Category:Kambujan



KAMBUJAN The Slaves of the Serpent Men Kambuja lies to the south of Khitai amid a steaming jungle. Where the ancient jungles give way to the flat wet plains of the Kambuljan Marches, a lawless place scourged by bandits and clan wars. The marches are grey, vaguely hilly and lashed by strong, year-round rains. In the summer the marches are unbearably hot, the heat broken only by the daily downpours that cause flash-floods and mudslides.

In the winter the temperature drops so that the ground freezes and the rivers and streams become sullen with ice. Merchants trading with the Kambujan capital of Anghkor with its fabulous market for gold, silk and jade have no option but to pass through the marches, braving the monotonous terrain, its dreadful weather and the threat of predation bandits and tribal people.

Origin and History
The history of Kambuja and its peoples begins with the history of the Lemurians and, of course, the Cataclysm which sank their islands. Those Lemurians who escaped the devastation of their homes and then ended up in the lands that would become Kambuja, became subordinates to the mysterious descendants from remnants of the snake-people that King Kull conquered in pre-Cataclysmic times. The snake-people was for a long time elusive unknown to the world and kept themselves hidden and ruled behind the scenes in the dense jungles of Kambuja, but showed little interest for conquest or expansion.

Later, new blood may have come to Kambuja from incursions both from Khitai and Vendhya that brought new influx of bloodlines to the area. Although ruled by its superior overlords the common people of Kambuja was for a long time kept on a stone age level. The first real advancements occurred through the impact from neighbouring peoples, creating a hybrid culture of Vendhya and Khitai. Yet, savage tribal people still subsists on a stone age level in outback areas.

Maritime trade with Vendhya established many settlements, generally near passable rivers connected to the sea. Contacts with the local population led to intermarriage and the creation of hybrid cultures when local rulers often adopted Vendhyan customs and values, embracing many of theirs gods as well as adopting their writing system. Furthermore did trade connections with Khitai, though sparingly with the closed of empire, create similar influences.

Present day Kambuja is ruled by Pra-Eun, the Lord of the Scarlet Circle, a sacred god king. Pra-Eun has amber skin and snake-like eyes. Whether these physical characteristics are part of his sorcerous corruption or standard traits for his noble blood derived from the snake-people is unknown.

Pra-Eun has withdrawn to Kara Korum for the purpose of “solitary study” and lets his minions have free reign over the empire. Few know the reason for this, though many suspect that the second-in-command of the Scarlet Circle might have aspiration to become the first.

Kambuja and Other Nations
At the northern border of Kambuja a long series of wars and skirmishes have raged for centuries where neither side have gained any long-lasting control. Both territorial claims and the abundant gemstone mines in this particular area are coveted for. Tribal peopes, civilized Kambujans as well as Khitans have been involved in a tug-of-war for these reasons.

However, its dense jungles have proven it hard to keep control of the frontier and the outlying areas are in the hands of local lords who have consented to the overlordship of the stronger state.

Although Kambuja have fought for its independence against foreign invaders for centuries and stoutheartedly struggle to maintain its borders its culture is an inclusive one. There are numerous Khitans and Vendhyans residing in the capital, mostly exiles and migrants living there. Much of the prosperity is also built on trade connections with these neighbouring kingdoms and provinces.

However after several centuries of prosperity the Kambujans suffered a stunning blow from naval raids launched by the Khitan which devastated most of its vital trade network with Vendhya.

Society and Warfare
Vendhyan influences are pervasive and social organization is also at large modeled after their caste system (see under Government in vendhyan), however not strictly applied. Many indigenous traditions of social hierarchy prevail and it is still possible for any individual to attain high social status by acquiring wealth and reaching a relatively old age, which is seen as a sign of divine providence. It is also possible to climb the social ladder by showing exceptional religious knowledge and devotion.(edited)

Throughout the society runs the major distinction between royalty and those of common birth. Other criteria for determining social status exist, but the two extremes of royalty and commoners are still important. Prescribed patterns of address, speech and behavior exist among members of different occupational groups and between royalty and commoners. Untouchables is still part of the social hierarchy but technically outside the caste system, consisting of the most lowly of slaves.

