Dark Cacao Kingdom

The Dark Cacao Kingdom is located on the continent of Crispia in the Cookie Kingdom. It sits on the easternmost segment of the continent with the Jellyfish Ocean bordering it to the right and the Licorice Sea with an unlabeled offshoot river to the northeast. It is sheltered to the southwest by the frigid Giant Icing Ridge. Some adjacent landmarks are the Wish Tree, the Cream Cake Mountains, the Milkyway Lake, and what appears to be the Tower of Sweet Chaos. The nearest other kingdom is the Hollyberry Kingdom to the south-southeast.

While the Licorice Sea is labeled only in gibberish text in the final Cookie Kingdom map, the draft map reveals its true name.

Tribes & Villages The following are tribes and villages whose lands fall within this kingdom's borders.

Coffee Tribe/Village Cookies of the Coffee Tribe live beside the Dark Cocoa Kingdom(sic) in their tent settlement. They are quick and agile and are known to last without sleep for several nights. These traits allow them to work as scouts, infiltrators, and messengers for the Kingdom. Due to the high caffeine content, their pupils are always constricted.

Members: (Of those on record) Affogato Cookie Espresso Cookie (ancestry)

Licorice tribe It was completely destroyed and sadly it is unknown what happened to the cookies living there.

members: (Of those on record) Licorice Cookie.

Milk Tribe/Village Before the Great Chocolate Wall, the Dark Cacao Kingdom was open to invasions from the Licorice Sea. The Milk Village north of the Black Citadel was on the brink of extinction until the Dark Cacao warriors put an end to the monsters' attacks. The tribe survived, and its Cookies swore their friendship to the Kingdom. They have been supplying their special Milk Potions ever since.

Tribe members: Milk Cookie Young milk tribe member cookie Old Milk tribe member cookie Female milk tribe member cookie etc

Geography & Environment The snow never stops falling high up in the mountains of the Giant Icing Ridge on the eastmost edge of Crispia. The Black Citadel towers above the edge of a cliff, watching over endless birch forests. Dire beasts of all kinds stalk this frigid wilderness, but they are harmless compared to the terrors of the Licorice Sea across the ridge. These creatures pose a constant threat to the Kingdom, but fortunately, it has been kept safe by the Great Chocolate Wall until now.

Predatory Animals Predators like the Cacao Eagle or the Dire Creamwolf hunt their prey in the Dark Cacao Kingdom’s wilderness. While most of the animals native to this land have a white coat to camouflage into the snowy environment, there are also dark-coated beasts. Be extremely careful if you spot one of them: the dark fur signifies that they are not afraid of their natural enemies.

Flora & Fauna Giant Icing Ridge Woods The slopes of the Giant Icing Ridge are covered with thick woods of frozen icing. A traveler risks to lose their track quickly in this snow-covered land unless they carefully mark the road. If it did happen, all there is left is to pray Fortuna that a sugar mouse left its chocoball fruit stash somewhere nearby...

Architecture The Dark Cacao Kingdom’s architecture is distinguished by its roof-supporting cylindrical columns topped with massive chocolate capitals. For wind protection, walls are often covered with chocolate panels with several layers of thick cream between them. Dark Cacao architects often address the motif of life and death by or interweaving black and white elements. Altars and shrines fashioned out of chocolate to commemorate the fallen can be found throughout the Kingdom. The architecture of the Dark Cacao Kingdom strongly resembles that of Korea's Goryeo (Korean: 고려) (918-1392) and Joseon (Korean: 조선) (1392-1910) dynasties, leaning more towards the Joseon style of architecture. During the Goryeo period, Buddhism was at its most influential in Korea's history, and the importance of religion strongly affected the period's architecture. Numerous temples and pagodas were constructed to accommodate religious needs, with the vast majority of pagodas being made from stone due to the nation's abundance of granite.

The Joseon dynasty followed directly after the Goryeo dynasty and thus still had the previous period's architecture, though the change of those in influential positions caused the architectural style to change accordingly. Those in power stressed an importance of practicality and frugality similar to the Dark Cacao Kingdom's own sense of values.

The Black Citadel's design strikingly resembles Geunjeongjeon (Korean: 근정전), the throne hall in Gyeongbokgung (Korean: 경복궁). Both exteriors of the buildings are adorned with numerous sculptures of real and mythical creatures.

