Khajian Islands
The north tied island of Doth Moria was once ruled over by a single family who had secluded themselves away from the rest of the warring nations on the continent. In time, three siblings were born to the royal family who fought over the rightful claim to the throne, ultimately leaving the Empress Inisha to divide the Empire into three so that all her children could rule.
Xiovhan
An entirely seabound nation, the archipelago of Xiovhan has been noted to have some of the greatest sailors in the world, even far surpassing those of Coast Haven. The empire is made up of several islands, with the northernmost hosting the seat of power in the city of Yineva. Much of the empire thrives off the massive trade networks that have been negotiated over the years, but the empire also boasts a unique commodity in their deepsea initrium mining operations.Yineva
The capital city of Xiovhan. It is here where Emperor Zenichi Nhayama rules with his advisory council from all the other islands. It is the northernmost island of the empire. It is here that the center for training in the particular shamanic pact is taught that allows the people to contribute to the mining operations.Rin Zhei
Rin Zhei is the foremost provider of food production, providing roughly 70% of the empire’s entire food supply. Even after, they still sell roughly 40% of the fish caught at sea.Xhiza
Southernmost of the island cities, Xhiza is the primary port for export trading, specifically because of its secured location inset from the ocean. The central hub for the deepsea mining operations also began out of here, as the richest caverns exist just south of the island.Del Khiiri
Del Khiiri is almost a stark opposite of Xiovhan, in that they have very little trade with outside nations, and primarily do much of their dealings with their island counterparts and other nations on Doth Moria. They do not rely on outside trade as much as they remain fairly self-sufficient. They are filled with fertile lands, and have built most of their homes from their enormous forests. The Gol Rodei Temple is the centerpiece of the empire, having been grown by eclesiastic druids and shaman as a show of their connection to the land around them.Tai Fang
The largest city in all of Del Khiiri, sitting on the northern coast of the continent, Tai Fang is the hub of all culture in the empire. Many across the empire travel here for education, adventure, and to enrich their own lives.Gol Rodei Temple
The Gol Rodei Temple is the seat of power within the empire. The temple, a work of art that was grown from the surrounding forest into a massive structure, sits at the center of a city hidden among the wilds. Here, many citizens are commonly druidic or shamanic practitioners who make a living tending to the temple and royal family.Zhograzin
Often thought to be only a cold and cruel place of evil, Zhograzin has more to it than commonly thought. The empire spans the eastern side of landmass from the northern reaches of frozen peninsula where the village of Zharreg Vahs reside, all the way south to the capital city of Yoze Shai which controls the passage across the isthmus into mainland Doth Moria. Zhograzin is by far the largest empire among the three, but also unfortunately the weakest in resource production. The tundra provides little for crop growth, and the southern lands are an unfortunate barrens. However, the empire has the strongest mercenary army and trades in soldiers for resources.Zharreg Vahs
A desolate tundra city in the furthest reaches beyond the mountains of the continent, Zharreg Vahs is an unforgiving landscape. The city is central to the religious practices of Zhograzin, and thus many of the inhabitants are undead, and give little care to the harsh climate.Vol Kor
Vol Kor gives way for a large amount of the sea trade into the empire. Soldiers are shipped out to the highest bidders and goods are brought in to be transported either north or south.Yoze Shai
Yoze Shai is the capital of the empire and the foremost training ground for the military forces of Zhograzin. A mixed clash of life and undeath, the city is almost constantly moving and operating. One could describe Yoze Shai as a finely oiled wheel spinning eternally.Culture
