Kuptii Refuge
Structure
The Kuptii Archipelago, and the Kingdom title that controls it, is ruled by a Lati Olash, literally translating as King. The native Kuptii call this person the Saw P'aw. Legally, it works like every other Larani title, with the catch that the title must be confirmed by a Kuptii priest. This tradition was adopted after a Lati used a Kuptii uprising against trespasses on their holy sites to take the title, and negotiated peace with their allies by granting them spiritual authority over their monarch. In practice, this is a formality, but like all formalities, it can be manipulated into a larger issue if the need arises.
Administration of the archipelago is assigned to governors, appointed or dismissed at the King's whims. The governors run the day-to-day of their island or peninsula, allowing the King to worry about more grand-scale matters, and focus on specific parts of the realm they wish to reform or improve. What usually ends up happening is over the course of generations, the kings will grow more lax and indulgent, and the governors will begin to act more like counts than administrators, and uprisings occur, a new Lati house takes control, and the cycle begins a new.
The Kingdom is odd relative to other Larani Kingdoms, as it is about the size of one Thronehold, and has no subservient titles larger than Baron. The Lati that make up the King's court might control an entire island, but only through their possession of multiple city titles. To add, most islands have a central government of Kuptii, independent of the Larani power structure. Despite having no real authority, they have great influence, so often operate as part of the governor's court. Smaller versions of these exist for the Gui Strati and the Strati Wyches that live on the islands or peninsula.
On a societal level, there exists a caste system in the Archipelago. While not official policy, every inhabitant of the isles knows it well, and everyone in power operates as if it were law. The Lati are at the top, obviously, acting as rulers and usually as administrators. Lati occupy nearly all high and middle-level positions in government and are often the most wealthy landowners on the isles. The thing that sets the Wychlands apart from other Larani territories is the number of people who aren't Lati who are as well. After the Lati are the Larani, basically just Lerin as Coatl exist only in small numbers and only on Aesko Nye. After them are the Strati Wyches and their many covens. There are at least four different, large covens per island, and who knows how many smaller ones. Along with conciliatory, the Lati in charge of the Wychlands have usually been pragmatic, and have put aside their distaste for Wyches so they can use them to serve the state, or themselves.
Next comes the native Kuptii, who inhabited the islands before the Larani arrived. They are what keeps the caste system from being anything more than it currently is, as, despite their low standing and flat-out oppression by the top castes, they maintain some power, religious freedom, and other rights that aren't infringed, unlike the others. Lastly are the Gui Strati, the non-Wyches who fled from Xixuegui. They are treated like Larani are anywhere else in the empire, which while not great, is far better than they would be treated were they Strati anywhere else in Laran.
Administration of the archipelago is assigned to governors, appointed or dismissed at the King's whims. The governors run the day-to-day of their island or peninsula, allowing the King to worry about more grand-scale matters, and focus on specific parts of the realm they wish to reform or improve. What usually ends up happening is over the course of generations, the kings will grow more lax and indulgent, and the governors will begin to act more like counts than administrators, and uprisings occur, a new Lati house takes control, and the cycle begins a new.
The Kingdom is odd relative to other Larani Kingdoms, as it is about the size of one Thronehold, and has no subservient titles larger than Baron. The Lati that make up the King's court might control an entire island, but only through their possession of multiple city titles. To add, most islands have a central government of Kuptii, independent of the Larani power structure. Despite having no real authority, they have great influence, so often operate as part of the governor's court. Smaller versions of these exist for the Gui Strati and the Strati Wyches that live on the islands or peninsula.
On a societal level, there exists a caste system in the Archipelago. While not official policy, every inhabitant of the isles knows it well, and everyone in power operates as if it were law. The Lati are at the top, obviously, acting as rulers and usually as administrators. Lati occupy nearly all high and middle-level positions in government and are often the most wealthy landowners on the isles. The thing that sets the Wychlands apart from other Larani territories is the number of people who aren't Lati who are as well. After the Lati are the Larani, basically just Lerin as Coatl exist only in small numbers and only on Aesko Nye. After them are the Strati Wyches and their many covens. There are at least four different, large covens per island, and who knows how many smaller ones. Along with conciliatory, the Lati in charge of the Wychlands have usually been pragmatic, and have put aside their distaste for Wyches so they can use them to serve the state, or themselves.
Next comes the native Kuptii, who inhabited the islands before the Larani arrived. They are what keeps the caste system from being anything more than it currently is, as, despite their low standing and flat-out oppression by the top castes, they maintain some power, religious freedom, and other rights that aren't infringed, unlike the others. Lastly are the Gui Strati, the non-Wyches who fled from Xixuegui. They are treated like Larani are anywhere else in the empire, which while not great, is far better than they would be treated were they Strati anywhere else in Laran.
