Makans

Originating from precursor tribes, the Makans were known for their great western empire. Makans excel in fighting techniques, adapting to their situation, and symbolic architecture.

Home Region: northern Island of Tongiu
Origin: Small, closely situated tribes tracing back to at least 900 BR
Presence: Steadfast, growing
Common Religions: Mako Pantheon
Real World Influence: Edo Era Japanese
5e Additions:
Magic Proficiency: Transmutation
Non-Magic Proficiency: +1 Attack Modifier

History

The Makan culture originated along the northernmost coasts of the island of Tongiu. Their origins are primarily chronicled by the Seikans as the Makans, in their early years, hadn't yet developed a written language. As a result, the dawn of Makan civilization is wrapped in a cloak of legendary tales and mystical lore.
Central to Makan belief is the awe-inspiring tale of their lead deity, Sejinojo, The Grey Lion. Legend has it that in 1200 BR, Sejinojo touched the island, imbuing it with his divine essence, and from this celestial touch, his chosen people emerged. From their earliest days, the Makans were known for their unique social structure. Even in their earliest days, the power of the assorted tribes were held in the hands of the few.
Fast forward to the 700s BR, the city of Magasako established itself as the most prominent regional powerhouse, a beacon of strength and culture. This illustrious city would later etch its name in stone as the capital of the mighty Makan Empire, a realm that would unfurl its banners in the centuries to come. However, only a handful of city-states, bastions of Makan independence, stood resilient against the tide of Seikan control and influence which came to dominate Tongiu for an age.

Rise to Power

In 98 AR, Seikan King Mue Ne of the Xixin Kingdom orchestrated a plot to assert his dominance by inviting Kodran royalty and Makan nobles to a banquet at the heart of his kingdom.  As the night drew on and the guests grew drunk and weary, he ordered his guards to mercilessly murder all the unsuspecting guests. This heinous act ignited the flames of war across Tongiu, a conflict that would engulf the entire island in its fiery grasp.
The Kodran warriors, fierce and valiant, may have garnered most of the glory from this war. However, it was the Makan people, now united under the banner of Magasako, who played a pivotal role in reshaping the destiny of Tongiu. Seizing the moment, they captured the Seikan homelands, including the cultural capital of Ganluan. The conflict reached an end at the mountain pass in Linsubin, where an alliance of Makans, Kodrans, and Steerians made an assault on the Seikan's last stand. It didn't matter than King Mue Ne, the catalyst of the conflict, had died in battle some years earlier.
As the dust of conflict settled in 145 AR, Lord Migsa Morimori ascended as the first Makan Emperor, heralding the dawn of the Makan Empire. The ensuing era was marked by a fervent zeal among the Makan people, their ambitions fueled by a succession of emperors with eyes set on expansion and glory. On the pretext of combating state-promoted piracy, the Makan Empire launched a series of aggressive campaigns over the Theordian Sea, targeting the nations of Slint and Tyros. These confrontations inadvertently united Slint and Tyros into more centralized states, further stoking the fires of Makan ambition. Over the next centuries, the Makan juggernaut continued its relentless march, conquering Slint and Tyros, along with the strategic Western gateway cities of Knoros and Cytos, and the Sinan cities dotting Barakon's west coast.
In their zenith, the Makans, consumed by a belief in their destiny to dominate all of Kronos, grandiosely declared themselves The Great Empire of the West. Ironically, managing their vast empire, especially quelling numerous rebellions, necessitated a softening of their religious fervor, leading to a gradual evolution into a more tolerant society. By 500 AR, as the Makan and Morosian Empires held sway over the majority of the continents, wars became a rarity. Makan influence and culture flourished along the western coastlines, though they found little foothold inland. To the south, in the former Sinan territories, the Makans engaged in extensive warfare with the Dresnid tribes.
The legacy of Makan culture eventually spurred the rise of diverse new states on the Hersinos subcontinent, following the decline of the Makan Empire in the 800s AR. However, the survival and influence of Makan culture now teeters precariously, vulnerable to the whims of their vengeful Slintan and Kodran adversaries.

Traditions

Reverence for architecture and animals is deeply ingrained in Makan society, with both held in a sacred light, elevating them to a status of almost divine protection. Intriguingly, the Makan aesthetic, with its nuanced designs and themes, shares a logical kinship with the motifs found in Kodran and Seikan cultures, suggesting a fascinating interplay of influences across these civilizations.
At the heart of Makan society lies their faith, an element held in the highest esteem. In their formative years, the Makans were known for their fervent religious zeal, expecting all foreign subjects within their realm to embrace the Makan pantheon. Monastic orders, initially established as grand sanctuaries for worship, dotted the Makan landscape. These monasteries, however, evolved remarkably over time. From exclusive centers of religious practice, they transformed into inclusive communal hubs, welcoming people of all creeds and identities. Within these sacred walls, a unique blend of martial arts training and spiritual teachings were imparted in equal measure, creating a harmonious balance between physical prowess and piety.
As the Makan Empire aged, a significant shift occurred within these monasteries. They began to play a pivotal role in fostering staunch loyalty to the state. The monks, once solely devoted to spiritual pursuits, became integral to the Makan military machine, excelling as light shock infantry. Their prowess and dedication were such that Makan Pantheon monks became a formidable presence in several facets of the military.
However, the saga of the Makan monasteries took a dark turn during the great collapse of the Empire in the 800s AR. These once-hallowed grounds became prime targets for the rebellious Kodran and Slintan forces. As the Empire's grip weakened, the monasteries stood as the last bastions of Makan authority, making them strategic and symbolic targets. Tragically, by 850 AR, the once-proud monastic orders were all but eradicated, their legacy a poignant reminder of the rise and fall of the Makan Empire.

Fantasy Additions

The Makan Empire utilized a great deal of Firebenders and Earthbenders, specializing in Metal-bending (in the few places it was found, primarily used a smiths) in its expansions. The Makans invaded the Kobald inhabitants of the central mountains on Tongiu several times and found a liking to exuberant gemstones. The Makan culture as a whole practiced transmutation magics extensively, to varying degrees of earthbending at home while their warrior class studied the art of firebending.

1. Yes
2. Half way
3. A spider
4. Death
5. A River