Yamato

The ancient capital and figurehead of the Yamachai nation, Yamato’s settlement dates back two millennia, and has been through many reformations, sackings and rebuildings. Considered a sacred spot by the people of the Isles, and even some of the religions of The Forbidden Isles, this cool and misty city seems otherworldly when first visited by humans or centaurs used to the warmer Tzunar or Hydric. From having door handles designed with claws in mind, to the spherical domed buildings that many houses are formed as, nowhere in the Forbidden Isles quite resembles these lands.

Demographics

The vast majority of the city’s denizens, regardless of social class, are Yamachai, as the islands are quite isolationist for cultural reasons, as well as the harsh cold storms that can batter the coasts. Human and centaur presence being mainly limited to estates for rich merchants and temporary trader presence. As one of the main cultural centre points of their civilisation, the city’s status as a holy sight for the Yamachai mean many of the priesthood either reside here or go on pilgrimages there to settle on matters of faith and meditate to the Source.
Besides the priests, secular rulers under the High Priest’s blessing come to pay annual tribute to ensure the faith holds them in regard, and to maintain a semblance of unity. When the Clans war amongst each other, it is in the sacred capital that they come together to make peace under truce. To break truce is considered an abomination in Yamachai culture. Rich merchants are below the aristocracy in esteem in society, but their meritocratic method of obtaining power gives them somewhat more respect among the common people.

Government

The spiritual capital of the Yamachai and home to both the Great Temple; headquarters of the Most Pious, and the Bank of Yam, where many, rich and small come to trade almost as equals, investing in loans and savings as they make their ways in life. The Most Pious run the city’s daily lives, having been trained as bureaucrats as well as priests, and manage visitors from the many Clans across the Isles who come to pay tribute. While with almost universal spiritual authority, their political authority often is limited to the city itself, unless the Clan leaders in question are particularly devout. In many cases, the High Priest may be called out to resolve a matter between warring clans to call for a truce.
The secular advisors of the Priests are the Fingers, whose role is to manage the economical aspect of society more, and tend to deal with the clan lords directly when they come to pilgrimage there.

Defences

A sacred city, few if any of the aristocracy of the Yamachai would dare attack Yamato even after disagreement, though the city nevertheless has ten metre high walls with turrets and a moat to protect itself, as well as sea walls and an ever present fleet to protect from any invaders from the north or east. Vunkish raiding parties and pirates from all across the known world are a threat that tends to swiftly be dealt with in most conditions, barring the odd occasion where an adventurer may be granted some small speck of land simply as a bribe. This was the case for the Vunkish raider Varlgun, who was granted rule of the northernmost island of Yiwin around a couple of centuries ago, and to this day it remains the only island in the Yamachai chain with a human clan ruling over it.

Infrastructure

Possessing a large port, the city is a hub for trade all across the Yamachai islands, and to a lesser extent, with the nations of the Forbidden Isles, such as the Southern Alliance or the Dominion.
Multiple roads connect the spiritual capital of the Yamachai with the other cities and towns of Yam, ensuring it is easy for them to reach. Constructed under the direction of the Himujo clan under the blessing of the High Priests Ghonama IX and his successor Heiprei VI, the roads greatly restored Yamato’s control of Yam island following the Fires.

History

Over fifteen hundred years old, Yamato’s founding by the devout clansman Yama Kiya made it quickly grow as a home for people away from the neighbouring wars of the petty kingdoms around them. Allowing the High Priest and his followers a new and permanent home greatly boosted the population form pilgrims, monks and priests, causing the city to grow in power and influence, eventually getting the kings to give up their crowns and submit to the Priests. In time, the Yama clan faded away into obscurity, but their city remained, and as the spiritual capital of this unusual race, continues to be one of the wonders of the world.

Architecture

Most of the buildings of Yamato are dome shaped and white, with the exception of the Great Temple, which is triangular. Decorated by three seventy-metre tall stepped pyramids in each corner, the larger triangle is over three-hundred metres in width between each corner, and houses the Most Pious and the High Priest himself. Everyone, from the lowest peasant to the most powerful Clansman is required to humble themselves publically before conversation with the High Priest.
Marble is frequently used for the most important buildings, as well as the houses of the rich in this city.

Geography

While much of Yam has tall snow capped peaks with shrines on them, Yamato itself is a relatively flat city near the coast, though overlooking the twin mountains on either side of the bay it overlooks.

Founding Date

700-900 BF

Type

Large city

Population

80,000

Inhabitant Demonym

Yamataa

Location under

The Forbidden Isles

Ruling/Owning Rank

High Priest (Yamachai)

Owning Organization

Isles of the Yamachai

Characters in Location

• Yuka