Zhongguo
The lands of Yaxiya are home to an empire with extensive history and rich culture. There are other countries and ethnicities calling Yaxiya home but Zhongguo is the largest by far. Their government, the Si Xiang claims sovereignty by right of their divine bloodline, its imperial dynasties descending directly from Ralgotar! Yet two decades ago, proud Zhongguo had been conquered by the Kingdom of Accia. After then General Allen Minx crippled the Zhou clan which guarded the palace, General Martin Stahlmann overtook them, forcing their hand with a seige as Penglai Shan has no means of self-reliance. After surrendering, the Azure Dynasty has been allowed to continue governing Zhongguo but with ever a wary eye from the kingdom watching them. In the end, they are subject to the whims of their conquerors.
Zhongguo is a vast territory characterized by volcanic and seismic activity, tall and jagged mountain ranges, fertile floodplains and river deltas and vast plateaus. Most inhabitants have a kaithur from Ylithuum, Wylrith and Rylis to best thrive in these biomes but there are plenty of other variations. Zhongguo culture itself is refined, colorful and complex, most citizens Huaren. They also capable of impressive medical practices which rely heavily on material magic rather than kaithur as most Accians rely upon. The use of material magic for healing is far more developed in Zhongguo than any other Accian territory, comparable only to that of those in the Continent Beyond. Many Accian scholars have taken to travelling Zhongguo to study and record these practices as well as their martial art techniques. However, some of these practitioners are more secretive than others or even purposefully obscure their knowledge from the kingdom so they cannot be used within their war machine.
Recently, signs of Ralgotar's next emergence have been observed in Penglai Shan, causing political pressure within Zhongguo to accumulate. The Azure Dynasty, currently in control, dreads this emergence, knowing Ralgotar will not be pleased with their defeat. This could mean the end of their reign or, given their total defeat, even the full elimination of their line. They have two options to retake their autonomy, they can either rebel and drive out the kingdom or they can marry into the royal line of Accia. They have one female heir the same age as Prince Aldric Syltharis, Wu Zetian. They have sent her to join the Accian Training Progam/Procession and she has set her eyes on Prince Aldric. The current emperor is also placing pressure on the kingdom simultaneously, King Ambrose Syltharis seeking to solidify this union for the sake of future stability within the kingdom as well. However, Zetian isn't the only royal heiress with her eyes on the prince.
Zhongguo is a vast territory characterized by volcanic and seismic activity, tall and jagged mountain ranges, fertile floodplains and river deltas and vast plateaus. Most inhabitants have a kaithur from Ylithuum, Wylrith and Rylis to best thrive in these biomes but there are plenty of other variations. Zhongguo culture itself is refined, colorful and complex, most citizens Huaren. They also capable of impressive medical practices which rely heavily on material magic rather than kaithur as most Accians rely upon. The use of material magic for healing is far more developed in Zhongguo than any other Accian territory, comparable only to that of those in the Continent Beyond. Many Accian scholars have taken to travelling Zhongguo to study and record these practices as well as their martial art techniques. However, some of these practitioners are more secretive than others or even purposefully obscure their knowledge from the kingdom so they cannot be used within their war machine.
Yanjing and Penglai Shan
Yanjing, the capital of Zhongguo, is a thriving metropolis which wraps itself around a grand, lone volcano in Zhongxin Pingyuan, Penglai Shan. The volcano is active but never erupts violently, producing a consistent and gentle flow of lava. Lavaducts have been built to direct the constant flow past the lake at the base of the volcano and over the city. Some have made a living processing the cooled lava and any mineral deposits contained within.
Penglai Shan is a lofty, detached centerpiece of Yanjing, separated by the city by a steamy lake, Longhu. The Zhou clan resides in a palace structure built over the steaming waters, caring for and tending to the Qinglong of Longu. They have a special relationship to these mystic beasts and both work together to guard the imperial palace atop Penglai Shan. This palace has been built into the mouth of the volcano itself, designed to rise and fall with the lava flow. A special enchantment has been placed on the palace, protecting any divine descendants of Ralgot from harm or even discomfort while within palace grounds. For the families and spouses of Ralgotar's descendants, a terraced complex dress the sides of the volcano. Ralgotar himself hibernates within this volcano for long stretches of time.
Penglai Shan is a lofty, detached centerpiece of Yanjing, separated by the city by a steamy lake, Longhu. The Zhou clan resides in a palace structure built over the steaming waters, caring for and tending to the Qinglong of Longu. They have a special relationship to these mystic beasts and both work together to guard the imperial palace atop Penglai Shan. This palace has been built into the mouth of the volcano itself, designed to rise and fall with the lava flow. A special enchantment has been placed on the palace, protecting any divine descendants of Ralgot from harm or even discomfort while within palace grounds. For the families and spouses of Ralgotar's descendants, a terraced complex dress the sides of the volcano. Ralgotar himself hibernates within this volcano for long stretches of time.
