The Trade Guild of Yithnak is a Corporatocracy comprised of the richest of the Elder Things, who use the influence that comes from said wealth to rule over the entirety of Yithnak. One can gain great riches from befriending the Trade Guild, with their advanced technology and ability to create strange biological creatures, but be warned. Profits are what matter to the Guild, and they will stop at nothing to ensure they are the Supreme economic force in the galaxy.
Government Structure
As a corporotacracy, The Traders Guild of Yithnak is a shared effort to bring the profitability of the nation to its utmost potential. As such, the responsibility of handling the day to day operations of the planet is divided to ensure maximum efficiency.
There are local managers, which are appointed to oversee any occupied piece of territory currently in use by the Guild.
Above the managers are the supervisors, who are given responsibility over many managers to ensure they are operating within the best interests of the guild.
Above them are the overseers, who are tasked with ensuring efficiency by dictating proper legislation that the supervisors put under their control enforce upon the managers.
Finally above these overseers are the Commercial Hierophants, accomplished, powerful individuals who are given whole swaths of territory to ensure utmost efficiency is being carried out. They converse with their overseers, shaping the legislation which effects the whole of the nation. Through them, the Guild not only survives, but thrives.
History/Background: The Elder Things are an ancient race of creatures dating back from billions of years ago. Theirs is an advanced but mysterious civilization that was nearly destroyed millions of years ago and has ever since been scattered.
Nation Name: Guldani Flag: Gold on left side, silver on right side, with a white star in the center
Races:
The dominant race in the Guldani kingdom are the Goliath, who form the bulk of the people and are at the center of society in terms of structure and responsibility. Without the Goliath people, there is no Guldani.
Humans are regarded with ambivalence amongst the Goliath people. They come from a small collection of tribes that had been taken over and assimilated into the greater Guldani country as a whole. So far there is no conflict between the two races.
As the humans are treated in a neutral light, the elves undergo a more difficult existence underneath the rule of the Guldani. Centuries of oppression by elven hands has made the Goliath people hateful towards them, and so they treat them with open spite. Living upon the fringes of society, the elves do the best they can to cling to their way of life, despite the open hostility between the two ethnic groups.
As skilled craftsman, dwarves are regarded highly by the Goliath people. Their relationship was fostered through peace and trade, as the nearby mountain city of Gol'Darak was brought underneath the fold of the Guldani empire. In a rare form of diplomatic skill, both races seem comfortable with the other. The dwarves respect the Goliath for their conservative values, and the Goliath do the same for the way the dwarves honor the family unit and create such wondrous gifts for their gods.
History: For the past nine hundred years, the Guldani have struggled in their efforts for survival, whether it be against Elven oppression or tribal disputes. This is the time line of all the major events in the Guldani history.
900: After the fall of the Great Elven Empire, a fragment makes its way to the mountains to rebuild. For centuries they built upon the rock, forming great cities and carving out a new life for themselves.
800: The Goliath people are discovered by the elves, who welcome them with open arms. Once they had understood more about their new neighbors, the elves invite their leaders for a feast, to celebrate their new friendship. At this feast, the Goliath are betrayed, and the elves kill their leaders and enslave their people. A new Era of Misery follows the Guldani People as their new overlords force them into dangerous and difficult labors to make their cities even greater.
600: A rebellion against the elven masters of the Goliath people begin. They are lead by one named Kuttachuic, or He Who Breaks Chains in common tongue.
590: Kuttachuic has United the many tribes of the Goliath people, forming them into a singular force against the elves, who have only tightened their grip upon the oppressed people.
585: After grueling years of hit and run maneuvers against the elves, Kuttachuic heads an assault against the elves, aiming to topple a fortress known as Halliopolis. The battle lasts three days, and on the last day, Kuttachuic is struck down by an arrow, which throws his forces into a great fury. They topple the fortress, sending the elves fleeing for their lives.
580: A monument is erected to honor Kuttachuic for freeing the Goliath people. Unfortunately he was the glue holding the various tribes together, and without him, they go their separate ways, choosing to live independent rather than as one.
550: The elven general in charge of holding the mountains hatches a new plan, and proceeds to make secret contact with outer tribes of Goliaths, bribing them with the idea of grand payments of gold if they follow his commands.
