The Kogongi People

Overview
The Kogongi are an ethnic group originating from the northern region of Koganon. They are a proud and ancient people with oral and written histories spanning back nearly 10,000 years. They primarily reside in the nation of Kogongu, although many other towns and nations can trace their ancestry to the Kogongi. These include Atolia Island, Acquendavia and the Arcadian Altanate, Voyagez, and northern Lydoneia

Appearance and Traits
Kogongi are generally human, although the term refers to a cultural heritage as well as a biological one, so this is not universal. Most Kogongi people share many linguistic similarities. The pre-colonization Kogongi were generally short with lightish brown skin and slightly pointed ears, but in recent history, these traits have dispersed.

Customs and Lifestyle
Before colonization, the Kogongi were a semi-nomadic people. They did not build permanent structures, aside from holy sites, and instead resided in tents, mushrooms and treetops. They lived communally, and shared all food, tools and property. Kogongi even now view property differently than others, often leading to miscommunication with other people in the world. They have no concept of ownership, but instead, one of stewardship. They cannot own the land, because it is a part of them, their history, and their people.

Kogongi hold all nature in high reverence, for this reason. They believe in the inherent value of all life. Mooshrooms especially hold a place in Kogongi culture. Because they teeter between the boundaries of plant and animal, they represent perfect harmony with the universe. For this reason, the killing of a mooshroom is one of the most offensive things one could do.

There are a number of important ceremonies Kogongi practice, including prayers and meditations with the moon cycle. One notable example is the trial of fire. The Kogongi routinely do controlled burns of their sacred forest in order to keep it healthy and prevent overgrowth. During these burns, the adolescent Kogongi run across the fields of Duran in front of the fire, becoming adults once they reach the far side.

Also notable are Kogongi tattoos, given to those who reach spiritual mastery.

Spirituality
Traditionally, the Kogongi are a very spiritual people. However, following cultural genocide at the hands of Acquendavia, much of that tradition has been lost. Knowledge of these practices survive almost entirely through Vasya, her teachings, and her writings. Kogongi spirituality stems from ancient druidic arts, many of which are present in modern Naism.

Many powers have been associated with the druids of Kogongi. Namori was known for some psychic ability, and Naia is remembered for performing miracles such as holding burning logs, astral projection and creating food out of air. Larenë Koa was said to be able to sense the movements of people miles away through plants. Vasya was unburnt during the trial of fire, despite being caught in the blaze.

Kogongi Druidism focuses on mitigating the suffering inherent with existence through connectivity to the universe, particularly nature. The practitioners believe that suffering comes from personal desire and ignorance of the nature of reality. According to these beliefs, the world and all things in it are impermanent. Existence, however, is not. The Kogongi believe that nothing truly has an end or a beginning. Rather, the nature of the universe is cyclical, ever in a state of change and rebirth. This extends to the people within the universe. All is one, one is nothing, nothing is everything.

-Vana, ancient druidic master The meaning of this quote has been debated for millenia. The common consensus is as follows: Whatever led to the creation of the universe, be it divine creation, random chance, or, as the Kogongi believe, cyclical rebirth and eternal existence, all things were created for the same reason, or rather, by the same reason. Therefore, everything is fundamentally the same, on a cosmic level. Often times, this spiritual path emphasizes transcending the self and returning to the natural state of existence, i.e. change and rebirth. The act of being a self is often wrapped up in ego and in forgetting that you are part of the universe. As such, the Kogongi emphasize peacefulness and humility, making them the polar opposite of the Acquendavians.

Kogongi religion is often practiced through meditation, fasting and song. a number of holy sites are spread across Kogongu, including stone circles, ancient teaching sites and graves. Many Kogongi, in an effort to reduce their ego and increase connection with the world forgo diamond and nephrite armor, preferring iron or nothing instead.

History
I'll write this later ugh