Post by Enuyu Suhishi on Mar 14, 2013 14:52:40 GMT -5
The Far East
[/center][/size][/color]Prehistory
In the pre-history of the land known as the Far East, there was no-one. At least that's the official story. From time to time there are rumors told of ruins that predate the coming of the race of men to the land. But, even if this were true, whomever may have been responsible for those ruins has long since vanished. As a result the Far East is a human centric land; a place largely void of racial diversity where xenophobia is endemic.
Recent History
Historically the Far East has been a land of great political upheaval and internal strife. Powerful warlords battled over land and resources bringing misery to the simple farmers and merchants. That changed twenty five years ago when one man finally seized enough power to unify the entire land under his banner. And while the people have enjoyed the fruits of this calm, prospering in a way unknown to living memory; not all is peaceful. There are still those that cling to the identity of a territory subsumed by the empire. Now and again insurrections must be put down, and not everyone is always happy with the Emperor's edicts.
Weapons and the Law
Among the Emperor's edicts has been a return to a strict control of weapons and the knowledge of the martial arts. Only those of the warrior class and merchants may carry swords. Merchants are limited to a single short sword with a blade not to exceed the distance from their elbow to the tip of their longest finger. Honorable (licensed) warriors may carry any weapon or combination of weapons they deem necessary to carry out their duties; with the exception of the combination of a long sword and short sword which is reserved exclusively for warriors that carry an office in service to the emperor.
Despite (or perhaps because of) the arts having developed as a method for peasants to defend themselves, their teaching has been strictly limited to the warrior class. Violating this last edict is considered an act of treason, punishable by death.
The Empire and the Ocean
While fishing has always been an important industry and way of life for many, beyond that the Land has not been a sea going power. This is to say the Empire is not a land that goes to war by sea. Yes, sea power has played a role in many of its internal disputes, but it does not make ships to ferry its armies to foreign shores. Its boats protect its own coast. Those merchants that travel to other lands find their own protection.
The People
Like most places the vast majority of the populace is made of simple farmers that would most like to be left alone to tend their crops and don't really care who's in charge so long as the taxes aren't too high and the violence is kept out of their village.
There have always been merchants, but given the new peace this class of the citizenry has flourished and is gaining wealth and thereby power and influence.
Laborers (smiths, masons, carpenters, and the like) now have the opportunity to travel further, trade more knowledge, and are beginning to set standards amongst themselves. There is some talk of founding schools that might be recognized across the Empire instead of just locally.
The ruling class often likes to consider itself "nobility" but as often as not they are descended from some peasant that found a talent for waging war and brought the family to power by force of arms. This is reflected in their 'civilized' behavior in court and their underhanded barbarism when they believe no one is looking. Prefects often inherit their title, but there are some prefectures where powerful families elect a person to the position; of course final say is in the hands of the Emperor. Political jockeying behind the scenes in court is also a factor, with Prefects using trade leverage and blackmail to get themselves appointed to more appealing or powerful Prefectures.
The days of taking land from ones neighbor by force of arms may seemingly be gone; but they are not forgotten, nor are the warriors who fought those battles. Every Prefect keeps a household guard. Assassinations are not exactly unheard of. They also maintain forces to deal with bandits, wild animals attacking the citizens, and just in case their neighbors start looking at their prefecture too avariciously.
Old hatreds still live and often it is the knowledge that neither side is in a position to win that maintains the peace. That peace has left many a warrior out of work. The lucky ones have become attached to the growing merchant class. The unlucky ones have become bandits. The smartest have become farmers or some sort of merchant themselves.
Customs
There are two things that are constant among the people of the Far East, and they are a sense of obligation to family before self, and a reverence for their ancestors that in some cases transcends to worship. No one could be where they are without those who have gone before them. If not for the effort and sacrifice of generations past the generations of the now would not exist. Everything is owed to those who have come before. It is for this that the ancestors are remembered and revered. Related is the idea of family before self. Without family there is no legacy to pass on and no past to be anchored to. Both to honor those who have come before and for the good of generations to come, the needs of the many must outweigh the needs of the self.
The Spirit Folk
The Far East is home to a unique population that is neither properly a race or species. The locals call them the Spirit Folk, and as best as anyone has surmised they are a living physical and spiritual extension of the land they belong to. They are tied to a location and manifest in appearance as human beings, usually clothed, and both fluent and literate in the local dialects. Some have demonstrated knowledge of languages long thought extinct.
It is quickly apparent though that these people are not human; for there is always some aspect of their form that reflects the location they are tied to. A river Spirit Folk may have skin slightly tinged blue. A mountain Spirit Folk might have pebbly grey skin. A bamboo grove Spirit Folk might have hair and eyes of the same green.
