The Yuyan Dominion
The Yuyan Dominion, more often simply referred to as Yuyan, is an empire located in the north-east of Kashura. Established around 300 pSF, following the Shijan Taijin, “The Age of Culling”, Yuyan emerged as the dominant power in the Kawa Basin, and over the following decades expanded quickly into the surrounding lands. Ever since then The Yuyan Dominion has found itself in a slow, but steady process of expansion, seemingly always at war or in negotiations with one of its neighbors on its evershifting borders, though never committing to a fight they could not win.
Through its countless wars, The Yuyan Dominion has not only gained territory and prestige, but also numerous tributaries and vassal states, making it the undisputed dominant power of western Kashura, perhaps even all of Kashura. Many claim that The ever victorious Armies will not cease until the entire world is united under the imperial throne of Yuyan, though for now their focus seems to lie on the west where after their last conquests of The Living Plains the eye of the emperor has turned to The Sea of Ganpung and The Great Lu-Shin Forest. The State Religion of The Yuyan Dominion is Yuma or “The Dream”, though the majority of its population, especially in and around the borderlands still follow The Idanasha, nature spirits and gods which The Wildkin of this region have venerated since time immemorial.
Furthermore, while Yuyan does not control their territories directly, it nonetheless counts the states of Tanasi, Shizumi and Tang among its subjects, and holds some sway over the sparsely populated Hisame region of Yamato, its sphere of influence extending from The Boreas Highlands to The Sea of Ganpung.
To fail to acknowledge the presence of The Emperor/Empress is a grave offense which carries hefty penalties, while being allowed to lay eyes upon their unmasked form is a privilege reserved for only the most faithful servants of the empire.
Besides his name and sex little else is known about Emperor Shou Jin Yu, the current ruler of The Yuyan Dominion, and even those things might be ploys aimed at protecting the rulers true identity.
The first nation fell, though how and why remains a mystery, and in its place emerged countless small, regional clans and kingdoms, fighting each other over whatever territory they could carve out of this once great nation. Such was the state of Soukoku for as long as anyone alive or dead could remember really. A time of instability and war, where lands and people could switched owners in weeks, a time of uncertainty and death, referred to by the people of Yuyan as Shijan Taijin or “The Age of Culling”, lasting from around 800 pSF until the rise of Yuyan around 300 pSF. Little remains in terms of written records about this time, as 500 years of raiding, war and unrest aren’t exactly conducive to the survival of such, though many great hymns, poems, legends and stories survived through oral tradition.
The Age of Culling only ended with the rise of The Yuyan Dominion, having made itself the dominant power in the region by subjugating or eradicating all its rivals, a slow and arduous process, though this prepared the dominion for the times to come. Yuyan’s rise to power was not as rapid as that of The Morya Sultanate, but neither did it have to suffer the growing pains which the sultanate now faces. Yuyan expanded and assimilated at a slow and steady pace, making its neighbors bow voluntarily or by the sword, unnoticed despite its immense power by all except for its direct neighbors. If asked, most people in eastern Kashura would likely not even know the name of The Yuyan Dominion, let alone where it was located on a map, and many would find the thought of some sort of great empire they never even heard of only a few hundred miles away ludicrous even then.
In more recent events, Yuyan has spent the last few decades fighting and subjugating the Ulai plainspeople, inhabitants of The Living Plains, a long and bloody series of campaigns, further prolonged by the tin shortages resulting from the collapse of the trading networks of The Shattered Sea. In the end though, The ever victorious Armies stayed true to their name, and brought the Ulai to heel.
This is usually quite the prolonged and violent process, as eradicating things from an entire culture's consciousness is no easy feat, though it serves as yet another incentive for Yuyan’s neighbors to go the diplomatic route and willingly submit to their masters to be. Those that serve willingly have the privilege of keeping their cultural identity after all.
Contrary to popular belief though, being above or below someone in this system does not mean to be lesser or more. Depending on one’s place in the hierarchy, everyone has duties which they are expected to fulfill. Those below are generally expected to serve faithfully and without question. Meanwhile those above are expected to command and to lead, though also to care for and protect those below them.
Failure to fulfill one’s duties is seen as a great mark of shame for both high and low, and many willingly lower themselves or even kill themselves to repent for their crime against Dao-Lu, The Order. To do so they usually need permission from one of their highers though, for to end their service prematurely while they might still have need of them would bring even greater shame.
Such is Yuyan society regulated, that everyone has a place in the world, and someone to provide guidance and order to their life and troubled heart. Only thus can perfect harmony be achieved, in a perfect society where none are forgotten.
Only one, The Emperor/Empress of The Yuyan Dominion is without direct guidance safe for The Dream itself, and as such they must be the wisest and most capable of all.
For the lowborn to speak in the presence of the highborn without express permission is tantamount to betrayal, and being allowed to do so is generally viewed as a great honor. Presuming that they are even capable of it, as within the Yuyan Dominion the Languages used by high and low are different. Zenshi, the language of the highborn, is said to be the language of dreams, more suited to discussion of abstracts, art and the immaterial, while Kotoba, the language of the lowborn is more concerned with describing the physical and worldly.
