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-====== Kresh ======
-<div class="floatright">
-<img src="./images/m_nationmap_Kresh.gif" alt="Map of Kresh" border="0">
-</div>
-<div class="story">
-<P>Nathan
-hated this particular exercise, which was probably why the master assigned it
-to him several times a day. It seemed rather inane to take a bucket with holes,
-go down the path and fill it up in the center of the ice-cold stream, then take
-it back up the path to the small copper plate balanced over the gong. When the
-plate became full it would tip and ring the gong, which the master insisted
-must to occur every quarter hour.</p>
-<P>He
-preferred to do just about anything other than think about his nearly frozen
-legs and blood sore feet. The path was made from rough-hewn rock, which made
-the journey one of constant pain. As he began his trek back down the path,
-Nathan let his mind wander to the first time he had met a Kreshite priest. It
-was the day he was attacked by muggers in his home city of Balth.</p>
-</DIV>
-<div class="material">
-<h1><a name="Intro">Introduction</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Geo">Geography</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Gov">Government</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Cul">Culture</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Econ">Economy</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Mil">Military</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h1><a name="Nei">Neighbors</a> <a href="#top" class="btt">Back to Top</a></h1>
-<h2>NATION</h2>
-<P>Located
-high in the Abjurer Mountains, Kresh is more of a religious community than a
-powerful eastern nation. They seek the true path to human enlightenment, the
-purification of body and soul. </p>
-<P>Their priests travel the lands,
-even into Turan where its death to practice their religion, offering assistance
-to any who have need. They are the only people that can travel throughout the
-mountains freely. Although many of the people living there do not follow the
-path of the Kreshites, they allow them to bring succor to their people.</p>
-<h3>History</h3>
-<P>The
-first Kreshites were Turanians that claimed they had achieved a more
-enlightened state of being. They claimed they sought the truth of the universe
-and peace for the inner soul. While this sometimes put them at odds with the
-worship of Uhl, the Kreshites were considered harmless enough to continue their
-practice.</p>
-<P>However, it was when Azekial Haziem
-reached the peak of his own enlightenment that he issued a statement that
-changed everything. He claimed that Uhl was merely the embodiment of all human
-souls that had achieved true enlightenment &mdash; this blasphemy resulted in his
-immediate stoning by the Followers of Uhl. However, the damage had already been
-done.</p>
-<P>Kreshites across Turan began to
-take up Haziem’s matra and soon found themselves hunted for their beliefs.
-However, so true was this statement that many Kreshites would rather die that
-lose the truth. They tried to resist, but they were scholars and philosophers and
-not warriors. The break came with the Followers of Uhl captured ten Kreshites
-and burned them alive in the Punishment Square at Dariabar.</p>
-<P>The Kreshites had long considered
-the northern spur of the Abjurer Mountains to be a place of complete
-enlightenment and many of their wisest converts had traveled there. However,
-the Kreshites always stayed among the Turanians so they may pass on their
-knowledge to those who would listen. While their wisest leaders burned,
-Kreshites everywhere heard a call to travel to the mountains.</p>
-<P>By the thousands the Kreshites left
-behind everything and took to the road traveling north. Northern Turan was
-sparsely populated so the number of pilgrims far outnumbered the local Satrap’s
-troops.He called upon his Vizers, who
-issued a request to the Sultan for more troops. The Sultan sent his wisest
-general with ten thousand men to bring the Kreshites to heel.</p>
-<P>The troops came upon the Kreshites
-at the Shining Pass, entrance into the Abjurer Mountains. As they moved into
-position a great rumbling came from the earth. As the ground shook, the nearby
-peaks collapsed into the pass, killing nearly all of the soldiers. Less than
-five hundred Turanians left that pass alive; however, the Kreshites continued
-unopposed into the Mountains.</p>
-<P>Over the years they constructed
-large schools in the mountains so they could teach their followers. They saw
-the need to train physically and spiritually, as many Kreshites died on the
-pilgrimage north from simple exhaustion. Each year more humans from across the
-world hear some inner calling that leads them to Kresh. Once there they all
-those who wish to journey upon the path to true enlightenment are welcomed into
-their dojos.</p>
-<P>The Turanians have tried several
-times to force their soldiers into the mountains to eliminate the blasphemers,
-but each time the Kreshites have turned them back with great losses. Meanwhile,
-the Kreshites have splintered into various factions as each dojo seeks its own
-true path to enlightenment.</p>
-<h3>Land</h3>
-<P>The
-highest part of the Abjurer Mountains is located in a large spur in the
-northeast. The peaks rise high into the sky often shrouded in clouds, while the
-valleys cut deep enough to support streams, lakes, and herd animals. It’s a
-dangerous land of predators, volcanic tremors, bitter cold, and icy winds.
-However, the snow-capped mountains are considered quite beautiful during the
-dusk and twilight.</p>
-<h3>Major Cities</h3>
-<P>There
-are no actual cities, most of the people live in small villages. However, there
-are large dojos where the people travel to learn, teach, and practice. The name
-of each dojo is the style of martial art they teach to achieve enlightenment.
