Post by Horsie on Jan 3, 2015 22:38:24 GMT
Tolpish history is filled with a great many calamities and hardships that have befallen them.
Long ago they were native to Vellastorm, but a slave up rising combined with war with the Darsai crippled their nation. Fortunately, the Tolpish had already begun to establish colonies in Jaydia, to which their population could flee. This exodus was assisted by the Tolpish's long term allies the Gotetra, who provided the Tolpish with support and protection during the upheaval.
The Tolpish did not find peace in their new homeland, as they soon came into conflict with tribes that were already present in Eastern Jaydia, the Bardabor, the Cansaibe, and the remnants of the Vetlid Empire.
Many peoples would have crumbled in the face of such struggles, or at least survive as a weak, third-rate power. But the Tolpish have a will to survive and overcome adversity that is second to none, and not only recovered, but prospered in their harsh new homeland.
But further disaster was to threaten the Tolpish- the rise of the Knarl. This strange and powerful race were united in a single purpose, to conquer and crush all who stood in their way. Unpolluted by doubt or division, and physically unmatched, the Tolpish quickly realised that this new foe was more powerful than anything they had ever fought before. Where others would have seen oblivion, the Tolpish saw opportunity. Rather than fight the aggressors, they agreed to serve them, founding a new and terrible nation- the Knarl Empire.
Knarl are creatures of limited thought, with simple, focused minds. They demanded servitude and obedience, but beyond that have little concern for the actual running of the Empire. While Mighty Pharaoh and the other Knarl are the nation's official rulers, real political power rests with the Scar Warriors.
The Scar Warriors are the elite of the Tolpish society and military, trained from a young age to serve the Empire with total devotion. When they come of age, members of this elite caste are marked with scars cut into their faces, symbolising the Tolpish ability to enduring suffering and hardship. They are organised into various sects, each with their own traditions, rituals and roles. These sects are often engaged in political manoeuvring and plotting against each other to gain favour with the Knarl and more influence within the Empire.
The supreme Tolpish authority are the High Command, the highest ranked generals and commanders who decide policy for the Empire. To rise to the highest ranks of the Tolpish is a dangerous business. The Knarl allow their minions free reign to do what they think best...but they are also quick to punish failure, and a member of the High Command can easily fall out of favour and suffer their wrath. Knarl may not understand the complexities of a lot of the decision making that runs the Empire, but they know what they want and they have little tolerance for failure.
Over time, the Tolpish have come to emulate their Knarl masters, with the Tolpish becoming ever more brutal and harsh. Their society is now a pitiless dictatorship, focused on war and conquest. Authority is derived from strength and force, and the Tolpish are more than prepared to deliver as much force as is necessary to crush those who oppose the Empire.
The Tolpish are first amongst the servants of the Empire due to their loyalty and devotion to the cause, but this makes them deeply resented by other peoples that have been conquered by the Empire. The Bardabor fear the Tolpish due to the harsh methods and merciless treatment of those they rule, while the Tolpish view the Bardabors' unenthusiastic resignation as weak and cowardly. This leads the Tolpish to resent the Bardabor and treat them ever harsher.
Even stronger tensions exist between the Tolpish and Cansaibe. The Cansaibe endlessly rebel and struggle against what they see as their oppressors. Though they hate the Knarl for conquering them, it is the Tolpish who perform the day-to-day duties of the Empire and carry out the Knarl's will, and so they are the most hated by Cansaibe. To the Cansaibe, the Tolpish are traitors and sell outs, willing to lick the hands of their masters and hurt others in order to curry favour.
The Tolpish see the Cansaibe as nihilists, fighting a war they already lost long ago. To the Tolpish, Cansaibe resistance to the Empire just causes unnecessary death and suffering, bringing more punishment and hardships on themselves, but achieving nothing. If the Cansaibe would simply accept the situation and help the Empire rather than fighting it, the Tolpish reason, then the Cansaibe could be lifted up in the Empire, rather than being endlessly crushed by it.
The Tolpish have no religion in the traditional sense, having abandoned their ancient gods for failing to deliver them from so many catastrophes. However, their enforced devotion to the Empire could be considered a form of state worship, with numerous rituals and pledges of devotion.
Tolpish forces form the core of the Empire's armies, providing large numbers of well trained and enthusiastic warriors. Different Scar Warrior sects specialise in different arts of war, with some providing heavy or light infantry, others providing cavalry or archers. The Tolpish are skilled, brave, well trained, and able to bring a great number of warriors to bear against their enemies due to their nation's ultra militant policies. Their only weakness is in their equipment, which is inferior to that of most of their rivals. The Knarl have little interest in abstract concepts like advancement and invention, so technologically the Empire is generally quite backward.
Tolpish embody the elements of life and mind. Their life magic gives them their great ability to endure and adapt to knew climates and terrains. In just a couple of weeks, a Tolpish can become completely acclimatised to a new environment, meaning that they can live as well in a desert, at high altitudes, or in a frozen tundra. Their mind magic expresses itself in illusions and trickery, often used by those sects focused on spying on the population of the Empire for disloyalty, or by agents and spies sent to other nations.
Tolpish have almost complete gender equality and have no bias regarding sexual orientation. Half-castes do not face stigma amongst the Tolpish, as long as their devotion to the Empire is strong.
