Hindia

From DQWiki
Revision as of 03:23, 29 June 2020 by ChrisC (talk | contribs) (x)
Jump to navigationJump to search
Arms
Vassal of No-one
Status Multiple Empires, Kingdoms and other states with complicated inter-relations.
Location Between 40 degrees North and 10 degrees South and 40 degrees east and 70 degrees east
Area
Geography Some Northern forest. Largely unpopulated central desert surrounded by prairie. Tropical rain forest in the west and south east.
Population ~70% (human)
Urbanisation 20%
Major Towns
Languages

Hindian 100%
– Common 20%
– Dwarvish 12%
– Elvish 9%
– Halfling 4%
– Orcish 2%
– Ruskan 2%
– Mylae 2%
– Jhavanese 2%
– Sanddweller 2%

–Literacy 80% (urban) 10% (rural)

Exports Buffalo hides, leather goods, Iron, Copper, opal, perfumes
Imports Wood, charcoal, silk

Overview

Hindia is to be found in the south of Central continental Alusia. The peoples of the middle and eastern Hindia are largely nomadic following large herds of buffalo across the prairie The capital is located in the western mountains where a set of trade routes connect. Elephant herders are to be found west of the mountains in the rainforest that has been created by the mountain range. Large mineral deposits are to be found in the central desert for those willing to endure the harsh climate. Hindia's major trading partner to the north is Ruska. They also have a loose military co-operation agreement.

-Information on Hindia from guild members based in Ruska in 807wk.

South of Ruska. East of Arabie and Rokar. North and NW of Tanah Melay.

A sometimes accurate map of the Hindian region created by the master navigator Aloysious based on sketches and journals of the locals.

Places of Interest

Huge Mountains, jungles, ancient ruins

People

The majority of the population are humans with skin tone ranging from light-brown to near black. Next most common (about 1 in 10) are halflings with a similar range of skin tones. Dwarves are uncommon, usually associated with Buddism and Buddist temples. Orcs are known of but almost never in the cities, occasionally in rural areas working with animals, especially elephants, mostly in the jungles. Elves are rare, generally treated with cautious respect and a hope that they will move on. Giants are similarly rare, associated with foreign lands and troublesome gods.

Hindian

Language Family: Eastern-Human
Language Groups: Hiin, Austronesian, Dravidic

The Hindian language is native to and believed to be spoken by the majority of the people of Hindia. Heavily influenced by the peoples to the east and west with some structures and words that hint at a simplified version of Elvish in its origins.

Gods and Religion

The Hindian people acknowledge the existence of hundreds of gods and devils, it is hard to determine an exact number as most of them are known by different names in different regions, manifesting with different appearances and powers depending on how they are called. Some followers believe there is only one god with many faces. Sects within the religions will tend to venerate some gods over others.

It is speculated that many of the gods are based on memories or remnants of the Maryn Court of Dakhini before it vanished. If that is true, while they share many aspects and names, they are no longer the same entities. The Hindian gods seem unimpressed by the return of the Dakhini, the one thing they all agree on is that the Maryn should stay on their island.

Hindian gods will manifest lesser or greater avatars of themselves and their servants when called and will expect an appropriate gift to thank them. If not, a ‘gift’ to suit their tastes will be chosen. Hindian religions are about Dharma (a way of life) as well as the core beliefs.

Hindiism is the oldest and most prevalent religion. Core beliefs include the eternal soul/spirit which is improved by living a virtuous life. The virtuous accumulate karma which is rewarded by their next incarnation being of a higher caste or better life.

There are hundreds of rituals and rites to venerate or appease the gods. A pilgrimage to a place sacred to the gods is considered an essential life goal to most.

Many animals are considered sacred to the gods, Cattle and Elephants being foremost among those, bringing harm to sacred animals is a far greater crime than bringing harm to other people. Some Hindi believe all animals are sacred and are strict vegetarians, others disagree over which animals are sacred. Fish, sheep, goats are considered least sacred and fine to eat by most, primarily being associated with devils but they should still be killed with appropriate care and respect, just in case.

Virtuous heroism is worthy of great respect and a lot of karma for the heroes and their surviving families and friends. Honouring virtuous heroes is almost as important as honouring the gods. Similarly vilifying and despising the un-virtuous is also important.