Culture
Like the rest of Laran, there is a strong sense of religious zeal embedded in the culture. Unlike the rest of Laran, the Wychlands are extremely tolerant about foreign religions. They have to be, considering the Lati aristocracy and the Larani are split between Laran's three largest cults, the Kuptii natives maintain their own pantheon and rituals, and the Gui Strati have adopted a mix of Strati, Larani, and Kuptii practices and gods into their own native philosophies, creating an odd mix that acts as a wonderful product of the Archipelago's culture and history.
Calling the Gui Strati Strati is inaccurate at this point, as they have created their own culture that would never be accepted by the few Gui Strati still alive on Maingye. Calling them Gui Kuptii would be far more accurate.
Calling the Gui Strati Strati is inaccurate at this point, as they have created their own culture that would never be accepted by the few Gui Strati still alive on Maingye. Calling them Gui Kuptii would be far more accurate.
Assets
The Kuptii Refuge has a large stockpile of gold, due to their ability to tariff the trade that goes through their islands, most notably the ports on Anyo Nye. This, along with the export of Wych made products has granted them the ability to raise five Cohorts, which operate as the Legions known as the Chained. Each island has a central castle that acts as its capital, and the peninsula has several scattered about. Cavalry forces are in short supply, not that they would be used given the island and peninsula's terrain. Lastly is the sizable fleet, largely consisting of merchant ships and pirate hunters.
History
The Empire of Laran colonized the Kuptii Archipelago around 3500 DS, and the Kingdom of Qea Lwbwd was established. It was supposed to encompass much of the Lol Osh as well as the islands, but the Lati lords along the river refused to bend the knee to someone who based their throne on a backwater island. The current Olash had bigger problems to deal with, as they had to deal with the restless native Kuptii. Lati at this point had far fewer dynastic tendencies than they do now, so it is difficult to track the passage of the title across the centuries. It was during Bia's reforms, around 4200 DS, that the first Lati House took control of the islands, riding a tide of native resentment to foment an uprising that allowed them to assassinate the current head and claim the title.
The House of Broken Glass reigned for about 300 years, and their rule largely consisted of more of the same, power plays, Lati indulgences, and minimal improvement to the kingdom. A few minor wars were fought to attempt to seize cities on the coast of the Mesa, the rulers of the Kuptii peninsula brought their army to bear and took over the islands. They reigned for another three centuries, and it was this period that incorporated the peninsula into the archipelago as a geographic and political concept. The next ruling house would originate from a family of mutators and alchemists who worked from their mountain stronghold of T'as Kii. They turned it into a university or collaborative workshop of sorts for all the archipelago's Lati. it was during their reign that the Xixuegui Refugee Influx occurred. The societal upheaval from the attempted and failed assimilation of the Wyches, then Strati, led to a Peasant uprising that saw the mutators toppled. It was their successor who instituted the native's spiritual authority over the Olash, joining the kingdom title to the title of Saw P'aw.
This was done principally to calm the Kuptii, who were becoming enraged that Lati interference into their holy lands and attempts to quash worship of their gods was seeing a resurgence. That, and their being pushed further down the societal ladder by widespread usage of Strati Wyches, helped foment the uprising. The new House, hailing from the line of a Lati merchant on Anyo Nye, negotiated full protection for the Kuptii in society. They would be dethroned after ruling longer than any of their predecessors, the last scion fo their house ending the Kingdom's neutrality and isolationism to help fight against Mul-Zamain in their rise to power. They would be annihilated, and one of Zamain's puppets would be installed. They didn't understand any of the intricacies of Kuptii politics or societal issues, and the minute Zamain fell, the entire Kingdom united against the King to place a new Lati on the throne in a bloodless coup. Well, almost bloodless. There was a massacre as contenders rose up after Zamain's replacement was appointed, and a widespread purge of the Lati aristocracy. Their numbers on the islands have not recovered since, only about 75% of their pre-Zamain numbers as of close to a millennia later.
After that a few houses would come and go, with little of note occurring under their reign. The current house, House Shura, took power in 763 YS, after the current house, supported by (and fully relying on) the current Okosovai of Military Affairs lost their foreign support. The Okosovai in question was killed fighting in the Long War, and her replacement did not continue to prop up the ruling house which had fallen down on luck, hemorrhaging magical power with every generation. House Shura had little trouble taking control on the tide of a Kuptii rebellion, and the eighth Shura King is the current monarch of the Archipelago.
