[b]A Thousand Kingdoms, maybe more.[/b] - 1 - Life in the mesa had not been easy to the humans who had left early, lacking technology and wit many had found themselves in nothing but small communities living in clustered hovels or in caves. All that changed with the wave-like arrival of enlightened humans, their minds and bodies trained, with iron weapons and tools, clad in leather and pristine fabrics. Some arrived as conquerors, handily defeating the local strongman, and declaring themselves tyrants, others arrived with gentler approaches, as philosophers and friendly heroes, still, the result was the same, they became the leading force of the locals. Soon the human civilization was advancing in great leaps, under the rule of great leaders. Blessed by the earth goddess, humans showed greater architectural ability than any of the races on the planet. Their cities were walled, their fortresses rose high and dug deep below the earth. Terraces were built, with aqueducts custom made to not only bring water, but to also nourish the plants with the nutrients within. Medicine was unparalleled, with virtuous martial artists knowing the paths to bring vitality not only to the body, but to the whole community, bringing sanitation through dogma. The leading class of humans and chimeras enlightened by the arts was long lived and unparalleled in combat, another stabilizing factor. One too many in fact. With every little village being impossible to conquer, with monarchies and bureaucracies that were extremely stable, there was little room for political change, no consolidation of the holds. Hundreds of kingdoms spread out, set to rule for a long time. Soon, they started to pour out of the Mesa, Humans and their associate, the Chimeras, becoming the leading force in the region around the Mesa. All through the land the fabled “Thousand Kingdoms” became a topic of much discussion, their influence even spreading into previously separate groups of humans, as in, humans who had not been woken up within Haven. As the art of boat building started to spread, human-walled villages crept around the coast and the channel. - 2 - 12 great cliques were awarded their holds, most of them having many members among those who got to stay in Haven, in perpetual training. Merely being part of a clan granted one access to Haven and the permanent effect of the region’s life lengthening magic. Many would change name to better fit the stronghold granted to them, the list going as it follows: 1 – The Copper and White Wings. A Harpy Clique. Awarded a Stronghold in the craggy islands east of the Mesa and the Thousand Kingdoms. A tall building of raw rock, mimicking the area. 2 – The Carmine Overlook. Awarded a Stronghold of the same name, by the frontier between the blood mire and the Thousand Kingdoms. 3 – The Golden Visage. Human Clique. Awarded a fort of white stone in a natural harbour south of the great channel. 4 – The Higher Servants. A Clique of Crow Harpies. Related to Celestial Dog. Has been awarded a realm within the Mesa itself for being second place in the tournament. 5 – The Falling Star Sect. Granted a step pyramid like stronghold in the boundary between the mountains and the dark woods. 6 – The Lonesome Masters. Granted a stronghold in the far off reaches of the Stormbreaker Mountains. Overlooking the destroyed Steppes. 7 – The Silver Fang House. Lots of rabbit chimeras, but led by a tiger. Accessible Stronghold south of the Mesa, not too far from the channel. Made money making bets in the tournaments, wants to continue doing that. 8 – The Phantom Wings. Hills of Bountiful Harvests’ Clique, all female. Granted a location within the Mesa for ranking first in the tournament. 9 – The Guardians of the Divine Orchard. Spring Blossom’s Clique. Northwest of the Mesa, near the peninsula. 10 – Earth Breakers. A clique of burrowers chimeras, such as armadillos and moles, aims for the underground but their stronghold is on the surface, east of the mesa. 11 – Mossy Possy. A group of isolationist swamp dwellers. Mix of chimeras fit for the area, such as reptiles, fishes and some dragonflies. Asked their stronghold to be made half-ruined from the start for a better “vibe” 12 – Wind Chasers. Clique on the fields west of the Mesa. Mostly Human, with the only stronghold made of wood, not stone. [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/b171bfd7-7df7-4b02-85d7-ee650e4ca157.png[/img] Their location was deliberately spread out as to cover most of the areas around the human kingdoms, putting the martial artists as a great barrier against equally great threats. Lektor’s last attempt at protecting the humans before she fully let them start to solve their own problems. [hider=summary] Holy shit there are now a lot of humans everywhere aaaaaaa Basically, all around the Mesa there is now a plethora of kingdoms, named... a thousand kingdoms. Also, 12 great strongholds held by great cliques, full of strong martial artists.[/hider] [hider=might usage] 5 MP 5 AP - 3 AP: Teach humans building techniques to improve their walls, homes and fortresses, as well as their ability to use stone and metal. This is not merely the technology, but also a blessing, making humans greater at masonry than any other species, affecting both quality, quantity and efficiency. - 1 AP: Teach humans how to terraform the land with stonework, creating terrace farms and aqueducts - 1 AP: Use Martial Art's knowledge of the body to teach humans how to better handle their health. - 1 MP: Teach humans woodwork and shipbuilding. - 3 MP: Create a Holy Order: The Great Cliques - 1 MP: Enhance the Holy Site Haven so that it causes mortals within to age slowly.[/hider]