The three empires operate independently of each other, and while there is some animosity between Del Khiiri and Zhograzin, it is foremost due to land disputes. No one can really say which started first, but it goes back and forth arguing that Del Khiiri wants more land from Zhograzin and Zhograzin wants the fertile lands of Del Khiiri. Xiovhan stays more or less out of this conflict, but has been known to side with their closer neighbors when pressured for support from either. Though there are fights, no open war has formally been declared by any towards another. However, Zhograzin has been rumored to have sold mercenary companies to their counterparts in times of need against outside nations alongside the highest bidders. The people of all three empires share a deep respect for those outside their homes, believing the diversity of the known world as something to be celebrated and integrated as a way of improving their own cultures. By better knowing their potential trade partners, the better deals they can create. Arguably, the people of Del Khiiri are among the most hospitable of those in the known world, second only to the halflings of Palmydia. Emperor Toanu Nhayoni, himself, often holds his dinners as open invitation for those who wish. His public dinner has become a commonplace activity, and there are many who follow in his stead. While the uninformed would cite Zhograzin as a vile place, the people who live there would suggest anything but. The rumor that it is ruled by an undead Empress is actually true. Empress Bolormaa Nhayira, was ceremoniously crowned and ritually mummified in 1184 when she ascended to the throne. She alone is not the only undead within the empire. Necromantic practices to keep the nation thriving are commonplace. Xiovhan, while maintained by an emperor, is ruled more accurately by representatives from each island who answer directly to the emperor. Each island is almost like its own unique culture simply because of how often they interact with others and all the parts of those other nations they return home with.Holidays
Diyfan, the First Voyage
Sailing and fishing are a deeply ingrained part of life in Xiovhan and so from an early age, many children are taught to be expert sailors. It became a right of passage into adulthood when someone embarked on their first trip out to sea leading their own expedition, fishing route, or mining run. This step into adulthood is also often accompanied by the person being gifted their own boat with a personal emblem to signify who they are and where they came from while out at sea.Nedehkin, Festival of Life
Every February, in the city of Tai Fang, the people host a massive festival celebrating the coming ending of winter in a grand display of cultural togetherness. Because of the diverse nature of the city, the people are encouraged to share in different aspects of where they come from, cultural traditions, and familial traditions. Traders from around the world who regularly trade with Del Khiiri bring gifts and pieces of their own homes to share in the revelry. Huge bonfires are set up in public squares and the celebration can last up to weeks.Dah Khisohk, Moon of Ascension
For the people of Zhograzin, a tradition began when the first ruler of the empire performed the ritualistic mummification upon ascension to the throne. Every year during the second full moon after the spring equinox, the people celebrate the ascension of the current emperor or empress. This is also the time in which all people who make the transition from life to undeath are brought back, as a way to signify unity with their ruler, and believed to make their revival that much more powerful.Religious Beliefs
Most people of the Del Khiiri and Xiovhan empires do not hold traditional religious beliefs in the sense of a formalized church dedicated with hierarchical clergy. Rather, much of their religious practices are focused more on themselves and self-elevation much in the way that Visigalis teaches. The more devout religious practitioners appear in the form of druids and shaman who dedicate themselves to aspects of the whole, like facets of a diamond. Some have begun to more formally convert to the direct worship of Visigalis, but it is still a rare sight. In Zhograzin, the religious practices are similar, but lean towards exploration of the more negatively viewed aspects, and thus hexers and necromancers are viewed as the religious leadership. Undeath is not treated as an abominable act, but rather as a step closer to their faith. And so for most, the luxury of being granted that right comes far and few between, only given to the most devout.Political Relations
Xiovhan trades more with Amon'Zad and Kormyre than they do with any other nation, and completely avoids dealings with Coast Haven. When the animosity between the triumvirate empires and Coast Haven is spoken of, it is primarily between them and the Empire of Xiovhan. Their ties with Del Khiiri are fairly strong, and those with Zhograzin more tenuous. Because of Zhograzin’s relations with Evernight, the other empires are hesitant to trust them too much. However, because of their powerful mercenary army, the relations between the three are not completely closed off. Del Khiiri has the widest range of political relations, doing their best to ensure a good tie with every nation they can. Though not powerful militaristically, they have secured enough allies and agreements with those allies that many will offer aid in their times of strife. The empire is very keen to establish equal share relationships with others. Zhograzin, on the other hand, isn’t well off in terms of their standings with many. Though they boast strength, few actually regard the nation as an ally and the Empress’ attitude towards others does little to rectify this.Notable Figures
