Zhongguo

The lands of Yaxiya are home to an empire with extensive history and rich culture. There are other countries and ethnicities calling Yaxiya home but Zhongguo is the largest by far. Their government the Sì Xiàng : Four Dynasties, like many throughout Emynea, claims sovereignty by right of their divine bloodline. There are various dynasties vying for control by gaining the favor of their common ancestor Ralgotar. Within the last two decades, Zhongguo has been conquered by the Kingdom of Accia. They were defeated after a long and costly campaign spanning decades, finally succumbing after a siege of their capital. After then General Allen Minx crippled the clan guarding the palace, General Martin Stahlmann overtook them. After surrendering, the Azure Dynasty has been allowed to continue governing Zhongguo autonomously but ultimately still answers to the kingdom.

Zhongguo is a large territory, varying drastically, but is primarily characterized by volcanic and seismic activity, tall and jagged mountain ranges, fertile floodplains and river deltas and vast plateaus. Most inhabitants are blessed by Ylithuum, Wylrith, Ralgotar and Rylis to best thrive in these biomes but there are plenty of other variations. Culturally, Zhongguo is the refined, colorful and complex Huaren culture. They also possess their own medical practices which rely heavily on Material Magic rather than racial magic as most Accians rely upon. The use of material magic for healing is far more developed in Zhongguo than any other Accian territory, comparable only to that of those in the Continent Beyond. Many Accian scholars have taken to travelling Zhongguo to study and record these practices as well as their martial art techniques. However, some of these practitioners are more secretive than others or even purposefully obscure their knowledge from the kingdom so they cannot be used within their war machine.

Signs of Ralgotar's next emergence have been observed. Political pressure within Zhongguo has begun accumulating as a result. The Azure Dynasty currently in control dreads this emergence, knowing Ralgotar will not be pleased with their defeat. This could mean the end of their reign or, given their total defeat, even the full elimination of their line. They have two options to retake their autonomy, they can either rebel and drive out the kingdom or they can marry into the royal line of Accia. They have one female heir the same age as Prince Aldric Syltharis, Wu Zetian. They have sent her to join the Accian Training Progam/Procession and she has set her eyes on Prince Aldric. The current emperor is also placing pressure on the kingdom simultaneously, King Ambrose Syltharis seeking to solidify this union for the sake of future stability within the kingdom as well. However, Zetian isn't the only royal heiress with her eyes on the prince.

Structure

Dynastic. See Sì Xiàng : Four Dynasties. The emperor is the head of one chosen dynasty and the heads of the remaining dynasties will serve as his ministers. Each dynasty has their own internal structure and hierarchy to decide leadership within but but the dynasty of the emperor is chosen by Ralgotar himself.
When Ralgotar wakes from hibernation he will choose one of these dynasties before he hibernates again. He is quite fickle and enjoys watching his descendants compete whether this be by power, whit or strategy. One of the only primary limitations he sets for his descendants is that while they can spar individually, they are not permitted to murder or assassinate each other. They must compete with each other in more creative or less direct means. However, when he is particularly displeased he won't hesitate to wipe out a whole dynasty and choose/make a new one. Most dynasties were chosen because of their unique racial magic but there are also various other legends revolving around individuals who earned his affection directly.

The Capital and Palace

The capital of Zhongguo surrounds a grand, lone volcano in the heartland plains. The volcano is active but never erupts violently, generally producing a consistent and gentle flow of lava. Aquifers have been built to direct the constant flow past the lake at the base of the volcano and over the city. Some have made a living processing the cooled lava and any mineral deposits contained within. The capital city itself surrounds this volcanic lake, a rich and bustling metropolis.

