Shosei Empire
Based on the continent of Imica, the Shosei Empire is an ancient civilisation run by Yuan-ti. Extremely hierarchical and mired in bureaucracy, the empire uses Dragonborn as soldiers and tax collectors.
The Yuan-ti abominations (snake ones) are considered to be near-divine, and maintain positions of power.
Dragonborn form a layer of upper class. Filling roles in the military, bureaucracy, and law enforcement.
Kobolds are the working class, craftsmen, and farmers. There is an arena in Yistatu where Kobolds are pitted against each other, slaves, and monsters. The victors can earn riches and their freedom. The losers don’t.
The Shosei capital is Yistatu, found on the north shore of Still Lake and at the base of Mount Ksssth. Shosei is the administrative centre for the empire and the majority of it's income is from the taxes levied across the empire. It is also home to many skilled artists and craftspeople who are often commissioned by the upper class. Another highly successful venture is the slave trade.
The Shosei Empire was based on the idea of continual expansion. From their humble beginnings in Yistatu, the Shosei swept across the continent. All who stood before them were consumed or assimilated. They were not savage barbarians these people. They were calculating and intelligent. They recognised that maintaining their dominion through violence and fear would be expensive and generate a lot of paperwork. The Empire, rumour has it, would send agents to insinuate their way into the power structures of their targets to sow discord and influence the leadership. And so, the cities and tribes were made an offer. Join the Empire, or fall before their armies. Those who submitted were welcomed to the service of the Empire. The fate of those who resisted has been lost to time, as their settlements were obliterated, the people massacred to the last, and all references of them expunged from any imperial texts.
The Shosei have enjoyed peace within the Empire for several generations as they have consolidated their hold on the continent. Now, facing the threat of stagnation and the inevitable collapse which so many inferior civilisations have faced, the Shosei have turned their eyes West.
Emperor Karr’an ordered the greatest minds of the Empire to devise a plan to extend the Shosei influence to Drake’s Rest, and beyond. The Grand Vizier, Colin, oversaw the project. Trade routes through the freeport of Eastwatch were used to smuggle people and resources into Drake’s Rest. Over the course of several months, Shosei agents began to introduce a powerful narcotic into the underworld of Eastwatch.
Culture
Art - Visual art appears to be complex in structure but often in a limited colour range. Yuan-ti can see into the UV spectrum most visual art pieces are aimed at using this ability.
Music - Favour bass and percussion. D&B!
Fashion - Basic and functional in form, but highly decorative. Shosei is very concerned with status. Important people will take care to appear wealthy, and will often clothe their servants and slaves in gold, jewels, and exotic clothing to make them more visually acceptable and to demonstrate their own wealth and power.
Taboos - Displays of emotion or religion. Questioning the status quo.
Cuisine - Taste is of little concern as the Yuan-Ti lack taste buds. Instead they aim for ostentatious displays of rare and complicated food. Not above eating live mice etc, though this is considered to be similar to human children eating sweets.
Dancing - Swaying and fluid movement. Physical contact is looked own on.
History
Formed from the remnants of a once-great society, following a betrayal by their former god. This god was then struck down by it's High Priestess, Say'Rah. Say'rah led the survivors to safety, organised them into a society, and took the mantle of Emperor. Say'rah had become known as Karr'an by her people, meaning "One who would demand to converse with the manager", and the name stuck.
Comments