Kjurvog

The Seven Paths have opened. The Gates of Innocence, which had once kept our people at bay, have been torn asunder -- woe unto those that stand before the Kjurvog.

Since its founding, Kjurvog has been a rebellious and contentious people. For generations, they have heeded the Seven Paths set by their spiritual guides, shamanistic rulers in all but name. However, the first of their Great Khans unlocked these spiritual gates, transgressing against the natural order. In doing so, they became the First Vampires and set an example for their followers to strive towards. They have communed within shadows, drunken on power offered by malevolent spirits. Forever lost, they have become figureheads of the nation, hidden away for the betterment of mankind.

Though some call the act of turning another into a Vampire 'Offering the Blood-Kiss,' it isn't as simple as they believe. The Vampires of Kjurvog straddle the line between death and life, trying to maintain stability between the near-overpowering desires of the unbound flesh. The process could be better compared with a voyage, the Vampires sailing through tumultuous seas towards the promise of lands that haven't been seen for generations, far off, away from the blue.

Each Vampire acts as a Shepherd to its people, leading those bound to its will through the wastelands, hunting after the Outsiders who have stolen their birthright, all in the name of the Fallen Star. Although the original Vampires are lost in time, the dream never dies. The bloodlines of the Seven Figureheads have been diluted by the influx of Vampires, the many branches of the whole following new sights, and the shifting wills of their masters, yet the masses remain loyal to their cause.

Abandon reason and live.

Stubborn to a fault, the Kjurvog follow their hearts, their strong emotional ties the only thing holding them together in this age of fire and deception. Abandoning reason in the name of personal convictions, their judgment is foregone for those who have bled for one another. Kinship is more valuable than silver, and the loyalty between brothers bound by the blade is held with almost religious fervor. Though drawn to the ambitious, they willingly subvert expectations, lowering themselves for the sake of their peers.

Contented to stand alongside anyone who shares a common enemy, the Kjurvog laugh in the face of death, no matter how incompatible their new allies are. They ride forth, inspiring the stagnant, and act as the spear-tip for the inconsistent and indecisive.

Our alliance is simple. The Trel are the shield, their walls designed to protect the heartland. Across the waters, our allies pose, ready to pierce the heart of our enemy. The others, Gailia, Envalla, and Ingas, each of the lesser kingdoms, have their role to play, much like our own. We are the sword and the spear, the first defense against damnation.

Kjurvog considers itself to be the sword against the Outsiders. They tolerate no refugees, nor do they offer solace for the weak. Those that come before them, seeking to ride among them solely for protection, are brought to the Trel, where they can earn a place behind the walls.

Although they are rugged and seen as blood-maddened people, the truth is far from it. They are warriors and sorcerers, willing to make any unholy deal to bring peace to this world. Many nationalities follow the Khans, landless and without hope, wishing nothing more than to eradicate the Outsiders.

Not only boasting the best horses in the known world, the Kjurvog have amassed thousands, seemingly born in the saddle. Through brutal conquests, they have obtained powerful artifacts and tomes with coveted knowledge. Bones and the mockery of flesh have been harvested from Outsiders, each holding mystical properties that can be used by those practiced in the arcane.

Many minor tribes have been absorbed and assimilated by various warlords over the limited resources available in their lands. They would, in turn, strike the civilizations that flourished around fertile ground. When the Outsiders fell onto the land, their enemies circled them, wishing to enact vengeance for past hostilities and the blood of innocents. The Vampires succeeded in negotiating peace agreements, and the many tribes united under these unimaginable leaders.

To ensure continuous loyalty, and dissuade from rebellion, the family units are broken up and scattered across the many khans. Each Khan has many followers under their banners relative to their worth in the eyes of their peers.

Honor the Khans. Honor the Gods. Honor your Kin.

There are no official laws among the Kjurvog. Vampires, above the reproach of mortals, care little for what their people do in their everyday lives. Except for deserting, their laws can be best summarized as 'not being a nuisance' as they are more social niceties than actual laws. Religious leaders often impose statutes on their people, borrowed from other cultures.

Priests and sorcerers were taken first, then the wizards. First, they would sit before the Khan. Then, when they were judged worthy, they would be brought to our children.

People from Kjurvog rarely value education as much as their neighboring countries do. However, the Kjurvog despise ignorance. To understand the world around them and to equip their young for an uncertain future, they have taken additional steps in support of learning things that truly matter.

Of course, there is little agreement on what they consider valuable education.

Frightened scholars are captured during raids or purchased from neighboring countries. Standing within the dark courts of the Vampires, they are tested according to their knowledge, competing with their peers to prove their worth. Overcoming their rivals through their wits earns favor among the Vampires gathered. These debates provide entertainment for even the most apathetic Vampire, for their distress is apparent.

Former captives, now freemen, alongside wandering magically intuned people, will test the knowledge of all those that come before them. Through scrutiny and careful questioning, these humans are tasked with uprooting the charlatans and those who would prove untrustworthy. Although the majority of these Vampires are known for their scholarly knowledge and can sniff out the easily replaceable, their attitude would allow more harm than good. The scholars can see the potential and vigor that some have, things that a Vampire cannot comprehend. The weight of responsibility weighs heavily on these shoulders, for these scholars are the ears of the living dead.

Unfortunately, there are many charlatans. These are often rooted out during the initial testing. Shame follows these people as they are exposed before the people they have taken advantage of. In some, albeit rare cases, the Khans have become enraged by their facade, disemboweling them before those gathered.

Masters in a particular subject are kept close to the Khans, protected, and often treated as sons, even if their theories are later disproved. They are tasked with teaching the Khans, showing them the wonders they've missed through the years. Rewarded with beautiful robes, each embroidered with magnificent designs, they are further gifted the secrets of the Kjurvog and permitted to stand among the other advisors and Vampires.

Those with sufficient knowledge are sold or lent as private tutors of prominent families. Their value is in what they know, and without the care of the Vampires, often grow old, teaching misguided information to generations. This, however, rarely has negative effects on the pupils, who dream only of riding alongside the Khans. These teachers reside in smaller homes, often on the outskirts of each encampment.