The Nihoni Dominion
Part 1
Regions 251B, 253B, 254, 254B, 255, 256B, 257B, 277B, 278B, 279B, 280B, 323B, 172, 173
Total Population of the Dominion: 6,026,000
Ruler: Aneira Penddraig, First of Her Name, First among the Nihoni, Exarch of Carraig Dún and the Nihoni Demenses, Princeps of the Nihonel, Archduxess of Rhune, Satrap of the Awladal'ard, Guardian of Myrkheim, Grand Legate of the Patriam, Lugal of Nevarr and Šarrum of Neilor, and Imperatrix of the Nihoni Dominion
Imperial Family Tree
The United Nihoni Exarchate:
Carraig Dún (Region 251B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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Deep beneath the massive mountains that form the caldera known to the Nihoni as the Ring of Rhune, lies a twisting labyrinth of caves which still reap the benefits of the residual geothermic energy from a long dead super volcano.
In the massive underground caverns, glowing fungi paint a dark and twisted picture on the massive cavern walls surrounding huge underground lakes formed by the emptying of ancient magma chambers and the slow erosive effects of the waters of countless geothermal springs, which provide the minerals and nutrients for a thriving subterranean ecosystem.
Deep within the caldera lies the massive Nihoni citadel of Carraig Dún, an enormous subterranean hypogeum, spoked by numerous small centers of mining and underground agriculture and fishing.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 959,000
The Nihoni are a fierce race of feline humanoids who once populated the lands surrounding what they call the Ring of Rhune. More humanoid than their distant relatives and neighbors the Nitent'oculis, the Nihoni stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihoni possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihoni possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihoni to Nihoni, ranging widely even within small communities. Nihoni are often judged by how well they take care of their hair or "mane".
Driven underground by centuries persecution by their neighbors, the earliest Nihoni refugees found sanctuary in the cave systems deep beneath the Ring of Rhune. Here, where bioluminescent fungi provided a low light environment ideal for their keen eyes and massive underground lakes provided ample fishing opportunity, the Nihoni founded a thriving underworld community, the city of Carraig Dún.
The Nihoni, tempered by centuries of conflict with their neighbors, are a very martial people. The Nihoni possess a caste system, a remnant of necessity from those early days of refuge where everyone must do their part. The Nihonwyr, the noble warrior caste, rule over the Nihoni, a remnant of the days when military leadership was a necessity of survival. The Nihonwyr follow a rigid code of honor referred to as the Nihon Code, which strictly dictates their etiquette among themselves, as well as with the other classes. The Marchnadwr are the merchant and diplomat caste, who trade with the surface, sell goods, and provide financial services. The Grefftwr are the artisan caste, responsible with the maintenance and expansion of the Nihoni cave system and the creation of both weapons and works of art. The Tuathánach are the healing and agricultural class, farming fungi and other edibles and curatives, ranching the cave dwelling arthropods, and fishing the various lakes. Finally there are the Thaeog, or casteless, who by reasons of crime or of birth, have been striped of their status in Nihoni society.
While the internal affairs of Carraig Dún are handled by a Council comprised primarily of prominent Tuathánach and Grefftwr, military and external affairs are handled by the Exarch, the leader of the Nihonwyr, and advised by various caste leaders, especially the Marchnadwr.
Spoiler: Resource
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Deep beneath Carraig Dún lies numerous dark, dank caves brimming with volcanic mithril [good], a strong, durable, but incredibly light-weight metal. The unfortunate Thaeog who mine it desire ample supplies of alcohol to wash away the pain of their miserable lives and dismal surroundings.
Spoiler: Faith
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The Nihoni primarily worship their ancestors, who they believe still inhabit the halls of Carraig Dún. Most Nihoni families possess at least one shrine to one of their favored ancestors, a Paragon, to whom prayers and appeasement are offered in hopes of that ancestor's blessing upon their family.
A small minority of Nihoni worship the Pale Lady.
West Loch Nacáu (Region 277B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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Deep beneath the Dawn Range in Regnalin lies a twisting labyrinth of flooded caves.
In the massive underground caverns, glowing fungi paint a dark and twisted picture on the massive cavern walls surrounding huge underground lakes formed by residual volcanic activity and flooding from Bay of Prosperity and the fresh water tables of the land above, which provide the minerals and nutrients for its subterranean ecosystem. The largest of these lakes is the vast Undersea of Loch Nacáu, whose expanses stretches under nearly a half of Regnalin.
Deep within the caverns which border this massive lake lies the considerable port of Caern Wasgar, an coastal community of Nihoni Thaeog and a local center for agriculture and fishing. Many other Nihoni villages dot the caverns and underground waterways of the region.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 602,000
More humanoid than their distant relatives and neighbors the Nitent'oculis, the Nihoni stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihoni possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihoni possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihoni to Nihoni, ranging widely even within small communities. Nihoni are often judged by how well they take care of their hair or "mane".
