[centre][h1]The Angorian Kingdom[/h1] [url=http://i.imgur.com/h80ahgQ.png?1]fleg[/url] [url=http://i.imgur.com/2YHa67P.png]'Detailed' map of the Angorian Kingdom[/url] [img]http://i.imgur.com/NHjjZPr.png[/img] [/centre] [b]Race:[/b] Humans [b]History:[/b] The Angorians lived in the province the Vishput called 'Angori' for millenia before the dwarfs invaded with their golems and powerful weaponry. Angori was transformed from a tribe-ridden jungle region into a civilised, obedient Vishput province that specialised in silviculture and fishing. The Visha founded the ancient city of Angor a millenia ago and it became a hub of activity for Angorians and Visha alike. Angori was an obedient province with revolts being frowned upon. When the empire began to decline and living conditions for Angorians deteriorated, however, trouble began to rumble among the Angorian nobles. And one fine day, control over Angori collapsed completely. The Visha elite, a minority in their own province, escaped the crumbling ruins of Angor 400 years ago and left the region to its own devices (which, unfortunately, were bickering nobles). After the collapse of the empire, Angori split into several moderately powerful states, each vying for control of the other. However, in these early days, one young nobleman, Sriv Pak, took a chance and conquered his neighbours, forming the Angorian Kingdom and declaring himself Narayang - Visha Reincarnate. The Angorian Kingdom was one of the more successful states that emerged from the turmoil that ended the Empire and is today one of the oldest Human kingdoms still in existence. Taking advantage of his weakened and divided neighbours, Sriv Pak launched invasions in every direction and at its peak, the Angorian Kingdom controlled vast swathes of land to the west of its current borders. Sriv Pak, as he grew older, grew less fond of war and gathered an interest in spiritualism and the Visha. It is said that during a visit to the ruins of Angor, he came across a Visha wisemen who revealed to him the ancient wisdom of their people. Although these claims are dubious at best, many believed their beloved leader enough to found a religion around him when he died. Sriv Pak has become something of prophet or guru to the people of Angori and his teachings of the Great Balance of Peace have gained traction in every class of Angori society.. After the death of Sriv Pak (in which his body is said to have disentergrated into space dust), the question of inheritance became a hard one to answer. Sriv Pak bore no sons in his long life and many were disgusted at the idea of being ruled by one of his daughters. The crown was put up for grabs and an election was called amongst the nobles for a new king. The competition was fierce, with numerous alliances being forged and destroyed as the month-long nomination process went on. In the end, Jang Bahutar became the second Narayan and was declared to be the reincarnation of Sriv Pak. The Bahutar dynasty has lasted to this day, over 200 years later. Upon Sriv Paks death, the soldiers pulled out from their invaded provinces and returned home. The current borders of the Angorian Kingdom have more or less stayed the same for the last 300 years, save the frequent wars with their southern Republican neighbours and the several failed attempts of moving northwards. The Angorian Kingdom is currently looking at the tail end of a golden age and an uneasy period with a stagnant economy and revolt are just over the horizon. The most recent emperor, 12th Narayang Shen Bahutar, is a young, careful man who looks to the future with a grimace. Rising tensions with the Isle Republic to the south are reaching a head as the two powers fight for control of a few islands, the right to trade and the right to kill pirates of both countries. Some say the denizens of the lost city of Angor are re-awakening and are travelling into the night to capture children and livestock. Whether these rumours are true or not is to be discovered. There be dark days ahead. [hider=Government and Class System] The Angorian government is a hereditary monarchy, with the monarch being considered a religious as well as political leader. He is referred to as the Narayang - God Reincarnate. There have been twelve Naranyangs as of today and the current is a young man known as Shen Bahutar. Shen is the current reincarnate of 11 former Narayangs, which according to Angorian religious texts, means he is 11 times as powerful as the original Narayang and the next Narayang will be more powerful than him. Shen holds court in Kehlo, the political capital of the Kingdom that sits along the coast. Although most smaller matters are handled by his Suktra (ministers/governors), he is the highest authority in the land and demands respect from all those below him. Angori is split into five castes - slaves, peasants, clergy, Suktra and the Narayang himself. Mixing between classes (apart from with the Narayang) is strictly forbidden and the punishments