530: The first of many tribal wars are initiated between those who wish for freedom, and those who secretly backed by the elves. A new tribe is formed, composed of three leaders under the sway of the elven general known as Elenar Helioseniar. They target the weaker tribes first, forcing them to join and subjecting them to their own brand of harsh rule, inspired by the whispers of their shadowy benefactor.
500: One hundred years after the liberation of the Goliath people from the hands of the elves, their freedom is under attack, this time by their own people. While others celebrate the actions of Kuttachuic, the United efforts of the elf collaborators show nothing but disdain and disrespect for the long dead hero. Fights break out, leading to the explosion of an all out war between the tribes.
475: A brutal chapter of War is brought to an end, with the Goliaths once again earning their freedom by defeating those who took up arms against them. It was soon learned that the tribes instigating war were under the influence of the elven general Elenar, who fled as soon as he saw the war turning against his wishes. This would not be the last time he attempts to divide the Goliath people.
440: In an attempt to cool over the difficult tensions between the different tribes of Goliaths, a competition of sport was put into place to help foster good will amongst the others while honoring the Gods. Wrestling, foot racing, climbing, feats of strength, endurance and agility are set up to prove who is the fastest or the strongest amongst all the tribes. It's inaugural festivities were a success and it seemed as if there might be a road to peace among the tribes once again.
415: Conflict is avoided as a champion of one tribe refuses to fight his tribal leaders conflict against another tribe. When an answer was demanded, the champion said. "There is a Goliath there that defeated me in wrestling, and proved himself to be an honorable and good Goliath. I will not kill him or his people, as that would be impure in the eyes of the gods."
400: The second festival of Kuttachuic is held, as his legend begins to grow into that of myth. Only those who were there during that time, such as the elves, knew the truth of the Goliath.
365: Strange literature is discovered amongst the masses, detailing the life of Kuttachuic in the years before he lead his rebellion. It inspires others as they learn more about the titanic figure of their history, unaware that these have been manufactured by the elven general, Elenar.
340: The yearly games have continued for one hundred years, and people are excited for it every year. There are many champions from each of the tribes, having proven themselves as great athletes in their own right. This year, the champions honor Kuttachuic, proclaiming him a god of freedom and liberty.
325: Temples begin to be erected in honor of Kuttachuic, placing him among the same place as the Sun and the Moon and the other gods of the Goliath people.
300: The third celebration is set upon the life of Kuttachuic, growing larger as more time is set aside to celebrate the life of such a legendary Goliath. More of the literature is slowly released, and on this day, a journal is released which contains the plans Kuttachuic held for the Goliath people after their liberation. What people discover in horror, however, is that the journal claims Kuttachuic intended on proclaiming himself the grand ruler of all Goliaths and instituting a rule even more brutal than that of the elves. Many disagree with this, and a schism is created within the people as tribes choose what is truth and what isn't.
285: The first temple to Kuttachuic is vandalized, furthering the divide as people call him a tyrant and a monster. Others denounce the journal, holding large gatherings where they burn as many of the books as they can gather. During this time, General Elenar begins to martial his forces to retake the mountains in their weakened state.
280: The War of Elven Reclamation begins during the height of the religious conflict of the Goliath people. Over thirty percent of territory is claimed in one night before the elves are forced to stop. Only by sheer luck were they slowed down by a rock slide, allowing the Goliath people to mount a defense against them. Thus began a long conflict between the two forces.
260: After so many long, grueling years combating the elves, it looks as if the Goliaths were going to lose. Over eighty percent of their territory is overtaken by the elves, lead by the calculating and ruthless general Elenar Helioseniar. In this moment of despair, a young Goliath woman, adopting a new name of Gutamalika, or Elf Breaker, takes command and leads what is now known as the Upheaval against the Generals forces.
255: Gutamalika employs powerful psychological warfare against the elves, taking prisoners so she could torture them and place their distorted corpses in places where they could be seen. Flayed, dismembered, with the agonizing screams of other elves not too far away, but impossible to pinpoint, being heard in the distance. She brought on a new wave of brutality the elves were not accustomed to, and in the difficult terrain which the Goliaths had mastered, her lightning strikes brought great devastation to their forces. Other women join her, donning golden masks depicting snarls, roars and other aggressive dispositions to unsettle the opponent in order to confuse just who it is one is fighting.
