Edo (Eee-Doh)

The Edo people are a Human culture native to the Kulono peninsula. They are very conservative people that place honor and family at the center of their lives. The most populous Edo city is the Imperial city of Yokto. Even when the Edo do not dominate the peninsula Yokto is always called the Imperial City and always serves as the seat of the Emperor.

Society:

The rigid nature of Edo culture places a higher value on family ties and birth than on merit, but movement among the social classes is not unheard of. Generally speaking the social hierarchy is as follows;

• Emperors: The ultimate rulers of the Edo. There is always an Emperor or Empress in name but at times the Emperor is only a figurehead. When a true Emperor or Empress holds Yokto they exercise uncontested control over the Edo.
• Court Nobility: The advisors and generals that serve the Emperor or Monarch directly. The Court Nobility also includes the extended family of the Monarch or Emperor.
• Shogun: Regional high lords and ladies that exercise dominion over multiple towns or villages. Shogun are primarily charged with collecting taxes from their subservient Daimyo and coordinating military efforts amongst the Daimyo. The Shogun is also charged with adjudicating disputes amongst the Daimyo.
• Daimyo: A petty lord or lady that rules over a village or town. Typically the Daimyo is charged with providing for the defense of their town or village as well as collecting taxes for the Shogun.
• Samurai: The warrior class of the Edo people. The Samurai class encompasses about 5% of the total population. They are given the special privilege of carrying weapons and serve either a Shogun or Daimyo directly.
• Peasants: Making up approximately 80% of the population peasants are predominantly farmers. While they are below the Samurai in social status they have several special protections due to their role in feeding the people.
• Craftsmen: Any person who creates finished products including weapons, armor, art, and food. While below peasants in social standing accomplished craftsmen and women often gain notoriety for their crafts.
• Merchants: Considered the lowest in terms of social status and prestige, merchants are those who buy and sell products made by others. Despite their low social standing merchants often have wealth equivalent to minor Daimyo. They are required by custom to hide this wealth. The social standing of merchants is often confusing to outsiders.

Many exist outside of this social structure for example travelers and outsiders are seen as seperate from the social hierarchy and are judged based on their actions while in Edo dominated areas. For example, a traveler may be permitted to carry weapons as if he or she were a samurai, but any use of that weapon will be met with swift and often deadly reprisal. In areas dominated by other ancestries or ethinicities the Edo will often acclimate to the dominant culture. For example, the large number of Edo living in northern Kulono under the Hobgoblin Khanate have adopted the culutral practices of the Udotai Hobgoblins.

Religion:

The Edo primarily venerate Eldath, the Green Goddess. However, they have a very odd and particular interpretation of Eldath. While most followers of Eldath are extreme pacivists the Edo view Eldath as valuing peace above all things and thus an act done to gain peace is an act that honors Eldath, even if the action itself is violent. This has resulted in the counter intuitive founding of many Edo monasteries being devoted to martial arts, war, and strategy. Similarly, because the Edo have taken such an unorthodox view to Eldath's teachings they often worship Tempus as well, despite Eldath's personal disagreements with Tempus. Those that do not venerate Eldath tend to practice a form of animism and venerate gods of nature including Sylvanus and Miellikke.

Art:

The Edo are known for their poetry, theater, architecture, and beautiful painted landscapes. While craftspeople including artists are considered to be on the low end of the social hierarchy they are still well known in Edo culture and beyond. It is not uncommon for Edo theater companies to tour through Marzana and Penglai. In the lands outside of Kulono Edo art is both valuable and respected.

A Veteran Edo Samurai