K I N A
Overview
Kina is an isolated country in the far East, unknown to most people. It has embraced magic and tradition over western technologies, progressing in magical engineering as a result. With recent events, however, Kina has emerged from its isolationist shell and begun talks with Kou on more wide-spread trade with the outside world. Despite this, it has sadly not lost its general distrust of foreigners.
Culture
Despite its small size, Kina is a bustling island-nation filled with different cultures. It may have separated itself from the outside world, but that has served only to push its native peoples to further heights. Since it has not been influenced by the modern world, it has remained firmly within a framework of religion and mysticism, developing into a magical powerhouse without the Western countries knowing. Due to a difference in understanding, however, they excel at magical engineering rather than raw magic, since their magicians have not mastered the science of magoi and magic. Instead, magic tools are found throughout Kina, with modern appliances such as phones and street lights replicated through magical means.
Kina is divided into several families, or clans, who reside within its diverse provinces, grouped underneath a few powerhouse clans that deal with its foreign relations. A clan will often have beliefs which differ largely from their neighbours, whether their power-structure or religious practices. Indeed, there is no single religion in Kina, but a variety of clan-based sects. In recent times, newer clans will adopt the Hinamotoan religion, since it connects them with the most powerful clan, but older clans boast an older heritage. Some may worship the kami or nature spirits, others might revere weapons or magic tools, even more are practitioners of ancestral worship. In any case, the Kinan clans are quite diverse.
If there is one thing in common between clans, it is their special treatment of samurai. It is not too surprising that the samurai are considered the highest class beneath the aristocracy, given that Kina has a long history of inter-clan warfare. Indeed, for a Kinan citizen, the samurai is a position to be envied and respected, for they are loved by the aristocratic clans who govern Kina. They are awarded seats of honour at feasts and they are given estates by their patron clan, in exchange for their protection. A samurai who forsakes his clan, however, becomes a ronin who cannot regain those privileges, except through special means.
Kina has a strong bond with Kou in trade terms, but it has little time for other foreign powers. It is not uncommon to see Kinan goods - such as weaponry or clothing - in the wider world, but they are often sold from Kou rather than Kina. In recent times, however, Kina has decided to increase its trading relations with Reim and Balbadd through trusted merchant companies, but there is a general aversion towards foreign markets. Indeed, the average Kinan citizen would be equal parts fascinated and distrustful if they came across a foreigner.
It is common for Kinan citizens to dress themselves in traditional Japanese dress, such as kimono or yukata, but they can range from Heian to Edo styles. In addition, there is a wide variety of weaponry employed by Kinan warriors, from katana to naginata, but there is a much heavier emphasis on the sword than elsewhere. The emphasis derives itself from the bushido code, wherein a Kinan samurai believes his fighting spirit lives within his sword. As for names, it is usual for Kinan citizens to have Yamato Japanese names from the mainland or natives ones from Ainu and Ryukuan culture, but it is not unusual to be given Chinese names either.
History
The ebb and flow of power between the various daimyo ruling Kina’s clans and the shogun dictated the island’s early history. The first shoguns hailed from the Yamato clan, claiming divine ancestry to consolidate their power. In the following centuries, the shogunate kept their power through the allegiance of numerous daimyo who swore fealty to the shogun at the old capital Kyuha. But when the shogun’s orders opposed the daimyo’s intentions, his power declined and local authority rose.
Indeed, two hundred and fifty years ago, Zou played a pivotal role in dismantling the shogunate, pitting them against their daimyo. Kina boasts a long history of relations with Zou, its neighbour across the sea. Zounese forces have attempted multiple invasions of the island, some with success but many failing. While the shogun would give lands and spoils to loyal daimyo to distribute as rewards for samurai when other clans challenged the shogun’s power, invading Zou forces offered no land and very few spoils for the shogun to distribute. The daimyo’s discontent grew greater with each Zounese skirmish, weakening their bond with the shogun and the samurai’s willingness to fight. This growing discontent culminated in a fierce civil war that overthrew the Hanamo shogunate, dividing the clans into territorial strife.
As such, Kina became a loose collection of clans constantly fighting one another for three decades. During these thirty years, the Hinamoto clan began their conquest of the other clans and unified them under one flag. They became the default rulers, reigning from the new capital Hakyu, and ushered in a golden age. But the centralisation of power in Hinamoto territory displeased the larger clans who had grown disconnected from the powerbase. Thus, the Hinamoto established a council of six clans who represented the many clans throughout Kina - which are now simply known as the Clans.
Over the next century, however, there was growing discontent among the smaller clans. They believed that they were not being heard, having been placed underneath the larger clans as their vassals. With recent events, discontent turned into violence since the Red Lotus, a group of smaller clans gathered under a rebel leader, attacked the Hinamoto capital. It was shortly quelled, but the attack had cut the Clans’ members in half. As such, Kina has undergone a political transformation so that the smaller clans have greater representation in Kina politics and the Clans have less power that they could abuse.
