Xian (Zshann)
The Empire of Xian is the largest nation on the continent of Xianshou, covering nearly two thirds of the continent, and the one the land mass is named for. The Xianese claim it is the first established Empire in history, the oldest country in the world, and the largest in population. Only Stroykost is larger in actual size, but since the vast majority of that is uninhabited polar wastes, Xian is considered to rank first here as well. Nearly every environment imaginable can be found somewhere in Xian, from the western coasts to the north eastern mountains, southern jungles, central desert, and the wide plains that sweep around them all.
Millenia ago Xian was many lands, occasionally warring, occasionally trading, occasionally working together. It was during a great war 2100 years before the Dragon War that the warrior Hwan Xi began consolidating all the kingdoms of Xian together under one rule. The unification of what would become Xian was not simple, and many legends speak of the first emperor, those heroes who fought with him, and even those who opposed him. Hwan Xi never claimed to be good or moral, but to care only about what was best for Xian as a whole, and this viewpoint permeates much of the Xian empire's philosophy today. Xian is a nation of law and order first, though modern problems are making this all the more difficult.
Culture
While humans are the most common people of Xian, an incredible array of other races can be found here. And while the people of Xian occupy all manner of lands, they are all united by the culture and authority of the Crimson Empire. The imperial line stretches back to Hwan Xi himself, and uses an elaborate bureaucracy of ministers and magistrates to maintain a unified culture and government throughout the empire. The ministers are chosen from among the brightest students from the empire, regardless of family standing, leaving the imperial line as the only hereditary nobility. Perhaps the only thing that has kept Xian from being the dominant world power is that it has never tried to exert outside influence. There has been a longstanding tradition that the Crimson Empire does not care for the events in other countries, nor to rule them. They already have Xian, after all, what more could they want?
Public Agenda
Xian is now faced with many challenges. The people must rebuild large sections of the country, defend against threats remaining from the war, and deal with the massive changes the war has wrought at home. Portals and creatures from other planes lie scattered about the country, and undead menaces created by the Perevadan council remain. To add to the confusion are the changes sweeping through society. For the first time in thousands of years Xian has been involved in foreign affairs, and many foreign ideas have entered the country. The young empereaa is herself keen on Industrial Magic, and some thinkshe has opened the floodgates of chaos by embracing these new concepts. The needs of the war brought industrialization to Xian. Some areas have embraced it fully, with factories and item mills taking over entire cities and their economy. Others struggle to maintain traditional ways. And all of these troubles have been left in the hands of a child ruler. The divides are growing, and many wonder if the ancient land can hold together.
Type
Geopolitical, Country
Capital
Alternative Names
The Crimson Empire
Demonym
Xianese
Leader
Leader Title
Government System
Meritocracy
Power Structure
Autonomous area
Economic System
Mixed economy
Currency
Yuan, equal to 1 silver piece
Official State Religion
Location
Official Languages
Comments