Premise;
The world is a vast and a often hostile place, from the steppes of the Vuc to the Barren norths of the Daen and down to the southern shores of the Green Sea. All with its own distinctive cultures. All with their tribes, kings, thiefdoms and struggling would be powers. The world is full wonder both gorgous and ferocius, from the steppes giant wolves, to the strange beasts that drink human blood and take the shape of other people to the majestic Thunderbirds in the north.
Each region its own wonder, and each culture with its own myths, legends and customs. But all these are under threat, from each others ambitions, and more recently, from the warmachine in the East.
Becouse there Island kingdom with imperial aspirations. Known once as the Golden Islands and ruled by the Golden Emperor, descendent of the Islands gods themselves. The country is home to a longstanding tradition of war and honor, the way of the warrior; Bushido. This juggernaut of a Country has begun to cast its shadow across the world, even as inner Turmoil threatens to tear the giant apart. Becouse not everyone is partial to the Shogun and the Emperors plans to conqour the world. Especially when his own people are starving and dying to the pollution of his machines. In the shadows, voices of discontent are being heard,. In the forests and the mountains, the outcasts and disenfranchised farmers gather. A storm is brewing. as men and women plot his downfall. The Shogun must be stopped, even if they have kill the Emperor to achive it...
With all these volitile elements in play, things are about to change in the Empire of the Golden Islands. And in the middle of this storm a few fated individuals shall witness and shape history first hands.
The World of Iron Shogun
A dying Empire; The Blood Lotus disease and The Iron Shogun.
The thing that enables the Shoguns army to wield such weaponry as there mechanized samurai suits and flying ships is the Blood Lotus. A seemingly magical plant that when burned produces immense amounts of energy. But it has a massive draw back, the unsettling plant grows like a cancer, killing all wildlife around it and spreading. It's fumes are poison and it seems to that even the sunlight that filters trough it is effected. The Golden Islands sun glows bright red in the sky and the fumes of the Lotus perminates and poison the city air, causing Red Longue, a gradual, fatal disease that clouds the mind and slowly destroys your respitory system, it kills slowly, and you can go a year or two before the coughing starts.
But since it feeds the Shoguns warmachines, it will continue to grow. A warnmachine that in turn feed the nation with new slaves to work those fields and territory for them to turn into more lotus fields. Another use for the accursed plant is to make opiats from it. The abuse of this drug is widespread, as it is the only escape many have from the stress of the cities .
Of Empires and Men; A Guide to the Mayor Empires and Clans.
Map of the Relavant Nations/Empires involved. The unnamed western countries are of no great importance to the conflict.
The Golden Isles
The Empire spans across the easternmost continent that is known as Cou, claiming not only its original 11 islands, but also half of the former Zei Dynasty on the mainland. Several Islands to the north are also included in the Empire, these are mainly strategic but sparsely populated
The Shogun runs a tight ship, his armies have been at war with his neigbours since he took the seat of power 11 years ago. The only thing keeping him from overruning the Zei with his advanced army is the western powers backing the Zei since three years back. Afraid that the Empire is gonna consolidate a proper foothold, and exploit the resource rich Zei provinces to make the warmachine truly monsterous, the so called Round Eyes or Gaijin have provided the Zei with thunderships and other advanced technology.
The country itself is ruled by Akira Ryu, the Iron Shogun. Called as such for revolutionizing the nation from a agricultural, rural nation to a industrial, densly populated one. The shogun has ambitions of Dominance, having led the conquest of the nearby Daiymos and their lands. But his nickname also refers to his reign of fear and absolute dominance. Under him more atrocities have been commited then under the last three rulers combined. His Iron Samurai, Noble warriors wearing 7 foot, exhaust spewing sets of steampowered armorsuits. These monstrosities are exclusively used by the ruling class and their closest followers and they use them to put down malcontent and raised voices with extreme impunity. The Shogun does not rule alone however, underhim are warlords, so called Daiymos, who swear their fealty to him, even if they all have their own personal agendas.
These men and women represent the major clans of the land; The Crane, The Fox, The Pheonix, The Bear, The Snake, The Dragon, The Tiger and The Turtle. One clan still exist that has no Daiymo, the Badger Clan, but they are all but extinct, reduced into banditry and masterless Ronin.
