[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/hXeuzQl.jpg[/img][/center] [center][h3][sub][sub][color=00FF7F] the world. [/color][/sub][/sub][/h3][/center][hr] [indent][sup]THE NORTH - The Northern expanse of the Imperial Kingdom holds a special place in history. It is believed here that their ancestors landed amongst the soaring cliffs generation upon generation ago. The many natural harbors and coves intermittently cut by the jutting cliff faces create a good location for shipping and trade to thrive. Resultant the North is a surprising blend of surrounding cultures and ideas from scholars of Sinjeon willing to trade knowledge for coin, to the warlike Nami whose brigadiers stalk the seas and mercenaries fill the ports finding plenty of work with the Fan's new warlike agenda, and even the wealthy princes of Vua who had distant bloodties to the late Emperor. And so through commerce and food the sea has always been kind to these people [/sup][/indent] [indent][indent][hider=Anjiha] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/hDhZA2T.jpg[/img] [i]The largest city in the North and home of the Fan. It is said that only the Jade City itself can beat it in its splendor and size. It has been nicknamed the City of One Thousand Sails for the amount of shipping traffic it receives day by day. Situated at the mouth of the Anji River where it empties into the sea, Anjiha is rightfully called many as the gateway to the North. A popular destination for nobles and well-off merchants to spend the cooler months with the winter estate of the Imperial Family located at the heart of the city, the walled-off ‘city within a city’ now being used as a base of operations by the Fan to plan their conquests.[/i][/center] [/hider][/indent][/indent] [indent][sup]THE EAST - The east is a rugged and harsh land reflected in the people that reside within it. Composed of large steppes and plateaus of mostly flat land where one is at the mercy of the winds, the East is the home of many nomadic tribes using horses adapt to travel across the long flat expanses. Though not even these nomads have traveled past the vast Fùhuó Desert upon which stretches seemingly endless with only the rare caravans of strange dark skinned men with large two-humped horses who seem to disappear as suddenly as they appear trading gold for common silks and porcelain. Yet what the land likes in general appearance it makes up for it with what is contained beneath the surface. Beneath the rocks lay large mineral deposits which have made these rugged land into an industrial powerhouse. Arguably the most important of these minerals are what the local call Dragon Tears from which trained alchemist can create Dragonpowder allowing for the construction of the terrible cannons and armants called firelances (very basic and pretty inaccurate rifles). Under the watchful gaze of the Zhen, these industrial capabilities have been used to their fullest potential arming Zhen soldiers with strong weapons and armor, and with the capability to call in swarms of vengeful horseman. [/sup][/indent] [indent][indent][hider=Fort Chongxin] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/yGMLSqf.jpg[/img] [i]It is telling of the atmosphere of the East that the largest city is a converted military fortress. Once a small town atop a hill it was converted into a fortified citadel during General Zhen Ba initial campaign to pacify the region. Having totally and utterly decimated the nomadic tribes during this campaign the general had earned their eternal respect, a respect he plans to use in the common war. A tiered city it rises high into the sky giving views of miles in every direction across the flat plateaus. Where most cities are made of wood with only outer walls of stone, the entire city was made of slabs of cold earth. With constant patrols across the tiered walls and a strong administrative presence that keeps check of all goings in and out of the city, taken the Unconquerable Jewel of the East would be no small matter for any army.[/i][/center] [/hider][/indent][/indent] [indent][sup]THE WEST - A land of fertile plains that end washing against the sea which grants them some measure of safety as the rugged currents from the meeting of warm and cool waters makes landing a treacherous business along the coastline save for a scant view rivers and natural harbors whose courses are more or less predictable. These lands compose of the agrarian center of the kingdom and it is said that they have enough foodstuffs so that no man may never die hungry. Though in reality many die hungry as much as it is a land of prosperity and extravagant riches it is also a land of corruption and strict social hierarchies. This is enforced by heavily of what remains of the Imperial Army now under the direction of the Sum, much of the army remained loyal with only those that served directly under Fan or Shen having gone rogue as it were. In their current position the Sum have the distinct advantage of being able to run a defensive campaign using their experienced armies to hold the large, well supplied fortress that defend the roads inland and wait for everyone else to go and kill themselves and they can easily pick up the pieces or that is the plan at least. [/sup][/indent] [indent][indent][hider=The Jade City] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/yNPp9OH.jpg[/img] [i]The Jade City could be a country upon itself. Rising from the fertile floodplains, the city stretches seemingly endless in every direction even upwards and downwards. The city itself is divided into four rings each with two walls on at its outer and interior permentier rising in height as you get closer to the center and the Jade City (it’s like Ba Sing Se from Avatar guys). At the outer edge you have the vast farmland and closer to the walls the dwellings of the lower classes, next you have the middle class folks merchants, artisans and the like, next are the estates of the aristocracy and at the center of it all is the Imperial Palace vast and opulent and currently being used as the seat of power for the Sum. The walls of the city have never been preached in its entire history but these are strange times. [/i][/center] [/hider][/indent][/indent] [indent][sup]THE SOUTH - The South is maybe the most distinct of all the lands at least culturally. A divide that can be seen most easily in the ruling figure of the Tseng the greatest of the southern tribes Tseng Xia, a woman some say who is older than the world itself. The last to be integrated into the Kingdom, the Southern Wars haven ended a mere decade ago to many it is a land of mystery and intrigue. The land itself composed generally of trembling marshes, ancient jungles, and towering pillars of stone that erupted from the ground long ago.The people here follow an old spiritual faith distinctly related to the old ways of the rest of the Kingdom. It is a land where the people have always had a deep and intimate connection with the spirit world, and it is no coincidence that the first dragon in over a thousand years was sighted in these lands. Resultantly these communities produce the highest calibre of Tongji known and one can be certain their magics and demons they bend to their will, will be used to their fullest potential in the battles to come. [/sup][/indent] [indent][indent][hider=Yacha] [center] [img]https://www.guildmag.com/wp-content/uploads/Urban_Canal-_concept_art-459x300.jpg[/img] [i]Yacha is the last ‘proper city’ in the South before you venture into the deep marshes were most of the actual populace lives. It is a strange place of houses built entirely upon stilts as to raise it above the swampy waters. The houses and buildings are connected by large wooden walkways but most of the inhabitants instead use small skiffs following the waterways that cut through and around the city to get from place to place. It’s pretty unremarkable really used primarily as a point for traders to trade goods and supplies for potions, tonics, and salves made in the swamp. But few know of what lays deeper within those mysterious jungles. [/i][/center] [/hider][/indent][/indent]