Dtang Ma

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Dtang Ma
Flag of Dtang Ma.
(Nation)

Alignment
Capital
Ruler
Government
Feudal confederacy
Adjective
Dtang Ma
Languages
Religions
Source: Dragon Empires Gazetteer, pg(s). 22

Conquered by Imperial Lung Wa only 20 years before its ultimate collapse, Dtang Ma is a nation in southern Tian Xia ruled by a confederation of five powerful sorcerers.1

History

Dtang Ma was founded in 3223 AR by five sisters, each of whom was a powerful sorcerer but also who drew their power from a different source: the fey, the stars, storms, and music. This tradition of rulership has continued ever since, although the kingdom has not always remained independent.2 In 4432 AR, the empire of Lung Wa began the first of its conquest attempts, which not only failed but indirectly resulted in the death of Lung Wa's emperor at the time. Just over fifty years later, Lung Wa would march again: in 4480 AR, the Seven Year War began. In 4487 AR, Dtang Ma finally surrendered to the conquering forces of Lung Wa, bringing the Seven Year War to an end. In 4599 AR, the volcanic Mount Pho-Yim exploded and devastated the country; many blamed Lung Wa's influence for this destructive event.3

Geography

Dtang Ma sits just to the south of the centre of the continent of Tian Xia, running parallel to a long inlet from the Okaiyo Ocean that separates it from the kingdom of Hwanggot to its north. Dtang Ma stretches much further east to west than it does north to south, essentially occupying the land between the Kullan Dei Mountains to the south and the Okaiyo Ocean. To its east and south-east lies the Empire of the Dragons, Xa Hoi; while to its south-west and west sits Nagajor, the vast kingdom of the nagas. To the north, Dtang Ma shares a small land border with the Successor State of Po Li.4 The capital city of Dtang Ma, Ramparassad, sits to the south of the nation in the shadow of the volcano Mount Pho-Yim.1

Government

Before the coming of Imperial Lung Wa, Dtang Ma had been ruled over by a council of five powerful sorcerers for over a millennia. After the fall of Lung Wa, it took some time for the former sorcerous bloodlines to rise to power. The council of sorcerers is each tied to one of the four traditions of sorcerous power:1

  • Magic from the storms, currently known as the Lord of Bats.
  • Magic from the fey, currently known as the Lady of Flowers.
  • Magic from music, currently known as the Sister Minivet.
  • Magic from the stars, currently known as the Walker of the Autumn Moon.

A fifth sorcerer, known as the kamraten, then rules above these four, sitting on the Cinnamon Throne in the capital of Ramparassad. The Cinnamon Throne grants powers to this ruler that combines the powers of the four traditions mentioned above. The council members were originally picked via a secret process that took place in the depths of the catacombs below Ramparassad. Every ten years, one of the sorcerers is selected to become the kamraten, the lord of the kingdom. When this happens, the former kamraten returns to their previous role as a sorcerer lord of one of the provinces.1

Inhabitants

The people of Dtang Ma are a human ethnicity known as the Tian-Dtang, a people renowned for their subtle sense of humour and an open and honest character.5 The people of Dtang Ma believe that magic is the best means of maintaining peace and fostering knowledge. The many rare substances found in its jungles lead to many alchemists adventuring in the country.6

Religion

The most commonly worshipped deities within Dtang Ma are: Hei Feng, the Duke of Thunder; Nalinivati, the Queen of Nagas who is also sometimes known as the Serpent's Kiss; Pharasma, the Mother of Souls; and Yamatsumi, the Mountain Lord.1

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 22. Paizo Inc., 2011
  2. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 16. Paizo Inc., 2011
  3. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 17. Paizo Inc., 2011
  4. James Jacobs, et al. “Regions of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 47. Paizo Inc., 2011
  5. James Jacobs, et al. “Races of the Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Gazetteer, 5. Paizo Inc., 2011
  6. Colin McComb & Tim Hitchcock. “The Dragon Empires” in Dragon Empires Primer, 10. Paizo Inc., 2012