Internally, The Shogun have spent his entire life consolidating his power, including almost wiping out one of the Major clans for opposing him. His mother, the only heir of the Pheonix clan just passed away, making him the sole heir to both her clan and his fathers Dragon clan. The iron shogun is known as extremly cold and impassionate towards his own people. During his time, people have suffered both shortage of food and decreasing health. His thirst for power knows no bound however. He raised the allready privilaged elite to even further heights, where the most loyal have been given large swathes of land both at home and in conquered territories. The code of bushido is held dearer then their own lives, Honor in Loyalty and Servitude. To live by the sword, to die by it is the greatest honor. It should be noted that withing Akira Ryus rule, female samurai are uncommon but not unheard of. Women who take the ”Top Knot” ( a hairstyle) are treated with the same respect as their male compatriots. This becouse the early stages of the war in Zei and the Shoguns own purge of the military ranks saw many male Generals and officers die. It was only after a female Tactician, the daughter of the Fox Daiymo, stepped in that the initial stage of the Invasion succeded. The shogun, impressed, allowed females into his army, breaking a long and deeply rooted tradition.They still had to pass the same training as their male counterparts. But 8 years later, there are more then a few of them. By commoners, these women are knows as Bushi-Onna.
The Empire is split up in provinces that are vassals under one of the 8 Daiymos, and a small part is inoffically under the sway of the disgraced Badger Clan.
The Clans of the Empire
Orochi (Snake Clan)
"A snake hides in the grass only to strike."
Daiymo: Haku Orochi
Muhina (Badger Clan)
"The badger bites and never give let go. And neither shall we."
Daiymo: None
Kuma (Bear Clan)
"Rend them asunder."
Daiymo; Kurihito Kuma
Tora (Tiger Clan.)
Honor trough martial provess. Glory trough servitude.
Daiymo; Akiho Tora
Hou-Ho (Pheonix Clan)
"We Die. We Rise. We will Rise again."
Daiymo; Kai Hou-Ho
Tanchōzuru. Crane Clan
"Poise, Elegance and Honor, The Crane flies above and all is beneath us."
Daiymo; Yue Ishimoto
Kame (Turtle Clan)
"We were the first. We will be the last."
Daiymo: Gin Kame
Kitsune: Fox Clan
"Wit and cunning. Guile and Intelligence. We survive, we persevere, we take what is ours."
Daiymo: Aiesha Kitsune
Ryu: Dragon clan
"The Dragons Roar makes the world kneel."
…........
The lands outside the Empire
Zei Dynasty.
"Once there stood a empire, stretching from the East to the West. We called it the Zei-Shau-Laou. It was a place of scholars and monks. Here we progressed, we improved both the soul and the material. But then the Islanders came, and scholars and monks became warriors. Pens became sword and prayer became battle cry. We, The Zei, will never fall."
Great Emperor Yu QuiLang, 5 years post invasion.
Leader: Emperor Yu QuiLang
On the Kasai continent, the main power used to be the Zei Dynasty. In some ways they still are, but they are hardpressed by the Golden Isles and their invading forces. Having lost most of their eastern coast to the invaders, with the Shoguns forces having made large inroads into the country and wrestled control of a number of stragicially important cities, among those the eastern capital of Jī Qíng. The tide has turned somewhat however, with the Western Alliance having entered the war on the Zei's side. The Wests so called iron throwers, weapons capable of shooting iron bullets at high speeds, have proven a well needed edge against the enemy.
The Zei are known for their tacticians, art and mysticism. While they possess no Yokai-born of their own, their mysticists however, know how to imbue living souls into clockwork soldiers far more sturdy then your average soldier. Other sects seem to focus on harnessing elements to forge powerfull blades and potent ammunition.
The Average Zeian is slightly taller then a Islander, with a somewhat more tanned complexion. East Zeians are very proud of their cultural heritage and have made life difficult for the occupying forces. Not everyone is a resistance member however, and there even those that have cozied up to the Shogun. Among these are the Bao Mei family, who have been made the puppets of the Tiger Clan General who took Ji Qing. Due to the prolonged occupation, Zeians have found their way to the Golden Isles. Mainly Crane territory.
The Vuc Horde.
