Hael — Roleplayer Guild

National Name:

Officially titled The United People of KalMea or The U.P.K. More commonly known as simply KalMea

Kal's Big Book of History:

Note: These events take place around 507 B.C.E.

"In the beginning, there was nothing. Darkness was in the world; darkness was the world. No lights shone in the sky, and all being was not..." - The Power of Kal as Delivered by the Prophet Kulsan, Chapter One

Life knows no bounds of diversity. From the simplest worm in the ground to the grandest king on his throne, all has it's appointed time: it's beginning and it's end. But, no matter the lowliness or exultation of life... it all burns with a single, unified flame. This same flame that makes a wolf hunt and a deer run makes an artist paint and a couple love. 

This was the message of the strange, youthful man who came to the city of Posten-Iab, capital of the city state of the same name (as all of KalMea was split into city-states in those days) on an early summer day, two-and-a-half thousand years ago. He boldly walked on the cobblestone streets of the town, past the simple wood buildings, past the bronze and gold statue of the city's King in the square, past the noble's houses, past the wrought iron gates of the King's Palace courtyard, and up the steps leading from the courtyard all of the way up to the castle doors.

He stopped. He turned. There, out in the large, ornately decorated Palace courtyard stood grim-faced nobles dressed in fine robes, wearing rings of gold, fondling jewel-encrusted family crests. They stared in surprise, then disgust as they realized the man who had mounted the marble stairs was not the King they had been waiting to speak. This man who stood so presumptuously at the top of the steps was clearly a peasant; he wore only ruffled, torn brown robes of wool and bore rough, untrimmed long hair.

"What business have you here, man?" called out the foremost of the Aristocrats- named Ruvik, "You are not our King Neva." The others nodded in agreement. 

"What business do you have, stifler of the Creator's flame?" He answered

"What creator? The one the men across the mountains worship?" The foremost spoke again.

"No. Tell me, rich men, do you believe in a god? Any god at all?"

"There must be some god of all things, yes. But none could possibly say who. Most of our kind worship the spirits of their ancestors, and have since time immemorial. The tribes over the mountain worship a flying, fiery reptile of some sort, and we have heard tale of other gods and spirits, and odd happenings in Tal-Ve, and revolution at our doors and other things none of us understand. That is what we are here to discuss; all the most important men around Posten-Iab have come to discuss who we should believe, and what faith we should follow."

And then he sat down calmly on the steps, and told them of his reasoning and his philosophies and his visions. He told them of a god that created all the world in a burst of creation. He told them of power, ambition, and anger. He told them that his god has already spoken to all of them through the passion they feel stirring in their hearts. At first they were skeptical, but as they saw with what conviction he spoke and as they felt the same passion begin to grow in them they knew, in their heart of hearts, that this filthy, rugged peasant man was speaking the truth. 

They were amazed with his great understanding. They spoke for over an hour before, late but dressed in the finest purple robes, King Neva arrived. Lav, the most faithful and interested of the aristocrats, told him in excitement what the man had said and how wonderfully he had spoke.

The King, however, saw it all as groundless superstition. He refused to believe that one man could have held an audience with any god as great as the one the Prophet described. He chose, instead, that Posten-Iab should follow the faith of the Spiritualist. Some of the gathered men tried to argue, saying "But you promised us a council with you, so that all men of value may have a say in what us and our inferiors will believe"

The King's brow furrowed, "Am I not the King of all that I see? A spiritualist missionary has heard of our plight and come to tell me of his faith, and I saw great wisdom in it. We will worship the spirits of our ancestors who have ascended to the next world- as all others in Mea believe- and no other. This is my word, and as such is beyond contestation"

"Tell me, Prophet, where do you say our spirits ascend to in the next life?", asked Ruvik. 

"Inside each of us burns a spirit like a flame, but it is not extinguished on our death like our frail bodies. When we die our flame ascends to be with Kal, and our smaller flames burn alongside his larger flame as one. This is how it will continue until the last days, when the power of Kal grows so great from the weight of our souls that the whole of existence is consumed in his light and power."

"Do you hear this madman?", laughed the King. "Go back to your homes. You are no longer needed here. In a week we will preform a ritual to commit the City to the blessing of the spirits."

Despite the King's disbelief, many of the gathered Aristocrats' interests had been piqued. Maybe not all of them would admit it, but seeing the urgent desire with which the previously calm Prophet had half-convinced some of them of his earnest belief...if perhaps not his correctness. As the wealthy men fled the courtyard to their homes, many stared at him with honest curiosity. Could he be right? Or is he, like the King said, only a madman? He was certainly not lying, that was for sure.

The Prophet felt a sudden- but unsure- tug on his robe, and he turned. 

"Excuse me, sir...but what is your name?" It was Lav, the one who had been most drawn in by the Prophet's speech.

"Me? I am only Kulsan." He winked mysteriously

That name...it was oddly familiar.

---

The conversion did not stop there, of course. All that day and deep into the night, he could be heard teaching at the town square in the name of his God. At times he was calm, and would answer any question asked of him; at other times he seemed to be suddenly taken by a spirit, and would shout, and cry out in the name of righteousness and power. Through the town, word of him began to grow. Swathes of people gathered around to hear him speak. 

When the time came for the City to be committed to the spirits of their ancestors, he appeared once more in the Square. His formerly brown, tarnished robes had been replaced with cloud-coloured cotton. He wore a sash as red as fire around his hips, and a bronze amulet the shade of packed earth around his throat. There are many who say his eyes shone as the sun that day.

"You call me a madman," he spoke in a thunderous voice "you call me a fool. You have rejected my teaching and, worst, you have rejected Kal. Do you know who I am?"

"You are a madman" cried out one voice

"No, you are a Prophet!" called another

"I am both!" he replied without a shade of humour "But more than that, I am the Prince of Tal-Ve!"

