Korisgana

Korisgana is one of the ten widely-recognized regions, located in the center-west, east of Anibat, south of Satarhat, and northeast of Selatra. Dry and rocky, stretching from the foothills of the Roof of the World to the Vaduic mountains, Korisgana is the homeland of the Koris cultures, as well as the northern Aduratan population of the Vanara. Heartland of the old Harataran Empire, Koirsgana is not presently politically unified, split into a patchwork of small states paying lip-service to a single High Raj with no real political power.   The natural magic type of Korisgana is Sun Magic

History

The oldest intelligent inhabitants of Korisgana were the asuras, proud and clever beings descended from the gods themselves, with a natural talent for magic that far surpassed that of other species, though compared to other regions where asuras lived they were never widespread in Korisgana, inhabiting only a single city-state, Kottir. They were not alone for long though, during the early days of the world Palat visited the Aduratan Plateau and created the first of the vanaras, and soon after that the nagas began migrating up the Kijar River from Selatra. The younger species grew in number and developed, but they were never considered a serious threat by the asuras, who had technology and magic able to resist anything their neighbors could do. Eventually a fourth species migrated into the area from the north, humans.   Previously, all inhabitants of Korisgana had stuck to the more hospitable south, but as humans began to settle in the north, they began to uncover seams of the rare mineral Atlarite, used mostly for decoration by humans but a key component of some asura devices. A paranoid fear that the other species were 'hiding' materials began to spread in Kottir (indeed, at this time it seemed that paranoia about the other species became an increasing feature of asura society across regions in this period), leading them to start attacking and subjugating the others. The Vanara and Naga regions had good stocks of more common metals, but no Atlarite, so the leaders of Kottir began forcibly moving the humans into the south, especially into the naga lands around the Kijar, out of fear of them learning to use asura technology against them. While those areas had once been solidly naga, all the humans of various tribes being forced together into the area meant they now outnumbered the nagas.   While the asuras jealously guarded their secrets from their subjects, they continued to develop their technology and society on their own, developing metalworking, grand architecture, and agricultural techniques to survive in the dry north. What truly brought the vanara and the increasingly mixed human/naga population out of subjugation though was that compared to asuras, they bred extremely quickly and Kottir was increasingly unable to keep them contained in the zones they had designated. Eventually they were forced to abandon the aduratan region entirely due to a series of guerilla wars led by a vanara warrior named Dashka.   The new vanara state of Rik Holo'o began to expand southwards out of Korisgana, while in Adurata they began an artistic golden age. Adurata also discretely supported resistance among the Koris, what had once been the human and naga populations now thoroughly mixed into a single people. The Koris began returning to the north, in such large numbers that the tiny asura population had little recourse, and when the Koris cities and Rik Holo'o banded together to demand an end to asura control of Korisgana, an unknown asura extremist responded by blowing up the entirety of Kottir as the Koris and Holo'o armies approached to prevent them from taking their technological secrets. The surviving asuras either assimilated into the new societies or left Korisgana entirely. A few important cities were first founded during the period of cooperation after this, including Vologara and Haratara.   Cooperation between the Koris and Holo'o didn't last long, however. To the north, the rising Yakapuri Empire from Selenistan arrived, taking over most of northern Korisgana. The north was a major iron-producing region, and while there was iron in the south it wasn't enough to supply the growing city of Haratara, leading their rulers to begin pressing claims on the city of Vologara, which was also claimed by Rik Holo'o. A series of brief inconclusive wars over the land followed, and in Vologara, resentment to both states simmered, even after domestic unrest forced the Yakapuri to leave Korisgana, until eventually the Word-Fishers of Vologara, previously mostly a monastic order, were rallied behind as symbols of local identity as Vologara asserted its independence from both Haratara and Holo'o, setting the Word-Fishers up as leaders.   Haratara was left to recover from the economic devastation of repeated wars and began to work on revitalizing trade relations with the other Koris states, it was still centrally located after all, and made an effective nexus of trade. This was disrupted by another invasion, this time by the second Muhara Empire, which unlike the Yakapuris succeeded in taking over all of Korisgana. However, the hundred-year period of Muhara rule proved a boon for the city of Haratara, as it was chosen as the provincial capital, elevating its local importance even further. Constant conflict with the nagas in Selatra led to destabilization of the Muhara Empire and reduced garrisons in other provinces, including in Korisgana, leading an enterprising Koris noble named Sekenpashet to gather together group of dissatisfied Haratarans to oust the Muhara governor and declare him the first High Raj of the Harataran Empire.   Sekenpashet's reign was marked by a number of ambitious building projects, such as the Tower of the Sun in Haratara, as well as expansion of trade relationships with Selatra. A few years into his rule, famine struck as the goddess of decay, Belodil, began spreading rot throughout Korisgana. Adurata was most heavily affected by this crisis, causing the Rik Holo'o to collapse. A group of heroes was gathered from throughout the region by Sekenpashet's daughter Meretsi, who managed to trick Belodil into a sacred forest where they summoned Vadu, lord of crafts, to defeat her. Vadu then presented Meretsi with the Mask of Stability, which would become a symbol of Harataran power.   The late part of Sekenpashet's reign was spent crushing a series of rebellions in the north, and while Sekenpashet was succesful in ending the rebellions, he recieved an arrow wound that became infected, and for the remaining three years of his rule his health continued to decline despite the power of the Mask of Stability being used to stall his condition. By the final year, the empire was already effectively ruled by Meretsi.   Under Meretsi and her two successors, Pulekat and Kalasef, the Harataran Empire grew, conquering Adurata and unifying the entire Korisgana region, as well as some of what is now eastern Anibat. The empire continued to prosper, with numerous great temples and forts built throughout it. During this period the previously wildly varied religious traditions of the Koris became more standardized, with a common 'city pantheon' focused around the emanations of Palat, and a religious tradition focused on ritual emulation of the feats of deities.   Under the fifth High Raj, Hotamelaya, the empire's power began to dwindle. Rakshasa piracy in Selatra disrupted the trade of one of Haratara's main trade partners, and rebellions of the so-called 'Bandit-Princes' of Anibat wore down at the empire's millitary. Twelve years into Hotamelaya's rule, the vanara settlements of Adurata broke off from the empire, forming a loose band of states known as Ha'la Surusuru. Hotamelaya led an army to try and reconquer the area, but was killed in action, leaving the empire without an heir. A meeting of the various local rulers from what remained of the empire was called, and during that meeting, the empire was unofficially ended. A new noble was chosen as High Raj, but stripped of all real power leaving Korisgana a patchwork of minor states.   (Placeholder- Recent events)

