Khanate of Agumia

***“**Agumians are too stubborn to be conquered.**”***
— Banthas Khan

The **Khanate of Agumia**, also known as **Northern Agumia**, is a neutral Hyllidan horde in the South. They border the Kingdom of Amagoi to the northwest, Legionary Daletia to the northeast, the Kingdom of Llendus to the east, the Empire of Sallant to the south, and the Desert Lords to the southwest. They are currently fighting the Steppe Rebellion against Sallant and the Sapphire League.

The current country was established during the early stages of the Steppe Rebellion by Banthas Khan. Despite having small roots, the rebels purged Sallanthian rule from all of Agumia's historic territory. Sallanthian Agumia continues its existence as a shell in the Great Sand Sea, consisting mainly of non-natives, as nearly every last ethnic Agumian defected to Banthas Khan's revolt.

Banthas Khan died in 1224 AW and was succeeded by his second son, Chinek Khan. Chinek Khan has disregarded any talks of peace with the Sallanthians, and it is expected that the Steppe Rebellion will drag on for decades to come – if not longer.

## History

The Collapse of the Sapphire Empire led to the rise of the Sapphire Kingdom of Agumia under King Ilos I. Ilos was a Sallanthian, not a native Agumian, and the country he founded was rather unpopular. Eventually, the Sapphire Kingdom was invaded by the Empire of Sallant in the Sallanthian-Agumian War. With the natives unwilling to fight for their Sallanthian monarch, Agumia was rapidly conquered. After the war, they would be incorporated as the Province of Agumia.

While Sallant had conquered all of Agumia, they made the fatal mistake of thinking they could keep the Agumian people under control. This is a difficult task that many states have failed at, and Sallant would continue this spree when they appointed ethnic Sallanthians with Sallanthian soldiers as governors and mayors throughout Agumia. Unsurprisingly, violence in the province skyrocketed, as the Hyllidan Agumians began rioting and attacking en mass.

Out of the chaos, one figure took control over the various rebels in 1206 AW: Banthas Giresu, who began styling himself as Banthas Khan, ruler of the Khanate of Agumia. The new Agumian Khan launched an organised rebellion now known as the Steppe Rebellion across the Province of Agumia. While small at first, other rebel groups fell in line under Banthas Khan, and his Banners grew further and further. In a manner of years, nearly every single settlement and stronghold in Agumia fell to Banthas Khan, with the natives slaughtering their Sallanthian rulers. The few lucky survivors fled Agumia with their tails between their legs.

While the Steppe Rebellion should have ended there with the establishment of the Khanate of Agumia as a proper country; Emperor Muzai II was extremely stubborn. He deployed his armies to put down the Steppe Rebellion, though they ultimately failed as they were constantly outmanoeuvred and harassed by the Agumian Aroka cavalry. Instead, the Steppe Rebellion bogged down into a bloody war with a stagnant frontline. The Sallanthians tried and failed to get the Desert Lords to attack Agumia, yet not even they were foolish enough to cross the native Agumians.

Nowadays, the Steppe Rebellion drags on, even as leadership changes hands. Banthas Khan died in 1224 AW and was succeeded by his second son, Chinek Khan, who seeks to continue the rebellion. In 1228 AW, Princess Danakha overthrew the Sallanthian government, executing Muzai II and crowning herself Empress Danakha I. Much like Chinek Khan, she seems to have no intention to initiate peace talks with the Agumians. It can therefore be safely assumed that the Steppe Rebellion will drag on for decades to come.

Despite this, the Khanate of Agumia is largely regarded as an independent country. While countries in the Sapphire League claim it is merely a rebellious province, nearly every other state in Enselonde has formed diplomatic ties with Agumia, giving it much-needed legitimacy on the diplomatic stage.

## Politics

Agumia is a Horde that uses a complicated system of titles and honorifics with various influential figures enjoying a high degree of autonomy. That said, the Khan is ultimately in charge of the country and can order his subordinates around if he so wishes. On a more local level, various settlements and territories are ruled by nobles, though Agumia has no subdivisions like provinces or duchies.

## Geography

Between the lush forests of Amagoi and the Great Sand Sea is a middle ground of hot and dry steppes, grasslands, and savannahs. All this is considered Agumian territory, where a large number of Hyllidans – usually living in colder regions – made their home after the Divine War. The terrain makes for great pastures for cattle and horses. Furthermore, Agumia is also home to the Arokar, a faster and tougher mount than any horse that only the Agumian Hyllidans know how to tame and ride into battle.

