Tranikwan Kingdom
From Axalon RPG
| Capital City | The Queen's City |
| Official Language | Standard Ndzaye Sign Language |
| Population | 60 million |
| Ktsatsa | 40 million |
| Ndzaye | 10 million |
| Hoaye | 6 million |
| Tsipat | 4 million |
| Nyoma | 200,000 |
| State Religion | The Way of the Gods, AKA Tranikwanism |
| Head of State (de jure) | The Queen (vacant) |
| Head of Government Head of State (de facto) | Lord Keeper Pritants (Pritants Mnyaka Liptaret of the Votarkw, Lord Keeper of the Royal Seal and President of the Regency Council in full) |
The Tranikwan Kingdom is a moderately-sized kingdom covering serveral floating islands. These islands remain near each other as they float through the skies of Lith, though their exact relative alignment varies.
Contents |
Politics
The Tranikwan Kingdom is governed from the creatively-named Queen's City, the largest city in the kingdom, located on the southern coast of the 2nd largest island. The Kingdom is theoretically governed by a Queen, however, a succession dispute a century and a half ago (see history, below) has left the kingdom without a queen. In her place, the Lord (or sometimes Lady) Keeper of the Royal Seal, who also holds the title of President of the Regency Council during interregna (such as the present century-and-a-half-long one), has come to be the de facto head of state. He (or she) heads the Regency Council and the Queen’s Council of Advisors. In addition, several semi-Parliamentary bodies exist, the Council of Governors (consisting of the rulers of the various semi-autonomous provinces), the Council of Twelve (religious scholars), the Merchants’ Assembly (consisting of the wealthiest merchants in the kingdom), the Assembly of Nobles, and finally, in more recent years, the Citizens’ Assembly (representatives of wealthy landowners). Ultimately, the Regency Council holds the supreme authority (ostensibly until a new Queen is found), but the Councils and Assemblies have been gaining greater authority in the past century. Each body has a specifically defined area of authority. However, the areas have some overlap, and some ambiguity, resulting in frequent conflicts. The Lord Keeper of the Royal Seal functions as arbiter between the bodies, forming a secondary source of authority. The current Lord Keeper is in the process of reforming the government, defining more clearly the areas of power for each body, and is currently planning to merge the Regency Council and the Queen’s Council of Advisors (the two bodies are nearly identical already in terms of membership). There is significant opposition to his reforms and his opening up of the Kingdom to outsiders. The Kingdom is in danger of civil war over the reforms as well as over the claimants to the throne.
Population
Tranikwans are a varied bunch. There are five humanoid races, none of whom are interfertile with others, or with outsiders. Each of the races evolved on a different one of the main islands, but subsequent migrations have mixed them together, and most settlements contian members of four of the five races (excluding the Nyoma). The races are:
Ktsatsa
This is the most numerous race, numbering about 40 million. They originated on the largest of the islands. Their males generally stand around 4'8-5', females being several inches smaller. They are feline in appearance, covered with a soft fur, tending towards shades of black and/or orange. They have tails ranging from short stubs barely an inch long to long whip-like tails nearly 2 feet in length. They have sharp senses, but tend towards relative physical weakness, as well as a rather unimaginative and literalistic mind. They have little appreciation for art. On the plus side, they are also the most tolerant of the races, and the most stoic. Though they are not capable of acts of great strength, their stamina can often make up for that. They generally make good workers, but poor leaders. As warriors they make competent fighters, and an army with a large number of Ktsatsa is one that can be trusted to be humane towards prisoners and conquered populations.
Ndzaye
The second most numerous race, numbering around 10 million. They dominate the government. The Queen has always been a Ndzaye for several centuries. The Lord Keeper (see below) is always an Ndzaye. The Ndzaye are even smaller than the Ktsatsa, the males generally around 4'6-4'10, with the females being about the same size. Ndzaye are the most nearly-human of the races. They are completely hairless, with sharp ears and large, round, eyes. About 60% of the population has 6 fingers, while the other 40% have five. An astonishing 85% of them are born deaf. In compensation, they have sharp vision. Most Ndzaye believe themselves to be superior to all other races, and consider their domination of the government only natural, as it is their sacred duty to guide the lesser races.
Hoaye
The third most numerous race, nearly 6 million. They are related to the Ndzaye, but are not quite as hairless. They are the tallest of the five races, averaging 6'10-7'2 for the males, and 7'-7'4 for the females. They are quite intelligent, but tend to focus on details. They therefore tend to dominate specialized fields. Most of the craftsmen and -women are Hoaye. Hoaye tend to have strongly developed esthetic senses, and often indulge in art and music. Though many of the most technically skilled artists and musicians are Hoaye, they lack originality in their works, producing beautiful works within established genres, but not breaking out into new forms.
