Scaper's Guide to Kinakus

Introduction

Honor, heritage, faith, and change: the core tenants of this world are quite severe, aren't they? I never had the chance to see this world in its prime, but I heard that the civilizations and mega-structures that once pollinated the landscape were something to behold, indeed. Nowadays however, Kinakus is primarily notable for its beautiful natural landscapes that sweep over entire continents, ruins and dungeons of eras long past built into the scenery. The people here are surprisingly well-mannered for such a racially segmented society, probably due to their honorful oaths.

Despite the politeness in the cities, I'd be careful trekking through Kinakus' countryside especially if you're... shorter of stature... because the peoples' tendencies to malign races they don't fully understand is left to the whims of the flowers if caught out unawares. Fortunately, a burst of magic will scare off most of the proles as they are very unused to the harnessing of the Weave. Be sure to grab yourself an Icon of Power before leaving if you care for an artifactual knickknack!

Anyway, I'm sure you'll find this world extremely interesting and very different from what we already know! I've been drafted into an honor duel for a siege lord in Adoben, so any questions are to be directed to my assistant in Anagai.

With exultation,
Tael

P.S. The Kinakan calendar is an absolute disaster, but if you must know: as of this writing, it is the 4th Rotation of Ki, 1612 KD.

Geography

Kinakus is notable for the massive size of its world, measuring 30,000 miles along its equatorial diameter. This is ten times longer than Faem's equatorial diameter, for comparison. The primary mode of transportation is via yak for cargo transport, or dire wolf for a more efficient mode of travel; Siharians tend to go by camel.

The entire world is affected by rapidly changing climates, aided largely by the separate trimesters known as "Skies" that last for about four months, each, making up an entire year in the local calendar. The sky quite literally changes color to suit each trimester, thanks to the tristar that Kinakus orbits.

The first Sky of the year is known as Afis (Orange Sky) and is accompanied by extremely warm temperatures with a low tide. Tornadoes, earthquakes, and eruptions are common inclement weather during this trimester.

Kala (Purple Sky) is the second trimester of the year, marked by perfectly temperate weather with an even tide. Hurricanes and tsunamis are common inclement weather during this trimester.

Eshi (Blue Sky) is the final trimester of the year, marked by frigid temperatures with a high tide. Blizzards, avalanches, and freezes are common inclement weather during this trimester.

Timeline

The history of Kinakus is divided into eras called Rotations. The Rotations are categorized using the belief in the mystical theory of Ki, the believed energy of the world; it is believed that when Ki rotates, the world is born anew.

Years are commonly interpreted using the dénommer of Kinakan Dynasty (KD).

Dates are always notated first with the Rotation, then the Year in KD, then the Sky, and then the Day. For example:
4R 1612 KD, E. 82
would describe the eighty-second day of the Eshi sky during the year of 1612 KD within the Fourth Rotation of Ki.

First Rotation

??? - 0 KD

Pre-History
is when Kinakus was inhabited by an unknown people, during a time period where it is unknown what exactly transpired. Many of the ruins that dot Kinakus-- especially in Adoben-- are thought to come from this era.

0 KD

The Great Reset
is the term used to describe the believed resetting of Ki, setting it back to its first rotation.

Second Rotation

0 - 100 KD

The First Texts
are transcribed on stone tablets. The people of the Second Rotation write mostly of mundane transactions and early belief systems, and occasionally of songs and stories.

100 - 400 KD

The Hidden War
marks a 300-year period where there were evidently no writings. Prior to this, the tablets had listed specific dates and even defined the Rotations, but the only archaeological finds that can be attributed to this era are stone weapons and fortress ruins, surprisingly etched with their creation dates.

400 - 500 KD

The Second Beginning
marks a time where stone tablets started reappearing en masse. Elders believe this era to be as it is due to the assumed worldwide war from the 300 years prior.

Third Rotation

501 KD

The First Books
are created thanks to the invention of parchment alongside leather covers that future-proof the texts. The first book is believed to be the much-beloved Kalabunran manifesto "Honorifics".

509 KD

Metalworking
enters its early phases, as transcribed in Steel I, the first book in a series of histories describing an early understanding of metallurgy.

522 KD

The Esharian Katana
is invented by Hana Tatsujin, the apprentice to the unnamed writer of Steel I & Steel II. She speaks of her historic feat in Steel III, believed to be written in honor of her assumed-deceased master.

523 - 541 KD

Various Swords
are invented during this time period by a litany of metalworkers across Kinakus. Different swords find fascination with separate cultures.

544 KD

Icons of Power
are discovered for the first time within the ruins from the First Rotation, giving Icon-bonded people what is seen by many as godlike magical abilities.

