Enkhulu

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Enkhulu
Enkhulu.png
CreatorXero
Information
Average Height230cm-300cm
Average Lifespan120 years (300 years for Seers)
Hair ColoursRed, Black, White, Brown, Grey
Eye ColoursVaried
Skin ColoursRed, Green, Black, Brown, Yellow, Blue, White
Current LeaderUrolkhul Zurshak
CapitalUroldros
ContinentGrukoor

In a bygone time the God of Earth formed an army of Earthen Giants to protect Auria from chaos. Led by the eight Sons of the Earth, these soldiers fought countless battles against Demonkind so that a future may be secured. By the end of these wars the army was reduced to but a few handfuls and half the sons were lost to time, leaving the remaining four to come together with a contingency plan, forming a new earthen army beneath the fertile soil of Grukoor which would remain dormant until another attack - the Enkhulu. Mumban, one of the Sons of the Earth, remained within the facility known as the Zul-Bronzen Vault to watch over his creations until the time to act was nigh.

In a bygone age, Grukoor would be struck by a massive meteor of flame conjured by the God of Fire Ignis Incendius locked in combat with his daughter Sol Peleges. This meteor would destroy the central control unity of the facility alongside killing Mumban. Wishing not to doom his creations for an eternity of slumber, Mumban used the last of his breath to free the Enkhulu from their prisons and let them roam the world free as a people.

The primitive warrior-like Enkhulu were welcomed into a desolated world devoid of civilized life. A barren desert spanned the land from east to west with no solace in sight. They were immediately scattered, seeking a place to settle their homes while infighting took place over limited supplies found within their facility. Some travelled south, to the site of the crash that took Mumban's life, now a deep crater flourishing with dangerous wildlife. They were soon killed when their own hubris led them to their ends. Many other tribes travelled across the Desolate Drifts and through a mountain pass to find the Okramm Canyons. Though it was far from a safe haven, the mighty Enkhulu found the steep cliff walls surrounding them to be an advantage to their survival and the oases found throughout the canyons were the second best thing one may find in Grukoor in terms of settling a permanent home.

Though a home was found for the separate tribes, their condition of limited supplies still led them to fighting one another. This civil fighting would only stop when wise Chief Urol Ganyah united the tribes under the banner of a single force - Urol. Now united, the Enkhulu focused on developing their young race into a formidable fighting force, looking to the stars for progress. They would make contact with the rest of the world a few centuries later when the Fenik Skyships pierced their skies and widened their horizons. At around this time the mystical Khwezi Seers would be formed as a council standing second in place of power before the Urolkhul themself. These seers would use a strange, new power to see visions of the past and future in order to aid their people in the present.

Yet Grukoor was still a barren wasteland despite their developing people. The vicious Cobros people that dwelled beneath the earth were a prime enemy for the young people, the snakemen and women often ambushing smaller Enkhulun settlements and slaying them out of cold blood. In need of more resources, the Enkhulu would begin to use the Skyships of the Fenik to invade foreign lands and pillage the other nations of their supplies. By the end of the Era of Magic the Enkhulu would establish themselves as feared raiders both on land and in the space between worlds, their iron will and roots of conflict bringing many lesser settlements to the ground and raking larger towns and cities. Many ruins of the villages they raided can still be found to this day, with some lost to the annals of history.

In their rise to power, the Urol Enkhulu have seen the awakening of the Sark, a reptilian and tribal race which would make the untamed Dzungle Wilds their home. Like the Enkhulu before them, the Sark would be split into smaller clans fighting amongst one another over resources until only three major clans would remain - Bloodscythe, Waterclaw and Wildfang. Among the three, it would be the first that would stand up and do continuous battle with the half-giants over expansion.

The Enkhulu would also be the first to meet the extraterrestrial Ezama people who crashlanded onto Grukoor's distant islands known as the Forsaken Reaches. Though they were in a brief conflict at first in order to rid their demonic overlords from the world, the Enkhulu would forge a strong friendship with the Ezama and begin to do regular trades with them. The Cobros, although still showing little love, began a symbiotic relationship with the half-giants as well, allowing them the usage of a select few underground tunnels of theirs for travel between the mainland and the Forsaken Reaches.

