Pei-tsu

The Golden Empire of Pei-tsu has been ruled by the same line, and four advisor families, since the White Maelstrom, the only established Empire to have continued, unbroken and seemingly unchanged. Extremely isolationist, only allowing trade in a few satellite cities, little is fully known about the country. What is known is that each of four territories is ruled by a different House based on the cardinal directions and seems to have slightly variant rules on etiquette for visitors. Their guardsmen are numerous, though they refute the designation of military, and house in every home of the satellite cities, and the very hint of a traitor or spy is grounds for arrest or "disappearance". The capital city is said to be Julu but only a few scholars have ever been granted access. Those that return vehemently sing its praises, stating it as a city of magic, gold, ivory, and jewels.
They also speak of a powerful military both magical and physical, and one of the scholars brought back the designs and plans that later lead to the customization and creation of firearms in Baactri-Tochar and Ravenashen. Supposedly all military service is voluntary, but brutally rigorous, and the Emperor is a prophet of the same scale as the Owl Oracle and leads Pei-tsu's people to the best individual success they can achieve.

Structure

The internal workings of Pei-tsu is somewhat unclear. All visitors have mentioned an emperor, clad in a rainbow of features, jewels, and gold. Others speak of meeting with a Council of Five Heavens, whereas other speak of the 4 families and their 4 territories being met in separate differentiated ceremonies. It is known that these leaders are absolute, but by what right or selection is no more known than details of the inner kingdom.
One constant for the country, however, is its treatment of its outer territories. Beyond the Satellite cities, in uncivilized Pei-tsu claimed land, exist roaming clans of bandits, small undefended farming communities, and hidden villages of isolated natives. Many of the bandits and communities are refugees or dumps from within the kingdom, usually appearing with no memories of their lives before. Some bear horribly warped forms or are raving mad. All eke out an existence in fear and hiding for any official guardsmen or military patrol that sees them will reclaim them, shipping them back into that secretive kingdom, or kill them on the spot. Native outlanders are no less paranoid of these patrols, for they are prime capture material. Officially Pei-tsu does not acknowledge the outlander's existence.

Culture

Just as much is not known about their governmental structure, the culture of Pei-tsu is unclear. By limited accounts they are spiritual, worshipping sky and land deities, are advanced in the sciences as gunpowder originated with them, and some suspect psionically capable given the fawning nature of the views visitors often return with. Their secrecy is clear otherwise, and captured citizens in early conflicts with Tochar would kill themselves in unimaginable ways to avoid revealing even accidental information.
The outland's culture is more clear, being mostly poor agrarian communities and brutal, unregulated banditry. Larger towns or warlords occasionally form but serve as calling cards for Pei-tsu's attention so they are usually removed before they grow into anything truly powerful or recognized by other countries. The people are hearty and, while suspicious and not immediately welcoming, not prejudice by the standards of some other kingdoms. They sometimes also have limited trade with the secretive Korobokoru(Hill dwaves), interactions often forged of desperation or curiosity and plagued with mistrust on both sides.

Assets

Pei-tsu's greatest asset is its secrecy. Its trade is also valuable, allowing them to present incredible wealth and power internationally without war. Also worthy of note is some divination resisting effect that exists deeper within the country, especially surrounding the capitol.

Shelter from the rain; outgrow the self

Founding Date

Year 1 of the White Maelstrom, 1 ES, 33rd of Pandorym

Alternative Names

Golden Empire, Font of Knowledge

Demonym

Peinese

Currency

Pei-tsu traditionally ships out strings tied through coins of Jade with very standardized symbols. They are valued at a silver standard. It is unknown if they are used internally.