Empire of the Heavenly Jade Throne
The eastern empires of Ereb have outlived their western counterpart. Though the Rumain Empire was larger than the eastern ones, the Jade Throne predates the Rumain Empire, and the Heavenly Jade Emperor maintains power still.
At the top of the social order is the Emperor, then his Nobility. Among the Nobility, Clan leaders are ranked highest, then other important members of the Clan. Beneath the Emperor and Nobility is the Warrior caste. An Imperial Warrior is a soldier-scholar, expected to conduct themselves with honour. Among Warriors, ones position is determined by the importance of the person they serve. If they are masterless Warriors, they are no better than the common folk.
The commonfolk of the Empire keep the nation and economy running. Commoners are generally not permitted to use weapons (though this law is often broken). Exceptions are often made to this rule when a Warrior or Noble enlists the aid of the common people in war. The commonfolk are without many rights; a Noble or Warrior can demand anything of them or even kill them, however the Celestial Order is comprised of mutual obligations. While it is a commoner's duty to produce and obey, it is a Warrior's duty to protect, and a Noble's duty to administer and teach. Nonetheless, a commoner's lot in the Empire is not an easy one, full of hard labour and suffering. Only a few commoners are fortunate enough to serve a Warrior or Noble who truly care about them; for the most part, commoners are treated with indifference, if not outright cruelty and disdain. Most commoners are obedient toward their social superiors since the alternative is to earn their wrath, but most commoners do not feel anything toward their masters than fear and wary respect. The rare Noble or Warrior who goes out of their way to fulfill their duty to their commoners are rewarded in turn with extra loyalty and effort.
The commonfolk, too, are stratified. The peasants are highest ranking, for they grow the food and crops the Empire needs. Just below the peasants are craftsmen and artisans such as smiths, masons, sewers and carpenters. They do not grow food, but these people create things of use, beauty and value. At the bottom of the commonfolk are merchants, who merely buy and sell the work of others. Commerce is, however, important to the Empire's economic health, and many Clans rely on commercial activity to swell their own coffers. Some Nobles and Warriors appoint themselves as 'merchant patrons', who supervise the activities of commoner merchants but do not get their own hands dirty.
Monks --shenmi, miko and jiangsheng-- occupy an odd position in the Celestial Order. They are not Warriors, and by strict interpretation of the Order are nothing more than commoners. However, their role as thinkers, teachers and upholders of the Empires religious system affords them a respect which other commoners do not enjoy. Most Warriors treat monks with deference, and well-respected monks are often invited to the courts of Nobles. Sometimes, they are invited to attend to the Jade Emperor himself.
A Warrior without a Noble to serve is in a difficult position in the Order. This Warrior has the skill of a member of his or her caste, but with no Noble to protect, he or she must make their own way in the world, tossed by the waves of fate. The word ronin--wave person--is thus applied to these people. They earn food through work as mercenaries or bodyguards, hoping to catch the eye of a Noble. Some ronin will ultimately engage in manual labour to support themselves, but they consider this utterly shameful; most ronin will resort to crime, banditry or suicide before living like a commoner.
At the very bottom of the Order are the Untouchables who are born into tasks that are considered spiritually impure. Primarily, this involves any activity which leads to touching 'unclean' substances such as blood, garbage, or dead flesh. Morticians, garbage collectors and leatherworkers form the bulk of this caste. Such people are regarded as less than nothing, and even peasants will often look down on them and abuse them. The life of an Untouchable is bitter and unpleasant. Their only hope is to fulfil their duties as defined by the Celestial Order well enough to be reborn into a higher station in their next life. Much of the Empire ignore Untouchables, but these people perform important tasks that others think below them.
Though torturers and prostitutes are both technically part of the Untouchable caste, their social roles give them more power and less restrictions compared to other Untouchables. A torturer may directly serve a Warrior or Noble despite constantly inflicting harm and coming into contact with blood and sweat. Prostitutes and entertainers often come into contact with the fluids of others, but are afforded a certain respect in society, particularly prostitutes who serve exclusive clientele.
Compassion
Compassion teaches that as members of the higher ranks of society, Warriors have a duty to protect and guide the lesser folk. In its most obvious form, this means offering military protection against threats such as bandits, criminals, barbarian foreigners and creatures who crawl from the Everforest. This form of Compassion is most widely respected and revered in the Empire, for most realise the importance of keeping peasants alive and productive. Bullying and abusing those of a lower social standing is a shameful act, even if the Order allows it.