Until the war that was started to end all wars, the Grand War, the Enkhulu continued their violent raiding throughout Auria with many of the galaxy's cross-cultural wars beginning because of them. Although resources were no longer as major of an issue to the people of Grukoor as it was in the beginning, the Enkhulu fight purely on the belief that it will make them and the foes they fight strong.

Religion and Culture

The Enkhulu are a deeply-spiritual people who believe that only through battle may one express their spirit most prominently. They revere the Sons of the Earth as well as the God of Earth as their highest of pantheons but also pay tribute to the God of War Zarukk.

Once a year at the end of spring the Enkhulu celebrate the Dance of the Marsworn, a tradition where the young of their people are pitted against one another in honourable combat as well as dangerous, life-threatening challenges to filter out the strong from the weak. Those that pass the trials of the Marsworn are welcomed into warriorhood with a grand feast in the Urolkhul's presence as well as given the title of Idwalahawe. Becoming Idwalahawe marks the Enkhulu with the Marsworn Oath, a spiritual duty to fight in the name of Order till death. A tradition in Enkhulu funerals is to relieve fallen Idwalahawe warriors from their oath so that they may finally rest.

Having been tested and trialed by the desolate world of Grukoor many times over, the Enkhulu strive to be on the top of the foodchain and will contest any who may challenge it. They revere slaying large foes like Dragons and Demons as much as they revere their deities. Despite this, they do not hunt the earthen Giants as they see them as brothers in blood. This has built a strong bond between the Enkhulu and the giants, causing some of them to join their people in their homes as protectors and friends.

Society and its Structure

The Enkhulu are united under the banner of the Urol empire. They are led by a monarch known as an Urolkhul. An Urolkhul is chosen by whomever kills the Urolkhul, and an Urolkhul leads until they are slain in battle - to die stagnant on the throne is viewed as unaccomplished and to die by the hand of a non-Enkhulu is seen as a failure. In the event of an Urolkhul's uneventful death, the Kwazi Seers will choose the next Urolkhul in a trial known as the Legazicala, a one hundred free for all battle where the fighters' battle spirits are tested to see who is the strongest among them.

The Kwazi Seers are a council of wise and powerful Enkhulu magicians that serve as advisors of the Urolkhul, using their wisdom and visions to foresee the best means of action for their people.

All Enkhulu below the Seers and Urolkhul are destined to be warriors. Since birth they are trained in physical prowess that builds their muscles and instincts. Those that succeed in the trials of the Marsworn and become Idwalahawe are granted the choice of fighting in their homeland and protectors or fighting in the army as conquerors. Those that do not pass the trials are still expected to fight to protect their homeland but they are also made to serve other labours that keep a kingdom functional, becoming artisans that specialize in the unique ways of survival in Grukoor.

Racial Traits

Stoneskin - The Enkhulu are the creation of the Sons of the Earth. Like their progenitors, the skin of an Enkhulu is stone-like, making them more impervious to physical damage.
Giant's Grasp - With great strength and large hands, the Enkhulu possess a proficiency for large and heavy weapons.
Tremorsense - The bond between earth and Enkhulu grants them a heightened sense to vibrations in the land. This also grants them a proficiency to earth-based magics.
Warforged - Created for ceaseless battle, the Enkhulu can go on for longer before hunger or fatigue kicks in.
Spirit of Battle - Enkhulu strive in the thrill of battle and are active in searching for one that can test their capabilities. Though bordering on obsession in every Enkhulu, the trial of battle grants them invaluable experience.

Physical Appearance and Behaviour

Enkhulu are large half-giants with great focus towards muscular builds, with large torsos, arms and legs that would fit a bodybuilder. Their skin colours range in earthen tones though those who spend long periods of time in caves or buildings tend to gain a greyish dark skin-tone. Both male and female Enkhulu have large, thick tusks coming out their lower jaw. Enkhulu often leave their hair to grow out, with only marksman and hunters cutting it short so that it does not hinder their accuracy with a bow or gun. Female Enkhulu are notably slimmer and smaller than the males but it only makes them fiercer.

Enkhulun Seers are gifted with extended lifespans, helping them grow old which would change their appearance as well. In their old age, they appear more hunched over and frail when compared to the stout and ripe young of their people.