Liven
If they ever plan on sending you to Liven, kill yourself while you have the chance. It's better that way.To the enemies of Xiao, Liven is that place people go to never return. Liven is that strange, mysterious city spoken only in whispers and rumours. When prisoners are sent to Liven, there are only two responses they can ever give. Confusion and bewilderment, or shock and horror. Unlike most, Xiao does not fear the Oni, neither do they seek to ward them off. Instead, they wish only to embrace them, cultivating the malevolent spirits so that they may serve Xiao as mighty weapons of war.
Demographics
Almost strictly consists of humans, other races are treated as slaves in Liven's society.
Government
Liven is a town deep within the Sunward isles, controlled by the imperial kingdom of Xiao The King's voice is said to carry the voice of God himself. He is to always be followed, and to disobey his command is punishable through execution however he may see fit. Liven itself is ran by a vassal appointed by the King. Being appointed as the governor of Liven is a huge deal in Xiaonite politics; despite its modest size, it is considered to be among the most important assets to all of Xiao. Generally speaking, the governor controlling Liven is given the trust of commanding the entire military of Xiao.
Defences
Liven is entirely walled off from the outside world, with the exception of its lighthouse, which remains on the outskirts. To further defend Liven, countless Widows are staked along the outskirts.
Industry & Trade
When we saw the prisoners, they looked famished. When we spoke to them, they seemed distressed...fortunately, we know just the thing to Liven them up.To say Liven's 'industry' is unorthodox is an understatement. The city of Liven is where Xiao manufactures most of its magical weapons of war, created through a controlled, forced possession on prisoners. Should an enemy refuse to serve the King of Smiles, then he sees it fit to take away whatever control they once had.
Use of Possession
If you aren't sent to Liven as a soldier or citizen, then you are most definitely sent as a prisoner. Prisoners and perceived criminals are all sent to Liven as 'reformation'. They are promised a chance of freedom in exchange for their service. Unbeknownst for them, this freedom comes with a deadly caveat; they are given their own form of freedom, yes. But only if they undergo the horrible transforming processes employed by the jailers. After several bodily modifications -- be they steel grafted to flesh or blades welded to wrists, prisoners are crucified across Liven, their mouths slit into a forced rictus as they hang from the cross outside of Liven's perimeter. This serves as a method not only to intimidate anyone that would wish to defy Redgrin's rule, but as a lure to the countless Oni lurking within the jungles. These Oni possess and warp the bodies of the crucified people, until they're twisted into something more. There are many different possessed or altered weapons found across Liven, detailed below. When an Oni successfully performs a takeover on a victim, they are called Asura. Widows: Perhaps the most prominent of creatures, a Widow is a tortured prisoner or captive, crucified by ropes at the stake. Their faces are slashed from ear to ear, forcing their mouths agape in a wretched smile. They are wrapped tightly with special paper talismans that specifically hold Banshee spirits. Watchful and forced into obedience, these possessed captives loom ominously over the outskirts of Liven, their deafening wails capable of bringing passersby into a forced coma. Widows are the standard method of creating an Asura. Banshees are not true Oni, but instead treated just as poorly as the prisoners they haunt. Oni are captivated by uncorrupted Fae, and thus seek out the Widows to claim. When the Oni inevitably claims a Widow, the seals trap it within the body of the crucified. Harlequin: 'Choujiao', in Xiao's language. The Harlequins are dangerous creatures made specifically to kill. With murder and cruelty in no short supply in the Sunward Isles, these particular Asura are the most common to come across. Harlequins receive their name from the masks they wear, combined with the eerie silence they carry with them into the battlefield. They wield weapons fit for an executioner; heavy axes or swords, designed to kill with one swift stroke. Dancers: These Asura are not made from one, but are crafted from two creatures. They are placed at each other's backs, chained together by hot steel in life before being left outside. They are then each forced to wear special masks containing an Oni spirit, where it then binds into their flesh. The resulting Asura is a bizarre creature that grows in strength and size, creating a chained monstrosity renown for its erratic, fast, and coordinated movements across the battlefield. Steel Hound: Outfitted with various metal grafts and sharp claws at the wrists, steel hounds are fully weaponized men that are forcefully possessed by hostile spirits. They are known for being so feral that they're typically kept in cages. Fortunately, Steel Hounds obey the Harlequins, whom owe just enough loyalty not to slaughter the inhabitants of Liven. These creatures are mere examples of what Liven is capable of manufacturing; and the most common found among their ranks.The Wailing Furnace
Another cornerstone to Liven, the Wailing Furnace is a special forge manned by Kwane -- a blacksmith renown for his unparalleled craftsmanship. Known as the 'Red Smith', Weapons from his forge bear a trademark red ripple pattern through the brightly shining steel, never dulling even when blood splatters upon them. These ripples are sometimes affectionately referred to as 'smiles' in honour of their King. The furnace earns its name for the process required to create magical weapons. Special seals containing Oni spirits are used during the smithing process, wrapped around the heated blade before being quenched. From this process, the weapon gives off a deafening howl said to be heard across all of Liven. Weapons forged this way are called Asura weapons, and are known for possessing magical qualities. These blades are remarkably sharp and have the strange quality of absorbing any blood shed by them.Infrastructure
Being primarily a military facility, most of Liven is designed to cater to all the soldiers living within it. Most notably, there's an enormous forge at the center known as 'The Wailing Furnace'. Soldiers frequent the furnace often, eager to acquire unique tools enchanted with various magical boons and blessings.
On the outskirts of Liven there lies a lighthouse. The beacon brought forth by the lighthouse is known for its ruby red fire, designed to dully light over the ominous warnings staked upon it. Dead prisoners or captives are left with their mouths slashed ear to ear, impaled upon spikes fastened along the lighthouse.
Geography
Liven is a fortification within the dense jungle of the Smiling Isles. It is surrounded by enormous trees. It can be found pinched between two cliffsides. To the west of the town is a large coastline, consisting of steep cliffs overlooking a rocky shore.
Natural Resources
Steel is brought from a mine established into mountain left of Liven, while most of the wood can be found both surrounding it and further on into the jungle to the east.
Oni Spirits: The Oni themselves are considered a valuable resource to Liven, and are generally sealed within special masks wrapped in paper talismans. These masks are designed to keep an Oni spirit bound until worn. Soldiers use these masks as a form of currency, exchanging them in between each other for Goods. The masks can also be used directly at the Wailing Furnace to create special weapons.
Alternative Name(s)
The Beaming City, Redgrin's Playground
Type
Town
Population
Around 3,000 actual citizens.
Inhabitant Demonym
Xiaonites
Comments
Author's Notes
Thank you for reading! Were you curious about any Asura? Perhaps you might wonder how some of their possession processes work? Whatever the case, leave any comments or questions below.