Their lives are tied to their location, and this makes many of them functionally immortal; while others like bamboo spirit folk may lead mayfly lives by comparison. On the other hand, they may simply go dormant and be reborn as the bamboo does. Nobody knows for certain, and the Spirit Folk do not appear to wish to be forthcoming about such intimate things.
It is known that they have complete knowledge about their area and may sometimes be inclined to share their knowledge and accumulated wisdom. Investigators should be warned though: spirit folk reflect their area not only in appearance but in mood as well. At best a river spirit folk will be highly agitated if their river is in flood; likely they will be as full of rage as the roiling flood waters. A mountain Spirit Folk may take several days just to answer a simple question.
The Spirit Folk almost never leave their areas; and wanderlust in Spirit Folk is seen as a terrible sickness that must be cured. It isn't unknown for these entities to become enamored of human beings, but children NEVER result from such a union. Such unions are also discouraged by the wise. As a Spirit Folk's emotions may be influenced by its area, the reverse may happen as well, they may influence their area with their emotions. All is well and good while the Spirit Folk is happy, but break it's heart? Upset mountains are volcanoes.
Flora and Fauna of Note
Like the rest of the world, the Far East is home to many different kinds of plant and animal. Some of them are more noteworthy than others, and they are mentioned below.
Brown Bear:[/color] It's big, it's brown, and it's a bear. They aren't quite as large as some other bears the world over, but they do sometimes display an unnerving amount of cunning and in fortunately rare cases a terrifying capacity for violence against human beings.
Giant Salamander:[/color] This amphibian has terrible eyesight, but is a ferocious predator. Able to detect prey by sensing the tiniest movements in the environment around it this 5 foot long predator can be active at any time.
Giant Hornet:[/color] This insect is a frightful nightmare to animals large and small. It's usual prey is anything smaller than itself, but when angered (which often doesn't take much) it will attack anything of any size. It measures as much as two inches long with a wingspan almost double its body length. A single sting is incredibly painful. A single hornet can sting multiple times. Fortunately their colonies usually don't number more than a few dozen individuals. Unfortunately that's more than enough to kill a man, or even a cow.
Eastern Cedar:[/color] These majestic conifers can exceed 200 feet in height and have trunk diameters in excess of 13 feet. Its wood is lightweight and strong, has a pleasant scent, and is resistant to rot. For these reasons it is favored in many applications from boat and house building to furniture. It is not uncommon to count 2000 rings in a large felled specimen.
Cities on the map:
Kanazana:[/color] A moderate port, tidal flats exposed each day allow locals to easily harvest shell fish.
Ouchijuku:[/color] A moderate trade hub at an important crossroads, many sorts of clay deposits to be found in and around leading to it being the center of pottery (including porcelain).
Kurashiki:[/color] An important port, famed for its pearls and conchs.
Yokaishi:[/color] Another port of value, a small mollusk that grows along the nearby shores produces a unique indigo dye.
Tsumago:[/color] A major trade hub, goods from all over the eastern half of the empire flow through here. Also home to a great library.
Jokamachi:[/color] Plentiful Iron Deposits are found here, and thus this city has become a center of smithing, producing all manner of iron and steel goods. It is most noted for its sword smiths.
Naramachi:[/color] Home to both silver and gold mines. The artisans that work these metals are appointed by the emperor himself and their goods are marked with a special seal. Forgeries are punished by hanging. Other such mines and goods exist but are not nearly as prolific and are considered of lesser quality.
Kakunodate:[/color] Home to a rich, precious stones mine, the products of which go to the national treasury (the Emperor's pockets). The vast majority of the labor is supplied by the locals who are relatively well paid. Among the gems to be uncovered are emeralds, amethysts, sapphires, aquamarines, topaz, and garnets. The entrance to the mine is guarded by a well garrisoned fort. There have been some unfortunate incidents when soldiers take R&R in town. There is a local legend of a shapeshifter, but whatever truth there may be to that matter has been lost to the mists of time.
Narai:[/color] Known for the Jade Cliffs that meet the pounding surf of the ocean. A perilous footpath with many switchbacks leads down to the rocky beach where large pieces of the valuable rock may simply be picked up at low tides. Other locals will rappel down the cliff to work the exposed veins. Obviously this is a center of jade working and related trade goods.
Imaicho:[/color] Only Western Port of real value.
Kanagoe:[/color] Another enormous trade hub, with goods from the western half of the empire flowing through it. There is a library here as well. Also famed for its silk and other textiles.
Sanara Town:[/color] The Capital. Seat of political power. A large Port. Strict weapon laws. Very few are allowed to carry weapons of any sort, some special exceptions may be made but in all those cases weapons must be peace bonded.
Takayama:[/color] Location of the Emperor's summer retreat. Famed for its carpenters and lumber, especially its grand cedars.
(Credit where it's due :
Text by : Enuyu Suhishi
Formatting, Images, General Prettiness : Kiko)