It is Ambrodas, 21st of the Month of Cinder, in the year 95
Shenzhou & The Remnant
General Tokko Ji-Tae
Governor Tao Wu
Councilor Zhou Zhi
An ancient culture, the oldest civilisation in the world, which has lived through a hundred thousand changes and certainly will endure a hundred thousand more. Yet in these years, immense change is inevitable; and this is nothing if not an era of churned earth.
After centuries of being ruled by the Setsen Dynasty, the vast region of conquered cultures is now under the control of the Azuchi clan. But the history is rich and complex; and certainly far too stubborn to bend or break under a new ruler. Will the Azuchi be another footnote in Shenzhourin history, or reshape the Eternal Lands for good?
"They... Killed the Emperor... She killed the Emperor..."
- Former Imperial Councilor Zhou Zhi, words to start a war
Play As...
Shenzhourin
General Characteristic
Race
Human
Language
Common, Shenzhourin, Khoshka (Khoshuu), Gyeonugeo (Gyeondae)
Height
162cm - 195cm (5'3 - 6'4)
Hair Colours
Browns, Black
Eye Colours
Browns, occasional hazel
Skin Tone
Warm tone, ranging from pale to tan
Ethos
Ceremonial, Stoic, Bureaucratic
Naming Convention
Ming Dynasty Chinese, Mongolian (Khoshuu), Korean (Gyeondae)
Shenzhourin Rundown
Themes
Fallen Conquerors, High Culture, Precision and Beauty
Aesthetics
Ming Dynasty China, Khitan, Mongolian (Khoshuu), Korean (Gyeondae)
Unique Aspects
The Remnant - Fled from the homeland, rebuilding in the New World, plans to return home and remove Azuchi
General Attitudes Towards
Attitude Scale:
Allied
Friendly
Cordial
Neutral
Unfavourable
Antagonistic
War
Gallia:
Neutral
Dumanon:
Unfavourable
Great Houses:
Unfavourable
Custodes:
Neutral
Daurans:
Neutral
Asturias:
Neutral
Komanali:
Neutral
Banen’Rhûn:
Neutral
Azuchi:
War
Sasanshahr:
Friendly
Ancient Dwarves:
Cordial
Amu-Tep:
Neutral
Turak:
Neutral
Shenzhourin and Aether Users:
Aether users are strongly distrusted in Shenzhou society. All magic and the use thereof is considered reckless and dangerous, constituting a considerable threat to the balance of the world. Those who are understood to be sensitive typically spend their life in confinement, or are outright killed before they can become too powerful. There is a growing interest in the claims made in Sasanshahr, that the ashes from their Great Flames can potentially cure this connection to the Aether - something that, if proven, would undoubtedly be popular in The Eternal Lands.
Those who are attuned who are born into particularly prestigious or rich families have a better quality of life than those who are not. They are typically squirrelled away into the mountainous regions, where many monasteries and temples are built to the Divine Court. They are forced to remain there to learn piety, control, and shame. Publicly, they have simply chosen to live a religious life and their powers are kept secret.
Shenzhourin and Demons:
Aether users may be distrusted, but Demons are utterly reviled. Any discovered demon is meticulously hunted in hopes of achieving complete destruction of their being. Kaza’daukar from Sasanshahr are actively welcomed in Shenzhou courts. This stems back to the major event that caused the Age of Calamity, which is known to have been the fault of two colossally powerful demons.
When Playing...
When making a character from the Dynasty, consider the position that many of it’s cultures and peoples find themselves in. The Setsen Dynasty has fallen, and in their place, the Azuchi have seized power. Where does your character find themselves between these two rivals? Are they loyal to the old Setsen Nobility, scattered across the seas or in open rebellion in the homeland, or are they loyal to their new masters, the Empress of the Azuchi? Or do they dismiss these choices, and walk their own path, beyond the machinations and politics of the Eternal Lands?
It is also important to consider the cultural background of your character, and what could have drawn them to the Nahas Frontier.