Kambujas capital is Angkhor built on an extensive network of canals enabling it to mobilize a large labor or military force when needed. The city is also home to a small but influential Yamatai settlement with the residents of the community being mostly exiles. Many are ronin and veterans who fled Yamatai who stood on the losing sides of various major conflicts. A significant portion of those settled in Angkhor. Here they work in a myriad of roles, though most are merchants, sailors, soldiers, servants, or manual laborers of various sorts. Many serve as expendable mercenaries fighting in the local quarrels.

The Kambujan army is fourfold, consisting of infantry, cavalry, war elephants and chariots. The army rests on junior officers, the captains of militia. These men command the loyalty of peasant groups in their particular locality. If the king conquer a new region, a new captain of militia is enrolled and put under an oath of allegiance.

The captains are simply headmen of the outlying regions, but their connection with the king enhances their status. In time of war they are expected to conscript the peasants in their district and to lead them to Angkor to join the Kambujan army. If the captains disobey they are put to death. The vast majority of the Kambujan population are of farmer-builder-soldier class.

Description
Like other people of the east Kambujan are of medium height and have parchment-yellow skin, straight, black hair and dark eyes while other more closely resemble Vendhyan and Khitan people.

Kambujans have a strong sense of pride, for the village or province, which usually characterizes their community life. Community and conformity is considered very important virtues and social life is most often carried out through the worship within their temples.

Common Kambujans are of modest means living in simple dwellings thatched with grass and few material possessions while the wealthy decorate both themselves and their homes with gold and silk in stark colours.

Common professions:
 * Farmer
 * Merchant
 * Priest/priestess
 * Temple worker / dancer
 * Soldier

Clothing
Generally Kambujans wear little clothing due to the the damp and hot climate, the chest is commonly left naked. If they dress up more it's generally for ceremonial occasions. Commonly they wear a sampot which is a long, rectangular cloth worn around the lower body and can be draped and folded in several different ways. The typical regular sampot, known also as the sarong is typically worn by men and women of lower class. Five colors are commonly used, predominantly red, yellow, green, blue and black.

The wealthy wear elaborate costumes, comprised of elegant silk clothing, stunning jewelled headdresses and precious necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets. A commonly worn headdress  is called a mokot, mostly by the nobility, reflecting the status of the wearer as well as the occasion. The more tiers and decorations on the mokot signify a higher rank and importance of the event.

Religion

 * Ganapati
 * Gods of Vendhya
 * Khitan Pantheon
 * Yun

Exchange and blending of religious ideas is the norm in Kambuja, thus a plenitude of religious beliefs and views exist side by side. In the wilderness tribal, animistic and shamanistic beliefs are common (most likely worship of Jhebbal Sag and his children) among the more primitive peoples, while the urban areas mainly worship gods from the Vendhyan pantheon.

The Vendhyan presence is apparent with many impressive temple complexes dedicated to their deities. The Khitan pantheon is also worshiped to a lesser degree, mostly by priests of Yun dwelling in the jungles but some temples can also be found in Anghkor.

Ganapati is the main deity worshiped by the common folk of Kambuja. He is a god known by his many attributes and is most often depicted like a man with the head of an elephant. He may be portrayed standing, dancing, heroically taking action against demons, or sitting down on an elevated seat.

To most Ganapati is identified as a fertility god linked to agriculture and is widely revered as the remover of obstacles, the patron of arts and sciences and a deity of writing, intellect and wisdom.

The Scarlet Circle is the main sorcerous coven in Kambuja. It is made up of former or current priests seeking raw magical power, formerly independent sorcerers whose infamy and power draws the attention of the senior wizards of the Scarlet circle. Lords of the Scarlet Circle are among the highest ranking sorcerers of their cult, capable of commanding the loyalty of both their lower grade acolytes and great numbers of Kambujan warriors and nobles. Most also have an position as officials within the political sphere. The Scarlet Circle care little for the existence of different religions within Kambuja as long as they do not show any sign of disturbing their position of power.

Members of the Scarlet Circle are arrogant and ambitious and commanding both political and magical power has given their arrogance a dangerous side. They kill any who refuse to do their bidding and they often engage in petty power struggles against each other - in which the only possible loser can be the pawns that they engage.

