Hill (Steppe) Martians
Hill Martians
Hill, or Steppe Martians, are more rugged and less civilised than the Canal Martians. They have a wide range of cultures but one of the most well-known is seen as similar to nomadic North American Indians or the horse nomads of central Asia. . The Hill Martians tend to live beyond the control of the corrupt Canal Martian rulers and their society is based around tribal groupings and clans. Personal bravery and martial skills are respected and are a means to advancement. Many, but not all, prefer the simple life of roaming the vast Martian deserts, trading in spice, hand-made goods and livestock. The Riders of the Nepenthes-Thoth steppe are a good example of this.
Averaging six feet tall with dark complexions, they possess the characteristic three fingers and toes of the Martian races. While evolution has removed the special Lifting gland that High Martians possess, it is not uncommon for a Hill Martian to be born with vestigial webbing beneath their armpits (which, incidentally, is seen as a bad omen unless the child also possesses black hair).
Urghull
The Urghull are arguably one of the oldest Martian peoples having been in the Noachis area of the Southern Polar region when there were seas on the face of Mars. They speak the Alaanawaak language and follow the Canal Keeper religion. The majority of the Urghull are of Hill Martian farmer stock but their ruling nobility is made up of Canal Martians. All the ruling nobility in turn swear loyalty of the lords of Gaaryan. The Urghull are seen as being technologically pre-renaissance with agriculture, forestry and hunting the main source of income. They are fine weapon smiths with their axes and long hunting rifles well respected and sought after.
The Aruudal (The Eternal Hunters)
These nomadic Hill Martians travel the plains around the South Pole where they hunt, forage and feud. They see themselves as warriors first and foremost. The live on the plains of Ausonia, Eridania and Electris though they will, on occasion, visit the nomad city of Ardrey in Thaumasia. The Aruudal speak their own tribal dialects and follow several variants of spirit and demonic faiths, all of them warlike and bloodthirsty. They are notoriuos as the Aruudal also practice ritual cannibalism. They believe that they were once part of the Urghull people but were exiled because of their free spirit and warrior skills while the remaining Urghull became weak and ruled by Canal Martians. They are technologically primitive using simple weapons like spears, knives, hatchets, and wicker shields. Their fierceness and their use of poisons in battle make their enemies wary of them.
The Nokaartik, The Nomads of Thaumasia
The nomad clans of the Nokaartik travel mostly through Thaumasia and the east of Electris, but can also be found in Bosporos and Western Electris. Like the Aruudal, they were originally part of the Urghuul but left. They are traders with a complicated inter-clan status system. They speak their own dialect of Alaanawaak but also Koline and Thaumasian. Their religion is shamanic based on animal and spirit worship and the interpretation of omens. They are fine animal tamers and herders but have to trade for more modern devices. They have their own trading centre built in the ruins of an ancient city called Ardrey where Canal Martians and even the Aruudal are welcome.
Swamp Martians
Swamp Martians are a subculture of the Hill Martians who have adapted to the swamps of the Eastern Basin. They were originally from the Swamp of Cimmeria but forced to move to the south, west, and east where they found further swamps, forests, and lakes, which they settled. Where others get lost in the mazes of broken canals, ever-changing streams, and undergrowth, they feel right at home.
Lowland Martians
These Hill Martians travel the Eastern Basin in large family groups by steppe wagon or canal sailboat. They are lively and love to sing and dance taking joy from life. They are ruled by couoncils of elders and worship the sun and the moon.