Empress Bolormaa Nhayira
The current residing empress of Zhrograzin. Like every ruler before her, upon her ascension to the throne, she was ritually mummified. Empress Nhayira has been quite the successful ruler for her time, winning the favor of her people. She has been described as elegant yet fierce, and compassionate but absolute. She has remained unwavering in Obsidia’s attempts to seize power through political marriage, citing she needs no one beside her to hinder her rule. In recent history, she suffered a devastating loss with the unfortunate execution of her son for his own misdeeds.Emperor Zenichi Nhayama
Ruling Xiovhan since 1165, Emperor Nhayama is the oldest of the current ruling authorities in the three empires at the age of 63 years old. His reign began at the young age of 9 due to the unfortunate loss of the previous rulers in a tragedy at sea. His most valued contribution to the empire was his push to unite the archipelago by elevating leaders from each island to a council of advisors by his side. Since then, the empire has vastly improved its internetworked trade and relations. Though brilliant in his political work, he has been seen as frivolous with money.Emperor Toanu Nhayoni
Emperor Nhayoni of Del Khiiri came to power amid an unfortunate circumstance in 1190. His elder brother, the emperor before him, had been ruler during a sweeping famine for the last five years of his reign. It was Emperor Nhayoni who discovered that the former emperor had been consorting with the elemental forces of a corrupted power who sought to destroy the holy temple. Emperor Nhayoni thwarted this ploy, and as punishment alongside execution, the name of his brother was stricken from any record held within the empire. Since then, Emperor Nhayoni’s rule has been one of charity, ensuring his people would never face such calamity so long as he reigns.Former Empress Inisha Nhayimi
Empress of what was once the Empire of Khajia. She was the last ruler of what was considered a nation to be feared. In her time serving, she gave birth to a set of triplets. Her rule was always said to be fair, but stern, and when time came for her to give up her rule to the next successor, her children fought over who should be the rightful heir. The empress, unwilling to watch her children fight, divided the empire in three sections, ensuring each had a pivotal piece of what made her empire so strong. With each holding an important role, the triumvirate empires would have no cause to fight, lest the whole of their civilization fall.Folklore
The Well of Yaazral
Long ago, in the earliest days of Khajia, there was a young shaman who spent many of his days sitting beneath a great tree, where he would study about the laws of the world and how it came to be. His interest delved deep into the inner workings of the supernatural and brought him to learn more about the Abyss and how it came to be. The shaman was so eager to learn that he ignored warnings against what could happen to him if he delved too deeply. The shaman cast a summoning, calling to the forces who dwelled within the Abyss so that he could learn more. Out from the gate emerged several beings of chaotic and elemental powers. The pale demon with red hair stood as the leader of the four and offered him knowledge if he would only aid them in seeing more of his world. The shaman saw little to worry, but his ambition blinded him to the dealings of these beings. Little by little they showed him more of the abyss and the powers contained within, and his ties to the elements soon shifted from the ordered nature of the world he lived in to the twisted chaotic elements of the abyss. In time, these corrupted elemental powers twisted him into an anathema, a creature who sought to consume the elemental energy of the natural world around him, causing devastation wherever he went. The people feared the creature they came to know as Yaazral. Many great heroes battled the creature, only to finally defeat it, poetically, by the great tree where he once summoned the demons who doomed him. It was by that tree that he was buried far into the ground, where he could never rise from. After his defeat, the druids and shaman of the empire collected to place a ward above the grave. In doing so, the trees and elemental forces grew and shifted into a great temple, forever to serve as a tomb and prison for the creature who was almost the cause of their destruction.
Demonym
Khajian
Government System
Oligarchy
Power Structure
Confederation
Economic System
Barter system
Related Myths
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