion that would earn the blessing of The Glutton, were the Jara not atheists.
Notable Jara Hordes
Horde of Mingrur
The initial Jara Horde was formed under the leadership of the Jara warlord named Mingrur. In Year 77, his horde launched an invasion into the Singarban Forest. This assault was remarkably sophisticated, with the Jara employing heavy barges and pontoons to cross rivers and the Ašetal lake. However, the Horde of Mingrur subsequently disintegrated after the Theegan tribes of the forest retreated into the depths of the Synnbarri Canyon. Ultimately, Mingrur was assassinated by his own guards for failing to deliver the promised spoils.
Horde of Tamoroc
The Horde of Tamoroc was commanded by a two-headed Jara known as Tamoroc. In 120, this abhorrent being and his 2,000 troops laid waste to Fragning. For the following two years, they encamped in the area, preying upon the abundant sheep and goat herds of the town's former inhabitants. While the Jara claims that the Tamoroc Steppe is named after him, the reverse is in fact true.
Butchers of Mongor
The formidable Mongor horde was led by the revered Khan Mongor. In the year 135, the ruthless Butchers of Mongor swept through Quellestir, massacring thousands of Forstneblin and eradicating every surface settlement.
Bloodletters
The horde of 20,000 to 30,000 jara was led by Bone Pounder. His formidable force made a deep incursion into the Khazarkar Empire. In 1115, Bone Pounder came perilously close to sacking the Khazarkar capital city Nibar-Pharân. However, he perished in the ensuing battle. Without their esteemed leader, chaos engulfed the horde, causing it to disintegrate. Some fled into the nature-imbued forest Mavraphas, where they were transformed into centaurs. The nature energy of this woodland wiped away their villainous tendencies, aligning them more closely with the natural world.
Gorum Horde
The Gorum Horde that ravaged the Angrod territory in 1515 was distinct from most Jara Hordes. This formidable force included not only jara, but also hellfire wyrms, hundar, a pair of chaos rocs, and the hell knight Raxcvillibus. The horde laid waste to the city of Amanwen and transformed parts of Taurquion into a fiery, desolate landscape. However, after internal discord among the jara tribes, the horde ultimately fragmented. The wood elves estimated the size of this Jara Horde to be approximately 35,000 strong, named after the Gorum Steppe, the region from which most of the jara tribes originated.
Horde of Steel Monger
In 1486, a Jara Khan named Steel Monger, aged 43, who was exceptionally old by Jara standards, spearheaded an attack on the Khazarkar Empire. Three centuries later, in 1798, a resurrected Steel Monger commanded an army of 40,000 troops, intent on spreading devastation. Preparing to invade the Orchish Empire through Hellstorm Pass and Arinthil, they were discovered by Crimson Eye and two other scouting teams. Steel Monger and hundreds of other Jara were then at the epicenter of the Hand of Gith. Steel Monger, the sole survivor of the blast, was soon defeated by the heroes of Crimson Eye.
Pig Tramplers
In the year 1521, this Jara Horde of nearly 20,000 assailed Neeth-Theen. Confronting Ushgergoon and his chaotic abominations, they were vanquished in the Battle of Bone Hoof Canyon.
Rampager Horde
In 1190, a horde of 15,000 jara ravaged the grasslands of Tadab-Hal, assaulting Theegan settlements and encroaching upon the territories of Garormuk. The jara horde pushed the Theegans southward and eastward, forcing them into foreign lands. This incursion led to a conflict between the Theegans, backed by the Witch Horde, and the people of Garormuk. The ensuing Witch-Pack War ( 1190 - 1240 ) required the Theegans to first address the jara threat. They dispatched a champion to confront the leader of the Rampager Horde, Jara Khan Rampager, on the grassy plains of Tadab-Hal. Knowing that the jara would attack regardless of the outcome, the Theegans positioned themselves in a defensive formation of pikes, javelin throwers, heavy infantry, and archers. However, the expected attack never materialized. Stunned by the swift defeat of their leader at the hands of the Theegan champion wielding both Blizzard and Firestorm, the horde scattered.
In the year 1192, the Rampager Horde disintegrated following the demise of their khan.