A shudder of shock went through the town at the mention of Tal-Ve. It was a coastal city to the south that, until recently, was in close contact both in trade and diplomatically with most every city south of the Great Mountains (the name for the Dragon Mountains in those days). Last Summer, however, the city suddenly fell silent to all the world around. In the history of Mea, Tal-Ve had never once fallen silent. Messengers had been sent on the fastest horses, fearing the worst. 

And, in a way, their fears were justified. As the first urgent messenger reached the exterior of the city, it became clear that some sort of revolution had struck the city. The old banner of Tal-Ve - a sleeping bear- had been torn down, and white flags bearing a black flame had been erected in their place. 

When the first messenger rode up to the City gates, he asked the guard "What has happened here? I have been sent with a message from the Lord of Kisk City, asking where our friends have been and if -spirits forbid it- tragedy or change has struck."

"Not tragedy, but certainly change!" The strangely ecstatic gate-guard answered "Our Prince Kulsan has fallen under visions from a new god he calls Kal, and he has stood daily in the city square preaching this message. At first, we were reluctant to believe, but no all Tel-Ve has fallen under his sway."

"What of the King?" The messenger was firmly astonished now "Does he embrace this new God? Has he left the spirits he loved so?"

"The King was stubborn to the change, and refused, although the people of this great City begged him to embrace the truth of his son Kulsan's words. We had to kill him. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth on the day we put him to the flame, and he will be dearly missed by all...but it was the only way."

"Let me through, I need to speak to whosoever is now in command of the city, then" The messenger tried to speak bravely, but in all truth he wanted to run now. He was frightened by this odd guard and the news he brought. It could not possibly be true that the peaceable Tal-Ve had burned their own King over a vision. It defied all logic.

"I cannot, the City is in a fragile state now, and to allow you in would mean my death."

It went identically for the other three messengers. All returned to their respective cities bearing strange news, but never any answers...

"If you are the Prince of Tal-Ve, then tell us what has happened there!" A man from the crowd around Posten-Iabs town square loudly yelled to Kulsan.

"Kal has happened!" The Prophet yelled back, equally loud "And He will happen here, two! All who believe me, rise up and follow! Back to Tal-Ve!"

A few of his dedicated believers did rise up and follow him, but most stayed at home, unwilling to leave their lives behind for the word of one self-proclaimed prophet. And so, Kulsan saddled his fine horse and a crowd of believers behind him did the same. Some did not have horses, and so had to walk the way, but one way or the other they the Prophet and all his most dedicated believers left Posten-Iab.

---
At first the City was relieved. Their King had fliers placed all throughout the city that this man who had shouted in the Square everyday was nothing more than an impostor. King Nuva had met Prince Kulsan years ago, and remembered him as a reasonable young man who would never fall under such delusions. The City was calmed, and in a few weeks they had forgotten the unusual preacher. That is, until that night they heard war drums in the distance. 

Posten-Iab fell easily. It was a short but bloody battle, and the next morning the Sun dawned on banners as white as the blood-washed bone of a fallen elk bearing black flames lifted from every tower and wall-corner in Posten-Iab. Their King was burned, and within a year most everyone in the city had submitted to the "Will of Kal" either by choice or otherwise. 

The other City-states followed suit, and in the span of twenty-five years Mea had been united under a single banner: the banner of Kal.

Note: These events take place in 1043 C.E.

"...but the Flame of Kal was born deep within the darkness, and his light chased away the nothing. All the world and all life burned into existence in that holy moment..." - The Power of Kal as Delivered by the Prophet Kulsan, Chapter One

The King of KalMea leaned forward on his enormous gold and bronze throne, his eyes shining as darkly as the twelve stone torches placed in a semi-circle around him.

"What news do you have of the revolutionaries?" He asked

An overly-small messenger Kaliab stood before him, shaking to the bone with anxiety. "W-we have rec-received news, Si-sire-"

"-Cut the formality," His Majesty's voiced resounded like a striking hammer, "I asked you to tell me what happened, not to grovel while you do it."

"Ye-yes my Lor...um, I mean, yes." The messenger had never been sent before the King's Throne before. He was born in a small but pleasant little hamlet named Grik, just north of Tal-Ve. Until recently, it had been of no importance to such company as the Royal Family, but that all changed one year, three months ago. 

The citizens of KalMea had been malcontent with the extraordinarily high taxes and strict punishments of their King Fakk for some time, but it all came to a head when Fakk executed a small group of Tal-Ve men who opposed him on yet another tax levy. What the tax itself was is of no importance; what matters is the fashion in which they had been killed- the Lord used a new and particularly cruel torture device known as The Brazen Bull to transform their suffering into a grotesque entertainment for him and his dinner guests (including most every City-Lord of KalMea except, in a foreboding fashion, the Lord of Tal-Ve).

The people of Tal-Ve -many of whom knew the executed men personally- had quickly sympathized with the protesters' gruesome end. A petition was sent around city, garnering support and signatures from most every house and family it passed- including some important Nobility who had traditionally supported the Crown. Seeing the vast disapproval present in his home territory, the Lord Hanry of Tal-Ve stepped out to the balcony of his castle (the very same that Prince Kulsan had once started a revolution from) over-looking the city. A large crowd had gathered to hear what he would say. He spread his arms wide and loudly proclaimed, with all Tal-Ve as his witness, that he would not stand for such savagery. He would fight the King to his grave if that's what it took for justice to be done.

"Tal-Ve is s-still refusing any c-c-communication with my town so long as we do not protest your just taxes, as they ha-have" This messenger had been sent by Grik to report the news simply because Tal-Ve refused to communicate with Fakk on any level until the tax was revoked and a formal apology issued for the deaths of the protesters.

"So what do you know? Or have you come here to waste my time with news of nothing?" Fakk's voice grew sterner still.

