Kilan-Tal

Kilan-Tal (Lit: The steps of the Kilan) is the land east of the Blue Mountains. It stretches all the way to the Dragonback Mountains, and originally even beyond it.

## History

Originally, the history of the land and the tales of the ancestors were only transmitted orally, which lead to many misconceptions and half-truths. When the Kilan grew very numerous over only a few generations they spread far, all the way to the coast of the Wakao sea.

It was then they first came into contact with the people of Bia Thin and traders from the Tenijima Isles, who used paper and writing to archive trading agreements. The Kilan, with their traditional and conservative views, were resistant to the idea of writing their important knowledge down.

Only after part of Kilan-Tal was conquered by the Bia Thin (and later liberated in a bloody war) did one of the most prominent Khans at the time, Karachar, demand that the Kilan adapt instead of cling to outdated ideas. He ordered the creation of "The Secret History of the Kilan", which became something of a holy text to the Kilan. Karachar himself did not see his vision become reality, he died at the start of what became known as the Age of Fire.

### The Secret History of the Kilan

The history of Kilan was put into ages, based on elements. Some suspect this influence to stem from the Bia Thin, as some of their wise ones were consulted and even visited Kilan-Tal after the war. Oneiromancers and Truthsayers were also consulted to bring the wisdom of the ancestors and glimpses of the future into the text.

#### Age of Wood

The Age of Wood encompasses the time when the first humans appeared on the land that be known as Kilan-Tal. The first humans were a unified group of people that appeared in their new home without explanation.

According to legend they simply appeared upon the land, that "the land (had) shifted, as if (they were) carried by The Divine Wind within a single heartbeat". Since the literary work was gathered from oral sources and put together into one coherent narrative many wise ones call its legitimacy into question.

The Kilan were nomadic, used horses and lived in tents. They grew strong, grew numerous - to the point their home stretched all the way to the coast of the Wakao Sea. To guide the lives of so many people was an impossible feat for one Khan, which lead to the formation of the Ulus (tribes).

#### Age of Fire

The Age of Fire was a time of conflict, started when the Khans that had unitied in order to liberate what would later become Qunlun grew bloodthirsty. Intoxicated by their own prowess in battle the Khans began to dream of an empire that would span from coast to coast, that The Divine Wind was pushing them towards this goal. One among them, later known only as the Black Khan, lead the ones that sought peace against the warmongers in the first civil war in Kilan history. For the dishonor of turning against his own his name was removed from the world, and those that followed him were shamed into being the Kala Kilan (The Black Kilan).

While the civil war had weakened their armies somewhat the victorious Khans lead their hordes against the Bia Thin and Zerrikanians. Ships were build and sailed towards Tenijima, seeking to conquer the elusive islanders as well. The Bia Thin proved too much to conquer in their own lands however, especially since they had mages among their ranks. The fleet that sailed for Tenijima never returned and was considered lost. Like a beaten wolf the hordes retreated into their lands to lick their wounds, unaware how they had been culturally influenced by their enemies.

It was during the time of retreat that the Sartuuri that lived at the Wakao coast declared their independence, having become a mix of Bia Thin, Kilan and a small handful of Tenijima. This new land became known as Qunlun, wedged between Kilan-Tal and the northern borders of Bia Thin.

With the creation of the secret history and the first Great Khan being declared the Age of Fire came to an end.

#### Age of Earth

The Age of Earth is the current age, Kilan-Tal enjoying relative peace and stability - strong like the foundations of the earth.

#### Age of Metal

The Age of Metal has not yet come to pass. Oneiromancers and other Truthsayers speak of the people of Kilan-Tal "coming over the world like a swarm of locust, to feast upon foreign carcasses". Many young Kilani dream of being the one to bring the Age of Metal onto the world.

#### Age of Water

The Age of Water has not yet come to pass, and is seen as an equivalent to the end of the world. According to those with the third eye the world will end in water, that water shall come over the people of Hakland like great storm, consuming all that have an inner fire and leaving only a world where water alone exists.

## The Ulus

Kilan are easily identified by the shape of their eyes, their dark hair and thin smaller build. The people of Kilan-tal are divided into tribes (called Ulus) that usually cooperate, but do sometimes make war onto each other. Newly made Kilan characters may choose one of the tribes during character creation.

* Xanx
* Naimaun
* Kala Kilan
* Haaki
* Darkhad
* Hatagin
* Ordu
* Sartuui
* Jalayir

## Xesegs

Kilan-Tal is split into 11 Xeseg, provinces based on geographical features or agreements between the inhabitants. These include:

* Ariun Xabhan
* Moctai
* Gadny-Gür / Franq
* Hakgan
* Taalud
* Sankigan
* Meceh Sper
* Meceh Khuruu
* Elsec Banshin
* Lulu Tonroc
* Zhurkgan