250: General Elenar is captured by Gutamalika's forces, and undergoes what is known as the Five Nights of Misery. Unimaginable tortures are afflicted upon the General, forcing him to reveal all that he knew of his schemes to divide the Goliath people so they would be weak enough to be conquered once again. His body was found later, chopped up in several pieces by lieutenants, with many reportedly vomiting at the sight. This marks the beginning of the end for the elven forces occupying the mountains.
248: After driving out the elves for a second time, Gutamalika demands unity of all the tribes of Goliaths in the mountains. Many of the northern tribes agreed to this, not wishing to see another elven occupation of their lands. Others, particularly of the southern mountains, who were not as hard hit by the war, did not wish to throw away their independence so easily. Gutamalika curses these tribes, and her forces are moved to the north as a new nation is formed, it's name is Guldani.
230: Gutamalika dies, and is mummified, her body touted around the northern tribes and hailed as a hero. Her body joins that of what is believed to be Kuttachuic, and many believe she should be raised up as a fellow god of War alongside their first liberator.
200: The fourth celebration now holds both Kuttachuic and Gutamalika as heroes of the Goliath people, though southern tribes are slow to adapt these same traditions.
150: The Guldani kingdom makes small strides towards expanding its influence down the side of the mountain, but found it difficult without proper structure to fuel it's ventures. This was when the ruler at that time, Inkamobar, or Taller than the Mountains, began a massive project of public works. Roads, way stations and agricultural terraces are constructed, allowing for a population boom within the Guldani.
125: The Guldani have taken over almost fifty percent of the mountain range, and have begin diplomatic talks with the reclusive Dwarven city of Gol'Darak.
100: A massive earthquake is felt in the region, an event which is hailed as a portent of what is to come. Why else would the earth itself shake on the fifth celebration of the liberation of the Goliath people?
35: The Guldani have taken over almost seventy percent of the mountain ranges, but have hit a standstill against the southern tribes who refuse to be absorbed into the burgeoning empire. At this time, another earthquake strikes, this time during the birth of the third son of the current Emperor, Unmabi, or The Right Handed, is born. It is hailed as a glorious sign from the gods, and so it is this child is known as Jutkalla, or Earth Shaker.
Present Day: Jutkalla has taken over as Emperor, after rallying his immense military power to seize the throne from his brother, Lokdamon. Through his martial prowess, the Guldani have taken over the entirety of the mountain range, and now are only at the beginning of a new Golden Age of the Goliath people in these mountains.
Culture
Culture: There are three major cultures within the mountain range. The Goliaths, the elves and the dwarves. Each have their own customs and rules in day to day life.
Clothing: In the Guldani nation, clothing differs depending on where in the nation you are. Up in the mountains, thick Llama wool clothes are worn to keep out the cold. Those who live on the lower areas of the mountains wear lighter materials like cotton. These clothes are very indicative of traditional meso american fashions found within Incan societies, stretching from cold icy climates to the high heat of desert biosphere. The humans who live in this area also partake in the same fashion.
The dwarves who reside in this mountain range dress rather differently than their Goliath Neighbors. Having kept themselves isolated from the wars and conflict, the dwarves have kept their culture homogeneous. Similar to the Dutch of Earth, they wear coats, shirts, breeches and other such articles.
Within the more secluded parts of the region are elves, who wish to keep to themselves and bother no one. They wear simple robes and garments of delicate design in order to devote more time to their meditations.
Recreation: The people of the Guldani nation have various ways of having fun. These vary between the different groups and even the different areas of the mountain ranges have different ways to pass the time.
Tuka Ball- Filled with a dense rubber and covered in leather, this ball is used by two five player teams try to pass the ball into a hoop of solid gold twenty feet in the air. This hoop, which the rims face upwards, is situated in the middle of the field to one side. Each time a ball is sent through the hoop, a point is given to the team whom the player that made the shot belongs to. Each game goes for around three hours or less depending on how the teams agree to use the Sun to indicate the passage of time. Players are allowed to hold the ball within their hands and may use whatever part of their body available to them in order to launch the ball through the hoop. Whoever has accrued the most points at the end of the game is declared the winner. Causing bodily harm and cheating are disallowed, punishable by the removal of points from the team the guilty player is apart of. This game is usually played by Goliaths, as the ball used is quite heavy, though lighter versions are available.