"W-we know that they are cl-close to revoking your rule entirely, as they foo-foolishly told us in the message they sent to us. They are amm-amassing forces and pla-planing to launch an att-attack on Poten-Iab first, the-then to proceed to Kisk an-and so on to the rest of KalMea until all under your ma-majestic rule have been, as they p-put it, 'liberated'"

"Do not call them foolish. You are the only fool here. Don't you think they knew I would be told whatever you are? I do not doubt that they intend to desecrate the peace of our Holy Land, but they would not be so predictable as to attack Poten-Iab first. That is just the same thing they did fifteen-hundred years ago, when this Empire was founded."

On this note, the King looked down at the bronze amulet hanging from his neck. The Flame of Kal was engraved in the dull brown, revealing glimmering gold beneath the necklace's surface. Fakk ran his thumb along the golden fire, Kal...grant me your strength he prayed.

------

Lord Hamry of Tal-Ve sat cross-legged and contemplatively in his private altar to Kal. No windows or torches adorned this room of worship; rather, the only lighting originated from a dying red flame within the altar-furnace. He was not a smith by profession, of course- he actually had a servant for that- but he was relaxed by the art.

Being a KalMea Lord, Hamry had access to some of the most illustrious apparel that can be made by mortal hands. But, for times of deep thought and spiritual contemplation like these, he preferred to wear nothing but a plain white wool robe, so as to appear loyal before the Almighty Kal. The interior of the simple clothing felt unusually rough and hoarse against the Lord's pampered royal skin. No matter, he had greater issues to attend to then uncomfortable robes. Around his neck was an Amulet of Kal, but not just any Kal Amulet- there was almost as many of those as there were Kallabs- but the Kal Amulet; the one that had been first forged by the revered Prophet Kulsan. The one that had been worn at the condemnation of Posten-Iab, and the founding of the KalMea Empire.

Hamry himself was a direct descendant of the Great Prophet, which is, of course, how he came into possession of the Amulet. But, more than that, many of his subjects in Tal-Ve and supporters abroad considered him to be a prophet as well- of a different kind, that is. They considered him to be the herald to a new age: the Age of Freedom. No longer did they want to believe in the almighty divine right of the royalty, they wanted instead to believe in the almighty divine right of the people to rule themselves. And Hamry was to be help them bring in this new, glorious age.

Hamry did not think of himself like that.

Hamry's family had ruled Tal-Ve for fifteen-hundred years, and through all that time not a single of them had rebelled against the King's right to rule. In fact, the King was their relative; Kulsan had appointed his own uncle as the first King of KalMea, and the throne had been passed down from father to son since then.

So who was Hamry to fight against that in the name of a few peasant rebels? Could he defy the will of all his ancestors? Possibly even the Will of Kal?

Kall is a god of ambition, not cowardice. A voice deep inside him- unmistakably his own thoughts but...somehow different- spoke Would He look upon you kindly now, to see you sweating in fear over the judgments of dead men?

He looked down at his hands to see that, indeed, he was soaked in the sweat of his own anxiety. 

But how do I know it is Kal's desire to see this new idea...this "republic" to take place? He answered the voice, I am no Prophet

The strange voice again: Are you sure?

He felt his hands drawn once again to the Amulet...

This republic they moan about, perhaps Kal does not want it! They are only peasant-folk, what do they know of government and higher thinking! He was mentally shouting at the voice now.

They know what they desire, the voice answered as calmly as ever, and Kal honours those who know their dreams and will do anything for them. You, of all people, should recognize that.

He knew what the voice was talking about: his father had first chosen Hamry's brother as the heir to the Tal-Ve Throne, but Hamry had worked day-in and day-out to prove his worth to father. In fact, when it came time to take his KalOath, he had promised Kal that he would do anything to prove his worth. In time his father changed his mind, and Prince Hamry the Rejected became Lord Hamry the Proven in the eyes of his new subjects.

On this note, the Lord looked down at the ancient bronze amulet hanging from his neck. The Flame of Kal was engraved in the dull brown, revealing still-glimmering gold beneath the necklace's surface. Hamry ran his thumb along the golden fire, Kal...grant me your wisdom he prayed.

He knew what he must do.

He would go down in history as Lord Hamry the Liberator of KalMea.

---

The sun dawned on the morrow, it's pale streams lighting the city of Tal-Ve on that cloudless day. It seemed as if nature itself knew what was happening; no birds chirped, no insects buzzed. 

A crowd was gathered around his balcony over-looking the city to hear the Lord of Tal-Ve speak. He had spoken once already on the delicate subject of change and revolution, but now he had called a meeting to speak on it once again. Last time, when he spread his arms wide and demanded justice be done, he had only invited the very wealthy or the very aristocratic of Tal-Ve. This time, he invited all who cared to come, be them peasants or kings, paupers or tycoons, maimed or whole.

The doors of Tal-Ve Palace suddenly burst open, the mumbling populace fell silent, and out came Lord Hamry...although he certainly wasn't dressed like a Lord. He still carried himself in the same confident and stately manner, but he was now wearing only simple white wool robes and an amulet that looked ancient to the point of decaying. 

He began to speak:
"Through all time the sun has risen on everyday, and the sun has set on everyday. 
"Through all time the Children of Kal have awoken with the sun and toiled, and have set with the sun and slept.
"But then kings and royalty came and claimed power; they took away the Children of Kal's freedom
"And the sun still rose on everyday, and the sun still set on everyday
"And when the Children of Kal awoke with the sun and toiled, the King came to take away the fruit of their labor
"But then the people tried to fight, and failed; the kings and royalty said taxes was their right to take
"So the sun still rose on everyday, and the sun still set on everyday
"So now when the Children of Kal awoke with the sun to toil, they feared starvation for the King taking away the fruit of their labour
"But today will not be like the others; today we will fight the kings and royalty for our freedom
"Now the sun has risen today, and the sun will set on today
"Now today when we awake to toil, no king will steal away our wealth or food or creations or passion or beliefs or life
"Today, friends, is the dawn of a new era in history
"Today...we take our freedom back."

