Taekoga

The **Taekogan Kingdom** is a confederal Kingdom located on the Atakai islands.

### History

The land of the Taekoga corresponds with the Atakai Islands chain, between Desh and Mantapotamia. The origins of the Taekoga on the Atakai Islands is unclear, but they likely derived from the overlaying of various indigenous and settlers groups, the latest which came from the Dezheic (Deshi) peoples to the north. The endonym Taekoga emerged from the town of Taekvei (literally meaning “New Town”), founded, at least in myth, in 1842 BC by Deshi settlers. The traditional account of Taekvei’s founding was passed down generation to generation, being first codified in the “Iriskaes” of Milodos. According that account, Taekvei was founded by refugees from a conflict in Desh, guided by the Taekogan Old Gods. Taekvei was founded by the intervention of “Gerrugata” (the mythical god of Rain) who convinced the refugees to settle in the region by striking a region with lightning four times, creating a star pattern. This pattern became a key symbol in Taekogan culture, as seen in the Royal Seal. Some accounts have the Taekic Tribes derive from the lineage of a mythical “Itaeka”, but this is likely apocryphal and is not attested until long after the founding of the city.

The period prior to the foundation of the Taekogan Kingdom is muddy and unclear. In the narrative of the Iraskeas, the only account of the time, the Taekogan tribes gradually conquered and integrated the local populations, but that narrative is highly tied up with later religious narratives. By the 15th century BC the Atakai Islands had become United under a lose Federation known ruled by military dictators sometimes called “Niz Dhihe” of whom 6 (Neya’nak, Awikon, Bith, Nolsha and Nom Deshak) are attested. These groups formed two kingdoms - Ghadak and Shi’idha Lev (named after their two “unifying tribes” by the 14th century BC. Some sources attest a “First Monarchy” which unified Taekoga, but this was likely a concoction of later monarchs. In 1385 BC, the Otaj (King) of Shi’idha Lev “Redo’fuin Mihasin” (Redo’fuin the Demander) conquered the two southern islands under the control of Ghadak. Central authority thus emanated from Taekvei, but the new Taekogan Kingdom continued to pay tribute to Desh, despite soon reaching a similar population due to favourable trade. Seiges by raiders in Desh proper saw their homeland decline, and in 1355 Redo’fuin refused to pay tribute, resulting in the short and victorious naval Battle of Zod Ereme Nolsha (The Golden Sea). Redo’fuin died in 1352 BC, being replaced in the first monarchical elections after a brief interregnum. The Taekogan Kingdom marked a standardisation in early Taekogan Myth, then derived from a variety of sources. The influence of the Preistly (Eyuth’i) class during this period was minimal but still existed and the position of “Patriarch” (Arab’îa) gradually grew out of a variety of lesser religious positions.

The development of a decentralised monarchical system in Taekoga was brought about by a confluence of factors. The challenges of administration between islands and the initially decentralised state meant that tribal loyalties remained influential in the Taekogan Kingdom. The majority of the population were unsettled grazers within the valleys of the Atakai islands, creating a decentralised patchwork of local authorities in the Kingdom. Economically, most political classes opposed centralised monarchical power, the most important of which where those of the Tzati Retho (settled State, the inland agricultural population) and the Tzati Gyepa. Hence, in 1320 a coup deposed most of the Royal Power, returning it to tribal leaders. While leading to a small scale civil war from 1320-1318, the position of the King as a figure head Arab’îa became established. The decentralisation of power often lead to brief skirmishes between armed supporters of political leaders, as succession is often muddy and unclear.

In 1308 Civil War began with a massacre of the Ghanak tribe by the Hagowi, the Hagowi attempting to consolidate political authority over Taekoga. By 1307 the Hagowi where defeated and the Ghanak seriously threatened the Shi’idha political power. This lead to continued civil war, the most capable general of which was Ihed Sopak. In March 1305 BC Ihed Sopak betrayed the Ghanak, allowing for him to secure political authority over the remainder of Taekoga.