-Aside from being a fighting style, their martial arts are teaching tools and
-closely follow the philosophy of the dojo. In this manner a student studies
-philosophy while perfecting their body and enlightening their soul.</p>
-<h4>Brothers of Fire</h4>
-<P>While
-the Brothers of Fire are completely opposite in thinking to the White Crane,
-they are both seeking the same goal. However, instead of approaching the goal
-through self-examination, the Brothers of Fire believe in tearing down all
-learned preconceptions and then building your soul anew. This is typically done
-while surrounded by fire, masters have been known to set fire to their own
-bodies to rid themselves of all current preconceptions. The fire represents the
-destruction of the current in order to give birth to the new.</p>
-<h4>White Crane</h4>
-<P>One of
-the oldest dojos, the White Crane is founded on the principals of enlightenment
-through long periods of self-examination. As such, many of the newer people
-attracted to learning from the Kreshites have found inner peace with other
-schools. It is not rare to find a White Crane sitting with two buckets of water
-on their head over a bed of coals contemplating their own existence.</p>
-<h4>Sky Dancers</h4>
-<P>Their
-dojos are located high in the mountains, such that few people could survive the
-trip. Those that do will find one of the most spartan of dojos. Mostly
-comprised of whip-thin columns covered with flags, ribbons, and chimes in a
-dizzying array. The Sky Dancers believe that enlightenment is best achieved by
-denying focused thought, instead rely on the body, soul, and mind to act as
-one. As such, a Sky Dancer doesn’t walk as much as glide across the ground,
-their entire body in motion.</p>
-<h3>Landmarks</h3>
-<h4>Statue of Azekial Haziem</h4>
-<P>Considered
-the father of modern enlightenment, it was Azekial that first obtained
-enlightenment. It was his words that set the Kreshites upon their path, a path
-that has brought them closer to their goal. However, it was his words about
-opening up their belief to others through both thought and action that was
-considered his greatest achievement. Currently, over half of all people that
-now consider themselves Kresh come from lands other than Turan.</p>
-<h4>The Five Guardians</h4>
-<P>The
-Tiger, Condor, Ki-Rin, Dragon, and Ape &mdash; these are the five guardians along the
-path to true enlightenment. The Tiger represents strength, the Condor is
-vision, the Ki-Rin brings intelligence, the Dragon is power, and the Ape is
-clever. Each dojo will have a place where the five guardians stand watch. It is
-here that students must stand before their masters and defend their own basis
-of existence.</p>
-<P>Once a student has mastered all
-five basic understandings they are named a disciple. Unlike a student, a
-disciple is expected to pursue their own path to their personal enlightenment.
-Many do this by teaching other students, learning from the masters, or even
-traveling to other lands to seek their own answers.</p>
-<h3>Neighbors</h3>
-<h4>Turan</h4>
-<P>The
-Turanians have waged a religious war against the Kreshites for hundreds of
-years. Once tolerant of their belief, the Followers of Uhl have become so
-blinded by faith that they can no longer see the truth of Uhl. Some Kreshite
-disciples and masters still travel the lands of Uhl, offering what assistance
-they can. However, any Kreshite priest caught by the Followers of Uhl is put to
-death &mdash; typically burned alive or drawn and quartered.</p>
-<h4>Carthins</h4>
-<P>The
-Kreshites have a great deal of respect for the Carthins. They see the journey
-they were forced to make over the Abjurer Mountains as one of personal
-sacrifice. Through this sacrifice they were able to throw off the bindings of
-their previous life and achieve their own internal harmony. Many Kresh travel
-the Carthin lands, often relying on their martial skills to gain respect from
-the local tribe. Then they may stay with them and learn their ways, since
-learning and understanding is often the path to enlightenment.</p>
-<h4>Kithkin</h4>
-<P>The
-Kresh consider the Kithkin to be where the Carthins were several generations
-ago. They have achieved the first few steps towards enlightenment with the
-understanding that the spirits of their ancestors are the truth. However, they
-have not fully understood that their spirits are also part of their ancestors.
-Unlike the Carthins, the souls of the Kithkin are not part of the Kresh &mdash; a
-Kithkin soul is part of the Kithkin Kresh.</p>
-<P>However, the Kreshites have several
-masters and disciples among the Kithkin. They teach them the philosophy behind
-the martial skills the Kithkin desire. Although the path to enlightenment is
-very different from humans to kithkin, the priests that travel among the
-kithkin are trying to begin the long journey the kithkin must make to their own
-fulfillment.</p>
-<h4>Red Wolves</h4>
-<P>Like
-the kithkin, the orcs have their own Kresh, or enlightened state, that they
-must achieve for spiritual perfection. However, unlike the kithkin who have
-begun along this path, the orcs of the Red Wolves have never started. Unlike
-their western cousins the eastern orcs are more aggressive, forging a bond with
-the other races of the Abjurer. Several Kreshite priests have been killed when
-they wouldn’t teach their “warrior art” to the orcs; however, some Kresh have
-traveled to these dangerous lands seeking their own enlightenment.</p>
-<h2>Culture</h2>
-<h3>Populace</h3>
-<P>The Kreshites were originally
-Turanians; however, most of the student in the past few generations have come
-from the western nations. Most of the masters are still Turanian, since it
-takes many years to become a disciple, and many never obtain the rank of
-master. In accordance, the most common language spoken in Kresh is Turanian;
-although many of the dojos have their own side language to convey very complex
-thoughts to a written language.</p>
-<h3>Rulers</h3>
-<P>Kreshites have no true leadership.