The crowd understood, and they cheered.

---

Luckily, King Fakk was foolish enough to believe the trap Hamry had set. Fakk was working under the assumption that the rebels would not be so predictable as to attack Posten-Iab, and the news he heard from the nervous messenger had only cemented that belief and cause the King to focus most all of his defense in the other two nearby cities: Kiid and Obirl

Hamry, however, knew that Fakk would decide early on that Tal-Ve would go for one of the other cities, and Hamry had fed the small town of Grik correct information, so as to convince Fakk beyond a shadow of a doubt that Lord Hamry would attack any city but the one he intended to.

Posten-Iab fell easily. It was a short but bloody battle. Their Lord was burned, and the many rebels of the city celebrated their liberation.

After Posten-Iab fell Kisk, then Obirl, then Nisva, then Lav...the rebel army was always vigilant and overwhelmingly large, and led by the cunning mind of Lord Hamry, they soon began to conquer all of KalMea.

---

Finally, after six bloody years of the most brutal war imaginable, Hamry was in a situation he had almost never expected to come: he was standing before a captured, bound and imprisoned Fakk.

"Why would you do this?" Fakk's voice no longer sounded like a resounding hammer. Now only a defeated, hollow ghost of a voice could be heard

"Why does a bird fly? A wolf hunt?" Hamry answered, "Because that is what it was born to do."

"Stop speaking in riddles! Tell me plainly, are you a Prophet or a madman?" Now some of Fakk's strong-willed old voice was returning

"I am both!" he replied without a shade of humour "But more than that, I am the Liberator of KalMea!"

After uttering that statement, he whirled around briskly - his plain white wool robe whirling with him- and left the jailhouse without looking back. He had wanted to appear confident before his enemy, but in truth he was not confident. He was frightened. Frightened and confused. He had been fighting this war for a long time, far too long to start doubting now. But knowing it had been too long did not shake away his fear.

He looked down at the ancient bronze amulet adorning his otherwise bleak appearance. The Flame of Kal was engraved in the dull brown, revealing still-glimmering gold beneath the necklace's surface. Hamry ran his thumb along the golden fire, Kal...grant me your determination he prayed.

---

The next day, at high noon, Fakk was to be executed.

The noose was tied tightly around his neck, tied to a tree above him, and he was stood on a rock. When he was forced to jump from the rock his neck would snap- either that or he would survive the initial fall and have to wait as his face turned blue and the life drained from his slowly choking body. Either way, it was sure to provide a show.

The ex-King looked out at the audience of eager, expecting faces. It's an odd feeling, knowing that all those excited people are waiting to watch you die.

Fakk looked down at the noose hanging from his neck. His skin was barely visible between the dull brown of the rope, revealing his glimmering sweat beneath the surface. Fakk ran his thumb along the twisted rope.

Kal...grant me your mercy

"...But there was tribulation, and much trial by fire. Life struggled to come into being. But Kal heard their long-suffering and stood from his throne to declared his passion for his children, and the suffering ended..." - The Power of Kal as Delivered by the Prophet Kulsan, Chapter One 

"Kal's Holy Land will never fall!" The soldier's voice reverberated as loudly as his own sword clashing against the invader's shield.

The enemy did not respond, he only tightly griped his curved blade and lifted his heavy shield once more to defend from another blow, and then another. It was tiring, and this Kaliab striking him was certainly determined, but there were many more Tinites than there were of his kind. There was no hope for KalMea. Even if I may perish...The Tin Warrior thought to himself, I will go on to join the Dragon, and more will come in my place. The Ajdar will take victory and the Heathens will be burned.

As the Kaliab begin to launch another volley of slashes towards his enemy, the Tinite flicked his metal shield suddenly upwards. The shield's hard edge clashed against the Kaliab's sword and knocked it out of his hands. KalMea's defender was left defenseless. The Tin Soldier moved like lightning and stabbed his sword through the enemies exposed throat.

As his dead foe lie still bleeding on the ground, the Tinite looked behind him to see a veritable ocean of his own allies approaching. 

Together, they ruined all opposition and marched on into Kal's Lands.

-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-

KalSol Fostis had his head shamefully buried in his hands. "Tell me, Mulspanaz," The KalSol sighed, "how much land have they taken?"

"About a half of our territory has been stolen so far, my Lord." The man answering was giant by Kallab standards- he stood as many as seven feet tall and weighed over three-hundred pounds of muscle. His armor was solid steel with a large Kal Flame engraved along the chest-piece, all of which had soaked in dry red (not red from paint, I might add), and at his side was a scimitar stolen from a Commander of the Tin enemy. This is the sort of man who could crush you under his boot, if he saw fit to do so.

The large man continued, "I believe the next coarse of action will be to divert as much guard as possible to what remains of our northern boarder, and attempt to construct fortifications along the..."

As Mulspanaz drowned on about statistics, strategies, the state of the average soldier's weaponry, training, and so on...Fortis's mind began drifting off to another place. He remembered the way this "Holy War" begin:

---

KalMea had known about the existence of Tin and Ajdar for some time - there were even small references to them in Kal's history- but had never bothered to speak to them beyond a few curt interchanges and brief stops to marvel at their strangeness. They're had been a few arguments on religion, a few diplomats, a few soldiers...but nothing extreme.

This. This was something different. Hordes had poured over the Dragon Mountains like a flood on horses, sweeping away cities of people in an instant. All attempts at diplomacy failed, all communication proved fruitless- Tin was incorrigibly bent on destruction of "infidels". KalMea had never been ready for an attack from like this, and thus had few soldiers guarding the borders when the attack began. The Tin were armed like bears and fought like lions, and there were thousands of them. It seemed no matter how many you slayed, more just crawled over the mountain to take their place. They were a constant barrage of pain and suffering. It wasn't long before the Kallabis realized just how large this problem was; but unfortunately, they had already taken a quarter of KalMea in only three months.

