Post by Richter on Mar 24, 2014 19:04:22 GMT -6
History:
The story of Clan Kasorymor goes back a great many years, beyond the borders of Zalboria. The exact origins of the clan are the stuff of myth and legend amongst their people, stories passed down by tales and second hand manuscripts. Accounts can vary wildly, but they all have several things in common. When the world was young and humanity prosperous, the people that would become this clan held dominion over rich land and a great, powerful city; which they ruled for many years alongside the rest of the First Ones. What went wrong no one can say, but when mankind was sundered into disparate, warring tribes at the height of the dark age, they suffered as greatly as all others. Their city burned, and the death toll was great. Rather than fight or flee by land, they instead built a fleet and left the warring states behind, sailing out to the open ocean with their families and whatever possessions could be saved.
As years turned into decades, mankind settled down and built new societies, but these people from the sea did not. They existed as fearsome nomads of the waves, coming like storms and taking whatever they needing before departing with the tides. It was said no one was safe from their raids, and that there was no land that their feet had not touched at least once. They did this not out of malice, but because they needed supplies on their great journey that could not be obtained by working the sea alone. They were searching for a new home, a near mythical place in which to rebuild and start anew - but they never found it, no matter how far they traveled.
Back then these people didn't have last names, so the only way to refer to the man who lead them to Zalboria is as "Jago". Nearing the end of his life, at an age of 74, Jago lead his fleet down the coast of Zalboria, pillaging in their wake. By winter they had reached the region known to them as Kollelkost. The name means Coast of Many Daggers, because of the treacherous reefs, sand bars, and other hazards waiting to destroy any ship foolish enough to try and cross the deadly waterways. Not part of the mainland at all, Kollelkost was an expansive archipelago, with islands both big and small, lush and desolate. They had hoped to avoid the worst of it by skirting the region's outer edge, but a fierce storm forced them deep into the island chain's interior with no hope of fighting against the wind and waves driving them to certain doom.
But the demise that seemed so certain did not come. The entire fleet survived unscathed, none touched by the hazards of the deep. When the gales died, they were left at the heart of the island chain, at the foot of a towering structure left by early men in the middle of a vast bay. Its age was unknown, but size magnificent. This was taken as a sign, and Jago declared this place their new home. The nomads made landfall by morning, deconstructing most of the ships that carried them so far and using these to build the refuge they had long sought after. Jago died the very next day, as if he remained on Earth only to fulfill that one purpose. With it done, he could at last move on.
Kollelkost's resources were more than adequate to support the growing city, but the spirits of these sea raiders were fierce and untempered. It did not take them long to build new ships and continue their ways. With a base to strike out from, and no longer needing to risk their families on their boats, the warriors' boldness grew tenfold. Once again nobody was safe. But it did not take long for them to be noticed, their warlike ways drawing many eyes. The High King of Zalboria at the time was an ambitious man, one who knew that in these people lied great opportunity. A fleet of his own was raised, and the two forces met head on in a titanic clash on the high seas. At the battle's crescendo the king called for a truce and meeting, where he offered these islanders a place in his nation. They accepted, and the rest was history.
A great celebration was thrown at the capital to commemorate their induction, and during the ceremonies, they took for themselves the name "Kasorymor". Meaning warriors of the sea, it solidified their reputation as a people whose destiny was intertwined with the tides.
Land:
Clan Kasorymor rules the Kollelkost region that they landed upon and settled long ago. An island chain, many of them are rich in plant and animal life. Forests dot many coasts, while others host farms and small communities. The sea around the area provides just as much as the land, the waters are rich in edible seaweeds and fish that are a staple of the local diet. The passages between said islands are hideously, and almost purposefully, seeded with dangers waiting to sink or cripple ships. The inhabitants are able to navigate around these hazards easily, but others are not so fortunate. Anyone attempting to sail too close to the archipelago will surely need a guide or a great deal of luck.
Ethnically, the people of Kollelkost differ from that of mainland Zalborians. They have a different history, different traditions, and even their own language; though many these days at least have a passing understanding of the tongue used by the rest of the nation. However, these distinctions make them seem strange and aloof even to their own countrymen. This, combined with their behavior, can make them hard to trust. Bold and boisterous people, they do not shy from fights easily, and are proud warriors and explorers - whom sail as much to see the world, as to trade and perhaps raid the people they share it with.
