Tokgok

The Tokgok are a nomadic tribal people on the Plains of the Pass. Their primary way of life is hunting and herding livestock on the plains, and raiding each other or neighboring states.
In their previous golden age, the Tokgoks were partially if not wholly united under the dynasty of the Askre Clan. Following the Fall of the Flying Eagle Banner, they are now a vassal state under the Ingan Empire. Although the Ingan Empire has allowed them significant autonomy, this political shift has inevitably repressed Tokgok culture to some degree.

Under Ingan Rule

Influx of Ingans

Two primary groups of Ingan people arrived in the Plains of the Pass following the banner's submission to the empire. The first group was, naturally, a more permanent military presence beyond the initial armies sent as aid in the civil war. The stationing of troops throughout the plains secured the territory as belonging to the empire, and helped repress unrest. They were a projection of the Ingan Empire's power, and protected the second group – merchants. The primary value of controlling the Plains of the Pass was to control the mountain passes on either side of the plains, securing a land trade route between the Ingan Empire and the distant states to the west of the plains. Both sides had unique goods highly valued by the other side, making stable trade highly lucrative for merchants, and highly taxable by the state in control of key points in the route. With the soldiers and merchants, soon guard posts and trade posts sprung back up from the aftermath of the civil war, and expanded to accommodate demand. Actual significant migration of Ingan citizens to the plains, though, did not occur because of the nomadic lifestyle the plains supported.

Political repression

The military presence was certainly not just for show. In the early stages, many Tokgoks who publicly rejected Ingan rule were either summarily executed or forced to flee west, where Askre'she Keju still ruled independently of the Ingan Empire for some more years. Important Tokgok figures of the resistance would be captured and paraded through the plains eastward to the Ingan capital, where they would be executed and displayed; one notable such figure was Junsi'askre Jinak, widow of Askre'she Nilu.
The succession of the title of Tokgok 'nro now depended first and foremost on approval of the Ingan court. Ingan ambassadors became a common fixture of the 'nro court, and occupied high positions as advisors and officials. A few Tokgok nobles even went to the extreme of sending their children to the Ingan Empire to be educated, and giving them Ingan names.

Annexation of the Eastern Pass

Ingan military presence was most prominent at the border between the now vassalized Flying Eagle Banner and the Ingan Empire, at the Eastern Pass. Although at first they did not officially annex the territory surrounding the Eastern Pass, they de facto controlled it, and it became official Ingan territory some decades later, as the Tokgok 'nro became progressively weaker and increasingly lacking in leverage to negotiate with the Ingan Empire. The Tokgok tribes who previously used the land were tolerated to some degree, but many were forced to migrate west, sending a ripple of local conflict and unrest across the state.

Naming Traditions

Feminine names

All Tokgok personal names are two-syllable. The same generation within a clan will share a syllable of their names, the generational character; this character is shared by both male and female members. For female members, the generational character will always be the second syllable. For example, Shuste Yuruk is a woman in the Ruk generation of the Shuste Clan.

Masculine names

For male members, the generational character will always be the first syllable. For example, Askre'she Ni'etu and Askre'she Nilu were cousins in the Ni generation of the Askre Clan. Another example is half-brothers Askre'nro Keloh and Askre'nro Ketapa and their cousin Askre'she Keju, who were all part of the Ke generation of the Askre Clan. The generational division is not strict and is applied on best judgement – thus, while siblings and first cousins will most likely share a generational character, more distantly related people, or people technically of the same generation but with a large age gap, may not share one.

Family names

In this culture, the family name comes before the personal name, and are usually two syllables. If a person has a title, it is appended to the family name, preceded by an asterisk. For example, Askre'nro Bulah is from the Askre Clan with the title of Tokgok 'nro. Married women without their own title append the family name of the clan they married into to their maiden name. For example Yepi'askre Jerun was born into the Yepi Clan and married into the Askre Clan.

Culture

Coming of Age Rites

Noble children of both sexes participate in training from ages twelve to sixteen. At sixteen, many boys join the officer ranks of the military and serve in some capacity.

Historical figures

Askre'nro Tohmut was the first 'nro of the Flying Eagle Banner, and Askre'nro Bulah fully unified the Plains of the Pass.
During the Fall of the Flying Eagle Banner, Askre'she Ni'etu and Askre'she Nilu fought against each other for succession to the title of 'nro.

Major organizations

Beginning with Askre'nro Tohmut, the major state in the Plains of the Pass unifying the Tokgok tribes has been the Flying Eagle Banner, ruled by the Askre Clan. Under Askre'nro Bulah, the plains were fully unified under one banner.

"Blue, blue, the sky,
White, white, the clouds,
Blow, the winds to the clouds,
Drift, the clouds across the sky.

Green, green, the plains,
White, white, the clouds,
Blow, the wind to the clouds,
Drift, the clouds above the plains.

Fast, fast, the horse,
White, white, the clouds,
Blow, the wind to the clouds,
Drift, the clouds behind the horse.

You, you, little child,
White, white, the clouds,
Blow, the wind to the clouds,
Drift, the clouds beneath you."

Tokgok Lullaby

Related Locations

• Plains of the Pass