*note, the Karakosi is a new species that was combined from 2 previous species. so things may be a bit confusing, I try to address it in the opening section. most things below the "culture" tab apply to the Azwrakki people from their own page.

The Azwrakki have covered the continent of Gorgor, the volcanoes and plains of Orgo Uundu to the south, and the stormlands of Ekostos to the north. The life of an Azwrakki is an everlasting conflict between opposing forces, between warring clans on the plains of Gorgor; to the foundation of their very belief system in the differences between the north and south. The lands of the Azwrakki have constantly been ruled by countless smaller powers vying for control over as much territory as they can, and the power struggle is ever changing. They have unending motivation, deeply spiritual warriors, are deadly in single combat and unstoppable when united.

Azwrakki are aggressive and expansive.

Aggressive

The Azwrakki are skilled in the art of war. They are agile, strong and smart, surrounded by a culture and religion built upon the foundations of warfare and never ending struggle. Coupled with the fabled akheeri, the faithful steeds of the Azwrakki, they are a swift and unforgiving force.

Expansive

For the Azwrakki the open plains are a gift from Ahsyn Khiraa, the fire and earth mother deity, and the akheeri, fragments of her soul. The two were meant to be together for roving tribes of Azwrakki to roam freely on their divine lands. And when conflicts arise and warfare cannot resolve their struggles, they go in search of new lands and take what they want.

The Khalikar are widespread across the wastelands of Mirasia in the east and Forenya Forest in the west. Long political turmoil and rough homelands have created a rift the Khalikar into two cultures, strongly divided from one another.

In the east lies the Tempest Wasteland, badlands tainted by an ancient Kokkori computer in the mountains. Warlords and emperors rise and fall and vie for control over the land, and the Kokkori relics which they worship.

While to the west is Forenya Forest. According to Bjorsine legend, the forest was created from a sprout of the sacred Bjorsine Undertree, and wars with the gods and the invading Ura to the North made living in the forest difficult. Over time, and fleeing from the Azwrakki threat to the far east, many Khalikar migrated westward, gradually occupying Forenya and surrounding glades and fertile land. They were discovered by the Bjorsine and many taken as slaves, starting a long lasting Khalikar slave trade for the Bjorsine that wouldn’t end until an alliance with humans formed centuries later.

Their sporadic history and lands have lead to a very disparate people, lacking many universal beliefs, traditions, and histories. Instead there exist smaller cults and societies separated by either the rough terrain of Forenya Forest or the roving bands in the wastelands.

However when the Khalikar excel in a field, they are some of the finest in the known world. They are well known for their arts, weapons, archery, tracking, diplomacy and trading among many others. And large Khalikar city states are noted for having the highest quality of living, in cities like Ethirfell, where the arts flourish, and Gwarthos, one of the trading capitals of the world.

The Khalikar are predominantly expansive and creative.

Expansive

A bitter history has left the Khalikar fragmented and far spread across Crecia, from the forests of Forenya in the west to the Tempest Wasteland in the east, intermingling with their Azwrakki kin. Constant invasion from Azwrakki and domination from the Bjorsine left the Khalikar to claim what they could, often times what no one else wanted, or what no one else could take.

Creative

Khalikari architecture, artwork and textiles have become well known around the world. Fragments of the Khalikar style remain in Azwrakki clothing, and during the age of the Volduric Empire the Bjorsine recognized the value in Khalikar artwork.

Physiology

Azwrakki hair is dominantly black, with white and brown recessive qualities. As they age their hair becomes greyer. Grey haired Azwrakki point towards elders, making them respectable, and usually have accompanying scars or markings to signify this. Unmarked elders are generally seen as being cowards who have avoided death. Many Azwrakki choose to die young and search for a final battle rather than grow old and wither away. Strong Azwrakki who have outlived all their battles can honorably dye their hair black to signify that they have kept and earned their youth, and it is typically dyed by their followers.

Laveni

The Laveni diverged from the Khalikar when they were discovered by the Bjorsine millenia ago. Rather than fighting or fleeing westwards to their kin, the Laveni retreated deeper into Forenya Forest. The generations spent hidden in the woodlands transformed their minds and bodies, mutating them, melding them with nature.

They have transformed themselves into guardians of the forest, living off what it offers them for food, shelter and transportation.

The Laveni have labored relations with their kin, seen as savages, and part of the reason many fear the depths of the forest. The Laveni are however amiable with the Roin and Cervians, an Ura cult deep in the forest.

The Bloody Cliffs

• The Bloody Cliffs are found on the southern coast of Ekostos, making up part of the Suulha Strait.
• The cliffs are stained red as a result of large iron deposits in the rockface.
• However, it was believed to be an omen by the Azwrakki of Khor Uzegda, the storm god. Invaders from the south are usually flayed and hanged from the cliff, staining the rock with blood, as a warning to those to the south.

Muundakha Swamplands

• The Muundakha Swamplands are a result of the large volcanic activity in the area, warming the land and causing water deposits. It is generally avoided by most Azwrakki as the akheeri have trouble navigating the marsh.

Kharakui Forest

• The great forest of Gorgor is the largest forest of the continent. It is difficult to navigate to those unfamiliar with it, with outsiders believing it to be the home of witches and sorcerers.
• Both the Kharakui Forest and Muundakha Swamplands act as a natural barrier between Akhiita and Orgo Uundu, allowing the former to become a place of industry and relatively safe from invasions.
• The forest is also what allows the surrounding cities to flourish with industry, providing sources for construction and firewood.

The Fist of Fire

• The Fist of Fire is the remnants of the continent of Gorgor. WIdely known around the world as the largest collection of volcanos, an event thousands of years ago caused them to erupt, destroying much of the land rendering it uninhabitable, and flooding the surrounding areas causing a rift between Gorgor and Mirasia.