The Lowborn may not directly gaze upon the form of the highborn and to fail to avert one’s eyes in time is considered shameful. In an effort to protect their subjects from such shame, the highborn of Yuyan have taken to covering themselves with long robes,cloaks, masks and veils. This fashion trend also serves as a further method of delineation between the different ranking highborn. While a lowly baron may simply wear a wooden mask together with his regular attire, the matriarch of a great clan, ruler over a great province or member of the imperial court would be covered from head to toe in several layers of silk.
Notable exceptions include religions of people’s and states that refused to bend the knee to Yuyan, as their sacred texts, stories and places of worship are struck from the records of history, as well as The Aastha Abayadi, Tiamat, The Ashen lord, The Rhus and The Yazatavi.
No surprise then that Bards, or Songweavers as they are referred to in Soukoku, are greatly revered here. It is believed that the first bards came from this region, and subsequently spread their arts, along with their stories, to the rest of the continent.
Rumors however claim this to be a measure of security and surveillance, enabling the imperial court to be aware and keep an eye on any individuals that even potentially may pose a threat to imperial rule, and to prevent the formation of any possible private armies within its borders.
A Writ of Service may be attained at an imperial registration office in any of the major cities after taking an extensive questionnaire, performing some basic tests to prove one’s actual skill and swearing a teensy tiny oath:
“I [insert full name here] hereby solemnly swear upon my honor, life and soul to never direct harm towards [insert name of current Emperor/Empress], to respect their agents and representatives in their role and authority, to aid none that would aim at the usurpation or fall of Yuyan and not seek to harm its people or deceive them in my capacity granted to me through this oath.”
Being caught breaking this oath is of course punishable by death, and being caught adventuring or… mercenary-ing? without a writ can carry a hefty prison sentence. Now many people in need will most likely not care about whether or not the person they hire has been approved by the imperial court, and if you save a person from danger you will most certainly not hear them reporting to their local imperial bureau… but do you really want to take that chance?
The Writ and oath both expire with the death of the current ruler of Yuyan, so if you really wanna start a revolt or scam the people you now can, though if you wanna keep working as an adventurer/Mercenary you will have to re-swear the oath.
Senlin - is located upstream of the capital on The Begarit River and is one of Yuyans main sources of lumber. In the distant past, Senlin served as a barrier to the hostile tribes of Begarit (see: Soukoku ) and the clans that now make up the realm of Shizumi. Ever since their pacification though, Senlin has grown into a haven for traders and craftsmen, sporting a population of about 25.000 people, most of which are of The Wildkin Strain.
Yaolan - is by some estimates the oldest settlement in all of Soukoku, with the oldest structures in the city allegedly dating back to well over 1000 years ago. It was and still remains a vital center of faith for the indigenous Idanasha religion, which has been practiced in Soukoku since time immemorial. Many great temples dedicated to some of the major Idanasha are located here, the most notable of which is probably The All-seeing Hitotsume. Besides that, Yaolan is also a major stop for travelers and merchants from Shizumi, which has allowed its population to swell to well above 35.000 people in the past decades. Tobushi - is one of the many frontier cities of Yuyan. Located in the riverlands below The Great Heights of Begarit on The Begarit River, Tobushi was built upon the burned ruins of Zukuru, the greatest settlement of The Begarit Tribes before their… pacification. The Begarit now make up the bulk of Tobushi’s population of around 7000 people, though besides the name of their people they remember little of the times before the Yuyan. Nowadays Tobushi is mostly known for its lumber, tin and amber industries. Amber specifically is something that has made Tobushi a recognized name even outside Soukoku, as the deposits found here are some of the most abundant and high quality on the continent. Suyin - marks the border between The Yuyan Dominion and Shizumi, one of its vassal states. Located in the southern parts of The Hoboku Karsts and on the shores of Mien Lake, Suyin is uniquely situated to take advantage of the trade networks in the region, as almost all trade that flows between Yuyan and Shizumi must eventually cross through its port. Add to that a decently defensible position, and disproportionally high presence of guards and militiamen, and Suyin serves as a stark reminder to the great clans of Shizumi that should they ever get ideas, the armies of Yuyan are not far away. As of 32 SF, Suyin sports a population of roughly 18.000 people, most of which are members of The Wildkin Strain. Ghinzu - together with Jangshu and Zhenshen makes up the three major cities in the province of Yujin, which encompasses large parts of The Yujin Karsts and The Kawa River. The province is ruled by Clan Turang, one of the first and most loyal clans which swore allegiance to The Yu Dynasty, hence why they got to keep their holdings. Ghinzu is the main seat of Clan Turang and is among other things Yuyans largest producer of alcohol. As of 32 SF, around 55.000 people call Ghinzu their home or at least live on one of the countless farms in its immediate vicinity.
