The Eastern Kingdoms
Home to a host of mortal races, the Eastern Kingdoms are ruled by an Emperor instead of a Monarch, and have a vastly different culture from the Western Kingdoms. Pioneers from the Western Kingdoms have sailed here for the first time long ago. They came in peace, however: famous explorer Vladask Oceanhallow was eager to learn about it culture, learned to greeted its people with respect, and this served him well when he was granted an audience with the Emperor. He left with a promise to ask his king to meet with the Eastern monarch, and returned with a letter from his king asking when a meeting suited the Emperor. This meeting between royalty eventually led to a lasting peace between the two kingdoms, and a long-standing allyship.
Oceanhallow found that this part of the world values tradition: many ceremonies, architecture, and forms of entertainment have been kept alive for centuries. Its inhabitants tend to also value community above all: however, they also believe that all aspects of life should be in balance with each other. It might be difficult for an outsider to differentiate a wealthy merchant from a common peasant, as modesty is highly valued: attraction is more based on a desirable personality and set of skills then physical characteristics (although the latter is also still weighed when seeking a partner). Fabrics are a status symbol on the Eastern Kingdoms, as they are difficult to make from local resources and often imported. The more fabrics and detail, the higher the social status. It's not uncommon for nobles from these lands to wear many layers of fabrics: this is considered a visual sign that one does not need to move around a lot, and therefore does not have to work. Incorporating hides on the outer layers is an even greater sign of status, especially of more dangerous animals such as tigers are used.
However, Oceanhallow sadly had to remark in his logs that the community is quick to shame those not completely seen as compliant to the culture. And this has not changed in the present day. For example: while your boss at your workplace might overwork you, being overworked is seen as an issue to be fixed on your part. However, they tend to be more forgiving to people of a Western Kingdoms descent, as those are partially seen as outsiders that might be unknowing about some cultural aspects. The younger generation is working to change this shame culture, though. Important common courtesies to observe when visiting here are to reciprocate whenever someone bows while greeting you, to take a moment to study a trader's business card before storing it (to quickly store it in a pouch to read later is considered rude here), and to be sure to mind your pleases and thank yous. People from the Eastern Kingdoms are often perceived as overly polite by inhabitants of the Western Kingdoms.
The temples and monasteries within the Eastern Kingdoms produce some of the mightiest Monks: powerful martial artists trained by older, more experienced mentors. Their hands are as deadly as regular weapons, and they are known for their mental fortitude. The class originated here, but its practices have spread overseas due to their habit of travelling in order to learn more about the world first-hand. Monks from the Eastern Kingdoms are often highly disciplined, and have carried that ideology over to their protégés from the Western Kingdoms.
Oceanhallow found that this part of the world values tradition: many ceremonies, architecture, and forms of entertainment have been kept alive for centuries. Its inhabitants tend to also value community above all: however, they also believe that all aspects of life should be in balance with each other. It might be difficult for an outsider to differentiate a wealthy merchant from a common peasant, as modesty is highly valued: attraction is more based on a desirable personality and set of skills then physical characteristics (although the latter is also still weighed when seeking a partner). Fabrics are a status symbol on the Eastern Kingdoms, as they are difficult to make from local resources and often imported. The more fabrics and detail, the higher the social status. It's not uncommon for nobles from these lands to wear many layers of fabrics: this is considered a visual sign that one does not need to move around a lot, and therefore does not have to work. Incorporating hides on the outer layers is an even greater sign of status, especially of more dangerous animals such as tigers are used.
However, Oceanhallow sadly had to remark in his logs that the community is quick to shame those not completely seen as compliant to the culture. And this has not changed in the present day. For example: while your boss at your workplace might overwork you, being overworked is seen as an issue to be fixed on your part. However, they tend to be more forgiving to people of a Western Kingdoms descent, as those are partially seen as outsiders that might be unknowing about some cultural aspects. The younger generation is working to change this shame culture, though. Important common courtesies to observe when visiting here are to reciprocate whenever someone bows while greeting you, to take a moment to study a trader's business card before storing it (to quickly store it in a pouch to read later is considered rude here), and to be sure to mind your pleases and thank yous. People from the Eastern Kingdoms are often perceived as overly polite by inhabitants of the Western Kingdoms.
The temples and monasteries within the Eastern Kingdoms produce some of the mightiest Monks: powerful martial artists trained by older, more experienced mentors. Their hands are as deadly as regular weapons, and they are known for their mental fortitude. The class originated here, but its practices have spread overseas due to their habit of travelling in order to learn more about the world first-hand. Monks from the Eastern Kingdoms are often highly disciplined, and have carried that ideology over to their protégés from the Western Kingdoms.
Fauna & Flora
Flora
- Bamboo
- Kapok trees
- Tualang trees
- Mangrove trees
- Durian trees
- Jambu fruit shrubs
- Orchids
- Giant flesh-eating flytraps
- Tigers
- Pandas
- Tapirs
- Rhinoceri
- Elephants
- Macaques
- Herons
- Jambu Fruit Doves
- River fish
Natural Resources
- Hardwood
- Honey
- Jambu fruits
- Durians
- Fish
- Orchids
Tourism
Many visitors to the Eastern Kingdoms have heard about its existence through picture books and magical moving pictures, and further learn about its real culture through tomes on the matter. While most read and view these in a healthy capacity and view it more as a hobby, some grow obsessed with aspects of Eastern Kingdom culture, and start decrying the culture of the Western Kingdoms around them.
Once these obsessive people actually manage to visit the Eastern Kingdoms, they are perceived as highly annoying by the people of the Eastern Kingdoms, and the people of East tend to view them as active threats. While the Western Kingdoms refer to these obsessive people as 'bridge trolls' (referring to their common habit of bad hygiene and deplorable views on women's rights), they have been dubbed 'Kimo-oni' in the Eastern Kingdoms: an equally pejorative term that means something along the lines of 'disgusting ogre', referring to these same aspects of someone's character. The most stereotypical idea of a bridge troll wears a typical hat that is often referred to wrongly, and ill-fitted clothing combined with a long, equally ill-fitted coat. But correcting the term for the hat on the spot is a clear tell that one is secretly a bridge troll. However, this kind of appearance is this is by no means a necessity: the term mainly refers to monstrous behavior, not appearance.
Alternative Name(s)
The East, The Orient, Lands of the Rising Sun
Type
Continent
Included Locations
Remove these ads. Join the Worldbuilders Guild
Comments