Post by Admin on Mar 5, 2012 17:03:50 GMT -5
Geography: Mountainous islands, some of them volcanic, separated by narrow channels of shallow water, make up Kusanagi's long, thick blade-like shape. Most of the mountain ranges are covered by forests; these have been left untouched by civilization and stand in sharp contrast to the skyscraper cities which dominate most of the flatlands. The three central isles of Eiko, Meiji and Nokori, situated respectively in the north, center and south, account for most of the land.
Weather: Kusanagi's northern half has a temperate climate with long, warm summers and short winters. Further south, where the climate is tropical, the weather varies between hot sunlight and cool showers, and the nights are typically calm with clear weather that gives an unblocked view of the night sky. Periodic, violent earthquakes and eruptions from the few volcanoes remain a threat to the nation, though advances in technology and magic often mean the people are well-equipped to deal with them.
Population: Numbering less than a hundred million at most, Kusanagi's population is an even split between human and Fey, with a small but significant number of sentient Elementals and magical beasts. The number of High Fey known to reside in Kusanagi, while still a single digit figure, is one of the highest in the world.
Form of Government: Kusanagi is ruled from the palace in Eiko by an Empress, a powerful human sorceress known as the Daughter of Amaterasu. She is chosen from among the populace by the High Fey Amaterasu herself, who travels incognito in search of a new ruler to foster when the rule of the current Empress draws to its close. In addition to the guidance of Amaterasu, the Empress is advised and protected by a handpicked council of mages, generals and scholars. The various High Fey who hold lordship over other provinces of Kusanagi are granted some freedom to rule their own domains, but all answer to her.
Technology: With its unusual marriage of science and magic, Kusanagi stands at the top of the modern world's technological progress. Sleek, speedy hovercrafts fill the skyline each day, bringing people from one towering skyscraper to another. Power plants run on the energy of the feral elementals sealed in their cores, producing electricity for the country's extensive power output. Beyond the country's borders, rumors still abound of their giant, bipedal mechs, armed to the teeth with enough weapons to raze a town in minutes.
Favored Magics: As one of the most durable forms of magic, Written magic came into favor as a way of making magical seals for everyday life. Paper seals, called Ofuda, remains the most popular choice of study for Kusanagi's mages. Physical magic is also common, with many schools dedicated to teaching some variant on martial arts infused with magic or on the more complex yet versatile style of hand signs that their ninjas have made famous. Mental and Spoken magic draw less attention, and Material magic is strictly controlled to avoid upsetting the Wildfey whose forests are often the source for ingredients.
Major Locations:
Eiko -
- The Royal Palace: a towering red-walled pagoda in the center of Eiko. Calligraphs carved into its tiled roof by the first Empress sustain a glowing energy orb over the roof, designed to resemble a miniature sun. The throne room is on the middle level of the palace, but a massive underground bunker complex is available just a trapdoor away for use during emergencies.
- The Shrine of Amaterasu: standing just east of the palace and open to the public, the shrine's gates lead into a garden with a silver statue of the High Fey Amaterasu, in the form of a wolf, on a pedestal at its center. The statue overlooks a koi pond, and is reported to have moved from time to time, mostly yawning and scratching behind its ears.
- Konohana City: famous for its agricultural research and breakthroughs, an entire block houses the city's "orchards" - skyscrapers which use a combination of enchanted soil, nutrient solutions, artificial sunlight and climate regulators to produce enough fruit for the entire island. A single ancient cherry tree stands in the city square, dedicated to the High Fey Sakuya-hime, who vanished centuries ago. Every spring, when the tree blooms, the citizens gather to pray for her safe return.
Meiji -
- Kawashiro City: in northern Meiji, it is the reigning source of technological development in Kusanagi today. The lab districts at the center of the city are active day and night, designing and field-testing all of the ideas of the nation's collective think tank in massive underground, magically secured chambers. Most of Kawashiro's numerous universities encourage the pursuit of double-degrees in magic and science. One is even run by the High Fey Omoikane.