After stopping to take their barrings, the KalSol was able to organize a decent defense. For, unlike Tin, the Kallabs had invented gunpowder. This gunpowder (Also called MaukSa-iv, meaning flame powder) proved to be a blessing from Kal- indeed, it frightened the enemy's horses and the Tin seemed to think it was some form of "Pagan Magic". After experiencing the sting of the first few gunshots, the enemy seemed to retreat and regroup. The Kallabis used this short recession to set up improvised stone and wood walls a while away from the conquered territory, and garrisoned trained riflemen and musketeers on top of and behind the walls. Needless to say, this greatly slowed the ever-growing scourge against Kal's Children. But, despite all this, the crusades wore on and Tin still took more and more precious land.

This continued for the next two years, KalMea standing their ground and Tin slowly taking it out from underneath them. It soon became apparent that a war of attrition was going to start: the deciding factor being whether Tin ran out of soldiers before KalMea ran out of resources to defend with.

Seeming to realize this, Tin suddenly became more open to conversation. They sent a letter written on pale paper, declaring their openness to diplomacy. Fortis vividly remembers holding the note in his hands, before realizing with disgust that his thumb was over the "signature"- a bit of crudely smeared blood beneath the message. Such savages, to sign with blood.

---

"So, what do you think?" Mulspanaz woke Fortis from his daydream with his battle plans, which the KalSol only half-listened to.

"Yes, yes, I trust your judgement, Lord-General Muspanaz. But I have other matters to attend to. It would seem Tin is finally open to talking with us."

"Truly, my Lord?" Mulspanaz was in shock at first - he had already come to think of Tin as a sworn enemy that could not be negotiated with, talked to, or trusted- but his surprise turned to resolution immediately:"Then I must come with you. They may attempt to harm or assassinate you. All they have done so far is bring us suffering, we have no reason to trust them now."

Fortis quickly agreed. In fact, he had been banking on bringing the Lord-General with him; a three-hundred pound wall of muscle and metal following you around and scowling at potential threats (i.e. everyone) could never hurt in a tense situation. Well, maybe it could, but Fortis knew Mulspanaz could keep his calm and speak as coolly as a snake if he needed to. 

The Kallabis had been told that a diplomat would be arriving at noon for the peace-talks (as Fortis dearly hoped they were), in their palace in Tal-Ve the following day. The grim people who arrived, however, appeared far from diplomatic. They were all dressed in something resembling tunics, and they carried scimitars at their sides. The strangers confidently approached the palace, and Fortis and Mulspanaz rushed out to meet to them.

---

The diplomacy was odd, to say the least. The customs of the two peoples were vastly different, but it appeared that the wars would stop for the time-being. Tin had gained more land than they could handle, they were beginning to stretch themselves to thin.

At the mention of Tin struggling to handle all their land, Mulspanaz's eyes lit up like stars. He was already envisioning it - slowly and subtly cutting off resources to the KalMea-Tin colonies, spreading Kaliab cultural influence among the humans, and then finally inciting a rebellion and reclaiming North KalMea!

Fortis knew his Lord-General all too well, and saw that light in Mulspanaz's eyes. While the foreign diplomats left for a short intermission, he shook his head. "I know what you're thinking, but we can't risk another war like this. I want Kal's Land whole again as much as you do, but is doing that worth the risk of tearing it further apart?"

Mulspanaz did not respond.

-*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*-

Strangely enough, they did not have to do anything to incite a rebellion. It was already happening.

Tin had not bothered managing the stolen land very well, instead leaving "warlords" to manage it- most these warlords were the very generals and leaders of the soldiers who had conquered the land. Needless to say, they were far from politicians. They often refused to pay taxes to the Sultanate back at home, refused to help garner soldiers, and refused to aid in what did not profit them.

When Tin forced their way into Kaliab land, only a select few civilian humans had even moved in. The population in those areas was only about forty-percent human, meaning that most of the Tin Men migrating to KalMea gradually adopted the culture of the native Kaliabis. Even though it was technically just an extension of the land over the Dragon Mountains, it was clear to everyone that the conquered land was still culturally identical to the better-defended southern territory.

Furthermore, Tin lacked the resources to control the territory; they could not keep up with the demands of either the Kaliabis or the Humans living south of the mountains. This lead to a growing discontent with the Sultanate. Thirty years after the Great Tin War (as it had come to be called) Tin gave up on keeping the land. It was gradually gifted, sold, or otherwise returned to the rightful owners. The warlords were all executed, being considered enemies to KalMea and fruitless, slothful leaders.

By fifty years after the Great Tin War, KalMea was whole again.

Race and Demographics:

Population:
130,340,000 citizens

Races:
79% KalIabis

20% Human (70% of which are of Tin origin)

1% Other

Religions:

9% Ajdar (mostly Tin-descended humans)

90% Kal

1% other

KalIabis (also called Kaliabis, more casually): KalIabis-singularly called KalIab-are squat, rough-skinned creatures standing at an average of about five feet. Disproportionately long arms hang down only a half-foot or so above the ground, alongside equally long gray hair (which is usually braided into strands). Their legs are short, and their bodies are covered in bulbous, wart-like spots of protruding bone. You'll find dark blue-to-gray skin covering those parts of their bodies which are not encased in protective bone.

Their faces are less than attractive. Unlike the rest of a KalIab's body, their heads are coated in a deep purple tone and piercing green eyes resting above short, fat noses. They grow no facial hair whatsoever, excluding eyebrows.