[Harsh climate doesn’t make for a developed sense of humor. What the Dark Cacao Cookies genuinely excel at is combat. From a young age they learn weapons or martial arts. When the time comes, an apprentice finally receives a sword to defeat a wolf on their own and complete the coming of age ritual, and although the Cookie was allowed sweet cocoa or delicate milk chocolate, it is only bitter food from this point on. The Dark Cacao consider bitter food a constant reminder of perils and death. As a result the Cookies are not afraid of crumbling, but rather despise dishonorable living.]

The Kingdom of the Unwavering decoration theme is based on the Dark Cacao Kingdom and contains decorations described as simple, elegant, and modest. The description for the Royal Feast Table states that the kingdom's denizens value modesty above all and vastly prefer neat, simple looking things as opposed to fancy embellishments.

This Dark Cacao decor may be based off a Korean cultural ceremony known as Jesa (Korean: 제사), or ancestral rites. Jesa is a ceremony where Koreans act as if they are talking to their passed ancestors as they put food on the ceremony's table. Jesa is also usually celebrated at an anniversary of the ancestor's death, during which the dearly departed's favorite foods and drinks would be offered on the table.

In Citadel of the Frozen Cliff, the painting of The Sun, the Moon, and Five Peaks seems to be based on the real-life painting of the same name, or Irworobongdo (Korean: 일월오봉도). The painting is also set right behind the Phoenix Throne in Gyeongbokgung (Korean: 경복궁), upon which the Citadel is likely based.

Philosophy The Dark Cacao Kingdom largely adheres to the beliefs of Confucianism, aligning with the historical prevalence of Neo-Confucianism Joseon-era Korea. While distinct from one another, the traditions of the Dark Cacao Kingdom largely exist within the overlap between the two philosophies, making it difficult to place a definitive label. However, with the addition of Head Icon Mystic Flour Cookie, it can be assumed that the Dark Cacao Kingdom is retroactively intended to lean towards Neo-Confucianism; it is said to have emerged in direct response to the prevalence of Buddhism throughout east Asia. This concept of new ideals emerging from the groundwork of previous beliefs is particularly apt in the case of Head Icon Mystic Flour Cookie and Head Icon Dark Cacao Cookie, who are each respectively rooted in Chinese and Korean cultures that have experienced a similar relationship throughout history. Confucianism is at its core a rational and humanistic philosophy. It places great emphasis on an individual's actions with the end goal of social harmony, setting it apart from other philosophies and religions of its time by its relatively grounded, narrow lens. Rather than dictating tradition through the wishes of a higher power, such as the Buddhist beliefs of karma or nirvana, Confucianism believes that one should live a righteous life for the sake of themselves, their family, and those around them - hence the term "humanistic". This mindset appears to find itself within each citizen of the Dark Cacao Kingdom - even more so amongst Head Icon government and Head Icon military officials - who find their strength in banding together as a collective against the harsh and at times, dangerous environment the kingdom is situated in. In particular, citizens of the Milk Tribe are known for being "stalwart and strong", believing that Cookies should always help other Cookies, even towards strangers and especially in times of strife.

There is a deep loyalty and reliance upon the crown and its delegates, with even the lowest of citizens able to make direct requests to their king with the expectation of response. Such rapport, rarely seen within a monarchical structure, speaks great volumes to the humble collectivism fostered within the kingdom, circling back to the Confucianist ideal of harmony. The Dark Cacao Kingdom additionally goes out of its way to honor those who have gone above and beyond in this pursuit, particularly by giving their lives. They continue to be highly respected long after they are no more than spirits, never forgetting the sacrifices made in order to protect their land. Such an honorable fate is idealized to the point where even Head Icon Dark Cacao Cookie, the kingdom's reigning sovereign, aspires to one day be laid to rest amongst them. To a lesser extreme, all members of the Black Citadel appear unwaveringly loyal to their kingdom even if they are not combatants.

[Having to cope with dangerous beasts and a harsh climate that makes farming extremely hard, all Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom undergo rigorous combat training from a young age. With peril always lurking nearby, the locals tend to cultivate asceticism and abstain from pleasures.]