- Nagae River: a large body of water that runs from the high mountains at the east of Meiji, all the way down to the sea on the western side of the island. Tales abound of fantastic creatures that swim in the river, not least a giant golden carp, but fishing is inadvisable - on one occasion, a fisherman's boat was destroyed by a river dragon.
- Nobunaga: a fortress on the western plains of Meiji, with the nation's western border in easy reach. Advanced military training takes place here, with multiple contingents of Kusanagi's finest warriors and war-mech pilots stationed around the clock to repulse an assault from the neighboring Upper Kingdom at any moment.
Nokori -
- Tsukuyomi Garden: one of the few flatlands to have remained rural and home to the Black Tengu Tsukuyomi, this forest maze covers the northern plains of Nokori. Its flowering shrubs, many of which have magical properties, blossom at night, and some even glow under the moonlight.
- Sarutahiko's Gate: a low valley between the two mountains at the southwest corner of the island. Sarutahiko, a Cloud Spirit, watches the sea from his shrine in the valley, guarding the southern islands from attacks on the nation's energy barrier.
- Susano Academy of the Drunken Arts: a school founded and run by the legendary swordsman, Susano. Situated in the center of the island, the academy teaches intermediate and advanced level martial-magical arts, infusing - as the name suggests, the use of alcohol and insobriety to augment battle techniques. Masters of Healing magic are highly prized on the staff roster.
- The Crane School: longest rival of Susano's Academy, the Crane School is located in the mountains above the other. Rather than the wildness of Susano, it is centered on more focused, meditative martial arts that employ strengthening and simple, supportive uses of magic. Stronger students are taught energy blasts as well. It is currently led by a monkey-like Wild Fey who goes by the name Onigiri.
Asagitatsu and her Spawn -
- Asagitatsu: a large volcano in the north where the pommel stone of Kusanagi's 'hilt' would be, dormant for the past five centuries. It is said to be home to a blue Dragon Spirit.
- Asagitatsu's Spawn: nine much smaller volcanoes scattered evenly between the other islands - most notably, the "Eldest" of the Spawn is situated to the west of Eiko, and blue salamanders have been sighted on its shores. All erupt at least once every two years, releasing blue lava and azure smoke which clogs the sea channels and airspaces for up to a fortnight at a time.
- Kazangakure: located inside the Spawn closest to Eiko, it is one of the largest hidden villages of Kusanagi's famed ninja. The lava itself is kept sealed and at bay while controlled eruptions give the illusion of being dangerous, and the natural network of caves provides much in the way of training ground. Like the other hidden villages, the ninjas here are kept on alert and battle ready.
Major Concerns:
- Kusanagi believes itself not only superior to every other country on the planet, but it also believes it has no need of or responsibility to any other. A massive arcane barrier may prevent people from entering (just like in Ruthenia), but it's this attitude that prevents most Kusanagians from ever leaving. Ninja spies are sent out to gather data on the other countries routinely, but not all come back.
- Kusanagi's geographical position makes it a frequent victim to a number of natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and tidal waves all have struck the land with greater frequency than other places. Between their advanced technology and powerful mages, they have been able to weather these disasters with increasing ease over the centuries.
- Kusanagi has been in a sometimes-unspoken conflict with the Upper Kingdoms since Kusanagi first expelled the UK's presence from their lands several hundred years ago. While the UK may be significantly larger, Kusanagi's technological advancements - especially their mecha and energy weapons - have allowed it to stay ahead of the curve and avoid being reconquered.
- Like Arcadia, Beastfolk are taboo in Kusanagi, though the reasoning is quite different. Rather than seeing something intrinsically "lesser" about them, Beastfolk were alien beings and only introduced to the land during the Upper Kingdom's occupation. When the Upper Kingdom's presence was expelled in revolution, the Beastfolk were all forcibly sent away and kept out as foreigners. A few exceptions have been made in the past, but only for certain Mythical Beastfolk.
- The Kusanagian underground enjoys fighting and watching fights immensely as an outlet of their self pride. Between mages, martial artists, feral wild fey, captured monsters, mecha and power suits, there are any number of fighting scenes throughout the islands. Police punish such venues and fighters greatly as disruptive of the peace, but that hasn't stopped them or slowed them down.
