The Empire of Múrkhàn

May we live like the falcon soars.
May we fight like the tiger hunts.
And may we die like the phoenix burns.

~ Múrkhaní War Chant

The Empire of Múrkhàn

War has ravaged Múrkhàn since its first volcanoes erupted, and the people of this realm remain just as divided as the canyons which scar its landscape. Even before the Múrkhaní conquest, the native Hànasen Clans constantly battled each other for glory, honor, and for sport. But the invading Múrkhaní eventually took control, and the first Imperial Dynasty was born.

Peace in the Múrkhàn Empire has always been elusive, as the Hànasen Clans continuously try to regain their independence through violent revolts. During the Second Dynasty, in an effort to quench these sparks of rebellion, the Múrkhaní Imperials built stadiums to hold sporting events against the Hànasens. They were called Games of Honor, which included competitions of strength and agility, along with fights to the death.

For a while, the Games did quell the uprisings, but after the Múrkhaní were found to be cheating, several Hànasen Clans united and waged an attack against the capital city of Ajhmok. The Múrkhaní troops drove these rebels back towards the Dead Lands, and have since built a fortified wall across the desert to protect the heart of their Empire from any more attacks.

The Hànasen rebels now live broken and scattered in the desolate lands behind the wall, though there are rumors that a new uprising is being forged in the flames of vengeance, and that the Clans are uniting once again to take back the Empire.

Though the Múrkhaní Imperials and Hànasen Clans may have deep historical divides, their traditions have blended over the centuries. Strength is revered above all else, and being a warrior is an honor for both men and women who train at an early age in the art of self-defense.

The rites surrounding death are of great importance for the people of Múrkhàn. Whereas beheading and burning the body is seen as sacrilege and is therefore done to enemies, mummification is considered an honor since the mummified body is believed to preserve the soul so that it may become immortal in the after-life.

The patron deity of Múrkhàn is Mok, the God of Fire and Flames, and he is the embodiment of strength. Most often, Mok is depicted as a fearsome dragon which was said to have been born from the first eruption of the Volcano Mok, though occasionally he is seen as other nightmarish creatures, or even as a volcano.

It is often said that no one can topple the Múrkhaní Emperor except Mok himself.

Important Locations in Múrkhàn:

Tsango

Allegiance: Rebel Held
Banner: Menzing Clan

Across the immense canyon that separates the realm of Gambéywa from Múrkhàn, the town of Tsango sits on the edge of a salt lake and is protected by the surrounding striped hills.

Shéykhàn

Allegiance: Rebel Held
Banner: Akhmav Clan

Shéykhàn may have started out as a scattering of a few tents, but it has now become the rebel stronghold where all Hànasen Clans may camp and meet together.

The Wall

Imperial Territory

After the attacks of the last Hànasen rebellion, Múrkhaní Imperials built this wall to separate the Empire's capital and its allegiant lands from rebel assaults. There are only three gates: one at either end, and one in the middle near Shek.

Ang

Allegiance: Múrkhaní Imperials
Banner: Flaming Tiger

The fortified city of Ang is located at the crux between the beginning of the Wall and the base of the volcanic range near Ajhmok, and is therefore at a strategic defensive point for the Empire.

Ajhmok

Allegiance: Múrkhaní Imperials
Banner: Flaming Tiger

Ajhmok is the capital of the Múrkhàn Empire and is where the Emperor resides at his Autumn Palace. It is well protected with a deep canyon on one side, and steep cliffs and the Volcano Mok on the other.

Zakàng Ancestral Forest

Allegiance: Múrkaní Imperials
Banner: Flaming Tiger

The sacred town of Zakàng has been a refuge during times of turmoil. It surrounds the Ancestral Forest which is considered to be the resting place of all warriors who died in battle.

The Dead Lands

Rebel Held Territory

They say nothing grows and nothing lives in the Dead Lands and the Salt Flats. But rumor is that outlaws and bandits have hideouts there which they retreat to when they are being hunted.