Xbalanke (Sh-b-al-Ankh-e)
Inspired by Mayan culture. A warrior culture of humans and jaguar tabaxi. They are feared on the water but much more-so in the jungle. Xbalanke is the most war-like and territorial of the nations of southern Tolec, and defend their coast fiercely against would-be invaders who follow the land bridge of the Titan's Grave down or who seek to raid upward from the Broken Bridge.
They gave birth to the Blood Hunter order of the Panthera - warriors infected with Panthropothry who undergo a ritual known as "the taming" to control the beast within and turn its ferocity against their enemies.
They follow Tohil and the Zenith as their primary deities, though they also pay dear respects to Ozazli Stormheart and Dirthari Bloodfire, the Lord of Crows and Vulture Prince as well as Tamrahel the Wildguide.
Theirs is a culture that values military and martial prowess, who prefer to solve problems with blunt force rather than precision instruments, and for whom the bond of blood is considered absolute.
All this is not to say they are absent of art - song and dance are hugely popular and deeply culturally relevant to the people of Xbalanke, and much of their history is tought through these mediums.
The current King is Nacon Cent, grandson of the previous King, Buluc Cent, who succeeded his brother, Zmoke Cent.
Nacon ascended to the throne, despite being 12th in line, after an attack on the Winter Palace ended with the entire royal family of warriors and bloodhunters dead, leaving only the sickly 14 year old. It had been his birthday.
Assets
Xbalanke are masters of military defense, and have strategicly placed forts all around the nation, many largely obscured by the jungle so as not to give away their location, others standing high above the treeline where they have an onubstructed view for miles around, depending on their purpose. Xbalanke have also invested heavily in cannons, and Oyeyemi black powder merchants are some of the only they do business with outside of Tolec.
Xbalanke does not export much, but they are makers of very fine weapons, using obsidian with precision and expertese matched by none.
History
Factions within the Nation:
The Beggar Clan
Blood Hunters of the Panthera
Temple of the Lord of Crows
Temple of Tohil
Temple of the Zenith
Temple of the Stormheart
Temple of the Bloodfire
The followers of the Wild's Guide
The Cult of the Beast
The Mask Maker's Guild
Founding Date
Storm: 34
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Training Level
Elite
Leader
Location
Comments