-Instead, each dojo maintains its own path from Student to Master. The status of
-each dojo varies as each rises or falls in strength upon the strength of its
-masters.</p>
-<h4>Masters</h4>
-<P>The
-masters are those that have reached the next step on their own path to
-enlightenment. They know enough answers to understand the questions they have
-not yet uncovered. Like all other Kresh, they are constantly learning and
-seeking to uncover their own stumbling blocks of their view. Masters will often
-oversee the teaching of the students; although as the dojo grows a master may
-just teach the disciple who then teaches the students.</p>
-<h4>Disciples</h4>
-<P>Most
-Kreshites are disciples. A disciple is someone that has gained the basic tools
-of understanding, but has not yet gained the mastery over their own
-enlightenment. They can further their own understanding by understanding the
-founding principles of their dojo, teaching the students, or even traveling
-among the humans throughout the world.</p>
-<h4>Students</h4>
-<P>The students
-are those that have not yet mastered the five basic truths. Many people spend
-years gaining enough understanding to become a disciple, while others seem
-partially on the path before they reach Kresh. Some students will leave Kresh
-in disgust if they find they cannot master the basic techniques &mdash; it is just
-not yet time for their understanding.</p>
-<h3>Economy</h3>
-<P>The
-Kreshites have a simple closed agrarian economy in its purest sense. The people
-raise sheep and goats for their meat, skin, and wool. However, most of their
-diet is comprised of fish, tubers, and other vegetables. Students and disciples
-are expected to work in the gardens and small fields. This is just another step
-towards their own understanding of their true nature. Everything the Kresh need
-they can provide.</p>
-<P>The
-Kreshites have no real external economy. While several nations and mercenary
-companies have offered everything from gold to furniture to teach their
-soldiers the Kresh martial arts, no dojo has so turned their back on the ways
-of enlightenment. The study of martial arts is an exercise in training the body
-and protecting a traveling priest &mdash; it is not used for war and indiscriminate
-killing.</p>
-<h3>Military</h3>
-<P>They
-have no military; however, it would be foolish for anyone to try force against
-Kresh. Their constant training in martial arts has expanded their fighting
-capability to a point beyond all other nations. They constantly practice; it’s
-a part of their daily ritual, to keep the perfection of their body in sync with
-the understanding of their mind.</p>
-<h3>Religion</h3>
-<P>Although
-more philosophy than religion, it is the driving force that holds Kresh
-together. The Kresh believe that all things are part of the same spirit, it is
-from their spirit that humans draw their strength and perseverance from &mdash; in into
-which they shall return the sum of their knowledge and experience. When the
-human spirit reaches its highest form it will then transcend its form and
-proceed to a higher plane of reality.</p>
-<P>To this
-end, each Kreshite must achieve the highest enlightenment for their spirit so
-that the day of transcendence can arrive. Many have also seen their own
-enlightenment mirrored in complete perfection of their mind and body as well,
-so that they may always have the strength to seek the path that often seems
-fraught with danger.</p>
-<P>The
-Kresh cannot teach a non-human as each sentient creature has its own kresh, or
-celestial spirit. The path to their kresh is unique for each race. Several
-dojos have begun to study the other race’s kresh in the hopes of furthering the
-understanding of their own kresh. This is a difficult task, but often the most
-difficult road is the most interesting.</p>
-<h4>Dojos</h4>
-<P>Originally
-the people of Kresh were small enough in number they could live in the open and
-meet together to teach others what they have learned. However, as their numbers
-increased it became necessary to set up a school where all students could
-learn. These dojos became a home and school for the students. They learned
-their letters and number, studied the mantras, and even began their own
-internal questioning.</p>
-<P>As the
-number of masters grew they often disagreed on the best way to put a student
-upon the path of their own enlightenment. These masters eventually split off
-from the main dojo and began their own. Over time hundreds of dojos have been
-formed, some are still successful while others withered after their master
-passed on. Those that withered often merged with other dojos, creating a
-completely different philosophy.</p>
-<h3>Magic</h3>
-<P>Many
-have debated exactly how the Kreshites do the things they do. Shattering stone
-with their fists, moving faster than normal sight, and deflecting swords off
-their bare skin. Sure, every Kreshite disciple cannot accomplish these
-superhuman tasks, but their masters can do many of these things and so much
-more.</p>
-<P>Many
-magicians and clerics have traveled to Kresh to study their ways and unlock
-their mysteries. While most returned home completely unsure, others learned
-their teachings and have stayed on to become a Kreshite. The only thing they
-all agree on is that a Kreshite’s ability is neither magical, divine, or
-infernal &mdash; it appears to be something that defies explanation.</p>
-{{tag>nation eastern_jewels miran}}