Which seems most likely; unification, disunion, or subjugation?

[Clever-Fox]

While I was working on my fantasy world, Dirnoviil, I came to a bit of a roadblock; would a race form their own state, remain divided into various tribes, or be subjugated by an invading empire?

The group in question is a race of forest-dwelling deer-people called the Damhnait, who occupy a large forested area running between two mountain ranges. They are a tribal society, separated into various clans and tribes, with no real central government or authority, save the council of shamans that try and keep the peace between the tribes. While they do form alliances from time to time to fend off various threats (I.e. Invasions by outlanders), the various tribes of the Damhnait are largely independent politically (but are very similar culturally).

With an expanding, power hungry neighbor knocking at their door from the south, would that be enough to bring them together and unite them as one country, or would they more likely be conquered like the Gauls by the Romans?

 

[Foxbat]

I presume you're 'world building'?

But it sounds to me like you've got a story staring you right in the face - rather than worry about unification, disunion etc, write the story and characters that chronicles the event. Do the Damhnait overcome their petty differences to join against a common foe? Do they need a hero or figurehead to unite them against the dark tide of oppression? Will it all come good in an act of supreme self-sacrifice? Or will it end in tragedy and near-genocide - leading you nicely on to the sequel - Revenge Of The Damhnait.


Just my opinion

 

[Phyrebrat]

^ What Foxbat said. I think the story is already there!

pH

 

[Sapheron]

If you want inspiration, I'd suggest a good starting point would be a quick wikipedia session looking at some of the wars between the colonial powers and the north american natives. The Iroquois, Cherokee or Shoshone would be good starting points, as all of these essentially went through what you're describing, with an assortment of culturally and ethnically similar tribes being threatened by a more powerful outsider. The Albanian-Ottoman wars could be another good example of your sort of scenario, as could the gallic confederation that fought against Julius Caesar's invasion of Gaul that you mentioned already.

More specifically, for your example, I'd point out that deer are herd animals. When threatened they tend to come together for safety. If your deer people bear a similar mentality, I feel it would be more fitting for them to gang up.

 

[thaddeus6th]

Sounds reminiscent of Gaul, Caesar and Vercingetorix. Some might welcome invaders if they took their enemies' lands and offered military aid (and wine). By the time the threat to the whole area is clear, it's probably too late for the latterly united tribes to withstand.

 

[sknox]

Each is equally likely. There's no abstract dynamic here; you can make happen whatever you want to happen. In fact, you can have all three things happen. The tribes could be disunited, could come together bravely, yet ultimately suffer defeat. Or they could be conquered, but then come together.

As others have said: just write it!

 

[paranoid marvin]

Depends on what the conquerors' tactics are. If they kill or enslave all of their enemies regardless, then they are more likely to unite. If on the other hand they offer alliances/do deals with those prepared to be ruled by them , then more likely they will not.

 

[Brian G Turner]

While I was working on my fantasy world, Dirnoviil, I came to a bit of a roadblock; would a race form their own state, remain divided into various tribes, or be subjugated by an invading empire?

The group in question is a race of forest-dwelling deer-people called the Damhnait, who occupy a large forested area running between two mountain ranges. They are a tribal society, separated into various clans and tribes, with no real central government or authority, save the council of shamans that try and keep the peace between the tribes. While they do form alliances from time to time to fend off various threats (I.e. Invasions by outlanders), the various tribes of the Damhnait are largely independent politically (but are very similar culturally).

With an expanding, power hungry neighbor knocking at their door from the south, would that be enough to bring them together and unite them as one country, or would they more likely be conquered like the Gauls by the Romans?

There are a huge amount of problems to work with here with no answers. For example, what political and ethnic divisions are there among the Damhnait?

Also, hungry empires might be satisfied with nothing more than tribute - some cash for the coffers to pay for where the real action is - or be idealogically driven, such as demanding the conversion of a people.

You have to figure out the politics of the situation, where the values are for the insiders and outsiders.

 

[BelgarionOz]

Does sound a little like Celtic history.

The Celts were all different tribes that had a tendency to war amongst themselves, until Rome decided to see what it could steal from them. They had the Druids and others to help bring them together, which perhaps might be a little like the shamans you have.

The potential for conflict among the different tribes even though they are supposed to be fighting against this enemy from the south, could be an interesting story. Potential for their side to unravel etc. But as others have said, there are lots of possibilities.