Some Clans take Compassion more fully to heart. The Phoenix, for example, are known to educate their commonfolk in philosophy and mysticism, seeing this spiritual support as being just as important as physical protection.
Courage
Courage is in some ways the most basic and universal of all Bushido virtues; every warrior is expected to be ready to die at a moment's notice. The central importance of courage to a warrior's life cannot be understated. A warrior must be prepared to fight and die without hesitation, whether at the command of a lord or simply due to unavoidable circumstance. Warlike clans naturally speak most often of courage, but there is no clan which ignores it. Courage does not mean foolhardiness; a peasant's life belongs to their lord, not themselves. A warrior who throws their life away in a selfish, useless or foolish gesture is not behaving with honour; they are failing in their duty to lord, clan and empire. At times, retreating from a fight requires more courage than merely staying and dying.
Courtesy
Warrior or not, the citizens of the Empire are expected to behave with civility. They are not the barbarians of the western plains, nor the greedy men of the southern empires. A person who shows undue emotion or rudeness is not only violating the tenet of Courtesy, but is also loosing face, disrespecting those nearby and bringing shame upon themself. A Warrior remains courteous and well-mannered at all times, even when facing the bitterest of sworn enemies, or provoked with vile insults and malignant behaviour. A Warrior who openly insults others is showing weakness, which is why the upper classes of the Empire endlessly practice the art of the subtle and indirect insult. Conversely, when confronted with failures of Courtesy by those of higher stations, a person's honour is demonstrated by their ability to endure provocations and avoid drawing attention to others' failures. Imperial citizens as a whole make a point of ignoring those who engage in uncouth and improper spectacles, since drawing attention to discourteous behaviour is to make matters worse.
As one might expect, those who serve in politics and the courts tend to place a very strong emphasis on Courtesy; it is a vital element of social and political negotiation.
Duty
If there is a Virtue that competes with Courage for universal acceptance, it is Duty. A person must be ready to serve those in higher stations, no matter the cost. Death is the least of concerns -- a person must be prepared to face humiliation, dishonour, shame and failure for the sake of Duty. They must remain faithful to family, clan, and comrades regardless of temptation. A person who violates loyalty toward a social better is violating Duty; untrustworthy individuals are shunned. This has famously made love problematic at times, as love creates conflicting loyalties (and, some philosophers say, conflicting Duties).
Honesty
In principle, Honesty is perhaps the simplest of the Virtues, but perhaps the most troublesome. Ideally, it would seem obvious that the honourable person would always tell the truth. Indeed, there are some clans and families that embrace this wholeheartedly. Some families amongst the Crane are famous for their straightforward and direct ways, even in the subtle world of politics. Honesty is strongly associated in the Imperial psyche with justice, and thus tends to be a Virtue admired strongly by judges (or at least by judges who take their duties to heart).
However, many people, especially those who serve their clans in the courts of the Emperor, find that Honesty is a virtue which must be danced around, or at times violated, in order to fulfill their duties. This is smoothed over int he minds and teachings of some families by conflating Honesty and Sincerity, and placing a greater emphasis on the latter.
Sincerity
Citizens of the Jade Empire are taught from childhood that they must express absolute sincerity in both word and deed. A person who speaks for their superior or clan in court, but does so in a carefree or unconvincing manner is serving their superior or clan as badly as if they had refused to speak at all. People who show a lack of dedication in their actions, who act and behave without commitment, are people who have failed their clans, family and the Empire.
Sincerity is regarded with particular admiration among political clans and families, but most people in the Empire respect it. For warriors, it is the principle of unifying word and action. For spies, it is a tactical advantage. Some more pragmatic warrior families regard overt displays of Sincerity with suspicion, seeing it as little more than deception disguised as honourable behaviour. Members of the Turtle Clan are known for delivering the sneering slight, "Oh, how sincere," when they feel someone is attempting to manipulate them.
Honour
Each clan holds certain traits and abilities in the highest regard. Each Clan, even those who have some distaste for each other, recognise that each Clan contributes uniquely to the culture, society and capabilities of the Empire. While there are squabbles between the clans that have in times past erupted into what could be considered civil war, these have been over slights of honour. Such disagreements are usually resolved quickly.
