Zongol

The Zongol people, are nomads who inhabit the Zongu Steppes, the vast eastern savannah of Shavhan. They are generally considered primitive warmongers, but have intricate and highly religious cultures.

Like most Shavhani people, the Zongols are very martial in nature, and expect every member of their society to be able to defend themselves. They also have access to a powerful ancient form of shamanic magic, known as Scourge Magic. They are often at war with the Three Dynasties, their ancient enemy, but are just as likely to fight each other.

The Zongols are a nomadic people and consider those who live in cities to be weak cowards. However, they do usually control many vassal cities which produce the majority of their food, slaves, and other commodities.

Zongol tribes often meet at the sacred site of Dzonguujin.

The Zongols were integral to the fall of the Chakradei Empire in ancient times, earning them the legacy of "Scourge of Empires".

## Tribes

Many tribes have warred in the Steppes of Shavhan over its history. Coalitions of tribes are called Tribal Empires, and these great nomadic empires have risen and fallen time after time. independent tribes have very little power or territory, and are usually very primitive, but the Tribal Empires represent a real threat to the Empire of the Three Dynasties, whether through numbers, strength, or technology.

### Tribal Empires

#### Majhonqo

The Majhonqo are the oldest remaining Zongol tribe, and have spent many centuries absorbing surrounding tribes and inducting them into their way of life. Fiercely traditionalist, they believe in enforcing the will of Qoridan, the Shavhani Light God of War and Conquest, and will kill anyone who opposes that will. Though lacking in technology, the war-priests of the Majhonqo are some of the most powerful magic users in the world, and are fiercely devoted to the Light.

The Majhonqo are also the largest of the Zongol tribes, in terms of sheer numbers. They mostly roam the north of the Steppes, controlling the northern Oblasts. Their territorial growth is only really prevented by the Khaigan Desert, the An-Laos Mountains, and the Shuurga Mountains.

The Majhonqo border the Three Dynasties, in the region of Tzark, where they often attempt invasions, but are usually rebuffed by the mighty armies of Xangwu.

The Majhonqo are currently ruled by Shun Zuh, the new champion of Qoridan. Shun Zuh was bestowed the position in 20.85, after the previous champion, Tulaan Zuh, was slain by Syvaar Dain.

#### Orkhov

The Orkhov rose by profiting off the aftermath of battle. They originally rose during an event called "Kanzayong's Bloodbath", where the warlord Orkhovan was the only remaining warlord after the massacre. Orkhovan proved himself to be cunning as well as deadly, when he ordered his tribe to raid Erdannian trade ships and scavenge from fallen Skyships. This caused the Orkhov to bolster their military power with modern technology, making them a much more dangerous opponent to the advanced people of the Three Dynasties.

The Orkhov revere Kanzayong, the Shavhani Dark God of War and Destruction. They have proven themselves to be excellent tacticians consistently. They are based around the ruins of the Temple of Kanzayong, in the north-west of the Steppes. They are devoted to darkness.

#### Khovskar

The Khovskar seemed to appear out of nowhere. They gathered together tribes in the east of the steppes, having the support of Fire Dragons and Storm Dragons, and possessing the most powerful variant of Scourge Magic among the Zongol. The Khovskar worship all of dragonkind, but have particular reverence for Salvakoryn and Vaalkazur. They also believe that Shoguvhan is a traitor, and have allied themselves with several rebellious Earth dragons.

The Khovskar rule the North-East of Shavhan, their stronghold territories being the ancient heartland of the long-dead Chakradei Empire. The Khovskar have subjugated the great city of Old Tikrong, and make good use of ancient Chakrou artefacts.

### Other Tribes

#### Followers of Dain

The Followers of Dain are a Zongol tribe dedicated to Syvaar Dain, the Blood Champion, a Vampire of incredible skill and strength. They wander the world seeking great foes to defeat.

#### Tangaman

Often known as the "Painted Riders", the Tangaman tribe are malicious raiders who roam the Great Ujin Plains. They are infamous for their full-body warpaint, which they often apply to their horses as well as themselves.

## Vassal Cities

There were once many settled nations across the steppes and coastline of Shavhan, but the majority of these have been conquered and subjugated by the Zongol, and turned into vassal cities.

#### Old Tikrong

Once the heart of the great Chakradei Empire, and considered the first city in Shavhan, Old Tikrong is a vast and ancient city on the Moyit River. It is one of the largest trade hubs in the east of Shavhan, and is currently controlled by the Khovskar tribe.

Despite the destruction it suffered during the fall of the Empire, Old Tikrong still contains monumental temples and pyramid structures, many of which have been converted into habitable dwellings for the civilians, or stables and shelters for the war-beasts that the Khovskar bring into battle.

#### Banjantam

Located on the fertile Sanguun Bay on the southern coast of the Kharkorin Crescent, Banjantam was once powerful city state, but has been largely reduced to rubble due to the amount of battles that have been fought over it. It is located close to Dzonguujin, and is currently owned by the Orkhov tribe.

In the time of the Chakradei Empire, Banjantam was primarily a mausoleum, as it was supposedly the location that the first emperor, Sho'Xin, was buried. Subsequent emperors and great generals often liked to be buried near him, and so the location became a sprawl of crypts and tombs. The city built up around and on top of these tombs, but to this day the original purpose of the city can be clearly seen, in the catacomb-like streets, the eerie, vaunted halls, and the cold underground passages.

#### Tandolay

The great port city-state of Tandolay has historically been a hub of the slave trade between the Calamaran Empire and the Zongol tribes, ever since it was conquered. It is currently mostly independent, but pays vast sums in tribute to the various tribes of the Great Ujin Plains.

During the fall of the Chakradei Empire, the Zongol shamans caused half the city to fall into the sea. These flooded ruins can still be seen jutting out of the water surrounding the city, and in some places, the residents have built wooden bridges between them, reclaiming the ancient structures.

#### Songyaran

The city of Songyaran, in the Northern Wastes, was founded by settlers from the Xang vale, and was once part of the nation of Liang, until the Majhonqo took over. They twisted the city's worship of the light into something more aggressive, and indoctrinated the residents into casting aside their previous ideals.

#### Pelabuhan

A city on the far north-eastern coast of Shavhan, Pelabuhan was a port of the Chakradei Empire, and it trades heavily with Hirokir and Nothindria.

#### Kraizan

A city located on the coast between Yangain and Tandolay, a port established to foster trade relations between the Zongol tribes and the Calamaran Empire.

## Shamanic Magic

The magic of the Zong'Kitou is advanced and powerful, which is how they have kept up with their technologically advanced neighbours, but it often takes a toll on the user. Much like Hirokiri magic, Zongol magic often involves blood sacrifice.

This Shamanic magic varies from tribe to tribe, but two constant aspects are calling on the power of the land itself, and calling upon the souls of dead Zongol warriors. This latter aspect is different from standard Death Magic, and rather involves binding their souls to living warriors, or magical weapons, to grant greater strength and dark power.