Kyori

Isolationist Sovereign Nation

Kyori is a peninsular/archipelagan country north of Areya and east of Iris Creek. It is extremely isolated and controlling of its borders, only letting certain people in for trade or other reasons for a certain amount of time. Kyori has 13 self-governing clans, mostly lead by noble families, high priests or other town leaders as such. The country is loosely integrated as the leaders of these clans meet twice a year to discuss country policy and other inter-country issues. Kyori is very traditional and conservative, focusing on wisdom, knowledge the divine, and the arcane above creative arts, the emotional, and self expression. The structure of the country is typically very organized and it’s isolationism keeps it out of many world affairs, which, though making it ignorant to some outside knowledge and advancements, has kept the country in tact for 8000 or so years with a shockingly small number of wars or conflicts any larger than defense, inner-country disputes, and border skirmishes.

Structure

Kyori has 13 Clans, all of which have equal say within governmental affairs relating to the country as a whole, such as border related issues, policy on foreigners, peace treaties/neutrality, and so on. The 13 clans are self-governing, but tend to have similar systems usually lead by a noble leading family or high priest/religious structure. Families are usually expected to continue their bloodlines and keep their place in society upon doing so; ie- a son born into a family of architects will be expected to become an architect and continue the family’s name and place in the society. Lives are very pre-planned and things that can not be planned are often given over to religion, where godly prophecy and omens will determine aspects of a person’s life and future. Kyori is a very isolationist nation– it has neither allies or enemies most of the time. It is a place of neutrality, however it will not tend to open up to be a place of refuge when neutrality may be needed. Most of Kyori’s diplomatic relations are neutral or non-aggression, however different clans upon the border of the nation may have different agreements with countries nearby; for example: c.1506, the Ko Clan of Kyori on the Southern border is on relatively good terms with the nation of Areya upon diplomatic relations through a Kyori native as an ambassador from Areya.

History

Kyori is a very old nation. It’s history spans over 8000 years, most of which is more related to its clans than as an integrated nation.

Demography and Population

Race	Percentile	Common Regions
Human	≈ 45%	All
Variant Human	≈ 35%	All
Elf	≈ 10%	North
Half-Elf	≈ 7%	North/Central/Northwest
Other	≈ 3%	Central/West

Technological Level

Though it is isolationist, Kyori is relatively advanced. It tends to keep up with the times in terms of knowledge and technology, however it maintains many strict traditions that keep it from progressing politically or socially. It's arcane technology and knowledge is very advanced compared to most countries, and learning/using magic is very common within Kyori.

Religion

Kyori generally harbors a unique polytheistic religion primarily called "Shii". This religion acknowledges and believes in all gods, deities, spirits, and omens. Followers believe that in order to address specific situations one must praise different gods or deter certain gods or spirits– all of it is relative. For example, if one is hoping for sun after a long period of rain, one may give offerings to either a local deity, the sun goddess, Lumos, or Kalorii. Or, for example, if one wishes to deter bad omens or malevolent spirits from their home, they may pray to household gods, go through with ancestral cleansing rituals, and so on.
The more north of Kyori that one goes, the religion gets more weighted towards Lumos and the celestial, and the people tend to become more harshly superstitious. Rather than considering the dark or the mysterious as parts of the world that also have a purpose, they tend to become more fervently against any influences of darkness, as they can be seen as omens and bad luck. In the south of Kyori, religion fluctuates far more in terms of who is being worshipped, which rituals are important, etc. And Shii is more true to heart– the forests all throughout Kyori are places where the veil between the Material Plane and the Feywild is thin, and as such people in the south tend to respect the spirits of the mysterious, or whatever comes out of the forests and the fog, as to not be taken over by them and to avoid curses and omens.

Foreign Relations

Isolationism – Overall
c.1506–
Areya: Nonaggression Pact with the Southernmost clan, Ko. Overall neutrality with Areya.
Elmsbrae: Neutral; generally not on bad terms, and trade is occasional as Elmsbrae is a large country with many assets– however a large monarchy with as much history as Elmsbrae makes many Kyorian rulers wary.
Iris Creek: Nonaggression Pact, trade with eastern clans is not uncommon.
Kamiya: Not recognized as a nation or trade partner.
Country to the North: Defensive; will attack upon too much movement.

Agriculture & Industry

Wooden goods tend to be a staple throughout Kyori, as it is covered for the most part in evergreen forests. In the north gemstones are mined, as well as precious metals. The country as a whole is known to have very unique artisan goods and unique items of rarity– such as the pelts or pieces of fey creatures, ancient magical items, and tomes of the arcane.

Trade & Transport

Transport is primarily by horse and things horse-drawn when on land. However, it is more common as a peninsula for people to travel via boat either along the coasts or down rivers that flow south from the highest mountains of Azuma. Traders and merchants sail to export their goods and import foreign goods primarily to Port Therrani in Areya.

Within a Clear Mind is Serenity and Solace. 明確な頭の中には安らぎと平静があります。

Founding Date

7088

Type

Geopolitical, Country

Alternative Names

Sovereign Principality of Kyori

Demonym

Kyorian

Government System

Oligarchy

Power Structure

Semi-autonomous area

Economic System

Mixed economy

Currency

Sen (equivalent of 1gp)

Major Exports

Wooden goods, lumber (primarily redwood, pine, and fir), precious metals, gemstones, artisan goods, high-end weaponry (typically weaponry with blades; knives, daggers, swords, etc.), rice, fabrics, paper, ink, fish.

Subsidiary Organizations