Taka

The Kingdom of Taka (Nevurusarese: Korajayanava Takangâ, Halēnawega: ꦏꦺꦴꦫꦗꦪꦤꦙ꧊ꦠꦏꦚꦺ) is a state of the Empire of The Mejakepai. It is located on Kada’s southern half, south of the Queendom of Nevurusari and west of the Kingdom of Sanadra. Its capital is Sajānangeva, located on the Kingdom's southwestern tip.

Dark Ages
The first lords of House Taka began their rule over the town of Şâjānangeva at a date long lost. Their rule came at a time of strife and chaos. The indigo-skinned people from the west no longer brought in their arcane goods. In their place arrived a different people, a race of sailors and pillagers, which called themselves the Koravi. They ravaged the lands of Sâjānangeva’s western neighbors, taking their villages and lordships for themselves. For all the Javepakata, the world, it seemed, was ending. History was entering a new age, the wheel of the six lives turning once more.

The turbulent times called for extraordinary measures to ensure the Taka’s lands would remain intact. Unlike their neighbors, they openly greeted the invaders, giving them houses to live in and land to till and rule over. In exchange for their generosity, the invaders would share their knowledge and craftsmanship. With time and newly gained wisdom, the Taka amassed a formidable army, much stronger than those of their neighbors. Their menacing fleet bore depictions of sharks on their standards, eliciting fear as they cruised along the shoreline.

Soon, each of the rivaling clans fell, one after another. First the Sanda, then the Kunda, followed by all the others. By the end of the Dark Ages, the Taka’s dominion enveloped the entire southern lands.

Kingdom Period
As the smaller kingdoms of Kada began to dwindle, the five strongest remaining factions arose to create a new system of warring states. The Taka, masters of Koravi warcraft and Javepakata statecraft, proved themselves as one of the most powerful of the remaining five, but also the most decadent.

They never saw benefit in unifying Kada, thus they were rarely the ones to attack the other four. The Taka resisted the armies of the Nevurusari and Mataka for decades, their numbers, albeit, growing smaller every time.

What little motivation for war they had, they turned on themselves. Brother against brother, father against son, nephew against uncle. Time and time again, the last Taka kings raised fearsome armies, only to turn them towards their own people. Their gall blinded them, and they were unable to see the armies of the Sujatasas on their doorsteps.

The Siege of Sâjānangeva completely destroyed the city. During its last moments, an officer within the Takan army, surrendered the kingdom to the Nevurusari. The Takan royalty couldn't be found afterwards. Their fate still remains unknown. The kingdom was annexed by the Nevurusari, and eventually became a part of the Empire of The Mejakepai. The monarchical system was preserved, but the throne was still vacant, so Taladah was assigned regent.

Under the Mejakepai
The kingdom, although now relegated to a subject of the new Mejakepai state, enjoys a rare moment of stability in what has been an era of constant warfare ever since the last indigo ships departed from Sâjānangeva's harbor. The life of the average Taka has only improved with the unification of Kada. The old rivalries of the unification wars slowly lose their bitter taste.

The royal castle of Sâjānangeva was rebuilt, and the city began growing once more. In 10 KS, after 10 years of regency, the throne was finally handed over to Komodo Salvia Doryu.

Geography
The hills of southern Kada provide Taka with vast terraces on which to grow grain. The uneven terrain also proves great land for bastions and castles. The cities of Taka are for this reason a complex of a fort, settlement, and farmland.

Government
Taka is a hereditary province under the Mejakepai, and its current King is Komodo Salvia Doryu. The kingdom was under a regency up until 5 KS, when the regent, Taladah Rabunjānega, stepped down in favor of Komodo.

Culture
Taka culture is a blend of Javepakata and Koravi tradition. Much of the two cultures have merged to create an environment where the two races coexist and see each other as one people. Though united amongst themselves, they wish to stay distant from the new foreign influences entering the empire through Peiklaten.

The Azerdan faith, along with all other religions that aren’t aligned with Tulukatva, are practically banned. Foreigners are looked down upon, and are expected to follow basic Kada customs.

The Koravi’s seafaring practices bleed into local folklore and tradition. Sharks are the kingdom’s symbolic representatives. They are widely admired for their ferocity and beauty. They enjoy a cult-like following amongst the locals, who make offerings and create bonds with individual sharks in the sea.

Men In Taka
Most men in Taka are warriors. When they reach a certain age, their parents will send them to live in the wilderness for two years, leaving them to the wolves. If they come back alive, then they're strong enough to live. By the time they're in their early teenage years, they already know how to fight and fend for themselves.

Women In Taka
Unlike men, women don't get forced to survive in the wild - it depends on them if they want to. Most of them stay home and study. However, don't get fooled. Hiding under their feminine masks is a force of death. Philosophy, magic, and sciences aren't the only thing they study while at home. They also get taught to fight and kill. For the noblewomen, their parents often hire tutors - mostly soldiers to teach them. One can effortlessly identify a Takan woman's class in society by her fighting style. Peasant girls fight like beasts - reckless, aggressive, and without proper form. Noble ladies fight with speed, grace, and precision.

The Fighting Pit
Colloquially called "The Jaws of The Beast," the fighting pit is what makes Taka so iconic. When the Koravi came to the province, they introduced a little bit of their culture. With the help of the Takan builders, they erected a large fighting pit - a majestic sight, it mixes Javapakata and Koravi architecture well. In it, peasants, warriors, and sometimes even royalty would participate in the entertainment - violence and bloodshed. Because the pits became their primary source of entertainment, Taka has no theatres. Actors performed on the same ground as the fighters. No other fighting pits exist in Kada aside from Taka's - making so many citizens of Mejakepai visit every time a big fight gets announced.

Crime and Punishment
Taka isn't as ruthless as the others when it comes to punishment. But it's not as merciful as Peiklaten either, where criminals just get thrown in the catacombs. Taka's ways are tough but fair - money can't free you, faith can't save you. Only strength will.

If one worships a religion other than Tulukatva, they'll get thrown to the pits. If they die, they die. If one survives, however, they'll be free to worship their gods as long as they do it in silence.

If one is a criminal, their punishment depends on their crime. A minor crime like stealing a horse or a loaf of bread will land them in community service. They'll be helping the builders gather materials, the fishermen fish, and the miners in the mine. Commit a minor crime during wartime, and they'll go straight to the battlefield. For major crimes like murder, arson, rape, and fraud, then it's more severe. First, the royal guards will parade them naked on the streets. Then, they'll get thrown to the pits to get tortured in front of the masses. The method depends on the crime.

Valuing Strength
Taka had always valued strength, and it always will. After all, there's a reason why it's termed "The Kingdom of Galarios". A peasant can rise to the ranks of lord if he/she's strong enough. Despite what others think, Taka's definition of strength isn't all brute force. Strength to Taka is ambition, discipline, wisdom, fortitude, and fairness.