A special clan lives atop this lake in structures built over the steaming waters. They care for and tend to the Azure Dragons living within. They have a special relationship to these beasts and both work together to guard the imperial palace. This palace has been built into the mouth of the volcano itself, designed to rise and fall with the lava flow. A special enchantment has been placed on the palace, protecting any who posses Ralgotar's blood from harm or even discomfort while within palace grounds. For the families and spouses of Ralgotar's descendants, a terraced complex has been built into the sides of the volcano. All dynasty heads serve the emperor as his ministers and live in the terraces. Ralgotar himself hibernates within this volcano for long periods of time.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire

Capital

Yanjing

Demonym

Huaren

Ruling Organization

Si Xiang

Government System

Monarchy, Absolute

Gazetteer

Ylituum's Seat - Kunlun Shan : The tallest mountain range in Emynea and the northernmost region of Zhongguo. Ylithuum's Seat sits within the tallest peak. This mountain range is also very seismically active, two plates consistently pushing against each other. This range stretches further east and becomes the Quaking Mines while the Great Plateau skirts it south and southwest. It overlooks the Tepid Lakes north of this geographic zone.

Quaking Mines : As Kunlun Shan stretches west, this highly mountainous and frigid land emerges. This is one of the most seismically active locations in Emynea but these mountains are also extremely rich in ore, gems and other natural resources such as coal. These mines shift and restructure constantly and only those with specific adaptions can work them. The Ethereal Peninsula connects to the easternmost edge of this region while taiga and tundra steppes connect in the north. The Heartland Plains connect in the south.

Heartland Plains : As the name suggests, this location is the heartland of Zhongguo. While still quite mountainous, this region is mostly characterize by undulating plains and generous irrigation from rivers and lakes. Some of the land here consists of floodplains as well and the entire region is subject to annual monsoons. Water and earth are both major attributes of this region. Some of this land borders the sea as well, this coastline consisting of rocky cliffs, bays and many islands.

Ralgotar's Fingers : Most of the coast south of their capital is highly volcanic, this mountainous strip dubbed after the patron of Zhongguo. These volcanos erupt regularly, leaving their coast rugged and spattered with islands. Beautiful geographic features also result from this activity and the ash these volcanoes spew is extremely fertile. Those able to survive here have taken to transporting this ash to the agricultural centers of Zhongguo along the many waterways Zhongguo. The local plant life has also evolved or been blessed to thrive in these volcanic landscapes. The activity intensifies the further south one travels, eventually becoming 'Ralgotar's Palm' south of Zhongguo.

Ashen Delta : East of Ralgotar's Fingers, these river deltas and floodplains thrive on the volcanic ash which blows in along eastern ocean winds. This region is extremely fertile, humid and well irrigated by river tributaries and lakes. River gorges, watersheds, rice paddies and occasional pastoral valley plains populate these lands. Sharp mountains break up these features and terraced farms are a major characteristic. Ralgotar's Palm is south of this region, separated by a constant volcanic flow.

Bamboo Peaks : Set between the Ashen Delta and Western Wastes and south of the Great Plateau, an intensely mountainous but virile wilderness emerges. There are drastic elevations and drops side by side, some differences reaching nearly 10,000 feet, making the landscape ill suited for farming or pasture. However, these lands are still highly fertile and both plant and wildlife thrive here. It is home to beautiful bamboo and stone forest and unnavigable rivers giving way to incredible waterfalls. Most locals utilize these lands to collect materials for medicinal material magic. These landscapes become more extreme in some locations, effected by Gokrilvek, Vapri and Ithisda magics.

Great Plateau : Set between Ylithuum's Seat and the more fertile plains and mountains of Zhongguo a vast plateau spreads east and west. Some of this plateau is suitable for pastoralism but harsh winds carry dust and sand from the west. In some places, the high elevation lends to frigid conditions and this region isn't very arable, being extremely arid. In the northwest it also eventually connects to the Frozen Wastes.

Western Wastes : The westernmost region of Zhongguo is characterized by vast, arid desert and wasteland and harsh winds. The northern portion also connects to the Frozen Wastes. Merchants have still travelled through these lands to facilitate trade between Zhongguo and Accia and a large port town can be found along the western coasts.

Parent Organization

Kingdom of Accia

Subsidiary Organizations