Empire of Wamato
The Empire of Wamato is the largest and most powerful polity in the Great Ring. The empire originated on the island of Kojima, the largest island in the entire ring, and has expanded to control almost the entire Northwestern Region.
The dominant ethnic group in the Empire is the Yanjin people of Kojima. The Empire has long operated on the principle that the Yanjin represent the epitome of culture and civilization, and that other cultures are inferior and subordinate to the Yanjin. As the Empire has expanded, this belief has led to the subjugation and suppression of the other cultures they have encountered. This attitude is especially pronounced when dealing with the non-human cultures they encounter, with the notable exception of the Kitsunejin, who the Yanjin believe are directly related to the Kami.
Structure
The Empire of Wamato operates under a well-defined hierarchical structure, where power and authority are distributed among key figures. At the apex stands the Emperor, the ultimate sovereign whose word is law, and who is the intermediary between the people and the Kami. Beneath the Emperor, the Shogun assumes command of the empire's military forces during times of war or unrest, answering solely to the imperial throne. In peaceful times, the Shogun's role is left unfilled. In matters concerning the military, the Shogun has complete authority; if the Emperor is displeased with his Shogun, he may replace him, but not dictate his actions. The current Shogun is Shingen Takeda, who has held this post for the entirity of Emperor Ariwara Komachi's reign.
The empire is subdivided into prefectures, each governed by a daimyo who is responsible for maintaining order and raising taxes. Beneath the daimyos are the samurai who act as the enforcers of the empire's laws. Trained in the art of combat and bound by the code of bushido, they are entrusted with preserving order and safeguarding the empire's well-being.
While the samurai and daimyos rule their prefectures, the commoners are the backbone of the empire. Toiling in fields, casting nets upon the sea, and engaging in various laborious tasks, they create the prosperity that sustains the empire.
Assets
History
The Empire was founded by the Yanjin people a little over six hundred years ago, when the island of Kojima was first united under a single leader. Since that time, there have been three major periods, as defined by the imperial dynastys that dominated each. These are the Ashikaga Dynasty, during which the Empire was founded and went through its initial period of expansion, the Fujiwara Dynasty, and the current Ariwara Dynasty.
Territories
Military
Led by the Shogun, the armed forces of Wamato are organized into well-disciplined units. These forces are equipped with traditional weapons such as katanas and bows, as well as formidable armor, allowing them to exhibit both martial prowess and resilience on the battlefield.
Wamato's naval forces comprise a diverse fleet of warships, ranging from swift and agile vessels to imposing and heavily armed war galleons. These ships are meticulously constructed, incorporating advanced naval architecture and utilizing the finest materials available. Manned by skilled sailors and led by experienced naval commanders, Wamato's navy is well-trained in naval combat tactics and navigation techniques. The naval forces of Wamato are charged with protecting trade routes, patrolling coastal waters, and projecting the empire's strength beyond its shores.
Religion
Religion holds a significant place within the Empire of Wamato, shaping the spiritual and cultural fabric of its people. The state religion centers around the veneration of the Kami, the spirits which inhabit and embody the land and sea. The Emperor is the voice of the people when dealing with the Kami, and many of his public duties revolve around this role.
The legislative body of the Empire of Wamato is known as the Imperial Council. Comprised of esteemed advisors and representatives from various prefectures, the council serves as a forum for deliberation and decision-making on matters of governance. The council advises the Emperor, who is the ultimate authority and can whose decrees are law. The Emperor can also delegate the authority to issue such decrees to the those council members he trusts, and has done so in many areas.
At the local level, each prefecture has its own court system presided over by judges appointed by the daimyos. These courts handle civil and criminal cases within their jurisdiction. Appeals from lower courts are heard by the Imperial Court, the highest judicial authority. The Imperial Court is composed of eminent judges appointed by the Emperor and serves as the final arbiter of justice, save for intercession by the Emperor himself.
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