The Mayura Kingdom, renowned across the Jalodham Continent as the Ancient Kingdom, traces its origins to over a thousand years ago. Founded by Kartikeya Maurya, who rose from a young warrior defending his village to the king of a nation. Mayura was the first kingdom to emerge from the chaos of warring barbaric states, building a society based on unity, justice, and equality. Kartikeya's story began with an act of selflessness that would shape the kingdom's legacy: he saved a legendary Rainbow Peacock, Mayura, unknowingly inviting a divine beast whose wisdom and magic would guide his people for generations.
Kartikeya's journey toward leadership began at the age of fourteen. Desperate to save his father, the village head, from a deadly illness, he ventured alone into the dangerous White Mountain Range to find the legendary Crystal Ganoderma. There, he discovered an injured young peacock, shimmering with ethereal colors. Kartikeya nursed the creature back to health, bringing it home. Though unaware of the peacock's true power, the village healer treated it with kindness. When Mayura, the Rainbow Peacock, fully recovered, he was deeply grateful to Kartikeya and the villagers for saving his life.
As a divine beast with wisdom beyond human understanding, Mayura recognized the latent magical potential within the villagers. He began instructing them in the magical arts, enabling many to awaken their elemental affinities. Mayura discovered that humans' primary magical affinities tended to follow family bloodlines. He organized the awakened villagers according to each family's elemental strengths, giving rise to six great magical bloodlines: Pruthivi for Earth Element, Jalattvam for Water Element, Agnisham for Fire Element, Vayutatvam for Air Element, Prakash for Light Element, and Krushna for Darkness Element. Kartikeya named each family line according to its magic, and over generations, these families became the foundation of the kingdom's defense and magical knowledge.
Mayura's teachings brought safety and prosperity to the village, attracting nearby communities seeking refuge from the brutal rule of the Red Empire. The settlement expanded rapidly, and despite Kartikeya's youth and lack of formal training, he emerged as a leader. With each successful battle and each city that sought his protection, the vision of a unified kingdom became clearer. But to properly establish a stable society, Kartikeya needed guidance beyond his warrior instincts. Sensing his struggle, Mayura called upon his wise friend, Chanakya, the Emperor Beast Tortoise known for his mastery of administration and governance.
With Chanakya's assistance, Kartikeya laid the groundwork for a structured and fair society. He divided his growing territory and localized governance. Citizens were grouped into communities, each under the oversight of a village chief or a count, allowing Kartikeya to maintain stability even as his lands expanded. When Kartikeya formally declared his territory the Mayura Kingdom, he adopted the surname "Mayura" instead of "Agnisham" in honor of his divine friend and mentor.
Kartikeya's final conquests ended in a decisive battle against Red Emperor Hiranyaksha on the Avanti Plains. Afterward, the Rainbow Peacock flew to Gagana Island, the world-famous island of forgemasters, where Empress Yogasiddha Gagana reforged the shattered Red Emperor's "Dragon Bone Sword" into the "Rainbow Sword," imbuing it with divine protection. This sword, which could only be wielded by Kartikeya's bloodline, became a symbol of the kingdom, representing unity, strength, and justice on the royal flag—a testament to Mayura's blessings. At the peak of his power, Kartikeya solidified his borders, securing the plains between two great rivers for natural defenses.
Kartikeya established an administrative hierarchy that assigned roles based on merit along with bloodline. At the highest level were six Archduchies, each governed by one of the original six elemental families. These Archdukes and Archduchesses answered directly to the king and acted as the first line of defense, upholding law and order in their regions and ensuring the people's well-being. Below them, layers of nobility were established, with titles granted based on contributions to the kingdom's defense and prosperity: dukes, marquesses, counts, barons, knights, peasants, serfs, and merchants.
In the Mayura Kingdom, the legal system was one of Kartikeya's proudest achievements. It ensured that even nobles faced justice for their actions. Rather than imposing arbitrary punishments, Mayura's laws focused on reform, equality, and fairness. The kingdom's decision to abolish slavery—a bold step at the time—created a society that valued personal freedom and encouraged citizens to contribute positively to the kingdom's growth.
Mayura and Kartikeya understood that a successful kingdom needed not only warriors but also scholars and skilled workers. They established a foundational education system, making primary education compulsory for all citizens. From age four, every child attended two years of primary school within their village, learning the basics of literacy, numeracy, ethics, and unity. After primary school, children who wished to pursue further training in magic or specific crafts could attend county schools.
For those with magical potential, Kartikeya and Mayura established a unique pathway. Each county had its own magic school, where children aged six could receive basic magical education, regardless of family background. Those who hadn't yet awakened could undergo a formal awakening process with the help of magical artifacts called "awakening stones." These stones were part of the inheritance left by the First Magus Atharvana Bhadrakali, who had gifted her magical knowledge and resources to the kingdom after its founding. At ten, students could apply to one of six prestigious Magic Academies. Upon graduating, they were awarded the title of "Mage," equivalent to that of a baron, recognizing their contributions to the kingdom's magical prowess.
The Mayura Kingdom also established the Mage Association and the Hunters Guild, a point-based system for advancement and rewards. Through this system, commoners could achieve noble status based on merit, promoting a culture of progress and shared goals. The Mage Association became a fundamental institution, supporting those with magical talents while helping protect the kingdom from magical threats. Even those not born into nobility could attain wealth, respect, and influence, giving rise to a diverse and skilled citizenry.
The Hunters Guild complemented this, recruiting warriors and adventurers who kept the kingdom safe from wild creatures, bandits, and magical beasts. They, too, were recognized by points and achievements, fostering a balanced society where both warriors and mages could thrive.
Over the centuries, Mayura continued to guide the Mayura royal family, appearing to each King or Queen when the kingdom faced a great need. Though the Rainbow Peacock had become more reclusive over time, the people still held deep reverence for him as their Great Guardian. Legends spoke of his appearances only to select officials: the King or Queen, the six Archdukes, the academy principals, and the Chief of the Army.
Today, the citizens of the Mayura Kingdom live with a sense of purpose, protected by laws that serve all, an education system that promises opportunity, and a lineage of rulers chosen not only by blood but by the enduring will of the kingdom's magical guardian. The legacy of Kartikeya Maurya and the wisdom of the Rainbow Peacock live on, ensuring that the Mayura Kingdom remains a sanctuary of peace and justice on the Jalodham Continent.