#kinorah

The Nether-Fedatti nation of Watardha is considering renaming itself. The local government cites that in this day and age, a name derived from the infernal lingua of the Ancients has no place.

Watardha means Silent Inner World in Geryura and was named so for Watardha’s vast landscapes and views. The government states this should still be reflected in its new name, and proposed to baptise the country to ‘Vista’.

Hortha Wrang, spokeswoman of the Modern Demon Emancipation Movement, speaks of pure political symbolism. “Now that the Goddess takes a more prominent role in Kinoran lives, her ‘forever’ fans crawl from up from beneath the woodwork, each tumbling over another to gain a glimpse of Her eternal attention. And how better than to rewrite 3 millennia of history in ‘Her’ favour?” Hortha declared to send over experts to help local Watardhan demons with forming a legal case against the name-change proposal.

Other movements are equally sceptic towards the local government’s reasoning. Hortha’s comments are echoed by the Secular Concern and other Free-fate activists. Karik Wreeval, founder of the Secular Concern, stated: “While we don’t oppose name changes as such, we are worried about the motivations behind the name change. We cannot move towards a society where we change things merely because we fear repercussions of the Divine.” The Social Wealth party, prominent opposition party in Watardha’s parliament, sees her concerns differently: “It’s a waste of money,” states spokesperson Garo Rentar Gazplace, “it brings no benefit to the People, creates more chaos than harmony, squanders resources and takes attention away from more pressing concerns. It’s just a hobby-horse of a few religious Conservative Unionists.”

Tartvan Abernal Yaelsburgh, governor of Watardha and initiator of the proposal, believes these concerns are entirely disingenuous and adds: “Only a few academics and people of a wicked persuasion understand the meaning of this nation’s name. We want clear and modern language associated with our nation, where else to start than with our name?”

Telleh was founded by the powerful Ancient Midmirrà as a stronghold for her forces, back a few odd thousand years ago. Over time it expanded and took over other towns and villages. Still, there are remains that trace back to those times, not in the least the palace.

At the same time, she took people from different cultures for her political purposes and it was so that Telleh started out as a melting pot of different cultures and backgrounds. Over the years, it simply kept the way it was, with more and more added over time, until Telleh numbered over a few hundred different self-described cultures.

Most people moving to Telleh do it from business and education purposes. As Telleh is the main capital of Kinorah (though not of Upper Fedatti, that honour is to Oberhuyn), its population ranges from politicians and businessmen in the highest echelons to archivists, teachers, artisans and dockworkers. Between Telleh and other major cities there has always been a rivalry. First through wars, as Telleh was home to the High Kings who had always sending troops to exercise their power, and later through more friendly rivalry.

In ancient legends, it is said that Telleh in fact houses on top of a dragon and that the ancient catacomb of the town represent its internal organs. Other stories around Telleh are more personal and tell of people from strange descents, conspiracies around the High Kings and that the ghost of the last president of the First Republic can occasionally be seen in the Telleh underground metro system.  

Tellites are believers of these stories and one of the main characteristics of Tellites is that they are a superstitious people. Tell them a story and they will take it for granted. Not so much because they are gullible, but more because they don't want to risk not believing it.

The city has a rich history of heroes and villains, of acts of heroism and heinousness. And those stories live with the natives and are enforced through different media. To tell about all the myths and legends of Telleh is almost unworkable, and anyone who has tried to collect them, has gone mad eventually (whether due to the workload or the sheer amount of madness ingrained into the stories has yet to be decided). But every Tellite knows about the birth of the city, of the founder Midmirrà and all cultures have their own story about how they had come to Telleh. Then there are stories native to Telleh itself, the stories that forge a connection between all cultures despite their differences. They speak of heroes like Razar Harhaid, King of the Uthrovwick who was the only one in history who had conquered Telleh and dethroned the vile High Queen Magna Dim Haypras. They speak of the Days of Wonders, of the Dock Strike of 17.08, of the benevolent Answar Gaelsriban who used his fortune to bring education to the people and of the wicked and twisted Nibraskerdim and their equally wicked servants the Zanaferyt.

If there is one leading theme within the stories of the Tellites is that these mostly describe heroes from all walks of life who help the common person and combat injustice and villains who abuse their powers and don't take their responsibility. To the point that many of those studying Telleh's city culture, see that the people find unity in their sense of helplessness in the face of the Authority. That they understand the necessity to keep peace and friendliness with one another, because they are the only ones who can protect them should the Authority rain down upon them. And natives have always made sure that all cultures have at least contributed one hero to the city's pantheon. This method of maintaining unity between the people does have its downsides and it has made it difficult for designated villains such as descendants from villains and smaller groups like the Zanaferyt to be accepted within the Telleh city culture until recent developments gave them their own heroes.