"Are you certain my dear friend?"
- Imperial Governor Tao Wu, The Leader of the Rebellion
The History of Shenzhou
Age Of Myth - Began around 10,000 years ago
At least ten thousand years ago, Shenzhou - whose then-name is long forgotten - was borne unto the Eternal Lands. This is when the Shenzhourin believe the world took its first breath, and with that, came life. In the fifteen years following, each mid-point of the seasons lead to the creation of something new, with one thing of utmost significance per year. At first, spring itself. Then summer, then autumn, then winter. Then the sun, then the moon, and so on. The last few things to be made were animals and man; and in the last instance of creation, Aether.
The era afterward is storied as a time of chaos - of the world figuring itself out. The dragons spent this period trying to chase the sun out of the sky, in hopes of drowning it in the great seas, to strengthen their innate connection to water. They were led by the largest of them, a blue snake-dragon with a red underbelly, known as Jiang. Eventually, wisdom was too created, so they instead settled into guiding the waves of the world with their breath instead of such an impossible task. However, Jiang never learned - and is regarded affectionately as a stubborn fool, a companion to Xiaochou, and frequently has pets named after him. Their control of the waters shaped the Eternal Lands, and gave Shenzhou its vast coastline and many rivers, and allowed Man to venture across the terrain and create the many provinces that would soon house a thousand cultures. To this end, dragons are seen as representatives of culture itself, as well as power.
The fifteen years of creation are now celebrated, in the sixth month in the centre of the year, for a period of fifteen days, with each one dedicated to a different animal, season, celestial body or simply things that are significant to the province, village or family. And years are named on a fifteen year cycle, as;
The Year of Spring
The Year of Summer
The Year of Autumn
The Year of Winter
The Year of the Sun
The Year of the Moon
The Year of Wind
The Year of Flames
The Year of Water
The Year of Clay
The Year of Dragons
The Year of Jade
The Year of the Animal
The Year of Music
The Year of Man
As such, Shenzhou dates are listed as; Day Sixteen of the Fourth Month, in the Two-Hundred and Second Year of Flames. The years of which count since the beginning of the Age of Prosperity - however, the Azuchi have endeavoured to reset this, meaning it is officially currently the First Year of Clay. The Azuchi took over during the Year of the Animal in the previous count.
Age Of Calamity - Began around 6000 years ago
Just as the Age of Myth seemingly began to settle into order, the Eternal Lands were hit with the Age of Calamity. This occurred after a significant catastrophe, where two demons collided during their final battle. The people of Shenzhou believe that these foul products of the aether were manifestations of unchecked malicious darkness, and with no light to balance them out, when they came together their energy could only implode. These demons were the same as each other, constantly clambering together to try and be the ultimate - hanging on the precipice of their rise and ascension, delaying it in order to buy time enough to consume their equal foe in an attempt to become a greater God.
Their war in the region lasted a century at least. They defied all earthly balance, and as their aetheric strength reached its summit, they obliterated each other and with them the large chunk of the continent that they stood upon. Hundreds of thousands of lives lost in an instant of blinding light, where the air and lifeforce of the Eternal Lands was dragged inward to their point of existence, and then spat back out in a great and terrible explosion. The earths shattered and remain in that shape of destruction to this day.
The fallout of which was many tsunamis, quakes, and terrible storms in the east, known as the ‘Weeping of the Heavens.’. Much culture and progress was lost, but the Eternal Lands are just that; Shenzhou does not die, only wither. Soon it came to bloom again, through a period of tense survival, and into one of prosperity.
Age of Prosperity - Began 3030 years ago
The Age of Prosperity officially began three thousand and thirty years ago, according to record - following at least another three thousand years that spanned the Age of Calamity. This is the period where Shenzhou came into its own, and gained its name. It saw seven Dynasties; the last, beginning over a thousand years ago, was the Great Dynasty of Setsen. They claimed the throne after a period known as The Lost Years, after the previous ruling family disappeared amidst a famine. They claimed a bloodline that lasted back to the Age of Myth; to the Dragons; and with men of the divine Court faith at their backs, this succeeded in gaining them support. They ruled and conquered more lands for Shenzhou over this period and oversaw a great many improvements, inventions and discoveries. In this time, they seized the lands of the Kusatsu province - where the Azuchi line, humble then, began. They also took control of Koshuu, and gained better power over Gyeondae, a southern region that they had claimed far earlier in the period and held for centuries.