Buddism is following the teaching of the awakened one, a Nepalese born as Garachma Budda. She taught the way to self-improvement and an escape from the cycle of reincarnation is through increased awareness of one’s spirit, an awakening that is achieved by a life of self-awareness and balance leading to a state of existence known as nirvana. Some believe that renunciation of worldly goods and pleasures (as demonstrated by Budda) is the only way to achieve awakening, others believe in other paths & mysteries that lead to nirvana.


The Caste System is not a religion but is so central to Hindian life that it is best considered alongside religion. It is the belief that the level of society (Noble, Priestly, Artisan, Craftsman, Professional, or Menial) that one is born to is not changeable within a lifetime and represents the choices and virtuosity of previous lives.

Respect for higher castes and disrespect for the lower castes is considered an essential part of a virtuous life.

In recent times, especially in southern Hindia - probably through influence and exposure to other cultures, the fundamentalist view of the caste system is breaking down. Allowing socialisation and even occasional mobility between the castes.

Transport

People and goods are mostly moved around by hand carts and wheeled palanquins, some cattle drawn wagons and the occasional elephant. While goods are moved shorter distances by road, most long-distance transport is by river.

Magic

Magic is generally gifted by the gods or achieved by Buddists as they near nirvana.

More mundane magic is also known but not in colleges as Westerners are used to, most practitioners will know one or a few abilities equivalent to a college talent, spell or ritual but will seek to be masters of the abilities they have. Knowledge of these abilities is usually kept within the family, possibly some of it can only be inherited.

Places

Bharat, Kingdom of

The Kingdom of Bharat is the oldest continuous civilisation in Hindia, believed to have been established over 5,000 years ago. Not much is commonly known of the Kingdom from before the coming of Budda but it is commonly acknowledged that Budda led the awakening of Bharat into the aware society of today.

Chalukya, Kingdom of

Kanchi Kingdom

Kanchi is the capitol and main port of the Kingdom of Kanchi. The port city is the only sizeable settlement though there are numerous fishing settlements along the river and around the nearby coast, as well farms and hamlets inland.

River and coast fishing is bountiful, fields and plantations extend north for over 200 miles, dense near the city increasingly dispersed with distance. Bound mud-stone docks border the river with floating wooden piers extending into the wide slow-moving river. Coastal fishing boats and small river boats make up most of the vessels though unlike most ports in Hindia, large ocean-going ships from far off lands are a regular sight. Near the port is a bustling open-air market, the land is flat, full of people, goods, carts, and temporary shelters. Further back where the land starts to rise are buildings, single-story attached wooded buildings moving to multi-story and stone towards the centre of the city. On the highest ground at the centre of the city is a temple with a gold-plated dome gleaming in the sun. Further west on the next highest ground is the palace surrounded by several acres of walled grounds. The nicest part of town appears to be between the palace and the temple and then south and west from there. The slums and industrial areas seem to be north and east. The dominant winds are from the west.

Exports: Food, textiles, treasures from the Sandahara.

Religion: Mixed Buddism and Hindiism, more casually observed than in northern regions. Caste system still prevalent but is breaking down.

Mahratta Confederacy

The Mahratta region was part of the Vijayanagara Empire, increasingly independent as the empire shrank. The cities and lands probably would have become part of the more vibrant Kanchi Kingdom until the intervention of outside interests (approx 800wk) pushed the ruling families into forming a new type of government.

The 100 families of Mahratta each has a seat in the lower house, they appoint the 10 members of the upper house who appoint one of their own as ‘The Mahratta’.

The port is equivalent in size and commerce to that of Kanchi but completely controlled by the EHTC. Shipyards are able to maintain and build ocean going ships, usually Sambuks.

Mughal Empire

Civilised, structured, relatively advanced society, commerce, and bureaucracy but also inwardly focused and politely xenophobic.

Nepalese

Spiritual people, at one with the world. Advocates of renunciation. Peace through acceptance of self and other. Buddist, home of Garachma Budda, founder of Buddism over 2,000 years ago.

Pandya

Jungle dwellers, mostly in the eastern jungle.

Sandahara Wastes

Sandy wastes filled with treasure plagued by sand storms.

Vijayanagara Empire

A wealthy old and dying empire, it once covered all of south-east Hindia, pushed back the eastern jungles and even attempted annexing Bharat and encroached into Tanah Melay, now its influence barely extends a few hundred miles from the capitol.

Adventures in Hindia (in full or part)

East Hindia TC - Winter 820wk - A guild party investigates Hindia for commercial intelligence purposes - maybe more!