Kuragma

Map of Kuragma and its annexed territory, Eriene Necros

## Common Knowledge

Kuragma is a militant, mountainous country, populated by sapient Minotaur, whose people value honor, combat prowess, and the pursuit of inner peace. Its current king is the former Binturian and Highlord of the Silver Horn, Thanatos Blood-Fist. It is a member of the recently-formed United Orelisian Council.

## Topography and Climate

Kuragma is a mountainous region, whose elevation is a good deal above average. Even its flatter lowlands, in the south and west, stand up to a hundred feet over sea level. What sparse land is not dominated by rocky outcroppings are grassy flatlands.

Kuragma’s climate is temperate.

## Population

Though it formally welcomes anyone (including Beast-Folk, Humans, Elves, and others), Kuragma’s primary population base is Minotaur (scientifically referred to as Bull-Folk).

### Kuragman Minotaur

The Minotaur of Kuragma (commonly called Kuragman Minotaur) stand approximately nine to ten feet tall when fully grown, weigh about three-hundred pounds, and have thick skin and musculature. Their strength and proclivity towards violence may also, under extreme duress or emotion, increase to inhuman levels during so-called “blood rages”.

Unlike their monstrous brethren found throughout Orelisle (who stand around twelve feet tall on average and are much heavier), Kuragman Minotaur are fully sapient and often struggle to keep their wild emotions in check.

Kuragman Minotaur reach physical maturity at 25 years of age, mental maturity at 30, and live to be around 250.

## Exports and Trades

Kuragma often exports specially-made tools or crafts in exchange for crops, livestock, other foodstuffs, or weapons and armaments.

Most Kuragmans are craftspeople or military personnel.

## Government

Kuragma is a democratic stratocracy with a ceremonial monarch. All mature citizens (that is, those older than 25 years or is currently serving their required military term) elect nine military leaders to a single ruling body, known as the Grand Council, which makes and enforces all Kuragman laws, upkeep the government, mobilize military forces, and confront major issues.

Kuragma does have a monarch, but the position is mostly cultural and ceremonial and its legal powers are few. The monarch of Kuragma serves as head of state, appointing non-elected positions, presiding over Grand Council meetings, and rallying the population in times of war. Succession is determined in two ways: first, by being named primary heir by the current monarch upon their death, resignation, or dereliction of office (this is not necessarily hereditary, but very often is); and second, by challenging the monarch’s authority in a formal battle of strength or wits, with the victor taking the throne and assuming all its duties. The latter case requires a number of traditional and religious ceremonies, sacrifices to the gods, and other rituals leading up to the contest.

## Military

### Traditional Military

Kuragma requires at least two years of service from all able-bodied citizens, though many opt to remain in the military upon completing their mandatory service. Though normally quite fearsome, Kuragma’s military suffered heavy casualties during a recent incursion conducted by Barbaric Ones. though the military still rules Kuragma, much of its footsoldiers are now supplemented by members of King Thanatos’ Silver Horn.

The Kuragman military also has an elite forces unit, known as the Primal Legion, which is still active.

### Silver Horn

A private, technically-nationless army centered on the training of Paladins (an archaic term for Radiance-wielding paragons). This organization was founded in recent years by King Thanatos Blood-Fist, and has since grown into a major Orelisian power. Though considered separate from the Kuragman state, the Silver Horn answers to Kuragman military leadership (under the guidance of Highlord Thanatos) and patrols the nation’s borders.

## Social Hierarchy and Culture

Kuragmans place a heavy importance on four values above all others: honor, wisdom, combat prowess, and inner serenity. Most of these have some origin in the mindset of the Kuragman Minotaur, but especially inner serenity, as the struggle to “defeat the beast within” is a major theme in literature, art, and philosophical discussion.