General

Kinorah is a small world in 4-planet system. Only a few years ago, a science council exploration vessel made contact with the Kinoran population exposing them to the larger galactic community. Nowadays the Kinorans are a candidate member of the economic alliance League of Independent Planets and have warm diplomatic ties with the surrounding cultures – including the Nardijash Empire and the Taekon Republics. Kinorah itself is known for its refreshing unsullied art culture, diverse landscape and friendliness to Alien travellers.

(map projection attempt to justify equatorial nations' size relative to polar size. Ocean proportions unrealistic)

Official Name Nuazbayeh Kinorayeh Seat of Government Telleh Type of Government Democratic Federation Population 1.2 billion inhabitants Species Kikiru (41%), Vwick (31%), Inwid (26%), Misc (2%) Language (fluency%) Nayaltè (91%), Soboro (71%) - Most Kinorans are fluent in both. Currency Raví ('gifts') Religion Kinorah has a large variety of religion, ranging from massive multimillion faiths to small cults surrounding the goddess.

(Should the table above be unavailable: http://aeqtales.tumblr.com/post/137553665047/a-casual-travellers-guide-kinorah)

History

From the earliest records on, violence dominated Kinorah's politics and sciences. Then roughly a century ago, the New Age broke through. With the New Age, Kinorah's politics changed from feudalistic and Machiavellian ruleships to a federal democracy. There was a price to be paid though and a great number of lives were lost due to conflicts during the transition.

From there, a unity was formed. But the system wasn’t without its faults. Among the Kinoran Parliament, the Kinorezqölque, corruption ran rampant and the system became more and more bureaucratic. Voices from nations and states cried out for renewal of the system or they would leave the Union and start their own collaborations. When nothing changed, the Union collapsed.

From the ashes of the Union, a new political movement rose. Founded by six Kinorans from all directions of society, Har-Ikei fought for reunification of the world. The movement appealed to both young as old people, with its promises of a unity without all the senseless bureaucracy and with possibilities for each to be a part of the social discussions. The movement also founded schools and academies to promote education and unity. While it never explicitly stated so, Har-Ikei pressed for a secular society and a common unifying culture. But while Har-Ikei brought prosperity, efficiency and development onto the Kinoran people, the democratic structure was reduced to theory. Times were especially harsh for any population that did not abide to Har-Ikei's Union Laws, a set of laws designed to bring conformity and nationality to the people. While this greatly reduced discrimination of any sort, it also frowned upon people's native identities. Har-Ikei lasted 30 years until the combined effort of rebel groups managed overthrow the despots. New conflicts looked about to burst until the Alien worlds made contact with the Kinorans and unified them under a single federal structure.

Cultures

With three species on a single planet, Kinorah has enough cultures to keep your average anthropologist satisfied for years to come. The mixed species society also inevitable leads to mixed species relationships. One of the first things to notice about the Kinoran societies, is that there is hardly any sort of species-based segregation. While this world sure had its wars, hatred based around species is practically unheard of. Of course you'll hear the occasional joke about stoic Inwid or possessive Kikiru, but unlike the way Nardijash sub-species interact, it is hardly ever meanly meant. Kinorans love making jokes about Aliens too, so keep in mind not to value your honour too highly when visiting.

This mixture also has its quirks in other interaction. Inwid pubers traditionally go through a series of utmost embarrassing social moments as the other species lack the pheromones that normally keep Inwid from pursuing sexual relationships within their own gender. Kikiru in turn, have the tendency to consider close friends as a part of their family hierarchy, making Kikiru friendship rewarding, but full with exhausting etiquettes. The Vwick occasionally forget that they do share their society with two other, differently build, species, can be subconsciously being the most ethnocentric of the three. Still, as experienced travellers know, to really understand a people through clichés and stereotypes is impossible and most important: no fun at all.

Don't be ashamed to ask what is expected from you. Kinorans are used to having to explain their own cultural customs to other Kinorans. Your Alien identity grants you a lot of slack. One should however take into account that especially around the main city of Telleh, hospitality is an important value. During the Har-Ikei times, mistrust and paranoia ran rampant through society, and still invitations are not given to just about anyone. Asking about those times will get you an evening full with wonderful but slightly unrealistic stories, since everyone claims to have been a part of the dissidents' movement Veskiyl.

Other things to keep mind of are bathing and sauna customs (bare naked and sexes mixed), general hygiene (no tossing paper on the streets!), and consumption of drugs (public intoxication in Telleh will get you a night or two in prison and a hefty fine). Private property is to be respected, baring arms of any sort is illegal without a special permit and disrespect towards military or spiritual persons can get you into more trouble than you're used to. Don't give tips, it is regarded as insulting and degrading.

Last but not least, should you experience any supernatural incidents, you're advised to--