Lonqai

The Black Empire of Lonqai is a land of Drow in Carthus where they war constantly with their neighbour Carim.

The destabilization of the once-powerful Yndrosi empire shattered the resolve of the people of Carthus, causing Lonqai to form without an identity. War, death and greed lead to a search of power that resulted in the formation of the Black Empire.

Lonqai is known for its sunless skies, mechanical ingenuity and rampant infestation of spirits.

## Government

Currently ruled by the Yellow Empress, as the 22nd to do so.

## Trade

Lonqai is home to a great many natural resources, none of which they openly trade. These creations include automatons, firearms, and all manner of machinery that most would consider unnatural but not yet magical.

Perhaps their most famous inventions are the devious trick weapons, sought after for only the highest coin.

## History

Where Myovos was once the crown jewel of Carthus and the home of the Yndrosi Empire, many claim that the inhabitants disappeared overnight, forcing the royalty to abdicate their position. Centuries of violence began forcing the new empire (thusly dubbed the Black Empire) to be reborn within the furthest eastern land, now known as Lonqai.

Simply put, Carthus has existed for time immemorial and many claim that empires have risen and fallen from the ashes. Lonqai is one of these empires, one forged from steel and dread.

## Locations

### Towns and Cities

* Kyrta-Lajjun - Capital of Lonqai and the centre of the Black Empire.
* Tsinla - The City of Sapphire, a sprawling and luxurious palace of colossal size.

### Places of Import

* The Myre - A nameless swamp that borders with the Grieving Gulf.

## Inhabitants

### Lonqai'ans

The inhabitants of the Black Empire are entirely Drow, known as the Lonqai'ans (sometimes Lonqai'i or Lonqai'in). Due to the unnaturally long nights of Carthus, there is no use of the Underdark to forge a civilization within Lonqai. Instead, the Black Empire exists primarily because the native Lonqai'ans live under the shadow of the Bone Mountains. The light of Talanas can reach no Drow there.

Lonqaians are prone to body modifications that range from simple tattoos and piercings to replacing parts of their bodies with metal, porcelain or rarer materials.

### The Puppetmen

The Laogui, commonly referred to as the Puppetmen, are trapped spirits inside automatons. The spirits of Lonqai seem to infest the inanimate creations of the Lonqai'ans but the Puppetmen are essentially toy soldiers.

### Factions

* The Spire
* The Avia
* The Teeth

## Culture

### The Black Empire

Ruled by an Empress, Carthus was once unified from the imperial stronghold known as the Yndros Empire from the land of Myovos. Now the Black Empire is merely an empire in name as the Lonqai'ans are the only Carthusites still loyal to the Empress. They live across Carthus but the rule of the Empire only has any power over Lonqai.

### Flesh & Steel

Most Lonqai'ans modify themselves with mechanics that include materials such as steel and wood while those of the upper classes prefer fine porcelain. Those that have Ascended are almost entirely reborn through the inanimate. Lonqai'ans see armour as the highest tier of fashion within society and go to great lengths to acquire the finest metals.

Lonqai'ans have invented pain-inhibiting drugs in place of magic to cope with body modifications. These vitality drugs are infamous across Carthus for warriors using them for battle.