Deinarch Kingdom
The Deinarch Kingdom is a civilization of Dinosaur-like Ferox who live on a chain of active volcanoes with black-sand beaches off of southern Aesox, called the Obsidian Islands. They revel in bloodsport and have a hedonistic love of all carnal pleasures. They are brutally efficient fighters, who have no fear of pain or even death - a philosophy born from millennia of near-extinction level events, which turned them from towering monsters into the more typical human-sized Ferox they are today. They believe in seizing their lives by seizing their own deaths, considering it a universal truth that nothing is permanent, and living fast and dying fun is the only way to truly enjoy life. Their nihilistic sentiments about life and purpose can be strange to some, but they see existential crisis as just another natural part of life, and find empowerment in living exactly as they want to, no matter how brief their time is. All this is considered part of their devotion to their Tyrant King, an astonishingly massive Ferox resembling a T. Rex who towers nearly twenty feet high, and whom the Deinarch worship like a living god.
History
Ancient Dinosaur Ferox history is lost to time, but a few things can be inferred from natural history about their early days. Given that the only remaining major clan exists on a remote string of volcanic islands, it’s assumed that their ancestors at some point migrated to the tropical climate before a natural disaster isolated them from the rest of the mainland. This led to two extremes of size, with some growing significantly larger than any of their predecessors, and some significantly smaller.
Ancient Dinosaur Ferox were thought to have been around 12 feet tall on average, with some lizard-folk who lived beside them getting as small as around 3 feet. These populations would experience frequent decimations from tsunamis, active volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes, which made them into hardy people who were never shy about spilling blood or seizing opportunities as they arose.
The details of the latest mass calamity that nearly caused extinction of the Dinosaur Ferox has been lost to the centuries, however the few survivors and their lineages have told their story as a legend that all Dinosaur Ferox now believe religiously. Around 500 years ago, a massive chain of volcanic eruptions occurred one after another. Debris flew into the sky and rained down upon the islands, lighting fires and choking life with acidic smog, as the dust encased and petrified many of the Dinosaurs and Lizard Ferox in place.
All Dinosaur Ferox life would have been lost, if not for the heroism of one Tyrannosaurus-like hero. It was he alone who understood that the wrath of the world was sent to smite the weakling Ferox who had risen around him, those who were burdened by empathy, gentleness, and other corrupting traits which were slowly weakening the mightiest of the natural world’s warriors. The legend claims that he delved into the mouth of an active volcano, and swore to the forces of fire and earth that he would raise a nation of the strongest hunters that had ever walked the obsidian coasts if he was but given the chance to survive and raise his brood.
Around 80% of Lizard Ferox who had been living on the islands perished, though the smaller ones were able to survive the ecological collapse caused by the eruptions. Dinosaur Ferox were not so lucky - every single one of them, apart from the legendary T. Rex and his herd, were wiped out in a matter of days. Though with their sacrifice, the hero and father of all remaining Dinosaurs would rise to heights thought impossible before.
He kept to his word, ruling over his people and repopulating the Dinosaur Ferox who had been wiped from the islands. His stature grew with his might, bringing him to reach the godlike proportions of being twenty feet tall. He kept his people alive by subjugating the other populations of the islands, taking the largest portion of resources for his own, and slowly, nature began to heal itself. From this one clan, the last major Dinosaur Ferox society emerged.
Today, the Tyrant King maintains his immortal reign over the rest of the Dinosaur Ferox in his clan. All of them claim to be of his direct descent, but details of their account of the calamity and birth of their clan should be taken suspiciously. After all, the legend propels one freakishly large Ferox into near-godhood, who is zealously followed by his own people, isolated in his own tiny kingdom.
While they would never admit to it, it’s generally assumed that the Dinosaur Ferox must have bred at least somewhat with the Lizard Ferox who also inhabited their islands. With this, all heights averaged out to more reasonable measures for Ferox, though still with some variance. Dinosaur Ferox can be up to 7 feet 6 inches tall, or as small as 5 feet tall. Lizard Ferox can be a minimum of 4 feet 6 inches tall, and a maximum of 6 feet 2 inches tall. While Lizard Ferox existed elsewhere in the world, and have many ongoing clans that have never interacted with the Deinarch, Dinosaur Ferox exclusively come from these islands and have only been migrating outward for no longer than 450 years, leaving outside presence scant.
Philosophy
To be a member of the Deinarch is to venerate the Tyrant King. This is done, mainly, through bloodsport and sacrifice. When one lives alongside the wrath of nature so completely, their culture becomes one of immediate pleasures, not bothering to plan for the future, nor doting on the past. To Dinosaur Ferox every day could be their last, and so they live it to its fullest potential.
Nature is venerated, but only because it is something to be feared. At any moment, its wrath can fall upon you with no honor, no sympathy, and no mercy. Even the mightiest warriors are helpless to the whims of a volcano, with the single exception being the Tyrant King, who is himself a force of nature.
