Creative Corner

[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/PD2W0hC.png[/img] [font=times new roman][size=5]W[/size]elcome to the mythical country of Sekkeheh, the largest and most populous country on the continent of Yuphe. The vast highlands, steppes, and deserts of Sekkeheh are populated by creatures of all kinds from every corner of the world, creating a melting pot of natural and cultural diversity. Feel free to post any questions or comments about my lore! (please)[/font] [rule] [font=papyrus][size=6][b]Maps of Yuphe[/b][/size] [i]click for better quality[/i] [font=times new roman][size=5]POLITICAL MAP[/size] [url=https://i.imgur.com/SeQzODM.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/SeQzODM.png[/img][/url] [font=times new roman][size=5]GEOGRAPHICAL MAP[/size] [url=https://i.imgur.com/hrYY9QI.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/hrYY9QI.png[/img][/url] [img]https://i.imgur.com/M3jYTcE.png[/img]

[center][font=papyrus][size=7][color=741d08][b]HISTORY[/b][/color][/size][/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DlMtjfh.png[/img][/center] [i]* Note[/i] [indent]Sekke names are written Last, First (ex: Ermen Akukhar, first name Akukhar, last name Ermen), and all dragons are referred to by their first name. Names written First, Last are likely dragons not from Sekkeheh.[/indent] [center]___[/center] [font=papyrus][size=5][b]Tan Dynasty[/b][/size][/font] Most historians agree that the Sekkeheh Empire began in the 5th century BCE, when the Ankhas (nomadic dragons that had migrated from the north, later naming themselves Sekkehs) set up their new capital of Min on the northern shores of the Riht Gulf after gaining independence from the larger [b]Itachat Empire[/b]. The newly independent country, also named Min at the time, set its sights on becoming an economic superpower and international trade centre. Min indeed became the most vigorous centre of trade in the western hemisphere due to its easily accessible location; due to the high level of trade and many species immigrating to the new country, Sekkeheh’s unique “melting pot” culture was born. However, only the coastal regions of the north developed the extensive and ornamented cities that Sekkeheh is known for. These coasts, though flourishing, did not provide good land for farming; many of the major cities were growing on desert and scrubland. The inshore lands to the west became agricultural hotspots due to their more favourable conditions; much of that region was taken up by large farming villages. As the country was forming, it became clear that the dracons needed a leader, and the leader who rose was a bogsneak: [b]Tan Sekhauthu[/b] (seck • haw • thu). Sekhauthu was the first Khen of Sekkeheh – the title of Khen being derived from Xekhen, the greater god of the earth. Sekhauthu’s first order was to rename the capital city from Min to Sekhaule (seck • hawl), and the country to Sekkeheh. His second order was the construction of numerous ornate buildings, making Sekhaule the envy of architects around the globe. However, the rapid development demanded intensive labour and high costs that the new country did not have, leading Sekhauthu to impose heavy taxes to make up for the costs. He did this by splitting up Sekkeheh into 5 regions: the 4 cardinal directions and the centre. Each region had a governor who was responsible for how they would collect taxes from the inhabitants of their region. The taxes often took most of the villages’ harvest, leaving them with just enough to sustain themselves — and definitely not enough to bring to markets for trade. Because of the lack of standardisation of these collection strategies, the collection strategies and strictness of punishment varied greatly; namely the East and the Centre sent those who did not pay to labour at Sekhaule, offenders in the South and West would be killed, and in the North, there was no penalty at all. [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/ey83apP.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/ey83apP.png[/img][/url] [i]Map of the 5 regions of Sekkeheh during the Tan Dynasty[/i][/center] These changes angered the citizens, and there was a mass northern migration to escape the taxation. As dracons moved north, they were frequently stopped close to the larger cities of Sekketeph, and riots quickly formed among citizens, demanding lessened taxes for their own survival. Sekhauthu saw this disturbance and travelled to the site of the largest riot to give a public speech, but was subsequently stabbed and killed by a spear thrown from the crowd. After Sekhauthu’s death, his sister [b]Tan Arauthu[/b] (arr • aw • thu) became the second Khen of Sekkeheh, and her goal was to repair the reputation of the Khen. Arauthu rejected the one-dracon ruling system that her older brother had followed, instead establishing the Royal Council of Khen Tan, a council of 15 high ranking dracons who would assist the Khen with all decisions regarding the country. With each turnover of the Khen, the Royal Council would be replaced with new dracons of the Khen’s choosing. Arauthu also addressed the issue of taxation by standardising the collection methods and punishments across regions; however, she did not lessen the taxation amount. The Tan Dynasty ended with Khen [b]Tan Kheth[/b], Arauthu’s great grand-nephew. The years under his rule were plagued by droughts, and as good harvests became scarce, the citizens of Sekkeheh grew more angry with the Khen. As their yields decreased, the taxation amounts only increased. The greatest source of this discontent was within Mediteph; the region was treated like an extension of Sekketeph in relation to trade and labour but never received any of the luxurious conditions that the centre region was so well known for. Within the atmosphere of discontent emerged [b] Nebty Qeshtet[/b], a charismatic young pearlcatcher of high rank in the Mediteph government, who capitalised on the growing dissatisfaction to become the voice of the population and gain favour among the populace. He presented himself as just like the common citizen — a dracon who understood the plight of ordinary citizens — and rallied the dracons behind his plan to overthrow the government. First, Qeshtet organised a secret alliance in the government, which was full of equally disgruntled officials within the government who shared his vision for reform. Through this alliance of dracons in all branches of the government, Qeshtet was able to pull the strings in his cause’s favour with speed and efficiency. Leveraging his connections within the government, he carefully orchestrated a coordinated effort to undermine the ruling powers. Strategic defections from key military and administrative positions weakened the government’s ability to suppress the rebellion. As the government was weakened, Qeshtet led the masses into an unregulated revolt, ending in the assassination of Khen Kheth. The rebellion marked the end of the Tan Dynasty, and the beginning of the era of the Qeshtet Administration. [center]___[/center] [font=papyrus][size=5][b]Qeshtet Administration[/b][/size][/font] [wip]

