Marai

The Commonwealth of; A Highly Lawful but Shaky Union of Culturally Diverse Clans

The Commonwealth of Marai is a vast archipelago that spans much of the plane of Waking Materia's lower Alpha and upper Beta Quadrants. It is a strongly lawful but shaky federation of dozens of clans of Meranthic elf-humans, drow and dwarves, imperfectly united against the arakh clans of the eastern Skylands and the Federated Sultanates of Khayyam across the western sea.

The Commonwealth's capital is the Empyreal City, located on the island of Kozue's Rest in the great inland Sea of Auspices. Among many other things, one may find the Empyreal Palace in this metropolis, and in that palace the Plain Pillow on which the Commonwealth's Shōgun (Sacred Veto-Holder) sits. While this veto gives the leader considerable power, all clans participate in Commonwealth decision-making. The current Shōgun is Setsu Ashikaga of the Setsu clan.

Geography

Maraian ecology ranges from the far-western badlands of the Dolaghan through the impossibly vast jungles of the Emerald Expanse, through the swamps of the Chiyō to the arid, heavensward reach of Mount Imanotsurugi. It officially ends at the haunted, eastern mountain range known as Asura's Wall. Beyond that are the steppes, plains and mountains of the Skylands, where the arakh god-chieftains known as the Khu'ur ("The Great") rule. Some clans of enari and humans do live west of the wall, though they are not a part of the Commonwealth.

Culture

There has been minimal historical overlap between the humans, elves and arakh of Marai, so all three are more genetically heterogenous than other continents. (Put differently, they are closer to basal Ur-Anthra, Ur-Mera and Ur-Arakh respectively.) As such, Maraian humans tend to be taller and broader than the Meranthic humans of Khayyam and the Broken Empire. Though united against greater threats, they are also more aggressive than those with more mixed-elven temperament. As a result, territorial skirmishes are still common and they greatly enjoy combat & military games.

Sample names: Lowlanders

Masculine: Ashur, Kurash, Inum, Eridu, Hanradi, Khaiu, Khonsu, Taronai
Feminine: Aya, Siou, Aiyo, Uyo, Erai, Aura, San, Satya, Asrai, Izoni, Shirei, Vritra, Surya

Sample names: Heartlanders

Masculine: Kenshiro, Anayama, Isao, Kumano, Oniwara, Rikuo, Kintaro, Suzaku, Hazama, Tetsuo
Feminine: Azami, Mikoto, Kaede, Tomoe, Kagura, Okitsu, Mitsue, Kunika, Izuna, Naria, Kozue, Ourora, Reia

Sample names: Highlanders

Masculine: Konbei, Gaoron, Benkei, Shuyun, Feilong, Tsaoren, Abkai, Liukang, Zhanfei, Ertai
Feminine: Ankou, Suzhou, Shion, Zhurong, Shaolan, Meiling, Rankou, Shukou, Ouka, Sainkhou, Aimei

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth is bound by a complex set of documents that act both as a constitution and a theo-philosophical admonishment for any clan who would oppose unity. Though it does not stop the frequent bickering and occasional territorial skirmish between clans, it serves to keep Marai peaceful enough to be self-sustaining, with some guarantee for travelers to cross different clan lands without harassment (at least by officials; bandits and Duskscape interlopers are a different matter).

The Clans of Marai

Most people in Marai are, with few exceptions, ultimately beholden to a clan: a sort of fief rooted in a founding hero chosen by a Totem Kami. The chosen hero is called the First Kannushi of the Totem Kami; subsequent clan leaders (who must be clerics or mortal swords of the kami) are called Chief Kannushi. For a complete list of the clans, see § Political Geography, below.

One clan at a time leads the Commonwealth, with limitations. Though their powers are checked by a council of other clans, the ruling Shōgunate is granted some veto powers to act decisively in the face of threats to the whole. One person of that clan, called the Shōgun, is selected to sit the Plain Pillow, symbolizing rulership (though they are often just figureheads selected for likability). Rulers are determined by a complex process of petitions, debates, contests and votes.

The current ruling clan is the Setsu, also called the Ermines as that is the body their Totem chooses). They are a minor and typically aloof Highland clan that maneuvered their way into rule through a set of political conveniences and bold promises to stabilize increasing tensions with the arakh clans of the Skylands. The Shōgun is the handsome and soft-spoken Ashikaga the Magnificent (called "The Grand Weasel" under the breath of the Setsu's rivals).

