The Empire of the Three Dragons
A proud populace who value strength, honor, and knowledge. In southwest Vielamor lies the Empire of the Three Dragons, a feudal kingdom whose three elected Emperors and/or Empresses -- at least one of each during a reign of six years -- is how its people live in peaceful times.
Today is not a peaceful time.
Government
The Empire of The Three Dragons is jointly ruled over by three Emperors/Empresses. Each reigns for six years and is elected by the people from the lords and ladies of the land. In the event of no sitting leaders during a time of war, a Shogun is elected to guide the people independently. A Shogun’s rule continues indefinitely until peace is restored. At present, 11 Houses serve as The Empire’s Parliament. Each house is headed by its Lord and/or Lady who govern the people of their assigned regions and train and contribute samurai to the Empire’s armies as well as their own personal reserves. House leadership is hereditary, but only those selected by the people will reign as Emperor or Empress for their time. A final position of power belongs to a collection of record keepers and scribes who serve as historians entrusted with the nation’s knowledge. They are tasked with the monumental effort of keeping comprehensive records of most, if not all, of the House’s histories, even when the people, or those of the Houses themselves, are quicker to forget the past.Houses
The most distinct features of the Empire are its influential Houses -- individual factions that shoulder different parts of the Empire’s economy, operate its government, and contribute armies. While the leaders of the Houses -- Lords or Ladies -- are affluent and privileged, they are obligated to represent its people of all economic classes. The dominant Houses play a profound influence on the Empire’s economies. Each House has specialty resources to trade, either with other Houses or greater Vielamor. These include food, medicines, recreational drugs, weapons, or raw materials (metal, copper, wood, etc.) The number and prominence of Houses ebbs and flows. This happens naturally due to circumstance. Some Houses lose resources and become absorbed into another. Bloodlines end. Armies are wiped out. Money is spent. Conversely, enterprising individuals attain influence, or marry into an existing house without a male heir that changes or creates a new House. Historically, there have been as few as six Houses and as many as 30. In this current era, twelve houses have maintained power and influence in the face of an ongoing and costly war.Current Houses
Houses Out of Power
Foreign Relations
The Empire’s public agenda is to end its ongoing war with The Ishtar Consortium and to resume regular trade with the rest of Vielamor’s economies.Trade and Businesses
House Hasashi - Steel, Weapons, and Rice House Yeoh - Wood, Bamboo, and Metal House Koji - Meat/Livestock, Tobacco, and Ale House Taslim - Meat/Livestock and Wood House Talwar - Medicine (including Antivenom and Healing Potions) and Spices House Cho - Vegetables, Medicine, Elven Weapons House Kwong - Meat/Fur/Livestock, Tobacco, Metals House Tancharoen - Fruit and Wine House Anoa'i - Ships and Fish House Li - Minerals, Metals, Silk, Tobacco, Ale, Wine, Slaves, and Mercenaries House Sasori - Coal, Jewels, and MetalsDefenses
Military
Samurai
All armies of the Empire are made up of trained swordsmen, archers, and special operatives. Unless otherwise stated, the term for a soldier in the Empire of the Three Dragons is “samurai.” The Empire’s army is the combined might of its Houses. Each House has its own colors, banners, military leaders, and even distinct fighting styles. But in wartime, the Empire calls upon all Houses to fight as one. Houses are responsible for commanding, feeding, sheltering, and paying samurai. Samurai are recruited from the general populace, or brought up from families who serve under a single house for generations. It is rare, but not impossible, for a samurai to declare allegiance to one house after their family’s served another. But an unwritten code of honor and adherence for tradition means it will take outstanding circumstances for a samurai to change Houses.Kenshi
