Overview
The Turami and Kushic Riverlands are a patchwork of city-states, temple-dominated townships, fortified river ports, and steppe-facing border holdings. Southern Shou Lang once loosely ruled the region as a resource-rich vassal zone, but the collapse of imperial oversight about 250 years ago permitted local rulers, holy orders, and warlords to declare independence—often violently and only temporarily.
The Northern Riverlands: Turami Cities
The northern riverlands are defined by their proximity to the vast steppes to the north, as well as the rugged culture of the Turami. The cities that arise along the northern banks are self-sufficient and frequently isolated, the result of years of conflict with nomadic warbands and the remnants of previous Shou provincial rule. These city-states are fortified and self-sufficient, with each governed by its own traditions—some by warlords or military councils, others by elders, merchant organizations, or charismatic leaders with spiritual or philosophical authority.
Politics in the north are fluid and unpredictable. Allegiances shift as quickly as the steppe winds, and many cities maintain uneasy relations with Turami Steppe khanates, paying tribute to avoid invasions or creating alliances for mutual profit. This continual push and pull fosters a strong sense of community identity and pride. The people here value strength, honor, and independence, all of which come from generations of living on contested frontiers.
The Southern Riverlands: Kushic Lands
South of the rivers, the environment becomes lush and verdant, and the cities of the Kushic riverlands reflect a more ancient history. These southern communities are steeped in tradition, with elaborate temples, priestly hierarchies, and a long-established social order influenced by river cycles and a wide pantheon of Kushic deities. Ceremonies, rituals, and a deep regard for the heavenly forces that are thought to influence both nature and human fate characterize life here.
Governance in the southern riverlands is frequently intertwined with religion. Many city-states are ruled by sacred kings, temple councils, or priestly dynasties that assert divine authority through bloodline or holy revelation. The caste system is still firmly entrenched, considered not only as a social order but also as a cosmological one, with each individual's role believed to be divinely determined. Despite these rigid systems, the cities are thriving cultural hubs known for their poetry, sculpture, music, and intellectual institutions.
While not as militarized as their northern counterparts, southern cities are not immune to power struggles. Trade between city-states can be both cooperative and competitive, and disagreements over river access, temple relics, or ancestral land frequently devolve into skirmishes or religious conflicts. Foreign ideas elicit curiosity or suspicion depending on the city, yet tradition remains the foundation of southern identity.
Demographics
Total Population : 6,000,000~ citizens in 1200 AC (census data is difficult to gauge, this is a guess)
Races (Citizen) -
90% Human (Majority Turami and Kushic, Minority Shou, Bedine, Calishite, etc)
6% Beastfolk (Majority Kappa and Yakfolk, minority all others)
1% Elves and Half Elves.
3% All others
