[center] [u][b]Seikatsu[/b][/u] Seikatsu is the name of a continent located in the far North-East of Formarorth. It is however only called Seikatsu by the Three Sister kingdoms to the south west where most of the contact and trade by Formaroath and the Elven Imperium occurs and so is the defacto official name for the continent. The Northern and South-Eastern regions have a somewhat different name for the continent. The Northern Regions use variations of the name Kuvera, whereas the South-Eastern regions use the name Ishana. The populace of the continent is predominantly human with a very diverse cultures and languages varying from kingdom to kingdom, Empire to Empire and considerably more diverse from Formaroth. Notably all the kingdoms in Seikatsu has access to the sea and are thus very accustomed to sea travel and all the kingdoms maintain a sizeable fleet of merchant and naval ships. Like Formaroth, the continent is divided into various kingdoms and empires. War has been raging on and off in seikatsu since time immemorial in which the majority of the smaller nations have been conquered. Location: The continent of Seikatsu is located in-between the continents of Formaroth and Beilokias. It is in alignment with the kingdom of Glarmion. [b]Relations with other continents[/b] Seikatsu has regular contact with both the Elven Imperium and Formaroth. It is in generally good terms with both continents and trade flourishes between the different continents. This is set to change with the Elven Imperium and their interference in Beival. In terms of diplomatic or political affairs Seikatsu tends to keep to itself and rarely interacts with the other empires except when outsiders are interfering/threatening the security of the various lands with matters on the continent. [b]The Nations of Seikatsu[/b] [hider=The Three Sisters: Akaiba, Toiba, and Noiba] The Shogunates of Akaiba, Toiba, and Noiba are very similar to feudal Japan in culture. OVERVIEW The Southwestern portion of Seikatsu is occupied by a race of humans known as the Iba. Broken down into three distinct Shogunates, Akaiba, Toiba, and Noiba; widely known as the Three Sisters. The natives of Shogunate region are called Akai, Toi, and Noi respectively. A hundred years ago the Three Sisters were unified into as a single Empire under emperor Hirotomi. Following his death, the empire split into three Shogunates under his sons who continued to rule on as Shoguns. The Empire was never officially dissolved despite the split. The Sisters are perpetually at war with the Northern and Eastern kingdoms in a bid to expand and control more territories. Numerous skirmishes have been fought between the three as well but none of the Iba would consider those part of a larger war. Shoguns and their families rule over their respective regions and have the authority to pass laws, tax the land and raise armies. Each Shogunate is further broken down into provinces, all of which are controlled by Daiymos who are responsible for governing their own region and providing soldiers for the Shoguns armies. Japanese architecture has traditionally been typified by wooden structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs. Sliding doors (fusuma) were used in place of walls, allowing the internal configuration of a space to be customized for different occasions. People usually sit on cushions or otherwise on the floor. Most of the Three Sisters are rural based, with it's citizens living in villages and towns. Daimyo's lives in large palatial castles alongside their family; the richer the Daimyo the larger the castle. The largest city in all of Seikatsu is is Shinkyo, ruled over by the Sadatake family located in Akaiba. Built at the Western most point of the continent and boasts the largest single human urban population in the known world of almost a quarter million souls. Sprawling across the mouth of three different rivers, the city is well served for water, and sewage is dumped out to sea to prevent disease. Public baths are common, though broken down by castes, to ensure cleanliness. Felons, imprisoned for minor crimes, are set to cleaning rubbish and garbage away every day. Most buildings are made of paper and wood, allowing them to be easily rebuilt if damaged by an earthquake. This does create a fire hazard however and on occasion hundreds, if not thousands, are consumed by accidental blazes. SOCIETY There is no official religion in these lands and people tend to rely on their personal spirituality rather than an established faith. The people of the Three Sisters are hard traditionalists and honour is the most important part of their lives. The Iba are incredibly polite, even to their enemies and will rarely express their emotions (Stoic). Unlike Formaroth, gender roles are far more dominant within society and in most places the society is still very much patriarchal. Though men and women are not prohibited from taking up roles not stereotypical to their gender, it is considered an oddity. The Province of Taiyō, part of Akaiba, however is a exception to this rule and men and women share equal levels of power and are not pressured towards a particular role. This is due to back in the warring periods, this province lost almost all of their men to war and the women took up and successfully defended themselves, earning their right to be considered equal to men. Social roles also play a large part in society and people are expected to take up the profession of their parents. To take up a different profession to your parents is considered to be a great dishonour to your family, though exceptions are sometimes made. Though the iba are not hostile or even unfriendly to foreigners they tend to treat them with mild neglect, viewing them as Gaijin (foreigner/outsider) who do not understand the culture and who should not be trusted. This prejudice stems from most foreigners not understanding the strict social rules (etiquette) in Iba society and therefore come across as rude and blunt. MAGIC The way Madoushi (Mages) are treated varies greatly depending on what province they are raised in. Though treated differently by residents of these lands they are still treated with respect due to their magic. Magic in the Three Sisters, indeed across most of Seikatsu, is wielded through runes branded into a persons body. Invisible until in use, the runes are quite specific; if you do not have a