- Because of it's isolationism and the barrier itself, getting goods in or out is difficult, and like many difficult things, that also makes it extremely profitable. The government is exceedingly concerned with their mechs, magitech and beam technology being stolen, as they represent the biggest advantage they have against invaders.
Weather: Kusanagi's northern half has a temperate climate with long, warm summers and short winters. Further south, where the climate is tropical, the weather varies between hot sunlight and cool showers, and the nights are typically calm with clear weather that gives an unblocked view of the night sky. Periodic, violent earthquakes and eruptions from the few volcanoes remain a threat to the nation, though advances in technology and magic often mean the people are well-equipped to deal with them.
Population: Numbering less than a hundred million at most, Kusanagi's population is an even split between human and Fey, with a small but significant number of sentient Elementals and magical beasts. The number of High Fey known to reside in Kusanagi, while still a single digit figure, is one of the highest in the world.
Form of Government: Kusanagi is ruled from the palace in Eiko by an Empress, a powerful human sorceress known as the Daughter of Amaterasu. She is chosen from among the populace by the High Fey Amaterasu herself, who travels incognito in search of a new ruler to foster when the rule of the current Empress draws to its close. In addition to the guidance of Amaterasu, the Empress is advised and protected by a handpicked council of mages, generals and scholars. The various High Fey who hold lordship over other provinces of Kusanagi are granted some freedom to rule their own domains, but all answer to her.
Technology: With its unusual marriage of science and magic, Kusanagi stands at the top of the modern world's technological progress. Sleek, speedy hovercrafts fill the skyline each day, bringing people from one towering skyscraper to another. Power plants run on the energy of the feral elementals sealed in their cores, producing electricity for the country's extensive power output. Beyond the country's borders, rumors still abound of their giant, bipedal mechs, armed to the teeth with enough weapons to raze a town in minutes.
Favored Magics: As one of the most durable forms of magic, Written magic came into favor as a way of making magical seals for everyday life. Paper seals, called Ofuda, remains the most popular choice of study for Kusanagi's mages. Physical magic is also common, with many schools dedicated to teaching some variant on martial arts infused with magic or on the more complex yet versatile style of hand signs that their ninjas have made famous. Mental and Spoken magic draw less attention, and Material magic is strictly controlled to avoid upsetting the Wildfey whose forests are often the source for ingredients.
Major Locations:
Eiko -
- The Royal Palace: a towering red-walled pagoda in the center of Eiko. Calligraphs carved into its tiled roof by the first Empress sustain a glowing energy orb over the roof, designed to resemble a miniature sun. The throne room is on the middle level of the palace, but a massive underground bunker complex is available just a trapdoor away for use during emergencies.
- The Shrine of Amaterasu: standing just east of the palace and open to the public, the shrine's gates lead into a garden with a silver statue of the High Fey Amaterasu, in the form of a wolf, on a pedestal at its center. The statue overlooks a koi pond, and is reported to have moved from time to time, mostly yawning and scratching behind its ears.
- Konohana City: famous for its agricultural research and breakthroughs, an entire block houses the city's "orchards" - skyscrapers which use a combination of enchanted soil, nutrient solutions, artificial sunlight and climate regulators to produce enough fruit for the entire island. A single ancient cherry tree stands in the city square, dedicated to the High Fey Sakuya-hime, who vanished centuries ago. Every spring, when the tree blooms, the citizens gather to pray for her safe return.
Meiji -
- Kawashiro City: in northern Meiji, it is the reigning source of technological development in Kusanagi today. The lab districts at the center of the city are active day and night, designing and field-testing all of the ideas of the nation's collective think tank in massive underground, magically secured chambers. Most of Kawashiro's numerous universities encourage the pursuit of double-degrees in magic and science. One is even run by the High Fey Omoikane.
- Nagae River: a large body of water that runs from the high mountains at the east of Meiji, all the way down to the sea on the western side of the island. Tales abound of fantastic creatures that swim in the river, not least a giant golden carp, but fishing is inadvisable - on one occasion, a fisherman's boat was destroyed by a river dragon.
