Nihakeshi
"Temper yourself, young one. By the end of the year, you will know no disobedience, no disrespect, and no dishonour."
-Ryuusai Enma, Schoolteacher
Intro
Nihakeshi is an oriental nation that extends north to south. After years of isolation, its strict and honour-bound populace has recommenced relations with the outside world. Ruled by a paranoid shogun, Nihakeshi takes every and any measure for self-defence, often at the expense of the freedom of its people.Geography
Nihakeshi takes up an entire continent, which begins in the far north and thins down as it extends southwards, eventually tapering off just a few hundred miles above the Six Seas.The northern regions of the country are all polar, all experiencing the northern lights. Much of the north, especially the regions adjacent to coastlines, are composed of ice floes and bergs, without much stable land to be found. On the larger pieces of ice, fishing and hunting villages pop up. Far inland, the ground becomes stable, but no plants and few animals make their homes there. It's mostly just ice and rocks, though the few large northern settlements are all on solid ground.
Separating the north from the south is a mountain range, The Tundra's Knuckles, which is incredibly treacherous to cross. Several volcanos are present in the region, and one of particular note, Ronkai, The Black Caldera, is said to be cursed and is avoided by the locals. The Shogun's private palace is located somewhere among the mountains, but its location is kept as a state secret.
In the southern region of the country are The Autumn Reaches, an idyllic forested area perpetually in a state of autumn. The majority of Nihajin reside here, and most major settlements are here as well. The region is filled with small villages and isolated temples to be explored. However, it does suffer from monster problems - predatory monsters of a variety of natures are prevalent here for unknown reasons.
History
Nihakeshi has one of the most well-documented histories, down to the actions of leaders from thousands of years ago on specific dates of their lives. The country was initially founded by a coalition between the northern hunter/gatherers and the southern farmers, who placed a neutral leader between the two of them, the Emporer, in the mountains. The emperors ruled for hundreds of years until a military coup installed the shoguns. From there rulership would flip between the two ruling types every couple of hundred years. Emporers and shoguns were functionally the same, with the primary difference being that shoguns usually commanded larger militaries, and emperors usually had the support of the populace.As other nations began to forage their identities, the protectionist leaders of the country ordered that Nihakeshi enter isolation, refusing to trade or interact with other nations save to defend themselves from invasion. Over the course of the years both Harpsbilge and Timberwelsh did make attempts to conquer the land, but quickly realized it was not to be. Thus the nation remained isolated.
This isolation lasted until 729 HB, nearly two decades after the invention of flintlock firearms. Nihakeshi realized it was falling behind technologically, and that it was at risk of being invaded if it did not open itself up to the outside world. Nihakeshi began to send envoys out to the world to procure firearms and tried to ensure that information of any and all new technology reached them. Thus far the strategy has been successful, though Nihakeshi still struggles to stay on par with other nations in terms of technology. It remains very difficult for a non-naitive to enter the country unless they have something truly unique to offer.
Governance
Nihakeshi is ruled by Shogun Mitsuhashi Kanda, who controls the country with an iron fist. The inhabitants have little control over her decrees and are expected to listen unquestioningly. Kanda communicates her decrees via trusted envoys, refusing to leave her palace even in times of national emergency. Some members of the public question if she even exists, of it her name is merely a puppet being used by an oligarchy.The current Shogun is particularly paranoid. Her decrees have all been incredibly protectionist and isolationist which - though in line with previous policy - is strange for an age of turbulent progress in which Nihakeshi already needs to do work to catch up with the rest of the world. These factors combined have led to growing discontent with the leadership within the nation, but the populace is powerless to do anything but sulk.
Inhabitants
Nihakeshi is almost 100% human. Other humanoids (or even humans of other ethnicities) are not welcome without something exceptional to offer. A variety of intelligent monsters can still be found within the borders of Nihakeshi, which are perhaps more of a concern than foreigners. If a monster is dangerous, intelligent, and isn't mere myth, it probably can be found here.Culture
Nihakeshi operates under honour and national pride. Honour is much like the fictionalized versions of Japanese concepts of honour on earth, where one is honourable through discipline, selflessness, and commitment to a greater cause - whether it be one's family, job, or nation. A high degree of value is also placed on mutual respect. A small slight is seen as cause to hate a person for the rest of their life, and a major one is cause enough to kill.These elitist attitudes spill over into national pride. Because other cultures aren't so strict, Nihajin view foreigners with severe distaste. What is a normal act of greeting to another culture might be an insult to the Nihajin, who feel they haven't been given the respect they deserve. Because of their distaste for foreigners, national pride is strong within Nihakeshi, even in times of conflict and poor governance. After all, there's nobody else in the world who, "understands true respect".
Founding Date
September 9th, -2717 HB
Demonym
Nihajin
Government System
Monarchy, Absolute
Currency
Gen
Neighboring Nations
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