Exceptional samurai are elevated into the privileged position of “Kenshi,” an individual who acts as their House’s general and answers directly to their Lords/Ladies. The title is bestowed by House leaders at their discretion, and can be revoked when House leaders deem fit. Privileges for Kenshi include their own private living quarters; wielding their own weapons, crafted especially by the House’s weapon smiths or imported abroad; their own custom tailoring; male or female concubines; and other access to luxuries. Kenshi may also form an alliance of associates to delegate tasks, but there is no written or formal decree to how it works. In theory, Kenshi are the single most skilled fighter, most capable strategist, and upstanding model samurai. In practice, they are often just one of the three. Many families, though not all, groom their offspring to become Kenshi. While such nepotism is common, there are lengthy periods where the children are not yet born, of age, or lack experience. Thus necessitating Kenshi to truly be exceptional warriors plucked from the armies In rare cases, the title of Kenshi can be challenged and won in a one-on-one duel.History
The Death of Peace
As tensions brewed against the Empire’s neighbors to the eastern north, the Ishtar Consortium, the Three Dragons suffered the devastating and still unsolved murders of its leaders: Emperor Kwong, Emperor Leung III, and Empress Yeoh. The murders were blamed on their enemies, but the Ishtar Consortium disavowed any knowledge and took no responsibility. That did not stop the Empire’s parliament, its 12 ruling families, from pooling together its armies and declaring war. And by decree, when at war and without sitting Emperors or Empresses, the Empire can choose to temporarily fall under a single commanding leader, or Shogun, until peacetime returns. But peace has not returned. Under the brutal regime of Shogun Shotaro Mishima, a long and costly war against the Consortium has elongated Mishima’s reign to an unprecedented fifteen years and counting. The 12 houses of the Kingdoms grow anxious, its soldiers tired and running out of resources, its people restless.Rumors and Legends
The Legend of the Three Dragons
Long ago, as the Elder Gods fought among themselves, three dragons -- Taiyo (the sun), Tsuki (the moon), and Hoshi (the stars) -- observed in bemusement. As the four elements fought and made love, the three took turns keeping vigilant watch against the dangerous cosmos. Taiyo, the strongest of the three who breathed the hottest flame, kept watch by day. Tsuki and Hoshi, younger and more mischievous with cooler breaths, watched at night. When the Elder Gods vanished, so too did the three dragons, leaving the sun, moon, and stars in their stead. It is said that when the three dragons return, it will be our time to leave. The Legend of the Three Dragons is the mythology that defined its people.Inhabitants and Organizations
Population
Populated by hundreds of thousands, the people of the Empire value strength, honor, and knowledge. Humans make up the vast majority of the Empire, however it is not uncommon to find other races, including elves, dwarves, halflings, and gnomes. Half-orcs, goliaths, and other races are rarer, but the Empire’s meticulous record-keeping show that several individuals of these exotic races have served the Empire.Demographics
The population, in general, are capable of participating in government, especially the voting process to elect Lords and Ladies to the position of Emperor or Empress. However, despite receiving free education and equal opportunity to serve in the military or in civic leadership positions, higher positions of power are most commonly, if not exclusively, given to the heads of Houses. Yet, discrimination toward someone attempting to serve the Empire in any capacity is generally looked down upon.Culture or Society
Festivals and Holidays
Festival of the New Dawn - Dragonfeast - Souls Day -“There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.” – Three Dragons Proverb
The Empire of the Three Dragons
Leader
Subsidiary Organizations
Geography
Aliases: Three Dragons; Trine
Capital: Fengenrui
Region: Amerish
Size:
Society
Demonym: Trine (slang)
Population:
Races:
Religions:
Commerce
Imports:
Exports: Minerals, Coal, Jewels, Steel, Metal, Weapons, Silk, Rice, Meat/Livestock, Fish, Spices, Vegetables, Fruit, Wine, Ale, Fur, Wood, Bamboo, Medicine, Tobacco, Opium, Ships, Slaves, Mercenaries, Assassins
Currency:
Politics
Gov't Type: Electocracy
Rulership: Shogun Mishima
Legislative: Lords and Ladies of Houses of State
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