Shenzhou saw the invention of black powder and fireworks under the Setsen Dynasty. They had immense flourishes in the realm of art and fashion - silk clothing that would be traded across the world through Sasanshahr. Cannons that would be replicated in Dumanon. Guns, eventually, that would be perfected in Gallia. Though these auspicious advancements would spread across the world, there is one nuance kept to themselves. Obsidian, mixed with Clay expertly, created Black Porcelain - a fine, beautiful material with a thousand uses. Sculpture, jewellery, armour, crockery, and perhaps the most frivolous and impactful; ammunition. Shards of Black Porcelain are used in the Shenzhou Hand Cannons for a unique brand of violence and gunplay.
This Age also saw the creation of the Jade and Gold Palace, a city-sized Palace in the centre of the original Shenzhou province, where the Empress and many Emperors before her have ruled. This City-Palace, known as the Walled City, the Palace of Many Beauties, and the Heart of the Eternal Lands, accommodates the largest population in the Dynasty. The entire city is abundant with gilding, statues, artwork, gardens and waterways.
Every inch is crafted with love; however in the poorer regions, it acts as a sort of sinister mask for the inevitable poverty and suffering that happens in the dim corners of this world.The end of this period ends in darkness, as it had begun from the shadows of Calamity.
As the Azuchi clan rose and seized power in Shenzhou, as loyalists were labelled traitors and rebels and drowned in accusations and war, the light of Prosperity seemed a memory. Chased from their homeland, choosing to flee and survive rather than die, The Fleet of Ten-Thousand Souls, many of the most valuable names from the Setsen Dynasty now reside in The New World.
Age of Exile - Began 10 years ago
The Dynasty Remnants take hold of land in Awenasa, led by Governor Tao Wu and his entourage, bringing with them their beauty and culture, and their version of the Divine Court faith. This period is known to them as the new Age of Exile, but on their home soil, is known as the Age of Azuchi, or the Azuchi Dynasty. As their names are continually scrubbed from history, or poisoned and marred in terms of public perception, many nobles and esteemed bloodlines hide away in the New World until the opportunity arises to return.
To a foreigner, there appears to be a strict cult of personality surrounding these ‘Great Named’ nobles. They are revered, treated as if they are made out of divine matter, or are as fragile and precious as Black Porcelain itself. Because of this, they are kept safe by seemingly devoted guards, named Orders, and near-legendary warriors. This reverence would seemingly go to the ends of the earth - but that is, in truth, a mirage. These nobles lost the war for their homeland - proved themselves lesser in terms of might and strategy, and failed their own men. Beneath them are warlords, advisors and generals who are real masters of warfare. Those men are the authentic rebels, those who would use the Great Names as a valid banner, an auspicious flag, and as puppets when they one day endeavour to seize back control of the entirety of the Eternal Lands. The plots and schemes are shared between the quiet provinces and the faraway ground of the New World, with the nobles only kept half in the loop of actual plots and events. They unknowingly fund popular rebellions and fan the flames of Setsen loyalty in order to keep faith in the old ways alive. The Remnants will not give up - the Age of Exile will not last forever.
"By the Divines and the Endless Sky - The Azuchi will die!"
- General Tokko Ji-Tae, often referred to as '-The- Warlord'
Shenzhou:
Civilization & Politics
Official Shenzhou nobility are in a delicate position in the Age of Exile. They occupy a careful place - those who are now loyal to the Azuchi must tread carefully in court, and remain in the Empress’ good graces, lest she tear apart their reputation. And those who have left the fair lands of Shenzhou are propped up in the New World in the hopes that someday, their bloodline will return to the east and reclaim it.
