Fiction:Realm of Rhaz'Gan

"From the wetlands of the west come the Rhaz'Gan. In the past, they bickered and killed one another, each claiming to know more than the other, until the King of Kings descended upon them and united them under one banner, which lasts to this day. Riding in the backs of immense buffaloes, they thrust their great spears and swing their mighty axes at any who dares threaten their beloved lands. To gain their trust is to make a powerful enemy. To earn their ire is to make a terrible enemy."

- Lonen Fogorember, Erylian Lorekeeper

The Realm of Rhaz'Gan is an empire situated at the Highmoors of, being one of the main powers of the region. Primarily inhabited by the giants known as Rhaz'Gan Trolls, its history is that of constant fragmentation and in-fighting until it was finally unified into one great nation by the fabled troll king Zulij'Ahjin, who has since become one of his people's main objects of worship.

The Realm of Rhaz'Gan was built on war and as such, the trolls of the Highmoors are skeptical to outsiders and not afraid to unleash their full might upon those who provoke their wrath, though those who had the opportunity of earning their trust claim them to be a fiercely loyal people to their allies. In the New Age, the Rhaz'Gan Trolls have initiated conflicts across the Sunset Isles, seeking to expand their territory and claim ownership over the many resources of the islands, their eyes primarily fixed upon the Slumbering Lands.

History
The Rhaz'Gan Trolls are an old race, recorded to have existed since at least 10,000 BNA. At that point in time, as well as much of their history, they were fragmented into various tribes, each led by warlords who sought to rule the race, all while being under the threat of demons and raiders. Being brought to the brink of extinction more than once during the Adamantine Age, the Rhaz'Gan Trolls proved themselves a tough people by enduring all that was thrown at them, though each blow delivered fragmented them further; by the end of the great demon wars and the beginning of the Old Age, there were hundreds of Rhaz'Gan tribes scattered across the northwestern Highmoors, each wanting a piece of the land for themselves and unwilling to share it with the others.

Rhaz'Gan legend claims it was at this point that Zulij'Ahjin, who would later be known as the King of Kings, emerged from the spirit world and traveled across the Highmoors, visiting tribe by tribe and teaching them the arts of shamanism, which would slowly bring them together as they were left speechless by Zulij'Ahjin's sheer wisdom. The warlords who refused the troll king's gifts, as well as the Tuungar who threatened the trolls were said to be eradicated by his great power; the King of Kings had with him a great spear, capable of tearing the spirits out of the bodies of his enemies. By the year 4,200 BNA, most of trollkind filled Zulij'Ahjin, who ordered them to use his teachings to create a great capital amidst the shores of the Highmoors, which would serve as the seat of a new, united Rhaz'Gan.

The capital, named Rhaz'Ulkaz, would become the first true city of the Realm of Rhaz'Gan, which begun to rapidly expand through the lands once controlled by the fragmented tribes of trolls. Zulij'Ahjin would rule as the king of the Realm for five hundred years until he died of old age, being succeeded by those deemed worthy by the high shamans who continued to teach the King of Kings' philosophies to the new generations. They would remain in stable and relatively peaceful position for the next centuries.

In the New Age, the Realm of Rhaz'Gan's ships begun to cause mayhem through the Sunset Isles as they came to conflict with the Dimetraniorn of the Slumbering Lands; the troll king Tesmok, who would become known as the Saurian-Chaser, saw the island as a land of treasures for him and his people, wishing to expand his influence to it so that he would gain access to its resources and tame the majestic giant beasts residing in it.

Species
The Realm of Rhaz'Gan is primarily inhabited by trolls. However, the Rhaz'Gan are accepting to other races - they have little interest in what they are, caring much more to how they act instead - and non-trolls are generally treated as equals among their society. Those who live under the Realm are expected to follow its teachings and show respect to their customs.

Government
The Realm of Rhaz'Gan is led by a troll king, who is chosen by a council of elder high shamans. These Elders commune with the spirits to choose the most fit successor to the throne, though there were cases where they allowed the king's direct descendants to ascend to their position due to believing them worthy enough. Because of this, most of the Realm's history is marked with widely different troll tribes ascending to the throne, which many note helped them keep clear of any stagnation. Kings are given an array of titles, and are usually titled to whatever was the most recent notable thing they did; Tesmok the Saurian-Chaser, the current troll king, was titled such for his recent desire of taming the Slumbering Lands' dinosaurs.

Society
The trolls in the Realm of Rhaz'Gan are a hardy people whose history is marked with in-fighting, which has affected their behavior in the modern day; to ensure the safety of their nation, they are cautious of outsiders and of drastic changes, believing these could destabilize their people unless proven to do no harm. Their territorial attitude has put them at odds with other nations, as the trolls are always looking for new lands to claim under their banner - partially to increase their wealth and influence, and partially to house their rather explosive population. The trolls are taught by their shaman guiders to hold on their emotions and be a peace with one another, a behavior expected of them since childhood for many generations, making them a generally patient people who are skilled at maintaining their composure.

Military
The Rhaz'Gan trolls are natural warriors; standing at nearly three meters of age and possessing impressive regeneration powers, they make fearsome soldiers to combat, with their troops being famed for their skill with the spear. As the Realm is not particularly advanced in terms of technology, the infantry is normally equipped with leather, but more highly ranked individuals are often plated in bronze. Troll archers provide ranged support to their melee comrades, while combat-trained shamans use their powers to cause devastating blows through enemy lines. The Rhaz'Gan are also famed for their mounted combat, with their favorite mounts being a species of particularly large buffalo native to their home lands.

Religion
The Rhaz'Gan worship the spirits of the world, believing all of them sacred to some extent. Though, the greatest objects of worship are Zulij'Ahjin, the King of Kings, as well as, the Simulacrum of Death - the trolls portray the Grim Reaper under the name of Spirit King, who supposedly rules the spirit realm where all trolls reside in their afterlives. As a consequence of this, the Realm is vehemently opposed to the desecration of their dead and abhor dark magic - necromancy is considered the greatest heresy in the nation, punishable by death via buffalo trampling.

Religion and magic are highly linked in the Realm of Rhaz'Gan - practitioners of the Source are almost always also considered priests or other holy men. Most shamans in the Realm are female, who are tasked to continue the teachings of the King of Kings, making them highly influential across the inner workings of the nation. The greatest of these shamans are the Elders who commune directly with the spirit world to decide the future of the Realm as well as who is the most worthy of ruling it. It is said that they are directed directly by Zulij'Ahjin, and that may even be the case - the great King of Kings may still reside within Rhaz'Ulkaz in spirit, and it is said his immortal soul rests within the Radiant Heaven of the Underworld, always watching his people with great care.

Allies
"May your actions bring you fortune, friend of the Rhaz'Gan."


 * N/A

Friendly
"You have proven yourself worthy of being within our walls."


 * N/A

Neutral
"Make your case and then begone, outsider."


 * N/A

Hostile
"You thread in dangerous waters. Provoke us at your own peril."


 * Dimetraniorn Kingdom - Your land would do just fine under troll rule.

Enemies
"In the name of Zulij'Ahjin! Join the spirits you have forsaken!"


 * N/A

Trivia

 * In-universe
 * Rhaz'Gan translates from the trolls' native tongue to Owners of the Marsh, as such making their original name Trolls who Own the Marsh.
 * Umbral Hulk wings are considered a rare delicacy among Rhaz'Gan Trolls.