Government Design:

The U.P.K. is centered around a sort of Theocratic Federal Democracy

The Head of the Nation, also known as the KalSol:

KalSol is roughly translated from the KalMea language as "Kal's heart". A potential candidate for the role of KalSol is elected from among the KalMea Priesthood, and must have met the following requirements before being considered for election:

-Candidate must have spent at least five years in military service
-Candidate must spend at least ten years in the Holy Kalmea Priesthood
-Candidate must be of at least thirty-one years of age
-Candidate must be of upper-class wealth- preferably within the top one percent of wealth.
-It is not technically necessary to be a KalIab, but no individual who was not has ever even made candidacy.
-Females can technically run for the role, but, as with humanity, none have ever been elected. One female KalIab, however, did manage to garner enough support to at least reach candidacy.

After meeting the above goals, a candidate needs to have the official backing of at least three of the twelve Head Priests of Kalmea (the H.P.K). This means that up to four candidates can run at once.

Once they have been chosen for candidacy, there is a one-year "inner campaign" period in which the potential KalSol will attempt to garner support among the Priesthood. Following this, the priests will vote on two of the four potential candidates to move on to the "outer campaign"- a one year period designated for gaining public support among the people.

After the two campaigns, a Final Election will be held between the two remaining candidates: the winner must receive an absolute minimum of 51% of the common people's vote and 6/12 of the Priesthood vote. 

Now that the KalSol has been elected, they are granted near-absolute political power and respect for the next ten years (after which a new KalSol will be chosen). There is, however, a weak constitution that protects the right of all KalIab and Human residences of KalMea to vote, run businesses, and be given a fair trial. There is no freedom of speech to speak of (see what I did there?), but the current KalSol has expressed an interest in securing speech rights...much to the dismay of a few members of the H.P.K. who are afraid of the danger in such things.

Notable People and Groups:

People:

Mulspan Kilb: The current KalSol of the KalMea. So far, Mulspan has strongly pushed for technological and economic gain for his people, in addition to vastly increased support for the human minorities of the land. He ascended to KalSol status after being elected with 58% of the Civilian Vote (including almost all of the human population) and 8/12 of the Priesthood Vote. His term in office is not set to expire for another 8 years, assuming he does not die.

Trek Dael: Dael is the leader of the Temple of Kal's Passion and a very, very powerful rouge-priest (meaning he is not technically part of the KalMea Priesthood, so he is preaching illegally) who has been spreading the idea of going to war with surrounding nations who refuse to accept Kal's Flame. While this is not how most KalIabs view their beliefs, he has gained enough support among extremists to pose a threat to the continued peace, should he attempt to incite a religious uprising. Mulspan once mentioned that if it were not for his support of free speech, he would have ordered Dael silenced long ago. When asked about this sensitive subject, Mulspan replied "I have no doubt that Dael is a threat to our national security, but it is not my right to silence those who will not work with me"

Lord General Wil Nalson: Nalson, the highest ranking officer in the KalMea Military and personal adviser to Mulspan, with the- admittedly somewhat dramatic- title of "Lord General." He is also the only human to have achieved such an illustrious rank in the military.

Grand Captain Pyasan Kaas: Top-notch leader of the Navy, and another adviser to the KalSol.

Lord Air General Mult Kiva: KalMea barely has any airforce at all, but this woman leads what there is. She is, you guessed it, an adviser to KalSol Mulspan.

Other important folks will be added as we go along.

Groups:

Ajdar of KalMea: A moderately powerful activism group of Ajdar followers and, to an extent, KalMea-Tinites. (work in progress, more on these people after I have updated my history with Tin)

The Temple of Kal's Passion: KalMea's largest extremist group, composed almost entirely of wealthy KalIabis. They follow Trek Dael's message of war and strong action against humans. According to T.K.P., humans of Tin origin do not deserve to be afforded the right to vote or own established businesses, as their people refuse to accept Kal's flame in favour of a heathen god. They also preach against the generally held idea that any group or nation that has not converted to Kal's Flame can be a "People of Kal" and thus should not be treated with any respect or care by any who truly love Kal. They oppose Mulspan's ideals.

Roughly ten years ago, the T.K.P. came close to being legally shut down after the Mik Town Incident: A female KalIAb wearing a clay mask with a flame etched into it's forehead and black apparel approached the town square of Mik- a small KalMea village inhabited most entirely by humans- carrying a Colt M1911 pistol. She raised the pistol into the air and shouted "Kal's passion is all consuming! Our temple will conquer!" Before firing upon the unsuspecting crowd, injuring twelve humans and killing three before firing her final bullet into her own skull, which killed her instantly. Ironically, two of the three humans she killed were members of the Kal's Flame religion. 

Her body was identified as belonging to Mi Xula, a prominent member of the Temple of Kal's Passion. Trek Dael stepped forward to argue that her actions were her own, and the temple neither encouraged nor supported her terrorism. After a long legal battle, in which several victims and members of the temple testified, T.K.P. was freed of all responsibilities. It's reputation, however, has been sullied.

Voice of Freedom: A mostly conservative group that support the currently used Laissez Faire economic governing system. They are extraordinarily capitalist, and look in horror at the Socialism present in Kataylabinsk and the Fascism of Eisenkries. They don't have much to do or protest against, however, since the vast majority of KalMea politicians support the current economic system unwaveringly.

KalMea Socialist Party: The anti-thesis of Voice of Freedom: K.S.P. despises the current economic system as being unfair to the working class. They believe in abolishing capitalism, accepting all religions, and instilling a universal minimum wage. Unfortunately for them, they possess little support and have been entirely ignored by the government. Not a single question asked, letter sent, petition signed, or protest held has been answered or acknowledged by even the lowliest politician out there. They do not seem deterred.

Location and Geography:

Location:

Geography:
Separating KalMea from Tin are the great Dragon Mountains-or, as they are known to others, the Narida Mountains. Most of the sizable mountain range lye on the North-east side of the Tin-KalMea border, making most larger mountains just out of legal reach for the KalIab, with the exception of a few small peaks and rolling foothills. These hills quickly give way to open, rolling plains populated with peaceful farms and small villages. It is here that most of KalMea's rikta-a sweet, vine-growing fruit native to the area- is cultivated alongside  fields of corn, sugarcane, and wheat.