547 - 672 KD

Honor Wars
are fought across Kinakus during this 125-year period. Scholars of the time attribute the wars to the "testing of new blades and icons", as well as the establishment of a new type of war that retains respect for both cultures and individuals. The Elders believe that the people of this time hoped to prevent whatever resets had befallen Kinakus prior.

672 - 1011 KD

The Great Peace
settles over Kinakus as the Honor Wars wrap. While there are still battles and territorial disputes, they are fought with honor. This period ends with a well-documented year-long "world fair" in the desert oasis of Madina.

1011 KD

Festival of Blood
is the name given to the final day of the year-long Madinan world fair, in which Madinan soldiers brutally slaughtered envoys from dozens of citystates.

1011 - 1099 KD

The Sand Wars
begin as a result of the Festival of Blood, marking the first battles fought without honor in hundreds of years.

1099 KD

The Sihar Sultanate
is founded by Grand Sihar, the first Sultan-Vizier. Grand Sihar forced a treaty with the rest of the world via the staging of a public execution of the lineages and families of the since-deceased Madinan officials that had orchestrated the Festival of Blood.

1100 KD

Kalabunri Withdraws
from world politics after its Domains' Daimyos signed a resolution to avoid any more dishonorable wars.

1108 KD

Grand Sihar is Assassinated
by a Madinan loyalist who is quickly executed. A high-up official with an Icon of Power takes on the role of Vizier, mentoring Grand Sihar's young son who eventually becomes Sultan, officially splitting the roles into two separate responsibilities.

Fourth Rotation

1110 KD

The Elders
are formed during a summit of scholars in Han-Yami. They agree to start logging all Icons of Power to preserve their history and track lineage of ownership.

1127 KD

Madina becomes "Grand Madina"
in honor of the first Sultan. The Seray-- a very ornate palace-- is built to house the Sultan, his cabinet, and their families.

1145 KD

Kalabunran Disputes
begin in the northwestern continent as the Domains fight more regularly for land. Some Domains rejoin the world stage in efforts to reinvigorate their economies and equip their samurai through trade.

1211 KD

Dungeon Delving
becomes popular worldwide as ruins from the First Rotation are scoured for Icons of Power. The Elders attempt to log all delves but find it difficult.

1302 KD

Vizier Sagi-Shi
is appointed by the reigning Sultan of Sihar, marking him as the youngest Vizier in the Sultanate's 302-year history.

1377 KD

Soul Catalysts
are discovered by Duanian sorcerers, finding that they can temporarily house magical energy, providing for small ways to potentially use magic in everyday life without an Icon of Power.

1379 KD

Soul Catalysts are Outlawed
by the Sihar Sultanate, threatening destruction to any nation that refuses to comply.

1379 - 1422 KD

The Cold War
transpires across Kinakus. While outright battles are rare, subterfuge and thievery become commonplace between nations.

1422 - 1522 KD

Adoben is Plundered
by its direct neighbors, the Sihar Sultanate. Ruins in Adoben are numerous and their yields are legendary, all their gains going straight to the coffers of the Sultanate.

1522 KD

Vizier Sagi-Shi is Assassinated
by a disparate group of Icon-wielders who claimed to have no memory of the situation when questioned. Sagi-Shi's death marks the end of Adoben's plundering as the Sihar Sultanate restructures.

1523 - 1589 KD

Great Restructuring
takes place across all of Kinakus. Most nations look to Sihar as an example for how to be better than its past, while some see it as an opportunity.

1599 KD

Vizier Shin-Kai
is appointed by the Sultan as the new Vizier after many years without one. He quickly enacts several reforms.

1602 KD

The Daemae Rise
according to Siharan citizens. Shin-Kai's unbelievable proficiency with his Icon of Power, as well as the sudden appearance of many other seemingly "godborn" leaders across Kinakus, throws entire religions into disarray, causing an upheaval of structure and theology.

1610 KD

Ka-Di Falls to Ka-Seif
in an unexpected direct military assault from the latter Domain. Instead of Samurai, Ka-Seif uses mercenary Ronin in large droves, abandoning the historical honorful wars of Kalabunri's past.

1611 KD

Ka-Wataru Wars with Ka-Seif
after an even more unexpected assault on the small Domain from the latter one. Daimyo Keigo is publicly executed and Seifan soldiers control the streets, but a group of Wataran spies quickly takes down Seifan leadership (with the surprising help of Sihar) in the area and instates Daimyo Greyfall as Ka-Wataru's new leader.

1612 KD

The Festival of Oaths
starts in Grand Madina, with Vizier Shin-Kai attempting to draw a closer alliance between Sihar and Ka-Wataru, to the rest of the world's bafflement.

Regions

TBA

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