It is believed that the Emperor is supported by the Gods, by Wang Ren in particular. Whilst they have the support of the King-God, they will rule over pleasant years, with reduced strife. However, should Wang Ren withdraw his favour, his Mandate changes - and they are left at the whim of Xiaochau, the God of Chaos and Chance.
Noble Titles
Huangdi
The Emperor is the Supreme Ruler of the Dynasty and Shenzhou.
Chuanren
The royal heir to both the Dynasty, this position is occupied by the Emperor’ first child, currently vacant.
Fuyin - Regional Governors
A Prefect of the Dynasty, the noble aspect of the Dynasty’s bureaucracy. The Fuyin are Lords appointed to govern entire regions, rather than inheriting them through their family. As such, one may be a Fuyin multiple times in their life as they drift in and out of Imperial favour.
Hou (Dynasty)
The highest title a Lord or Lady can rise to through inheritance, the strength of the Hou fluctuates heavily from noble to noble. Some rise high and are appointed as Fuyin, governing large provinces on behalf of the Empire. Others are much weaker, possessing a handful of large towns, only able to raise a host of several hundred men.
The Banners are a system of regional armies that owe their loyalty to the throne but are provided for by the various regional governors. In some circumstances, governors may be ‘honoured’ to house more than one of the banners within their territory.
They act primarily as a deterrent to uprisings from the regional governors or the hereditary lords of the realm. It is not uncommon for them to act on behalf of governors to deal with problems of banditry, peasant revolts or dealing with rebels and traitors.
During the civil war, five of the Banners sided with the rebel forces and prolonged the fighting considerably. Those that did not flee with the Remnant were executed, their banners disbanded and stricken from records.
The Banners
"I wont lie... I've been seeking legitimacy to turn my horses on the White Suns."
- General Mungetu, Khoshuu General of the 9th Banners
Shenzhou:
Faith
The Divine Court takes a different form in Shenzhou - it follows the same structure, but over the centuries has joined with the culture of the land, perhaps having even merged with a previous faith that is now lost. This transformed version of the belief is followed everywhere in Shenzhou, including the Kusatsu province and Gyeondae. The names differ from the western convention, and of course so do the appearances of these humanoid Gods. The titles are as such;
Lysander becomes Wang Ren
Corinna becomes Guangzi
Dion becomes Wuzun
Cyril, becomes Jinze
Sophia becomes Ximei
Eulalia becomes Zhizi
Nicodemus becomes Huo
Hypatia becomes Hexiang
Ambrose and Ambrosia become Yeyuan and Yejie
Hilarion becomes Xiaochou
Pelagia becomes Liuli
Kallisto becomes Jidu
Myron becomes Guxia
Though all of these Gods hold up similar spheres as they do elsewhere, there is a distinct thematic difference in the focus on Wang Ren and Xiaochou. What is a small part of the western version of the faith is instead embodied as a significant part here. Rather than a cat-and-mouse chase and favour bestowed upon a jester, instead Wang Ren either approves of a Emperor, or leaves said ruler at the cruel whim of a Chaos God. After periods of strife where Xiaochou has ruled, Wang Ren then returns his Mandate and approval to a new Emperor, a new Dynasty, or perhaps the old one if they are lucky, and peace returns to the lands again.
There is a growing theory in the far-rural parts of Shenzhou, that Wang Ren is more malicious than initially believed. Rather than a God of leadership and noble rulers, perhaps He is a God of Control and Tyranny and Xiaochou actually provides a manner of relief and good luck, rather than bad. This has developed out of the fact that, despite the fact that his arrival is usually heralded by great tragedy, it is in the period after that agriculture improves and progress is made. Peasants have began attributing that to Him rather than to Wang Ren, and call him Zuihou Xiao De Ren - meaning He Who Laughs Last.
Liuli has become particularly cherished amongst Dynasty Remnants in the New World, as she proceeds over Exile, a particularly real concept to these people who are so far from home.
