Hodege

== Hodege ==
Hodege, officially the Kingdom of Hodege, is a country in Southern Cathelet. It spans from the Gulf of Hodege in the north to the Great Cathelet Forest and Cakthlan Mountains in the south and southwest respectively, with the exclave of n'Egehug to it's far south. As of 22 January 2025, it is bordered by Aerikas to the west, Varaxis to the south and Tanderium to the east. The territory is characterised by it's oceanic and temperate climates and varied landscape, with the coastal plain in the north, to the rolling hills in the central part and vast forests in the south. The exclave of n'Egehug comprises steep hills and is home to many lush caves. Hodege has a population of approximately 1.5 million. The predominant religion is Ponnoil, while Hoddish is the official language. The capital and largest city is Meummade; other major cities include Noodraad and Ganadigedã.
The region of modern day Hodege has been inhabited since prehistory by various Lowland Human tribes and kingdoms, the most powerful of them being the Naasð and Tökli Kingdoms. Hodege is derived from an exonym, which referred to the humans living there before the various Satyr Conquests. After Landasg Invasion, the first Hoddish nation was founded. Shortly after, more invasions followed, with Satyrs intermarrying with Humans and establishing more kingdoms and duchies, which led to an era known as Age of Warlike Kingdoms. In the year 344 TaD Unification of Hods began under the reign of Hosðĩ the Great, whom unified the nation under the House of OmiudEunód.
=== Toponymy ===
The name "Hodege" is derived from the Old Caht name Hotega, which means "the land of the Hots". The term "Hot" in Old Caht also serves as its word for "swirl", for the human hots were named such due to the swirls which featured prominently in their symbolism. The Hots were one of the human groups that had lived in Cathelet, in Cathramis, who were conquered or displaced by Cathelet's satyrs. The earliest recorded use of the term, as "Hot na ega", is in a letter, from Edsmõ to his friends in Cakhtlan. The term was then used to mean "the Hots who inhabit the land", and it included land in what is now Lutian but was then still inhabited by the lowland humans, later to become the Hoddish kingdom of Hodvol.
=== History ===
==== Early History ====
Before Hodege, the land had been inhabited by many clans of culturally similar lowland humans. They occasionally fought amongst eachother over land and resources, amongst other things.
===== Hoseunvã's Invasion =====
Typically, the beginning of the Hoddish conquering of the humans is said to have begun with Landasg the First. However, a few decades before Landasg had begun the Hoddish conquest, a cakht woman, named Hoseunvã, and her personal army had attempted to conquer the human clans, to no avail.
However, her invasion had thoroughly shaken the balance of power amongst the humans and had led to decades of warfare amongst them. This weakened the human clans rather significantly.
===== The motives of the first Hod =====
Landasg was born in 61 ToL, in Cakhtlan ,736 years before the server's start, to an influential family. Her parents, rather selfish and uncaring in their nature, didn't treat the young girl very well. They would give her the bare minimum that was required to survive whilst they treated themselves to a lavish lifestyle. Throughout Landasg's youth, she grew to loathe her parents, particularly her father, who had encouraged her mother to follow his lead, championing the neglect. 
Landasg grew greedy, desiring what her parents had refused to give her and leagues more.
In 38 ToL, 713 years before the server start, times were tough and plague swept over the land. Crops failed and, for lots, life had grown languid. Landasg had heard of the humans' constant warfare amongst themselves, which had led to them all growing weary and weak, and decided to act upon it. She used the woes of the mountains and the promises of the relatively lovely lowlands to convince many to join her in her conquest of some of it.
===== The origin of Glerv the Glutton =====
Glerv's family was a military one, spanning back a fair few generations. His grandfather, born in 130 ToL, fought for Cakhtlan in the Ertcof incursion. His father, however, born in 99 ToL, lived in a time of great peace. Despite this, he practiced swordsmanship and the art of battle rather thoroughly, both frustrated at the lack of war, and determined to continue his father's legacy. This man eventually had a son, who he would name Glerv.
Born in 76 ToL, Glerv was always known to have a large appetite. When he was but a baby, his mother couldn't keep up with his incredible demands for milk. As a child, he would eat vast quantities, to the dismay of both his parents, who were often left with little for themselves. His nutritional needs were only greatened by the rigorous training that he endured from his father, keen to continue his own father's legacy.
