Ishimatsu Shōgunate
石松幕府
The Ishimatsu Shōgunate has reigned over the archipelago of Ryūshima for the last twenty years. It has maintained strict rule and a lasting era of peace through its mass disarmament of most civilians, policy of religious restriction, trade regulations, isolationist foreign policy, and intricate system of loyal feudal lords. Though these institutions nominally exist to ensure the safety of the populace, they also allow the shōgunate to maintain strict social order within its territory.
The "Great Unifier" Lord Oda Ishimatsu, the founder and first shōgun of the Ishimatsu Shōgunate, has held control over the throne for the last two decades. Although well over seventy years old, Lord Ishimatsu still possesses the forceful presence and immense cunning that allowed him to unify the nation and end the Age of Strife. Lord Ishimatsu has developed totalitarian rule and effectively shielded himself with an entourage of extremely loyal advisory clans, all willing to carry out his bidding at the drop of a hat. While occasional civic unrest will arise in the face of overbearing taxes or unfair persecution, memories of the war-torn past and rumors of the shōgun's swift and secretive purges generally keep the populace in line.
Society under the shōgunate follows a rigid caste system developed under the advice of the island's religious institutions. At the top is the shōgun himself, followed by members of his seven advisory clans, daimyō, samurai and aristocrats, peasant farmers and fishermen, craftsmen, and merchants (or "shōnin"). This system is organized by a very subjective judgement of who contributes most to society, with the shōgunate considering merchants' greed and profiteering from others as the manifestation of Tiamat's will. Although the system has worked well for the time being, it has been a contentious point for many. Despite their lack of respect under the law, merchants have begun to exceed the nation's nobility in wealth and vie for power. The nation's small population of elves also struggle to find their place in the shōgun's hierarchy, with many domains considering them lesser than merchants or excluding them from the system entirely.
The Ishimatsu Shōgunate is split into dozens of domains, each ruled by a daimyō whose clan was appointed and allotted land by the shōgun. The majority of these clans played some sort of a role in the ousting of the Krulan Empire and unifying the nation, making their leaders rather loyal to Lord Ishimatsu. The daimyō are given almost absolute control over their domains, appointing and maintaining responsibility for the heads of the police, the regional military, local commerce, infrastructure, religious practices, and the courts of law. Daimyō are required to maintain residences in Ume as well as their domains, and to alternate years in each place. While they are away from the capital, the shōgun ensures their loyalty by keeping their wives and heirs hostage in Ume. While in the capital, heirs are taught the history, martial arts, and political science that will prove necessary for them to effectively rule in the future.
Peace did not immediately come to the island of Ryūshima as soon as it was free of foreign invasion. It took Lord Ishimatsu an additional two years of negotiation and small military conflicts to fully unite the clans who did not aid him in ousting the Black Horde. When Ishimatsu finally came to power and instituted the caste system in 1080 PD, there was a short-lived rebellion helmed by religious civilians, primarily elves. It was swiftly quelled, and its leaders were publicly executed. Still, many political opponents continue throwing around accusations of a "Great Purge" that quietly swept elven communities in the northern domains, where civilians were unfairly slaughtered regardless of threat or religious alignment. Many dispute these claims, arguing that this is slander brewed by the opposition and that even if such events did occur, it was the doing of unauthorized soldiers or rogue daimyō—not at the behest of the shōgun.
Regardless of what occurred, Lord Ishimatsu has treated religion with increased skepticism since the events following his ascension to the throne and is known to be dismissive of all but the Platinum Dragon. However, the Great Unifier seems to understand the need for a proper pantheon; instead of abolishing all other religions, the shōgunate heavily regulates worship within its boundaries. The establishment of new temples and shrines must be sanctioned by daimyō, and those who disobey could suffer punishment by fines, torture, or execution. The only deities that are approved by the shōgunate are Erathis the Lawbearer, Bahamut the Platinum Dragon, Moradin the All-Hammer, Pelor the Dawnfather, and the Raven Queen, Matron of Death.
Founding Date
1080 PD
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
Ume Shōgunate, Ishimatsu Bakufu, Ume Bakufu
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Dictatorship
Power Structure
Feudal state
Economic System
Market economy
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Comments