Orduri

Orduri (pronounced or-DURR-eee), or urtrura (pronounced ur-TRURR-ah) in the language of the Utnin, are a type of messenger found across the Aban Steppe in the Three Great Seas and in the connected Monumon in the Land of the Sun and Moon. Renowned for their speed, they cross the open steppes regularly, bearing with them communications, whether written or oral, as well as gifts and tributes between far-distant lands.

Orduri are, by convention, entirely neutral in the often internecine conflicts of the steppes. Even when carrying letters between two tribes or settlements at war, they are never harmed and always permitted safe passage, as their existence makes mediation possible. Moreover, any orduri that arrives to a community or encampment is always given food and shelter, even if their destination lies elsewhere, as all know they may need the services of the messengers at some time in the future. While the orduri are not precisely organized, in the sense of having a structure or leadership, they inevitably confer regularly when their paths cross, and to slight or harm one ensures all avoid the perpetrators in the future.

Orduri are most easily identifiable by the vertical blue banners they wear as they ride, which easily gives away their role and location - as a matter of survival, they never hide their identities or presence. Urtrura in the Monumon often eschew these banners for stamped metal coin-like objects, typically affixed to the fronts of their helmets.

The life of an orduri is a lonely one. They rarely stay in any one place for longer than is necessary, instead spending almost every day in transit. Equally rarely do they retire. By convention each orduri takes an apprentice - or multiple over the course of their lives, but never more than one at a time - who is taught their ways until such time as the teacher is confident in their abilities. It is seen as the correct conclusion to an orduri's life for them to die while making one of their treks across the steppe, at which point their apprentice buries them in accordance with their ways - usually left at high elevation to the eagles - picks up their letters, tablets, or other goods, and finishes their last mission in their stead.

While most are human, orcish, or sometimes elven, in the Monumon especially centaur urtrura are common.