Montero

Example of modern day Monteros, c. 2004

Montero (Isbellan: [Montˈkeɾo]) is a ranching culture originating from Isbella but extensively developed in Elaklania from the 1700s onwards to the modern day. Monteros were highly associated with social banditry in Elaklania during the mid 1800s and early 1900s, while Montero’s were generally considered poor and uneducated for most of their existence they have since been mythologized as hero’s of the poor by romantic literature.

Monteros usually only habit the two states of Gran Norte and Flores, as they are the most geographically sound for livestock with them holding the largest parts of the Flores Great Plains and Calmio Desert.

Etymology

The word Montero derives its meaning from the Isbellan word Monte which means mount but also refers to any desolate or rugged place. Its exciplict origins are unknown but it is surmised that it was meant as an insult for ranchers and poor villagers in the northern states of Elaklania.

History

Early Montero community, c. 1547

Arrival to Cesylle

Around 1540s only a few years after the official colony of Elaklania had begun frontiersmen ventured into the westward plains where no Isbellan civilization existed. These frontiersmen would set up farms all to themselves in the future states of Gran Norte and Flores, they are most likely the main origin point of the Montero tradition as their main source of income would be herding livestock.

While this is the main origin point there is also the appearance of mixed Isbellan-Elawe communities around this time, they also participated in ranching and may have been a contributing factor in the negative association of the word in its early usage.

The word would first officially appear in a government census on the population of the colony which would list all the people outside of any major settlement but still within the borders of the colony as a Montero.

Under the new republic

Montero gangsters taking a photo, c. 1905

Montero life would not change much after independence and the second revolution though they would make up a large portion of cavalry forces during both conflicts making them proportionally have a higher number of veterans than the average communities in the country.

While life didn’t change at first as the new republic began to fall into a cycle of corruption the Monteros were targeted by wealthy businessmen who sought their ancient lands. The Monteros in most cases refused to sell their land, but the buyers would just go to the corrupt authorities hiring policemen to intimidate or even kill people in their way.

Monteros farms would be picked off one by one by land speculators and larger farm groups, while many would simply leave their former homes to try and find a better life, many would also stay and fight against the buyers. These Monteros would take up arms against the buyers and police, while at first they would attempt to stay in their homes they would quickly be expelled and get wanted as criminals.

With nowhere to go these Monteros would become social bandits, robbing: townships, caravans, and police border checkpoints. While the Monteros would be feared by communities for their brutality they would also gain a positive reputation for their battles against the police and army.