Shinryu

“Freedom is a sea without a map. Some drown. Others command the tide.”

Major Territories:

  • The Shinryuan Archipelago — island chain, heavily fortified and technologically advanced
  • The Giants Rest — land-based continental territory near the Iron Back Mountains
  • Dreadspire Holdings — contested coastline seized after Dreadspire's fall; slowly slipping from their grasp

Key Houses:

  • House Kaizuren – The ceremonial ruling fleet, guardians of naval tradition
  • House Narukon – Merchant kings and economic powerbrokers
  • House Teshikura – Ruthless enforcers and alleged partners to the Kraken’s Grip

Military and Influence:

  • Holds the strongest navy in Ashara
  • Refuses to act against piracy publicly, often benefiting from it privately
  • Maintains isolationist neutrality, despite accusations of indirect interference and manipulation
  • Land power is limited, especially in Dreadspire coastal holdings

Dragon Patron: Zephyros the Skydancer

  • An ancient Bronze Dragon who watches over the islands from high coastal cliffs
  • Regal and rarely seen, but fiercely territorial and protective when roused
  • Considered a national symbol of Shinryu’s elegance and independence

Economy and Control:

Shinryu is a global trading power with:

  • Deep philanthropic investments in foreign nations
  • Influence over trade routes, ports, and maritime infrastructure
  • Subtle domination through soft power and economic dependency

While officially disavowing slavery, Shinryu:

  • Forged debt contracts to justify indentured labor
  • Allows elves and foreigners to vanish into “processing” programs
  • Is known to reintegrate pirates as citizens under false identities

“Everyone hates Shinryu for something. But no one wants to light the match… not yet.”


Holidays:

  • Freedom’s Crest – Annual celebration of Shinryu’s founding
  • Naval parades, fireworks, symbolic tributes to independence
  • Indentured citizens are dressed in silk and paraded as “patriots”

Name:
Shinryu

Type:
Island Trade Nation

Alternative Names:
The Wave Kingdom, The Crown of the Sea

Government System:
Naval Aristocracy — rule shared between the High Admiralty and elite maritime houses

Founding Ethos:
Freedom through rebellion, independence through control (selectively enforced)

Founding Date:
Undocumented — official holiday marked by Freedom’s Crest

Capital:
Not publicly disclosed — each noble house maintains fortified island seats

Neighboring Nations

Peace, Friendly, Trade Partners

Mechanis and Shinryu have a well-established history of trade.   They have never engaged in conflict against each other and have enjoyed many cooperative navy operations with each other.   Trust and respect are firm.

Non-Aggression, Tense Trade Relations

The nation of Oralthis has had a rather rocky relation with Shinryu at best.   Mainly because some citizens of Shinryu are notorious pirates, and while the pirates capture all races for slavery, they go out of their way to capture elves.   This has maintained the tensions between their two nations, and Oralthis has no respect for their naval borders when it involves pirates.   There is also a suspicion that some of those in power within the nation of Shinryu are engaged in trade with these pirates.   Trade relations are pretty tense.

Ignored, Peace, Disconnected Trade Relations

Shinryu is a mostly island nation, and Voltaris is a isolated mountain nation in the far north.   Due to the geography of these two nations, direct contact is complicated, and they have little reason to.   Any trade is done through an intermediary; either Mechanis or Oralthis

Non-aggression, Old Enemies

Ironspire
-25
Shinryu
-20
Ironspire used to control the territories of the Shinryu before their rebellion.   Their relationship hasn't improved beyond cold very much, though they maintain trade relationships.   The Shinryu were strong advocates for harsh punishments against Ironspire.

Completely Hostile

The Dreadspire Radicals have aims at world domination and will kill any who oppose no matter the means, kill on-site.

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