Government and Citizenship
Government
Emperor - a position reserved for the head of the Hinamoto clan, namely Hinamoto Akihiko. It is a ceremonial position nowadays, serving as the unifying figure-head for the Kina public and its international representative, but it has important functions as well: he can call together the Summit Court at will, he must host sporting-events and national feasts like the Yuo-mo sumo matches and the Kambutsu festival, he must attend international conferences with trading-partners like Kou and he can veto a decision from the Shogun. Furthermore, he is the highest official of Kannagara, the Hinamoto religion shared with many other clans. It may be true that the power of the Emperor has been reduced, but he cannot be excluded from political affairs at all.
Shogun - an old institution of the Kinan government, reformed as a counterbalance to Hinamoto power. In effect, it is the highest political office comparable to Kina’s prime minister, who must deal with domestic affairs relating to the Summit Court and inter-clan conflict. In other words, they are responsible for passing legislation and managing the Kinan economy. Due to its power, the Shogun is elected from the Summit Court for a five-year period (from one compulsory Summit to the next one). At the moment, the position is jointly held by Toh Tobinara and Kazeharu Ichika, who have organised a cabinet with representatives from smaller clans advising them.
The Summit Court - a new political organisation created after the Red Lotus incident. It has replaced the old Clan system, where the six major clans were the sole political powerhouses, allowing other clans to gather at the Summits. In this new system, when a Summit convenes, representatives from smaller clans will gather and discuss matters at the territory of the current Shogun. It remains that a Shogun will more likely be chosen from an older clan, such as the six Clans, but the smaller clans now have the right to vote for their own candidate. Indeed, the power-balance has shifted in their favour since the larger clans must cater to their needs, in exchange for their support at the Summit. This system has produced a more productive Kina, where inter-clan alliances have become more common and the smaller clans are no longer neglected.
The Provincial Clans - Kina is split into eight provinces, or unmei, which are each governed by a large clan called an unmeichi - a successor to the Clan system. Within each province, there are several different clans which own estates and towns, but they must pay an annual tax to their unmeichi in exchange for protection and other benefits. A clan must register with their unmeichi to be recognised and attend the Summit, but clans are mostly independent from their unmeichi. It must be emphasised that most Kinans are not part of a clan, but citizens who benefit from a clan in some way - be they farmers using a clan's land or artists with a clan's patronage. A clan is an aristocratic family with power and/or heritage who own land.
The Four Pillars - the leaders of Kina's largest religious organisations. They are respected so much that the Summit Court would acquiesce to their requests if they intervened in political affairs. Although Kina's religious landscape varies greatly between its clans, these individuals are revered and adored universally. The current Pillars are the Toh shamanist Nakayama Omasa, head-priest Kamo no Takashi of the Yoryudou sect, head-priest Yasunori Ashiya of the Kusanagi sect and high priest Hirabayashi Kazuki of Hinamoto's Kannagara.
National Services
The Clans of Kina - the most important institution of Kina. It is mandatory that a Kinan citizen is registered with their provincial unmeichi, regardless of whether they are part of another clan or not, since they keep the national census. A citizen can change their unmeichi if they ingratiate themselves with the appropriate clan, gaining certain benefits like access to magical technologies or fighting techniques. The current unmeichi are the following clans: the Toh, the Kazeharu, the Shikizui, the Morihana, the Kogata, the Onigaku,and the Yokuzawa. One can ingratiate themselves with the Hinamoto clan and gain similar benefits, but they are not considered an unmeichi and it must be plotted for.
News
TBA
Citizenship
To become a Kinan citizen, one must register themselves with their local unmeichi, done automatically with Kinan newborns. As such, if one is born to Kinan parents, they are already Kinan. It is more complicated for foreigners to become citizens, however, since Kina is not entirely welcoming of non-natives. If one has Kinan heritage, no matter how far back, then they will find the process easier. But in general, one must ingratiate themselves with an unmeichi, before asking permission to become a Kinan citizen. It requires initiation into said clan and proof of one’s allegiance. Those who are members of Kina gain bonuses from their clans around its area of expertise at ranks B, A, Omega as long as one is dedicated to it. Besides the known clan's known clan expertise are (Unique magic tool research, modern and unique innovations with metalworking and black powder, human experimentation, etc.)
Omega Challenge
Renowned Clan- A big part of Kina's identity, even that of its legends is connected to that of one's clan. A member of Kina can attempt to take on an epic quest or challenge to show how they exemplify their clan's values to its best qualities.
Master of the Craft- One's work is also their soul, in order to show prowess and to cement themselves in legend a player who reaches the XP conditions of Omega in Kina can reach the rank by completing a special dm'd profession Job around the player' primary profession.
