Post by Iracundus on Sept 13, 2008 19:31:28 GMT -5
Horgonia. An ancient, but relatively small empire to the northwest of Nillea. The vast conglomerate of islands they control cements them as a distant second in power behind our Monarchy. Their home country, a massive frost covered island, exemplifies the people of Horgonia all too well; egotistical nationalist zealots with a penchant for war- naval or ground based, and an even more renowned preference for slavery. Moreover, cold and mysterious. Despite these disgusting truths, their navy's expertise quite overpowers ours, and their homeland is protected in glaciers, making treaties all the more mandatory. With these, our Monarchy turns a blind eye to their belligerence, and in turn gains access to important maritime routes.
Horgonia itself can at best be called antiquated. Its cultural practices have evolved so very little in the past thousands of years, allowing historians to pull back the veil of time, which would be fruitless at best with our own Ancients. A common joke on the western coastline of Nillea is to compare the age of something to Horgonia's long lasting way of life, going something like this: "Fooshir, that prue's a got to be as ol' as the Nerthern Empire!" Counteracting its age and success is a distinct lack of change in all fields, its dependence on slavery and oceanic dominance being particularly well known.
Within their empire are a multitude of provinces, although the most known is Animu. Having been locked in uprising with the southwestern island for many years, the apparent incompetency of their ground forces compared to lowly Animu has been an expenditure the Monarchy is losing favor for. Whispers of hostilities betwixt the two powers over control of Animu have long been whispered- both vie for crystals while Horgonia includes slavery in their list of desires from the island.
NEXT: HORGONIAN PEOPLE
Horgonians, by and large, are corpulent and known for distinct laziness. The former is considered attractive by Horgonians, especially in women. Men are stocky and oftentimes have extreme levels of endurance and strength, but utterly lack the finesse or skill to use their better traits properly. Overall, their average intelligence is quite high, with a preference for technical knowledge over philosophical, leading to their superiority in maritime engagements and their exacting natures when it comes to architecture. Despite this, their native technologies are vastly outdated and their culture is known for its zealotry.
Their genetic history so far as our best Earth-native scientists can discern, is riddled with a predilicition for rapid-weight gain, supported by their cultural behavior. Despite this, weight-related disorders are rather uncommon. It is rare for an individual to be be stricken with diabetes, for example.
On the subject of disease, Horgonians are exceptionally wary of sickness. In addition, they are incredibly hardy, being resistant to most pathogens and viruses. How this came to be is unknown, but it is recognized that the Horgonian capitols have been ridden with plagues throughout history, perhaps hinting at a highly evolved immune system. This has been a significant source of death in Nillea, as diseases the Horgonians have no longer any problem in warding off are entirely new to the savage population.
CULTURAL MAKEUP:
Culturally, the Horgonians are self-aggrandizing and see all other cultures as inferior. Nillea, in their eyes, is part of their manifest destiny. While our civilizations meet peacefully, it is well known that the people of Horgonia desire the bounty of Nillea, as opposed to their frosty, agriculturally depleted homes. Their faith system is twofold: they believe that a matron of loving qualities is always watching and judging them. She is purported to report only to their singular God, which casts final judgement.
The most peculiar part of their religion is their fervor for an apocalyptic event, one that calls for the greatest evil to vanquish all life the land so that the Horgonians, the chosen people, would strike it down and take the world for themselves, and finally commune with God. Their monotheism also stands in direct contrast with the polytheistic views of almost every culture in Nillea, due to the abundance of gods in the universe. Rather, they are seen as "Darkness' Agents", demons meant to pollute their minds.
Horgonia itself can at best be called antiquated. Its cultural practices have evolved so very little in the past thousands of years, allowing historians to pull back the veil of time, which would be fruitless at best with our own Ancients. A common joke on the western coastline of Nillea is to compare the age of something to Horgonia's long lasting way of life, going something like this: "Fooshir, that prue's a got to be as ol' as the Nerthern Empire!" Counteracting its age and success is a distinct lack of change in all fields, its dependence on slavery and oceanic dominance being particularly well known.
Within their empire are a multitude of provinces, although the most known is Animu. Having been locked in uprising with the southwestern island for many years, the apparent incompetency of their ground forces compared to lowly Animu has been an expenditure the Monarchy is losing favor for. Whispers of hostilities betwixt the two powers over control of Animu have long been whispered- both vie for crystals while Horgonia includes slavery in their list of desires from the island.
NEXT: HORGONIAN PEOPLE
Horgonians, by and large, are corpulent and known for distinct laziness. The former is considered attractive by Horgonians, especially in women. Men are stocky and oftentimes have extreme levels of endurance and strength, but utterly lack the finesse or skill to use their better traits properly. Overall, their average intelligence is quite high, with a preference for technical knowledge over philosophical, leading to their superiority in maritime engagements and their exacting natures when it comes to architecture. Despite this, their native technologies are vastly outdated and their culture is known for its zealotry.
Their genetic history so far as our best Earth-native scientists can discern, is riddled with a predilicition for rapid-weight gain, supported by their cultural behavior. Despite this, weight-related disorders are rather uncommon. It is rare for an individual to be be stricken with diabetes, for example.
On the subject of disease, Horgonians are exceptionally wary of sickness. In addition, they are incredibly hardy, being resistant to most pathogens and viruses. How this came to be is unknown, but it is recognized that the Horgonian capitols have been ridden with plagues throughout history, perhaps hinting at a highly evolved immune system. This has been a significant source of death in Nillea, as diseases the Horgonians have no longer any problem in warding off are entirely new to the savage population.
CULTURAL MAKEUP:
Culturally, the Horgonians are self-aggrandizing and see all other cultures as inferior. Nillea, in their eyes, is part of their manifest destiny. While our civilizations meet peacefully, it is well known that the people of Horgonia desire the bounty of Nillea, as opposed to their frosty, agriculturally depleted homes. Their faith system is twofold: they believe that a matron of loving qualities is always watching and judging them. She is purported to report only to their singular God, which casts final judgement.
The most peculiar part of their religion is their fervor for an apocalyptic event, one that calls for the greatest evil to vanquish all life the land so that the Horgonians, the chosen people, would strike it down and take the world for themselves, and finally commune with God. Their monotheism also stands in direct contrast with the polytheistic views of almost every culture in Nillea, due to the abundance of gods in the universe. Rather, they are seen as "Darkness' Agents", demons meant to pollute their minds.