"We are the river, we are the sea. We are the water you drink, the rain that falls upon your skin. We are the light in the sky, we are the fire in your hearth. We are the Turmoil sea and the exploding mountain top. We are Life and we are destruction. We are change and we are inevitable. We come by sea and we come by land. One millions hooves, one thusand sails.
Rattle your spears, draws your blades. Beat your shields, knock your arrows. It will not matter. The Vucca horde will ride you down. "
Leader: Wolflord B'teng.
The Vuc are nomadic people that comes from steppes farther west but who claim a territory of land that stretches from the north east coast to the borders of Western Alliance territory. The Vuc are a real threat to the Shugunates domination of the mainland as their wolf rider are the fiercest, most mobile cavalry on the continent. Even with their machines, the warmachine of the Golden Isles has problem staving off the raids on their supply lines and softer targets. And the The northern coast holds Vuxao, the capital of the Vucca horde. The Vucca may foremost be a nomadic people, but the City of Vuxao is a near inpenetrable fortress and also acts like a staging post for Vucca sea raids.
A Vuc stands generally somewhere around 5'8, regardless of gender, and built like a small ox musclewise.
Western Alliance;
The biggest thorn in the Shoguns grand plan for dominance is the western alliance. Where the Zei have the numbers to put up a pretty good fight on their own, it was western cannons and iron throwers that turned the tide. Having no lotus of their own, they have instead tamed the power of gunpowder and combustion. Their cannons are capable of bombarding with much more accurcy and range then any of the Shoguns siege engines, and their iron throwers make even a army of peasants a threat. Of course, the Shogun still has Iron samurai, whos massive armor can withstand the rudimentary firearms fairly well, and Airships who can drop fire upon entrenched cannons. If only blackpowder was the only strength of the West. But the Western Alliance is a motley crew of kingdoms and fledgling republics joining towards a common threat. The main nations are three however, strong in their own right.
Prosgard
"For the King, For the Five Cities, For Prosgard"
The head of the Alliance are the Prosgard, who pushed for its creation when the Shogun restricted trade in Zei waters. They immedietly began setting up supply routes to Zei's western theatre and supplied at first only food and materials, but would later join in with experts to traind the Zei forces in firearms. Prosgards have no Yokai-born, and hardly any mystics or magicians of note. They are very much about the science rather then the unatural.
As of the Alliance creation, Prosgard soldiers have been seen fighting, often as officers for mixed WA batallions. Some Prosgard merchants did traverse the Islands prior to the Zei invasion and many find themselves stuck on the Isles.
Daen
"The Skylord Comes and with him, the Eternal Storm"
The Daen is the WA's answer to airships. The Daen are the only people crazy enough to try and tame thunderbirds. Their riders are the terror of the sky, and a single thunderbird spell doom and destruction for a illprepared Airship. On the flipside, a Thunderbird, while a mystical beast, is still a beast. It can be killed, and training them take longer then building a airship does. The Daen have their own version of Yokai-born aswell. Their spirit touched are called ”Sky Born” as they all have a affinity for the sky. They are able to the weather with pinpoint accuracy. There religion tells about a Eternal Storm that will sweep and drown all those of wicked heart. Their god is simply called the Skylord.
The Daens skin is pale, their hair is generally red or blonde or light brown, and their eyes vary from blue to green to brown.
Belinti
"Coin is the most potent weapon, and our coffers are our armor."
The Belinti are the WA's treasurers, their warcoffin and granmasters of the coin in general. The Belinty hold most of the Green Coast, a very profitable coastal line that holds the wests biggest harbors who trade with people from all the world. Belinti is a place where cultures merge and people of all races get together. There is a saying that ”The Avarage Belintian can have any skincolor or religion, but you bet whoever he is, he did your mother twice.”
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[H2]Technology[/H1]
The Artificers;
Along with the rise of Steam and lotus powered ships, weapons and transportation, there came a need for skilled craftsmen who knew how to operate this extremely delicate technology. These are the Articifers, men and women of great dedication and skill. They practically live their entire life working on keeping the fleet afloat, the trains running and the factories going. Articifers hold status beyond that of most craftsmen as the Empire would collapse without them.
Empire Technology;
The Shogunate posses a vast array of deadly and practical creations. Chief of these are the Airships. From Vast, floating fortresses that are slowly floated trough the use of lighter gasses, massive propellers, to quick hunter vessels meant to streak across the sky. Each takes a highly trained crew and artificers to keep it running.
