WIP, greatly.

[hider=Sunrise]
[center][h1][b][color=F16667]The Great Sunrise Empire[/color][/b][/h1]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/v3ZdOSO.png[/img][/center]



[b][h2][color=F16667]Location/Geography[/color][/h2][/b]
[hider=Map Claim][img]http://i.imgur.com/weuhEqW.jpg[/img][/hider]
The archipelago known as the Sunrise Islands (also called the Isles of Summer, the Insect Kingdoms, and a variety of other epithets) is a chain of volcanic islands, consisting of seven major islands and a large number of smaller islets and rocky outcroppings. The climate of the islands is generally tropical, with mostly warm, pleasant weather year-round. The summers are sticky and humid, with a cool, rainy season in winter. Tropical storms are a known occurrence, and though the islands' volcanoes are dormant, occasional seismic activity is known to disturb the islands and stir up tidal waves. Dense forest covers much of the islands, save for their lofty, mist-covered mountains and the fertile river valleys between them. A variety of strange fauna inhabit the islands, mostly consisting of arthropods that have grown to tremendous sizes. Other, stranger beasts lurk in the dark of the forests and on the peaks of mountains, but they are sometimes confused for natural phenomena, and vice versa.


[b][h2][color=F16667]General Introduction[/color][/h2][/b]

The Great Sunrise Empire is a collectivist monarchy, with strong leanings to nationalism and social stratification. Rather than be composed of a single race, or a majority race with smatterings of minorities, the Empire is a hegemony of several insectoid races that have made the Sunrise Islands their home for thousands of years. An older nation with a rich, ancient history, the Empire is widely known for its great works of art and infrastructure, as well as the fierce warrior culture of its people. The uniqueness of the beings that comprise the Empire drive them to misunderstand and be misunderstood by many of their neighboring states, which has resulted in an isolationist, xenophobic state over the last few centuries. Though they are rich in rare resources, and are in a prime position for international trading, not one of the several attempts at invading the Sunrise Islands has ever succeeded in conquering the Empire.


[b][h2][color=F16667]History[/color][/h2][/b]
(You can detail the history of your nation here. How they were formed? Any major events like wars, political changes or catastrophes? Really, you know better than me what you wish to write here. History is good for giving other players story hooks to establish some relationship with your nation. A good history section tries to incorporate knowledge from other NS to do exactly that, a shared history.)


[h2][b][color=F16667]Government & Society[/color][/b][/h2]
The several races that comprise the populace of the Great Sunrise Empire (collectively known as Mushi) live in a strictly stratified society, with their social role and political class dictated from birth. Social mobility is virtually nonexistent, as the highest position one can achieve is limited to the class that their species is assigned. Society also has significant matriarchal leanings, as females are typically larger and stronger than males, and make up a greater percentage of the population.

The Sunrise Islands are ruled by their Empress, the descendent of a hereditary line of rulers that extends back to the earliest days of the Islands' occupation. While the Empress possesses complete autocratic power in theory, her numerous advisors, chancellors and provincial rulers exert the majority of control over the Empire. The Empress is considered by some to be a figurehead in modern days, and many claim that the Shogun, leader of the Imperial Military, is the true ruler of the Empire.

While no hive mind rules the Mushi, the culture of the Sunrise Empire values the many over the individual. Personal skill or power are considered secondary to the contributions one makes to the collective, and self-sacrifices is a prized virtue. This philosophy is called the "Way of the Swarm," and has many permutations and interpretations among the castes of the Mushi. Religion in the Empire is more uniform, as a monastic order exists for the codification and continuation of their spiritual traditions. The Empire subscribes to a complex mythology of many different gods, spirits, legendary ancestors, mythic heroes and martyrs. Their spiritualism further encourages collectivism over individualism, as tales of heroic sacrifice are commonplace in their myths, and their monastic orders encourage oneness with a universal spirit.

[hider=Aki]
The majority of the Sunrise Islands' population is made up of Aki, diminutive folk with a general resemblance to ants. The average Aki stands about half as high as a grown human, with a rounded, chitinous body. Coloration ranges from near-black to orange-brown, and most Aki have black eyes. Aki possess six wiry limbs, which despite their size can exert strength equivalent to that of five grown human men. Uniquely among the Mushi, Aki display little in the way of sexual dimorphism, as males and females are nearly indistinguishable, though the latter still outnumber the former.

Aki are in many ways the smallfolk of the Mushi. They breed prodigiously; their population limited by the resources available to them, and the mortality rate of their larvae. Aki comprise the vast majority of farmers, laborers and foot soldiers in the Empire, tasks they are well suited for. Not particularly intelligent creatures, the average Aki is single-minded, submissive, and of a dogged determination. They are generally assigned their role in life (dependant on the needs of their community) upon pupating into an adult form, from which point on their still-developing ganglions develop to best suit their lifestyle. This is most apparent in the development of soldier Aki, who lose their senses of self-preservation and become unreasonably aggressive as they grow older. Aki live in large family units, mostly comprised of working females, with a small stable of breeding males from outside the immediate family kept to fertilize eggs.

The lowest caste in Mushi society, the Aki essentially live underfoot of each other caste. It is unheard of for an Aki to hold a position other than that of an unskilled laborer of some variety, as their minds are simply not capable of handling complex skills and tasks. They live in their own conclaves in more rural areas, and can be found bustling about in urban areas below the notice of other Mushi. Aki ignored at best by the higher castes, and treated as vermin at worst; it is barely a crime to kill an Aki. Despite their seemingly poor social standing, Aki are content with their place in society. Their particular sect of the Way of the Swarm is known as the "Way of the Colony," and instructs them that they best serve the Empire by working hard at menial tasks, and sacrificing themselves in the place of their superiors.