Tsipat
The fourth most numerous race, approximately 4 million. Historically, the Queen was always a Tsipat, but the Ndzaye have since taken over the office. Female Tsipat outnumber males nearly 3:1, thus leading to a matriarchal society among the Tsipat themselves. They founded the kingdom, though the Ktsatsa later took over government. The Tsipat are hairless, covered with a soft, scaley, skin, with small slits for noses. They look vaguely reptilian, standing around 5'8-6' for both sexes. They are nearly as intelligent as the Ndzaye, and possess considerable physical strength and aggressiveness, especially their males. A disproportionately large number are in the military. They have little use for art, preferring more “practical” matters.
Nyoma
The least numerous race, with less than 200,000 in the entire kingdom. They are the true artists and philosophers of Tranikwa. They resemble human beings with large wings, which are perfectly capable of flight. They have lengthy life spans, with 500 years being an average life span, and 750 rare but not unheard of. They take a rather leisurely view of life, and tend to keep to themselves in their mountain homes. Unlike the other four races, they are not directly ruled by the Tranikwan government. They are a sort of state within a state, governed by their own Council of Wise Ones, which maintains contact with the kingdom’s government. Their advice has been sought by the Lord Keeper.
History
Recent History
Historically, the kingdom was governed by The Queen with the guidance of the Queen’s Council of Advisors. According to their religious beliefs, they have had the same queen for 2,500 years, ruling through a succession of incarnations. For this reason, historic queens are referred to merely by numbering the incarnations. The last queen to sit on the throne was the 107th Incarnation. Upon the death of a Queen, the Lord/Lady Keeper of the Royal Seal would assemble a Regency Council, of which he/she would be President. The Council would consist of several advisors and prominent nobles. The Council would collectively assume the Queen’s duties, and would search for the next incarnation. It was believed that the next incarnation would be conceived within a few months of the previous incarnation’s death, and that there would be a number of signs indicating that a newborn was the new incarnation. Once found, the new Incarnation would be brought to the capital, to be proclaimed as the next Incarnation. The Regency Council would then be dissolved and the Council of Advisors would rule in the Queen’s name, until she was of sufficient age to exercise her duties herself (although, in practice, the Lord/Lady Keeper would generally be the power behind the throne). The Incarnation’s blood-relatives generally obtained high positions in the government, usually including several seats on the Council of Advisors, leading to fierce competition between clans in the Interregna (cynics often noted that the Queen’s Death was a powerful aphrodisiac among the noble clans, as each clan hoped to conceive the Next Incarnation). In theory, the Lord/Lady Keeper was named by the Queen, and could be dismissed by her. Were a Lord Keeper to die during the Interregnum or during the Queen’s Infancy, the Regency Council or Council of Advisors would name the next Lord Keeper. In practice, the position tended to be monopolized by a succession of dynastic lines. One hundred fifty-six years ago, the 57th Incarnation died. However, a disagreement broke out over who the newest Incarnation was, with three different claimants arising. Since then, the death of one of the claimed lines has created another split over who her next Incarnation was. There are thus four different claimed Incarnations. Along with these four, in the past few decades a fifth group has arisen claiming that there is no new Incarnation, that the Queen had left her kingdom for the gods (referring to the 57th Incarnation as the Last Incarnation), the nation having advanced beyond the need for her. They generally advocate a more democratic state, including elections for the Lord Keeper (whom they would rename the Lord Protector).
During the reign of the 53rd Incarnation, the Kingdom isolated itself from the rest of the world, cutting off nearly all trade, except for a small trickle through the mediation of a minor power, the Psital, an island nation known for its trade. This isolation had followed a period of civil wars and religious strife, and for this reason came to be known as the Great Peace. The isolation allowed foreign religions to be driven underground and peace to be imposed. Economic recovery followed, and the first century of isolation was a time of rapid growth. However, the economic growth slowed, and eventually stagnated, and at last began to decline. At the time of the current Lord Keeper’s ascension (8 years ago), the kingdom’s finances were in a very poor state. Inflation was steadily eroding the value of their currency, the state was heavily indebted, and what little trade was carried out was heavily imbalanced. Lord Keeper Pritants instituted a set of reforms, inviting foreigners to teach the Kingdom their technology, and instituting a program of rapid modernization. He has built up the military, and has sought more profitable trade routes.
This process of modernization has resulted in significant upheavals and popular discontent. The issue of succession, which had been simmering quietly since the death of the 57th Incarnation, has exploded, with the people demanding a restoration of the royal throne, desperately desiring that symbol of stability. To forestall outright revolution, Pritants was forced to promise to determine the true Incarnation, despite the threat that the Queen may prove to be a powerful rallying point for his opposition, not to mention the threat of civil war from rival claimants’ supporters.
