Rhukaan

Rhukaan

Capitol	Sus Rhukaan
Races	Hobgoblins, Goblins, Humans
Languages	Naqadi, Goblin
Religions	Pantheon of Rhukaan

Rhukaan is an authoritarian empire located along the equator of Thyscia in The Expanse desert. Rhukaan is a nation led by Hobgoblins, and more specifically a God-Emperor.

The empire is surrounded by high stone walls where there are not natural formations such as mountains or ocean that would prevent travel in or out of Rhukaan territory. Rhukaan is historically extremely xenophobic. They do not trade with outsiders unless it is absolutely necessary. While they do not often invade foreign lands, they guard their borders fiercely. Travelers that find themselves in The Expanse will be captured and enslaved if caught, so travel into the empire is not common.

The people of Rhukaan believe in strict hierarchy. Above all is the God of Gods, Sus. Directly below Sus is the God of Many Faces, which takes a living form as the Emperor of Rhukaan. Might is right, and military coups are common in the empire. Whenever an emperor is inevitably dethroned, it is said that the God of Many Faces has taken a new, stronger form.

Since the majority of the land is desert, arable land and natural resources are uncommon. The God-Emperor controls all resources in the area and ensures that the populace only has enough to get by, keeping them under the God-Emperor's control by desperation and force.

Rhukaan is an ancient civilization (on the post-Calamity scale) and is largely responsible for the cultural divide between the northern and southern hemispheres of Thyscia. Since travelers and trade are not permitted in or through Rhuukan and Rhukaan's territory is from one ocean to the other, communication between civilizations in the two hemispheres has been limited. Only relatively recently with the invention of sailing ships strong enough to sail around Rhukaan's waters has their been strong trade and cultural dissemination between the hemispheres.

Religion

The people of Rhukaan believe in a pantheon of Gods. Gods do not have anthropomorphic depictions aside from the God of Many Faces, but are depicted through various symbols. Anthropomorphising Gods in image is considered to be heretical. The Gods cannot be comprehended by mortals and are all powerful, so reducing their form to that of a mortal is seen as weakening them. Idols are also considered to be heretical for the same reason, but symbols of the gods in text and temples is common. It is considered to be the highest of honors that the God of Many Faces would willingly take a mortal form for the purpose of leading mortals in the material world.

Due to the size and age of Rhukaan there are other religions in the region besides the main pantheon. These religions are tolerated so long as they are believed to be minor deities below even the weakest God of Rhukaan.

Sus

Sus is the God of the Sun. Sus is considered to be the god of all gods. The sun both gives life by growing crops and takes life away through drought.
Domains: Law, Light

God of Many Faces

The God of Many Faces is the current emperor. The emperor itself is considered to be the god. Since emperors change frequently, the current emperor is considered to be the god, and the god goes by many faces.
Domains: Strength, Order

Ihar

Ihar is the God of Rain and Fresh Water. Ihar is also associated with motherhood, being a force of bountiful life.
Domains: Water, Life

Pem

Pem is the God of Harvest. Pem is considered to be a weaker god than the others, but also is used as a symbol of happiness and mirth and is invoked during festivals.
Domains: Celebrations, Gluttony

Laap

Laap is the God of Sand. In some ways Laap is the antithesis of Sus. Laap symbolizes death and decay. When someone dies, they are sent to Laap via sand burial. When the world ends, Laap will cover the entire world in sand.
Domains: Death, Destruction

Pryn

Pryn is the God of the Mountains. Pryn is the twin of Naaryn, yet dissimilar to Naaryn in every way. Pryn symbolizes industry and progress, and is considered to be reliable and wise.
Domains: Creation, Knowledge

Naaryn

Naaryn is the God of the Ocean. Naaryn is the twin of Pryn , yet dissimilar to Pryn in every way. Naaryn is considered to be fickle and unreliable, and has a hot temper. Pryn will both aid their followers through a bountiful catch as well as take their life in an instant through storms. Pryn is often associated with foreigners.
Domains: Sea, Trickery

Industry

Rhukaan's natural resources are sparse. Some of the mountains inside of Rhukaan have metals such as copper and iron, but extracting usable material is hard and slow. Many of the common surface metals outside of the mountains are buried deep below the sands of The Expanse.

Arable land is also uncommon. Some crops can be grown in the harsh desert, but most farming is done along the coast or in the semi-arid region on the eastern side of Rhukaan.

Rhuukan is rich in strong stone, mainly sandstone extracted from under the shifting sands of the desert. Because of this the empire is able to build impressive cities and high stone walls around the entire empire.

Slavery

Slave labor is commonly used across the empire. Slaves are the lowest position in Rhukaan's hierarchy. Travelers entering the empire, intentionally or otherwise, are captured and forced into slavery for life. Rarely Rhukaan's military will raid settlements close to their border and take slaves that way.

However, besides foreigners, the majority of Rhukaan's slaves are their own citizens. Goblins are often used as slaves because they are seen as inferior and weaker than their Hobgoblin masters. Slavery is also used as punishment, with lifelong slavery considered to be a fate worse than death. Those accused of heresy are often enslaved as a form of repentance, and those deemed to be enemies of the God-Emperor are enslaved. During a military coup the previously ruling family, minus the former Emperor who is killed, are forced into slavery. Unlike with foreigners, who are slaves for life, some slaves that are citizens of Rhukaan can earn their freedom. This is most often the case when slavery is used as a punishment for a less severe crime than treason or heresy, where the enslaved person may only be enslaved for a number of years.