Hunters

Also known as Rangers, Forestpeople or Woodfolk, this people lives deep within the forests of Harten. Divided into many smaller tribes, they protect and tend the forest and the animals therein.

Most of the stories concerning the Hunters can be easily dismissed and should be considered fairytales. The vast amount of these stories partly stems from their remote lifestyle and all but invisibility: cloaked in dark color tones, mostly green and brown, they blend into the forests. Also mastering the arts of sneaking and animal imitation, it is no wonder that stories like that of the "invisible fairy folk" emanated.

A few accounts exist by people who have lived with the Hunters for a short time. Most notable are the records of David Kessel, who lived with a tribe for almost seven years and described daily life, spirituality and rituals of the Hunters.

According to Kessel, the Hunters believe in the Baba Yaga as the patron of the woods. They see themselves as children of the Baba Yaga, sent to the forest to care for it - as the forest cares for them.

The forest gives them food, clothing, and a place to live; In exchange, they hunt the old and weak animals, plant and protect young trees, chop ill trees, hinder unhealthy proliferation, and minimize exterior threat to the forest (like lumberjacks or predators from other forests). Kessel also depicts shamanic chants and rituals which are sung while planting new trees and are meant to shape the tree while it grows.

It is easy to distinguish between a forest which is inhabited by Hunters and one which is not, by the shape of the trees and the amount of space between them, the texture of their bark, the smell of the forest, and many other factors. The difference has been compared to that between a noble breed and a filthy stray dog, but might not be as obvious to an unaware wanderer.

The Hunters are organized in small, decentralized tribes. The central element of tribal life is the thing (ting), a regular council, serving as legislative and judicative.