More Ancient History
The earliest history of the Tranikwan Kingdom is unclear. Legend has it that the First Incarnation came down from heaven and ruled for 144 years, and upon the death of her mortal body, told her people that she would return to them. In her Second Incarnation, she completed the job she had begun in the First Incarnation of uniting the Land. More likely, the kingdom arose slowly as one kingdom slowly subjugated smaller kingdoms (the current provinces). In the earliest days of the kingdom, the Queen, or her mother when the Queen was young, had actual power. But, gradually, advisors, increasingly dominated by the Ndzaye, took power away from her. This corresponded to both the decline in the fortunes of the Tsipat and the rise of patriarchy. The patriarchy has moderated somewhat during the Great Peace, though males are still disproportionately represented in the government, especially the highest levels.
Culture
Tranikwan culture varies somewhat between the races, with the Tsipat, for example, retaining matriarchal leanings. But, generally speaking, the four main races share common cultural traits, as is inevitable given their lengthy coexistence and intermixing. Most of the population is still rural, living in small villages which generally contain at least two of the main races, and frequently all four. Single-race villages are sometimes found, but are quite rare. The Tranikwans found long ago that multiracial villages fared better than single-race ones, as epidemic diseases usually only affect a single race. Thus, multiracial villages would have a large healthy population to take care of the sick. Because breeding is only possible between members of the same race, marriage is generally restricted to members of the same race. However, sexual relations are freely permitted between the races. Religion plays a significant role in the lives of the peasants, with festivals held nearly every month, according to a complex calendar maintained by the priests. Towns and cities are growing more numerous, however. The towns, and especially the cities, are a study in economic disparity. Massive palatial homes exist in the wealthier districts, while in the poorer districts, crowded firetraps house a hungry population desperate for work. About 50% of the men, and about 20% of the women, are literate
The Tranikwans prize order and harmony. They do not fear complexity, but do feel uncomfortable with uncertainty, and prefer to avoid confrontation, particularly when dealing amongst themselves. When dealing with foreigners, however, self-assertion is considered a good trait, at least in theory, although many are so used to compromise and consensus that they find it difficult to assert themselves with foreigners. Those that can get past the conflict taboo have a good chance of success in foreign affairs. This avoidance of conflict is not, of course, an absolute, and the government’s present troubles stem largely from an overestimation of the population’s fear of conflict.
Nyoma Culture
Little is known about these mysterious folk. Some say they have a caste structure, but it seems that these “castes” are rotating, with everyone taking a turn in the ruling castes and the farming castes and so on, calling into question the appropriateness of calling them castes in the first place.
Geography
The Kingdom consists of a group of floating islands, five large islands and a number of smaller ones. The islands slowly drift through the sky, generally keeping to the same latitude. Though the islands remain close to each other, they do not maintain the same relative positions. For this reason, there are no permanent bridges between the islands, only temporary ones which must frequently be rebuilt. Blimps and hot-air balloons also form an important part of their infrastructure. Heavier-than-aircraft are uncommon due to scarcity of fossil fuels.
Economy
Tranikwa’s economy is currently weak. It mostly exports raw materials and foodstuffs, along with some artwork and a highly-prized form of pottery. Imports include foreign experts, manufactured goods, and knowledge. Some experts believe that Tranikwa has the potential to become a significant economic power, assuming it can maintain political stability and avoid outright colonization. The Lord Keeper has recently instituted a currency reform, eliminating inflation and simplifying the coinage.
Their unique ability to manipulate gravity makes them a growing exporter of floating ships and floating carts for transporting goods.
Technology
Tranikwa's science is, for the most part, behind the rest of Lith.
Magic
The Tranikwans did not possess any understanding of magic until their opening up to the rest of Lith. However, they did independantly learn one form of magic, the ability to manipulate gravity. This is a natural gift of the Nyoma, which permits them to fly despite having wings that are nowhere near strong enough to support their natural weight. Centuries ago, the Nyoma taught a small number of scholars their secret.
Military
Tranikwa’s military is still woefully under-equipped, but modernization is proceeding quickly, and a system of conscription has been instituted.
Relations
- The Pemen Order: No contact yet, but from what they've heard of them, they're distrustful
- The Pol': Contact has been made, but no formal relations exist.
- The Rat Lands: The Tranikwans despise the Rats. The Ktsatsa and Tsipat are immune to their mind control, but the other two major races are vulnerable. It is unknown whether the Nyoma would be affected.
- Shanters: Trade contracts have been opened up with the Shanters in recent years, largely displacing the Psital
- The Solaris Empire: None
- Kyoz-Asgi World Power: Some trade
- Dispaterland: The Tranikwans have only heard rumors of them
- Hiranipra: The Tranikwan islands have drifted near Hiranipra. Tranikwa has sent out trade offers
- Kusukiriori: The Tranikwans have only heard rumors of them, and do not wish to know more
