Shang
A Land of Ancient Balance, Modern Intrigue, and Mystical Secrets...
Nestled amidst towering mountain ranges and expansive river valleys, Shang is a land defined by its rugged beauty, deep traditions, and enduring legacy. Rooted in tradition and guided by the teachings of The Way, Shang upholds its spiritual philosophy while maintaining order under the leadership the Li Dynasty's Vermillion Emperor. From the snow-capped peaks of its northern alps to its lush southern rainforests, Shang thrives as a beacon of fortitude, a profound respect for balance, and a mastery of timeless traditions.
Shang’s origins trace back to Zhūlong, the Eternal Sovereign, who united warring tribes and laid the groundwork for its storied history. A paragon of enlightenment, Zhūlong eschewed divine worship and instead harmonized with the essence of the universe itself, setting forth the principles of The Way. His teachings guide Shang’s culture, influencing its architecture, art, and governance. Over millennia, Shang has developed a robust and complex system of civil service rooted in meritocracy, where scholars and warriors alike strive to uphold harmony across the empire’s twelve provinces.
The Vermillion Emperor rules from the mountain-bound "Impenetrable City" of Tiānjīng, a sprawling metropolis encircled by massive concentric walls that divide the city into distinct districts, each reflecting a tier of society. At its heart lies the Immortal Palace, a magnificent complex of jade and gold spires adorned with intricate celestial engravings. The surrounding inner rings shelter bustling markets, grand academies, floating dunamantic islands, and the homes of nobility, while the outermost districts hum with the activity of craftsmen and merchants.
From its fortified capital, the empire stretches outward to encompass vast and varied lands. In the north, the snowy steppes of Shang's peaks are guarded by fierce shīrén, lion-like protectors whose monasteries stand as bastions of discipline and faith. To the south, dense rainforests thrum with the vibrant culture of the hurén, tiger-like leonin renowned for their fire-dancing and untamed festivals. In the highlands, playful wukong dwell among treetop villages, their acrobatics and lively spirit inspiring wonder. These peoples, joined by the dominant population of humans ("shānrén"), the industrious mountain dwarves ("zhūrú"), the scholarly dragonborn ("lóng'yi"), and a growing population of foreign sea traders, form the rich cultural mosaic that defines Shang.
Shang thrives on a delicate balance between harmony and turmoil. While the teachings of The Way and the mastery of dunamancy guide its people, the East Caspian Company undermines the empire’s stability through the opium trade and subterfuge. Ambitious bureaucrats jostle for influence within Tiānjīng’s layered walls, and in the bustling port city of Chóngtóu, triads, revolutionaries, and foreign agents vie for control in shadowed alleys and crowded markets. Beneath the surface of its grand traditions and mystical practices lies a realm ripe with danger, intrigue, and opportunity.
Alternative Name(s)
商
Type
Region
Included Organizations
Owner/Ruler
Ruling/Owning Rank
Owning Organization
Related Ethnicities
Comments