Jangshu - is considered one of Yuyan’s predominant producers of jewelry and other luxury goods. Jangshu craftsmen specialize in Jade and silverwork, as both of those are abundant in the region and steadily procured through one of Clan Turangs countless mining operations. As of 32 SF, Jangshu is home to around 16.000 people, most of which are Wildkin, though there is also a sizable minority of Hominids.
Zhenshen - is one of Yuyans major mining cities, and it is here where a sizable amount of the empire’s Jade and Silver are dug out of the ground. Jade especially is highly valued in Yuyan, as it is believed to hold special connections to the world of spirits in the Idanasha faith. As of 32 SF, around 10.000 people call Zhenshen their home, around 500 of which are prison laborers used in the mines. Nishin - together with Yosai is one of the two fortress cities along The Kawa River where it separates The Living Plains in the west from the north of Soukoku in the east. Nishin is without a doubt the older settlement of the two though, having existed well before Yuyan ever took control of the area. The two cities used to serve as a refuge for travelers and peasants to take refuge from the regular raids of The Ulai Plainspeople, though since their fall at the hands of the Yuyan this has become less of a necessity. With people feeling safer settling down farther away from the cities, the overall population has risen, while the cities themselves slightly shrunk. Nishin at least has the benefit of being a major trade port for merchants from the Yamato region, sporting a population of roughly 25.000 people, most of which are Wildkin.
Yosai - on the other hand has shrunk substantially since the fall of the Ulai, with a population slightly below 5.000. Nowadays it mostly serves as a garrison and military supply post, or as a stop for those that want to take the journey across The Living Plains, as Yosai was constructed at the most easily crossed section of The Kawa River. Atara - is a settlement located in northern Soukoku, on the banks of a small lake by the same name. Out of the way of most travelers and with no special places or resources nearby, the region remains relatively isolated, despite no real natural barriers separating it from the outside world. The few visitors the settlement of a little over 2.000 people gets every year report nothing except a perfectly unremarkable fishing town. The community there seems to be dedicated to The Fathomless Atar, one of The Idanasha, a deity of water and fishing it seems. When The Yuyan Dominion came knocking on their proverbial door, the people of Atara made it clear that they had no intention to fight, they would serve the emperor and the law if they would be allowed to follow their own ways. All things considered one of the least eventful chapters in the Yuyan conquests, and yet despite that strange rumors about that place seem to be in circulation, whispered in backstreets and behind closed doors to those that would seek them out and listen. They speak of a bottomless lake, realm of The Deep One, and the cult it has amassed around it. Kohan - together with Omori, Senshin and Toboe are the four major cities which used to mark the territories of The Oyagi Clan, one of the major clans that used to oppose Yuyan in its earlier years. Their opposition ultimately could not stand up to The ever victorious armies, yet it was violent enough for the Yuyan to give no quarter. The high families of the clan were killed to every last man, woman and child, along with most of their warriors, scholars and priests, their idols destroyed, their temples turned to rubble until next to nothing of their old heritage remained. The Oyagi territories were then directly incorporated into the state of Yuyan, their remaining people assimilated, and have remained so until today. The Oyagi territories are one of the most brutal examples of how ruthless the Yuyan can really be, and serve to remind both their vassals and foes of the price of opposing The Yuyan Dominion. Kohan itself is home to the greatest blacksmiths and masons the Oyagi have to offer, their techniques are old but refined, and they are sought out and employed by people all over The Yuyan Dominion. As of 32 SF Kohan has a population of around 8.000 people, most of which are of Wildkin descent, though there is also a sizable Draconid minority.
Omori - used to be the capital of The Oyagi Clan, and also the place where their biggest temples dedicated to their patron gods used to be located. Alas, The Evanescent Yokuna did not come to their aid, or was powerless to do so, and as such little remains today of the once great city hidden within The Torikami Forest. A small community of perhaps 1.000 people, only visited by those that wish to cross the distance between Soukoku and Yamato. It is said that going a small distance outside Omori, one can still find the charred remains of the old city, if one knows where to look.
Senshin - is now the de-facto capital from which Oyagi province is administered. It is governed by a distant branch of The Yu Dynasty, home to around 12.000 people, most of which are Wildkin. Senshin is most likely the northernmost settlement that most people of Yuyan will ever see, as visiting the cities of The Yamato Region would require crossing through the treacherous terrain of The Torikami Forest, a journey even most Yuyan soldiers and Tax collectors only undertake reluctantly. As such, Senshin is the main stop for merchants and travelers looking for wares of “northern craftsmanship”.