In 51 ToL, King Teikhal I of Cakhtlan was travelling between towns. The time had come for lunch, so he had his men bring out his own from their carts. Glerv, who had been travelling to meet his society of food-lovers, stumbled upon the king's tents and soon found the kitchen tent. Not being one to suppress his desires, Glerv began to happily eat the king's lunch without a moment's consideration.
The head chef eventually returned to the tent, only to find Glerv sitting in a corner, barely able to eat any more. Exasperated, the chef brought Glerv to the king, his mouth still full and food dribbling down his chin. Teikhal, amused at the sight of the fellow, enquired about his name. Glerv AumHosðĩ, he told the king, for that was his name. After a little more questioning, Teikhal had realised that Glerv was the son of the Hosðĩ he knew, Hosðĩ AumHosðĩ, whose father had fought gallantly. Thus, enjoying Glerv's character, Teikhal hired him as a guard.
Years later, in 31 ToL, a large royal feast was being held at the palace. Glerv, who had risen through the ranks in his years of service, was reluctantly invited to have a seat at the feast. Reluctantly, for Teikhal had died and the less amiable Abous had inherited his throne. Abous wasn't particularly fond of Glerv, and his patience ran out after he was informed that Glerv had eaten much of the feast before it had even left the kitchen. A few nobles managed to talk Glerv out of being imprisoned and executed, but he was to be exiled from the mountains altogether.
Seven years earlier, the Hoddish migratory period had begun with Landasg's invasion of the lowland humans. Tales of the land's comparative riches had reached Cakhtlan, and it had captured the imaginations of many Cakhts, some even being daring enough to conquer lands for themselves. Glerv saw an opportunity here. He called a secret gathering of his society of food-lovers, of which consisted of a fair few powerful people. He proposed that they offer some of their men to him, so that he may conquer some of the human lands and provide them with resources, including the exotic recipes that existed down the mountains. The members of the society were hesitant to agree. However, once the first had tossed their hat into the ring, others soon followed. He even managed to get the support of the society's head.
Thus, with a fairly strong force, he marched down the mountains and into the land of the humans.
==== The age of the warlike kingdoms ====
==== The unification of the Hods ====
==== The reign of Laiu the Lasting ====
=== Culture ===
==== Beliefs and Spirituality ====
===== The Being Vine =====
Some of the earliest knowledge about Hoddish beliefs stems from the tale of the Herddad - The Being Vine. The being vine grows from an unknown place in the world, wrapping around the world itself. Throughout a being's life, a corresponding offshoot grows from the vine, increasing is size and length as the being's remaining lifetime shortens, growing bulbs at their farthest extent. Once a being dies, a bright flower blooms from their offshoot. These flowers can be seen in the night sky.
===== Folklore and Mythology =====
An important aspect of Hoddish mythology stems from human beliefs, often containing animalistic symbolism of some sort, incorporated into the Hoddish culture that departed from the cakht culture nigh a millenium ago.
====== The Swirl ======
Depictions of swirls find themselves common in Hoddish mythology and symbolism. They typically represent the life of an individual in that all life begins with birth, at the outer end of the swirl, and ends with death, at the inner end of the swirl. Each individual's swirl may differ slightly, however, each shares these two traits with every other.
====== The Snow Leopard ======
Hodege's snow leopard is one of, if not Hodege's most known symbol, being present on the country's flag and its ruling house's heraldic achievement. The white leopard itself represents strength and cunning; the swirls ever so present upon it represents life itself - in particular, the lives of the sovereign, their spouse, and the hibogs. However, it is unknown if that meaning was held by the swirls when the leopard first came into use. The swirls also allude to the Hoddish superstition that the future may be seen in the spots of a leopard.
====== The Boar ======
Another aspect of the animalistic symbolism can be observed in the ancestral boar helmets that clans of humans used to wear prior to the conquest and establishment of Hodege. With time, the boar mask, alongside the animal, came to gain an association with death. As a result, boar masks are used by executioners to enact the final punishment upon criminals.
====== The Colour White ======
The colour white is often associated with death in Hoddish tales and symbolism. This is due to the relative paleness of the dead.
====== Tropvigs ======
A Tropvig is a sort of spirit that typically resides in a specific area. They may be helpful or they may be mischievous. There is no telling without somebody interacting with the tropvig beforehand. They seem to represent a volatile force of nature, capable of unknown strength and ability, with a strong territorial sense. In tales, they are known to bargain with people and have a uniquely developed morality, as seen in the tale of Teifebd and the Tropvigs, a classic children's tale which is part of Hodege's folklore.