### Sigils

Kuragman social hierarchy is based on personal merit and notoriety. Notoriety leads to prestige, which in turn leads to more notoriety, ad infinitum, elevating their level in society. Prestige is measured by the acquisition of sigils - pendants, charms, necklaces, and other small relics - which symbolize a life accomplishment, heroic deed, group affiliation, and other important information. All Kuragmans are given a sigil for surviving their birth, which they are expected to carry with them on their person at all times even if it is not visible. Most Kuragmans are expected to have around twenty sigils when they die.

The most commonly-displayed sigils are a person’s birth sigil, their guild sigil, and a sigil denoting their greatest accomplishment. It is considered rude to flaunt or display too many of one’s sigils in public.

### Clan Life

Though not necessarily true of all Kuragmans, Kuragman Minotaur structure their family into two major clans (Clans Blood-Fist and Fire-Fist) and several smaller offshoot clans from decades of intrigue and disputes. Minotaur are expected to introduce themselves as “(Name) of the (Clan Name)”, to show loyalty. Each Clan has, no doubt among others, a weapon that serves as its family heirloom. This sword, axe, or what have you is called a Clan Blade, and is passed down from the head of each clan to the next head when they mature for generations.

The two most famous Clan Blades are Clan Blood-Fist’s Pathfinder (Currently owned by Thanatos Blood-Fist) and Clan Fire-Fist’s Blackout. Minotaur legend claims that when these two blades clash, the gods themselves will take pause and watch the battle.

### Guild Life

Guild membership is another important facet of Kuragman society, such as blacksmiths’ guilds and artisans’ guilds. Guild membership is a significant moment of a Kuragman’s life, marking their achievements and skill in their craft. Membership is given only to those the guildmaster (or guild masters, depending on the guild structure) deems worthy, and in some cases a trial is required. Like many other great life achievements, membership in a guild is proudly displayed as a sigil. Guild sigils are uniform throughout each individual guild (unlike the unique sigils found elsewhere) and are almost always made from precious metals or other rare materials.

### Magic

It is exceedingly rare for a Kuragman Minotaur to have magical aptitude (and cultural distinctions yield low interest in magic for other Kuragmans), and those that seem to are identified at a young age, brought before the Grand Council, and placed in the care of one of Kuragma’s Archmages. These mages-to-be serve an apprenticeship to their Archmage for thirty or more years, learning finer points of spellcraft and the production of scrolls. Upon completion of this period (as decided by their Archmage), the apprentice is themselves named an Archmage and awarded a dwelling, stipend, research materials, magical and scroll-making materials, and a sigil identifying their station.

The difficulty in finding accomplished, or even semi-accomplished mages in Kuragma has led to the widespread use and production of scrolls.

Archmages will occasionally do battle as combat thaumaturgists, enchanting troops, destroying magical defenses, and outright magical attacks.

### Religion

Kuragman religion is polytheistic, holding belief in ten deities thought to have dominion over all things and evenly bear the responsibilities of maintaining the universe. In no particular order, these deities are:

* Thanatos, god of death, sorrow, healers, inevitability, justice, conviction, and the dead;
	+ Likely the namesake for Thanatos Blood-Fist
* Tritus, god of the sea, sailing, luck, and untamed power;
* Solaris, god of the sky, the sun, birds, flight, hope, rain, and storms;
* Terras, goddess of the earth, nature, plant life, druids, agriculture, the home, the harvest, and the hunt;
* Keregax, god of intellect, battle tactics, scholars, lightning, wizards, oracles, music, law, and the arts;
* Aregax, god of war, anger, deceit, violence, bloodshed, revenge, sacrifice, and tribute;
* Vulcanos, god of the forge, creation, blacksmiths, armor, fire, cleansing, renewal, and the arts;
* Vitas, god of life, birth, destiny, and old age;
* Koraphix, god of time, horizons, change, travel, the unknown, alchemy, mystery, and the wind;
* Muse, goddess of festivals, artists, storytelling ,tradition, peace, and love
	+ Wholly disconnected from the dark elven deity of the same name

These deities may have other epithets and dominions attributed to them, and some may even overlap with others, but these are their most-frequently referenced associations. Invocation of these deities is not taken lightly, reserved only for important or significant requests as not to waste the deities’ time. One each year, each god or goddess has a festival honoring them, during which time both the state and the populace invoke the gods for blessings of large feasts, military success, birth, death, marriage, and any other number of important things.