Further south you'll discover large, windy beaches and dense inland forests broken only by sprawling cities just now experimenting with skyscrapers.

The forest once again gives way to calm, temperate agricultural plains by the time we loop around to Yamatai. There are a few storms every now and then, but nothing that can't be handled.

The Religion of Kal:

Beliefs:

The Kal- also known as Kal's Flame or the Flame of Strength- is the primary belief system of all KalIabis. It is centered around a monotheistic god named Kal, who is depicted as a great, all-consuming flame of passion and strength. Kal's Priests preach that Kal was the first thought- the first burst of miraculous energy- that created all the universe and allowed life to inter into existence; before Him, there was nothing. 

Kal burns as a great flame in the heart of all that there is. He gives the gifts of emotion, passion, strength, drive, and spirit to all that has breath and sheds light on the spiritual darkness of non-believers at the moment of conversion. Kal's greatest desire is for the whole world to be consumed with energy once again so that all of his follower's may ascend to the Next World- the world of peace.

Kal's worshipers believe strongly that passion and ambition are the most sacred of values, and that any who lack these should be looked on as nothing more than animals. If one shows significant ambition and morals (morals as they are defined by the KalIab, that is), however, they are accepted as a Keral- an equal in the eyes of Kal- by the KalIab even if they haven't converted officially. 

The KalIab hold a very, very strict moral code of behavior. There is no official set of laws explaining their beliefs, but it is generally accepted that anger and ambition are virtually the same and both are a gift, their is no such thing as morally gray- there is wrong and there is right; no in-between, and the world is made entirely of truths and lies, dark and light, bad and good. Kal will burn all lies, falsehoods, evil, and darkness away in the end before the Next World.

This religion obviously has some major impacts on KalMea's relations with other nations. For one thing, KalMea is rarely on any sort of shaky ground with another country. Due to their belief that all is either right or wrong, they view all foreigners as either a "Lost People" that should be treated as complete and total enemies or a "People of Kal" that should be treated with unwavering alliance and mutual respect (whether or not those people actually embrace Kal's teachings). There is no in-between.

Worship:

Unlike the savage, primitive Spiritualism that had hold of this land before the Unification of KalMea, Kal does not demand sacrifice. Instead, he demands passion, ambition, love, and worship through creation:

Passion:
What this means is that all of Kal's followers, at the age of maturity (sixteen, that is), must take an oath (called a KalOath) to choose one thing to devote their lives and their souls to.  Whatever they choose- be it a profession, an idea, a hope, a goal, or even another person- it will not only define who they are in the eyes of Kal forever, but also in the eyes of society. It is common practice to ask someone what their KalOath is, and some Kallabis have even tattooed their's on their arms or foreheads. It is believed that at the moment of the oath-taking, their soul is forever intertwined with their choice. It as a sacrosanct decision of the most value to all of Kal's People.

Ambition:
Laziness is a disgusting, horrid sin in the eyes of Kal. Any who show this most heinous of traits are to have their flesh forever marked with a hot branding iron (in the same manner cows are branded with) to warn anyone approaching them of their status. The mark is usually placed on the criminal's forehead, and is in the shape of a traditional KalIab gravestone- to represent that if one is lazy they are not truly alive at all. If learning of this punishment aspires horror in you, then have no fear! The mark is only given to those slothful souls who have not held any job in three years.

Love:
Love thy neighbor as thyself. Do no unneeded harm to another of Kal's Flame. Always treat other Kal-worshippers with the utmost respect and compassion, and do not turn away a stranger asking for food or a place to rest, if he is of Kal. Give monthly to the Temple, and show the utmost respect to priests.

Worship Through Creation:

Any given Altar of Kal is less an altar and more of a workstation. Every altar must serve some function as a place to create a visible, physical product. Either a desk for writing, a workbench for the fine art of carpentry, a furnace for smithing, or any other place where work may be done. One butcher even turned his Altar of Kal into a station for chopping and preparing meat.

The reason behind this seemingly strange addition to these otherwise boorish altars is simple: Kal is most pleased in seeing his creations labor in fierce inspiration to make creations of their own, as he did at the dawn of all existence. Without the workplace addition to an Altar of Kal, it is only a blank, gray stone slab with an engraved flame covering the entirety of it's top.

Economy:

Domestic Economy:
KalMea is centered around a Laissez Faire form of economic governing in which the State makes little to no impression on the free market and bans next to no goods, drugs, or weaponry. There is, for example, no underground "black market" in KalMea; there would be nothing for it to sell. Needless to say, this system has it's ups and downs:

On the good hand, KalMea Citizens enjoy a strong, deep-rooted sense of freedom in their businesses and sales tax is extraordinarily low on all goods. Furthermore, without governmental restrictions the various businesses, both small and majorly corporate, have been flourishing and growing at a truly astonishing rate for some time now. Business is booming.

On the more negative hand, when almost no product is illegal someone is bound to take advantage of it. Drug dealers and drug addictions are abound, and center themselves mainly around one peculiar substance titled MeaSluj- meaning "Flame Juice." It is a clear liquid with highly addictive but only mildly hallucinogenic properties. People drinking MeaSluj experience extreme euphoria and feelings of bliss for short periods of time, but the physical withdraw symptoms (if one is desperate or stupid enough to attempt quieting after they've started) are agonizing and, more shockingly, life-long. The mental withdraws are no better.

Foreign Economic Connections (trade, etc.):

Perhaps in response to the disorder inherit in KalMea's domestic affairs, the current and, indeed, the previous four KalSols have all made large pushes in securing profitable trade relations with other nations. 

