Malkosti

The Malkosti are descended from an offshoot tribe of the Uwilit, who joined with the Trebold clan of the Inyaré on their flight west after the Tribulation War. This group settled in the southernmost range of the Kel Doras mountains in the valley of Dis. Over the ages, and through their close relationship with the Inyaré, they developed from nomads into citizens of one of the most advanced kingdoms in the west: Kōst. After Kōst was destroyed by war, the remnants of that kingdom reunified as Malkōst ("the tribes of Kōst")

History

The Fall of Kōst

Their ascendency was brought to a sudden end by wars with the Urzan of Kel Thekel, their allies the Belosians, and the later invasion of the Nendazi. The forceful expansion of the Belosian people, assisted by their Kel-Thekel allies, forced the Malkosti eastward. As they were enmeshed in a protracted war they were unprepared for the new threat from the south — the Nendazi hordes that pushed out from the Nebiri desert — and Kōst fell after an exhaustive series of battles on both fronts.

Of the realms of man that suffered the hardships of that era, no people lost so much so quickly as the Malkosti. Within a single generation, they saw the ruin of their most powerful city-states, the death of a quarter of their population, the decimation of their warrior class, and the subjugation of nearly half of their population.

The Rise of Malkōst

Being driven to the east re-established contact with the Uwilit, Avandell, and Taldoran cultures—their chief city Dirod became the central hub of a vast trading alliance and the new realm flourished with the assistance of the young kingdom of Avandell, which became a chief trading partner and ally nation.

Malkost has since stabilized but the Malkosti collectively strive to improve their condition and work to maintain the security of the Sycamore Accord—the nation’s gradual restoration relies on the versatility and adaptability of its people and its leaders’ efforts to preserve the peace. While it is still considered a militarily frail nation, with its prime protectors being Avandell and Keldoras, it is rich in resources, knowledge and culture.

Religion and Philosophy

Malkosti priests who could not spiritually explain the fall of Kōst concluded that they had greatly disturbed the balance and thus they were being punished. Their prophets promised if people worked to reestablish harmony, they could returned to their homeland. Malkosti lords financed campaigns to establish harmony where they saw conflict: they constructed new roads and towns and dedicated them to Veshtu; they attended to every religious need with devout piety; and they united the Taldoran and Uwilit in a trading alliance with Avandell.

That redemption never came—in fact, the usurper Belosian kingdom of Argonheim flourished and grew. As the years passed and the works of the Malkosti proved fruitless, their hope for a homeland returned waned. The last century has been rife with internal turmoil between the church, slightly tainted by the despair of futility, the disillusioned nobility, and the embittered citizens.

Contemporary Politics

The Darkhaven

The Malkosti played an important role in the development of Avandell; fugitives of the Nendazi attacks were welcomed in certain cities and became constant allies of Avandell during its territorial wars against Argonheim. To this day Malkosti families maintain a sizeable presence in some Avandellan city-states and townships; their sections are called the Darkhaven. The Darkhaven are subject to Avandellan royal law, but they are permitted their own court and their traditions and customs are honored.

The Malkosti aristocracy keep a large presence in each of the three large city-states of Avandell: Larkos, Ousglen and Loth. Two families are assigned to each city and its duty is to defend the Sycamore Accord and support the interests of Malkost—to this end the families own clan houses in each city that represent Malkost in Avandellan politics. Malkosti money has bankrolled the ventures of many an Avandellan lord and Malkosti sorcerers and scholars are prized additions to the courts of powerful Avandellan lords.

Clan Houses of the Darkhavens

The two families assigned to the outposts in Larkos are of the wealthiest and most powerful families in Malkost; they are directly related to their own nation's queen and either family stands to inherit the throne should their Queen Mother's line perish. They are House Rosemurk (the Black Rose) and House Talionis (the Talon of Requital).

House Vosha (the Crescent Moon)
House Telwin (the Orchid)
House Tokoth (the Horn)
House Rosemurk (the Black Rose)
House Talionis (the Talon of Requital)
House Kitado (the Raven)

Society

The Paths of Vesh

These are the ways to an honourable and virtuous life. They developed from the early caste systems of Kōst and became standardardized into a system of etiquette and behavior among the Malkosti gentry. To move toward or away from a Path requires a public ritual which both clan and community may attend. Usually paths are chosen by a child's parents when he comes of age; families tend to chose the path which bests suits their livelihood.

