Auosi

The Auosi were a group of Vestu inhabitants in the southwestern Vostau peninsula. They were a highly militarised people, most well known for having been vassals of (sometimes described as mercenaries for) the Thafonic Patriarchy, acting as the main military forces for the Thafonici. They were a horse-riding cattle rearing people who lived in drywall huts, in villages and towns surrounded by palisade walls. As of the Tribute of the Thafonici in 1230 BCE, there were five main tribes of the Auosi - the Nesti, the Pauri, the Pesci and the Rosti all accepted the Thafonic tribute, while the Soli rejected their offer, and instead migrated northwards away from the Thafonic expansion and adjoining themselves to a different tribal confederation.

Location

The Auosi were located to the north of the Thafonic homeland, and south of the $RIVER, on which their neighbouring Meresti tribal group resided, in the highlands beneath the $MOUNTAINS. They lay right on the border of the Vestu and Thafonici homelands.

Origins

The exact origins of the Auosi is disputed. They are known to have been Vestu, though if they shared extremely close relations to any neighbouring groups is unknown. One possible indication of their origins is the action of the Soli in refusing the Tribute of the Thafonici, in that they moved so far away, towards the Vausii tribe, indicating a possible link between the groups.

Religion

The Auosi followed the Vestu pantheon for the most part, though like most other Vestu tribal confederations, they followed their own patron deity. The Auosi had Osc as their patron deity.

History

Their cultural homeland was on the border of the Vestu and Thafonici homelands, and so they had early contact with the Thafonic civilisation. Contact mainly resulted in trade, though Thafonic texts from the Late Patriarchy era state that the Auosi were "always warring among the Vestu" prior to their eventual subservience to the Thafonic Patriarchy. The Thafonic King Uon was apparently impressed by the fighting skills of the Auosi, and so sailed up the river Vizon to offer tribute to them, mainly gold, horses and high quality bronze, what has been termed the Tribute of the Thafonici, in 1230 BCE. The Auosi were apparently divided on the prospect of subservience to Thafon, and spent three days discussing the prospect. On the fourth day, all of the Auosi tribes barring the Soli agreed to join with the Thafonici, with the Soli moving northwards towards the Vausii land and joining with them.

The Auosi were allowed to keep their homeland, but were also either gifted or leased a large barracks complex outside of Thafon, making them close to and active in the defence of the capital. The various tribes eventually specialised into specific soldier forces. The Nesti, for example, came to comprise an archer corps within the Thafonic army. Regular payment for the Auosi was maintained, though it is unclear if this was for specific services rendered as a mercenary force or a running payment more akin to a standing army.