16.9.3 The History of the Kohdon Race

In the heart of the Yhumara Islands, where the jungle's embrace is thickest and most dangerous, the Kohdon came into being long ago. Their origin is mysterious and scholars and historians have attempted to unearth it several times, but much of what we know about the kohdon is a result of their forced assimilation into modern society.

Long before the annals of Imperian history began, the Kohdon were one with the jungle. Their scales, vibrant and ever-changing, allowed them to dance with the shadows and the leaves, unseen and untouched. The jungle was their mother, their protector, and their guide. They learned its ways, its rhythms, and its secrets. But the jungle also harbored a dark legacy. The age-old feud between the Kohdon and the Ssylsin race was born from a rift as ancient as the towering trees. A clash of ideals, territories, and perhaps something deeper, ignited a fire of animosity that would burn throughout the centuries.

The year 550 AA marked a turning point for the Kohdon race. The Empire of Stavenn, drawn by tales of a mysterious race of fierce and predatory reptilians, ventured into the jungles and discovered the Kohdon. The Kohdon's relationship with these outsiders was one of caution and curiosity. With promises of power and glory, as well as an opportunity to gain a powerful ally in their conflict with the Ssylsin, diplomats of Stavenn lured several kohdon to the reaches of the Empire and founded the village of Blackthorne for them to inhabit.

Blackthorne was more than just a home; it was a forge where the Kohdon were shaped into weapons for the bloodthirsty Empire. Their training was brutal, the transformation profound. But the Kohdon adapted, and their natural prowess at hunting down prey found a new way of expressing itself through the art of war.

Decades ago, a mudslide sealed Blackthorne away from the world, but the kohdon who lived there refused to stop their march to dominance. They thrived, in fact, and some remained loyal to the Empire's ways while others nurtured the seeds of rebellion, waiting for their moment to exact revenge upon those who were once their captors.

In the depths of the jungle, the Kohdon established the Khuno Acropolis, a majestic citadel of white stone that stood as a beacon of their civilization. Under the rule of Naelia, the Empress, the Acropolis has become a hub of spiritual connection and martial prowess. The fervent priests engage in rituals that echo the primal essence of the jungle, while the royal guards stand vigilant, ever ready to defend their sacred lands from outsiders.

The Kohdon's tale is one of mystery, strength, and duality. From the sacred halls of Khuno Acropolis to the battle-hardened grounds of Blackthorne, they stand as a testament to the jungle's enigmatic power and the ever-changing dance of destiny. Their scales tell a story, their eyes hold a secret, and their hearts beat with the ancient rhythm of the Yhumara Islands.