Harshhorne

Built amongst the bones of a massive Kaijin at the foot of a volcano, Harshorne and its people continously test themselves against the greatest threats available.

Harshhorne is widely considered the most dangrous place in Erolan, and the birthplace of dangeous monsters known as the Kaijin. At the foot of an active volcano deep within the Forbodenwoad is the city of Harshhorne. Harshhorne legend says that it was once home to another civilization of Fae, before a great cataclysm brought forth the scourge of kaijin which now roam in the forest called Forbodenwoad, and the great desert Nok, west of the Wyrm River. In known history, it is ruled by the Wishlings. They fight a seemingly never ending battle against the scourge of enormous monsters in the desert land and the cunning monsters of the forest, testing themselves endlessly against the most dangerous enemies that Erolan can produce.
It is said by many that Harshhorne is the most unforgiving land to live in, as everything around you is either trying to kill you or eat you. Those who live to adulthood are made strong, fast, and cunning by necessity. Trained from youth to be great hunters, the inhabitants of this kingdom are some of the fiercest warriors and brilliant innovators in the known in the world.
Harshhorne life is spent in the pursuit of excellence and honor, through deeds of great valor, and the collection of knowledge. Instructed from their youth to protect the weak, they learn the sacred paths set forth by Ambitus Apexbane who, it is said, received them from the gods themselves. Citizens of Harshhorne learn to live off the land by becoming self sufficient, most training to become hunters and survivalists. They learn the path of the warrior to make them strong and formidable against the Kaijin and other threats to Harshhorne. Most valued amongst Harshorne are those that are taught in the path of the scholar, believing the true future of their people lies in the pursuit of knowledge and the cunning application of it against all obstacles.
Harshhorne is ruled by the Council of Harshorne, who decide on all matters by debate and expertise. These seats are filled by a private ritual performed by the other councillers, and are currently filled by Vel Merodach, Zenoch Fausia, Zenia Fausia, Apollus Disserpo, Lael Apexbane, Noctis Venatrix, Nox Viden, Umbra Brontes, Sidus Obsidion, Irinus Merodach, Boadnye, Silt-Venatrix (a Ljosalfar), Nergüi Pristris (An adopted Mogatai), and Adara In Eloquia Viden (a Djinn). Harshhorne is fairly self sustaining, though gladly imports rarer goods and surplus foreign food stuffs from its trade partners in exhange for things the citizens of harshorne have in abundance; bones, hides, weapons, and rare metals from the volcano, in addition to knowledge of engineering, a rare talent valued highly by the Council of Harshorne.
The citizens of Harshhorne dedicate the majority of their faith to four of the gods, Ire, Puck, Wry, and Stalk. These gods are heavily called upon as they most closely inform the Harshhornian way of life. Ire and Stalk both give them strength and zeal to face any challenge head on, while Puck and Wry gift them with wisdom and cunning, allowing them to outsmart the many challenges that surround them.
The central city of Harshhorne is built into the Skeleton of a great beast known as the Grand Merodach, the head of which forms the main gate. It is situated next to an active volcano, in a desert called Nok not far from the tropical forest Forbodenwoad on the eastern coast. Legend has it the the Forbodenwoad was once the home of a great fae kingdom that was abandoned due to the monstrous beasts that lived within. Through the forest cuts the great river Wyrm that leads out to a mountainous ocean cliffside.
Predominantly Wishlings live in Harshhorne, but they and the Council have no issue with the other races making a home there. Most common as to have their own neighborhoods, are humans, mogatai, Djinn, and Alfar. It is also one of the most common places to see Wyrmkin in Erolan, as it is usually the first place a wyrmkin lands after making their journey from Dtaniynoa Bazmoroa. Other races that wish to integrate into Harshhorne society more heavily, and participate in its rituals such as the In Ambitus Sojourn, need to be sponsored by a Wishling family. The sponsorship is something that one has to earn usually relating to the wishling families namesake.
Harshhorne occupies a unique rung on the political ladder of Erolan. They currently are on friendly relations with nearly every kingdom on the continent, finding valuable trade routes, mercenary services, or even knowledge exchanges as what best benfits their people. Due to their close alliance with roving Djinn Merchants of the Boreal-Lurin Bazaar and with Il Paraonde, the city has become heavily influenced by those cultures mixing the regal qualities of both with their own ritualistic culture. The exception is Harshhorne's northern neighbor, the Kingdom of Zenith. Harshhorne has no tolerance for the decadence that goes on within the Kingdom of Zenith and the neglect of its poor. Once Zenith sent an emissary to request that Harshhorne participate in the Grand Melee as an offering of peace. The Harshhorne warrior Toren fought with such quick and fierce brutality the melee ended days before it was supposed to. They were never invited back and Toren was the only wishling to ever receive the title Zeni, the highest noble title one can be afforded in Zenith. Since then, Harshhorne has endured minor border skirmishes from Zenith, and many fear that this hostility will soon erupt into war.
Wishling historians believe that they are born from the magic of the Forbodenwoad at a source known as Origin. Centuries ago, the kingdom of Harshhorne is said to have been established beneath the great volcano Genus just outside the Forbodenwoad and across the river Wyrm that runs between them. It is said the legendary hunter, Ambitus Apexblade, started the great purge of monstrous creatures Wishlings refer to as Kaijin. The story tells how she led a contingent of 13 knights that cut straight through the Forbodenwoad as if possessed by Ire herself in order to reach Origin. Upon reaching the site she was able to achieve enlightenment and was gifted a vision from Ire instructing her what direction the Wishling people should take in the world and how they should live. Wishling’s echo this journey in the ritual of “In Ambitus Sojourn”.
