The Kingdom of Wa 和

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The Kingdom of Wa 和



The kingdom of Wa is located east of the Great Asian Ocean and centralized around Japan Lake. Its borders range from the northwestern tip of the Great Asian Ocean, to just above Taiwan Lake [North and South], and from the Eastern border of the Great Asian Ocean to the mountain boarders east of Japan lake [East to West]. Wa is written in a symbol meaning “peace/peaceful or Harmony.”

Wa is a kingdom surrounded by waters and seafood is the main cuisine for the people of Wa. The terrain in mainly a mix between mountains, lakes, plains and forests. There are several places of note within the kingdom of Wa.


Kyodo





Kyodo is the capital of Wa and it is home of the Imperial palace and imperial family. It is one of the biggest cities in the Wa kingdom. Many merchants and Nobles live in the capital. The imperial palace is well protected there because it lies in the heart of Wa and it is backed by Japan Lake. Kyodo is heavily guarded by policemen and samurai alike. Kyodo in Wa’s cultural epicenter. It is also Wa’s political arena.











Gion



Immediately north of Kyodo is Gion, the pleasure district. Gion is home to many Okiya’s, tea houses, brothels, theaters, and many merchants. Gion also has schools that specialize in the arts. There are always festivals and parties being held in Gion. It serves as a getaway for many nobles. Geisha both male and female can be seen rushing to and fro from one party to the next at night. Young trainees and apprentices rush to practices and rehearsals in the mornings. Gion is the place to go for fun. Some of Wa’s most beautiful women and men live in Gion.










Izumo



West of Gion, Kyodo and Japan Lake is Izumo. Izumo is a quiet yet large region with many small villages and forests. There’re farmers and common people that live in this region. There are also many shrines and temples. The biggest shrine is the Izumo Grand Shrine. The area is a zone of natural beauty. There is something quite spiritual about Izumo. Izumo is the spiritual epicenter of Wa. There are several tombs and burial grounds in Izumo, being a sacred place. Most of the royal family is laid to rest in Izumo. The Izumo pass is the connector between Izumo and Gion.













Taketani



Taketani is the Samurai Village and general place of training. Samurai class families dwell here. This area is a bit separate from the laws and hustles of the capital, Kyodo. The Daimyo’s home residence is located in Taketani. Compared to the capital, Taketani is quiet and rural. The samurai train here and travel to the various parts of Wa for duty. After their duty is done, they are free to return to Taketani. Taketani is somewhat self-governed. Taketani is home to many farmers, warriors and common people. Many travel to Taketani to study the ways of the samurai. The Daimyo is required to spend equal time in the Capital, Kyodo, as well as Taketani.










Kobuchizawa



Kobuchizawa is the northern expanse of Wa. It is home to many monks the desire seclusion from mainstream society. Kobuchizawa is also a hub for agriculture and herding animals. Much of Wa’s richest produce is cultivated in Kobuchizawa. The terrain consists of plains, mountains, forests and beaches.






Wa is generally a secluded and peaceful kingdom. It has been involved in wars with neighboring nation over territory and boarder disputes but generally it has remained at peace. It’s defenses are very solid and it’s warriors skilled. The people of Wa generally speak Japanese however some are learned in the ways of various foreign speech. Wa is a highly cultured kingdom and it’s people are very hardworking in all that that do.

Years ago Wa had one major succession war that lead to a divide in the samurai class, and later the creation of the Daimyo ranking. This succession war was called the “Jinrai- Mizuno Senzou”. The illegitimate son of an imperial family member and a noblewoman of the Jinrai household, claimed to hold the mandate of the heavens and challenged the upcoming succession of the present day emperor. Noblemen and samurai were split between serving the imperial family (Mizuno) or the Jinrai family during the time of turmoil. The current Daimyo, of the Shiraishi clan, was a part of the samurai that choose to serve under the Imperial Mizuno household and at the completion of the war, he and his household were granted favor. The Jinrai were defeated and cast into seclusion. Wa returned to its natural balance and all samurai under the mizuno banner were to serve under the Shiraishi samurai clan.