Driven underground by centuries persecution by their neighbors, the earliest Nihoni refugees found sanctuary in the cave systems deep beneath the Ring of Rhune. The Nihoni of watershed of Loch Nacáu are of a different bred. While many Marchnadwr, Grefftwr, Tuathánach, and even Nihonwyr caste Nihoni populate the region, most of the inhabitants are Nihoni Thaeog, or casteless, usually exiles, outcasts, pariah, and refugees escaping persecution within neighboring Carraig Dún.
The center of power is the mostly Thaeog city of Caern Wasgar, whose Lairds and Ladies where the descendants of former Nihonwyr and Grefftwr exiles. The Lairds and Ladies of Caer Wasgar control the strongest military power in the region, as well as considerable agricultural clout, however most of the region's communities retain significant autonomy, electing local Majors and Elders to manage their affairs.
Spoiler: Resource
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The masses of granite that hold the cave system together make the region a great source for the softer cave Stone [Good], like limestone and marble. Wood, however, is in dire need to build barges to transport the quarried stone and boats to fish the underground lakes.
Spoiler: Faith
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The Nihoni primarily worship their ancestors. Most Nihoni families possess at least one shrine to one of their favored ancestors, a Paragon, to whom prayers and appeasement are offered in hopes of that ancestor's blessing upon their family.
East Loch Nacáu (Region 257B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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Deep beneath the Dawn Range to the east of Regnalin lies more twisting labyrinths of flooded caves.
In the massive underground caverns, glowing fungi paint a dark and twisted picture on the massive cavern walls surrounding huge underground lakes formed by residual volcanic activity and flooding from the Sea of Storms and inland lake above , which provide the minerals and nutrients for its subterranean ecosystem. The largest of these lakes is the vast Undersea of Loch Nacáu, whose easternmost expanses stretches deep under the eastern slope of the mountains where they border a large inland lake.
The great Paragons' Fall can be found not far from the city of B]Cadarnle Haearn[/B], a fortified coastal community of Nihonwyr. These falls mark the spot where waters drain directly from the lake above into the subterranean watershed.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 614,000
More humanoid than their distant relatives and neighbors the Nitent'oculis, the Nihoni stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihoni possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihoni possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihoni to Nihoni, ranging widely even within small communities. Nihoni are often judged by how well they take care of their hair or "mane".
Driven underground by centuries persecution by their neighbors, the earliest Nihoni refugees found sanctuary in the cave systems deep beneath the Ring of Rhune. The Nihoni of watershed of Loch Nacáu are of a different bred. While many Marchnadwr, Grefftwr, Tuathánach, and even Nihonwyr caste Nihoni populate the region, most of the inhabitants are Nihoni Thaeog, or casteless, usually exiles, outcasts, pariah, and refugees escaping persecution within neighboring Carraig Dún.
The center of power is the mostly Nihonwyr city of Cadarnle Haearn, ruled by a dynasty of Nihonwyr exiles. The Lairds and Ladies of Cadarnle Haearn control the almost all of the military power in the region, as well as considerable agricultural clout, however most of the region's communities retain significant autonomy, electing local Majors and Elders to manage their affairs.
Spoiler: Resource
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The caverns of the region are rich with free iron, which Grefftwr craftsman of the area use to forge quality Steel [Minor], for weapons and tools. The eastern region of Loch Nacáu is colder and damper thna the west, making medicine important for the health of the residents.
Spoiler: Faith
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The Nihoni primarily worship their ancestors. Most Nihoni families possess at least one shrine to one of their favored ancestors, a Paragon, to whom prayers and appeasement are offered in hopes of that ancestor's blessing upon their family.
Fonabeinne (Region 278B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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Deep beneath the massive mountains of the northeastern continent, lies a twisting labyrinth of caves which still reap the benefits of the residual geothermic energy from catastrophic events from once formed them.
In the massive underground caverns, glowing fungi paint a dark and twisted picture on the massive cavern walls surrounding huge underground lakes formed by emptied ancient magma chambers and the slow erosive effects of the waters of countless geothermal springs, which provide the minerals and nutrients for a thriving subterranean ecosystem not all that different to that south of Loch Nacáu. It is among these caverns that numerous Nihoni cities emerged near the region's lakes and springs. The caverns of Fonabeinne run much deeper than Carraig Dún, however.
