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--- settings:cahyali:ruefang [2023/10/16 01:38] – quiddlesticks
+++ settings:cahyali:ruefang [2024/04/30 02:30] (current) – quiddlesticks
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 ====== Ruefang ======
   * Government Type: Oligarchy
-  * Symbol: Lung Dragon
+  * Symbol: [[lore:creatures:greatbeasts:dragons#long|Long]]
   * Major Races: Draconic Lizards, Elves
   * Capital: Chongbai
+  * Demonym: Ruefangren
 {{settings:cahyali:ruefang_map.png}}
 == A map of Ruefang, circa 10081. ==
 ===== Overview =====
-Ruefang's climate is fairly diverse, ranging from a temperate forest in the north to vast, central plains to the tropical Laohu Forest in the south. To the east is the Raikougan Archipelago, a mostly temperate island group with an unusually stormy climate. There are two large lakes in Ruefang: Lake Xía, the larger of the two to the west, and Lake Xiu. The crescent-shaped landmass hugs the aptly named Sea of Fog, which is covered by thick mists. The wilds of Ruefang are nearly completely uninhabited due to the threat of unstable, magical leylines; the vast majority of the population resides in urban or suburban centers. Ruefang is loosely based on the real-world countries of China and Japan.
+Ruefang's climate is fairly diverse, ranging from a temperate forest in the north to vast, central plains to the tropical Laohu Forest in the south. To the east is the [[settings:cahyali:raikougan|Raikougan Archipelago]], a mostly temperate island group with an unusually stormy climate. There are two large lakes in Ruefang: Lake Xía, the larger of the two to the west, and Lake Xiu. The crescent-shaped landmass hugs the aptly named Sea of Fog, which is covered by thick mists. The wilds of Ruefang are nearly completely uninhabited due to the threat of unstable, magical leylines; the vast majority of the population resides in urban or suburban centers. Ruefang is loosely based on the real-world countries of China and Japan.
 The country is governed by the **Five-Commission Council,** operating out of Chongbai. The Councilors, sometimes also known as Commissioners, are some of the most powerful people in the entire nation. As of the year 10081/1563, the current Councilors are:
-  * **Zuanshi Hua,** Commissioner of Industry
   * **Zheng Chen,** Commissioner of Sorcery
   * **Jin Xinyi,** Commissioner of Trade
   * **Wang Tu,** Commissioner of the Divine
-  * **Kamiya Akane,** Commissioner of Raikougan
+The landscape of the Commissions was quite different before the 10081 [[history:cahyali:modernage#the_ars_machina_incident|Ars Machina Incident]] and the secession of the Raikougan Archipelago from the mainland. There were five Commissions in total, with a Commission of Industry led by Zuanshi Hua, sister of major industrial leader Zuanshi Wei, and a Commission of Raikougan formerly led by the archipelago Shogun.
 Ruefang is also home to the College of Mages and Scholars (CMS), a renowned higher education institution across Cahyali. In addition to studying the arcane, they teach a variety of mundane subjects and run many branches not only across Ruefang, but in Ulos and Ley'Ork as well. They are primarily known for their advancements to the field of the primary elements and history of Cahyali. They are also known for their philosophers and academic writers. The CMS has five divisions:
@@ Line 21: / Line 22: @@
   * **Tangata,** studying liberal arts including history, literature, and the social sciences.
   * **Whetu,** studying varied forms of elemental, divine, and psionic magic.
-  * **Mata,** studying martial arts and the art of war. On Cahyali, the warrior's School of the Dragon was developed by the CMS Mata Division.
+  * **Mata,** studying martial arts and the art of war. On Cahyali, the warrior's School of the Dragon was developed by the CMS Mata Division. Has a branch location in Shanzhu, where they collaborate with the Ruefang Continental Army (RCA).
   * **Ora,** studying life, death, and the environment, with a focus on biology and alchemy.
@@ Line 27: / Line 28: @@
 == The national flag of Ruefang. ==
-=== Laws ===
+==== Regions ====
+Ruefang is broken down into four broad regions. As of the early 10080s, the newly established Commission of Development is sponsoring a frontier project, encouraging citizens to go out, survey, and settle in the newly habitable land.
+ === Xiaxiu Lakes ===
+The Xiaxiu area is one of the cooler places on Ruefang, with snow falling regularly in the winter. The large Lakes Xia and Xiu are the main draw of this region, in addition to the Zhufu Reef off the eastern coast. The Xiaxiu region subsists mainly on fishing and cultural exports.