- Nobunaga: a fortress on the western plains of Meiji, with the nation's western border in easy reach. Advanced military training takes place here, with multiple contingents of Kusanagi's finest warriors and war-mech pilots stationed around the clock to repulse an assault from the neighboring Upper Kingdom at any moment.
Nokori -
- Tsukuyomi Garden: one of the few flatlands to have remained rural and home to the Black Tengu Tsukuyomi, this forest maze covers the northern plains of Nokori. Its flowering shrubs, many of which have magical properties, blossom at night, and some even glow under the moonlight.
- Sarutahiko's Gate: a low valley between the two mountains at the southwest corner of the island. Sarutahiko, a Cloud Spirit, watches the sea from his shrine in the valley, guarding the southern islands from attacks on the nation's energy barrier.
- Susano Academy of the Drunken Arts: a school founded and run by the legendary swordsman, Susano. Situated in the center of the island, the academy teaches intermediate and advanced level martial-magical arts, infusing - as the name suggests, the use of alcohol and insobriety to augment battle techniques. Masters of Healing magic are highly prized on the staff roster.
- The Crane School: longest rival of Susano's Academy, the Crane School is located in the mountains above the other. Rather than the wildness of Susano, it is centered on more focused, meditative martial arts that employ strengthening and simple, supportive uses of magic. Stronger students are taught energy blasts as well. It is currently led by a monkey-like Wild Fey who goes by the name Onigiri.
Asagitatsu and her Spawn -
- Asagitatsu: a large volcano in the north where the pommel stone of Kusanagi's 'hilt' would be, dormant for the past five centuries. It is said to be home to a blue Dragon Spirit.
- Asagitatsu's Spawn: nine much smaller volcanoes scattered evenly between the other islands - most notably, the "Eldest" of the Spawn is situated to the west of Eiko, and blue salamanders have been sighted on its shores. All erupt at least once every two years, releasing blue lava and azure smoke which clogs the sea channels and airspaces for up to a fortnight at a time.
- Kazangakure: located inside the Spawn closest to Eiko, it is one of the largest hidden villages of Kusanagi's famed ninja. The lava itself is kept sealed and at bay while controlled eruptions give the illusion of being dangerous, and the natural network of caves provides much in the way of training ground. Like the other hidden villages, the ninjas here are kept on alert and battle ready.
Major Concerns:
- Kusanagi believes itself not only superior to every other country on the planet, but it also believes it has no need of or responsibility to any other. A massive arcane barrier may prevent people from entering (just like in Ruthenia), but it's this attitude that prevents most Kusanagians from ever leaving. Ninja spies are sent out to gather data on the other countries routinely, but not all come back.
- Kusanagi's geographical position makes it a frequent victim to a number of natural disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes and tidal waves all have struck the land with greater frequency than other places. Between their advanced technology and powerful mages, they have been able to weather these disasters with increasing ease over the centuries.
- Kusanagi has been in a sometimes-unspoken conflict with the Upper Kingdoms since Kusanagi first expelled the UK's presence from their lands several hundred years ago. While the UK may be significantly larger, Kusanagi's technological advancements - especially their mecha and energy weapons - have allowed it to stay ahead of the curve and avoid being reconquered.
- Like Arcadia, Beastfolk are taboo in Kusanagi, though the reasoning is quite different. Rather than seeing something intrinsically "lesser" about them, Beastfolk were alien beings and only introduced to the land during the Upper Kingdom's occupation. When the Upper Kingdom's presence was expelled in revolution, the Beastfolk were all forcibly sent away and kept out as foreigners. A few exceptions have been made in the past, but only for certain Mythical Beastfolk.
- The Kusanagian underground enjoys fighting and watching fights immensely as an outlet of their self pride. Between mages, martial artists, feral wild fey, captured monsters, mecha and power suits, there are any number of fighting scenes throughout the islands. Police punish such venues and fighters greatly as disruptive of the peace, but that hasn't stopped them or slowed them down.
- Because of it's isolationism and the barrier itself, getting goods in or out is difficult, and like many difficult things, that also makes it extremely profitable. The government is exceedingly concerned with their mechs, magitech and beam technology being stolen, as they represent the biggest advantage they have against invaders.