Hampo

Hampo (Hampodo in Gu Maek) is a region located in Central Nándor. Hampo is currently subjected of a dispute between the Second Aurlûnor Velande which is claimed as one of the eight provinces of the country, while the Nandór Confederation claims it as one of the four provinces. This issue stems back to the First Aurlûnor Velande, when the Regent Mao Meili handed over the region after a week of negotiation with the Ashuran Pharaoh Gildun Avaros Salah Amakiir without proper consent from the Imperial Court.

The province is home to a majority Kumiho, with a minority of Azerals under the Yaza people group which has controvertially been surpressed by every Kumiho state. Hampo is the longest province in the Aurlûnor Velande/Nandór Confederation, covering the Nir Swamps down toward the old remains of Seluna, a personal estate once owned by Aesop Hexen during her time under the Takumakken Empire. Hampo also covers the island of Necua, located west of the mainland. Necua was once home to a Seraan city-state known as Neuca Hopolos. Necua also contains the city of Seongji. Aballia/Asbec is another notable settlement, located in the south of the province. It is built upon the old capital of the Kingdom of Olarã, Kaliné.

The capital for the Nandor Confederation's claim is Aballia/Asbec (Aurlûnoren: Amyalandë), while Nanseong (Aurlûnoren: Ruskoliemar) is the claimed capital for the Velande.

Prehistory
The earliest habitation in Hampo was thought to have been by the Pannosyltoric Nomads no later than 75,400BCA. Hunters and gatherers would migrate mostly between the northern Hanyan Forest and mostly stayed around the Nanseong river. Nomadic peoples also seemingly went around the Yazan Desert and Cape Tunbon.

The first sight of Kumiho habitation was in 24,700 BCA, where they migrated from the Heartlands region of modern day Natsuragi Tagi from an area known as "Linyin Cave". The Ganaya Culture may of possibly had evidence of a "Soul Fox" that was found in said region as well, but whether or not this is related, is debated.

It is likely that the Bronze Age of Hampo, or what is known as the Yunyapo period begun around the year 4,000BCA, as evidence of Bronze tools were seen in the region, with settlements in the region becoming more complexed, namely being that of a dome shape to defend eachother better from enemies. Yunyapo period pottery was also thought to have been the primary source of evidence of advancement in the region, as ridges begun to be used for possible further durability. An old pottery wheel was discovered near Nanseong alongside a few pieces of bronze was discovered to have originated from this period.

The First Queendom of Hampo
In the year 3,835BCA, Hampo would of by then, consolidated into a confederation of clans, and would begin to extend their territory. They would conduct multiple slave raids against settlements such as the newly conquered territories in the northern and northwestern edges of Almador. These series of raids would eventually lead to war between the Kingdom and the Hampo. However, Maxion's seemingly unstoppable tactics would fail, as they were no match for the Hampoese's hit and run tactics, as well as their ability to shapeshift and hide within the trees of their enemies. Although Maxion's army would eventually reach the capital of Nye'nsng (Known as Nanseong or Ruskilomar today), he had lost many soldiers and many of his current ones lost the will to fight or continue further. Maxion would eventually sit down with the Queen Tanilaseon, and would negotiate peace, with the condition that Tanilaseon is to become Maxion's wife, joining the two Kingdoms together. Although by this point Maxion was married to Kalmaris of Ardol, this move would be seen as the beginning of the subjugation of Hampo into the Kingdom, despite it not being directly being so. Two accounts argue that this was either a political move, or Maxion truly loved her, as there are manuscripts of poetry that express their love for one another in different languages. This was also the time where the Kumiho started to shapeshift themselves to emulate themselves to look more humanoid due to trade and contact, and to shield themselves from discrimination for being actual fox people.