Ivory Kingdoms
From L5r: Legend of the Five Rings
The Ivory Kingdoms consist of a collection of smaller principalities (with the rulers bearing the title of Raja) united under the rule of the Maharaja.
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[edit] Society
[edit] Caste
The Ivory Kingdoms maintain a similar social cast system as Rokugan called the Kshatriya, much like samurai. They are organised into Houses much like the Great Clans with a Raja leading each house, the territories of the Houses are more like separate nations with deep divides among them. Ruling over all the Houses is the Maharaja, much like an Emperor. The caste system is much more strict than it is in Rokugan, individuals may not marry outside their cast, and are discouraged from even associating with those outside their caste.
Some known Houses of the Kshatriya:
[edit] Views of outsiders
The Ivory Kingdom is a very large and powerful nation, it has one very distinctive differing trait from Rokugan, and this is their tolerance for outsiders. They do not share Rokugan's xenophobic views of the world. They have many ambassadors to various nations in the world, including a strong presence in the city of Medinat al-Salaam.
[edit] Science and Math
With their dislike of magic use, the Ivory Kingdoms have not relied upon it much and as a result have advanced in math, science, and medicine to a far greater extent that Rokugan has.
[edit] Magic
Kshatriya hold a deep and fearful respect for magic, seeing it as the realm of gods and demons.
[edit] War
The general philosophy of the Ivory Kingdoms on war is that it is a last resort for defeated men. This is however not to say they do not enage in, or are unskilled in the arts of war, they have fought seven different nations in war, and are masters of many combat styles.
[edit] Arms and Armour
[edit] Shields
- Dhal: A small cicular shield made of steel or brass. A type of buckler shield.
[edit] Armour
- Jazerant: Light armour constructed of scales and horns fastened to a vest of cloth with straps. Worn with an armored skirt. Often used by Kshatriya while in the Burning Sands.
- Chain Mail: A Heavy armour, made of interlocked metal rings, Very protective, but weak to arrows and spear like weapons.
- Brigandine: Light armour made of small metal plates quilted in between layers of cloth.
[edit] Bows
- Lezam: four foot long bow, tension is held by a large chain allowing 150 pounds of pull.
[edit] Melee weapons
- Ankus:Sometimes called bullhook, elephant hook, or elephant goad, this is a tool used in the training of elephants. It consists of a sharp, pointed hook (usually bronze or steel)which is attached to a two- or three-foot handle.
- Bagh-Nakh: Also known as a tiger claw or a wagh nakh, This is a hand-to-hand weapon designed to fit over the knuckles or concealed under and against the palm. Usually made of metal, it features between two and four claws, and is designed to slash through skin and muscle.
- Chakram: A circular disc of metal with a sharpened outer edge. This is thrown at an enemy much like an oversized shuriken.
- Jambiya: A small curved dagger that is generally decorated in some fashion.
- Kukri: A weapon that ranges in size from a dagger to a short sword with a curved blade and a very sharp inside edge.
- Tulwar: A curved sword that bears resemblance to a sabre, but is wider than a shamshir.
[edit] Location
The Ivory Kingdoms have been identified as being located to the southwest of Rokugan on the opposite side of the Shadowlands. The Naga once inhabited this region but fled north after the First Burning of the World. Tales of a 'Cult of the Destroyer' continue to draw refugees from that race into the extreme south. The Ivory Kingdom is on the same land mass as Rokugan, and have access and trade agreements with societies in the Burning Sands and several other nations. While the exact size of the Ivory Kingdoms is a subject of debate, it would seem their lands are larger than that of Rokugan, but this is simple conjecture.
[edit] Rokugan and the Ivory Kingdom
In Rokugan, stories of the Ivory Kingdoms include reports of assassins who leave burning footprints and ruthless warriors known as Kshatriya who wield strangely curved swords.
[edit] Rama Singh
Rama Singh, a native of the Ivory Kingdoms, is fluent in Rokugani, and has had a great deal of experience with the Mantis Clan acting as an ambassador to the Empire. He has for the most part been charged with maintaining a supply of ginseng for the Maharaja. Rama is aware of the Rokugani xenophobia and understands their reasons, yet at the same time he hopes to help prove their ideas wrong via his and his peoples example. In 1167 he swore fealty to the Mantis, becoming Yoritomo Singh.
[edit] Aramasu's War
During the War of Spirits in Rokugan, Yoritomo Aramasu lead the Mantis Clan in a different war. Within the Ivory Kingdom a coup lead by the Cult of the Destroyer was under way to remove the Maharaja from power. The Mantis being a long time ally of the Maharaja came to his aid and with the help of loyal Houses of Kshatriya, restored the Maharaja to power.
[edit] Trade
The Crane and Mantis currently foster trade with the Ivory Kingdoms and they have been granted an ambassador in the Emperor's court. One of the Houses, House Suresh is the primary trade partner with the Crane Clan. The Ivory Kingdom maintain a wide variety of trade agreements.
[edit] Major References
- Exotic Arms Guide page 34 72-73
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