The Island of Ash

• The Island of Ash lies in the heart of the Fist of Fire, dominated by volcanoes new and old.
• The mainland Azwrakki are often superstitious of the island and rarely venture there. Its isolation allowed dark mages to make it their home, away from the laws and hordes of the mainland.

Notable Cities

Nyadlakh

The de facto capital of the Azwrakki hordes, it acts as both a port city and a neutral meeting place for the different tribes to meet and communicate in times of need.

Aj Uulveriin

Both the beacon of industry on Gorgor and a bastion for the people of Akhiita in case of invading hordes. The city is in a strategic location to act as both a port city and is on the western side of the Kharakhui Forest, a natural barrier for the large hordes and a valuable source of fuel.

Tal Kheeriin

The Azwrakki city of mystics and sorcery. The city is constructed into the mountain range of Gadmaraal in a small cape, difficult to find if you don’t already know where it is. A historic city used as refuge for fleeing sorcerers after the eruption of the Fist of Fire, it is now an international hub for knowledge of the arcane.

Karakos

The de facto capital of Ekostos

Religion

Nonkhuura

• Over the years many Azwrakki religions have been at differing levels, as isolated tribes, regions and as a people, most of which originate further than history. However, only one has remained dominant to the present day: Nonkhuura.
• Nonkhuura is based on an eternal battle between Ahsyn Khiraa and Khor Uzegda.
• Before the world was created, there was only a void of evil and malevolent spirits, from which a group of them sprouted goodness and the desire to create. They searched for an empty pocket of the universe to create their world that they could protect, that would be free from all of the dangers and evil of the void. Each of them contributed their own piece to this new world, in an attempt to make it perfect. However, this did not go unnoticed by the other spirits in the void, who were quick to come and attack this new world. The good spirits agreed that this world needed sentries to protect their creations when they could not, so they created sapient life; each spirit crafted their own species.
• It became quickly apparent that if the spirits wanted to protect their world, they would have to do it themselves in the void, away from this world. And so they left it with their species in place to keep it steady while they fought the evil. However, they elected one spirit to stay behind and care for the world while the rest were out, and they chose Ahsyn Khiraa.
• While the good spirits established a barrier to their world to protect it from the evil spirits, especially the ultimate evil of the void (unnamed), an enemy scout, Khor Uzegda, managed to slip through into the world. While Ahsyn Khiraa was powerful, she was not quick enough to stop him. And so with the last of her energy she created people of her own, called the Azwrakki, the fiercest and bravest beings in the world, to go where she could not, and she slept and became one with the earth. While her form is gone, her spirit still exists in the earth and in the Azwrakki.
• Khor Uzegda works tirelessly to defeat Ahsyn Khiraa and her Azwrakki, weakening the planet while he waits for his brethren, the other evil spirits, to break the hold of the good spirits on the world so they can join him. It is said that he flooded the world in a terrible storm in an attempt to destroy all life, which created the oceans and seas, ultimately leaving the Azwrakki isolated on their island, away from lesser beings, allowing them to be corrupted by the Thunderbird.

Ahsyn Khiraa – The Earthmother

• Ahsyn Khiraa is gender ambiguous, having both male and female features. She acts as both the mother and father to the Delkhii, possibly resulting from a merging of earlier earth and fire deities.

Khor Uzegda – The Thunderbird

• Khor Uzegda is seen as a bird of varying sizes, with the ability to pluck souls from their bodies. He can be as small as a hummingbird or bigger than the Earth itself.
• It is due to him that many Azwrakki (the Delkhii) are distrustful of the sea and those who come from outside Gorgor, meaning most Azwrakki business remains on the island.

Delkhiism – The Way of the Delkhii (Earth)

• All Azwrakki are born from Ahsyn Khiraa, the Fire Deity, and they are constantly made and remade from the ashes of their forefathers, similar to a phoenix.
• The benevolent storm god, Khor Uzegda, can pluck weaker souls from their bodies to corrupt them and turn them to the Shurrga. The idea of making a soul weaker is done through spreading fear, therefore not only do the Delkhii see fear as cowardly, but also creates a risk of being damned.
  • Shuurva are used to ward away rival tribes. They flay the back skin of their fallen enemies and stretch it out to make wings, using them as scarecrows. They are used to mock both the rivals and Khor Uzegda himself, “calling” him to the sight to take the now frightened souls. Likewise, the Shurrga also create Shuurva, however only really when on Gorgor or the mainland.
• It is customary to cremate the dead and bury the ashes in hand made urns so they can return to Ahsyn Khiraa
• The first born were birthed from Ahsyn Khiraa’s womb in Galt Uulyn, the Crimson Mountain on Gorgor, where she lives
• The Burkhan are holy priests who communicate with Ahsyn Khiraa through flames

Shurrghism – The Way of the Shurrga (Storm)

• All Azwrakki are created deep in the earth where they choose to be born to fire (in Galt Uulyn) or in the water of the womb
  • Those who choose fire are cared for by Ahsyn Khiraa
  • Those who choose water must work for themselves and fight to the surface on their own. Only once they reach the water’s surface are they plucked into existence by Khor Uzegda
• Khor Uzegda sees struggle and pain as necessary in life and the Azwrakki must fight for their own rewards. This is why many who follow Delkhiism see Khor Uzegda as malicious.
• Worshippers of Khor Uzegda are known as the Stormchasers.
• The dead are usually cremated with the ashes being spread at the next storm to live in the clouds with Khor Uzegda
• Although the minority religion among Azwrakki, Shuurghism is still popular among many, particularly the Avuushtai, mostly in Ekostos
• (Shuurva Onkhor)

History