Toboe - is the northernmost major settlement of Yuyan, and marks its border with one of its major tributaries, the enlightened republic of Tang. To its west lies The Tomai Pass, one of the only ways of crossing the distance between the two by land, at least without trekking over literal mountains, a prospect most tax collectors and travelers would much rather avoid. It is from here that Yuyan projects its military might into the Yamato region, ensuring that its many northern tributaries don’t accidentally “forget” to make their payments. As of 32 SF, Toboe is home to roughly 7.000 people, over a thousand of which are soldiers. Yamatano - is the lone settlement of Yamatai valley, a fertile but isolated valley surrounded by mountains on the northern shores of Yamatai Lake. Supposedly long uninhabited due to its extremely remote location, the valley was first settled by several Draconid tribes a few hundred years after The Devastation of Dracoris. They still worship the gods of The Ruumush Amat even today, mostly focusing on Neneth and Samaron while entirely excluding Tiamat, though they have also taken to worshiping someone they refer to as Nagar The Fatebinder. Most presume this to be another if The Idanasha, the patron deity of Yamatai Lake perhaps? They also no longer adhere to the practices of The Code of Flesh, viewing the concept of cannibalizing their own as a vile and profane act, and the very reason the old empire fell. As of 32 SF, Yamatano is home to around 10.000 people, the vast majority of which are members of The Draconid Strain, though some Wildkin have snuck into the mix over the centuries. The Draconids of Yamatano still remember the old ways of their craftsmen and artisans and produce works in their style, which seem strange and exotic to the people of Yuyan, and fetch a high price even if just as a novelty. Ulanbataar - together with Khilganbataar, Khuranbataar and Noganbataar are the four major forts of The Ulai, the people of The Living Plains. In the Yarian Language, the tongue of the Ulai, Bataar means “home of my ancestors”, signifying that the Ulai value these places as more than just places to live, but as holy sanctuaries with a deep spirituality to them. They practice a form of ancestor worship known as Ankhi Udam or “The First Lineage”, and have protected these sites to the last man woman and child on more than one occasion, through ensuring that no bould would never be spilt inside the walls. Rather than sacking these places, the generals of The ever victorious Armies saw this as an opportunity to bring The Ulai to heel without further bloodshed, promising to let them continue practicing their faith in exchange for subservience. Destroying even one of these sites would have likely meant that Yuyan would have had to hunt down and kill every last one of the Ulai, so instead they “held them hostage” so to speak, and the rest is history.
The Ulai are a nomadic people, so it might come as a surprise that they even have cities, though in reality only a few hundred or at most thousand people would live there permanently all year round at any given time: priests, the elderly, the infirm and those seeking refuge, as no blood may be spilt inside the walls. The clans only visit occasionally, either for feasts, celebrations, marriages or to lay the dead to rest. Ulanbataar is the largest of the four by a wide margin, and even it only sports a permanent population of slightly over 2.000 people.
Through its countless wars, The Yuyan Dominion has not only gained territory and prestige, but also numerous tributaries and vassal states, making it the undisputed dominant power of western Kashura, perhaps even all of Kashura. Many claim that The ever victorious Armies will not cease until the entire world is united under the imperial throne of Yuyan, though for now their focus seems to lie on the west where after their last conquests of The Living Plains the eye of the emperor has turned to The Sea of Ganpung and The Great Lu-Shin Forest. The State Religion of The Yuyan Dominion is Yuma or “The Dream”, though the majority of its population, especially in and around the borderlands still follow The Idanasha, nature spirits and gods which The Wildkin of this region have venerated since time immemorial.
Territory:
The Territories of Yuyan itself are focused around The Kawa Basin, The Yuyan River and its numerous tributaries. Stretching from Daishan in the south-east all the way to Toboe in The Shashan Mountains to the north, this river network encompasses the bulk of Yuyans population. Beyond that, Yuyan controls parts of The Hutan Forest along The Begarit River, The Mori Karsts, The Hoboku Karsts and The Living Plains, the final being a rather new addition to The Yuyan Dominions direct territories. While the plan was originally to simply let the Ulai Plainspeople govern themselves following their subjugation, pacifying them proved to be such an endeavor that anything but total assimilation is now out of the question. As such, the western borders of Yuyan now extend as far as Khilganbataar, opening up new avenues of expansion into The Great Lu-Shin Forest and The Sea of Ganpung.Furthermore, while Yuyan does not control their territories directly, it nonetheless counts the states of Tanasi, Shizumi and Tang among its subjects, and holds some sway over the sparsely populated Hisame region of Yamato, its sphere of influence extending from The Boreas Highlands to The Sea of Ganpung.
Government:
The Throne of Yuyan has been in the hands of The Yu Dynasty ever since its founding over 300 years ago, though to outsiders little else is known about the inner workings of the imperial government, most likely by design. The Emperor/Empress rules from Shaoshen, though they are rarely seen outside the palace, and never without a mask or veil to hide their appearance, and a retinue to both protect them and announce their presence.To fail to acknowledge the presence of The Emperor/Empress is a grave offense which carries hefty penalties, while being allowed to lay eyes upon their unmasked form is a privilege reserved for only the most faithful servants of the empire.
Besides his name and sex little else is known about Emperor Shou Jin Yu, the current ruler of The Yuyan Dominion, and even those things might be ploys aimed at protecting the rulers true identity.