## Economy

"Agumian Economy" is a bit of an oxymoron, as one could argue that no such thing exists. The use of currency in Agumia is extremely rare, and more often than not merchants barter. Trade is virtually non-existent, as most communities are entirely self-sufficient. Taxes come in the form of military service, not in wealth. Much like its people, Agumia's economy is entirely oriented on war.

## Demographics

An overwhelmingly Hyllidan country, to the surprise of many unfamiliar with Agumia, the area was settled by various soldiers of Lyxis the Blind's army after the end of the Divine War. However, centuries of rule by the Sapphire Empire have also brought a native Human population to Agumia. The two get along decently well, though are usually living in separate communities.

## Culture and Religion

Agumia traces its roots to Nytalyrian soldiers, so it should come as no surprise that they have a very martial-oriented culture. That said, there have also been Human intermingling leading to what is now considered Agumian culture.

**Language**

There are three widely spoken languages in Agumia: Agumian, Sallanthian, and Common. Agumian is an evolution of the Nytalyrian Dialect of Old Hyllidan, though it uses various Old Human loanwords. Sallanthian is a remnant of Agumia's days under Sapphire and Sallanthian rule, and the Agumian ruling class has since launched a campaign to eradicate the Sallanthian language from its borders. Finally, Common is used simply for its convenience like in most other countries.

**Holidays**

Agumia observes all religious holidays except for the Night of Madness due to their adherence to the Faith of All Gods. Other holidays include the Great Hunt at the start of the hunting season, the Clian Festival celebrating the warmth and prosperity of the sun, the Day of the Ancestors and the Day of the Warriors celebrating passed Agumians and great Agumians still among the living. Finally, there is also the famous Agumian Tournament every year, where warriors from all Banners come together in a friendly martial competition.

**Arts**

The Agumians practice art like most countries, though their art is more practical in nature. Expensive statues are a waste of time to them, and they prefer things they can take with them such as jewellery, song, and stories. Agumia highly values its warrior poets, with a recent surge of tales due to warrior poets fighting in the Steppe Rebellion.

Some notable Agumian artists are:

* Khintosh Beg - Warrior Poet
* Hanosh Nubusu - Master Jeweller
* Nalegh Beg - Warrior Poet

**Food**

The Agumian diet is, unsurprisingly, largely based on meat. Hunting plays an important role in their society, and the game they kill is expertly carved up to waste not even a single bite of food. If the Agumians are not eating their prey, they will be eating cattle of the various domesticated herds that roam the steppes. It is nearly impossible to eat a meal in Agumia that does not involve some kind of meat.

**Sports**

Agumians have a martial culture, and their recreational sports reflect this. Hunting is by far the biggest pastime in Agumia, though most primarily do it for food, with the thrill of the hunt taking a secondary role. It should come as no surprise, then, that Agumia has a flourishing chapter of the Ranger's Guild within its borders. Fighting sports are also popular, with the Enselonde Fighters League holding a prominent role in Agumian society.

**Religion**

Agumia follows the Faith of All Gods, though protects the large Human minority within its borders that follow the Faith of the Five Gods. Agumia recognises the Divine Order of Enselonde as its highest authority on all religious affairs and is the seat of an Archbishop.

## Relationships

Agumia prides itself on its self-sufficiency and independence, which has caused some snags on the diplomatic front. While many countries have offered aid in the Steppe Rebellion against the Sapphire League, both Banthas and Chinek Khan have refused this aid categorically. That said, Agumia does have some trade ties with other countries, with Amagoi being its foremost trading partner.

## Military

### Land

* Banner of the Front - The Banner of the Front is Agumia's main fighting force under the control of Chinek Khan. It consists entirely of Hyllidan Aroka Cavalry.
* Banner of the Flanks - Led by Chinek Khan's brother, Kenthor Tegin, the Banner of the Flanks is a slower force consisting mainly of horses. It also has a large number of Humans fighting in its ranks.
* Banner of the Rear - The Banner of the Rear is Agumia's foot infantry and rearguard under the command of Salthok Beg, an old friend and ally of the late Banthas Khan. Their role is to secure the conquests of other banners and defend against potential counterattacks.

### Sea

Agumia is a landlocked nation. While some small rivers are flowing through the Khanate, they maintain no organised naval force.

### Air

* Banner of the Sky - Led by the brilliant Teshnok Beg, the Banner of the Sky is an impressively modern air force consisting of innovative airships and a handful of Dragons to lend further support.

## Agumian Khans

* Banthas Khan (1206-1224 AW)
* Chinek Khan (1224 AW-)

## People

*For a full list, see: Category:Characters (Khanate of Agumia)*

* **Chinek Khan** - Khan of Agumia

## Locations

*For a full list, see: Category:Locations (Khanate of Agumia)*