Monkhu
The Mountain Horde
It is up the titanic mountains of the Tuskunovna alps and pass the clouds where the great Monkhu Empire prospers. Ruled by the ruthless Arku Khan, The Monkhu Empire ranges its territory from the southern dunes and open steppes to the top of the northern goliath of Kudao; A sixteen-mile (25 km) tall inactive volcano where the people are bred to face a life of frigid hardships and unforgiving trials. It was once deemed impossible by the known world for humans to settle anywhere higher than a mile up this mountain, but the first settlers said otherwise, and built their empire 8 miles up the mountain.
Now the people of Monkhu merely make the mountain's harsh conditions a part of their culture, purely believing that one's nationality is based on their ability to endure the below-freezing temperatures and lack of oxygen on the peaks. The leaders of Monkhu ploy to share this strength with the nations down below, slaughtering the weak until there is only the strong. The Khan's army is known for suppressing the Shilon empire for hundreds of years, conquering a mass majority of their land over the years, and the great khagan will not stop until he has unified all of Kudao as one in the Monkhu Empire.
Oko Bastion
History
40,000-85,000 LH (Lost History) (5,000 years ago)
Like all non-Shilon factions, Monkhu originated as a small tribe filled with departed Shilon nomads who were either banished or denied Shilon's political and religious beliefs. But the mountain people wanted to remain unsupervised, so they scaled the mountains of Tuskunovna, a place too cold for the gods to visit. But it was even more cold for humans, making the journey long and unforgiving. Death was imminent but their will to escape the divine hand was stronger, so they persisted. After a few centuries of harsh conditions and suffering, the settler's DNA adapted and endured the frigid cold of the mountain, marking the origin of the Huyve ethnic group.
Capital
Oko
Form of Goverment
Elective Monarchy
Ruler(s)
Arku Khan
Military Captain
Buljaar Khan
Climate
Polar/Temperate
Population
25 million
Population
(Post Yamamura)
33 million
Based on:
The Mongol Empire, Nepal
Years 000-450 RH (Recorded History) (3,000 years ago)
The Twelve Tribes
The mountain was split into 12 different tribes; Nayaan, Batukhan, Olar, Jensitu, Sinju, Hanggai, Orbei, Maa, Gambu, Oko, Avyn, Kutunova, and Monkhu. Some tribes tolerated each other respectfully. Tribes such as Hanggai, Sinju, and Jensitu strive for peace towards the neighboring tribes with compassion and generosity. Other tribes, however, such as Batukhan, Oko, Maa, Kutunova, and Monkhu were known to be relentless and cruel. Stuck in an endless cycle of war and bloodshed, going so far as to involve pacifist tribes into their needless quarrel.
Years 450-3100 RH
Warring States period
With no official khagan, the land was in an untamed, chaotic bickering that was violently disputed by each tribe. Batukhan, feared by most of the tribes, held the most power then, owning a significantly large portion of land in the mountain and having the most fearless horde of soldiers. Oko, Kutunova, and Gambu weren't too far behind. Monkhu wasn't high enough to compete nor low enough to stand down. In 2842 RH, a belligerent, barbaric young soldier named Arku Bengu grew bitter toward the Monkhu hierarchy, believing the nobles and generals to be cowardly and incompetent. He foresaw and fought for a stronger, triumphant future for Monkhu, and knew the only way to win this war was with a ruthless, ornery yearning for domination. After an ambush on Arku's brigade, he was left wounded and half-blind. He found himself facing a large black wolf, who challenged Arku's wits and lost. Becoming Akru's loyal hunting dog.
The wolf Arku had tamed returned to his village and viciously feasted and devoured the kings and generals that Arku sought to overthrow. Starting the Monkhu tribe anew. A horde reborn under the kinship of the black wolf Muunokhoi. Under new management, Arku refused weakness in his tribe. Turning the tides of war, conquering each tribe, one by one without falter or effort, until Arku had apprehended the entire mountain, forming from a tribe into an empire. Arku and his soldiers slaughtered those who showed weakness and pleaded for mercy and sparred those who refused to yield and showed true courage. The same virtues Akru valued, so he appointed them, allowing them to keep their name. The tribes that were sparred were Oko, Nayaan, Maa, Batukhan, Sinju, and Hanggai, the rest were wiped out from the map and became nothing more than a pitiful memory.
Invasions of Midora and Gaowong provinces
Monkhu, as a tribe started to expand quickly across the mountain and steppes. But as it grew in size it started to spread thin, the resources for the mountain nomads could only take them so far. So Arku sought the riches at the bottom of the mountain such as Northern Midora and Quliang in Western Gaowong; which were territories of the Shilon and the Dragon Emperor Ren at the time. Arku knew his limits but he feared them not, so he began a long-term series of raids on Gaowong and Midora provinces and temples. They managed to succeed for a while but Arku's weakness for greed and conquest was met match with Emperor Ren and his army of White Horns, who subdued Arku's horde. Forcing them to retreat into the mountains for the time being.
Arku Khan
Nayaan Province
Years 3100 - 3130 RH (Present)
Yamamura
The invasion quickly made its way up the mountain, Monkhu did not resist temptation when charging into battle. Even with their environmental advantages, victory was achieved not as easy as it should've. Seeing this world-ending threat led to them forming a treaty with the Shilon Empire. The Huyve stepped down from their mountain and fought in one of the largest battles for both god and man.
Preying on a weakened world
After the war, Yamamura left Monkhu with nearly a third of its population slain in battle. Unlike other nations, the people of Monkhu were thought to be dead within the next ten years in their current state. The Monkhu lifestyle of hardships and durability is slowly decaying, and it's up to the people to come to terms with its weakness and humility.
But Arku saw this as nothing more than an opportunity, with Emperor Ren and Admiral Fu bai gone, Lao to tend her position as empress, and all nations weakened by Yamamura, Arku was able to continue his great hunt once more. He quickly conquered the mountains south of Midora, now known as Southern Monkhu, and is where Khutnova and Hangaii were relocated. Both the Midora and Haisong kingdoms remain under the pressure of the mountain hordes. The shogunate in Tekkan may have to face the invaders once more with Arku's grandson Buljaar Khan. If all of this succeeds, Arku Khan will begin his long dream of breaching the divine wall of Shilon.
Buljaar Khan
The Monkhu Horde during the battle of Yamamura. 3110 RH
Culture
Monkhu is the only nation whose population has increased after the events of Yamamura. They suffered decimation but with the world weakened they were able to successfully invade the southern mountains and western Surochi, expanding their empire. Those who bear residence on the mountain are expected one strict rule. If you can't survive the bitter conditions nor bear any use to the military then your life is of no value for the weak are unwelcome in Monkhu. Those who are worthy enough to withstand the mountain's wrath, are glorified, motivating their will to ride among the mountain horde.
But the mountain horde is much more than a land of barbarians. Originated as a nomadic shepherd tribe a lot of habitants in the steppes are known for their peacefulness and reverence towards the mountain. They indulge in activities and professions such as sheep herding, falconry, wrestling, and singing songs of famous folk heroes to the open blue sky.
A Monkhu soldier mounting a War Ram, a type of goat used to charge in battle. It's a tradition to make them wear the skulls of their dead relatives.
A group of nomads and merchants playing their instruments to the night sky.
Gallery