====== Religion ======
The majority of the Hods follow the religion of Ponnoil, which is shared with the countries of Cakhtlan and Ertcof. Despite having a shared history, the religion does not fill the same important role in Hodege that it does in Cakhtlan, having a weaker authority over matters of state. This is due to Hodege's culture being that of a thoroughly mixed nature, between the original lowland humans and the conquering satyrs.
Under the majority religion of Ponnoil, different aspects of Sobes, the goddess of death, are the subject of most worship. However, many other gods are widely venerated.
With time, a unique worship of lesser gods of death, called Sobes' Scoundrels, emerged from the lands of Hodege and are a typically Hoddish aspect of the religion. The belief in and worship of these gods gives an insight into the way in which the Hods conceptualise aspects of death, the scoundrels representing specific scenarios of death juxtaposed with a lighthearted or humorous representation of the gods themselves.
===== Philosophy =====
====== Death ======
One major thought current throughout Hoddish history has been the philosophy of the spiral, or rather that of the nature of life. Hods put a strong emphasis on living a fulfilling life, be it through religious practice, achievements, or a combination of various other such concepts, varying throughout the ages. Due to this, the dichotomy between life and death manifests differently, when compared to other cultures. The worship of death is somewhat prevalent in Hoddish culture, but that does not come in opposition to life. Rather, it is a reminder that life is finite and that one must do their best to live it to its fullest, or rather live it with as much accomplishment as they can.
====== Leadership ======
Hoddish culture sports a matriarchal view of leadership and administration, as women have historically occupied such positions and were deemed more fitting for the roles. A man's position was often believed to be that of a protector of their families and communities, whilst women led both the household and finance. Although these roles are not strictly imposed, there still exists a strong support for this hierarchy.
==== Fashion and arts ====
===== Standard clothing =====
The clothing of Hodege reflects a colourful mix of practicality and adornment, with many elements stemming from the marriage of cakht and human culture.
The Hods' clothing is, at times, separated by gender. However, they do share a great amount of similarity. Bright colours and patterns contrasted with simpler elements provide the characteristic Hoddish fashion.
====== Male Clothing ======
Male clothing typically features white undergarments and skirts, accompanied with robes and vests of various colours, embroidered with complex traditional patterns. At times, elements of armour are incorporated into regular clothing. Caps, cloaks, and other long robes are not uncommon. However, their use depends on ceremonial value or weather conditions.
====== Female Clothing ======
Female clothing is characterised by dresses, gowns, and pantaloons of various fabrics, contrasted with bright coloured vests, robes, shawls, and scarves. Headwear is rather varied, spanning from ornate intricate jewelled nets and sculptural pieces to simple veils and caps.
====== Hairstyles ======
Braids are an important visual element of Hoddish grooming culture. It originates from an old system of communication through knots. In modern Hodege, it is only used to record mathematical equations and formulae. However, it used to be used in all manners of writing, and in hair to display phrases of natures both uplifting and spiritual. Braids have since been adopted by nobility and commoners alike as a way to enhance their physical appeal, having an association with culture, being well-read, and intelligence, due to the old use of knots.
===== Military =====
==== Customs and Traditions ====
===== Names =====
Forenames:
In Hodege, names can come from a variety of places, and are typically Hoddish or Human in origin. A foreigner who may decide to live the rest of their life in Hodege can expect the locals to Hodify their name to varying degrees. First names can come from virtues, from objects, from animals, or even a mix of those. 
Common Hoddish names
Surnames:
Typically, in Hodege, surnames are matronymic in nature, describing one's relation to their mother. However, in the same vein, patronymic surnames aren't too uncommon. The way in which these work is that a prefix, describing the person's relation, is added before their mother's or father's name. Bas = Daughter of Aum = Son of Omiud = descendant of E.g. BasRaiðe, for Raiðe's daughter, or AumLandasg, for Landasg's son Omiud is more likely to be used to nobility or those who may wish to trace their lineage back to somebody in specific. E.g. Hodege's ruling house is OmiudEunód, who claim their legitimacy through being descendants of Eunód the Proud. The second way in which surnames are typically made are through descriptive words. For example, somebody may have the surname "moglougõ", meaning birdhead, if their face/head were to be though to resemble a bird somehow. It could even be something as simple as "ge", meaning small.
===== Life and leisure =====
=== Geography ===
=== Politics ===