History:
Little is known about the history of the lands known as Soukoku during the age of myth, and as such, the origins of the culture and people that inhabit these lands are a matter of much debate. The first written records in the region allegedly date back to a time well over 1000 years ago, and tell stories of a once great and unified state, which extended from the the heart of The Great Lu-Shin Forest to The Auroras in Griselderyn. Neither the name of the state itself, nor of any of its rulers have ever been discovered, yet the scholars of the imperial court have taken to calling it Shouxian or “the first nation”.The first nation fell, though how and why remains a mystery, and in its place emerged countless small, regional clans and kingdoms, fighting each other over whatever territory they could carve out of this once great nation. Such was the state of Soukoku for as long as anyone alive or dead could remember really. A time of instability and war, where lands and people could switched owners in weeks, a time of uncertainty and death, referred to by the people of Yuyan as Shijan Taijin or “The Age of Culling”, lasting from around 800 pSF until the rise of Yuyan around 300 pSF. Little remains in terms of written records about this time, as 500 years of raiding, war and unrest aren’t exactly conducive to the survival of such, though many great hymns, poems, legends and stories survived through oral tradition.
The Age of Culling only ended with the rise of The Yuyan Dominion, having made itself the dominant power in the region by subjugating or eradicating all its rivals, a slow and arduous process, though this prepared the dominion for the times to come. Yuyan’s rise to power was not as rapid as that of The Morya Sultanate, but neither did it have to suffer the growing pains which the sultanate now faces. Yuyan expanded and assimilated at a slow and steady pace, making its neighbors bow voluntarily or by the sword, unnoticed despite its immense power by all except for its direct neighbors. If asked, most people in eastern Kashura would likely not even know the name of The Yuyan Dominion, let alone where it was located on a map, and many would find the thought of some sort of great empire they never even heard of only a few hundred miles away ludicrous even then.
In more recent events, Yuyan has spent the last few decades fighting and subjugating the Ulai plainspeople, inhabitants of The Living Plains, a long and bloody series of campaigns, further prolonged by the tin shortages resulting from the collapse of the trading networks of The Shattered Sea. In the end though, The ever victorious Armies stayed true to their name, and brought the Ulai to heel.
Culture & Society:
More than anything else, The Yuyan Dominion is concerned with maintaining a harmonious, strict and unified social order, for as long as there is harmony at home, the armies can march without worry for their homes.Total Conquest:
When the Yuyan conquer a place they do not just enforce their law, but stamp out and replace any cultural practices and traditions not compatible with their own, until the conquered sufficiently resembles the conqueror.This is usually quite the prolonged and violent process, as eradicating things from an entire culture's consciousness is no easy feat, though it serves as yet another incentive for Yuyan’s neighbors to go the diplomatic route and willingly submit to their masters to be. Those that serve willingly have the privilege of keeping their cultural identity after all.
Dao-Lu, The Order:
In few other places in the world is society so stringently ordered by hierarchy as in Yuyan. No matter the situation or context, every social interaction no matter how trivial, is subject to such hierarchy. Among the Yuyan there is no such thing as an equal, others are either above or below you, and countless social norms, traditions and laws dictate which is which to whom, and in what ways they are allowed to interact with one another, if at all.Contrary to popular belief though, being above or below someone in this system does not mean to be lesser or more. Depending on one’s place in the hierarchy, everyone has duties which they are expected to fulfill. Those below are generally expected to serve faithfully and without question. Meanwhile those above are expected to command and to lead, though also to care for and protect those below them.
Failure to fulfill one’s duties is seen as a great mark of shame for both high and low, and many willingly lower themselves or even kill themselves to repent for their crime against Dao-Lu, The Order. To do so they usually need permission from one of their highers though, for to end their service prematurely while they might still have need of them would bring even greater shame.
Such is Yuyan society regulated, that everyone has a place in the world, and someone to provide guidance and order to their life and troubled heart. Only thus can perfect harmony be achieved, in a perfect society where none are forgotten.
Only one, The Emperor/Empress of The Yuyan Dominion is without direct guidance safe for The Dream itself, and as such they must be the wisest and most capable of all.
High and Low:
While there are plenty of differences between the lives that the high and lowborn lead in most parts of the world, there is perhaps no place in the world outside Yuyan where the two are so clearly separated. Customs, Dress, Names, and even the language itself serves to separate the high and lowborn from each other, so that all may know their place, and more easily know how to act:For the lowborn to speak in the presence of the highborn without express permission is tantamount to betrayal, and being allowed to do so is generally viewed as a great honor. Presuming that they are even capable of it, as within the Yuyan Dominion the Languages used by high and low are different. Zenshi, the language of the highborn, is said to be the language of dreams, more suited to discussion of abstracts, art and the immaterial, while Kotoba, the language of the lowborn is more concerned with describing the physical and worldly.
The Lowborn may not directly gaze upon the form of the highborn and to fail to avert one’s eyes in time is considered shameful. In an effort to protect their subjects from such shame, the highborn of Yuyan have taken to covering themselves with long robes,cloaks, masks and veils. This fashion trend also serves as a further method of delineation between the different ranking highborn. While a lowly baron may simply wear a wooden mask together with his regular attire, the matriarch of a great clan, ruler over a great province or member of the imperial court would be covered from head to toe in several layers of silk.
