The Tribes of Horizon Zero Dawn
The setting is inhabited by several tribes who each bring a different outlook on the world. While they are varied, they all feed into the central feeling of the world and are important in different capacities. The Tribes are:
Nora – This is the tribe that Aloy is a part of. They are like a typical native tribe, relying on animals around them for clothing and sustenance and respecting nature. They are trained to hunt the robots for defensive needs and resources, but mostly keep to themselves. They kill any trespassers in their land.
Banuk – These are the people who worship the machines. They are a peaceful people who seek to understand the robots through observation and worship. They will of course fight if they have to, but they tend to be accepting of others.
Oseram – Warriors and metal workers. They are now allies with the Carja and Erend is the Oseram you’ll find yourself speaking to the most. They are a tough people, and would be the strongest if it weren’t for the Carja.
Carja – The “sun people.” Of all the tribes in Horizon Zero Dawn, this is the most advanced. They have built cities and palaces, are run off of a monarchy ordained by god (the sun), and at one point were very vicious. The new king, Avad, killed his father who had been oppressing and murdering the other tribes. He now seeks peace and unity, something that has caused the development of a new tribe and one of the bigger antagonists you’ll have to face against.
Shadow Carja – A tribe that was born from the collapse of the mad reign of Avad’s father. Led by Helis, who was a champion gladiator who would kill slaves for sport, they worship the eclipse rather than the sun and endeavor to bring darkness to Meridian and the Sun King. It is the Shadow Carja who are raising the machines and turning them violent, though how they’re doing that is a bit complicated.
