Kingdom of Yomi

Continuously shrouded in a glowing mist that seems almost magical, Yomi is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world.

The Empire of Yomi is a lush land, brimming with beautiful flowers and riddled with small bodies of fresh water. In the center of the empire is the Palace of Tsujin, an ornate building which towers over every other structure in Yoshino, the capital of Yomi. Continuously shrouded in a glowing mist that seems almost magical, Yomi is considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Yomi's hills and fields are covered with exotic flowers that purfume the air for miles. Many say that the air can be overwhelming.
The people of Yomi have a strong connection to nature and believe that their Emperor Tsujin is the voice of the Goddess Solace, whom they hold festivals for many times throughout the year. Many people travel to Yomi to experience the fine clothing, exotic foods and breath-taking landscapes; but all those who travel there remark that the general atmosphere is very sophisticated and traditional, which can be stifling for some.
Beyond the empire lies the vast amount of Daimyo, or Lords, that rule over certain portions of the nation. They pay taxes to the Emperor in both coin and goods, as well as spending nearly half their time in Yoshino at court. In order to protect their land from bandits and roving monsters, they have hired out samurai in order to serve them, skilled warriors trained from birth in all forms of weapons and armor. Some of these samurai choose to not serve lords, and wander the lands fighting monsters and being adventurers in control of their own destiny.
Emperor Tsujin, the Voice of Solace, rules with a claimed divine mandate. The throne of the Emperor of Yomi is traditionally passed along the lines of the most powerful magic users in the country. Powerful bloodlines traditionally stay in power and so to ensure his children stay on the throne Tsujin birthed 23 children with 9 wives over the years; 19 female and 4 male. Of which, only one was birthed from his first wife; and therefor would be the rightful successor to the throne, unless challenged and beaten by someone more powerful. However, 6 of Tsujin’s children were born on the same day and were identical in appearance, and therefore it is unknown which of those children is the true heir as none of them are old enough to lay claim to the throne and challenge one another in sorcerous combat.
While primarily populated by the Obake, Yomi has always been open to any who wish to dwell within its beautiful lands, and as long as one is also willing to swear allegiance to the Emperor of Yomi. As such, many different people can be found under the Emperors care, though most rarely are the Therians, who share a distrust and emnity to the people of Yomi. Yomi's citizens farm and trade large amounts of wheat, rice, cloth and silks to the western kingdoms, and they share a political alliance with Il Paraonde and Zenith.
Although not strictly enforced, the vast majority of Yomi worship Solace as it is strongly believed that Tsujin is a prophet of the goddess. Nature is extremely important to the citizens and there are festivals held at the start and end of every large harvest. In most houses in Yomi, small shrines with plates of fresh fruits and veggies are laid out in offering to the goddess. They are well known for their frequent festivals where they pay tribute to the animals, nature and Solace.

The Empire of Yomi resembles a large ring with the outer cities and villages connecting in a circle around the capital, Yoshino. Small cities and villages spring up and disappear overnight where wandering troupes of citizens travel around the outer ring of Yomi. There are 4 larger cities which remain permanently evenly spaced around the capital and owned and run by 4 major land owners in the Empire. The city of Kashi is owned and run by Tashimoto; the largest land owner in the kingdom who deals in produce. Kashi is known to be the leader in production of all of Yomi’s food crops. This is considered the largest and most important city other than the capital. The city of Eiru is owned and run by Harimaru; the richest man in Yomi who deals in medical supplies. Eiru is where all medicines are made, produced and sold in the empire. The largest hospitals are found there as well as the best doctors in the empire. The city of Ranna is owned and run by Raku; who owns the most famous blacksmiths in the Empire, and supposedly forged a blade for the Emperor Tsujin on his coronation day. Ranna is the original home of the weapon of choice for samurai; the katana. Ranna is nestled against a mountain where the sturdy and lightweight ore is mined, forged and sold. The city of Makano is owned and run by Sheishi; the producer of all the finest clothing and fine silks. Makano is a city covered in silk and cotton farms where the finest clothing in the kingdom is made.
In the early weeks of the Spring of 1024, apothecaries of the Imperial Family of Yomi noted that the Spiritual Lake of Ito was somehow draining. This was not due to any noticeable drought or weather change, but all the same, the blessed Waters of Ito were lower every week. These waters were used to create crucial medicines, and more so than that, the plants surrounding the shores of the Great Lake began to wither. The waters as well as the spiritual energies of the Ito were somehow being siphoned away.
Emperor Tsujin sent emissaries to all corners of his lands, requesting the aid of mystics and mages of any walk of life, anyone who could solve this ecological nightmare. Of the throngs of priests and sages who answered the call of their Emperor, the dragon Shayu, the Red Sunrise, offered her aid. Even now, she and the Emperor Tjujin work side by side with a veritable legion of mages and priests to answer the question of the draining of Ito.
9/1024 - The source of the draining of the Spiritual Lake of Ito has been discovered. The mystic corp gathered by Emperor Tsujin and the Dragon Shayu were able to discover that a Black Mirror lay at the bottom of the lake, and had opened its magical surface, slowly emptying the contents of the lake through its surface. Reinforced by the magic of Emperor Tsujin’s mystic corp, the Red Sunrise dove into the draining lake Ito, and managed to close the Black Mirror. It now rests in the joint possession of Emperor Tsujin and Shayu, who stays as the Emperor’s guest in the Imperial Palace while they contemplate how to best help Lake Ito recover its drained magical waters, as well as to try and surmise what their enemy could want with the power of the waters they have already stolen.

Cultural Dress
Cultural Dress: Kimono such as Furisode, Kosode, Yukata, or a 2 piece with Hakama pants/skirts

Kingdom Skills
Courtly Composure: Once per day, defend against a compulsion, captivate, or taunt