Religion:
The State religion of The Yuyan Dominion is Yuma, more commonly referred to as “The Dream”, though religious freedom still exists to a certain degree for the people living in it. While some tweaks to doctrine are sometimes necessary, many other religions do not contradict the claims of The Dream, and as such their practice is allowed, so long as no laws are broken by it.Notable exceptions include religions of people’s and states that refused to bend the knee to Yuyan, as their sacred texts, stories and places of worship are struck from the records of history, as well as The Aastha Abayadi, Tiamat, The Ashen lord, The Rhus and The Yazatavi.
Land of Song and Stories:
The Yuyan Dominion, like the other states that call Soukoku their homeland, are known to hold a long tradition of song and storytelling. Since time immemorial the people of these lands recorded their history not by dedicating them to papyrus, parchment, wood or stone, but through remembrance in Songs and Stories. Believing that sound and the voice itself holds some indescribable quality or power which is lost upon transferring them to the physical, this tradition has held strong, so strong in fact that until 500 years ago, there existed no codified writing systems in the region.No surprise then that Bards, or Songweavers as they are referred to in Soukoku, are greatly revered here. It is believed that the first bards came from this region, and subsequently spread their arts, along with their stories, to the rest of the continent.
Laws & Institution:
The Laws around Kashura generally don’t vary all that much from one another, murder and theft is pretty much illegal everywhere for instance, this section will therefore focus only on the noteworthy:Harsh Punishments:
The Yuyan Dominion is strict with its laws and even more strict with their enforcement. Even relatively minor crimes carry hefty prison sentences and corporal punishments, and care nothing for age, sex or status.Slavery:
Depending on who you ask, slavery has either been completely eradicated within The Yuyan Dominion, or has been expanded to every aspect and walk of life. While it is not possible to buy or sell people within the borders of Yuyan, the strict adherence to their hierarchical social structures in practice means that most common folk are slaves or servants to someone.Mercenaries and Adventuring:
To be allowed to work as a Mercenary or adventurer in Yuyan, one must first obtain an Imperial Writ of Service, a legal document proving one’s competence and trustworthiness in fulfilling the task one is entrusted with. Officially this is considered a service the state provides for its people, ensuring that even people not affiliated with it can be trusted to be what they claim to be, and do not scam unsuspecting people in need.Rumors however claim this to be a measure of security and surveillance, enabling the imperial court to be aware and keep an eye on any individuals that even potentially may pose a threat to imperial rule, and to prevent the formation of any possible private armies within its borders.
A Writ of Service may be attained at an imperial registration office in any of the major cities after taking an extensive questionnaire, performing some basic tests to prove one’s actual skill and swearing a teensy tiny oath:
“I [insert full name here] hereby solemnly swear upon my honor, life and soul to never direct harm towards [insert name of current Emperor/Empress], to respect their agents and representatives in their role and authority, to aid none that would aim at the usurpation or fall of Yuyan and not seek to harm its people or deceive them in my capacity granted to me through this oath.”
Being caught breaking this oath is of course punishable by death, and being caught adventuring or… mercenary-ing? without a writ can carry a hefty prison sentence. Now many people in need will most likely not care about whether or not the person they hire has been approved by the imperial court, and if you save a person from danger you will most certainly not hear them reporting to their local imperial bureau… but do you really want to take that chance?
The Writ and oath both expire with the death of the current ruler of Yuyan, so if you really wanna start a revolt or scam the people you now can, though if you wanna keep working as an adventurer/Mercenary you will have to re-swear the oath.
Major Settlements:
Shaoshen - The capital of The Yuyan Dominion and by no small margin the most populated city in the world, housing around 150.000 people, the majority of which are wildkin. Shaoshen, which simply translates to “The Great City” in Zenshi is located in the center of The Soukoku Basin on the northern banks of The Yuyan River. With all resources it could possibly need not far from it’s walls, some of the most fertile soil on the continent and an entire empire’s worth of cities to send trade and tributes downstream the vast river networks of Soukoku, it should come as little surprise that Shaoshen is as big as it is. As the capital, Shaoshen serves as both the cultural and administrative center of The Yuyan, and besides the fortress city of Daishan is the first real glance that travelers from the east get of the true splendor of The Yuyan. Daishan - together with Senlin and Yaolan makes up what is considered to be the heartland of The Yuyan Dominion. Daishan is the smallest of the three with a population of about 10.000 and is located downstream of the capital. The city is also known as The Gate, for it is through here that most travelers must pass to enter or leave The Yuyan Dominion as Daishan marks the westernmost reach of The Empire.Senlin - is located upstream of the capital on The Begarit River and is one of Yuyans main sources of lumber. In the distant past, Senlin served as a barrier to the hostile tribes of Begarit (see: Soukoku ) and the clans that now make up the realm of Shizumi. Ever since their pacification though, Senlin has grown into a haven for traders and craftsmen, sporting a population of about 25.000 people, most of which are of The Wildkin Strain.