Mythology

To symbolize new beginnings, the Commonwealth was theologically tied to Maraian origin mythology, beginning with Aios, whom they call Amaterasu O-Mikami. She was warrior queen of the ancient Nikkou, or Bright Ones. The Maraians believe all was once the Duskscape, or O-Inai. For hundreds of millennia the Elder Spirits of Light, Shadow and Dark coexisted in balance, however the Dark Ones came eventually to know greed and paranoia. More centuries passed as the Nikkou were isolated and snuffed out, and in a final act of desperation, the last few Bright Ones granted the entirety of their power to their fiercest warrior, Amaterasu. She defeated four of the greatest Dark Ones in each capital direction, and pressed them into service as the four gatekeepers for the space in between, from which she created the Brightlands, or O-Aru. From O-Aru sprang Material flora and fauna, including the earliest tribes of the Waking Peoples.

Amaterasu would continue to defend the borders of her new home against the forces of Dark and Shadow with the assistance of her four conscripted lieutenants, but though her strength is immense, it is not infinite, and she began to tire over the centuries. The Maraians believe Umbraas, whom they call Kagemitsu-O-No-Mikoto, was an Elder Spirit of Darkness who grew to respect her resolve, which gave way to love. He broke with his kin, formulated a peace treaty between the realms and fought all who opposed it, until the Dark Ones relented and signed the treaty. This story is the basis for the treaty that binds the modern Maraian Commonwealth.

Political Geography

See also: Full Article: Political Geography of the Maraian Commonwealth

Marai divided roughly into three regions: The Lowlands (the Emerald Expanse & environs) to the west, the Heartlands in the main continent's centre (including the great metropoli of O-Hirasenka, O-Hoshakeiro and the Empyreal Palace) and the Highlands to the east. Each region, in turn, is divided into clan territories. Each clan is listed below, along with their Totem Kami. Links to full articles and image galleries are also provided.

The Emerald Expanse & Environs

The Oronaga (Anaconda) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Chiyō (Cicada) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Dolaghan (Stern-Faced Sand Fox) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Kula' (Commonwealth Member Clans) (Kookabura) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)

The Heartlands

The Raan (Komainu) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Sokenzan (Void Dragon) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Erayo (Whip-Poor-Wil) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Yoisura (Koi Carp) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Izuka (Dire Nekomata) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Okara (Great Elk) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Zazen (Meadowlark) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Kyoketsu (Red Fox) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Nikata (Tanuki) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Iname (Spider) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)

The Highlands

The Ashina (Tiam-Anzu) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Matsunagayama (Dire Boar) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Oloro (Boreal Ibex, Gemeater Wurm, Zetogeki) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Morō (Wolf) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Shan (Great Raven) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)
The Setsu (Ermine) | Full Article | Image Gallery (External)

Non-Commonwealth

The O-Nao-En-Zan — Earthly representatives of the Eight-Pointed Soul and the Seventy-Two Analects of Fallingleaf; mendicants, exorcists and teachers of kung fu | Image Gallery (External)
The Shiomi — A loose federation of dread pirates and necromancers, dire enemies of the Commonwealth | Image Gallery (External)
The Khayyamite Trade Council — Official trade delegation of the Federated Sultanates of Khayyam | Image Gallery (External)
The Naru — A human clan that resides in the Skylands, east of Asura's Wall | Image Gallery (External)
The Kula' Peoples, Independent — Human clans of the far voidwestern Kula'Wongai Islands who have not joined the Commonwealth | Image Gallery (External)
The Rakuyōsei — The "Birch Elves", Eladrin who lost the old wars with the Drow for the Emerald Expanse, now shunned by the Commonwealth due to Oronaga propaganda; scattered around the far expanseward coasts & islands | Image Gallery (External)
The Korobokuru — Highly amphibious hobbits who reside among the Voidward islands; neither friendly with nor hostile toward the Commonwealth | Image Gallery (External)
The Skylands Enari — Ghost Elves who live heavily arctic-aquatic lifestyles in the Skylands; vicious enemies of the arakh clans but also aloof to the mostly human Commonwealth | Image Gallery (External)

Asura's Wall

See also: Full Article: Asura's Wall

Dividing the Highlands of eastern Marai and the Skylands, Asura’s Wall is a mountain range that rejects all but the most skilled and knowledgeable of passers-through. The range is impossibly sharp in relief and the fens at its base are the subject of frequent hauntings due to an extremely weak Veil separating Waking Materia from the Shadowlands of O-Inai.

Maps

The Commonwealth of Marai
Including the Skylands to the east and the Kula'wongai to the Voidwest. Map covers Waking Materia's Lower Alpha and Upper Beta Quadrants.