The In Ambitus Sojourn is a Wishling coming of age ritual. Wishlings journey into the Forbodenwoad in search of the place known as Origin to receive a vision from their gods; Puck, Ire, Stalk and Wry. To incur the Awakening the sojourner seeks a substance known as Forbidden Amber within the Forbodenwoad, that upon ingestion forces the inner power within themselves to awaken and reveal what their purpose in the world should be. The journey is a personal one and much of the details of what happens while experiencing the Awakening are rarely shared with anyone, even between life partners.
Not everyone is granted the clarity of purpose that they seek when partaking of the Forbidden Amber, and due to the dangers of the Kaijin living within, many don’t reach Origin alive. The journey itself and the ability to survive for as long as it takes to reach Origin is as much a part of the ritual as the vision. Those who return without clear understanding often leave Harshhorne in search of purpose elsewhere. Some remain dedicating their lives in service as knights to protect the kingdom. While some are said to have stayed in the Forbodenwoad hoping they will eventually receive or understand their calling.
In the early weeks of the Spring of 1024, the Volcano of Harshorne went quiet for the first time in living memory. As eyes turned to the volcano from miles away, monstrous Kaijin could be seen cresting the lip of the caldera, a horde hundreds strong, spilling down the sides of the volcano in every direction. Towards the center of the horde, atop a titanic obsidian, rode a monstrous fae-like commander. Sporting chitinous horns, and arms as thick as timbers, the fae-thing goaded his mount with chains of black metal, forcing the obsidian down the mountainside.
As the volcano was abandoned by the horde to raid its way across the kingdom, it exploded to life once more. Amidst a cloud of ash and dripping lava, the dragon Tiragi, the Molten Watcher, crested the lip of the volcano. Taking only a moment to survey the countryside, she launched herself high into the ash cloud above. In the following days, she is seen often taking the fight to the Kaijin, hunting large knots of the monsters, and aiding the wishlings in battle when the two groups meet.
The Kaijin horde moves across Harshorne, raiding and killing as it goes. The warriors and engineers of Harshorne scramble to deal with so many concentrated Kaijin, but have begun to successfully pick off stragglers from the main horde. Meanwhile, the Forbodenwoad has become a true deathtrap, and no one has returned from its borders in weeks. Reports are showing that an increasing number of Wishlings are going missing, and it is unclear if the disappearances are due to to Kaijin attacks… or something more sinister.
9/1024 - The Kaijin Horde pushes its way haphazardly across the countryside of Harshhorne. It seems to have little rhyme or reason, except for the fae-creature who leads it. Coming to be called the “Shepherd of Fangs” by the local wishlings, the obsidion riding fae-thing seems to be directing its horde towards enemy forces that it can locate, while avoiding anything larger than small settlements. It has not led the horde towards the capital yet, pleasing itself by fighting open field battles against those foolish enough to stand and fight, and sacking smaller villages when no other prey is found. Many wishlings are confused by this behavior, as the horde of kaijin is large enough to lay siege to the capital, and to overwhelm the defense of several towns that the horde has simply traveled around. The Dragon Tiragi has appeared numerous times to attack the outskirts of the kaijin horde, immolating stragglers, or burning the wings from flying horrors only to watch them plummet to the earth below.
The forces of Harshone have been working tirelessly to defend their homes, as kaijin who break off the horde to attack settlements or caravans. Many within the Harshone leadership are ready to fight, even though such a horde seems all but impossible to defeat in open battle, while others are burying themselves in their innovations, developing new weapons and traps, anything to give them the advantage that Harshhorne desperately needs. Still others have been attempting to coral stray Kaijin, trapping them for study, to see while so many are under the control of a being such as the Shepherd of Fangs. Many among this group's leaders believe that with luck, the secret of this control may be discovered, and used against the enemy in an attempt to reverse the Shepherd of Fang's advantage.
The future remains uncertain, and there is little for the people of Harshhorne to do but prepare for the day the Shepherd of Fangs leads his flock to the full slaughter.

Cultural Dress
Due to their close alliance with roving Djinn merchants of Boreal-Lurin Bazaar and with Il Paraonde the city has become heavily influenced by those cultures mixing the more regal qualities of both while still sticking to their own ritualistic culture. Their city is wealthier than most from all the trading of exotic goods they acquire from slaying monsters and as such most dress in simple regal black and gold clothing clad with decorative leather pieces. Those who are monster hunters stick to the more traditional culture and decorate themselves in the trophies of their monstrous prey while trying to adapt to the ever-changing influence of the world around them.

Kingdom Skills
Jury-rigged: Once per day, after RPing on a sundered weapon or shield for 5 seconds, the target object is treated as being repaired until the end of the combat, at which point it becomes sundered as normal.