Ochi O'hka
The "Territory of Plentiful Emptiness"
Ochi O'hka is the central region state of The Inbound Lands. It is bordered by Ochi Ihkisoce to the north, Ochi Wa'shkan to the east, Ochi Ohkanska to the south, and Ochi Oxta to the west.
This article is a Work in Progress. Please stay tuned for future updates (after Summercamp judging is over!).
Assets
It is said with derision by outsiders that there is little of value within The Dust, save for the land itself. This, however, is not entirely true: the territory holds the spiritual center of O-pazo, The City of The Fingers, as well as the intricate underground rivers of The Left Fork. Here, too, are ancient ruins: the massive earthenworks of Xowi' Canyon, the oilfields of Weli Ni'ni, and the gigantic rusting hulk of The Dust Galleon at Hpahin'ska are easily the most impressive and well-known, but the region as a whole is dotted with ruins, buried and revealed the desert winds, and whose hidden locations are diligently passed down by the native Wamonthinkeh who scavenge their corridors.
History
Ochi O'hka is one of the oldest Ni'kashiga territories, second only to Ochi Hoh , and on par historically with Ochi Maninhka and Ochi Oxta. As the Caravans were one of the first methods of Ni'kashiga exploration, it was these trade routes that established the early nation's economic and diplomatic power. The inhospitable environment was a saving grace to the Ni'kashiga against the U'zuo'zuhaa Beanfolk, who couldn't survive in the harsh conditions.
Though relatively unchanged throughout the years, Ochi O'hka is also considered one of the most stable regions (with the exception of the events at O-pazo), mostly because of its low population: the few individuals who live there have established a sort of general peace with each other and the Caravans, in order to survive in the larger desert. If anything, the recent interest in the Xowi' Canyon ruins is the most controversial event to happen to the area in decades, and, as most would knowingly shake their heads to say, is entirely because of nonnative outsiders.
Demography and Population
Ochi O'hka is not quite the least populated region (an honor that goes to Ochi Oxta, but settlements are spread far and thin, usually clustered around the rare sources of water. The largest population centers are the Caravan Capital at The Dust Galleon and the massive area of O-pa'zo, which serves as a starting or a midway point for many of the Caravan routes. Other major settlements include the various cliff cities near Apakake and Hisatsinom, and the areas of Uintah and Wind River.
Military
Ochi O'hka boasts one of the largest deployments of Rangers, though they are mostly located in The City of The Fingers to the east, and along the more untamed areas of the western border. Ranger training in the Empty Quarter is considered one of the most challenging and rigorous environments, and a series of successful credentials from the Desert School is a ticket to nearly any position in the service.
As part of this training, Rangers sometimes, but not always, accompany smaller Caravans. However, often this assistance is dismissed outright or ignored if accepted; many of the Wamonthinkeh pride themselves on their self-sufficiency, independence, and survival skill, as these traits are vital to survival in the Empty Quarter.
Because of these skills, in seeking a new career, many Wamonthinkeh apply and are accepted to the Rangers, passing through additional desert and temperate credentials with ease. Native Wamonthinkeh have historically provided the highest number of members of the Tota'ng, the elite scouting division of Special Services, though this balance has shifted over time as the nation has expanded.
For their independence and skill, native Wamonthinkeh are also some of the most recruited individuals for the Satta Kkaxe, though cultural differences sometimes cause grounds for early release.
Mythology & Lore
Symbolic Associations
Color
Ochi O'hka is trued to the color Wahusa, or Bone. The connection is to the sunbleached bones often unearthed by wind and sun, and to the dunes - the broken bones of the continent, spread among the wind - but also to the ruins often revealed by the wind, which are said to be the bones of dead gods, returning their marrow to the earth and to those who must suck the marrow for sustenance. In this way, the Ni'kashiga acknowledge both the ancient history of the place, as well as their own ability to be sustained and to thrive in what most would consider to be a dead environment.Birdfolk Direction
Because of its location to Man^ce^nonbe, the central region is associated with the direction Bird (also known as "Bone" or "Beak"), which represents the spiritual aspect of physical health and lifeforce. As a "Trued" Direction, Bone represents not only the physical bone of a body, but the ideas of self-support and dependency, vitality, the stages of lifespan, the passage of time, and the acceptance of death as part of a greater cycle. It harkens back to The Creation Myth of Ni'kashiga Birdfolk, which describes the Old Gods stripping their bones for the betterment of the future. For the Ni'kashiga, to find a bone is to understand ones own lifeforce in the context of a greater cycle, and to bring the wisdom of the past into the present of a lived life.Sigils of Note
Ochi Maninhka is represented most by the Wahusa crest of Bone, but is also tied to imagery of dunes, cloth, footprints, the round nubs of cactus, hare, vulture, sidewinder, and scorpion."Long before, long after."
Founding Date
Officially, the borders of Ochi Maninhka were announced with Unification in 0 ak.
Type
Geopolitical, Province
Capital
Alternative Names
The Bone Region, The Empty Quarter, The Dust, The Caravans
Demonym
Citizens of Ochi O'hka (particularly in the Caravans) are sometimes called the Wamonthinkeh, or "those scattered on an errand."
Currency
Dominations of Manzeska (coin) / Bthoga (dollar) are officially recognized in The Greater Inbound Lands. However, The Dust also accepts Onkakaska, or the elaborate system of knotwork cords used to track inventory and credit among Caravans, and regularly employs methods of barter from the more scattered folk settlements.
Legislative Body
Ochi O'hka is governed by representatives from the dominant Flocks, and - because of its history as trade grounds - by advocates from the Caravans: all Caravans of a size to receive permit, are allowed to send missive or representative to the headquarters at Hpahin'ska, in order to speak for their interests and observations. Of these, Ochi O'hka provides representatives to the Flock Council, to speak for the region in the national dialogues at the Citadel.
Controlled Territories
Neighboring Nations
Manufactured Items
Related Items
Related Ethnicities
Comments