Wa(和)’s Sovereign Diety



The sovereign deity of Wa is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess. It is said that she formed the Kingdom of Wa by raising it out of the sea. Her spirit is believed to be ever present in the land, it’s objects and people. The imperial family is believed to be direct descendants of hers. They are said to be demi-gods in the flesh. There are other demi-gods and nature spirits that are believed to dwell in the land and it’s objects.




(和)
Wa is a kingdom well in tune with nature and it’s spirits. Strange phenomenon has occurred due to heightened spiritual activity. Most people are very careful about appeasing the spirits and Amaterasu in return for blessed crops, business, and livelihoods. Many shrines and temples can be found throughout the Kingdom of Wa. Many people embark on pilgrimages throughout Wa to visit each shrine and temple, believing that they will receive a special divine blessing for themselves and their families upon it’s completion.

The Politics of Wa (和)

Wa is a kingdom generally run by males. It’s political structure is set up in a trinity format. The three major power holders are the imperial family, the daimyo, and the high priestess. The nobles are mainly the bureaucrats that hold political power to sway the decisions of the emperor and or the Daimyo.

Emperor and Imperial Family



The emperor of Wa is the supreme ruler of the kingdom. He generally has the most political say in the kingdom. His family is nearly equal in status to him. The nobles fall under the imperial family. The imperial family generally resides in the Capital, Kyodo. The imperial family is believed to be descendants of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the sovereign deity of Wa. Both the Daimyo and High Priestess must answer to the imperial family.



Male heirs are preferred for succession to the throne, however female heirs have been chosen to lead as empress only when there were no proper male heirs.

Daimyo



The second in political power is the Daimyo. The Daimyo is the lead samurai of the kingdom. He manages affairs relating to the defense of Wa from external forces. He oversees the rules and regulations for Samurai and samurai class families. All bushido answer to him. The Daimyo works closely with the emperor and must coordinate with him on decisions regarding the nation’s safety and the actions of the samurai. The samurai are a separate entity from the lands general law enforcement. They rank slightly higher than the general police officers (the difference between the military and the police force.) The Daimyo’s home lies is the region known as Taketani. The Daimyo makes frequent trips to the capital, for conferences and negotiations with the emperor, and to Izumo, to pray for the peace, good fortune and safety of his men and the Kingdom of Wa.

The High Priest/ Priestess [Queen of Wa (和)]



The High Priestess of Wa(和) is a person gifted with divine favor from the sovereign deity of Wa, Amaterasu the Sun Goddess. A person is chosen for this position upon a divine happening, generally during a person’s childhood blessing ceremony. The child is generally visited by Amaterasu and gifted with spiritual abilities, and divine authority. This person becomes in tune with nature and the spirit realm. They are brought to the capital and officially given the title of High Priest or Priestess. It is common that the goddess had chosen females for this position, than males, much to the dismay of some noblemen. The High Priest or Priestess has a small portion of political power but only in regard to situations that relate to the land and spiritual matters. The High Priest or Priestess is often time not a member of the imperial family or a noble.

The High Priest or Priestess performs ritual ceremonies and other spiritual tasks throughout the kingdom of Wa(和). The High Priest or Priestess hears directly from Amaterasu herself and reports to the imperial palace regarding spiritual matters; performing ritual blessings for land, communicating with the deities that inhabit the lands, objects, and forests. The High Priest also serves as a seer (A clairvoyant, prophet, oracle, or diviner) for officials and common people alike. All major decision regarding Wa must be discussed with the High Priest in an effort to gain approval from the divine on their decisions.

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Notable NPC's of Wa

Emperor Katsuhito Mizuno-wa
Age: 57



The current Emperor of Wa is Katsuhito Mizuno-wa. He is the husband of Empress Suiko and father of Masaki Mizuno-Wa.


He is a wise and fair ruler. He can seem a bit strict but his heart is most always in the right place. He tries to rule with a fair hand, lending an ear to the concerns of the Daimyo, High Priestess, Nobles and Scholars before making final decisions regarding the country.



He dislikes war and will never allow Wa to launch full on war if possible. He was the winner of the Imperial Succession War for control of the throne.



Empress Suiko Mizuno-Wa
Age: 47



Empress Suiko Mizuno-Wa is the Empress of the Wa Kingdom and has served the imperial court through her many charitable and artistic pursuits.