[center][font=papyrus][size=7][color=741d08][b]INHABITANTS[/b][/color][/size][/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DlMtjfh.png[/img] [/center] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]DRACON[/b][/size][/center] Sekkeheh's population is largely composed of dracons, which are taxonomic relatives to the dragons on Sorienth but have key differences that make them a different genus. Dracons are primarily bipedal, with either digitigrade or semi-plantigrade feet. They possess 4-5 fingers, including an opposable thumb; this dexterity is useful for intricate object manipulation. Along with this, the wings are no longer used for flight; they are now vestigal and mainly used for cosmetic decoration. Due to the more sparse resources of Sekkeheh country, dracons evolved to grow to smaller sizes than their dragon relatives; they now grow to heights of 150cm (fae) to 215cm (rigdebacks). They are slimmer in build, and their skeletal structure is, in general, more suited to permanent bipedal locomotion than dragons. Some species of dracon, unlike their dragon counterparts, are capable of growing manes (fae, guardians, mirrors, ridgebacks, and spirals), and the genus in general has more varying physical characteristics between members of the same species than those of dragons. The following dragon species do not have dracon counterparts: Aether, Banescales, Obelisk, Tundras, Undertides, Veilspun [b]Individual Species Information:[/b] [LIST] [*]Imperials are no longer the largest species on average, usually growing to a maximum height of 190cm, while both Guardians and Ridgebacks are on average 215cm. [*]Spiral bodies are now shorter, no longer have “pseudo-wings” on their back legs, and have a long, prehensile tail that is more frequently used as a 3rd limb of sorts. [*]Snappers no longer have ungulate-like feet, their digits now more spread out and dexterous, but still far more stubby than the hands of other dracons, and end in a thick nail. [*]Aberrations only have one head, as the ones of Yuphe have never migrated to the Wyrmwound. [*]Mirrors only have one set of eyes. [/LIST] [rule] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]KAYKOU[/b][/size] [img]https://i.imgur.com/BrAAT9r.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/9oG6WAL.png[/img][/center] Kaykous are a bipedal species native to the Yije region, which includes the countries of Dibuyije and Tanuyije, hoever there is a large population of them in southern Isidoria and Phidije. Kaykous are nomadic, live in small communities, and stand at an average height of 190cm for males, and 180cm for females. [size=4][b]Physical Attributes[/b][/size] Kaykous have large, powerful legs and are capable of delivering one of the most powerful kicks in Yuphe; these kicks are strong enough to splinter thin trees. Despite this, the legs of Kaykous are not often used for combat, with the species instead opting towards using their hands and heads. The skull of a Kaykou is extremely thick, able to withstand the forceful headbutts that Kaykous deliver to their opponents. While most Kaykou have two horns, some may grow up to eight. Their fur, which is short and coarse to the touch, comes in browns, reds, and greys; their undersides are typically white or a lighter variation of their main body’s colour. [size=4][b]Culture[/b][/size] [size=4][b]Social[/b][/size] [rule] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]NUUSKA[/b][/size] [img][/img][img][/img][/center] Nuuska are a solitary, habitually quadrupedal species native to the Kaayts region, which includes the countries of Heman, Yauran, Aehd, and southern Akaie. This species stands at an average height of 120cm. [size=4][b]Physical Attributes[/b][/size] Nuuska are armoured mammals, covered in [size=4][b]Culture[/b][/size] [size=4][b]Social[/b][/size] [rule] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]JUMUSKO[/b][/size] [img]https://i.imgur.com/dLamCe7.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/K5DVu8S.png[/img][/center] Jumusko are a bipedal species native to the Taeanth region, which includes the countries of Phie, Haeth, Ayet, and northern Akaie. These social creatures stand at an average height of 140cm when standing on their back legs and come in a wide variety of colours. [size=4][b]Physical Attributes[/b][/size] Jumusko, despite their vaguely reptilian appearance, are closer related to birds than reptiles. They are covered in short, velvety fur that comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns which usually mimic those of more dangerous species. They have three wispy fans: the first, called the cranial fan, starts at the back of the skull and extends to the upper neck; the second, called the dorsal fan, starts between the shoulders and extends to the pelvic bone; and the third, called the caudal fan, begins at the base of the tail and extends to the end of the tail; the caudal fan has less structure and is wispier than the other two. The cranial and doral fans are able to lay flat across a Jumusko’s back. Occasionally, a jumsko may have a pair of parallel fans, a neck frill, or no fans at all. They possess powerful back legs that allow them to run at high speeds and jump up to 1.5 times their height, which is useful in the plateaued Taeanth region they reside in. Their long tails are typically used for balance and anchoring their bodies when climbing. [size=4][b]Culture[/b][/size] Jumusko are known for their vibrant villages and cities, which are all situated inside canyons, and their unique textiles. Inside a Jumusko village, there is seldom a surface not covered in paint, painted rock decorations called [i]Pidida[/i], and woven banners. Much of the city is built into the walls of canyons, carved from the cliffside, or built from brick. These buildings are simple and geometric, usually cubic or hexagonal, and are usually connected across the canyon with brick bridges. Juskan cities are notorious for being maze-like and borderline dangerous to navigate for other species, with many thin, winding paths, suspension bridges, and initially confusing layouts. However, when these roads are viewed from above, it shows that the paths mimic how branches grow from a tree, with the main road branching off from a plaza into many separate, smaller roads. [size=4][b]Social[/b][/size] Jumusko communities are tight-knit and familial, always having a leader, or [i]Kusko[/i], regardless if the community numbers in the tens or the hundreds. The [i]Kukokusko[/i], or Grand Leader, handles international affairs. The fans of Jumusko are an integral part of their culture, being used in non-verbal communication, determining status, and displaying colourful accessories. Many Jumusko will pierce their fans, and most cultural celebrations include some sort of decorating of the fans, may it be through garlands, paint, or jewellery. [rule] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]GRYPHON[/b][/size] [img][/img][img][/img][/center] Gryphons are a bipedal species native to the continent of Torrian, which includes the countries of Pentoria, South Pentoria, Isidoria, and Phidije. These regal birdfolk live in large, mountainous communities numbering in the hundreds. [size=4][b]Physical Attributes[/b][/size] [size=4][b]Culture[/b][/size] [size=4][b]Social[/b][/size] [/font]

