RomanceOfTheHundredKingdoms\The Hundred Kingdoms
Contents
The Hundred Kingdoms[edit]
Chosaten[edit]
The Holy Kingdom of Chosaten lies at the northern edge of the Yellow Forest and is in fact neither holy nor truly a kingdom. There is the old bloodline of the priest-kings who traditionally are held to be of great spiritual power and to intercede with the ancestors on behalf of their people. But like his fathers and grandfathers before him the current 'ruler and high priest of all Chosaten', Priest-King Akewara holds no true power and is little more than a convenient figurehead for official ceremonies. Rulership lies in the hands of the High Council, a body composed of the representatives of the major clans with a token presence from the minor clans. These ruling families of Chosaten are between them in control of nearly all the nation's lands and wealth and are involved in a constant struggle for supremacy. The internal politics of the High Council are vicious and alliances can shift quickly. Currently the White Shield Alliance holds the majority and its leader Dao Tseng is the most powerful man in the country.
The common people of course don't care much, which of the great and powerful holds sway in the Council this year. They are more inwardly focused, polite, private and often suspicious of outlanders. Ancestor worship is widely spread in Chosaten which accounts in part for the priest-kings high popularity among the people despite his ineffectualness. There are few devout Immaculates and even fewer Immaculate monks in the kingdom, but they are accepted and sometimes even revered, though more on their personal merits and those of their faith. However despite the Immaculate Faith's insignificant influence there are ancient scriptures going back to the one of the early priest-kings that list Solars and Lunars among many others (such as redheaded and left-handed children) as harbingers of doom and catalysts of destruction. These are believed only by very few for they resemble the writings of a madman in places, but they have often provided useful pretexts for aggressive political moves within the families or even in the High Council.
In response to Nine Oaks's demands the High Council has 'suggested' to the priest-king that a delegation be sent to negotiate a better deal. Secretly several of the major clans have sent their own agents to try and make alternative arrangements to meet their quota of sacrifices while leaving their rivals burdened.
Telleimare[edit]
Telleimare is a fairly properous land, not bordering the Yellow Forest, ruled by its king for the last one hundred years by the virtue of Terrestial Exaltation. King Archer Oak's ambitions are focused on the safety of his kingdom, and is content to rule the realm he was born to inherit decades ago. The culture is rather European in style, though it is blended with the cultures of other lands, even as far as the Realm! One of the things of note, beyond the fact he is a king with not much ambition, is his jester, Vert Cyrano. The man is from the somewhat infamous Cyrano family, all jesters across the kingdoms, and Vert is one of the finest of his generation (although he is mentally ill and a bit nuttier than a fruitcake).
Sacre, Vert's son, bears a family resemblance and may be easily recognized by those who know the Cyrano name. Archer Oak and Vert have had an... interesting relationship, one good enough that Vert entrusted Sacre's health to the Wood Aspect when the boy constantly began ill as a little boy. Sacre himself still visits his childhood home from time to time, but he is painfully aware that no one remembers him.
Nine Iron Meadows[edit]
Seven Iron Meadows, named for the seven cities that make up this forest kingdom, and the mysterious pillars of iron in each meadow that give the cities their names (each is covered in runes of a specific color, and each city takes its name from that color), is a place of cutthroat politics. The only time they actually agree is when an outside threat comes. Much to their annoyance, they have been able to do very little against Nine Oaks, beyond fighting back against his influence. They have more problems with the hostility of the woods than with the Rashka meddling, mainly because of the Meadows' trademark iron weapons.
Parlson[edit]
Parlson can trace its history back to the founding of the three cities of la’fer, de’fer and me’fer. Originally the three cities competed with each other for resources and space. However me’fer made a discovery that would propel it to the forefront. The discovery of the endless ways, a series of interconnected tunnels, caverns and caves within these winding ways, was sources of Iron, copper and other useful metals and gems, yet rather than use this new found strength to conquer the other cities they were offered a deal a chance to join as equals, thus was founded Parlson.
Parlson is governed by the Primus a lifetime dictator, he is in turn advised and supported by the great council made up of the leaders of the most powerful families in the three cities. When the current Primus dies, his replacement is voted on by the members of the great council, although occasionally this has lead to a mere puppet being elected to Primus, such rulers rarely last long, and the majority of Primuses have realized that ignoring and angering the council is invariably a fatal pastime. Which in effect means that the Primus is generally the first of equals rather than a king in all but name.
Recently however the council has been deadlocked over what to do with nine oaks recent trends, some seek appeasement; others favor forming a collation with other nations and defying the god.
Within Parlson family is all, to know ones lineage and to care for all the members is the most important, those without family (Orphans and bastards) are considered outside society with no place, after all who can vouch for them, how can one judge them without knowing their full lineage. Yet despite this one peculiar tradition exists that of Birthtwins, it is believed that if two people share the same time of birth they are twins it is common practice for Noble families to adopt such births, the adopted child is raised as a member of the family, and will normally serve as the blooded childs closet confident, advisor and aid.
Goldfield[edit]
The Kingdom of Goldfield sits astride the Yellow River as it escapes the Western expanse of the mighty forest. Fed by seemingly endless supplies of shining yellow corn, the populous and stable Kingdom is agricultural and very philosophical. Famous for the largest market in the area, the center city is always lively, the streets filled with bustling shoppers looking for a deal or listening to one of the many philosophers telling stories filled with ancient wisdom.
Peaceful worship of the local Gods, especially the mighty Corn God, He Who Walks Behind the Rows, is encouraged by the Goldfield Royal Family. Martial Arts is also prolific within the population. All children are sent to local dojos at the age of 8, children are enrolled in these schools for the next 7 years that focus on athletics and fighting styles as well as the proper worship of the spirits. The child also learns an aesthetic that they must learn well enough to impress the king. Painting, sculptures and poems are presented to the king. At the age of 15, some are chosen to protect the kingdom, continuing their training while working for the kingdom. Others leave to become farmers if they so choose to or if they do not meet the standards of the king. A select few are asked to join the royal order, a group of monks who live to train in mind and body to be the best. These men and women learn to be proficient in art and philosophy and the best fighters of the kingdom. Some work as teachers, some directly for the king, but all are respected highly by the people of Goldfield.
