House Name: House Swiftwave

Head of House: Viceroy (High Count) Ryan Swiftwave

House Specialty: Naval Combat and Naval Shipbuilding

House Ancestral Artifact: The Staff of House Swiftwave – An ancient, yet beautiful wood and iron staff as old as the house itself. Atop is fixed an azure and white gem, that looks like the crashing waves of the ocean itself. The gem glows brightly, as though it were bestowed upon House Swiftwave by the God themselves. It is said this staff imbues it's chosen users with mastery over the sea, with the ability to calm the waters of the endless tides, or to call great storms upon the foes of House Swiftwave. Only one Swiftwave may lay claim upon this herald artifact at any given time, and only those who are truly worthy, are able to wield it. Darker tales speak of the need for blood to power such a boon, making it both a blessing, and a curse. (Currently wielded by Ryan Swiftwave.)

Important Members:
Viceroy Ryan Swiftwave – 24 years old, sole surviving son of the late Viceroy William Swiftwave.

Viceroy William Swiftwave – 58 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor in his ship's sinking.)
Jace Swiftwave – 36 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Dererr Swiftwave – 33 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Alessi Swiftwave – 30 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)
Kimbely Swiftwave – 27 years old (Deceased, died with the late Emperor.)

Vicereine Deana Swiftwave – 52 years old, widow of the late Viceroy William Swiftwave.
Lee Swiftwave – 54 years old, brother of late Viceroy William Swiftwave.

Nation/Realms Name: Kawachian South Ethica

Sigil:

Flag:

House Motto: Eternity begins and ends with the ocean’s tides.

Region/color on map: Green

Race name: Kawachian's

Racial appearance: The men tend to stand anywhere between 5'10” to 6'5” on average, with the women ranging from 5'8” to 6'1” in height. The vast majority of the Kawachian people share either grey-green eyes, or a hue of greenish-brown eyes. Their skin color is that of toasted tan color, due to the tropical sunlight and climate. Their weight averages no more than 215 lbs for the men, and 125 lbs for the women. Their hair colors range from hues of brown to dirty blonde, with the occasional rusty reddish brown showing up.

Racial traits: Most, if not all men of Kawachi are known for their rugged seamanship, skilled sailors who ply their god given gifts upon the waves of the endless oceans of their world. They are said to know when a sea storm approaches, when to sail, and when to batten down the hatches and tide over the storm. Their skill as sailors has lead to many a man of Kawachi to strike out and join as crewmen on not only their own ships, but those of neighboring realms as well.

Capital: The City of Point Break

Capital Population: 66,000 roughly.

Other Major Settlements: City of Kongo – Seat of House Greenmane, currently ruled by Lord Beren Greenmane. 51,000 people.
City of Musashi – Seat of House Demetria, ruled by Lady Sally Demetria. 54,000 people.
City of Fuso – Seat of House Abbendis, ruled by Lord Alan Abbendis. 48,500 people.
City of Mikasa – Seat of House Marjhan, ruled by Lady Sabine Marjhan. 58,000 people.
City of Izumo – Seat of House Tolgraine, ruled by Lord Darrion Tolgraine. 44,500 people.

Population: 673,000

Culture: WIP

Type of Government: Hereditary Monarchy, regional power residing with Viceroy Swiftwave, and all other families paying fealty to the ruling family in Point Break.

Influence and relations: The main influence that the people of Kawachi have over the realm is their ability to produce naval ships on a large scale, and at a rate that is enviable. They are known for taking orders from surrounding regions and building the ships they need, big and small, military and trade, at an affordable and quality level. They currently have standing orders for numerous ship building contracts with nearby regions, some just starting, others nearing completion.

Military - WIP

Unit demographics: WIP

Landscape: A very tropical region, akin to Vietnam or Burma. Volcanic mountains long since dormant created a fertile region where growing crops is easy and a mainstay, though the climate precludes large crops of wheat and barley, which has the majority of crops being devoted towards rice, and other crops that can grow easily in the tropical climate. Numerous trees and forests dominate the islands, leading to the dominant industry of lumber and shipbuilding.