However, this is not the only faith followed in Shenzhou. In the north-west territory of Khoshuu, they worship an adapted version of The Wisdom. This has spread into Shenzhou through ports and along the tread routes and met with a much older faith of the nomadic steppe peoples. They believe that The Simurgh lives in the Endless Sky as a great spirit - the principals are the same, but incorporate the ideas of lesser animistic spirits that also hold many secrets and pieces of wisdom as The Simurgh does. They also believe that upon death, their souls join The Simurgh in the Endless Sky - and that they can be seen in all the infinite colours that are seen throughout the day, from the oranges of dawn to the depth of night. This faith is unwelcome in the cities and courts, and has not gotten far into the region.
"The aches and pains of an Age ending."
- A philosophical musing that has consumed some scholars
Shenzhou:
Norms & Culture
Fashion
Fashion during this period, despite the recent brutality of Shenzhou history, involves a lot of soft colours and flowing fabrics. Both genders tend to wear their hair very long and arrange their dark locks in complex updos. Imagery of auspicious animals such as snakes, cranes, dragons, tigers and even bats are often embroidered or painted onto delicate materials. Though red is considered a lucky colour, it is only worn to important and positive events - never everyday, and never to funerals. Pastel colours are an overt symbol of prestige, as they can only be worn by those who know they will not be doing any work that could dirty them.
Slight and tall figures are considered the most attractive for men, and petite in height and body for women. Pale skin tones are favoured, and makeup often emphasises this - as well as rouging of the cheeks and rounding of the eyes, to appear more lively and youthful. Most men are always armed with either a jian or a dao. Women are more often trained in the ways of pudao and qiang, but learning the sword is not unheard of - however, it is less common to find weapons as part of a woman’s everyday outfit.
Food
Food is different in every city and province, and each region prides itself on the differences. Typically, food from Shenzhou and Gyeondae is spicy and often involves pickled or otherwise fermented aspects. Different specialties can be found all over, from sea food to vegetable dishes, to mooncakes and exotic fruits cut into artful displays. Khoshuu food tends to be based around meat, dairy and fats, and is generally simpler - but that does not mean they do not have delicacies, such as Airag, a fermented milk-based alcohol. Azuchi food is far more delicate and less spiced - focussed on the simplicity and beauty of the fresh ingredients.
Art
Art is crucial to Shenzhou society. Artists are held in very high regard and those who are educated certainly have related classes. Penmanship is deeply important - if you cannot write well, there is no point in writing at all. The complicated scripts of the various Shenzhou languages do not make this easy, but all nobles are expected to master them.
Music is deeply important as well, with the zheng, a distinct instrument, being particularly popular during the Age of Exile. It seems to have become a way for discreet Setsen loyalists, or those who like to reminisce, to cling to the previous ways.
Recent influences have bought Gansai into fashion as an Azuchi artform - extremely delicate watercolour painting, using strongly pigmented paints which are immensely diluted.
Festivities
The festivities in Shenzhou are incredibly opulent and extravagant. Parades with dragon puppets that are manned by large groups of performers, impressive feats of dance, and huge displays of food are all very common for the various holidays. There is always a celebration for the Emperor or now Empress’ birthday. The fifteen-day celebration period for the Fifteen Years of Creation are looked forward to by everyone throughout the year, and by the end cities are often exhausted of food and money, but most folk are quite content in their post-party tiredness. There are also celebrations for harvest, personal birthdays and weddings. The turning of the year, at the very beginning of Spring, is also widely celebrated with fireworks and the giving of gifts - typically ones wrapped in red, to wish loved ones a fortunate year ahead.
