Ningen

Proud and stalwart, the Ningen are. A descendant race of the Gargantuans. They inhabit the forests below the Mountain Range of Misurayama. They are survivors from a shattered Kingdom from days past, living in a small village. They face extinction, but with the protection of the Sunlight, and the power of Lightning.

## Culture

Honest workers and Iron-willed survivors, the Ningen survive in the cruel lands of Khaiteia despite how unlikely such is. They are wary of others, but are quick to accept assistance from others. They believe that all races are created under Asteros' gaze to have at least a slight sense of Unity. Unity gives them power and boosts their Morale.

Some Ningen customs are their form of work and usage of freetime. They are hard workers, who always give their best at delivering the product they are asked for. This is visible through both the average civilian, the hardworking blacksmiths and the Military trainees who are never hesitant at giving their best and striving to become the best.

Ningen spend their free-time through literature. It is normal for them to read or even write as a form of emotional venting or pure time-killing. One says that a cup of fine tea along with the words in a book creates the waves of relaxation that a person needs after a long, difficult day.

### Religion

The Ningen follow the Light of Asteros, the belief in Unity and peacekeeping. They display their beliefs mostly through Religious Practice within the Temple and their shrines that can be found throughout the village. The Light is told to protect all those who accept Unity as their main power, and give them strength. Before the Tekami Raids, the Ningen used to have Sun-Warriors instead of the Inamurai, who were the Dutiful Protectors of the Ningen Race, powerful warriors who were unstoppable once United. These Ranks are now soon to be extinct, with Asahi being the last one standing despite his old age.

Ningen spend a lot of time praying as to not let the hold of Unity waver. It takes lots of trust in others in order to keep this Power in reach. Those who believe in it greatly are given Truesight, which is the ability to see all that which is True, and to perceive through the Falsehoods and Masked Possibilities of Kouvia. It is custom for Ningen to give offerings to the Shrines as a form of respect to those who had passed on or to the Belief as a whole.

It is believed that all under the same ranking should be treated equally in the name of Unity. Authority is one thing, but they do not believe in belittling someone based on their ranking, especially if they are under the same rank. Ningen lack trust for outside Races, but their minds are often quickly changed.

### Leadership

The Ningen are lead by a Roju, Shogun and Shikyo. The Roju is the almighty Leader above all the Ningen. The Roju tends to be the first-born son of the previous Roju, but if the previous one had no sons by the time of his death, the title is passed on to someone he trusted throughout his life. Although, if he did have a daughter, her first-born son is to become Roju. In the case that the previous leader's bloodline ends, the Royal Lineage is passed on to the trusted person.

The Shogun is chosen by the Roju and leads the Military efforts and recruitment. There is no lineage for the Shoguns. People can be promoted to become the next Shogun by the one previous a long time in advance. They are master strategists and spend most of their time working in the background instead of being the one to appear on the battlefield.

The Shikyo is the religious leader of the Ningen, chosen not by the Roju, the Shogun or the people. The Shikyo is usually a previous Religious Person which had been given a sign by the Light that he is the next one to enter such position. The Shikyo leads the followers of Asteros within the Temple, being the one to bless the Sun-Priestesses and Kiyoshins with their Truesight. Shikyo have the ability to be heard by the Deities in time of need.

## Lightning

An ancestral gift of Kataigida's children which had been stolen and redistributed to those who were never meant to hold such power. The Ningen received this gift from the Jetu during their early alliances. The Roju is most often blessed with this gift. One notable detail is that Ningen who possess this gift lose their naturally dark eyes, and instead they turn a light blue coloration. Due to the lack of ancestral restriction, the Ningen were observed to be the first creatures in Kouvian History, along with others, to replicate the Storm by combining Lightning and Wind. This was said to be done once again by Kataigidan Species in a place where logic does not apply.

The Gift of Lightning is bestowed upon those who are high-ranking, and the largest portion of the gift is given to the Roju, that being Arataan Maki, while he was still alive. Their power is rooted in the The Nameless Soldier.

## History

### The Sunrise

The Gargantuans of Khaiteia lived a fairly peaceful life. They had no imminent threats, except for the Molkhid inhabiting the land below them. Though, no tensions were raised, and they were allowed to thrive. So, they evolved and created a large and glistening Kingdom. Taiyo no Okuku was the name of the Kingdom, and the Ningen were born.

Through the peace, they would encounter a force. The Sunlight, it watched over them and protected them as they evolved. The Ningen adopted this power into their culture, and created a Religion around it, The Hinode. They were lead by the High Priest, who nurtured the Religion and made sure that the Ningen continue to thrive under the Sunlight.

### The Descendants of Stone

Through their Lifetime as a Kingdom, they saw potential in expanding their Kingdom, as they had no real threats or predators. One day, they would face their first perils. The Stoneborn from the Mountains above would begin to harass them. It is unsure where they came from, presuming that they were hidden beneath the rocks and hills for a much longer time than Ningen History itself.

These creatures were large, heaving beasts with a stone layer on their skin. They combatted them with siege weapons, though not standing much chance since their defenses have always been low. As they fought them for many years, they would pay attention to how they evolved during this long war.

One day, the Ningen would plan out a full force raid to drive the Stoneborn back into their burrows. The Sunlight watched over them, and they charged. With blessed weapons able to melt through stone, and siege weapons strong enough to smash through their skulls like nothing. The Stoneborn were driven back, and all that was left was their descendants to thrive in the mountains. The Ningen allowed them to survive, and retreated back into their Kingdom.

### Unity

The Children of the Mountains evolved, and one of the few were the Jetu. Though, something was peculiar about the Jetu that got out into the world first. They denied their heritage, and wished to become something new. They broke off their stone shells, and ventured out.

The Jetu arrived from Ariuvriin, with a new power on their side. They had dominion over the force of Lightning. This power was found by the Jetu, which belonged to The Nameless Soldier. Lead by the Warlord Raijin, they offered to form a pact with the Ningen. They taught the Ningen how to fortify their Kingdom and as well how to use the power of Lightning. In exchange, the Ningen give them supplies and help them rise up in power themselves.

This Unity lasted seventeen years before the Jetu began to scheme, and the leader Arataan Maki noticed their imminent betrayal.

### The Thunder

The first siege began, and the Jetu assailed the Ningen. Thankfully, they were prepared. The Jetu helped the Ningen fortify their Kingdom, therefore they knew their weaknesses and did not have much trouble boring through their defenses. These battles lasted long, as the Ningen were in a losing position every time. All they could do is prolong the war.

As they fought, the Religious people of Taiyo no Okuku vanished one day, along with the High Priest Youta Miyamoto. The Sunlight began to abandon the Kingdom, and the Jetu siege was nearing completion.

All the Ningen could do is hope and pray that a miracle would save them from this betrayal.

### The Storm

The Jetu siege nearly reached the center of their Kingdom, and Arataan awaited... But, there was nobody blasting through the gates. It became awfully silent, only for the Ningen to realize that the Jetu had retreated. Thinking it was another elaborate trick, they investigated. The ground shook as something approached, it was not their enemy, it was something else. The horror that washed over the Kingdom as the Tekami charged through their streets was immense. These creatures slaughtered not only most of the Jetu, but the Ningen as well.

As fast as it began, it ended. The war with the Jetu lasted months, and the Tekami slaughters happened in one single night. They vanished into the forests of Theou Anapnoi. Never to be heard of again.

### Respite

With their enemies slaughtered, and their own people ravaged... The Ningen retreated back into the Forests and built a village to house the survivors, named Taikyaku.

For now, they had peace. Though, it was short lived, as many new threats would begin germinating around them.