The arguably most important trade deal that currently stands is with the Tin men. Tin is in the good fortune to have many natural resources, and KalMea was among the first nations to industrialize. The obvious agreement was that Tin mines the raw ores from their deserts and the Dragon Mountains before sending them to KalMea, which will refine the metal into various goods and resell them to the Tin for a reasonable profit. Those metals which are left over are either kept by KalMea or sold off to any nation that makes an offer.

Furthermore, a very large percentage of KalMea's currency comes from lucrative deals with individual manufacturers. A very large portion of the worlds cars, televisions, weapons and much more all originate from the metal refined in KalMea's many factories. This has made KalMea a wealthy nation in the eyes of many neighbors, but the KalIabis are still willing to sell to any who will buy.

Foreign Views:

P.R.K:
Socialist Republic: --
Lack of Free Trade:-----
Poor Mechanical/Industrial advancements: -
Possible Trade Opportunities: +++
Anti-Colonialism: --
Overall Rating: Lost People (-7)
What this means:
Basically, KalMea is in no way fond of Kataylabinsk. The lack of free market disgusts the fiercely Capitalist populace of KalMea, and we would be willing go to war with them should we be given a proper incentive. Trade with the P.R.K. with be difficult and not particularly cheap.

Tin:
Monarchy: -
Somewhat Different Beliefs: --
Not Wholly Free Market: --
Military Allies: +++
Many Ajdar in KalMea: ++++++
Close trading partners: ++++++++
Kal Extremists Greatly Oppose: -
Tinites in KalMea: +
Overall Rating: People of Kal (12)
What this means: 
KalMea is very close to Tin compared to other nations. We would be willing to go to war with them fairly easily, if given decent reason, and we will continue to offer fair and lucrative trade deals to our northern allies.

Ventium:
Elective Monarchy: +
Behind in Tech: --
Not Entirely Open to Trade: -
Attempting to Improve Their Lack of Tech: +++
Overall Rating: Undecided (1)
What this means:
KalMea would be absolutely willing to open ports in trade with Ventium, but we never treat them with the same degree of trust as we would a People of Kal. They are, however, attempting to catch up technologically: a sure sign of ambition, one of Kal's favoured traits. With some more time and communication, KalMea would potentially be open to an alliance or other mutually beneficial relationship with Ventium.

Yllendthyr:
Monarchy: -
Opportunities for Trade: +++
Talented Engineers: ++++
Oppression of Humans: --
Attempting to Lay Claim on the Zanjir Islands: --
Elven Mercenaries: -
Overall Rating: Undecided (1)
What this means:
Like with Ventium, KalMea is absolutely willing to open communications with Yllendthyr, but not to the same degree as with a more trusted nation. Their talent as engineers, however, earns them a great deal of respect in the eyes of the industry-minded KalIabis...but they could never be allies, at least not as things are now.

Yamatai:
Claim on Zanjir: ---
Monarchy: -
Close by: ++
Overall: Lost People (-2)
What this means: KalMea does not fully trust Yamatai, nor do we expect sincere trust in return. As always, there is still some opportunity for mild trade; but never any truly positive relations.

Tiqsimuyu:
Industrial: +++
Low Tech: --
Monarchy: -
Overall rating: Undecided (0)
What this means:
KalMea doesn't know what to think of Tiqsimuyu, but we see very little opportunity for trade or beneficial relations.

Hambrian Republic:
Republic: +++
Trade Opportunities: ++
Not Enough Contact: --
Overall Rating: Trusted (3)
What this means: We can, perhaps, trust the Hambrians. KalMea desires a trade relationship with the Republic.

Eisenkries:
Fascist Monarchy: ---
No Free Market: ------
No Visible Trade Opportunities: ---
Good Technology: +
Aggressive to Outsiders: --
Overall Rating: Lost People (-13)
What this means:
KalMea wants nothing to do with Eisenkries. They seem too dangerous to attack, too poorly governed to warrant diplomacy, and too closed-off for trade. To KalMea, Eisenkries is a disgusting and horrible nation deserving of no respect or basic consideration. The only thing of any value whatsoever is their technology, and KalSol Mulspan is not sure gaining such advancements are even worth the task of speaking to the Red Queen. This is the only nation that KalMea may truly hate.

Avalia:
Democracy: +
Free Market: +++
We Need Airships: ++
Overall Rating: Trusted (6)
What this means:
KalMea is actively seeking trade and positive relations with Avalia, and is willing to donate some of it's wealth of money to purchasing many airships. 

Dong Wei:
Republic: +
Overall: Undecided (1)
What this means:
Open to trade, but nothing else. KalMea is unsure about how to feel towards Dong Wei for the time being.

Umbrasis:
Trade Opportunities: +
Decent Tech: +
Form of Government: +
Overall: Undecided (3)
What this means:
KalMea would be up to some light trading and diplomacy, but we do not know them well enough for real relations

Technological advancements

Modern KalMea has little in the way of invention. Most KalIabis, when searching for pride over their nation's scientific contributions, must settle for the invention of gunpowder two-hundred year prior, and some recent experimentation with plastic explosives. Unfortunately, most of these are in the experimental stage and will continue to be for some time. Scientist has never been an entirely disrespected profession among KalMea, but it has certainly never been hailed with laurels and honor.

That being said, do not make the mistake of underestimating the vast manufacturing capabilities of the KalIabs. While perhaps not as skilled with the creation of gears and machinery as Elves, the people of KalMea seem to have a strong, determined spirit of industrialism. They are a manufacturer of refined metals, vehicles, and, yes, especially weapons on a global scale. As Kal's Flame is mostly about proving yourself, rather than amassing hordes of wealth, it can be rather profitable for prudent foreign businessmen to out-source their manufacturing work to KalMea for comparatively inexpensive wages.

Furthermore, KalMea has managed to shrink down the size of complex mechanical systems, thus allowing the average factory to produce much, much more than before. 

All in all: the KalIabis are very logical thinkers, and possess a natural skill with machines that more than evens-out their scientific lag.
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