She is the mother of Masaki Mizuno-Wa and wife of the Emperor Katsuhito Mizuno-Wa. She loves her husband dearly and will do the world for her family.



She is a gentle woman who is skilled at lending her support subtly.


Lord Junpei Tsukino
Age:34



Lord Junpei Tsukino is a nobleman of Wa and a member of the imperial family. He is the brother of Empress Suiko. He is very intelligent and gentle.



He is seen as a key political figure in the realm of officials and helps to govern over the kingdom’s finances, management of resources, and taxation laws. He has a kind heart for the common people of Wa and is pretty knowledgeable about other lands, he travels a lot.



Hazanko Kizakura
Age: 35



Hazanko Kizakura is the Emperor’s royal personal advisor and imperial scholar.



He is recognized as the brightest scholar in Wa.



He is very knowledgeable in the art of magic and the spirit realm.



He is often called a fox for his craftiness and smooth disposition. Although he’s a bit eccentric, he’s a trustworthy man and generally very friendly.



He tends to do things according to his intuition rather than the protocol of the nobles.



Emperor Katsuhito generally gives Hazanko more leeway to do as he pleases than most others.

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Notable NPC



Name:
Motonari Yabari



Age:
29




Info:



Motonari Yabari is a blacksmith and master thief from the kingdom of Wa. He is of the merchant class yet steals from corrupt nobles at night to give money to the merchant and agricultural class citizens. He feels that the lower classes are often taxed too heavily for what they earn. Under the cover of night he appears to traveling nobles in an attempt to sway their opinions via stalking and threatening them. He is known as the “Tsuki-Akari Dorobo” or “Moonlight Thief” in the common tongue.



Motonari runs a blacksmith shop during the day and is respected by most of the common people. The commoners look to him for help when they are in trouble come tax time, or if they are unjustly being hounded by any other class. He is considered a local hero to the commoners but his alter ego is known as a menace to the nobility. He is actually a descendant of the challenger of the imperial succession war, however he is indifferent to the matters of the imperial family.



Motonari is an excellent martial artist and is proficient in a free style form of self-defense. He’ll most always use anything at his disposal as a deadly weapon. He can pilfer most anything off of a person as his hands are quite quick. He’s also very quick on his feet. He’d have a difficult time fighting a Samurai but its not impossible for him be triumphant. Motonari needs to be free flowing and able to achieve fluid movement so his battle attire is usually light and without heavy armor. Because of this evasion is essential for him.



Recently he was on a night mission to “persuade” more nobles to his views when he was cornered by the Imperial Minister of Wa’s private guard unit. The Imperial Minister found out the Midnight Thief’s identity and blackmailed him. Motonari was to work for the Imperial State Minister in exchange for his silence. Motonari hated being a pawn of the minister but he had little choice. His life depended on the minister’s secrecy.

Notable NPC



Name:
Imperial State Minister Yosho Kunimura



Age:
67 years old



Info:
The Imperial State Minister Yosho Kunimura has always served the Wa imperial court faithfully. He is a proud member of the nobility and the father of Empress Suiko, the Empress of Wa. He has always taken an invested interest in his grandson Masaki, and dislikes his grandson’s position as personal vassal to the Daimyo Katsura. Yosho sees to it that protocol is followed strictly within Wa. He has not been please with Wa’s lack of international dominance. He feels that Wa should be more active in world politics.



He is very crafty and always has a plan formulated in most every situation. He is not afraid to take extreme measures to see to it that Wa and the Nobility comes out on top. He loves his family and is closest with his daughter and grandson. He is very keen to distinguish differences in class and will ensure that proper respects are paid. He is not to be crossed in any way lest you incur his wrath subtly and painfully.



Yosho may be aged but he is as strong and as swift as a young man. He is constantly working to maintain a healthy body. He is the type to never let the grass grow under his feet. He is most gentle with his family, especially with Masaki. He’s known for his proficiency in martial arts and political strategy.



He has recently blackmailed the infamous Moonlight Thief (Motonari Yabari) into his service. He holds over Yabari two secrets, his identity, and status as descendant of the Imperial traitor. Yosho wills to push the emperor into expanding Wa’s influence in the world. The perfect opportunity shall arise soon.