Major Settlements

Northern Korisgana

Katradrug- A former border fort of the Harataran Empire, Katradrug has expanded into a major regional center due to being built over a high-quality stone deposit. Center of the Sun Knight tradition, using Sun Magic to create steeds out of light.

Natapali- Founded under the name Netesham, this city was renamed and grew massively under Yakapuri rule, it is the main trade point for Korisgana to traders coming from Satarhat and Selenistan.

Afastperet- While not especially large, this town is one of the oldest human settlements in Korisgana, sustained to this day by a signifigant deposit of Atlarite,as well as pilgrims to its ancient shrines dedicated to guardian deities of the Koris people.

Haplipali- A minor Yakapuri border outpost, Haplipali was taken over as the headquarters of the Guardians of the Waste, a group of 'Rock Rangers', a warrior band sworn to protection of an area. The Guardians of the Waste also train even non-members in combat and Sun Magic.

Central Korisgana

Haratara- Founded shortly after the end of asura rule over the Koris, Haratara is the most politically central city of the region and one of the largest cities is the world, former capital of the Harataran Empire, a cosmopolitan city and center of art and science.

Kijarnagara- Possibly the oldest settlement in Korisgana, this city built on the north bank of the Kijar River was once the center of the naga state of the region, and the place most of the humans from the north were forcibly moved to during asura rule. Known as a center for fine crafts, Kijarnagara is the main trading point in Korisgana for trade with Selatra and Anibat

Vologara- On the southeast banks of the Kijar river, Vologara is right at the base of the Roof of the World mountain range. Ruled by the former monastic order the Word-Fishers, it is best known for its massive libraries of magical texts, and its defenders clad in heavily enchanted armor.

Misagiri- Founded as a millitary base during the wars between Haratara and Rik Holo'o over Vologara, Misagiri has continued to survive long after those wars through farming and fishing, though politically it remains more or less an outpost of Haratara.

Resa Nian- Built by Anibati subjects of the Harataran Empire near a mountain pass between the two regions, Resa Nian is home to the Temple of the Hive, religious center to a local bee-god, whose priests wear robes housing living bees they can command.

Adurata (Southern Korisgana)

Adurata City- Built on top of a plateau in the far southeast of Korisgana, this is said to be built upon the site where Palat created the first Vanara. Center of Aduratan culture, it is described as a 'stone forest', most of the structures built around giant central pillars to mimic the forest towns in the rest of Adurata.

Dasol'seko- One of the larger forest towns, it is not far south from the Kijar river and is one of the main trade stops between Kijarnagara and Adurata City. There is a strong local tradition of weapon crafting- often for artistic purposes as much as military ones, with well-made tools and blades being treated as an art form.

Vadupa- Said to be the site where Vadu, lord of crafts, defeated Belodil of the Nothing Court, goddess of decay. The town contains a massive treetop temple complex surounding a central plaza with a statue of Vadu weilding the Blade of Skill.

Nakapalagum- Right against the border of Selatra and thus having a high naga population, Nakapalagum is built in two levels, with both a ground-level town and a forest town. It is the largest center of woodworking and wooden crafts in Adurata.