Denizens of the Dark Cacao Kingdom are referred to as the Dark Cacao, Dark Cacao Cookies, or Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. The Dark Cacao generally consist of physically fit, resilient Cookies with deep brown dough, black or brown hair with light streaks and various textures, and scars or other dough imperfections. The majority of the populace are chocolate-based, though races based on coffee, licorice, and milk are also prevalent in their society.

The Dark Cacao are often disciplined and humorless in demeanor due to their harsh environment and strict traditions, though lighter personalities exist despite the stringency of their world. They hold great pride in their way of life but remain modest in all other respects.

Founding Dark Cacao Kingdom was founded by Dark Cacao Cookie on the edge of the Giant Icing Ridge, in the very place where with a single stroke, he had put an end to the many day-long battle between the White Dragon of the South and the Black Dragon of the North.

Government Portrait of the resolute king Portrait of the Resolute King The Dark Cacao Kingdom is an absolute monarchy with Head Icon Dark Cacao Cookie reigning as King, wielding supreme authority. He is widely regarded by the kingdom's people with titles such as "Your Majesty" or "King Dark Cacao Cookie".

Royal Family Dark Cacao Cookie, king ↴ Dark Choco Cookie, former heir

Hall of History II, Gallery 4

(Epic) Sun & Moon Folding Screen A breathtaking scenery with a white sun, black moon, and a tall peak blocking the Licorice Sea is depicted on the folding screen that decorates Dark Cacao Cookie's throne. It symbolizes the unwavering resolve of the King-Founder, Vanquisher of the Two Dragons.

(Common) Tableware of Warriors Tableware used by warriors guarding the borders of the Dark Cacao Kingdom. Sworn to remain vigilant at all times, the warriors may have only one meal of humble cacao nibs and choco ball fruits a day.

(Common) Insect-eaten Leaf The words "A sweet coffee Cookie will become king" are eaten out by insects on this leaf. The leaf retains a faint but enthralling scent of ice cream...

Hall of History II, Gallery 5

(Epic) Dark Cacao Kingdom's Flag Black and white flags like this can be found anywhere in the Dark Cacao Kingdom. Black symbolizes the resolution of Head Icon the King, while white symbolizes all-embracing harmony.

(Rare) Prince's First Robes Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom made these robes as a gift for the new-born prince. Crafted with great love, the robes fit perfectly to the King's great joy.

(Rare) Replica of a Sword A replica of a sword used by Dark Cacao warriors. The fate of a swordsman was promised to the kingdom' prince from a young age. Alas, such fate could not promise his happiness...

(Epic) Dark Choco Inkstick and Inkstone This set of artisanal calligraphy supplies is made of 100% cacao exclusively for the Dark Cacao royal household. The ink produces clean, deep-colored lines with a rich scent, allowing the master calligrapher to create a masterpiece with just a few strokes.

(Common) Rice Cake Hound Plushie No matter how frugal, all Cake Hound owners of the Dark Cacao Kingdom have a toy like this at home. It's so cute and life-like that real Cake Hounds often take it for one of their friends.

(Common) Smiling Roof-end Tile This tile with a Cookie face was recently discovered in the Dark Cacao Kingdom. It might have crumbled a bit, but its unchanging smile indicates that it's still going strong regardless of the weather!

Hall of History II, Gallery 6

(Epic) choco Rice Cake Seal This seal is used by the king of Dark Cacao when working on correspondence on matters of state importance. It hasn't seen much use, as the king prefers a first-hand approach when dealing with such matters.

(Epic) King's Royal Robes The royal robes of dark colors with few simple decorations made to suit Head Icon the king's preference for mobility and practicality. The material is said to allow the wearer to withstand the most frigid cold.

(Epic) Dark Cacao Cookie's Crown The crown worn by Head Icon the king of Dark Cacao. The only Cookie who was allowed to touch it was the kingdom's Head Icon young prince, fated to inherit the throne. It was a long, long time ago, and the crown has been undisturbed ever since...

(Legendary) Dark Cacao Cookie's Throne This throne instills reverence and awe even without elaborate ornaments or luxurious embellishments. It also serves as the last line of defense for the king, whose resolution to protect his land is absolute.