Khoshuu
Khoshuu is a vast region with significantly spread-out people. It is largely made of a huge steppe, through which most trade-routes head west - everything that does not head across the waters to Sasanshahr, that is. It has always been difficult to control Khoshuu, as the people are skilled nomadic warriors, horselords and warmakers. They travel with the seasons to ancient campgrounds, and join with other clans once a year for their own celebrations of the Fifteen Years of Creation. Their clothing involves a lot more fur than is typical in the rest of Shenzhou, but they still have many delicate designs and favour similar patterns and colours. Their jewellery is often abundant with beads and hammered metals. They are currently displeased with the Azuchi, and the Koshka Khans often push and prod at the Empress through border raids and banditry against merchants who travel the long roads.
Gyeondae
Unlike Khoshuu, Gyeondae has long been neutral with Azuchi. Though Shenzhou had long ago battered them and absorbed them into the Dynasty, they have maintained more cordial relationships with Azuchi before it was even conquered. This involved trade for the most part - and when they did have disputes, it was more often solved politically than not. They were complacent toward and then supportive of the Azuchi rise to power, and have been treated increasingly favourably in recent years, compared to Setsen rule. Their fashion is more vibrant than that of the main province, and has unique cuts of cloth, with the hanbok being more popular than the Shenzhou hanfu.
Marriage, Social Status & Sexuality
Marriage in Shenzhou is dominantly decided by the parents of the would-be spouses. Male relatives; fathers, elder brothers, and so on have the most precedence over these arrangements. Though this can result in terrible matches, it has been blended into society for so long that many people are used to the notion of having to learn to love your husband or wife.
Socially, Shenzhou, Gyeondae and Koshuu were patriarchal - but with the arrival of the Azuchi and their matriarchal ways has caused a period of jarring change and ailment in marriages. Azuchi brides expect more power than Shenzhou grooms are willing to give. Women are filling roles they were not previously welcome in - and men have lost those positions. Some are more than supportive, others harbour immense ill-will, but suffer for the favour of the Empress.
Sex and Sexuality are considered private, but also matters of health. Sex can be a cure for certain ailments, and it is not completely taboo that people engage in it. However, particulars of what people enjoy - especially the gender of their partners - is expected to be strictly kept secret. Same-gender marriages are not permitted, but relations are not illegal.
"All this disharmony? It's not right... Not right at all."
- A common sentiment of bystanders who watched on as the civil war raged
Shenzhou:
Reputation & Interactions
Generally, the reputation of Dumanon is split into two. First, it is born from its merchants who have a much more positive reputation than their noble counterparts. The second is its nobility who are generally noted to be imperialist in their agenda and interactions with others. The Marquess of the empire could be primarily blamed for the latter.
Thankfully for Dumanon, there are far more merchants than there are nobles, and the chances of encountering a noble in the first place are rather slim. More often than not, people are most likely to encounter Imperial Knights who are far more diplomatic than their superiors
With Humans
Most of the Atlan powers were a distant concern to the Setsen power structure. Although now that they have been ousted, they have reason to find cooperation with them in Awenasa in the hope-filled attempt of returning home.
Sasanshahr is their closest friend, one whom they did not wish to burden with their civil war, but friendly nonetheless.
Rumours of Dumanon's nobility, and their Emperor specifically, worry the Setsen but they have not had much luxury of time to encounter and decide for themselves a proper stance.
With Dwarves
The Custodes have not had a proper interaction with the Setsen Remnant. However, the Ancient Dwarves have encountered them and in the truest fashion, offered them a reprieve from the harsh travel and welcoming posture.
With Amura
Time will tell how relations between the Shenzhou people and the Amura will develop. For now, their meeting is exceedingly rare.
With Elves
Although the Komanali have yet to properly encounter the Setsen rebels, their city-bound kin, specifically of House Daramos, have.
The first interaction could be best described as 'frosty' and potentially hostile as the Elves saw more humans arrive in their homeland. It took too long for the differences to be highlighted before ships of The Remnant were warded off.
With Banen’Rhûn
It is only a matter of time before these two meet properly, and through that meeting whatever their relationship will become could be solidified.
With Turak
Newly arrived in the New World, the Setsen Remnant have had little possibility to interact with the Turak.
Author: Oakbug
Contributions by: Afric & Hokan
Page Created by: Hokan