are harsh. The Clergy and Suktra are often odds with each other, with each grasping to hold influence over the Narayang. While the Suktra are more warlike, political and encourage the Narayang to strike hard against his enemies, the Clergy are more fond of spirtualism and encourage the Narayang to meet with his people more reguarily. A minority in both classes encourage the Narayang to explore into Angori's past, more namely the Visha. At the end of the day, however, the Narayang often makes up his own mind and is in fact more influenced by his family than anyone else. Upon a Narayangs death, the highest members of the Clergy class cremate the body and begin looking for a successor. The successor is either the eldest son or, fail that, younger brother of the dead Narayang. Upon being chosen, the next-of-kin spends three days within the Monastery of Angor, where he is dabbed with the ashes of his father and 're-incarnates'. When the new Narayang is declared reincarnated, he is sent back to the capital and is crowned Narayang in front of an adoring crowd. [/hider] [hider=Culture of the Angorians] The Angorians are named for the former great city that was founded in the region by the Visha, Angor and the region they live in is called Angori. Despite the fact that the Visha are gone, they are not forgotten. Many look back at their former overlords with fondness for the stability and prosperity they brought with them to the Angorians. Angorian culture is heavily influenced by the pre-Visha cultures that existed in the region, the Visha culture and the religious worship of the Narayang. The langauge of the Angorians is a bastardised mix-match of the spoken languages prior to the Visha invasion with a sprinkling of High Vishiput on top. [url=https://youtu.be/ZQRjHRPNUWU?t=8m35s]Music[/url] and arts are usually religious in nature, mostly depicting Sriv Pak and the Narayangs. Instruments are usually simple in form - large drums, bells and flutes are among the most common. The main religion within the country is worship of the Narayang. There is no centralised authority telling people how to worship the Narayang. Each person is encouraged to pray to the Narayang in their own way, whether it be through meditation, sacrifice or a life of solitude. Churches do not exist at all but most homes hold a painting or statue to the current Narayang. People obey the Narayang, as he is the God Reincarnate and it is believed he will lead them to the next life with his wisdom in the Great Balance of Peace. The teachings of Sriv Pak, known as the Great Balance of Peace, are popular among all levels of society. They argue in order to maintain balance in ones life, you must not be afraid to defend yourself or your people from harm. In order the balance of peace to be level, you must not be too aggressive nor too passive - you must be Quesh. When one is Quesh, they must remain Quesh in order to move onto the next life. People within the Kingdom usually have three names - a class title, a given name and a family name. For example, Twelth Narayang Shen Bahutar. A women who had sexual relations with a Narayang is known as Nym-Narayang. Narayangs are forbidden to marry but often take court concubines to be with them, producing sons and daughters. Narayangs must always be male, so the daughters are married off to Suktra men. It is considered a great honour to sleep with a Narayang and Nym-Narayangs often hold great power within court. [/hider] [b][i]Characters:[/i][/b] [b]The Bahutars[/b] [i](12th Narayang) Shen Bahutar[/i]: Religious and political leader of the Kingdom. Young man in his mid-twenties. Unmarried but already with a young son to court concubines. [i](Nym-Narayang) Desha Bahutar[/i]: Shen's mother, an older women in her late fifties. She had sexual relations with Shen's father and was declared Nym-Narayang upon Shens birth. She is seen in court as the women who holds the most sway over Shen. [i]Qin Bahutar[/i] The eldest and only son of Shen, Qin is a healthy young boy who is cared for by the concubines of the court. He is unaware of his mothers identity and is being moulded for reincarnation by Shens advisers. [b]The Court of the Narayang[/b] [i](Suktra-Higher) Puya Bikram[/i]: A Suktra-Higher (general within the army) who is hot-headed and is happy to start wars with the Kingdoms neighbours. Despite being a rather unlikable man, he is loyal to the last to his Narayang. He is an older man and a veteran to many wars. He has become one of Shens closest advisers. [i](Clergy-Higher) Wu Ganesh[/i] A young Clergy Higher (equivalent to a bishop) within the court who advises his Narayang on matters pertaining spiritualism and the welfare of thestate. Young, unexperienced yet well liked around the court. He acts as Shens spiritual teacher and is wise well beyond his years. [b]Others:[/b] [i]Wanli Shiva:[/i] A young peasant serving in a southern unit of the army. [i](Suktra-Higher)Rana Shivret[/i]: Ambassador to the Uwan Isle Republic.