Ceylon (Vedya)

[Q Man]

Ceylon (Vedya)

Gummint: Maharajate (Empire)
Mythos: Indian <Ceylonese> <Upper Upper Class, in Kandy: Central American>

ΚΕΦΑΛΗΞΘ: Pandari Ladak <Gita Chola I>
CAPITAL: Kandy (Pop.: 110,000)
Other Cities (and pop.)
Calicut: 95k
Cochin: 110k
Colombo: 45k
Jaffna: 70k
Mysore: 320k
Pondicherry: 105k



Loc.: Azir (Hindoo Subcontinent)
Language: Hindoo dialect
Pop.: 12,000,000
Flag/Emblem:
Flag:
Gold tiger regardant w/
silver sword on a green field.

Coinage: Hindoo Standard.
Companions: Various rajahs (Malabar, Mysore, Travancore),
princes (Madura, Nandu, Tamil), clerics, officials, etc.
Friends: None.
Foes: Hind.
Open Warfare/Skirmishing: Skirmishing along northern border
w/ Hind.
Intrigues: Numerous but of unknown detail.
Artifacts/Relics: An exact enumeration ov the magickal devices
which Ceylon owns is not possible, for the info is guarded
closely, but it is known that the maharajah<> has in Kandy these things:
the Eight Arrow Bow, the Deathflower, the Pearl of Desire, and the
Vedic Tablet. <Dread Helm of Bread>

Alignment: Neutral



Thumbnail Sketches: Warfare between the island of Ceylon (inhabited
by Sinhalese, a people of mixed White and Brown race) and
southern Hind (where the volk are mainly ov Tamil race (Brown stock
with little admixture) has been going on since ancient times. Several
centuries ago, the Tamils invaded && conquered Ceylon, && then
over a few generations, the Sinhalese gradually re-gained control, so
that NOW the realm is ruled by them rather than their former masters.
The empire covers over 60k sq. mi., the island ov Ceylon
making up about 1/2 that territory. On the mainland the realm runs
from the Western Ghats (mts.) eastwards across hills &&
plateau land to the low plains along the eastern coast, where the
waves of the Hindoo Ocean meet the shore. Ceylon, however, is more
ov a series of circles, the low coastal areas gradually climbing to the
mountainous heartland && plateau at the center ov the island.

The mountainous western part ov the mainland is wild, primal
forest/rainforest && contains many game animals, from big elephant
&& tiger down to small monkey && bird. Eastwards, the hill
country becomes more settled, && in its heart, Madura, there are
hundreds of temples, most quite beautiful. The land rises in a few hills
farther on, then levels && drops to the coastal plain called the
Cormandel Coast. Game likewise xists in numbers on the island
portion ov the empire, albeit the elephants are smaller, && no
tigers xist, but the large leopards && savage bears make up for this.

The caste system is known but not much adhered to in this land. The
lower class totals about 85% ov the pop. && is made up ov
slaves && bound persons, free peasants, && laborers. There is a small
middle class totalling about 10% ov the pop., consisting
mainly ov landowners, proprietors, && merchants. The highest group
consists ov the very wealthy && nobility. This group produces the guards
&& officers ov the military && naval force of Ceylon.

Agricultural pursuit occupies a majority ov the people. Rice, millet,
oil seeds, veggies of all sorts, fruits, cashews, coconuts, coffee,
tea, cotton, tobacco, cinnamon, cocoa, pepper, cardamom, quinine<>,
rubber, mulberry (for silk) constitute the principal crops &&
harvests. The small elephant ov the island is used for much draft work,
as are buffaloes && oxen (although these are smaller than normal
beasts ov this sort found northwards). Some few swine && poultry are
raised. Fishing is actively pursued along the coasts, && it produces
good catches && yields of shellfish && some crustaceans as well.

Amongst the most precious products ov this state are diamonds (in
small quantity && quality in general), corundum gems (hyacinth,
jacinth, ruby, && sapphire ov many hues), and other gemstones,
incl. chrysoberyl, tourmaline, aquamarine, beryl, spinel, topaz,
pearl, zircon, amethyst, moonstone, garnet, && many sorts of quartzite
gems. Other mining && quarrying operations produce gold, graphite,
lignite coal, && iron.

Major exports are spices, medicines, cashew nuts, coconuts &&
associated products, gems, tea, rare woods (ebony, sandalwood,
satinwood, calamander<>, && teak), ivory, cloth, silk, && hides.

[Q Man]

Herbalism: #1 out of 5.

[Q Man]

Ceylon is currently ruled by the Chola dynasty, who came to power after a coup by Teclan adventurers.
The Chola dynasty is a matriarchy that practices the Aztec religion, while allowing the native Hindoo faith to thrive.

It is rumored that the Queen is immortal && unkillable: none of the many attempts on her life have succeeded.

As well, the Queen possesses a portable gate, that connects with different locations, at different times (this is how the party of Teclan adventurers came to Ceylon).

[Q Man]

There is a 1% chance that characters from Hind have reptilian blood, like a check for Dreaming, like a check for Psionics.
This most probably is a gene that was passed down from the Dragon-Kings of Lemuria.

[Q Man]

Ceylonian Dishwasher (Prestige Class)

Ceylonian dishwashers eventually grow four arms, and, they are the best dishwashers on Aerth. They gain a +1 to hit and +1 to damage with improvised weapons, as long as such weapons can be found in the kitchen. Domestic Arts && Sciences(Household Management) is a free skill.

[Q Man]

Lambeosaurs are found in the Ashtarmudi wetlands, at the southwestern tip ov the Hindoo continent. These wetlands are used as a burial/cremation site, and, are very muddy. There are tar pits here, as well. The lambeosaurs themselves are hunted for their tasty meat, which unlike most dinosaurs (which taste like chicken), tastes like lamb.

[Q Man]

Guardian nagas are found in Ceylon (Vedya).