Bear: Strength, ferocity, courage.
Crane: Nobility, diplomacy, artistry.
Dragon: Pride, strength, discipline.
Mantis: Cunning, ferocity, agility.
Phoenix: Wisdom, mysticism, serenity.
Scorpion: Loyalty, cunning, agility.
Spider: Cunning, resourcefulness, agility.
Tiger: Pride, strength, courage.
Turtle: Stalwartness, courage, loyalty.
The generic term for monks in the Empire, but specifically refers to monks who ponder the mysteries of the gods and methods of manifesting internal power as external miracles. These are classic D&D monks, utilising a mastery of their bodies and awareness of their surroundings.
Shamanistic ascetics linked to kami and yokai. In terms of gameplay, see here.
Disciplined warrior-monks who dedicate themselves to understanding the mystery and artistry of martial warfare. In terms of gameplay, these are Kensei.
Humans: Most common.
Orcs: Considered a kind of oni.
Elves: Uncommon.
Fae: Called yokai. Few interact with civilised society.
Kemono: Rare. Used as slaves. Exclusionary. Found mostly on islands.
Hengeyokai: Kemono x yokai. Rare. Can take the form of a beast.
Dwarves: Very rare.
Gnomes: Extremely rare.
Halflings: Extremely rare.
Alramal Alkhafiya: Relations between the Empire and Alkhafi people remain pleasant, and trade across the Bhar Samudr is as fruitful as ever. The Empire supplies Alramal Alkhafiya with a number of alchemical reagents, silk and food that is difficult to grow in the dry heat. In return, the Empire receives certain alchemical goods at a premium discount.
Ghandarhan Empire:
Karthain: Between the Empire and Karthain, there is a tension due to the similar, but separate abilities of chi/ki and magic. Generally, Karthain looks down upon users of ki as inferior miracle workers. The Jade Empire's primary exports to Karthain are slaves, rice and silk.
Vralach: Vralach relies on the Empire for support in maintaining the border with the Endless Forest. Between the common people of Vralach and the Empire, there is a camaraderie. There is an increasing tension between the nations the further up the social ladder one climbs. There are those in both nations that think the powers ought to combine, and those in both that value the separateness between the Empire and Vralach.
Geography
Culture
Cultural Concepts
Order
From the Emperor to the lowliest of eta, every member of the Empire has their place in the Celestial Order. Imperial philosophy holds that all existence is organised into a hierarchy by the will of the Heavens. The overwhelming majority of Imperial citizens believe that the gods revealed this Order to the first Jade Emperor. The Order is sacred and unquestioned in Imperial society. To violate the Order is to blaspheme against the Emperor, the gods, and the universe itself. Citizens of the empire are organised into three broad castes, which are comprised of several distinct sub-castes. Usually, a person is born into a caste and remains in it for their entire life.At the top of the social order is the Emperor, then his Nobility. Among the Nobility, Clan leaders are ranked highest, then other important members of the Clan. Beneath the Emperor and Nobility is the Warrior caste. An Imperial Warrior is a soldier-scholar, expected to conduct themselves with honour. Among Warriors, ones position is determined by the importance of the person they serve. If they are masterless Warriors, they are no better than the common folk.
The commonfolk of the Empire keep the nation and economy running. Commoners are generally not permitted to use weapons (though this law is often broken). Exceptions are often made to this rule when a Warrior or Noble enlists the aid of the common people in war. The commonfolk are without many rights; a Noble or Warrior can demand anything of them or even kill them, however the Celestial Order is comprised of mutual obligations. While it is a commoner's duty to produce and obey, it is a Warrior's duty to protect, and a Noble's duty to administer and teach. Nonetheless, a commoner's lot in the Empire is not an easy one, full of hard labour and suffering. Only a few commoners are fortunate enough to serve a Warrior or Noble who truly care about them; for the most part, commoners are treated with indifference, if not outright cruelty and disdain. Most commoners are obedient toward their social superiors since the alternative is to earn their wrath, but most commoners do not feel anything toward their masters than fear and wary respect. The rare Noble or Warrior who goes out of their way to fulfill their duty to their commoners are rewarded in turn with extra loyalty and effort.