##### **Ihed Sopaks Rule (1305-1298 BC)**

In July 1304, Ihed Sopak, victorious in his wars against various Taekogan political clans, ceremonially entered Taekvei, planning to consolidate power and end the unfolding political chaos. Sopak meets with the King, a figurehead weilding little power and authority at Taekogan court.

Sopak, a protege of the Tzati Retho merchants, disapproved of the influence of clans over politics and, controlling the only remaining Taekogan army, had enough political capital to make some immediate reforms.

The title of “Ufad Tzati”, the de facto head of government, would be turned into an official title, which he would be granted by the king. This title would impart its holder significant political and institutional influence. He further proposed that the Children of Clan leaders be sent to be educated in Taekvei,  limiting the autonomy of each group and granting the government valuable hostages.

Sopak also passed a decree compensating soldiers  who fought on his side with land from the defeated Hagowi Clans. By 1300, Ihed Sopak had secured his power and reduced the power of the inland clans, but one vestige of clan power remained through the King of Taekoga, a figurehead with very little actual power. In 1300 BC Sopak therefore decided to oust the King through intrigue, finding a pretext in an alleged affair between the King and another Taekogan noble. With control over government, Sopak ousted the King, though he remained a political threat. Sopak ordered the establishment of Er Érhim in Mantapotamia, but his formal reign ended swiftly when he succumbed to an illness. His infant son, Ahnen Sopak, succeeded to the throne, with Ihed’s wife Adithia Uthi as regent.

##### **Ahnen Sopaks Rule (1298-1242 BC)**

The deposed King Anthó Shi’idha, in de facto Exile in the north of the country, hoped to Reassert his place in the succession. Finding support among the Taminak and his native Shi’idha, he launched a rebellion in 1298 BC. Adithia initially appeared to be in a weak position but through intrigue managed to secure the loyalty of the other tribes. Sporadic rebellions took place during the period of the regency, but stability was mostly secure.

With the end of the regency of Adithia Uthi, and the further destruction of anti-Mercantalist rebels following Ahnen’s accession, Ahnen sought to further establish outposts around the Taekogan sea and thus create a powerful trading block. For this purpose, he first orders expeditions to establish outposts on what taekogans called “the triplets”, a series of islands outlying the Frenśe (Friensan’s). Following this, Ahnen dispatched the queen mother, Adithia, back to Desh to negotiate on his behalf. This served to reassert the Taekogan-Deshi alliance, allowing a joint campaign against Friensa, offering 1000 men for a campaign against the Friensan’s as well as a simultaneous capture of the outlying islands.

Taekoga rapidly captured the Islands outlying Friensa, resisting a counterattack due to their superior naval strength. Meanwhile, Desh invaded Friensa from the north, capturing the north of the state before stalling in their campaign. In these circumstances, Ahnen offered peace in exchange for recognition of Deshi and Taekogan ownership of captured territory and trading privileges.

#### Governance and Politics

The Taekogan Kingdom is really a relatively centralised confederation and alliance between Taekogan tribes/clans. Clans where originally fully nomadic, but have gradually adopted Agriculture and pastoralism, making clan identity a political rather than religious basis. The most powerful clans are the

* Shi’idha
* Ghanak
* Hagowi
* Ibedhak
* Taminak

Each of which controls politics in their respective area (usually a part of an island). The King, being a ceremonial and religious role, must contend with the Ufad Tzati, the “de facto” head of government. This is not a formal position but usually refers to a tribesman (typically of the Shi’idha) who centralises authority over state institutions through political manoeuvring. The Shi’idha Dynasty also controls the King, though they are of seperate branches.

Other than the aforementioned tribes of the Tzati Retho, the merchant (Tzati Gyepa) and priestly classes have both consolidated significant political influence, being important supporters for controller of the state.

### Culture

Taekogan culture is highly based around the religious values of Taekogan Folklore. As a decentralised religion, values vary from settlement to settlement and region to region. Taekogans follow a patriarchal societal structure, with women denied political and social rights on the basis of sex. Nonetheless, during a marriage Taekogan women (especially pastoralists) control a Khahi Lev, which can be a tent, section of the house or even a whole house (depending on wealth) where women maintain total autonomy. Polygamy is permitted but not encouraged under Taekogan religious law.