Way of The Common Will: comprised of law enforcement, peacemakers and public advocates.
Walk With Insight: comprised of shaman, priests, counselors, researchers and magi.
Path of Just Accord: comprised of counselors. diplomats, ambassadors and Magistrates.
Route of Commerce and Discovery: comprised of explorers, scientists and merchants.
Equity and Restitution: comprised of bounty hunters, assassins, scourges, debt collectors, enforcers. Not a highly esteemed path, but another lucrative one which.

Cultural Features & Social Customs

Axiom of Solace/Parley House

Axioms are temples which are considered consecrated ground. Families are not permitted to engage in combat or practice hostile magic. A parley house is based on an old Malkosti custom in which a room is consecrated and established as a haven; thereafter no ill will may be manifest and no appeal to authority or aggressive action is permitted.

Cannibalism

The cooking and eating of the vital organs of revered family members and foes is still practiced secretly by stringent traditionalists, but it is shunned by those Malkosti acquainted with Avandellan customs. It has been reduces to symbolism through ceremony among the modern aristocracy.

Composure

Malkosti people prefer to perform with style and they hold honor and personal dignity above all else--yet honor is a mutable concept; each individual has his own definition of honor based on the his chosen Path.

Pride

Malkosti pride themselves on their endurance and versatility. Stars fall, we persist is a common refrain in their songs and family mottos.

Haradja: Fratercide

Malkosti once considered it a familial duty to kill ailing parents, but this custom has also become symbolic. Those traditional, honor-bound Malkosti still make the Seri Radja ("final pilgrimage home") to meet with their family and to test their mettle.

Necromancy

There are few tabus involving the dead and early Malkosti lords used their dead to rebuild their walls and defend themselves against the Urzan and Belosians (to the abject terror of both adversaries). Malkosti magi have since curbed and hidden their "blacker" talents from their allies.

Sexuality & Fidelity

Malkosti may possess intimate relationships with either sex, but they are socially compelled to accept arranged relationships solely for familial strength. Especially promiscuous Malkosti are encouraged to practice birth control through various medicines, exercises and magics.

Twins

Twins are common and considered sacred among Malkosti. A family with twins is blessed by fortune. Maternal twins are have +1 status ("Blessed") and gain a +2 reaction in Malkosti society.

Fashion and Style

Their attire incorporates a great deal of onyx, obsidian, black leather and silk and their architecture combines symmetry and ornateness; their cityscapes are darkly elegant, a visual expression of their peculiar appreciation of the poised and grotesque.

Outsider Perceptions

A common Belosian folk tale tells of the First Malkosti, who wished for extended life and so made a pact with a dark spirit that granted the gift with a price: the loss of joy—rare is the Malkostian who smiles. They have a hypnotic and alluring gaze and Belosian children are often frightened into silence by tales of the "thin boogey-men," who steal the souls of children by staring at them.

Physiology

Malkosti complexion ranges from bronze to olive-skinned to dark brown, with a typically wiry physique. Most have coal black hair and dark eyes, but other hair colors are not uncommon; purplish-black hair and violet eyes are frequent in women. Average height is 5' 7".

The exception to this are the Telwin and Talionis houses which are closely tied to the Ashakré and Uarthé races, respectively.

Template Packages

Vosha'Kita ("the Order that brings Chaos"): Malkosti Combat Art [10 points/30 points]

The House-specific combat style of the Malkosti is carefully guarded and has been refined by each house through centuries of modification and augmentation.

Primary Skills: Boxing, Judo, Karate
Secondary Skills: Body Language, Shortsword
Optional Skills: Short Staff, Fast Draw (Shortsword), Acrobatics, Jumping, Stealth
Maneuvers: Hit Location (Karate), Kicking, Hook Kick, Spin Kick, Sweeping Kick, Knee Strike, Head Butt
Cinematic Skills: Pressure Points [2 points], Pressure Secrets [2 points], Meditation
Cinematic Maneuvers: Enhanced Dodge

Race: Malkosti [25 points]

+1 DX (+10 points)
+1 IQ (+20 points)
Magical Aptitude/Level 0 (+5 points)
Longevity (+5 points)
Code of Honor: Uphold Personal Honor & Dignity, practice reciprocity (-15 points)
Language: Malkosti at IQ [M/H] (0 points)

Common Advantages or Disadvantages

No Sense of Humor: Slapstick (-1 points)
Intolerance: Urzan of Kel Thekel (-1 points)
Intolerance: Belosians of Argonheim (-1 points)