The commonfolk, too, are stratified. The peasants are highest ranking, for they grow the food and crops the Empire needs. Just below the peasants are craftsmen and artisans such as smiths, masons, sewers and carpenters. They do not grow food, but these people create things of use, beauty and value. At the bottom of the commonfolk are merchants, who merely buy and sell the work of others. Commerce is, however, important to the Empire's economic health, and many Clans rely on commercial activity to swell their own coffers. Some Nobles and Warriors appoint themselves as 'merchant patrons', who supervise the activities of commoner merchants but do not get their own hands dirty.
Monks --shenmi, miko and jiangsheng-- occupy an odd position in the Celestial Order. They are not Warriors, and by strict interpretation of the Order are nothing more than commoners. However, their role as thinkers, teachers and upholders of the Empires religious system affords them a respect which other commoners do not enjoy. Most Warriors treat monks with deference, and well-respected monks are often invited to the courts of Nobles. Sometimes, they are invited to attend to the Jade Emperor himself.
A Warrior without a Noble to serve is in a difficult position in the Order. This Warrior has the skill of a member of his or her caste, but with no Noble to protect, he or she must make their own way in the world, tossed by the waves of fate. The word ronin--wave person--is thus applied to these people. They earn food through work as mercenaries or bodyguards, hoping to catch the eye of a Noble. Some ronin will ultimately engage in manual labour to support themselves, but they consider this utterly shameful; most ronin will resort to crime, banditry or suicide before living like a commoner.
At the very bottom of the Order are the Untouchables who are born into tasks that are considered spiritually impure. Primarily, this involves any activity which leads to touching 'unclean' substances such as blood, garbage, or dead flesh. Morticians, garbage collectors and leatherworkers form the bulk of this caste. Such people are regarded as less than nothing, and even peasants will often look down on them and abuse them. The life of an Untouchable is bitter and unpleasant. Their only hope is to fulfil their duties as defined by the Celestial Order well enough to be reborn into a higher station in their next life. Much of the Empire ignore Untouchables, but these people perform important tasks that others think below them.
Though torturers and prostitutes are both technically part of the Untouchable caste, their social roles give them more power and less restrictions compared to other Untouchables. A torturer may directly serve a Warrior or Noble despite constantly inflicting harm and coming into contact with blood and sweat. Prostitutes and entertainers often come into contact with the fluids of others, but are afforded a certain respect in society, particularly prostitutes who serve exclusive clientele.
Bushido
Bushido is embraced by all Warriors and most Nobles. Bushido is an amalgamation of seven constructs, detailed below. A Warrior is expected to enact bushido in their every interaction. Failure to do so leads to a loss of Face. The tenets of Bushido were first put forth in a book by a shenmi who went by the name of Tatsubou. The exact date of writing is unknown, but historians have found references to the Seven Virtues in records over one thousand years old.Compassion
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Through intense training, a Warrior becomes quick and strong. The Warrior is not like other men. The Warrior develops a power that must be used for the good of all. A Warrior has compassion. A Warrior helps their fellow man at every opportunity. If an opportunity does not arise, a Warrior goes out of their way to find one.
-- Tastubou, The Seven Virtues
Compassion teaches that as members of the higher ranks of society, Warriors have a duty to protect and guide the lesser folk. In its most obvious form, this means offering military protection against threats such as bandits, criminals, barbarian foreigners and creatures who crawl from the Everforest. This form of Compassion is most widely respected and revered in the Empire, for most realise the importance of keeping peasants alive and productive. Bullying and abusing those of a lower social standing is a shameful act, even if the Order allows it.
Some Clans take Compassion more fully to heart. The Phoenix, for example, are known to educate their commonfolk in philosophy and mysticism, seeing this spiritual support as being just as important as physical protection.
Courage
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A Warrior lives at all times close to Death, separated from Him only by the weapon and intellect.
-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues
Courage is in some ways the most basic and universal of all Bushido virtues; every warrior is expected to be ready to die at a moment's notice. The central importance of courage to a warrior's life cannot be understated. A warrior must be prepared to fight and die without hesitation, whether at the command of a lord or simply due to unavoidable circumstance. Warlike clans naturally speak most often of courage, but there is no clan which ignores it. Courage does not mean foolhardiness; a peasant's life belongs to their lord, not themselves. A warrior who throws their life away in a selfish, useless or foolish gesture is not behaving with honour; they are failing in their duty to lord, clan and empire. At times, retreating from a fight requires more courage than merely staying and dying.