+ === Zhalong Dai Plains ===
+Zhalong Dai covers the majority of central Ruefang, and is mostly a vast, flat place varying from semi-arid in the north to subtropical in the south. In the west is the Shanzhu karst range, sometimes termed the //Shanzhu Spine//, where the eponymous city is built. Cutting through the center of the plains is the Great Long River. To the far west is the Jua Peninsula, a fairly temperate place. The Zhalong region is sparsely populated outside of its cities, and what small tribes do exist maintain a nomadic, horse-mounted life.
+ === Laohu Forest ===
+Named for populations of fierce tigers living within its borders, this dense and lush rainforest was utterly uninhabitable for centuries following the destabilization of Ruefang's leylines, and has only recently become stable again. The depths of the forest still remain mysterious and dangerous, but more treasures than dangers are hoped to reside within the lush walls.
+ === Baiyun Region ===
+This place encompasses the Baiyun Mountains and all land east of that range, one of the most prosperous places in Ruefang. With a warm subtropical climate, Baiyun is fit for growing much of the food for Ruefang, and is termed the “rice bowl” of the country. Other than agriculture, the Baiyun region exports industrial goods and fish. It is home to the capital of Ruefang, Chongbai.
+==== Laws ====
 Laws come into full effect when a citizen of Ruefang reaches the age of 16, which is also the drinking age. Children are still bound by Ruefang law, but will usually receive reduced sentences. The laws are as such:
@@ Line 45: / Line 57: @@
 {{a_rocha-guardiancityc.jpg}}
-== By Andreas Rocha. Used with permission. ==
+== The outskirts of Chongbai at sunset. By Andreas Rocha; used with permission. ==
 ===== Cities of Continental Ruefang =====
@@ Line 62: / Line 74: @@
 **Port Bandar, Gate to the Sands:** //Population 750,000.// A ways west of Lake Xia, Port Bandar is the closest settlement on Ruefang to the desert lands of Dahabu. Many Dahabi have settled here, giving the city a unique culture and population makeup. It acts as a port city between Ruefang and Dahabu, but is far sleepier than Port Wulong in the south - after all, few remain on Dahabu.
-**Huanyun Village, Last Stop Before Fog:** //Population 6,000.// A sleepy, peaceful village on a small island within the Sea of Fog. Huanyun mostly provides for itself through subsistence farming and fishing, and researchers from Tiancheng and the CMS often come through as a pit stop to the center of the Sea of Fog, where the Ruefang leyspring is centered. Only some of these mages return.
+**Huanyun Village:** //Population 6,000.// A sleepy, peaceful village on a small island within the Sea of Fog. Huanyun mostly provides for itself through subsistence farming and fishing, and researchers from Tiancheng and the CMS often come through as a pit stop to the center of the Sea of Fog, where the Ruefang leyspring is centered. Only some of these mages return.
-**Beihui Village, "Of Little Snows":** //Population 3,500.// Beihui is the northernmost settlement in Ruefang, located closest to Ulos. For Ulosian mages traveling into Ruefang to study the leyspring phenomenon, Beihui is usually their first stop. Apart from the occasional Ulosian trade activity, though, Beihui is a tiny and rural settlement, full of superstition and proverb regarding the leyspring and magic itself. Most Beihui residents are extremely skeptical of industry.
+**Beihui Village:** //Population 3,500.// Beihui is the northernmost settlement in Ruefang, located closest to Ulos. For Ulosian mages traveling into Ruefang to study the leyspring phenomenon, Beihui is usually their first stop. Apart from the occasional Ulosian trade activity, though, Beihui is a tiny and rural settlement, full of superstition and proverb regarding the leyspring and magic itself. Most Beihui residents are extremely skeptical of industry.
-**Leishun, Hidden and Enduring:** //Population 80,000.// Not marked on any maps, this secretive city endures without contact or concern for the rest of the world. Impressively, Leishun’s abundance allows it to be completely self-reliant for agriculture and resources. Despite its stable population, much of the enormous city is abandoned, with entire districts left empty and vacant. Still, the term ‘ruins’ would not be appropriate, since the desolate sections are well maintained, and never fall into disrepair. Owing to its ancient history, it remains one of the few places in Ruefang where dwarves call home.
-**Kibodai, Undersea Pearl:** //Population 2 million.// The underwater city of Kibodai is not part of Ruefang, but within close enough proximity to stay involved in the affairs of the land dwellers. It is inhabited by entirely merfolk. Pearl hunting and ship salvaging are a frequent opportunity for trade, often in exchange for processed metal. The aquatic flora makes it inhospitable for lizards, although other humanoids are unaffected (assuming they can make use of water breathing magic).
 ===== Culture =====
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 {{settings:cahyali:rcabattleflag.png}}
 == The battle flag of the Ruefang Continental Army. ==
-===== Raikougan, the Lightning Shores =====
-The Raikougan Archipelago is located at the easternmost side of Ruefang, and connects Ruefang to Splint. Cut off from the mainland for 300 years following the Fist of God's Impact, it has developed a distinct culture and system of governance. The Archipelago is considered a special administrative region of Ruefang for now, but tensions are high as the ruler of the Archipelago, Shogun Arashi Hachiman, has recently declared independence.
