Lo'Quai

The Gold Princedom - Santi'Xaram

The Gold Princedom - Misaki

Deep within the mountains north of Frael rests a hidden valley. In this remote realm dwell a folk known for mysticism and a strict code of honor. Traditionally, the Lo’Quaim practice patience and moderation in all endeavors, from martial arts to medicine. They are disciplined, efficient, but often self-denying in their ways.

### Three Princes

The three Seiryu brothers lay individual claims to the realm of Emperor Yasuo, their deceased father. They are each supported by powerful allies, and have split Lo’Quai into competing princedoms; south-west, north-east, and the islands respectively.

Ryuu, the eldest, is backed by ancient elementals. His domain lies in the southern forests and border mountains of Lo'Quai, putting most land-traveling visitors under his purview. Wary of interference by his brothers, Ryuu and his subjects appear quiet and aloof to outsiders.

Hitodama, the middle son, is pact-bound to the Narga. He rules over the northern half of Lo'Quai, including the colossal lake Zhēnzhu that lies in its center. Silver-tongued and driven, Hitodama encourages aggression and opportunism in his subjects.

Misaki, the youngest, seems to enjoy patronage from the sun goddess Lianda herself. Content in his seclusion, Misaki protects the north-eastern islands of Baos from the destructive bickering of his elder brothers. His realm is a peaceful haven, taking displaced common folk into their many temples and monasteries.

### The Castes

Lo’Quaim tend to inherit a role in society from their family, as each family is part of a caste. The castes are expected to perform a specific function and each is represented by a beastly symbol.

The rat caste are a strange lot, expected to help keep crime manageable across the realm. Though uncommon, there are indeed Lo'Quaim who seek to break free of their expected function, and strive to earn acceptance within a new caste.

### Spirit Touched

Lo’Quai boasts a high percentage of nephilim and elementari compared to other human realms. This is due to their willingness to form close connections with unearthly beings. Many cambions can also be found within the princedom of Hitodama, especially since his allegiance to Ruin became public.

### Healing Herbs

On the valley slopes of Lo’Quai grow countless exotic plants with magical and medicinal properties. Alchemists and physicians from all over Scy’kadia pay handsomely for just a handful of fresh seeds.

### Notable History

Note: Records from before The Time Of Founding are notoriously scarce...

**1MR** – Unknown to much of Scy’kadia, Lo’Quai exists in isolation, having overthrown the cruel mage-rulers of centuries past.

**38MR** – Islanders off the coast of Lo’Quai form the theocracy of Baos, choosing to venerate Taeyaloo within temples that were once elven sky towers.

**76MR** – **The Battles Of Beauty:** Four extremely talented cambion warriors travel from town to town challenging local champions to duels. With each victory, they leave their opponents maimed. At last, they meet Riku The Heedless, a blind and lame nephilim swordsman. On a thin bridge he faces each opponent in turn, swiftly defeating them, and casting their broken bodies into the river below.

**126MR** – Undead, created by Pharid's use of Scarab Rot on Fraelite tribes, infest the border mountains and southern forests. As villages fall prey to both flesh-hungry cadavers and the disease they carry, hundreds of elementari take form to extinguish the threat. Once all the undead are slain, the elementari find themselves welcomed among all castes (except the dragon caste).

**139MR** – Raids from Vylkland increase, prompting Lo’Quai to fortify the northern coast with long curving bastions.

**191MR** – A lost Fraelite caravan stumbles upon Lo'Quai. These merchants convince the Lo'Quaim to trade with outside realms for the first time.

**260MR** – Lo'Quaim medicine grows increasingly popular in neighboring Frael. Some members of the rooster caste take on positions as alchemical advisors in the Maphitahn cities.

**384MR** – A fleet of fallen elves invades Baos; perhaps angered by their appropriation of elven structures, perhaps incensed by their veneration of Magic. The populace, never very militant, are treated as playthings by the sinister elves. Emperor Zhinn, a devout follower of Lianda, sails with his army to liberate Baos. The grateful islanders swear allegiance to not only their savior, but also his goddess. Baos is officially absorbed into greater Lo'Quai.

**427MR** – The Lo’Quaim perfect the creation of flash powder, which becomes extremely popular with trade representatives from Mureth. Fireworks soon become a staple of village celebrations.

**431MR** – **The Greedy Ox War:** Disagreements between the goat and dragon castes (each decrying the other for encroaching on their traditional roles) spiral into violent conflict. Both sides hire clans of ox caste soldiers to fight in their stead. Skirmishes break out seemingly-at-random across the realm. The ox clans grow rich by manipulating their employers, staging fake battles, and undercutting their rivals. Hunger starts to grip larger cities and towns, when the pig caste are threatened into withholding produce, giving it to roaming ox armies instead. After almost ten years of back-and-forth with no winner, Empress Chōlao uses snake caste agents to trick the mightiest ox clans into a naval battle that turns lake Zhēnzhu red. Chastised by the empress' involvement in their squabbles, the goat and dragon castes finally return to diplomacy.

**457MR** – The blue dragon Kmerinyatl rampages through fishing villages in central Lo'Quai. Seventy two tiger caste mages, ranging from novices to arcane masters, offer themselves in sacrifice to the dragon. Kmerinyatl devours them all, and vows to return in seventy two years. Mysteriously, the dragon is never seen in Lo'Quai again...

**474MR** – The Pharidae War begins.

**583MR** – The Pharidae are defeated. Lo'Quai is largely unscathed by the undead scourge.

**595MR** – Prophets across Scy’kadia receive visions of the Weftyril portals reawakening. Confusion meets these portents, but curious Lo'Quaim, eager to learn what lies beyond their valley, start heading Weftward.

**610MR** – Undead, lying dormant since the Pharidae war, shamble down from the mountains. Caught unawares, the Lo'Quaim must fight both animated corpses and the panic of the non-militant castes. Luckily, the undead are leaderless, and swiftly put to the torch.

**645MR** – After fifteen years of illness, Emperor Yasuo Seiryu dies. His two eldest sons split the realm. His third and youngest son takes to the islands, further dividing Lo’Quai. Each claimant to the throne secures powerful supernatural allies.