Hunting: Hunting varies from group to group in the mountains. Goliaths of the northern tribes make it a point to hunt for food, having learned various ways of butchering animals to make the most of every kill. Western parts of the Guldani exercise great competitive spirit with showing who is the greatest hunter among them. In this act, many tribes boast of having killed monsters who had wandered here from the wastelands. They hold strange and alien looking trophies, proof of their successful forays, if the scars and burn marks weren't enough.
The dwarves have a similar, if not unique view on the activity of hunting. Going out in hunting parties, they eschew the more rugged traditions of their larger neighbors, and instead prefer comfortable accommodations. With large, powerful crossbows, they are able to take down prey from great distances. Once the kill is confirmed, the shooter is congratulated, and the team pack up and head home. Making use of the corpse is not under their list of concerns, nor do they care much for even retrieving the used missiles. While frowned upon by the Goliaths, they figure the hunting parties are scarce enough that it won't effect the population enough to rob them of their game.
Athletics: Physical prowess is important to the Goliath people, as the Games are considered one of their most revered event throughout the year. Wrestling, foot races, climbing, jumping and lifting, all for the glory of proving oneself against all others in the Games. Foreigners sometimes come to participate in the Games, hoping to prove themselves against the Goliaths of the mountains. Some find glory, while others break themselves upon the difficult trials of the Games. Such things are not practiced by the dwarves, and the elves prefer meditation to raw physical athletics, practicing their own means of staying fit.
Drinking: The Goliaths have a special tea they drink, known as Atcha, that helps them deal with the high altitudes they live with. Chakka is an alcoholic beverage made from corn, enjoyed by the Goliaths and considered potent in causing inebriated effects. Juices of various berries are also used for a sweet beverage, though poorer Goliaths simply stick with water for their main means of quenching their thirst.
Food: Goliaths enjoy a varied diet of corn, grain, meats from Llama, guinea pigs, cattle, chicken and pigs. Only the elves deviate from this as they prefer a vegetarian diet, abstaining from eating meat in order to achieve enlightenment.
Holidays:
Nuktul Amon (Summer Festival): At the height of Summer, the people of the Guldani nation celebrate this special occasion with a singular day of drinking and merriment. The people dance, sing songs, and put on colorful costumes to tell tales of mighty heroes and dangerous monsters. It is a time of fertility, of life and of prosperity for all to share.
Kuttachuic Rememberance: Before the end of summer, the people hold a celebration for their independence from the clutches of the elves. Stories of his victories are told, with many bringing tribute to altars erected in Kuttachuics honor. It is a happy, but solemn day, for in his quest for freeing his people, he made the ultimate sacrifice.
Jakjulli Amon (Harvest Festival): In the beginning of the autumn season, a celebration is had to give thanks for what they have grown. A large feast is held, and the people come together to honor their families and pray for light winters.
Gutamalika Rememberance: Near the end of Winter, a celebration is held in honor of the woman who saved them from being ruled once again. It is a silent, somber day, where priestesses dedicated to her glory come wearing golden masks, telling her story, and reminding everyone the danger elves pose upon their society.
Military:
The military of the Guldani is mostly conscription based, taking people in to work as soldiers as part of their labor tax. This is done primarily after the harvest, unless circumstances require they be pulled from the fields immediately. Each conscript generally brings their own weapon, ranging from clubs, axes, slings and Spears to farm implements or bricks. Few are considered truly professional soldiers, outfitted with bronze armor and sporting their own mounts of dire llamas.
The Cult of Gutamalika maintains its own force of warrior women, those with a passion for protecting the Guldani nation from the threat of Elven encroachment. They carry out covert missions and conduct torture against those perceived as enemies of the state. Though they are in a sense a militaristic group, they do not follow orders from Generals, only the word of the King is heeded.
Religion:
Polytheism rules the Guldani nation, with a central worship of both the Sun and the Moon, as well as a focus on smaller gods separated by which of the two major gods they fall under. These minor gods are heroes who have proven themselves in furthering the Guldani People and preserving their freedom. While many know and pray to the two legendary heroes, Kuttachuic and Gutamalika, but there are others who have also done their part and are revered as well. Here is a list of the gods and their attributes, as well as their classification under either the Sun or the Moon.
