Capital: Angkor Wat
Ruler: Ananta Mandeep
Government: Theocratic
Languages: Sanskrit, Vishkanya, Celestial, Draconic, Samsaran
Classes(most common): Monk, Oracle, Wizard, Bard
Races (most common): Samsaran, Nagaji, Vishkanya, Aasimar
History:
Indus is a quiet country of learning, amidst the legends of giants. It was once said the very gods walked this land, and called it home amidst there celestial servants. It is explored by many adventurers or even just travelers who want to walk the paths of the gods before the wars of the fiends. It is a paradise for historians who can glean much from the knowledge of the monasteries or the ancient, decaying temples located in the jungles. When the gods fell and the fiends stole their sparks, the continent was engulfed in chaos and ravaged by battle as the gods fought to maintain their foothold in this world.
After the Wars, it was abandoned by civilization for several hundred years, with only sparse settlements dotting the land as it recovered from the scorching warfare between the forces. Those that survived have sworn to a peaceful way of life that tolerates all manifestations of life, even evil, as long as it does not harm those around them. Now, it is beginning to thrive again as an Aasimar, Arken, endeavoured to help the scarred land recover.
Geography:
Indus is very diverse and because it was so torn by the great wars, the new growth often weaves around old temples, homes, and cities of the celestials that are filled with relics of great craftsmanship and beauty. It is a graveyard of a much grander past. There is one place that there is no growth, it is as barren as it was the day it was ravaged by the wars. It is called “The Field of Remembrance” where the final stand was made against the Fiends. It is at the border between Indus and Sihai
In addition, there are the Mountains of the World. These mountains span for miles and were once the prosperous domain of Seneca, whose palace is on the highest peak of this mountain. Now it is snow covered and the inhabitants struggle to live outside the Aishwarya monastery.
Government:
In the memory of Arken, the wise Aasimar who began the recovery of the land. They are still ruled, on the local level, by tribes who are given autonomous freedom, as long as they do not harm others. In addition, they are all subject to the benevolent wisdom of Aishwarya Monastery, nestled high in the Mountains of the World. He runs the country with an eye to his deities and another on keeping the country running in a more practical manner. He is advised by a council and the wisdom of the sister monastery, Ankgor Watt.
Places of Interest:
Aishwarya is home to monks of almost every deity. The place is huge and rumor says it goes right into the mountain it sits outside of. None know if it is true or not for no monk who trains there will speak on it secrets. It hold libraries for learning every subject one might wish. Places for monks who know magic to practice the combining of the two. It also holds areas for pure martial training. Every monk walks from the monastery with a deeper understanding of their connection to their deity and to their purpose in life.
Angkor Wat is where the current Ruler dwells for half the year. The other half he dwells in Aishwarya. The city is well irrigated with plenty of space for crops, bathing, shops, homes and of course the one thing it is renowned for temples. Every deity even the evil ones have a temple here. Their only restriction is that they may not perform sacrifices with sentient beings.
Utoyelna is the old palace of Seneca,the hidden god. It is a rapturously built palace that is made of ice and nearly a maze in construction. It is here that Seneca dwells and maintains his massive library. There is a rumor that he knows everything that has ever happened and ever will happen. His library contains every book that has been written and every book that will ever be written. Some of those books hold the answer to perplexing problems or where to find the weapons needed to combat certain enemies. Every loveliness the palace possesses it matches in deadliness.
Culture:
Monasteries dot the countryside as they are the main reason for settling here. They lead the locals peacefully and by example. Most people here are very spiritual and are very devoted to the spiritual ideal. Sometimes it is a deity, sometimes an ancestor, and sometimes it is simply an ideal. To insult it in any way is to insult the person. How they take retribution is dependent on the person and is always within the bounds of the laws. The law is never overstepped even in regards to this insult.
Beyond the culture of wisdom throughout, is a growing hive of change and rebirth. It is said that Indus is poised to return in greatness, to rival Nihon. As a result, the changing culture is very fluid and allows for a good deal of confusion for scholars who have attempted to define it. What is known is that all that development and growth exists beyond the Emperor’s grasp, for now. But things are rapidly moving and this causes the normally peace loving cultures, to clash with the new rising merchant caste that is developing.