In addition to the main ten, Kuragmans believe in the Oracle of Mt. Solon, a being atop the mountain’s highest peak who will answer one question of the utmost importance. In order to hear such an answer, a Kuragman Minotaur must ascend the mountain from its very base to the highest peak, braving the trolls, wyvern, earth elementals, and other creatures who have taken residence on the mountain. Should a Minotaur reach the peak, they will find a stone arch, surrounded on all but one side by stone statues of the gods. A chorus of ten voices will answer the first important question asked, accompanied by a blinding light. Misfortune is said to befall those who would cheat the oracle’s test, be that by flight or other trickery.

### “Barbaric Ones”

Kuragman Minotaur pride themselves very highly on their sapience, believing it to be a gift from the gods elevating them above their beastial brethren. As such, they have a deep distaste for other Minotaur, whom they view as unworthy and only capable of wanton destruction. Kuragman Minotaur will often call true Minotaur a “Barbaric One”, whom they despise above all other foes.

This title is also applied to Kuragman Minotaur who have been exiled for crimes against Kuragma or who have willingly renounced their citizenship to Kuragma (seen as a rejection of their own “civilized nature”). These exiles are treated the same regardless: they are fitted with an enchanted golden nose ring, which eventually tears away the wearer’s sapience until they are nothing more than a beast. This process takes about two years, but symptoms can begin manifesting as early as three months after fitting. Barbaric Ones can be found roaming Orelisle, in addition to true Minotaur, much to the dismay of Kuragma’s neighbors.

The ring is notoriously difficult to remove or disenchant, often requiring many mages to work tirelessly for days. Given their lack of magical capabilities, many believe that Kuragma commissions these rings from elsewhere, perhaps from Brennon or Eriene, or that they may be gifts from the gods to ensure their “gift” is properly appreciated.

If the Grand Council decides that exile is too good of a fate for a criminal, they may condemn them to a truly terrible existence known as “The Maze”. A large, labyrinth lies near Kuragma’s border with Brennon, whom it had commissioned long ago for this very labyrinth’s construction. Once condemned to The Maze, a Minotaur will be fitted with a ring, as is tradition of Barbaric Ones, and then sealed within the Maze’s thick, towering walls. In addition to being a physical labyrinth, countless disorienting and illusory enchantments create a second labyrinth within the minds of the Maze’s inhabitants, all but ensuring their imprisonment. The Maze is populated with small numbers of ethereal wildlife, which can sustain a prisoner for some time, but ultimately all who have entered the Maze have died of hunger, thirst, or a fatal encounter with another prisoner. It is not known if the Maze has an exit.

### Celebrations and Holidays

Each god in the Kuragman pantheon has their own festival one day a year.

## Cities, Towns, and Villages

### Origin

The capital city of Kuragma, built right into the side of Mt. Solon. Contains, among other things, the Brennon embassy and the former Erienian embassy.

### Whitewatch

Kuragma’s largest port city, found on its southern coast.

### War Pits

Huge coliseums built into caves and mountains where young Minotaur train in the ways of war, and great contests of strength and wit are held. Non-Minotaur citizens of Kuragma sometimes compete here, but non-citizens are rarely afforded such an honor. War Pits can be found throughout the heartland mountains of Kuragma.

### The Maze

A large, magical labyrinth near the Kuragma-Brennon border, where the most dangerous and vile criminals are sentenced to wander forever and lose their minds. Overall, not a nice place to be.