Kuttachuic: Attributes- Freedom, Revolution and Rebellion. Classification- Sun
Gutamalika: Attributes- Subterfuge, Stealth and Torture. Classification- Moon
Hotokata: Attributes- Celebration and Fertility. Classification- Sun
Momahuati: Attributes- Crafting, Fire and Trade. Classification- Sun
Chixza: Attributes- Rain, Weather and Prophecy Classification- Moon
Decakatar: Attributes- Foreigners, Strangers and Mystery Classification- Moon
Each of these gods have mummified remains, and enjoy living out their after life visiting each other's Temples for food and drink.
Government:
The Guldani works as a classic Monarchy, and has been ever since their revolt against their elven overlords.
One of the main features of the Guldani government are the way stations that dot the nation. These stations are filled with general supplies and food, which is open to all citizens. Nearby villages are tasked with making certain these stations are stocked at all times.
Currency is a foreign idea to the Guldani, and so only practice the use of it when trading with other nations. As they have an abundance of gold and silver, they make their coins out of these materials.
As they do not use coin for taxes, the king instead collects labor from every able bodied man within his kingdom. Sometime before the tax is taken, a census is taken, recording every household and the talents of each able bodied male of age within the village. These men are then given tasks, usually in the form of building Roads, Temples and agricultural terraces. Once completed, the men are then allowed to return home to their families, who are required to maintain their own personal farms in order to be self sufficient.
Economy:
Agriculture is an important part of the Guldani way of life. Living in the mountains means there is little viable soil for growing crops, so every effort is made to utilize each piece of land to its fullest potential. Terraces are built into hills and the bases of mountains, allowing for more crops to grow.
Metalwork is also a valuable part of society, as the art of shaping gold and silver into valuable pieces of both religious ritual and luxury amongst the nobility of the Guldani. Recently the ability to work other metals has been introduced through trade with other nations, allowing the Guldani to work with bronze and some masters can even Forge iron. Such improvements have allowed for greater efficiency within almost all facets of every day life.
Possibly one of the most important parts of the Guldani economy are the way stations. These buildings dot the landscape at regular intervals, allowing for all citizens of the Empire to have access to food and general supplies like clothes and tools. Those that run these stations act as administrators, keeping records through lengths of rope that they tie into knots. With this method they are able to keep accurate count of all the supplies so they know what must be gathered from nearby villages to insure they are regularly in stock. Way stations at the edge of the Guldani borders are also known for accepting coins from foreigners for their supplies. This coin is subsequently collected and put into the treasury for trade with other nations.
Terrain:
Mountains fill the territory of the Guldani entirely. Rocky terrain leads upwards to thin atmospheric conditions, which can be difficult for those not used to it. At the base of these mountains are small clearings of grasslands and interspersed trees. Small streams and Brooks leading down the mountain are an abundance.
Territory:
The Guldani Territory spans the entire mountain range of the eastern side of the eastern continent.
The Guldani nation is split into several provinces marking the territory of various tribes that make up the whole of it. Each tribe generally has a number of villages and one or two cities within their area. Roads connect these places, with the Capital, Chotallaki, located in the northern half of the mountains.
Near the edge of their lands, towards the desolate place beyond, there is more wilderness than civilization. Monsters of great variety reside in this place, and it is not advised to go into these areas alone.
Factions:
The largest faction is the Imperial Faction, lead by Jutkalla, the Earth Shaker. It is their mission to expand the borders of the Guldani empire until it covers the entirety of the land.
Another faction is lead by Jutkalla's brothers, Lokdamon and Hutta. They conspire to take their brothers place, feeling robbed as he had taken it by force. Working in the shadows, they await the chance to end his life.
The smallest faction is the Cult of Gutamalika, who are an all female group dedicated to rooting out and destroying all elven influence within Guldani society.
Characters:
Jutkalla, the Earth Shaker: King of the Guldani and impressive general among their warriors. He has grand visions of the future, intending to see the greatness of his people spanning all that his eyes can behold.
Setsua: Son of Jutkalla, he intends on proving himself as a warrior and commander. With the gods on his side, he will help his father in his grand campaign to enlarge their territory to measures never before seen.