Yaolan - is by some estimates the oldest settlement in all of Soukoku, with the oldest structures in the city allegedly dating back to well over 1000 years ago. It was and still remains a vital center of faith for the indigenous Idanasha religion, which has been practiced in Soukoku since time immemorial. Many great temples dedicated to some of the major Idanasha are located here, the most notable of which is probably The All-seeing Hitotsume. Besides that, Yaolan is also a major stop for travelers and merchants from Shizumi, which has allowed its population to swell to well above 35.000 people in the past decades. Tobushi - is one of the many frontier cities of Yuyan. Located in the riverlands below The Great Heights of Begarit on The Begarit River, Tobushi was built upon the burned ruins of Zukuru, the greatest settlement of The Begarit Tribes before their… pacification. The Begarit now make up the bulk of Tobushi’s population of around 7000 people, though besides the name of their people they remember little of the times before the Yuyan. Nowadays Tobushi is mostly known for its lumber, tin and amber industries. Amber specifically is something that has made Tobushi a recognized name even outside Soukoku, as the deposits found here are some of the most abundant and high quality on the continent. Suyin - marks the border between The Yuyan Dominion and Shizumi, one of its vassal states. Located in the southern parts of The Hoboku Karsts and on the shores of Mien Lake, Suyin is uniquely situated to take advantage of the trade networks in the region, as almost all trade that flows between Yuyan and Shizumi must eventually cross through its port. Add to that a decently defensible position, and disproportionally high presence of guards and militiamen, and Suyin serves as a stark reminder to the great clans of Shizumi that should they ever get ideas, the armies of Yuyan are not far away. As of 32 SF, Suyin sports a population of roughly 18.000 people, most of which are members of The Wildkin Strain. Ghinzu - together with Jangshu and Zhenshen makes up the three major cities in the province of Yujin, which encompasses large parts of The Yujin Karsts and The Kawa River. The province is ruled by Clan Turang, one of the first and most loyal clans which swore allegiance to The Yu Dynasty, hence why they got to keep their holdings. Ghinzu is the main seat of Clan Turang and is among other things Yuyans largest producer of alcohol. As of 32 SF, around 55.000 people call Ghinzu their home or at least live on one of the countless farms in its immediate vicinity.
Jangshu - is considered one of Yuyan’s predominant producers of jewelry and other luxury goods. Jangshu craftsmen specialize in Jade and silverwork, as both of those are abundant in the region and steadily procured through one of Clan Turangs countless mining operations. As of 32 SF, Jangshu is home to around 16.000 people, most of which are Wildkin, though there is also a sizable minority of Hominids.
Zhenshen - is one of Yuyans major mining cities, and it is here where a sizable amount of the empire’s Jade and Silver are dug out of the ground. Jade especially is highly valued in Yuyan, as it is believed to hold special connections to the world of spirits in the Idanasha faith. As of 32 SF, around 10.000 people call Zhenshen their home, around 500 of which are prison laborers used in the mines. Nishin - together with Yosai is one of the two fortress cities along The Kawa River where it separates The Living Plains in the west from the north of Soukoku in the east. Nishin is without a doubt the older settlement of the two though, having existed well before Yuyan ever took control of the area. The two cities used to serve as a refuge for travelers and peasants to take refuge from the regular raids of The Ulai Plainspeople, though since their fall at the hands of the Yuyan this has become less of a necessity. With people feeling safer settling down farther away from the cities, the overall population has risen, while the cities themselves slightly shrunk. Nishin at least has the benefit of being a major trade port for merchants from the Yamato region, sporting a population of roughly 25.000 people, most of which are Wildkin.
Yosai - on the other hand has shrunk substantially since the fall of the Ulai, with a population slightly below 5.000. Nowadays it mostly serves as a garrison and military supply post, or as a stop for those that want to take the journey across The Living Plains, as Yosai was constructed at the most easily crossed section of The Kawa River. Atara - is a settlement located in northern Soukoku, on the banks of a small lake by the same name. Out of the way of most travelers and with no special places or resources nearby, the region remains relatively isolated, despite no real natural barriers separating it from the outside world. The few visitors the settlement of a little over 2.000 people gets every year report nothing except a perfectly unremarkable fishing town. The community there seems to be dedicated to The Fathomless Atar, one of The Idanasha, a deity of water and fishing it seems. When The Yuyan Dominion came knocking on their proverbial door, the people of Atara made it clear that they had no intention to fight, they would serve the emperor and the law if they would be allowed to follow their own ways. All things considered one of the least eventful chapters in the Yuyan conquests, and yet despite that strange rumors about that place seem to be in circulation, whispered in backstreets and behind closed doors to those that would seek them out and listen. They speak of a bottomless lake, realm of The Deep One, and the cult it has amassed around it. Kohan - together with Omori, Senshin and Toboe are the four major cities which used to mark the territories of The Oyagi Clan, one of the major clans that used to oppose Yuyan in its earlier years. Their opposition ultimately could not stand up to The ever victorious armies, yet it was violent enough for the Yuyan to give no quarter. The high families of the clan were killed to every last man, woman and child, along with most of their warriors, scholars and priests, their idols destroyed, their temples turned to rubble until next to nothing of their old heritage remained. The Oyagi territories were then directly incorporated into the state of Yuyan, their remaining people assimilated, and have remained so until today. The Oyagi territories are one of the most brutal examples of how ruthless the Yuyan can really be, and serve to remind both their vassals and foes of the price of opposing The Yuyan Dominion. Kohan itself is home to the greatest blacksmiths and masons the Oyagi have to offer, their techniques are old but refined, and they are sought out and employed by people all over The Yuyan Dominion. As of 32 SF Kohan has a population of around 8.000 people, most of which are of Wildkin descent, though there is also a sizable Draconid minority.
