Kuong Kingdom

The Kuong Kingdom, or simply the Kuong, was the southernmost nation in Malatra, lying amidst the dense jungles of southern Kara-Tur. It was home to the Kuong people.

Geography
The Kuong Kingdom was bordered in the northwest and north by the empire of T'u Lung (along the Fenghsintzu River) and the Warring States, and in the northeast by the Purang hill country and the kingdom of Laothan. It was bounded in the south and west by the Himasla Mountains.

While the underlying terrain was largely hills and steep ridges, rising to high hill country in the south, this was blanketed all over by thick jungles, with regions characterized only by density. Medium-density jungle grew in the west, on both sides of the Kunong River basin (fed by the southern hills) and along the border with T'u Lung. Meanwhile, high-density jungle—the greatest in all Malatra—lay south of the Dwai River in a wide coastal strip that continued all the way south past the Himasla Mountains.

Geographic Features

 * Mountains
 * Akashnu Mountains • Himasla Mountains


 * Rivers
 * Dwai River • Kuong River

Language
The inhabitants spoke the Kuong language. Coming from a different linguistic stock to the Laothan and Purang languages also spoken in Malatra, Kuong was distinctly unlike all other languages spoken in Kara-Tur. Because it was so unique, the Kuong people believed it to be specially blessed. However, most linguists observed that it was highly complex, followed no logic, and thought it weird. It was difficult to learn for even the most gifted minds.

People
The Kuong people were of similar race to the Purang, having brown skin and wavy black hair, and lacking epicanthic folds. Though they had more in common culturally with them and with the Seng of Laothan than with the northern nations of Kara-Tur, their national character was very different. The Kuong were known to be hospitable and hardworking, but also remarkably accepting of fate and obedient to their leaders and not doubting their caste system and hierarchy.

Culture
Kuong clothes were made of light silks and gauzy fabrics, and men and women both wore sarongs and brightly colored billowing trousers, as well as a variety of gold and silver jewelry.

Settlements in the Kuong Kingdom were centered around temples and government buildings. In the villages, most of the buildings were constructed of bamboo and palm leaves woven together. These were raised off the ground on stilts in order to keep the floor dry during the rainy and flood seasons and for protection from insects and wild animals. Meanwhile, in the towns and cities, the majority of buildings—namely the houses and palaces of the wealthy, important public buildings, defensive walls, fortresses, and most businesses—were built of stone, so that they might stand forever alongside the reign of the priest-kings. The stone was quarried locally where available but usually hauled great distances. Their exterior surfaces were always carved and occasionally even painted or inset with gems and precious stones, displaying historical events, Kuong legends, and the Lords of Creation. Temples and government buildings were the most intricate and extravagant, while defensive walls and fortresses were quite impressive.

Cities and Fortress

 * Apanu
 * Banda
 * Denokanburi
 * Durapatya
 * Garuji
 * Javuhansa
 * Manapurang
 * Marabaya
 * Patayang
 * Ranguri
 * Srelanat

Government
The Kuong Kingdom was an absolute monarchy and theocracy dominated by the Priest-King, who was both head of civil government and leader of the church venerating the Lords of Creation. The Priest-King's authority was unquestioned and their power was full and far-reaching. Moreover, the Priest-Kings were believed to be divine, and the Kuong viewed them with awe. They were aided by a few advisors and councilors of their choosing, as well as senior priests. In the mid–14 century DR, Priest-King Vishnan VII ruled the Kuong Kingdom.

Beneath the Priest-King was an aristocracy, comprising lesser nobles and the royal family, their ranking determined by their relationship to the Priest-King and thus to the divine. Naturally, members of the royal family were foremost. In any case, they had only what authority and power the Priest-King deigned to give them. Typically, they governed provinces and lesser districts, provided armies, and oversee civil projects like building temples and bridges. The Priest-King personally chose those who would reign as satraps over outer territories and serve as generals over those armies.

Beneath them was a hereditary bureaucracy that managed the everyday matters of the kingdom. The Priest-King had the right to dismiss an irresponsible or incompetent bureaucrat and appoint a replacement; Vishnan VII did this often.

Religion
Religion plays a big role in the Kingdom Kuong so a large number of holidays is often held in the honor of the gods and king.

In the lands of the Kuong Kingdom worshiping so-called Lords of Creation. It is considered that each god is responsible for different aspects of earthly existence. The followers of this religion worship the one great god or more, although most temples in Kuong Kingdom worship a single creator. Many of the temples are a place of pilgrimage and celebrations, but some major temples play the role of administrative center for the clergy, or training grounds. Many parishioners know very little about the Path of Enlightenment, but respected people who worship the spirits of nature.

Other Resources
Kuong masters with a stone, this testifies their magnificent temples and carvings.

Behind the scenes
Kuong Kingdom is modeled after the Khmer Empire. Many gods in Malatra very similar to the real gods of India and chief gods Indra and Yama is the only confirm this.