## Alliances

Up until the instigation of a sudden attack, Kuragma’s closest ally was the nearby human nation Eriene. Similarly, Kuragma was allied with Brennon until the new king revealed that its agents had instigated the war with Eriene. Kuragma also has a treaty of alliance with Taphran, and trades with some port towns in the Fera Isles.

Kuragma is a founding member of the United Orelisian Council.

## Enemy Countries

Kuragma considers Brennon a tentative enemy, and remains hyper-alert in their search for potential treachery on their part. Any state occupied by the Silver Horn, such as K’Vesten, could be considered an enemy of Kuragma at some level.

## Historical Timeline

* C. 5,000 A.B. - Ten mages from parts unknown travel to Orelisle’s southern mountains to eradicate a cult and the powerful demon they had summoned.
	+ The cultists were destroyed, but the demon proved too much for the weakened mages
	+ Before the demon could kill them, it was overrun by a band of Minotaur that killed and devoured it.
* C. 5,100 A.B. - The Mages, at the end of their lives, conduct a ritual atop Mt. Solon to bestow sapience unto the Minotaur of the mountains, as thanks for saving them in battle
	+ The ritual killed them, petrified their bodies in stone, and bound their souls to their stone bodies. They could still communicate, and would come to be venerated as the oracle of Mt. Solon and worshipped as the gods and goddesses of Kuragma
	+ The ritual also granted sapience to the Minotaur, creating the Kuragman Minotaur subspecies
* C. 6,000 A.B. - Kuragma founded by a coalition of nomadic Minotaur clans, the largest being Fire-Fist and Blood-Fist
* C. 6,000 A.B. - C. 6,010 A.B. - Difficulties erupt between clans on how to form a new government
* C. 6,010 A.B. - C. 6,015 A.B. - Clans unite forces to dig caves into Mt. Solon
* 6,025 A.B. - Governing structure finalized, Kuragma begins to exist as a national entity
* 6,325 A.B. - Kuragman culture crystallizes, economy flourishes, borders expand
* 6,490 A.B. - Erienean border patrol first harassed by Kuragman forces
* C. 6,500 - C. 6,700 - Eriene and Kuragma engage in a war of little consequence, ultimately agree to a ceasefire
* 7. 325 A.B. - Kuragman golden age begins to wane
* 7,725 A.B. - Political upheaval and overextended economy send Kuragma into chaos
* 7,755 A.B. - Military junta supplants monarchy, revives Kuragman culture
* 9,988 A.B. - 9,989 A.B. - Territorial disputes lead Eriene and Kuragma into a small-scale but protracted war. Ended when Brennon, an ally of both nations, negotiates a peace treaty
* 9,990 A.B. - Eriene and Kuragma seal their alliance. Using ritual magic provided by Brennon, Thanatos Blood-Fist is conceived by uniting the Essences of Prime Archmage Artemisia and King Asterion of Kuragma
* 10,012 A.B. - Brennon manipulates Kuragman King Halius Fire-Fist into attacking Eriene
	+ Thanatos Blood-Fist, rightful heir to Eriene and Kuragma, forced into exile
	+ Eriene destroyed, becomes known as Eriene Necros
* 10,013 A.B. - Thanatos Blood-Fist joins the Binturian Party
* 10,016 A.B. - Eriene Necros annexed by Kuragman King Thanatos Blood-Fist
	+ Silver Horn founded
	+ Alliance established between Taphran and Kuragma
* 10,016 A.B. - Present - At King Thanatos’ direction, Silver Horn leads frequent campaigns into Eriene Necros to eliminate undead presence
* 10,018 A.B. - Silver Horn involved in Fel War in K’Vesten, remains there after Fel threat quelled
* 10,019 A.B. - Kuragma prepares to march against Brennon while they war with Aiur and other powers
	+ Continental war averted, Kuragma joins United Orelisian Council as a founding member

## Further Information

* Brennon
* Cathais
* Eriene
* Minotaur
* Radiance
* Silver Horn
* Taphran
* Thanatos Blood-Fist
* United Orelisian Council (U.O.C.)