The IRon Samurai are the other big and uniquely Islander. A exosuit, powered by Lotus engines drive these heavily armored, lumbering sets of armored nightmare.
[H2]The Gods, Magic and Monsters of the World.[/H1]
Spirits and Monsters and those caught in between.
But there is not only the malcontent that threaten to toss the country into chaos. Monsters, so called Yokai, have begun to roam In the east. The Empress of all Serpants have come to claim back her lands from the Serpent Clan. The shoguns own home provice is tormented by the attacks of an enraged dragon that has completely ruined the countryside. Priests and Shrine Maidens do their best to exorcise spirits and demons that appear by the dozens and oracles speak about a rift between this world and the next. A rift that leaks and pollutes our world with its spirits.
Due to the this spirtitual polution, people have turned up who have a connection to the otherworld. These are called Yokai-Kin or Spirit Touched and are human, but their connection to their Clans orginal spirit is stronger then that of any normal person. Amongst the Foxes, you have people who can talk and control animals and the shogun himself is rumored to have a talent bestowed upon him by his Clans Dragon spirit.
Yokai Kin are generally treated with suspicion, especially within the cities and the Shogun himself have imposed strict rules about them, Forcing all know Yokai Kin to join the military effort. Rural provinces have more of a connection to their roots, and knows the ”Spirt Touched” for what they are; Human beings like anyone else.
Yokai:
The Yokai are spirits, often classified as either Black, White or Grey. The grey Yokai are not benevolent or malichius. They are merely beasts or manifistetions of nature and the gods whims. These are the thunder tigers, fire monkeys and Windriders and others like them. White Yokai are magnificent, friendly and woefully absent in a world choking on blood lotus fumes. Among these are the Pheonix birds the most revered. Black Yokai are the opposite of white. They are creatures born of hatred and sorrow. Many, like the Oni, have ascended from the Underworld itself, to do the bidding of the Dark Mother. These plague the Islands with terror and death, having nothing but hatred for man.
Dragons:
Dragons are ancient beings that never stop growing, they are rare and come in many shapes and forms. The Isles used to have five dragons who terrorized the peasants from time to time. But toxic skies and sludgefilled waters coupled with the rise of more advanced weapons and techniques have killed all but one of them. The biggest, most powerfull of them has risen from its slumber after Dark Mother Cultists attacked it, drawing it's ire. Great Kuja is a massive creature, and as to date, nobody knows how to stop him.
The Faith and The Gods of the Golden Isles:
There are always religion where there is people. Dogma and rules governed by a alleged unseen, divine hand. The difference here is that remnants of the actual Gods can still be seen, the spawns of the Dark Mother actually roams the surface. The main religion of the Isles is not one of exclusion, their myths are vague when it comes to the outside world and so it's followers consider other peoples gods just as authentic, if not as powerfull as their own.
There is a myriad of spiritual beings worshipped as gods on the Golden Isles, most of these are merely powerful, slumbering Yokai. There is a notion of a underworld or hell, called Yomi. It is where one of the major three now resides. But there a few beings who are considered actual gods, who have no been seen since the stories of old. Among these, three stand out the most. Ishi, the First Born. Izanami, The Dark Mother. And Yoko, The Lady.
Ishi
Izanami
Yoko
Other Notable Dieties are Hachi-Man, The God Of War, Enma-O The judge of the dead and the Thunder and Lightning twins; Fujin and Rajin.
Outsider gods and Mysticism.
Daen Shamanism
There are a myriad of other gods out there, real or not is anyones guest. The on that is meantioned the most is the Daen god of thunder, Hogard or "Sky Lord". You can even find a small shrine to him next to Raijins in the capital, as he is the only god to really impress the Empires many priestesses and monks. The Daens ”Sky Born” are said to be of his blood.
Zaen Mysticicsm.
Zaen believes in a pantheon of their own Gods. Among these Shang-Ti is the greatest, he is also known as Tian. He is believed to be the supreme god, and Zian scholars have argued that he was ”The Universe” that the Islanders god Ian was created by. Regardless, Zian have a long standing tradition of adapting and creating new gods, and their religion is hard to get a grasp of. Many local dieties have temples only in the one village.
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