Sex Roles & Marriage
Kambujan gender roles are somewhat equal. While the priesthood serve only males, membership in some components of the armed forces and in the civil service is open to women as well. The nuclear family, consisting of husband and a wife and their unmarried children, probably is the most important kin group within Kambujan society. The family is the major unit of both production and consumption. Within this unit are the strongest emotional ties, the assurance of aid in the event of trouble, economic cooperation in labor, sharing of produce and income, and contribution as a unit to ceremonial obligations.

On the other hand family organization is weak, and ties between related families beyond the kindred are loosely defined at best. There is no tradition of family names. Most Kambujan genealogies extend back only two or three generations, which contrasts with the veneration of ancestors by the Khitan. Noble families and royal families, some of which can trace their descent for several generations are exceptions.

Behavior and Oddities

 * Elephants - Elephants are widely utilized in agriculture, construction work and warfare. Elephants are also highly revered and in some areas they are even considered sacred.
 * Collectivist - Kambuja is a collective society - individuals take second place to the group whether this is the family, neighbourhood or village. The strongest ties a Kambujan may develop, besides those to the nuclear family and to close friends, are those to other members of the local community.
 * Names - Kambujan have no tradition of family names, using only a first name along with "son of" or "daughter of" if need be.
 * Sacred dancing - Dancing is held in high esteem across the kingdom. In line with many Kambujan the creation myths powerful deities (the snake-people) descended among them and brought about their civilisation through an enchanted dance that provided them with knowledge. This dance consist of slow-paced, mesmerising moves that hypnotize audiences and is carried out within the daily activities of most temples to honor their creators. The main traits of this complex dance are the hand gestures in which fingers are pressed together and fanning the remaining fingers out,  each movement of the fingers has its own distinct meaning. Slave dancers within the temples wear similar colourful clothing as nobles with stunning jewelled headdresses and precious necklaces, earrings, bracelets and anklets.
 * Greeting - A Kambujan greeting bring the hands together in prayer position directly in front of chest. The more respect one pays to the other, the farther up the hands are folded - right up to the end - also with a slight bow.
 * Hierarchy - Hierarchy within society is very important. Therefore strangers is often questioned right away about their rank to adjust their communication accordingly depending on status.
 * Priests - Women should never touch male priests. Female priests and other females are considered to be excepted from this unspoken rule.
 * Greeting - A Kambujan greeting bring the hands together in prayer position directly in front of chest. The more respect one pays to the other, the farther up the hands are folded - right up to the end - also with a slight bow.
 * Hierarchy - Hierarchy within society is very important. Therefore strangers is often questioned right away about their rank to adjust their communication accordingly depending on status.
 * Priests - Women should never touch male priests. Female priests and other females are considered to be excepted from this unspoken rule.
 * Hierarchy - Hierarchy within society is very important. Therefore strangers is often questioned right away about their rank to adjust their communication accordingly depending on status.
 * Priests - Women should never touch male priests. Female priests and other females are considered to be excepted from this unspoken rule.
 * Priests - Women should never touch male priests. Female priests and other females are considered to be excepted from this unspoken rule.

Slavery
A large part of the population have slave status, and many are descendants from the mountain tribes defeated by the ancient Kambujans. However, there are two types of slaves in the kingdom which are worth mentioning and distinguished:

The actual low class slave as the word implies belong to the untouchables who are considered the lowest of the low. They are assigned with the most dangerous, heavy and dirty work. These slaves are mostly captives from the neighbouring countries or people from captured hill tribes.

However, ordinary Kambujan people can risk fall into the lowest status of being an slave if they fail to pay their rents or loans to the upper ruling class. Just as quickly as losing your rank and become enslaved, slaves can be set free and are allowed to climb back up the social ladder if lucky enough.

The other category of slaves are temple servants and/or priests and are considered "the slaves only to the gods", and not to any human being. These hold a similar status to other high ranking echelons of society, yet they are bound to a lifelong service within the temple complexes.

More Info
https:// aoc.fandom.com/wiki/The_Scarlet_Circle Return to road of kings (Kingdoms to the South, p 139). Khitai (Kambuljan Marches, p 13-14)



(Sourced from the CLA.)