Ningen

Proud and stalwart, the Ningen are. A descendant race of the Gargantuans, close cousins to the Dwarfs. They inhabit the forests below the Mountain Range of Misurayama. They are survivors from a shattered Kingdom from days past, living in a small village. They face extinction, but with the protection of the Sunlight, and the power of Lightning.

The Sunrise
The Gargantuans of Khaiteia lived a fairly peaceful life. They had no imminent threats, except for the Molkhid inhabiting the land below them. Though, no tensions were raised, and they were allowed to thrive. So, they evolved and created a large and glistening Kingdom. Taiyo no Okuku was the name of the Kingdom, and the Ningen were born.

Through the peace, they would encounter a force. The Sunlight, it watched over them and protected them as they evolved. The Ningen adopted this power into their culture, and created a Religion around it, The Hinode. They were lead by the High Priest, who nurtured the Religion and made sure that the Ningen continue to thrive under the Sunlight.

The Descendants of Stone
Through their Lifetime as a Kingdom, they saw potential in expanding their Kingdom, as they had no real threats or predators. One day, they would face their first perils. The Stoneborn from the Mountains above would begin to harass them. It is unsure where they came from, presuming that they were hidden beneath the rocks and hills for a much longer time than Ningen History itself.

These creatures were large, heaving beasts with a stone layer on their skin. They combatted them with siege weapons, though not standing much chance since their defenses have always been low. As they fought them for many years, they would pay attention to how they evolved during this long war.

One day, the Ningen would plan out a full force raid to drive the Stoneborn back into their burrows. The Sunlight watched over them, and they charged. With blessed weapons able to melt through stone, and siege weapons strong enough to smash through their skulls like nothing. The Stoneborn were driven back, and all that was left was their descendants to thrive in the mountains. The Ningen allowed them to survive, and retreated back into their Kingdom.

Unity
The Children of the Mountains evolved, and one of the few were the Jetu. Though, something was peculiar about the Jetu that got out into the world first. They denied their heritage, and wished to become something new. They broke off their stone shells, and ventured out.

The Jetu arrived from Ariuvriin, with a new power on their side. They had dominion over the force of Lightning. This power was stolen away from Narmandakh in Ariuvriin by their armies. Lead by the Warlord Raijin, they offered to form a pact with the Ningen. They taught the Ningen how to fortify their Kingdom and as well how to use the power of Lightning. In exchange, the Ningen give them supplies and help them rise up in power themselves.

This Unity lasted seventeen years before the Jetu began to scheme, and the leader Arataan Maki noticed their imminent betrayal.

The Thunder
The first siege began, and the Jetu assailed the Ningen. Thankfully, they were prepared. The Jetu helped the Ningen fortify their Kingdom, therefore they knew their weaknesses and did not have much trouble boring through their defenses. These battles lasted long, as the Ningen were in a losing position every time. All they could do is prolong the war.

As they fought, the Religious people of Taiyo no Okuku vanished one day, along with the High Priest Youta Miyamoto. The Sunlight began to abandon the Kingdom, and the Jetu siege was nearing completion.

All the Ningen could do is hope and pray that a miracle would save them from this betrayal.

The Storm
The Jetu siege nearly reached the center of their Kingdom, and Arataan awaited... But, there was nobody blasting through the gates. It became awfully silent, only for the Ningen to realize that the Jetu had retreated. Thinking it was another elaborate trick, they investigated. The ground shook as something approached, it was not their enemy, it was something else. The horror that washed over the Kingdom as the Tekami charged through their streets was immense. These creatures slaughtered not only most of the Jetu, but the Ningen as well.

As fast as it began, it ended. The war with the Jetu lasted months, and the Tekami slaughters happened in one single night. They vanished into the forests of Theou Anapnoi. Never to be heard of again.

Respite
With their enemies slaughtered, and their own people ravaged... The Ningen retreated back into the Forests and built a village to house the survivors, named Taikyaku.

For now, they had peace. Though, it was short lived, as many new threats would begin germinating around them.