Long ago they were native to Vellastorm, but a slave up rising combined with war with the Darsai crippled their nation. Fortunately, the Tolpish had already begun to establish colonies in Jaydia, to which their population could flee. This exodus was assisted by the Tolpish's long term allies the Gotetra, who provided the Tolpish with support and protection during the upheaval.
The Tolpish did not find peace in their new homeland, as they soon came into conflict with tribes that were already present in Eastern Jaydia, the Bardabor, the Cansaibe, and the remnants of the Vetlid Empire.
Many peoples would have crumbled in the face of such struggles, or at least survive as a weak, third-rate power. But the Tolpish have a will to survive and overcome adversity that is second to none, and not only recovered, but prospered in their harsh new homeland.
But further disaster was to threaten the Tolpish- the rise of the Knarl. This strange and powerful race were united in a single purpose, to conquer and crush all who stood in their way. Unpolluted by doubt or division, and physically unmatched, the Tolpish quickly realised that this new foe was more powerful than anything they had ever fought before. Where others would have seen oblivion, the Tolpish saw opportunity. Rather than fight the aggressors, they agreed to serve them, founding a new and terrible nation- the Knarl Empire.
Knarl are creatures of limited thought, with simple, focused minds. They demanded servitude and obedience, but beyond that have little concern for the actual running of the Empire. While Mighty Pharaoh and the other Knarl are the nation's official rulers, real political power rests with the Scar Warriors.
The Scar Warriors are the elite of the Tolpish society and military, trained from a young age to serve the Empire with total devotion. When they come of age, members of this elite caste are marked with scars cut into their faces, symbolising the Tolpish ability to enduring suffering and hardship. They are organised into various sects, each with their own traditions, rituals and roles. These sects are often engaged in political manoeuvring and plotting against each other to gain favour with the Knarl and more influence within the Empire.
The supreme Tolpish authority are the High Command, the highest ranked generals and commanders who decide policy for the Empire. To rise to the highest ranks of the Tolpish is a dangerous business. The Knarl allow their minions free reign to do what they think best...but they are also quick to punish failure, and a member of the High Command can easily fall out of favour and suffer their wrath. Knarl may not understand the complexities of a lot of the decision making that runs the Empire, but they know what they want and they have little tolerance for failure.
Over time, the Tolpish have come to emulate their Knarl masters, with the Tolpish becoming ever more brutal and harsh. Their society is now a pitiless dictatorship, focused on war and conquest. Authority is derived from strength and force, and the Tolpish are more than prepared to deliver as much force as is necessary to crush those who oppose the Empire.
The Tolpish are first amongst the servants of the Empire due to their loyalty and devotion to the cause, but this makes them deeply resented by other peoples that have been conquered by the Empire. The Bardabor fear the Tolpish due to the harsh methods and merciless treatment of those they rule, while the Tolpish view the Bardabors' unenthusiastic resignation as weak and cowardly. This leads the Tolpish to resent the Bardabor and treat them ever harsher.
Even stronger tensions exist between the Tolpish and Cansaibe. The Cansaibe endlessly rebel and struggle against what they see as their oppressors. Though they hate the Knarl for conquering them, it is the Tolpish who perform the day-to-day duties of the Empire and carry out the Knarl's will, and so they are the most hated by Cansaibe. To the Cansaibe, the Tolpish are traitors and sell outs, willing to lick the hands of their masters and hurt others in order to curry favour.
The Tolpish see the Cansaibe as nihilists, fighting a war they already lost long ago. To the Tolpish, Cansaibe resistance to the Empire just causes unnecessary death and suffering, bringing more punishment and hardships on themselves, but achieving nothing. If the Cansaibe would simply accept the situation and help the Empire rather than fighting it, the Tolpish reason, then the Cansaibe could be lifted up in the Empire, rather than being endlessly crushed by it.
The Tolpish have no religion in the traditional sense, having abandoned their ancient gods for failing to deliver them from so many catastrophes. However, their enforced devotion to the Empire could be considered a form of state worship, with numerous rituals and pledges of devotion.
Tolpish forces form the core of the Empire's armies, providing large numbers of well trained and enthusiastic warriors. Different Scar Warrior sects specialise in different arts of war, with some providing heavy or light infantry, others providing cavalry or archers. The Tolpish are skilled, brave, well trained, and able to bring a great number of warriors to bear against their enemies due to their nation's ultra militant policies. Their only weakness is in their equipment, which is inferior to that of most of their rivals. The Knarl have little interest in abstract concepts like advancement and invention, so technologically the Empire is generally quite backward.
Tolpish embody the elements of life and mind. Their life magic gives them their great ability to endure and adapt to knew climates and terrains. In just a couple of weeks, a Tolpish can become completely acclimatised to a new environment, meaning that they can live as well in a desert, at high altitudes, or in a frozen tundra. Their mind magic expresses itself in illusions and trickery, often used by those sects focused on spying on the population of the Empire for disloyalty, or by agents and spies sent to other nations.
Tolpish have almost complete gender equality and have no bias regarding sexual orientation. Half-castes do not face stigma amongst the Tolpish, as long as their devotion to the Empire is strong.