-The topography of the climate is predominantly temperate forests with some plains and mountains on each of the islands. They are composed of 5 major islands, each one bearing similar climates to each other. The land is still subject to the remnants of the Veil Storm. They are subjected to heavy rain storms during the autumn seasons, sometimes manifesting as hurricanes. Each island is heavily infused with elemental magic which is a cause for the tempestuous climate. The five largest and most major islands are:
-  * **Kamejima** (Turtle Island). The most populous and largest of the islands. Its capital, as well as the capital of the entire Archipelago, is the city of Kyousei. The Shogun makes his home here.
-  * **Chokoku** (Avian Island) a lush place with many terraces. Produces much of the Archipelago's crops, and is mostly rural. Its capital (and the island's only large city) is Shumoku.
-  * **Ryushu** (Dragon Island), a place known for its naval bases and fisheries. A major garrison of the Shogunate is located here, and many Shogunate soldiers train on Ryushu for at least a few months. Its capital is Youtai.
-  * **Tokagegan** (Lizard Island), is the magical center of the Raikougan, where most of the large magic schools are located. Due to its location near Ulos, they conduct much trade with the neighboring nation. Its capital is Setsuko.
-  * **Juuken** (Firearm Island), an aptly named center of industry for the Raikougan. Manufactures many industrial products, including almost all of the archipelago's firearms. Its capital is Kayakusei, and it is a loyalist to Ruefang in the brewing civil war.
-The Raikoujin are a warrior people first and foremost. Every child, regardless of gender, is trained in the ways of the blade, spear, and bow (or guns if you live on Juuken). They each owe absolute loyalty to their warlord and the Shogun. The culture is highly collectivist, putting the welfare of the common people above anything else. The Raikougan have always seen Ruefang as a union of independent nations rather than its own single nation. They do have deep love for all art forms and see swordfighting as just another kind of artistic expression. Most are taught some form of art, the most common is calligraphy.
-==== Notable Families ====
-A few notable families exist on the Archipelago, most of which hold some political power in their regions. Most of these have grand estates, where the entire extended family lives.
-  * **Arashi:** This is a family of shell-bearer lizards, and is most notable for being the ruling bloodline of the Shogunate. They have been in power for about 70 years. The current leader of the Arashi family is Arashi Hachiman, Shogun and Warlord of Kamejima Island.
-  * **Fujin:** A family of Harpidan (Verraerian) avians, and the leaders of Chokoku Island. They report directly to the Shogun, and are known for their focus on development of medical technologies. Rising to prominence in the early days of Raikougan isolation, the Fujin family have been famous as skilled doctors for centuries. Their current leader is Fujin Sora.
-  * **Kentarō:** A blended family of halflings and draconic lizards, formed from the marital and political union of the draconic Kaiyo and halfling Tamura families about 100 years ago. They are well known for being skilled fighters, with many Kentarō scions joining the military or training in the magical arts. This skill has been needed, however: after the decline of the Raiden family, the Kentarōs found the duty of fending off the Blood Hawks on their shoulders. The current leader is Kentarō Ryuji, a halfling.
-  * **Raiden:** Old protectors of Ryushu Island, and a well-respected noble house before the Arashi Shogunate's reign. They opposed the Arashis in the conflicts leading up to the current regime, and lost much of their power in the process; eventually ceding rulership of Ryushu to the Kentarōs. In the current day, they have a small, yet moderately successful place as textile merchants.
-  * **Kamiya:** Originally a small-time noble house from Kamejima, the Kamiyas found themselves catapulted into the spotlight when their youngest daughter Akane found herself elected to the position of Commissioner of Raikougan after Arashi Hachiman's declaration of independence. Caught between two fiercely opposing sides, the Kamiya family both commands great power and treads on eggshells.
-==== The Blood Hawks ====
-The shadow haunting Raikougan for centuries: the Blood Hawks are a mercenary group infamous for their brutality and cruelty. While they can be hired for the right coin, they do mostly what they will in the midst of a job. They seem to take great pleasure in pillaging and destroying villages, and many noble estates train fighters for the express purpose of fending off Blood Hawk attacks on their land.
-The Blood Hawks are loosely organized, with most traveling in small groups that may meet up to ransack particularly valuable targets. There is only one leader, known as the //Kasha//, who is always rumored to be the worst of the lot: the most sadistic, the most cruel, and the most bloodthirsty. If there are ever two individuals with a claim to the title of Kasha, they fight to the death and the victor claims dominion over the Blood Hawks.