Wildlife: Like any other tropical region, bugs, bugs, and more bugs. Lots of birds, reptiles, large tigers, and oxen. Tropical forests, wavy grasslands, and jungles, along with dormant volcanic mountains.

Economy: The economy of Kawachi falls in the middle. There are those who are rich, like the noble families, and those that are extremely poor, criminals and beggars, and then the majority, who fall in the middle. Lucrative shipbuilding contracts help fund much of the region, while fishing, salt, and sugar exports also help keep the region relatively well off. Kawachian South Ethica retains enough wealth to live comfortably, but not in an excess to where they can afford massive standing armies, the newest fashions, and so on.

Religion: Kammeth is the Sun God, and warms the world. He is the primary god of Kawachi, with two others falling below him in importance. The first, is Kammeth's son, the Sea God Watatsumi. Depicted as a dragon, his temples dominate the coastlines of Kawachi, often being prayed to before a ship sets sail, the sailors very superstitious folk. These temples to Watatsumi house the wares of thousands of ocean voyages, gifts given up to the Dragon of the Seas, as tribute, and to stay his fierce desire to have have sailors for his vast undersea fleet. A darker cult, known as the Sea Dragons, believe that it is Watatsumi who is the one true rightful god to rule the Sky Pantheon. Thankfully, their sect is isolated only on the southern most island of Kawachi, known aptly as Furutaka, the large mountain that rises from the sea. Their temples dot the Southern coasts, with their largest and greatest built into the mountainside, grander and greater than any other temple on that islands.

The third god, or rather goddesses that are worshiped in Kawachi are the three sisters, daughters of Kammeth, known as Kim-Rae-Ali, the three sisters of the mountains. These goddesses are worshipped by farmers, hunters, and woodsmen, with their temples built into the mountains of Kawachi, and its outlying islands. The three goddesses are well regarded upon the islands, and tales of their beauty are traded among many a man and woman alike. Depicted within the temples as three loving sisters, they stand next to each other, holding hands and smiling, looking down at those who come to pray before them. Kammeth is usually painted onto the ceiling of these temples, looking down at his daughters with pride, and at his own loyal subjects as well.

Kammeth is paramount of all gods, but in Kawachi, he has only two temples, each larger than any of the other temples in all of Kawachi, excluding the Sea Dragon's monastery redoubt built in Furutaka. The temples of East and West, to mark the rise, and setting of the sun, built on opposite ends of the Kawachian realm, herald Kammeth and all his glory. The sun rises, and falls with Kammeth, and with him, the world awakens, and slumbers.

Secretly, last of all, is Ryan Swiftwave, who is a secret follower of Watatsumi and his cult of the Sea Dragon. He has never told anyone, nor plans on doing so. His private quarters hold a small shrine, a beautifully crafted dragon that he prays to and lights incense for, when he feels the need to.

History: WIP

Strengths: Archers – If the enemy can never land on our shores, what need do we have of infantry? Kawachian's pride themselves on archery, using their skills in it to defend their ships and lands from any enemy who would dare attack them. Their bows are built from two types of wood, domestically grown Kuma wood, which grows in the mountains of Kawachi, and when there is spare wood, Webwood tree wood.
Naval experience – The sea is the lively hood of Kawachi. Why turn your back upon it when you can use such a great gift to your advantage? Kawachian sailors have an almost innate ability to tell the weather, when to sail, and when to put in. They have rudders that have mapped vast portions of the oceans and coasts of Ethica, all of which are fiercely guarded to the death.
Warships – With all their focus on the sea, they people of Kawachi have crafted some of the finest war vessels of the realm. These ships are used primarily by the Imperial navy, and themselves, for these war ships are closely guarded, and scarcely, if ever, sold to anyone else. A fine vessel that is a cut above everyone else, or at least in the eyes of the Kawachians.

