Fuukansei

Stones Older than Flesh

While almost all remnants of the Age of Illusions are buried away or lost to time, what is left of Fuukansei serves more as a reminder of the follies of decadence and greed than any record of past glory. The ruins of the empire are like a scar in the center of the continent, rendering only the coasts of Zokukuni inhabited in the present day.

History

"Even the wind needs a place to rest."

Old Zokukuni phrase from which Fuukansei is derived

Before the first signs of mortal civilization leaving the cradle, and before even the Fall of the Icemen, there stood the empire of Fuukansei. While the Icemen were building their empire upon the sea, the elementals of air built theirs upon the land, in the center of the continent that would come to be called Zokukuni, avoiding what they saw as a needless conflict. In lieu of the cruelties enacted by the Icemen, however, the elementals of Fuukansei built machines of magic and steel, to perform labor their elemental forms were ill-fit for, to stave off the beasts of flesh, and sometimes simply out of curiosity. Some among their ranks realized that their efforts were futile, however, and before long they abandoned both their previous forms and their empire to roam the world as Changelings.
For centuries, as mortals inherited The Eye, the works of Fuukansei would remain dormant. While many outposts fell to disrepair and predation, its capital, built upon a potent node of magic, stood the test of time, remaining unbroken, pristine, and - worse yet - functional. Inevitably, the inhabitants of Zokukuni would find a way in to the forbidden city, and then find a way to make use of the artifacts of ages past. Some scholars believe, perhaps, that some Changelings brought mortals to their former home, desiring its control and comforts again, and the evidence is certainly there for those that look. From this city, the abandoned empire rose again, the might of its artifice sweeping across Zokukuni from shore to shore in mere months.
Their reign undisputed, the leaders of New Fuukansei saw an opportunity to pick up where their predecessors left off. The city was not equipped to satisfy the needs of the flesh, but it was easy enough to compel those they conquered to farm and cultivate land along Zokukuni's shores. It was certainly equipped to build, however, and build they did, repairing and expanding the city and hoarding all the metal they could wrest from the earth to do so. Those within the walls lived in luxury, while those without saw little of that wealth but lived in relative safety under the protection of the constructs. In many ways, their ignorance was bliss, as they were left unaware of life in the heartland of New Fuukansei.

Only one who has everything needs fear they will lose it.

The empire's greed could only be sustained for so long, however. In their hunger for power, they sought ways to wrest more from the node of magic that fueled their grand city. The results were spectacular, but could not have been further from what they desired. Some historical eyewitness accounts of what became known as The Zokukuni Schism state that the resulting pillar of raw chaotic magic could be seen as far away as the Varulosph and the Dwarven Peaks. Perhaps more dramatic than its visual effects, however, was its fallout upon the functioning of magic and artifacts within The Eye. It would be months before civilization fully recovered, and most nations took from the Schism a lesson that relying on artifacts to sustain societies would only lead to ruin.
In what may be the greatest piece of irony, those that would survive were the farmers, fishermen, and other 'unwashed peasants' on the outskirts of Zokukuni. These mortals knew not what caused the empire to fall, but the effects upon their way of life were far greater than those who only experienced the wild magic of the Schism. Seemingly drawn from Yore, the continent was flooded with a variety of strange supernatural beings, and the inhabitants were forced to adapt and coexist with these creatures. Over time, they developed traditions and rituals to appease and gain the favor of many spirits, as well as to ward others away. This arrangement lead to great superstition amongst Zokukuni's inhabitants, but also gave them much the same safety as they had under the late empire.
No longer being taxed and exploited by New Fuukansei, in fact, lead them to not only survive but prosper. While the center of the continent remained a cursed land of corrupted metallic and magical monstrosities, the areas closer to the shore formed a loose network of villages and towns, each with their own shrines, large and small, to their supernatural benefactors. While they lack the natural resources to become as prosperous or developed as the Golden Empire or the Kingdom of Chal, their ports are open to those that find a reason to use them.

Territories

The empire takes up much of inland Zokukuni, often cutting off land routes between its coastal settlements and requiring nautical transport despite their proximity. While the ruined walls do little to prevent approach on the outskirts, the threat their defenders can pose or the risk of being inhabited by monsters still makes these areas dangerous, with most natives avoiding such areas entirely.

Technological Level

The nature of Fuukansei's machinery is beyond the understanding of most mortal civilizations in The Eye today, their automatons blending intricate gearwork with Air magic with results that far outstrip the agility of lumbering iron golems. Some components generate energy objects as part of their own structure, forming bridges and walls, modifiable weaponry, or even advanced diagrams on the fly. The most powerful defenses, whether they are automatons or traps, lie deep within the ruins, but so too do these possess the most interesting and valuable components.

Infrastructure

The remnants of Fuukansei's paved roads are still visible between the hills of Zokukuni, alongside hollowed-out mines and quarries and dilapidated towers. Much of the continent's metal found its way to the capital, and it is said that much of it still stands despite the Schism. Few, however, have ever ventured into the heart of the continent.

Type

Geopolitical, Empire