Cowfolk

Cowfolk of Note

Zuna (she/her)

A legendary figure in the south, Zuna is said to be the mother of ranching. Various landmarks bear markings of what the people believe to be Zuna's Road. The trail is followed by ranchers that move in smaller herds and is a helpful guide to determine safe places to stop and rest. Zuna is said to have been a lone rancher but scholars debate on this due to the tribal lifestyle and nomadic nature of the people of South Boyoma. Natives of the region all have a Zuna story that all have a central theme of Zuna journeying into town, helping the community, and returning to the road.

Elikya (they/them) Obambi

The subject of the classic Boyoman play Elikya Learns to Ride, Elikya found love in the Wild South when they inherited land and left the city to take up ranching. Elikya had trouble learning the basics to ranch life and in the beginning was teased and mocked by the villagers. They were particularly patronized by a wealthy landowner, Kamini Goma (he/him), who alluded to the strange death of the previous landowner.

Elikya's herd was then stampeded by unknown outlaws. A vagabond, Libanza (he/him), witnessed it all and helped Elikya. He taught them how to ranch, how to protect their land, and how to fend for themself. Elikya then helped around the village as the villagers, too, were being harassed.

Elikya spotted the outlaws on their land one day and rode out to confront them. After a chase and scuffle, they were knocked unconscious. When they woke, they found themself in Goma's warehouse while the outlaws argued with the landowner over their deal. Goma had hired the outlaws to rustle up trouble in the area and scare Elikya off the land so Goma could buy up various pieces of land for cheap.

Elikya managed to escape using tricks Libanza taught them. Once away from the Goma homestead, they ran to Libanza who admitted he'd been offered a reward to kill Elikya. However, he was actually an officer of the law. He and Elikya worked together to trap and kill the outlaws and Goma, bringing peace to the area.

Kitoko (any) Mboko

A born and bred cowboy, Kitoko Mboko is known as the fastest and hardest rider in the South. Their horse, Nkake (Lightning), is a lean gray stallion that has reached incredible speeds that allow Kitoko to expertly maneuver cattle. What brought them fame was when a landlord threatened to drive their tribe of cowboys out of the area for refusing to pay outrageous fees. When the lawmen came to drive them out, Kitoko offered a wager. If the lawmen’s fastest horses could make the Mbake run and back before Kitoko, the tribe would leave and never return. If Kitoko won, the landlord would pay for the Mboko tribe’s stay every time they came to town. The landlord agreed but paid the lawmen extra to sabotage Kitoko at every turn. It made little difference, though, as Kitoko and Nkake darted through the course in record time. From there, Kitoko’s speed and cleverness was recounted across the land.

Cowfolk Bands of Note

The Nianga Gang

A group of riders named for their leader Makambo (he/him) Nianga and his siblings. These riders started out as petty thieves and mercenaries but after a job gone wrong, the crew were forced to recover in the sleepy village of Kungu. There, they developed lasting friendships and relationships with the villagers and became a part of the community. Years later, their past caught up with them as a rival gang arrived in Kungu, ready to pillage and plunder. The Nianga Gang drove the other gang from the village and became a force of law and order in the area by driving out outlaws, bandits, and other ne'er do wells.

The Viper Crew

Known as one of the most ruthless gangs in Southern Boyoma, this group robs, tortures, and kills any that happen to stumble into their path. Known as the Pirate Queen of the South, Esengo (she/they) Kaya formed the Viper Crew 30 years ago in direct opposition to the Mwene Mopanga's Protection Force. The Protection Force was created to patrol the roads in South Boyoma and ensure the safety of the ranchers and villages along the trade routes. The Viper Crew often specifically targeted Protection Force brigades. Survivors reported that the Viper Crew was undetectable and that they struck fiercely and without mercy. Esengo especially is notorious for her sadistic pleasure. She will often collect trophies from high ranking officers such as ears, noses, fingers, etc.