Regions
Kunlun Shan is the tallest mountain range in Emynea and the northernmost region of Zhongguo, Ylithuum's Seat lies within the tallest peak. Kunlun Shan is also seismically active, two plates consistently pushing against each other. Kunlun gives over to Dizhenbei Dong further east, known for its bountiful but tumultuous mines, while Huangbei Gaoyuan skirts south and southwest of Kunlun. | |
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As Kunlun Shan stretches west, a lower but rugged set of mountains emerges. This is one of the most seismically active locations in Emynea but these mountains are also extremely rich in ore, gems and other natural resources such as coal. The mines shift and restructure constantly and only those with specific kaithur can work them. Joseon connects to the easternmost edge of Dizhenbei Dong while taiga and tundra steppes connect in the north, Mongol Uls. Zhongxin Pingyuan connect in the south, the heartland of Zhongguo. | |
As the name suggests, these plains are the heartland of Zhongguo. While still relatively mountainous, Zhongxin is recognized most by its undulating plains and generous waterways. Water and earth are both major elemental inlfuences, Zhongzin well irrigated between its floodplains and annual monsoons. Furthering its economical influence, the eastern border of Zhongxin borders the sea with a coastline consisting of rocky cliffs, bays and many islands. | |
The majority of the coast south of Yanjing is volcanic, a volatile mountainous strip which erupts reguarly. This leaves the coast rugged and spattered with islands but it also releases hot ash more often than it spews lava--creating highly fertile soils. Those able to survive in Donghuo, usually with Shil Kaithur, have taken to transporting this ash to the agricultural centers of Zhongguo via the many waterways Zhongguo. | |
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East of Donghuo, a network of river deltas and floodplains thrive on the volcanic ash which blows in along eastern ocean winds. Extremely fertile, humid and well irrigated by river tributaries and lakes, this is the largest agricultural power in Yaxiya! River gorges, watersheds, rice paddies and occasional pastoral valley plains populate Huiyun. Sharp mountains break up these features and terraced farms paint an idyllic landscape. To Rong Lua borders Huiyun along the southern border of Zhongguo, separated by a constant volcanici river. | |
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Set between along the borders of Huiyun Sanjiaozhou, Xishi Shamo, Huangbei Gaoyuan and Donghuo Shan. Xizhulin is an intesely mountainous but virile wildernes laced with all manner of Gokrilvek, Vapri and Ithisda magic. There are drastic elevations and drops side by side, some differences reaching nearly 10,000 feet, making the landscape ill suited for farming or pasture. However, these lands are still highly fertile, rare wildlife thriving amid beautiful bamboo and stone forest. Rough and unnavigable rivers wind until cascading over incredible waterfalls--some of which flow backwards! Invisible pockets of weighlessness or increased gravity make Xizhulin unpredictable, set between towering mountains which hover far overhead, wrapped in mist and mystery. Despite these difficulties, rare components for Material Magic, True Magic and medicine lay within this dense landscape. | |
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Set between Kunlun Shan and the fertile plains of Zhongxin Pingyuan, a vast and dry loess plateau spreads east and west. While some of this plateau is suitable pasture, harsh winds carry dust and sand in from Xishi Shamo. Huangbei lacks arable land, its elevation high, its soils thin and its climate extremely arid. Eventually, this dryness intensifies and Huangbei becomes Xishi Shamo. | |
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The westernmost region of Zhongguo is characterized by vast, arid desert wasteland and harsh winds. Connecting to the Frozen Wastes in its north, merchants still travel through Xishi Shamo to facilitate trade between Zhongguo, the Frozen Wastes and Accia. To this end, there is a large port town found along the western coast of Xishi Shamo and a string of ruins often host those crossing the desert. |
Structure
Zhongguo is dynastic, fuled by the four dynasties of Si Xiang. The emperor is the head of the dynasty last selected by Ralgotar before he hibernates while the heads of the remaining dynasties will serve as his ministers. Each dynasty has their own internal structure and hierarchy to decide interclan leadership but ultimately, Ralgotar has the final say in all matters--when he is awake! He is known to be fickle and enjoys watching his descendants compete whether this be by power, whit or strategy. One of the only limitations he sets for his descendants is that while they can spar individually, they are not permitted to murder or assassinate each other. They must compete with each other in more creative or less direct means. However, when he is particularly displeased he won't hesitate to wipe out a whole dynasty and choose/make a new one. Most dynasties were chosen because of their unique kaithur but there are legends about individuals earning his affection directly. The fuor current dynasties all have magic form granting them features of one of the four guardian, the four contsellations!
This article isn't quite finished yet! Annie, Albert and I are hard at work adding and editing this article, you can expect more here in the future!
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