The story of Clan Kasorymor goes back a great many years, beyond the borders of Zalboria. The exact origins of the clan are the stuff of myth and legend amongst their people, stories passed down by tales and second hand manuscripts. Accounts can vary wildly, but they all have several things in common. When the world was young and humanity prosperous, the people that would become this clan held dominion over rich land and a great, powerful city; which they ruled for many years alongside the rest of the First Ones. What went wrong no one can say, but when mankind was sundered into disparate, warring tribes at the height of the dark age, they suffered as greatly as all others. Their city burned, and the death toll was great. Rather than fight or flee by land, they instead built a fleet and left the warring states behind, sailing out to the open ocean with their families and whatever possessions could be saved.
As years turned into decades, mankind settled down and built new societies, but these people from the sea did not. They existed as fearsome nomads of the waves, coming like storms and taking whatever they needing before departing with the tides. It was said no one was safe from their raids, and that there was no land that their feet had not touched at least once. They did this not out of malice, but because they needed supplies on their great journey that could not be obtained by working the sea alone. They were searching for a new home, a near mythical place in which to rebuild and start anew - but they never found it, no matter how far they traveled.
Back then these people didn't have last names, so the only way to refer to the man who lead them to Zalboria is as "Jago". Nearing the end of his life, at an age of 74, Jago lead his fleet down the coast of Zalboria, pillaging in their wake. By winter they had reached the region known to them as Kollelkost. The name means Coast of Many Daggers, because of the treacherous reefs, sand bars, and other hazards waiting to destroy any ship foolish enough to try and cross the deadly waterways. Not part of the mainland at all, Kollelkost was an expansive archipelago, with islands both big and small, lush and desolate. They had hoped to avoid the worst of it by skirting the region's outer edge, but a fierce storm forced them deep into the island chain's interior with no hope of fighting against the wind and waves driving them to certain doom.
But the demise that seemed so certain did not come. The entire fleet survived unscathed, none touched by the hazards of the deep. When the gales died, they were left at the heart of the island chain, at the foot of a towering structure left by early men in the middle of a vast bay. Its age was unknown, but size magnificent. This was taken as a sign, and Jago declared this place their new home. The nomads made landfall by morning, deconstructing most of the ships that carried them so far and using these to build the refuge they had long sought after. Jago died the very next day, as if he remained on Earth only to fulfill that one purpose. With it done, he could at last move on.
Kollelkost's resources were more than adequate to support the growing city, but the spirits of these sea raiders were fierce and untempered. It did not take them long to build new ships and continue their ways. With a base to strike out from, and no longer needing to risk their families on their boats, the warriors' boldness grew tenfold. Once again nobody was safe. But it did not take long for them to be noticed, their warlike ways drawing many eyes. The High King of Zalboria at the time was an ambitious man, one who knew that in these people lied great opportunity. A fleet of his own was raised, and the two forces met head on in a titanic clash on the high seas. At the battle's crescendo the king called for a truce and meeting, where he offered these islanders a place in his nation. They accepted, and the rest was history.
A great celebration was thrown at the capital to commemorate their induction, and during the ceremonies, they took for themselves the name "Kasorymor". Meaning warriors of the sea, it solidified their reputation as a people whose destiny was intertwined with the tides.
Land:
Clan Kasorymor rules the Kollelkost region that they landed upon and settled long ago. An island chain, many of them are rich in plant and animal life. Forests dot many coasts, while others host farms and small communities. The sea around the area provides just as much as the land, the waters are rich in edible seaweeds and fish that are a staple of the local diet. The passages between said islands are hideously, and almost purposefully, seeded with dangers waiting to sink or cripple ships. The inhabitants are able to navigate around these hazards easily, but others are not so fortunate. Anyone attempting to sail too close to the archipelago will surely need a guide or a great deal of luck.
Ethnically, the people of Kollelkost differ from that of mainland Zalborians. They have a different history, different traditions, and even their own language; though many these days at least have a passing understanding of the tongue used by the rest of the nation. However, these distinctions make them seem strange and aloof even to their own countrymen. This, combined with their behavior, can make them hard to trust. Bold and boisterous people, they do not shy from fights easily, and are proud warriors and explorers - whom sail as much to see the world, as to trade and perhaps raid the people they share it with.