The House of Broken Glass reigned for about 300 years, and their rule largely consisted of more of the same, power plays, Lati indulgences, and minimal improvement to the kingdom. A few minor wars were fought to attempt to seize cities on the coast of the Mesa, the rulers of the Kuptii peninsula brought their army to bear and took over the islands. They reigned for another three centuries, and it was this period that incorporated the peninsula into the archipelago as a geographic and political concept. The next ruling house would originate from a family of mutators and alchemists who worked from their mountain stronghold of T'as Kii. They turned it into a university or collaborative workshop of sorts for all the archipelago's Lati. it was during their reign that the Xixuegui Refugee Influx occurred. The societal upheaval from the attempted and failed assimilation of the Wyches, then Strati, led to a Peasant uprising that saw the mutators toppled. It was their successor who instituted the native's spiritual authority over the Olash, joining the kingdom title to the title of Saw P'aw.
This was done principally to calm the Kuptii, who were becoming enraged that Lati interference into their holy lands and attempts to quash worship of their gods was seeing a resurgence. That, and their being pushed further down the societal ladder by widespread usage of Strati Wyches, helped foment the uprising. The new House, hailing from the line of a Lati merchant on Anyo Nye, negotiated full protection for the Kuptii in society. They would be dethroned after ruling longer than any of their predecessors, the last scion fo their house ending the Kingdom's neutrality and isolationism to help fight against Mul-Zamain in their rise to power. They would be annihilated, and one of Zamain's puppets would be installed. They didn't understand any of the intricacies of Kuptii politics or societal issues, and the minute Zamain fell, the entire Kingdom united against the King to place a new Lati on the throne in a bloodless coup. Well, almost bloodless. There was a massacre as contenders rose up after Zamain's replacement was appointed, and a widespread purge of the Lati aristocracy. Their numbers on the islands have not recovered since, only about 75% of their pre-Zamain numbers as of close to a millennia later.
After that a few houses would come and go, with little of note occurring under their reign. The current house, House Shura, took power in 763 YS, after the current house, supported by (and fully relying on) the current Okosovai of Military Affairs lost their foreign support. The Okosovai in question was killed fighting in the Long War, and her replacement did not continue to prop up the ruling house which had fallen down on luck, hemorrhaging magical power with every generation. House Shura had little trouble taking control on the tide of a Kuptii rebellion, and the eighth Shura King is the current monarch of the Archipelago.
Demography and Population
The Archipelago is an incredibly diverse place, especially by Larani standards. Demographics are best described individually for each island, but gender divisions are consistent throughout, with a 40/40/20 split for male, female, and non-binary populations.
7% are a group of Saviour worshipping Humans from the border of the Desert of the Saviour and the Desert of the First Humans. They are known to exist on the island but occupy a settlement hidden in the jungle. Strati traders from Maingye are especially common, especially in Endai Jung, where a Strati Lati, one of the few Human Lati who wasn't a Lerin, ruled for nearly their entire life, modeling the newly founded city after their homeland. Endai Jung had always had a great deal of influence from the various cultures of Maingye, but the refugee crisis and this one Strati Lati increased it tenfold. Otherwise, there is a sizeable quarter inhabited mostly by Tolovian steppe riders. In 600 YS, the Khaganate of Gol Tolov fell, the last remnants of the grandest power after Xixuegui on the western continent gone. Most of the aristocracy fled, with a great many landing and setting up a cultural exclave in Endai Jung. They make up 5% of the population. The last 5% are the Profligate Ones, traders from a land southeast of the Akroni Confederacy. They brought with them their culture and religion, which has gained a small amount of traction with the local population.