The duality of the Deinarch is of power and helplessness. It considers how one can feel stable in an unstable world, how one can live knowing that everything can end unceremoniously, at any time. It is a seizing of one's destiny, by forsaking destiny at all, and instead choosing to live for the day.
Naming Customs
Deinarch names are often guttural and brash. They ought to sound good when announced loudly, as if when entering a colosseum, or should inspire awe when recounted in legends. Even insignificant Ferox would wish to have a proud and strong-sounding name, often having multiple syllables which might end in -us, -es, -yx, -ex, or -zys. These names are typically shortened to one or two syllables for daily use, though not always from the beginning of the name, as the shortened form can be derived from any part, or even multiple parts, of the full name. Additionally, there is no distinction between feminine and masculine names, as all genders ideally aim for the same strong qualities and sounds.
Name Examples (with derived name in parentheses):
Terasyx (Ras), Argenia (Argi), Pleodaxyra (Dax), Ingavarysax (Arys), Trochorusyx (Troco), Venirodus (Odi), Archebravius (Arcus)
Surnames are entirely unused, though some may be granted a title from specific people. The people who can grant a title are one’s superior, such as a combat general, one’s rivals, such as a respected foe, or most honorably of all, the Tyrant King himself, most commonly awarded after a show of bloodsport.
Example titles: Bloodmaw, Iron Skin, The Living Blade, The Indestructible, No Fear, Three Blades, Fireblood, The Volcano’s Rage, Slayer of Soft-skins
Life in the Deinarch Kingdom
The Deinarch are made up exclusively of Dinosaur Ferox, though other reptiles like crocodilians and lizards, also inhabit their islands. Recreational activities in daily life include feasting, festivals, plundering from one’s neighbors, dancing, and - of course - sports. Dinosaur Ferox are highly competitive, often devoting their lives to training in their desired discipline, be that marathon running, disc or stone throwing, javelin throwing, high jumping, and that most holy of exercises, bloodsport. Warriors cannot cull their own population for every occasion, but when the Tyrant King demands it, the honor to kill or die on the sands for his pleasure is one that almost anyone would clamor to achieve. Bloodsport takes on many forms, but always ends the same. And it seems with each successful fight to the death, the Tyrant King grows to love his people even more, and they love him in return. Some even claim that it is the blood of his warriors which keeps him alive, as his connection to their islands allows him to spiritually drink their blood from the sands, and thus keep their people thriving for centuries to come, no matter what calamities await.
Mages are not permitted among the clan. Any mage discovered is exiled to the mainland, with many so devoutly loyal to their King that they willingly exile themselves. It’s claimed by their King that magic will bring the wrath of the islands upon them again, because it allows the weak to survive when their bodies ought to perish. Exile itself is not entirely uncommon, as the King will also exile any who would defy him, or question his leadership. Because dying on the sands is an honor, unworthy dissenters are more often exiled than executed, sent to the mainland with only the clothes on their backs.
While exile is a punishment for most, there are times when self-exile is a form of zealous loyalty. When a warrior has proven themselves so strong that they cannot be defeated in an arena, they will sometimes walk willingly into their own exile, seeking stronger foes to fell in the name of the Tyrant King. Sometimes these migrant Ferox join sellsword companies, or join the retinue of powerful armies, or seek bloodsport in other countries. So long as they are drawing the blood of powerful foes, there is no wrong way to walk in exile, even if they serve another master as they do so. They believe that every foe vanquished will one day allow their soul to sail back to their island on a river of spectral blood, which will then transform them into the seed of a new island that can one day be ruled by their immortal King. Many small islands and volcanoes are named after fabled warriors among these willing exiles.
A common pet to Dinosaur Ferox both in the Deinarch kingdom and on the mainlands are small arthropod-like creatures called Trillies. These animals are descended from trilobites, similar to horseshoe crabs, though with long segmented bodies and rows of legs. Trillies are the size of common house cats, with hard chitin exoskeletons and a friendly demeanor. They are easy to care for, but selecting for unique traits takes decades of selective breeding, and so the showing and husbandry of rare trillies has become a widespread phenomenon.
Fashion
Dinosaur fashion often means being bold, though not necessarily expensive. All genders commonly wear layered necklaces, sometimes more than fifty strings of small beads made from bones, pearls, glass, metal, or plant fibers, which would easily weigh down someone who did not have the amount of upper body and neck muscles that the Dinosaur Ferox tend to have. Any cosmetics that improve one’s charisma or fearsomeness are generally common, including facial piercings that mimic their body spikes, like those of the nose, mouth, or brow. Dermal piercings and rings are also common, as are tattoos. Caring little for pain, body modifications can even range into the extreme, though this is not necessarily typical.
