Kingdom of Lokmane

"The mountain does not boast of its strength. It simply endures."

High above the clouds, where jagged peaks pierce the heavens and snow never fully melts, lies the Kingdom of Lokmane.

Known throughout Nduara as the Kingdom of Stone, Lokmane is home to the Mountain Guardians—the first line of defense against anything that would threaten the northern frontier.

No kingdom has stood watch longer.

No people have sacrificed more.

They are the shield of Nduara.

"We stand so others may live in peace."

The people of Lokmane possess an ancient gift known as Stonebond.

The mountains strengthen those who are born among them.

Their bones are denser.

Their muscles stronger.

Their endurance unmatched.

This is not magic in the traditional sense.

It is as though the mountains themselves have become part of who they are.

The people of Lokmane are capable of extraordinary feats.

• Lifting immense stone blocks.

• Climbing sheer cliffs with ease.

• Fighting for days without exhaustion.

• Surviving freezing temperatures.

• Wearing armor too heavy for other kingdoms to lift.

Yet they rarely use their strength to intimidate.

To them...

Strength exists to protect.

Never to dominate.

The men and women of Lokmane are the tallest people in Nduara.

Many stand well over seven feet tall.

Broad shoulders.

Powerful builds.

Weathered skin.

Deep voices.

When travelers first encounter them emerging through mountain fog...

Many mistake them for gods or ancient giants.

The people of Lokmane simply smile.

"We are neither."

"We are only those who keep watch."

Honor is everything.

Every child is taught three lessons before they are taught to fight.

Protect.

Endure.

Serve.

Cowardice is not fleeing battle.

Cowardice is abandoning those who cannot protect themselves.

Nothing in Lokmane is delicate.

Their cities are carved directly into the mountains.

Massive stone halls.

Gigantic stairways.

Bridges spanning impossible chasms.

Fortresses built into cliffsides.

Even their homes feel eternal.

Everything is designed to survive centuries.

The northern border is unlike any other place in Nduara.

Violent storms.

Avalanches.

Treacherous cliffs.

Ancient ruins.

It is here that the greatest external threats to Nduara emerge.

Not from the Spirit Realm...

But from beyond the known lands.

The Mountain Guardians never leave their posts.

Generations have lived and died watching the same passes.

They ask for no praise.

Only that the kingdoms below continue to live in peace.

The Mountain Guardians are considered the finest defensive soldiers in Nduara.

Their discipline is legendary.

Their battle formations have remained unchanged for centuries.

They fight with:

• Massive stone hammers.

• Tower shields.

• Long mountain spears.

• Double-handed axes.

Weapons that few outside Lokmane could even lift.

Heavy woven wool.

Leather reinforced with carved stone plates.

Fur-lined cloaks.

Braided hair decorated with carved mountain stone and iron.

Every warrior carries a stone carved with the crest of their family.

Ashango seeks their counsel.

Kina admires their discipline.

Maari respects their patience.

Tajiri appreciates their reliability.

The people of Lokmane rarely travel.

Not because they dislike the other kingdoms.

Because someone must always remain at the gates.

"A mountain is never measured by how high it rises, but by how much it carries."