Peninsula
The Peninsula has the largest concentration of Larani, being connected to the Gates. Lati make up about 10% of the population, largely as rulers of city quarters. Outside of the larger cities and medium-sized towns, there are few populated zones. Hamlets and villages number less than the other two types of settlements combined. Larani make up 50% if the population, mostly in the form of Lerin Humans. A few non-Lati Makassi are a part of this number, but no Coatl. Strati Wyches are the next 15%, and Gui Kuptii make up the last 25%.Aesko Nye
Lati make up 5% of the population, Larani another 25%. Strati Wyches are about 7%, and Gui Kuptii are 31%. Kuptii Natives make up the last 38%. The only large settlement on the island is Ko Tii, and that is where most of the non-Kuptii reside. The Kuptii themselves are scattered across the island, with a fair few settling on the dormant volcano. When in Ko Tii, they mainly reside in the temple district.Awcy Nye
Lati are 30% of the population, clustered onto the mountain university at T'as Kii. Wyches are found in the same place, making up another 40% of the population of the island. Lastly are the Kuptii, who, like most everywhere, are scattered throughout the island, with no real concentration outside of their delegation of mages at T'as Kii. Larani and Gui Kuptii are present in small numbers, but really only in negligible amounts.Apeskii Nye
Apeskii Nye is the most populated of the islands, being the center of administration and the economy, despite the island to its south being far more important trade-wise. Lati are about 13% of the island's population, ruling the large settlements that are scattered about. Some have ingratiated themselves within Kuptii society, becoming rulers of the smaller Kuptii villages on the island. Larani are about 21% of the population, mostly in the two largest settlements of Lwpeskii and Kayaw. Gui Kuptii are 31%, found either in the two largest cities, or as subcommunities in Kuptii villages. Strati Wyches are 12% of the population, mostly found in the cities. Kuptii make up the last 23% of the population.Anyo Nye
Anyo Nye is the most diverse area in the archipelago, due to the enclaves created by traders. Lati are about 7% of the population, Larani native to the Archipelago are another 23%. Kuptii, Wyches, and Gui Kuptii each makeup about 15% of the population. These five groups are all scattered about the island in fairly even numbers, with the Kuptii favouring more rural areas, and the others tending towards the urban settlements. Gui Kuptii are the bulk of the population of Endai Jung. 5% is made up of Lerin from the Dead Ones Mesa, indistinguishable with the native Larani humans on sight, but immediately obvious as outsiders as soon as they begin to speak. Coatl are another 3%, originating from a fleeing sect of blood worshippers, who settled on the islands due to the religious freedom found there. Both of these groups have their own quarters in 'ma Pos, found exclusively there.7% are a group of Saviour worshipping Humans from the border of the Desert of the Saviour and the Desert of the First Humans. They are known to exist on the island but occupy a settlement hidden in the jungle. Strati traders from Maingye are especially common, especially in Endai Jung, where a Strati Lati, one of the few Human Lati who wasn't a Lerin, ruled for nearly their entire life, modeling the newly founded city after their homeland. Endai Jung had always had a great deal of influence from the various cultures of Maingye, but the refugee crisis and this one Strati Lati increased it tenfold. Otherwise, there is a sizeable quarter inhabited mostly by Tolovian steppe riders. In 600 YS, the Khaganate of Gol Tolov fell, the last remnants of the grandest power after Xixuegui on the western continent gone. Most of the aristocracy fled, with a great many landing and setting up a cultural exclave in Endai Jung. They make up 5% of the population. The last 5% are the Profligate Ones, traders from a land southeast of the Akroni Confederacy. They brought with them their culture and religion, which has gained a small amount of traction with the local population.
Territories
The Kuptii Refuge occupies and rules the Kuptii Archipelago .
Military
The Kuptii Refuge is able to muster an army of about 4000, including a core of veterans that is used as the islands police forces during peacetime. The core is about 500 strong. Otherwise, the Kingomd lays claim to the legion known as the Chained. Five Cohorts of Wyches, wo are nearly always deployed at the behest of the Okosovai Okosovai of Military Affairs.
Religion
The Kuptii in the Refuge near all hold to their old pantheon, revering nature gods and spirits. Some notable Lati have ingratiated themselves into local versions of these pantheons, perhaps an island or a collection of villages has added them as a revered ancestor. The Gui Kuptii maintain much of their emperor worship, but have mixed it with the animism of the Kuptii. their emperor worship takes the form of respect for hierarchy, as there is currently no emperor of Xixuegui to revere. Others instead select different emperors to worship. This has caused some tension with the Imperialis on the Archipelago, as they only have one emperor that should be worshipped. The usual outcome is a religious riot, a decree of religious freedom, some murders, and a de-escalation.
The Imperialis exists most strongly in the Lati and Larani populations, of the two, more the latter. The removal from the Mesa has kept the all-encompassing authority of the Imperialis from reaching them, so the Senpadida Siobkun has maintained some of their post-schism power. It is slowly waning, however, as the Siobkun power centers are trapped on the other side of the Mesa, and with access to their holy sites difficult at best, generation after generation is moving away from the Siobkun. The fastest growing religion in the Archipelago is the Blood Cult, worshipping the Mother of Blood. After their reforging in 500 YS, centers of worship sprung up across Laran, including in Ammi Po.
The Peninsula became a center of the Blood Cult until the ruling family, devoted members of the Imperialis, moved in to crush the movement out. They failed, and while they did reduce the fervor and number of worshippers on the peninsula, it sprang up everywhere else, including in the royal household. More religious riots ensued, and the freedom of religion was extended to them as well. The Strati Wyches are the last major group, and they've largely been allowed to practice whatever rituals and rites are unique to each of their covens.