Jewelry about the head is often draped over those who do not have hair, in the form of nets or chains that hang or connect to other piercings. They are also fond of rings, armbands, and thick bangles. Face paint is common for all genders as well, especially in bold colors like burgundy, blue, turquoise, yellow, white, and black.
A common shirt is made from woven reeds or slats of wood or bone that cross the chest horizontally, suspended by flexible woven fibers. Other common forms of dress are simple wrapped garments that fit loosely, like a toga, and end around the knee, so as not to impede movement. Dinosaur Ferox will wear any sort of garb that is required of them when they join ranks in a military or militia, though many will insist upon keeping their jewelry and piercings as well, and may even request to add spikes to their armor.
Spiked weapons remain a favorite of Dinosaur Ferox, such as flails, mauls, and maces. Spiked shields are also common, coupled with sickle-shaped weapons which curve like a crescent and are intended to pull a foe in close. Naturally, fighting bare handed with one's own spikes and claws has never fallen out of fashion, and remains a brutally efficient way for Dinosaur Ferox to kill.
Sports and Bloodsports
Sports to the Deinarch are no casual matter. If the Tyrant King had his way, no doubt all contests would end in life or death, however the Dinosaur Ferox population simply could not survive that level of constant culling. All sports take place in their colosseums, both as a regular feature of daily life and as ceremonial events. Bloodsports are the main attraction, but the roster is filled by several games which have become so popular that exiled Ferox from the islands have even allowed some of them to spread to other cultures, where they were eagerly adopted. Dinosaur Ferox also eagerly learn the sports of other cultures, and enjoy dominating them in organized events.
One popular Deinarch sport is called “Velocicalx”, which translates to “the fastest stone”, and is inspired by modern jai alai. This game is played by single players or teams, with two players on the court at one time. The players each hold a long handheld basket with a handle, which curves dramatically like a claw. A smooth ball, wrapped in leather but as hard as a stone, is slung against the wall of an enclosed area, such as an arena or courtyard, and allowed to bounce off of the wall. The opposing player must use their handheld basket to catch and sling the ball, in one fluid motion, back at the wall. A player gains a point if their opponent does not catch the ball before it bounces twice. They also gain two points if the ball strikes another player after hitting the wall, which often incapacitates them, as the ball can reach speeds of up to 200 mph when played professionally. The first team to score 7 points is the winner. Injuries from Velocicalx matches often cause concussions, broken bones, or worse. Betting on the winner of the game is only slightly more popular than betting on who will leave the court with the worst injuries.
Deinarch in Galudon
All Dinosaur Ferox inhabited the same string of Obsidian Islands when the calamities befell them, meaning that every current Dinosaur Ferox clan has at least some ties to the Deinarch over the past 500 years. Some were born from exiled mages, which has led to a curious amount of shamanistic Dinosaur Ferox on the mainlands, whose ancestors were ousted, bred with each other, and had strong magically-inclined lineages. Others were formed by exiles who were run off because of their dissenting opinions about the Tyrant King, who most often integrated into cities, or other Ferox clans. These families or tribes might be raided by other Ferox, such as the Stjarnvarg Raiders, or captured to be used as enslaved laborers for the Udjamu Feline Cities. It is never a bad thing, then, to have a few strong Dinosaur Ferox warriors around.
Overall, the population of Dinosaur Ferox remains smaller than most other clans, due to the hard lifestyle they cannot seem to escape. Additionally, single Dinosaur Ferox who join Lizard Ferox clans simply remain and start families there, and their dinosaur traits slowly merge with and disappear from the gene pool. There is some theorizing that this has happened with some Avian clans as well, though the topic is not well studied, and still up for debate.
Those who were exiled from the clan, either willingly or not, often seek new cultures to integrate with. They are social by nature, and will often seek out any place which can make use of their combat skills, physical strength, or magical ability. They are not secretive about their devotion to their King, or about their criticisms of him. Though, a Ferox who was exiled instead of executed on the sacred islands is considered fair game on the mainland. Some self-exiled Ferox even consider it a point of pride to hunt down and execute those exiled for dissent, leading to a sort of worldwide game of cat-and-mouse among the exiled. Many exiled Ferox live on the run, in fear of coming across any from the islands who might recognize them.
For whatever reason a Dinosaur Ferox might end up in a city, they tend to waste no time putting their skills to use. Additionally, all Dinosaur Ferox hold to the philosophies of living for the present, and not weeping for the past. They are bold, joyous, and fearless people - though the things that give them joy may seem brutal to others. Even those who don’t seek to soak the land in blood are staunch and stalwart in their defense of whatever and whomever they care for. They are devoted parents, loyal servants, and fierce leaders. They get along well with Wolf Ferox, who often share their appetite for revelry and debauchery.
Trivia
- Despite their harsh appearance, Deinarch parents are typically very loving, supportive, and proud of their children’s achievements.
- Dinosaur beds are shaped like circles, not rectangles, to the dismay of modern interior decorators.
|
| Accreditation | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| ||||||||