Government: Empire/Monarchy

Leader: Unknown (formerly Prince Ol’ko)

Capital: Ol’koon

Population: 3,674,195

 

Summary:

The true island of Lok’kal is a desert surrounded by many smaller islands. These islands didn’t always exist there, instead they were dragged there by the Kol’ok to have a smaller empire size and allow ease of agriculture and defense. However, the main island is a spectacular sight to behold even with the death of their emperor Prince Ol’ko. The landscape is dominated with tall obelisk designs and pyramids that date before recorded language. However, these marvels are maintained and lived in to this day, providing cool and easy living in a sweltering desert. The few rivers that cut through the island are owned by the farmers, but as time went on, these became wealthy homes as the farms were moved to islands far better at growing life.

 

With the fall of their beloved Prince, the Kol’ok people have ceased much of their territorial grab and this has allowed an exodus of people who either questioned the leader, had their faith shaken by his death, or otherwise wanted to get away. The old government was completely slaughtered by an unknown entity with no survivors, leaving much of the islands in anarchy. Some of the smaller governments under the rule of the Emperor have been rallying points for new governments though none can agree who deserves to lead.

 

Some of the major hazards those living on the main island face are dust storms, droughts, and heat related illness. But, large scorpions are also a plague that they could never fully eliminate as well as venomous snakes, giant carnivorous worms, and locusts. These threats are even more deadly with the recent dissolvement of the government as many troops aren’t keeping the beasts at bay.

 

History:

Lok’kal is easily the oldest civilization to exist that still exists. Originally, the island housed two species of sentient creatures, but early writings and drawings show that the two were near constantly at war, leading to the Kol’ok to dominate. The people, likely some form of Seyaran, were enslaved for thousands of years as well as any other lesser race that they conquered. However, their empire began to stretch too thin with military needing to be on every island they conquered. This was before they had the technology to move them.

 

The slaves rebelled, killing their captors and attempted to flee. They failed to get far or even off the island, but started a settlement for themselves. For a long time, the Kol’ok left them alone, struggling with who would or wouldn’t lead their people. Generations passed and the slavery was almost forgotten; some trading was even occurring between the people. Oln’kan, Ol’ko’s father, was a generous and forgiving man, seeking peaceful union of the Princes and other nations. His son disagreed, slaughtering his father and those who supported him. After that, Prince Ol’ko began to pass laws restricting the privileges of the non-bestial races, but there was not much time before it led to genocide.

 

This empire under the control of Prince Ol’ko was an age of prosperity, so long as you were respected among the community. Harsh laws and secret police forces would crack down on naysayers, rebellious-minded youths, and anyone believed to be a threat. He also began developing technology that allowed him to move the islands themselves. With his death, this technology has gone missing. He also began to rebuild the empire, capturing all of the islands that were once part of the former empire and moving them near the island of Lok’kal, reducing size and allowing them to maintain control over larger tracts of land.

 

One such attempt was against the island of Chur and the Rane people. At this point, the Rane had allied with the Seyarans and Poruk, but Ol’ko dismissed such alliances, claiming that bestial races could never belong among the non-bestial. He had assumed the treaty was mere words and would not be enacted upon. When the Rane repelled his first invasion attempt, he received word that the Seyaran fleet had been deployed into a flanking position and if they didn’t retreat, they’d be fighting on both sides, cut off from resupply and reinforcements. He called off the invasion, claiming falsehoods about how the Rane were too much like the non-bestial races and denouncing them as lesser.

 

However, it would be only a thousand years later that he would be found dead within his temple. No signs of injury or an army. Just everyone within dead. Since then, Lok’kal has entered a state of near anarchy, ruled only locally by Princes vying for power.

 

Major Features:

Temple of Ol’ko
Also known as the Palace of Royalty, the Temple of Ol’ko converts wealth into gaudiness. The wealth of almost every island captured has decorated some corner of the sandstone and obsidian building lined with towers, spiraling up from grand painted domes. One room of the palace contains the wealth of most other islands. Access to the public is not permitted despite his death.

 

Home of the Great Sphinx
Sphinx aren’t a common sight on Lok’kal, mostly due to the fact that their race tends to prefer isolation. However, the Great Sphinx is an exception to the unknown. However, they still do not like unnecessary attention. They run a shop of sorts that contains a lengthy list of rare or legend-like weapons, arms, and gear. However, they are not known to just give away these items and disturbing them for no reason may lead to injury or death. But, if the visitor comes with an item worth trading, the Sphinx is known to set aside their solidarity and do business.

 

Hall of Obelisks
Each Obelisk stands in solitude. Interred within resides the ashes of the a deceased member of princehood. They are unmarked with no names, attempting to show that they are all equal in death. Good or bad ruler. The only prince not interred here after death is Prince Ol’ko who was interred in a special obelisk designed into his throne. Each obelisk stands twenty feet tall and is made of sandstone covered in Obsidian.

 

Ol’ko’s Kindness (Great Oasis)
Formerly known as the Grand Oasis, the large body of water was renamed once Ol’ko took power. Ol’koon and a number of other cities are build upon it and the rivers that feed into it. The Oasis is the second largest known body of water with the giant lake in the center of Seyaria being the only one larger, excluding the Ocean.