Courtesy
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A Warrior has no reason to be cruel. They have no reason to prove their strength. A warrior is courteous even to their enemies. Without this outward show of respect, we are nothing more than animals. A warrior is not respected only for their strength in battle, but also by their dealings with others.
Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues.
Warrior or not, the citizens of the Empire are expected to behave with civility. They are not the barbarians of the western plains, nor the greedy men of the southern empires. A person who shows undue emotion or rudeness is not only violating the tenet of Courtesy, but is also loosing face, disrespecting those nearby and bringing shame upon themself. A Warrior remains courteous and well-mannered at all times, even when facing the bitterest of sworn enemies, or provoked with vile insults and malignant behaviour. A Warrior who openly insults others is showing weakness, which is why the upper classes of the Empire endlessly practice the art of the subtle and indirect insult. Conversely, when confronted with failures of Courtesy by those of higher stations, a person's honour is demonstrated by their ability to endure provocations and avoid drawing attention to others' failures. Imperial citizens as a whole make a point of ignoring those who engage in uncouth and improper spectacles, since drawing attention to discourteous behaviour is to make matters worse.
As one might expect, those who serve in politics and the courts tend to place a very strong emphasis on Courtesy; it is a vital element of social and political negotiation.
Duty
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To have done some 'thing' or said some 'thing' is to take ownership of that 'thing.' This means you are responsible for it and all consequences that follow. Be intensely loyal to those in your care. To those you are responsible for, remain intensely true.
-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues
If there is a Virtue that competes with Courage for universal acceptance, it is Duty. A person must be ready to serve those in higher stations, no matter the cost. Death is the least of concerns -- a person must be prepared to face humiliation, dishonour, shame and failure for the sake of Duty. They must remain faithful to family, clan, and comrades regardless of temptation. A person who violates loyalty toward a social better is violating Duty; untrustworthy individuals are shunned. This has famously made love problematic at times, as love creates conflicting loyalties (and, some philosophers say, conflicting Duties).
Honesty
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Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To a Warrior, there are no shades of gray in the question of honesty and justice. There is only right and wrong.
-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues
In principle, Honesty is perhaps the simplest of the Virtues, but perhaps the most troublesome. Ideally, it would seem obvious that the honourable person would always tell the truth. Indeed, there are some clans and families that embrace this wholeheartedly. Some families amongst the Crane are famous for their straightforward and direct ways, even in the subtle world of politics. Honesty is strongly associated in the Imperial psyche with justice, and thus tends to be a Virtue admired strongly by judges (or at least by judges who take their duties to heart).
However, many people, especially those who serve their clans in the courts of the Emperor, find that Honesty is a virtue which must be danced around, or at times violated, in order to fulfill their duties. This is smoothed over int he minds and teachings of some families by conflating Honesty and Sincerity, and placing a greater emphasis on the latter.
Sincerity
Show spoiler
When a Warrior says they will perform an action, it is as good as done. Nothing will stop the Warrior from completing what they have said they will do. Do not 'give your word.' Do not 'promise.' Let the action of speaking alone set you on your path. If you do not intend to act, do not speak.
-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues
Citizens of the Jade Empire are taught from childhood that they must express absolute sincerity in both word and deed. A person who speaks for their superior or clan in court, but does so in a carefree or unconvincing manner is serving their superior or clan as badly as if they had refused to speak at all. People who show a lack of dedication in their actions, who act and behave without commitment, are people who have failed their clans, family and the Empire.
Sincerity is regarded with particular admiration among political clans and families, but most people in the Empire respect it. For warriors, it is the principle of unifying word and action. For spies, it is a tactical advantage. Some more pragmatic warrior families regard overt displays of Sincerity with suspicion, seeing it as little more than deception disguised as honourable behaviour. Members of the Turtle Clan are known for delivering the sneering slight, "Oh, how sincere," when they feel someone is attempting to manipulate them.
Honour
Show spoiler
You have only one true judge of your honour, and that is yourself. Decisions you make and how those decisions are carried out are a reflection of who you truly are. You cannot hide from yourself.