Weaknesses: Terrible Calvary – Kawachian South Ethica posses little to no true calvalry units, most if not all being only used as very light scouting units and dispatch runners. Horses are very scarce among the Southern Islands, only owned by nobility, and by Imperial Units.
No Heavy Infantry – Due to a lack of large reserves of mineral deposits to create Steel, let alone Iron is sufficient quantities, the military forces of Kawachi are almost completely devoid of any heavy infantry, save for the ceremonial guard unit stationed in the regional capital.
Shields... ha, we laugh at those things – The people of Kawachi never really developed the usage of shields, seeing it as a useless weight to hinder a man on the battlefield, and create the image of a coward who hides behind objects from his foe. The entire standing and levy military of Kawachian South Ethica is devoid of shield bearing units, preferring to use two handed weapons, duel wielding, or bow and arrow.

Export: Ships – With the largest naval ports and shipbuilding yards in the realm, the pride and joy, along with the bread and butter of Kawachi, is the production and sale of seagoing vessels.
Sugar Cane – With a wonderful tropical climate, sugar is easy to produce and on a large scale. It would seem the rest of the realm likes sweet things.
Rice – A major foodstuff crop, the excess is exported to support the realm and feed those who need the extra sustenance.
Fish – With large ports come large fishing fleets, and the need to feed not only themselves, but to help out the Empire as a whole.
Salt – Well, you are surrounded by ocean on all sides, and salt is needed to preserve food, make it taste good, and so on. So, you collect, and sell it to the folks to the North of Kawachi.

Import: Iron – As of now, iron is a hard item to come by in truly large quantities. This leads to the reason of Kawachi not having heavy infantry, heavy armor, shields, and so on. Iron is highly valued, though one day perhaps an iron mine of sufficient quantity will be discovered.
Wheat – Due to the hard nature of tropical climates, wheat is harder to grow in a sufficient number to create bread from the people of Kawachi. As such, wheat is imported, or its processed form, for food supplementation.
Horses – Horse are not naturally native to Kawachi. As such, they are imported from the mainland, but not for military use, but rather agrarian usages, and civil engineering.
Webwood lumber – Something is magical about this wood, its amazing to say the least. It is used in the largest of naval vessels, providing a large boost to the ships overall strength. Very costly, but well worth it for anyone who ply's the deep waters of the world.

Note some sections may be subject to change or add-ons. The Tribes of the North are a very different playstyle to the Houses and their sheet reflects this. They can gear toward war more easily but, can just as quickly falter and fall apart from fragmentation. Feed the warbands with plunder or watch them eat each other alive.

The main difference between the Houses of the Empire and the tribes of the north is their manner of rule. The Nordheim only recognize the strong and will never follow a man or women merely because of birthright. They do not recognize noble blood nor do they follow a tradition of voting for their ruler. Typically those who wish to rule most prove themselves in some manner of contest either a duel, wrestling and defeating all challengers, or other contest of skill that depends on the tribe. Even the most organized of the tribes of the north are limited to elective gavelkind succession in where their lands and holdings are split among their sons.

The tribes are also much more mobile than those of the south. Capable of migrating when the need arises. It is also not unheard of for sons to challenge their fathers for position if they believe they can win.

Jarl(ess): (The name of your ruler, and main character)

God: (The Nordheim follow a pantheon of gods much unlike their southern brethren, these gods play an active role in their lives, see the appeasement section under the god to know what acts will grant you unique blessings. The form these take depend on the god, but may include calm seas, or a sudden storm to cover a tribes retreat.)

Clan and Kin: The minor characters of your clan, such as your spouse, children, and vassals or housecarls. A Jarl typically has up to two Arls serving under him, as well as a number of Thanes, the Nordic version of Knights, and Thralls or slaves.)

Dynasty Bio: (A brief description of your tribes rule and history. Unlike other kingdoms, the strong rule in Nordheim rather than bloodlines, so it may be typical to see power being shared by many different families over the course of the generations.)

Tribe Bio: (A description of your tribe, their successes, defeats, or grudges.)

Military: (A generous word for the warbands that fight under a chosen Jarl, Tribes of the North are unique in that the more success they are met with the more Northmen will flock to their banner over time. Even once enemy tribes will join you if they believe loot is to be had. Win enough and perhaps become the next High King! Fail and...well come what may.)

PM me any questions you have or post it in chat.