The Imperialis exists most strongly in the Lati and Larani populations, of the two, more the latter. The removal from the Mesa has kept the all-encompassing authority of the Imperialis from reaching them, so the Senpadida Siobkun has maintained some of their post-schism power. It is slowly waning, however, as the Siobkun power centers are trapped on the other side of the Mesa, and with access to their holy sites difficult at best, generation after generation is moving away from the Siobkun. The fastest growing religion in the Archipelago is the Blood Cult, worshipping the Mother of Blood. After their reforging in 500 YS, centers of worship sprung up across Laran, including in Ammi Po.
The Peninsula became a center of the Blood Cult until the ruling family, devoted members of the Imperialis, moved in to crush the movement out. They failed, and while they did reduce the fervor and number of worshippers on the peninsula, it sprang up everywhere else, including in the royal household. More religious riots ensued, and the freedom of religion was extended to them as well. The Strati Wyches are the last major group, and they've largely been allowed to practice whatever rituals and rites are unique to each of their covens.
Foreign Relations
The Kuptii Archipelago has had a standing policy of neutrality and non-involvement for basically its entire existence, excepting some cases. They cannot muster the military might for any major offensives against their natives, and it is only their non-involvement, non-importance on the grand scale of Larani politics, and smart negotiators near the seat of power that keeps any of the stronger kingdoms from the Dead Ones Mesa from conquering them. Granted the Western mesa is so frequently embroiled in their own internal conflicts that it is not worth mustering the forces to conquer their western neighbors regardless. There is some tension with the various kingdoms, throneholds, and counties along the Lol Osh, as the claim to the Kingdom of the Bloody River is still held by the seat of the Kingdom of Qea Lwbwd, over 4000 years after its brief existence.
Agriculture & Industry
Agriculture is found everywhere in the archipelago, but the only place where it exceeds subsistence farming is on the peninsula, whose crops are exported to the rest of the archipelago and to the western Mesa. Aside from the unique produce grown here, Wych-made products are of extreme value to Lati all over Laran. Ritual stones, Power Armour, enchanted weapons, the Wyches themselves, all of it is in high demand, so is produced here.
Trade & Transport
The area west of the Gates is the Breadbasket of the western mesa, as the frequent wars make reliable agriculture difficult. Wych-made products are exported from the isles on masse, and the Wych slave trade in the Western Mesa is centered on the Kuptii Archipelago. Anyo Nye, while not the most important trade hub of the entire region, is still a center of regional commerce. It is the first sopping point for ships coming from Maingye, so while it doesn't see as many of the goods flow through it, it sees many cultural exports. Most internal trade is conducted through government-run ports.
Despite all this, the Kuptii Archipelago is still a relative backwater. While it has spawned several trade companies, most fizzle and die within the decade.
Despite all this, the Kuptii Archipelago is still a relative backwater. While it has spawned several trade companies, most fizzle and die within the decade.
The Wych & the Warrior
Maps
-
Kuptii Archipelago
Founding Date
3420~
Type
Geopolitical, Kingdom
Alternative Names
Western Wychlands ; Kingdom of Qea Lwbwd ;
Demonym
Qean ; Kuptii
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Palace economy
Currency
One of the ways the Kuptii were calmed during their rebellions was by the usage of a currency that supposedly honored them. Coins made of obsidian, carved and enchanted by a Wych Coven under control of the King, are inscribed with values in Ladi, Gui, and Kuptii, and minted with the face of Zamain on one side, and the face of the Kuptii god of fertility on the other. These were introduced by the previous ruling House, with House Shura maintaining the practice. The coins are called Tsii (Kuptii for coin) and are issued in denominations of ten, five, and one. Due to the unique nature of Wych magic, it is incredibly difficult to pass a fake coin off to anyone familiar with them, however, forgeries are sold to rich collectors who don't know better as "cultural artefacts".
This helped appease the Kuptii as an honorary gesture, however, due to their distaste for currency, it means very little to them beyond that.
This helped appease the Kuptii as an honorary gesture, however, due to their distaste for currency, it means very little to them beyond that.
Legislative Body
The King and their representatives make and change the laws of the land.
Judicial Body
The King and their representatives (and often their representatives' representatives) act as judge and jury in the Archipelago.
Executive Body
The state army, a different institution to the Cohorts , has a core of veterans used as law enforcement throughout the Archipelago. This has caused some conflict with the aristocracy, as they fund the army, but the army isn't beholden to them.
Parent Organization
Location
Official Languages
Controlled Territories
Comments