Aki are unshakably loyal to the Empire, partly because of their simple minds, and partly because an Aki sits the throne of the Great Sunrise Empire. The Empress herself is Aki, though she is a unique bioform: an Aki Queen. Distinctly more intelligent than common Aki, only one Queen can exist at a time, and one of the Queen's direct descendants will usually develop into one upon her mother's death. While all Aki can breed rapidly, the Queen is said to be able to birth a brood the size of army from a single mating. An Aki Queen has ruled the Empire since its founding in ages long past, and the first Empress of legend is said to have established the caste system employed to this day.[/hider]

[hider=Korogi]
While far less populous than Aki, the Korogi make up the next-largest portion of the population, roughly equivalent with the Kamakiri. The Korogi generally resemble such insects as crickets, grasshoppers and locusts. They stand slightly shorter than a normal human, and possess stocky bodies in colors ranging from earthen brown, to grass green, to fiery orange, with black or yellow eyes. Korogi have six limbs; four arms with strength roughly equal to a human man, and a pair of large, powerful legs many times stronger than a human's. Vestigial wings are folded into their backs, which allow them to flutter a short distance, or glide after leaping high into the air. Females are generally larger and stronger than males by a quarter. Generally solitary creatures, Korogi live alone most of their lives, and meet others of their kind to mate in brief and informal liaisons. It is uncommon for a Kogori to know any family members other than their mother. In times past, overpopulation of Korogi lead to great swarms of them disrupting peace in the Islands, which were silenced by purges ordered by the Empress.

Korogi are generally average in comparison to other Mushi. They are not as plentiful and hardworking as the Aki, not as precise and skillful as the Kamakiri, and not as powerful and courageous as the Kabuto. They are, however, highly perceptive of their environment, with the strongest sense of hearing among the Mushi, and have minds well-attuned to recognizing patterns and comprehending numbers. As such, Korogi find employment as scribes, clerks, accountants, and other clerical positions. Interestingly, Korogi also comprise a great deal of artists among the Mushi, known for their skills in painting, poetry, and- above all else- music. Korogi also find employment in miscellaneous governmental roles, such as diplomats and ambassadors, paiges and couriers. They also usually serve as scouts and outriders in the Empire's military.

Greater in social standing than the dirt-common Aki, but lesser than most other Mushi, the Korogi are generally seen as serving a servile role in society. Castes above their own see them as existing for their convenience as communicators, clerics and entertainers; useful, but dispensable. The Korogi see themselves as being integral to the overall functioning of the Empire, as described in their typical philosophy, the "Way of the Rhythm." By fostering communication and understanding throughout the Empire, be it through music or through numbers, the Empire is strengthened.[/hider]

[hider=Kamakiri]
Comprising roughly the same percentage of the population as the Korogi, the Kamakiri represent the mercantile, artisan caste of the Mushi. Analogous to mantids, they possess long, thin bodies that range in color from a dull brown to a vibrant green, and stand usually a head taller than a human man. They possess four spindly legs, and a pair of powerful, clawed forelimbs that possess startling speed and precision. The large eyes of the Kamakiri (usually green or yellow in color) give them the sharpest vision of any Mushi, able to perceive even the most minute details of the world around them, and can see in almost any direction without turning their head. Like the Korogi, the Kamakiri possess vestigial wings that allow them to fly short distances. Female Karakiri are larger and stronger than males by about a third.

The Kamakiri are the artisan caste of the Mushi, and are craftsmen and skilled laborers in nearly any profession imaginable. Tailors, carpenters and jewelers are some of the many trades practiced by the skillful Kamakiri. With the great precision with which they can use their clawed digits and their unparalleled attention to detail, a journeyman Kamakiri is a master craftsman by the standards of most other races. Those in the Empire's military typically take up specialized roles such as archers and mounted cavalry. Their trades are learned under the apprenticeship of elder Kamakiri, though their training is a long, arduous, ritualized process. Most social aspects of the Kamakiri involved a great deal of formality and and traditionally-symbolic displays. This includes mating, which is said to only take place after a days-long courtship ritual. Kamakiri will generally live as a mated pair until their nymphs are old enough to live on their own, upon which time they go their separate ways, potentially finding new partners.

By nature, Kamakiri are austere and aloof, preferring to focus their mental energies on their work rather than other, frivolous matters. Even their social interactions rely heavily on tradition, as a means of exerting as little effort into sociality as possible. This is exemplified in their philosophy: the "Way of the Blossom." By focusing oneself on the perfection of a craft or skill, and contributing the best work that they can manage, the Empire is made that much stronger. The ritualized nature of the Kamakiri has led to their role as the spiritual leaders of the Mushi, as their monastic order is made up mostly of Kamakiri. Following a different philosophy, the "Way of the Seasons," the monks work to maintain the spiritual strength of the Mushi through tradition and philosophy, often expressed through forms such as meditation and martial arts.
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[hider=Kabuto]
A ghost town! A pair tart! Rhinoceros beetle!
[/hider]

[hider=Mukade]
Any mothafuckin contenda
[/hider]

[h2][b][color=F16667]Economy & Industry[/color][/b][/h2]




[b][h2][color=F16667]Military Overview[/color][/h2][/b](Yeah, of course you also need to tell us some about your military. Try to avoid number games and unhealthy arms races. We play this game for fun and that needs balance and sensible approach. One of the main guidelines is that your nation's military shouldn't be much better than a historical 15th century medieval army. Don't worry, I don't ask you historical accuracy. So-called "super units" can be okay if they are rare enough for their worth and don't make your army unbeatable. The point is to let you do cool things and explore your creativity but at the same time don't do it at the expense of others. Also if you have magic or magicians involved in your military then perhaps you can describe that, too.)

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