[ Infront of one hung a parchment, containing crudely drawn figures, along the words of: EVIL.
Depicting what seemed to be a warning. Along the backside, if one were to turn it, it read: ]

Dwarf is not DWARF!! Big maw and eeight Legs,
big axe, e [the writing was smudged with tears] ts our kin
Elf with black hands and Horns, long red hair

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The Birth of a New Era

“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Hark, children of Metzli. Yuan-Changbi, Chieftain of the Hou-Ren, and Yhl’Flaaowni, Chieftain of the Kharajyr hereby declare the formation of a new state; The Beastfolk Protectorate. This new state brings with it a long-standing alliance that will persist for generations to come, bringing an end to the countless wars and bloodshed between the two races over their differing views on their creator. The Beastfolk Protectorate is merely the first step toward rebuilding the fallen civilizations of old and restoring them to their former glory. Using the past as a cautionary tale, the Hou-Ren and Kharajyr endure and push forward, uniting under one banner as they work tirelessly to forge a brighter future. We call upon our kin and kith to show their faith and join us in this sacred endeavor. The Chieftains of the Beastfolk Protectorate shall conclude this declaration with a message: In this world, we are focused solely upon the preservation and safety of our people, the children of Metztli. Harm us not, and none shall come to you, but know that the days of hunts without recompense are over. 

History

“Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.”

Centuries ago, the Hou-Zi and the Kharajyr were created through Metzli’s efforts, forming independent empires within the jungles from which they hailed. Both empires prospered under the guidance of their emperors, rulers blessed with divine power. However, this prosperity was short-lived. These once-great empires collapsed under the weight of their own greed, destroyed by narcissism and strife. Their inhabitants, now divided, splintered across the world’s many continents and quickly fell prey to the descendents, hunted relentlessly. It was during this era that a bloody conflict between the Hou-Zi, who blamed Metzli for the collapse of their civilization, and the Kharajyr, who worshipped Metzli as the Mother of their race began. 

As the war raged on, both sides suffered significant losses, serving only to further their decline. By the end of the era of Aevos, both sides, siblings in all reality, were nearing extinction. Their populations were so scarce that they had no warriors left to fight their battles, their culture warped and nearly erased in the bloodied bodies of their slain elders. It was during this era that Yuan-Changbi, the Chieftain of the Hou-Zi, and Yhl’Flaaowni, the most prominent of the Kharajyr, both agreed to formally put an end to this bloody conflict. 

A pact of Blood was formed between the two, a vow that neither would harm the other, and that both races would work together to fend off their mutual enemies and rebuild a new, greater civilization, one that would be free of the sins that plagued the empires of old. It was through this blood pact that the Beastfolk Protectorate was born, serving as a bastion against their numerous enemies and a safe haven for their scattered and disparate people.

Culture

“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we do.”

The culture of the Protectorate brings together two peoples of shared origins that had long grown apart. A new meeting upon friendly terms, there is a distinct divide evident between the peoples that have come together out of a want for a better world. It is evident in their buildings, in their values, and in the manner the world is approached. A burgeoning creation, only time will tell how the two races will join together as one.

Kharajyr culture places an emphasis upon their own kind, something born of the harsh conditions they had been raised within these new lands. A decimated people, many ancient practices have been lost, replaced instead with strong shamanic beliefs in the Great Beasts of Metztli and a focus upon putting their kind’s safety and wellbeing before their own personal benefit or health. The significance of Metztli has waned from the ever watchful and present guardian like the days of yore, yet is still evident in their temples and structures. The practices of Khalenwyr, and the days of the Tlatlanni, are mere echoes of what they once were. Ceremonies and rituals of hunting, courtship, learning or ascension are now evident only in the tattoos upon the skin and fur of the Kharajyr, and in their bright clothing and strange war panoply.

The culture of the Hou-Zi was greatly impacted by the collapse of their once-great empire and Hou-Shen’s disappearance. There are two things that the Hou-Zi value above all else; the ability to reflect upon one’s mistakes for the sake of self-improvement, and the ability to set aside one’s own desires to pursue what is best for the Hou-Ren as a whole. In the past, their immortal God-Emperor Hou-Shen was known not for being infallible, but rather for his ability to examine his faults and learn from his mistakes. It was under his rule that the Hou-Ren saw great stability and prosperity, and so it is he who serves as the ideal that all Hou-Zi should strive for. It was not until the Hou-Ren began to fight amongst themselves that their immortal ruler vanished, never to be seen again. For this reason, those who bring strife are shunned by the collective. For the Hou-Zi, Metzli is an incredibly controversial figure. Some portray her as ‘The Awakener’, the one who blessed the Hou-Zi with consciousness, while others call her ‘The Destroyer’ and blame her for the downfall of their civilization. In recent years, opinion has gradually begun to shift toward the former. Similar to the Kharajyr, traditional Hou-Zi garb consists of colorful, loose robes, with the most popular colors being red, green, and orange. This loose-fitting clothing made it easier to cope with the hot, humid environment from which they hail. The most popular dishes amongst the Hou-Ren are fruit-based dishes, such as Tanghulu and Mango Sago. Popular drinks include Baijiu and various different teas.

Faith

“Learning without thinking is useless. Thinking without learning is dangerous.”

Within the Kharajyr faith reigns Metztli, supreme above all despite her absence in this modern age. The creator goddess, who hand crafted the perfect being above all- The Tlatlanni. The First, from which all other Kharajyr are derived. Her loss is a physical pain felt by all Kharajyr from the moment of their birth, this pain guides their actions toward worship, and toward a new pantheon. The Great Beasts, emissaries of Metztli. Her first experimental creations, twelve in number and singular in both company and power. Upon making contact with Yhl’Flaaowni, they have brought new guidance to fill the void of the Muuna, and with them further worship. Ancient rituals of moon readings and naming ceremonies intermingle with new age sacrifices of blood, deeds of honour committed in the name of the Great Beasts, as the Kharajyr march onward.

The faith and culture of the Hou-Zi is very much intertwined, with most of their cultural practices being derived from Shenjiao, the teachings of Hou-Shen. In the past, it was believed that all Hou-Zi who perished would join Hou-Shen in the Heavens. However, after reflecting upon the history of his people and Hou-Shen’s teachings, doubt began to creep into Yuan-Changbi’s mind. It was during his ten-year spiritual journey in the mountains that he received a vision. On the night of the Crimson Comet, all had been revealed; Hou-Shen had ascended to the Heavens, the one place free of sin, in order to forge a template for the perfect empire. From the Heavens, he would communicate to those who still remained in the Mortal Plane by changing the sky itself. It is the sacred duty of all Hou-Zi to use this guidance to mirror this Heavenly Empire in the mortal plane and facilitate the creation of The Jade Empire; a utopic society in which all Hou-Zi may live and prosper. His three sons, Hou-Da, Hou-Xiao, and Hou-Wang became the energy within the Fire, the Earth, and the Wind. In the form of this energy, they would bring about change within the Mortal Plane through their respective elements in order to aid the Hou-Zi in their sacred duty. Upon death, the faithful Hou-Zi are said to join one of these three sons, assimilating into this energy and becoming one. Every gust of wind that offers relief to the hard-working farmers, every mountain that rises to shield the Hou-Zi from their enemies, and every fire that burns through the lands of their enemies are said to be the work of the ancestors in collaboration with Hou-Shen’s three sons.

Authors:

@GibbousKong
@DizzyGrey