Omori - used to be the capital of The Oyagi Clan, and also the place where their biggest temples dedicated to their patron gods used to be located. Alas, The Evanescent Yokuna did not come to their aid, or was powerless to do so, and as such little remains today of the once great city hidden within The Torikami Forest. A small community of perhaps 1.000 people, only visited by those that wish to cross the distance between Soukoku and Yamato. It is said that going a small distance outside Omori, one can still find the charred remains of the old city, if one knows where to look.
Senshin - is now the de-facto capital from which Oyagi province is administered. It is governed by a distant branch of The Yu Dynasty, home to around 12.000 people, most of which are Wildkin. Senshin is most likely the northernmost settlement that most people of Yuyan will ever see, as visiting the cities of The Yamato Region would require crossing through the treacherous terrain of The Torikami Forest, a journey even most Yuyan soldiers and Tax collectors only undertake reluctantly. As such, Senshin is the main stop for merchants and travelers looking for wares of “northern craftsmanship”.
Toboe - is the northernmost major settlement of Yuyan, and marks its border with one of its major tributaries, the enlightened republic of Tang. To its west lies The Tomai Pass, one of the only ways of crossing the distance between the two by land, at least without trekking over literal mountains, a prospect most tax collectors and travelers would much rather avoid. It is from here that Yuyan projects its military might into the Yamato region, ensuring that its many northern tributaries don’t accidentally “forget” to make their payments. As of 32 SF, Toboe is home to roughly 7.000 people, over a thousand of which are soldiers. Yamatano - is the lone settlement of Yamatai valley, a fertile but isolated valley surrounded by mountains on the northern shores of Yamatai Lake. Supposedly long uninhabited due to its extremely remote location, the valley was first settled by several Draconid tribes a few hundred years after The Devastation of Dracoris. They still worship the gods of The Ruumush Amat even today, mostly focusing on Neneth and Samaron while entirely excluding Tiamat, though they have also taken to worshiping someone they refer to as Nagar The Fatebinder. Most presume this to be another if The Idanasha, the patron deity of Yamatai Lake perhaps? They also no longer adhere to the practices of The Code of Flesh, viewing the concept of cannibalizing their own as a vile and profane act, and the very reason the old empire fell. As of 32 SF, Yamatano is home to around 10.000 people, the vast majority of which are members of The Draconid Strain, though some Wildkin have snuck into the mix over the centuries. The Draconids of Yamatano still remember the old ways of their craftsmen and artisans and produce works in their style, which seem strange and exotic to the people of Yuyan, and fetch a high price even if just as a novelty. Ulanbataar - together with Khilganbataar, Khuranbataar and Noganbataar are the four major forts of The Ulai, the people of The Living Plains. In the Yarian Language, the tongue of the Ulai, Bataar means “home of my ancestors”, signifying that the Ulai value these places as more than just places to live, but as holy sanctuaries with a deep spirituality to them. They practice a form of ancestor worship known as Ankhi Udam or “The First Lineage”, and have protected these sites to the last man woman and child on more than one occasion, through ensuring that no bould would never be spilt inside the walls. Rather than sacking these places, the generals of The ever victorious Armies saw this as an opportunity to bring The Ulai to heel without further bloodshed, promising to let them continue practicing their faith in exchange for subservience. Destroying even one of these sites would have likely meant that Yuyan would have had to hunt down and kill every last one of the Ulai, so instead they “held them hostage” so to speak, and the rest is history.
The Ulai are a nomadic people, so it might come as a surprise that they even have cities, though in reality only a few hundred or at most thousand people would live there permanently all year round at any given time: priests, the elderly, the infirm and those seeking refuge, as no blood may be spilt inside the walls. The clans only visit occasionally, either for feasts, celebrations, marriages or to lay the dead to rest. Ulanbataar is the largest of the four by a wide margin, and even it only sports a permanent population of slightly over 2.000 people.
The Yuyan Dominion
Geography:
Region: North-Western Kashura:Rumah - Soukoku - The Living Plains - Yamato
Society:
Population: ~3.000.000 peopleStrains: Wildkin 80%, Hominids 10%, Other ~10%
Religion: Yuma, The Idanasha
Politics:
Government: Absolute MonarchyRuler: Emperor Shou Jin Yu
Influence: major
Commerce:
Currency:50 Tong (Copper) = 1 Yin (Silver)
25 Yin = 1 Yuan (Gold)
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