-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtues
Loyalty
The Jade Empire is vast, and without a loyal populace, it would collapse. Much of the Empire's culture celebrates loyalty. Loyalty is the foundation of order. Loyalty to the Jade Throne is important. This is superseded by loyalty to one's family. Loyalty to the clan is paramount, more important than even loyalty to the family.Face
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Be wary of those you cast your lot with. You may judge your own honour, but the world judges you not only by your actions. The words of others colour the glass through which others see you. Take care when speaking of others, lest you blacken that glass. A moral man watches his words and actions wisely, and is aware that they affect others. Speak ill of others only when necessary; sharp words will cause you to bleed also.{br]-- Tatsubou, The Seven Virtueso
The Nine Clans
The Empire's society is structured. Every person has their place in its hierarchy. Clans overlay this hierarchy, playing an important role in the identity of a person, their family and the structure of their life.Those who do not belong to one of the Nine Clans occupy the lowest rungs of society and are usually slaves. The exception to this rule is the islands of the kemono. As a rule, the kemono and hengeyokai of the Empire exist outside the Clans. There are exceptions to this, originating from slaves who rose to positions of honour within the clans.Each clan holds certain traits and abilities in the highest regard. Each Clan, even those who have some distaste for each other, recognise that each Clan contributes uniquely to the culture, society and capabilities of the Empire. While there are squabbles between the clans that have in times past erupted into what could be considered civil war, these have been over slights of honour. Such disagreements are usually resolved quickly.
Bear: Strength, ferocity, courage.
Crane: Nobility, diplomacy, artistry.
Dragon: Pride, strength, discipline.
Mantis: Cunning, ferocity, agility.
Phoenix: Wisdom, mysticism, serenity.
Scorpion: Loyalty, cunning, agility.
Spider: Cunning, resourcefulness, agility.
Tiger: Pride, strength, courage.
Turtle: Stalwartness, courage, loyalty.
Religion
Monks
In western cultures, the monastic tradition often emphasises a life of reflection. There are notable exceptions to this trend (e.g. monastic orders dedicated to deities and saints of violence), but these exceptions are few, and considered aberrant by the societies they are a part of. The monks of the Empire are more diverse, with three primary strains of monastic tradition. Regardless of the delineations, Imperial monastic tradition shares with its western counterpart an emphasis on reflection and communication with something beyond the self. For Imperial monks, this is often a communication with the concept of Oneness. This is the understanding that all life is connected, and that cause and effect ripples across the vast Oneness. Mastery of the self is mastery of all.Shenmi
The generic term for monks in the Empire, but specifically refers to monks who ponder the mysteries of the gods and methods of manifesting internal power as external miracles. These are classic D&D monks, utilising a mastery of their bodies and awareness of their surroundings.
Miko
Shamanistic ascetics linked to kami and yokai. In terms of gameplay, see here.
Jiangsheng
Disciplined warrior-monks who dedicate themselves to understanding the mystery and artistry of martial warfare. In terms of gameplay, these are Kensei.
Species
Humans: Most common.
Orcs: Considered a kind of oni.
Elves: Uncommon.
Fae: Called yokai. Few interact with civilised society.
Kemono: Rare. Used as slaves. Exclusionary. Found mostly on islands.
Hengeyokai: Kemono x yokai. Rare. Can take the form of a beast.
Dwarves: Very rare.
Gnomes: Extremely rare.
Halflings: Extremely rare.
International Relations
Alramal Alkhafiya: Relations between the Empire and Alkhafi people remain pleasant, and trade across the Bhar Samudr is as fruitful as ever. The Empire supplies Alramal Alkhafiya with a number of alchemical reagents, silk and food that is difficult to grow in the dry heat. In return, the Empire receives certain alchemical goods at a premium discount.
Ghandarhan Empire:
Karthain: Between the Empire and Karthain, there is a tension due to the similar, but separate abilities of chi/ki and magic. Generally, Karthain looks down upon users of ki as inferior miracle workers. The Jade Empire's primary exports to Karthain are slaves, rice and silk.
Vralach: Vralach relies on the Empire for support in maintaining the border with the Endless Forest. Between the common people of Vralach and the Empire, there is a camaraderie. There is an increasing tension between the nations the further up the social ladder one climbs. There are those in both nations that think the powers ought to combine, and those in both that value the separateness between the Empire and Vralach.
Daojima (Eastern Islands)
Nandao (Southern Islands)
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