Patera Project: Kompor-Thap
by Andrew TheisenHere's the first of my bits on the nations of Patera. I've written it up in PWA format, for ease of discussion. I don't have a map or anything, but I've essentially envisioned Patera as being the lands of SE Asia + Japan, altered a bit (much like the map of Mystara itself is an altered version of the Real World continents) and placed smack dab on a globe.
Anyway, comments welcomed (in fact, more than welcomed, encouraged!)
KOMPOR-THAP
Location: Patera, Far Side. West of Rajahstan.
Area: Approximately 262,000 sq. mi.
Population: 300,000 Pachydermions.
Language: Komporan.
Coinage: ?
Technology Level: Iron Age, Steel forged.
Government Type: Hagiarchy (rule by Holy Men)
Industries: Agriculture, crafts (stonework).
Description: The land of Kompor-Thap consists of high, mountainous
terrain surrounding a lush jungle valley. Its inhabitants are a
race of elephant-like humanoid creatures known as Pachydermions.
The Pachydermions live a largely spiritual existence, and maintain
peaceful relations with their Rajahstani neighbours to the west.
Their valley is filled with many large and elaborately carved stone
temples and buildings, which have led outsiders to term Kompor-Thap
as 'the Land of One Thousand Hidden Temples'.
Notable Sites: The capital city of Pacan (pop. 30,000) is a large,
beautiful temple complex.
History: The Pachydermions have long and detailed records of their
history on Patera, as well as those of their neighbours. They were
the first race to develop agriculture- primarily the domestication
of rice- and over time shared this knowledge with the people of the
nation now known as Rajahstan. They began building stone structures
early in their history, and were the first race on Patera to
develop bronze and iron working technology (they developed this
independent of Myoshima- See MYOSHIMA).
Perhaps the milestone in the history of Kompor-Thap was the
evolution of a Pachydermion, named Ganetra, to Immortality (c. 460
BC- Mystaran calendar). Ganetra then influenced his people to their
current belief systems, which greatly impact their daily lives. The
first monastery dedicated to Ganetra, Shakya monastery, was founded
c. 17 BC, near the town of Pacan (founded c. 216 BC).
Important Figures: ?
Flora and Fauna: ?
OTHER NOTES:
I have envisioned Kompor-Thap as a sort of combination of Myanmar/Cambodia (as Bruce's original inspiration had it), and Tibet. The Pachydermions, with their primary patron Ganetra, represent the "Buddhist" culture of Patera.
As far as that goes, I have a few thoughts:
1) The holy men who 'rule' Kompor-Thap may be White Elephants; a mark of their spirituality. Perhaps this mark will only indicate the overall ruler, though (a Dalai Lama type figure).
2) The belief system of Kompor-Thap:
I'm toying with the concept of reincarnation/Nirvana of Buddhism as
relating to Immortality; i.e., the Pachydermions actively strive to
perfect themselves in order to one day achieve what Ganetra has
achieved- Immortality. I sort of like the idea of a realm where the
concept of Immortality is known and embraced by all, and understood
to be an achievable state, and there are members of that community
who try to reach that state. Most Pachydermions will be content to
just live good lives, but there are those- the clergy types- who
dedicate themselves to that goal.