Populated by Nihoni refugees from the north, Fonabeinne is home to numeorus underground Nihoni cities, like Féaraigh Dún, Dearg Daingneachd, and Faoi Sliabh.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 674,000
More humanoid than their distant relatives and neighbors the Nitent'oculis, the Nihoni stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihoni possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihoni possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihoni to Nihoni, ranging widely even within small communities. Nihoni are often judged by how well they take care of their hair or "mane".
The Nihoni of Fonabeinne descend from the same Nihoni that their northern neighbors, the Nihonel, do. They fled south from the territories of the Nihonel following the introduction of the Pendrel and the war of violent assassinations which followed. Many of the refugees were the progeny of leaders who meet their death at the hands of assassins, with each of these founding their own independent cities in the region.
Largely disunited, the city-states of the region each possess their own leaders, most from their Nihonwyr-analog caste. The most powerful of these are the the Lords and Ladies of Féaraigh Dún.
Spoiler: Resource
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The sheer depths which the caverns of Fonabeinne dive give the region access to an ample supply of Diamonds [Good], used from both ornamental and practical purposes. As stylish clothing is popular among the Nihoni of the region, fabrics are desired in the region, for the making of beautiful clothing.
Spoiler: Faith
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The Nihoni primarily worship their ancestors. Most Nihoni families possess at least one shrine to one of their favored ancestors, a Paragon, to whom prayers and appeasement are offered in hopes of that ancestor's blessing upon their family.
Pendria (Region 280B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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The caverns under Conlarbores are a strange an foreign realm. A damp cavescape, the halls of Pendria do not benefit as much from the heat of the plate tectonics that shaped those caverns nearby, but are a cold bleak landscape dominated by strangely carved halls connecting many bleak and chilly underground lakes and rivers.
The Halls of Pendria were carved long ago, before the oral history of the Nihonel and long before the memories of the oldest living Pendrel. For as long as either can remember the strange system of artificial tunnels has existed. Perhaps they were long lost in conflict with the Nihonel's Nihoni ancestors, or perhaps with the Pendrel themselves. The exact identity or nature of these precursors, who carved their halls filled with strange and intricate glyphs, is largely unknown.
Pendria is a generally dark and cold land, far devoid of life compared to neighboring regions. Lacking the heat of other regions it is cool, and the fols fire native the region glows only dully in often is isolated clusters. The center of the ecosystem is the enormous mycorrhizas systems reaching down from the the great forests from the land above. It's these strange systems of fungi and roots that, along with the underground lakes and streams, form the backbone of what little ecosystem exists in the area. Comprised of mainly invertebrates, save for a few cave fish, the natural econsystem of the area was dominated by two apex predators: the Pendrel and the Glyph Weaver, as large species of spider.
Within the largest artificial structures, along the various lakes and stream, rose the towns and villages of the Nihonel, descendants of Nihoni who fled into the unnatural cave system following conflict with the Nitent’oculis above. The most notable of these are Avaritia, Stygia, and Maladomini, where the Ancerin Inquisition held their court.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 587,000 (Pendrel with Nihonel hosts)
Similar to the Nihoni, the Nihonel stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihonel possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihonel possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihonel to Nihonel, ranging widely even within small communities. The are often more similar to the Nihonwyr caste than anything, with their members often being extraordinarily fit, while being adaptable and capable warriors. The Nihonel possess even better night vision than their Nihoni cousins.
The descendants of surface Nihoni, they differ greatly due to their relationship with the Pendrel. The Pendrel are a race of invertebrate parasites which populated the lakes and waters of the region. Having spent years using the Glyph Weavers as hosts, the Pendrel moved to a more adaptable species by integrating with the Nihoni. Young Pendrel appear much like large tadpoles, and can communicate directly with other members of their species that share the same body of water. As they grow, the eventually desire a host, with whom they share a mind. The Pendrel are effectively immortal, capable of surviving so long as they possess a viable host; robbed of a host however, they will expire within a day or two. Upon bonding with their new hosts, the Pendrel shared the hunting techniques of the deadly spiders, helping to shape the Nihonwyr leaders of the region into deadly combatants. Through a war of subterfuge and infiltration, they claimed dominion over the Nihonel.
The rulers of the region are the Nihonel Dominus, often bonded with some of the most cunning elder Pendrel. While once the Iron Guantlet held great power in the region, they have waned following Ancerin Inquisition, those who survived having moved "underground' or fled to other demesnes of the United Nihoni Exarchate.
Spoiler: Resource
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While once a safe haven of trained killers, Pendria has now turned to the farming of the Spider Silk [Minor] of the Glyph Weavers. In addition to possessing the luxurious qualities of other silks, the fabrics spun from the fiber are incredibly durable, while ropes braided with the silk are notably stronger than traditional hempen rope. Do to the sparse nature of the local ecosystem, however, foodstuffs are prefered to feed the burgeoning population.