certain rune, you cannot use the magic associated to it. CULTURE There are a number of social castes in Seikatsu. The lowest caste are the Merchants who are viewed by Iba as nothing more than greedy pigs. Unlike in Formaroth society where merchants are highly valued, merchants in the three sisters are treated with great disdain. This is because unlike peasants, merchants are viewed as lazy and opportunists, living off the hard work of others by buying (or in some cases stealing) their products and re-selling it at a local market for a higher profit. Similar professions such as money lenders are also looked down upon. Above the Merchants are the Artisans; these consist mostly of artists, musicians, dancers and actors. Though their talents are appreciated by other Iba, they are not valued as being important to the overall society. Above the artisans are the Peasants; the majority of the Iba society are part of the peasant class. These consist of builders, craftsmen, miners and most importantly farmers. Peasants are highly valued by their Daimyo's as they make up most of the workforce as well as the Militia during times of war. Above the peasants are the Samurai, an elite force of warriors who dedicate their lives to war. They are a unique to the lands of Iba and are renown throughout Seikatsu for their military Prowess. The highest social caste in the Three Sisters are the Daimyo's and their clans who rule over an entire Province. Who in turn are ruled over by the three Shoguns of Akai, Toi, and Noi. [/hider] [hider=Naga] Naga is based off feudal Mongolia The most isolated and mysterious of the states of Seikatsu. They are mostly known for three things. Number one being how almost no ones knows what goes on there; Two, their renowned taming of snakes of the land for many nefarious reasons; And three, their highly skilled illusionists and illusion magic. The snake charming and illusion magic also makes many of them highly skilled assassins with many political figures killed off by them throughout Seikatsu and probably beyond, without being caught. There are legends that the land of Naga are actually ruled by a race of snake people though this is almost certainly false. The natives are called the Naga. [/hider] [hider=The Vai: Vailam and Vaiam] The Vai nations are based of feudal Thailand Vailam is currently at war with Toiba and Noiba to the south and Vaiam is a reluctant ally to Vialam. Forced to support them if they wish to remain at peace. Vaiam is now also also keeping a close eye on the situation in their neighbours land of Beival to the south and potential invasion by the Elven Imperium. Tensions are running high. The natives of both lands call themselves the Vai. [/hider] [hider=Beival] Beival is based of feudal Vietnam The small, easternmost kingdom of Beival. This small kingdom was fortunate enough to not have experienced any major wars within their borders until the Elven Imperium started colonising the coastline. Draivim and the Vai has always been friends of the land of Beival providing assistance in times of need in the past vying for influence of over their lands. This friendship is now being tested by the large presence of the Elven Imperium with growing contempt between the elves and natives of Beival, Vai, and Draivim. The Drai and Beivals considers the Elves to be invaders and a great threat to their states and so is actively attempting to counter this with their respective Magi Battle Mages in the shadows to undermine their rule over the conquered lands of Beival. [/hider] [hider=Draivim] Draivim is based off feudal India The Empire of Draivim is currently the largest, most varied and oldest of the kingdoms of Seikatsu. It is actually 3 smaller Kingdoms (ruled by Raja’s) to the South East and 3 Sultanates (ruled by Sultans) to the North West (Different names for kings depending on which part you are in). The title of Maharaja (Great King/King of kings) is given to the most senior and most competent individual Sultan or Raja to lead them after the previous one passes away, instead of passing the title by hereditary right. This ensures that the land is ruled by the most competent and most trusted of of the leaders. This usually means that they are also the most experienced in command as well by the time they ascend. As this is the rule of law in the Empire, there is a need for an organisation charged with protecting it and ensuring the power is transitioned peacefully. This is one of the most important duties of the Magi who swears allegiance to the Empire instead of the Maharaja. These lands are very similar to Ancient Persia and India in culture and steeped in deep tradition. The people are a proud honourable race who will do do anything to defend their lands from outside forces. This Empire is also one of the most protected on the continent by natural barriers such as the mountains to the east and the forests to the west. The native clans of these lands make quick work of any large military presence and weaken them far too much before they can be effective on the battlefield by the time they cross the forests. Maintaining any supply lines are also a logistical nightmare. This has meant that in the past north has been easily defended by encroachment from both the Vai and Noiba, whereas Beival and Keraam has always been the Friends of the Drai or Neutral. The people are called the Drai. [/hider] [hider=Keraam] Keraam is based of feudal Burma Another ally of the Draivim. Around half the country is currently under military occupation by the land of Noiba in a bid to expand their territories. The land of Noiba is currently fighting a massive guerrilla war against the Keraaman freedom fighters supported by the Draivim Magi. The people are called the Keraaman. [/hider] [hider=Okin] Okin is based of feudal Korea Most of the Okin coast lines and plains have been conquered by the Akai. The mountain regions remains unconquered and fortified by several rebel groups of the Okin supported by the natives. The Northern plains bordering the land of Naga is currently being defended by the remaining armies of Okin, supported by a large contingent of Vailam and Vaiam Soldiers to help maintain a buffer between the Akai and the Vai. The Draivim Magi also has a secret presence in these regions supporting the interests of the Drai, helping the natives fight back against the occupying Akai. [/hider] [/center]