[center][font=papyrus][size=7][color=741d08][b]ENVIRONMENT[/b][/color][/size][/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DlMtjfh.png[/img] [url=https://i.imgur.com/HaDLyMb.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/HaDLyMb.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][font=papyrus][size=7][color=741d08][b]CULTURE[/b][/color][/size][/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/DlMtjfh.png[/img] [font=papyrus][size=5][b]Cities & Architecture[/b][/size] [url=https://i.imgur.com/RrqSkWM.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/RrqSkWM.png[/img][/url][/center]

[center][font=papyrus][size=6][color=741d08][b]CULTURE ext.[/b][/color][/size][/font][/center] [center][font=papyrus][size=5][b]Clothing[/b][/size][/center] [columns][img]https://i.imgur.com/6xeqzSI.gif[/img][nextcol][size=5][font=papyrus][b]Headdresses[/b][/font][/size] A distinctive aspect of social status in Sekkeheh is the intricate headdresses. These headresses are worn by the upper class and all dracons above a halfgod status at events, such as parties or meetings amongst other high-ranking officials. Headdresses in Sekkeheh are crafted from intricately woven colored ropes and fabrics. The adornments added to these headdresses included a diverse array of elements, such as feathers, precious gemstones, gold embellishments, ornate jewelry, delicate flowers, and finely detailed filigree work. The more elaborate and ornate a headdress, the higher the bearer's standing within Sekkeheh’s social hierarchy.

[center][font=papyrus]...under construction...[/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/f3wi9c4.png[/img][/center]

[center][font=papyrus]...under construction...[/font] [img]https://i.imgur.com/PZtoPHh.png[/img][/center]