[center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/220925/a4557d952d6775fcc0edcc62dccae6d1.png[/img][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/iFp2x0W.png[/img] [i]An Imperial map of Yongcun and the surrounding territories.[/i][/center] [center][hider=YONGCUN] [img]https://i.imgur.com/edRnmzY.png[/img] Yongcun is the homeland of Folk and the center of the Eternal Empire, a massive region of rolling hills, deep valleys, open plains, and dense forests. The soils are fertile and make for good farming and the countryside is teeming with wildlife for game. The mighty Emerald River runs down the center of the land and spills out into the sea. Upon the river sits the marvelous capital city of Bianwei, the beating heart of the Eternal Empire and and where Xiao Hui The First Emperor founded the Empire after defeating the yaoguai horde and sealing the portals between the worlds of mortals and immortals. Yongcun reaches far in all directions and is the largest single state known. The Folk of the land are spread far and aplenty from the other great cities to the small farming villages and open ranges. Life is not without challenges and struggle of course and the people have always done their best under the watchful eyes of the emperors, knowing where their loyalties lie. The people of Yongcun be they Folk, Honfokun, Zauri, or even Mokeu are resilient and adaptive. The weary traveler plods along the roads as the devotee farmer weathers the spring rains and summer heat. The true people of the Empire proud of their land and roots. [i]A map of central and southern Yongcun.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/nW777xH.jpg[/img] [/hider] [hider=KARITU] [img]https://i.imgur.com/foWXgmd.jpg[/img] The region that would become Karitu was first granted to the Honfokun by Emperor Xiao Hui in the year 5 IE several weeks after their arrival from across the ocean. After much petition and offers of peace from the Honfo people the Emperor gave them this land in return for their fealty. The ground was rich, the coast abundant with fish, and the region as a whole was safe and suiting for settlement. The Honfokun built the majestic city of Cimanu along the bank of the Sunrise River and for four hundred years it has stood as a monolith. Karitu is a small realm hosting only the capital and a number of outlying hamlets along the mountains and through the valleys. Despite this it is a prosperous state and attracts travelers, merchants, and nobility from far and wide. Those who do not come for the sights and marvels of Cimanu or the lovely countryside come to indulge in what the Honfo people have to offer from their food to their arts and entertainment. Karitu is no stranger to hardship of course. Cimanu has been sacked before and the people put to the sword. And yet the ingenuity and vigor of the Honfokun have twice seen it return to its’ former glory. Famine and drought come but the shrewd leaders of Karitu always know how to prepare hence maintaining the loyalty of their people. [/hider] [hider=BANHET AND KO’ANG] [img]https://i.imgur.com/zb38RTQ.png[/img] Banhet and Ko’Ang - the two kingdoms of the Mokeu - overgrown, dense, and dangerous. This entire region is made up of bamboo forests, jungles, and marshes. The only telltale signs of any civilization are the widespread rope bridges that thread their way through the tree lines and over the deep bogs, placed here by the Mokeu. These bridges are mostly used as simple pathways from one area to another but many also lead to the hidden sanctums of the Mokeu chieftains and kings, fortresses of stone and wood where the rulers of the Mokeu reside. Crocodiles, poisonous serpents, tigers, bears, and other such predators inhabit these realms. As if acting like a natural defense along with the pits of quicksand and the great chasms between the cliffs. These two wild kingdoms are no place for the weak or the feint of heart. [/hider] [hider=HUAFEN PLAINS] [img]https://i.imgur.com/WRS66E8.png[/img] The Huafen Plains are inhabited by a number of loose tribal confederations, Folk whose ancestors fled north after the departure of the gods and the coming of the yaoguai. For many, many generations these tribes have lived by horseback off the land, moving in flight with the wild herds across the plains and through the valleys. They also forage the plants of the wilds and at times during long stays in a single range will plant crops. The winters are hard and the seemingly endless riding harder but these are their lands and the Folk of the plains will cling to what is theirs. They value their freedom and have quarreled with the Eternal Empire many times over the generations. They war with the Kulnar by the season and their [url=https://i.imgur.com/mtQCZDE.jpg]horseback archery[/url] gives them the advantage over the slower moving and unmounted giants. The Huafen Plains are a symbol of independence and the untamable wilderness. Not a place to be conquered but to be part of. [/hider] [hider=THE WESTERN WASTES] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QNaDo49.png[/img] A desolate wasteland that once was teeming with life and grandeur. It was here that the yaoguai first descended upon the mortal realm and brought all of their first fury. The damage that was done was so severe that the earth never healed and the entire region was reduced to sand and ash. Ancient ruins are spread through this forsaken land but little worth the trouble of exploring as very little survived the onslaught of the dark ones. Over the years the fortunate traveler or scholar will find a trinket here that is worth a large sum but this is very rare. There is little life here beyond grubs and beetles and even the bravest shy away from the wastes as survival is near impossible between the vicious sand storms and the lack of food and water. [/hider] [hider=KULNAR LANDS] [img]https://i.imgur.com/FH3SyEa.png[/img] Beyond the green, lush fields of northern Yongcun is a cold, unforgiving frozen realm. Inhospitable to all others it is here that the Kulnar make their home. They hunt wild game and forage for what other food they can when not warring among themselves or intruding upon the lands of their neighbors. None dare go to the Kulnar lands for few ever return, if the giants do not kill them the cold will. The only signs of civilization are the hunting snares of the Kulnar which any wary traveler will avoid and the strange carvings and great totems said to be found throughout the snowy wastes. [/hider] [/center]