Spoiler: Faith
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Nihonel in possession of particularly secular Pendrel often carry on the worship of their Paragon Ancestors. Those with pious Pendrel worship a strange otherworldly faith that worships powerful, slumbering entities said to live deep beneath the earth, which bears a stunning resemblance to the Myrkálfr faith of the Old Ones.
The Shrouded Catacombs (Region 279B)
Spoiler: Terrain
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As the mysterious halls pf Pendria move east they converge deep under the rugged mountains of Domumontem upon the great underground lake known as the Llynytywyllwch.
It is there that the great vaulted doors of the Shrouded Catacombs can be found, a massive underground labyrinth of glyph lined halls once built by whatever civilization predated the current inhabitants. Once the great tomb of those peoples, it is now a massive underground city populated by the region's Nihonel, rivaling even Carraig Dún and Prevaz.
The underground tomb does not benefit as much from the heat of the plate tectonics that shaped those caverns nearby, but is a cold bleak landscape dominated by strangely carved halls connecting many bleak mausoleums of the a race long dead. Carved long before the oral history of the Nihonel, the halls are an enigma, but provided a suitable home form the the great Nihonel tribes of the region.
The Shrouded Catacombs is a generally dark and cold land, far devoid of life compared to neighboring regions. Lacking the heat of other regions it is cool, and the fols fire native the region glows only dully in often is isolated clusters, while the glyphed halls are filled with all manner of strange and other worldly invertebrates, dominated by the eerie Pendrel and the Glyph Wanderer, a predatory arachnid known for its potent venom and a perchance for seeming to disappear from plain sight.
Spoiler: Society
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Population: 587,000 (Pendrel with Nihonel hosts)
Similar to the Nihoni, the Nihonel stand between four and a half and six feet tall. Their face appears remarkably human, save their feline eyes and ears and their discolored noses. The Nihonel possess fur only on their limbs and tail, their torso being bare like a human's. The Nihonel possess dangerous natural weapons in their sharp, durable claws and fearsome canine teeth. The color of their fur and skin differs from Nihonel to Nihonel, ranging widely even within small communities. The are often more similar to the Nihonwyr caste than anything, with their members often being extraordinarily fit, while being adaptable and capable warriors. The Nihonel possess even better night vision than their Nihoni cousins.
The descendants of surface Nihoni, the differ greatly due to their relationship with the Pendrel. The Pendrel are a race of invertebrate parasites which populated the lakes and waters of the region. Having spent years using the Glyph Wanderers as hosts, the Pendrel moved to a more adaptable species by integrating with the Nihoni. Young Pendrel appear much like large tadpoles, and can communicate directly with other members of their species that share the same body of water. As they grow, the eventually desire a host, with whom they share a mind. The Pendrel are effectively immortal, capable of surviving so long as they possess a viable host; robbed of a host however, they will expire within a day or two. Upon bonding with their new hosts, the Pendrel shared the hunting techniques of the deadly spiders, helping to shape the Nihonwyr leaders of the region into deadly combatants. Through a war of subterfuge and infiltration, they claimed dominion over the Nihonel.
The ruler of the Shrouded Catacomb is an ancient Pendrel known only as the Shrouded Lord. One of the first Pendrel to bond with Nihonel, he is a wise and incredibly skilled creature, he has successfully maintained control over the region for centuries, turning his subsequent hosts into both wise rulers and warriors and killers of the greatest skill. While the Iron Guantlet in Pendria have waned following Ancerin Inquisition, those within the Shrouded Catacombs remained protected under the auspices of the United Nihoni Exarchate. It is rumored that the Shrouded Lord claims the loyalty of this reviled and notorious organization.
Spoiler: Resource
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The venom of the Glyph Wanderer, known simply as Blindgut Poison [Minor], is a potent poison, known for both the quickness with which it renders its victims incapacitated, and for the drawn out, torpid manner in which it finally claims its victims. Within moments of infliction in a wound (much slower if digested), the poison manifests in fever, weakness, and uncontrolled vomiting, before eventual effecting the victim's eye sight, rendering them blind. If left to its own device, the poison will claim a victim's life only over the course of several days, as the victim's fever grows and they languish in immense pain. Those who use the poison, however, rarely wait that long. Hard metals are needed to forge the blades and weaponized gauntlets common of the region's warriors and assassins.
Spoiler: Faith
Show
Nihonel in possession of particularly secular Pendrel often carry on the worship of their Paragon Ancestors. Those with pious Pendrel worship a strange otherworldly faith that worships powerful, slumbering entities said to live deep beneath the earth, which bears a stunning resemblance to the Myrkálfr faith of the Old Ones.
Re: Empire! Lands of Arandi
Originally Posted by Kid Jake
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