Ashihara

Over a century ago, the Talin Republic, a powerful city-state, dominated global trade through steam power, forcing out Eastern and Central Ashiharan Merchants. However, with the reunification of Yamatai and the rise of the Susa Protectorate, conflict over global trade intensified. The Talin Republic built the Sabaku Canal to evade the Susa Protectorate's monopoly, leading to full-scale conflict known as the Great War. This war caused the death of many elite powers, leading to newer generations favoring meritocracy.

During the war, Yamatai combined magic and steam to create the arcane engine, revolutionizing society with inventions like prosthetics, automatons, and power armor. However, this expansion of settlements for resources caused conflict with Yokai, which has escalated due to political conflict among humans. Yokai have started attacking isolated human villages while cities remain unaffected.

The Great War upset the power balance among great powers, from the Astrium Empire in the West to the young Kusha Republic.