Xiansai (The Servant)

Xiansai, also known as the Nation of Xiansai, or the Xiansai Oligarchy is a nation located on the island of the same in northern Sanctuary.
== History ==
=== Pre-Unification ===
Human settling of Xiansai began around -2300 AK under different waves of human migrations. These were collectively known as the "Wandering People", who established small farming communities isolated from each other. This time is referred to as the Age of Songs, a period of legendary heroes and elaborate stories. The Mage Woh and his companions herald from this age.
=== Rise of the Xian and the Shu Dynasty ===
Beginning -1700 several small tribal kingdoms were established, constantly fighting each other. Around -1650 a tribe called the Xian began a rapid expansion under the mythical Chung Shu. Whether Chung Shu actually existed is still debated, but the Xian established a hegemony over the island for over 670 years, controlling the southern portion of the island with influence across its entirety. Early Xian culture and art flourished, with the establishment of early education and the beginning of magical training. The Xian kings built large palaces and were buried in deep and lavish tombs. Their courts had archivists and scribes, the first truly literate culture in the far north. 
The political arrangements of the Shu domains themselves depended on the uniting of landholding with obligations to a king; the warrior landlords who were the key figures were the leading members of aristocratic lineages with semi-mythical origins. The Xian under the Shu Dynasty was advanced enough to use scribes and had a standardized currency.
=== Warring Kings Period ===
Around -1030, the aging Shu king died with no heirs, leading to a collapse in the imperial structure and the start of the Warring Kings Period. Warlords established small kingdoms and fought with each other for 200 years. This also led to a magical arms race, as rival kings desperately sought out and trained powerful mages to overcome their rivals. Untold numbers of arcane artifacts were constructed and used throughout these conflicts. Many arcane repositories and relics remain to this day hailing from this period. 
The Warring King Period is generally understood as an unstable time, but out of it emerged incredible leaps and bounds in magical understanding by the Xian people. Xian magicians were experts in their craft, and were sought out across the world for their talents. This was also the height of Xian jade crafting, considered a prized material in ancient Xiansai. 
=== Xian Empire and the Zhuan Dynasty ===
In -802 a young but powerful woman named Li Fen began a conquest of Xiansai. Born into a locally eminent clan in north central Xiansai, she entered the harem of the king of Jiwan, and upon his death his death became besotted by her. Soon, she was attending court audiences and controlling his decisions, and began to expand his domain. At his death she declared herself the Empress of Xiansai, and began brutal but effective conquest of the entirety of Xiansai, uniting it completely for the first time in history, and creating the Xian Empire. Empress Li was an effective, if ruthless, administrator, whose promotion of examination graduands reduced rival aristocrats influence, ruling for over 60 years. Upon her death, her grandchildren succeeded her, establishing the Zhuan Dynasty which would persist for centuries.
The Xian Empire would expand under successful emperors, such as Tiazhi the White Wolf, establishing colonies across the northern coasts of Sanctuary and forcing barbarian and druidic clans into vassalage. Trade between the Kehjistani Empire to the south brought new riches to Xiansai and the Zhuan, with a vast trade network established all across Sanctuary.
The height of Zhuan, and Xian, imperialism, occurred under Emperor Daien in the -7th century. However, a series of revolts and successful guerrilla campaigns by the druids of Scosglen weakened Xian rule. The Xian Empire also had to deal with the rise of the Samauren Empire, which numerous embarrassing defeats for the Xian. These ended any future endeavors by the Xian to expand beyond their island.
Despite these short-lived imperial glories, the Zhuan effectively governed the Xian people for centuries, eventually establishing self-isolation, except in regards to trade, and generally kept to themselves. Over the centuries, increasing bureaucratic corruption led to internal division, with the rise of several powerful aristocratic families, the precursors to the modern Great Families. 
In -354 the Zhuan Dynasty split in two, divided into the Northern and Southern Zhuan, who waged a near perpetual war for over 100 years. This ended the Xian Empire, and devastated the population, with millions dying over the War of One Hundred Lamentations. The Zhuan were briefly reunified after years of fighting under Guan Fong, who reunited Xiansai and reigned for over 30 years.
=== The Five Houses ===
Guan's death in -221 marked the final deathblow to the Zhuan Dynasty, with his five children fighting each other and establishing the Five House. For the next four centuries the Five Houses would wage warfare against each other, forming and breaking alliances, engaging in brutal court politics and intrigue, but never able to win total victory. Famines and plagues struck the island several times throughout this, further destabilizing the region.
=== Rise of the Great Families ===
The Five Houses gradually lost control over their territory, with numerous powerful fiefdoms forming. By 200 AK, the Five Houses had disintegrated, and Xiansai was effectively ruled by small local noble families, which maintained their own armies and fought each other. The Great Families emerged out of this chaos, who would dominate Xian life for the next thousand years. 
There was briefly a northern empire on the high mountains of northern Xiansai, the Iteshian Empire under the foreign Jamyung Dynasty. This was originally a smal state that under the Ten Kings (the greatest was Choejor Palsang) managed to exert control over the norther regions of Xiansai. The Iteshian Empire's officers were not employed full-time and were only called upon on an ad hoc basis. These warriors were designated by a golden arrow seven inches long which signified their office. The officers gathered once a year to swear an oath of fealty. They assembled every three years to partake in a sacrificial feast. The men and horses all wear chain mail armor. Its workmanship is extremely fine. It envelops them completely, leaving openings only for the two eyes. Thus, strong bows and sharp swords cannot injure them. When they do battle, they must dismount and array themselves in ranks. When one dies, another takes his place. To the end, they are not willing to retreat. Their lances are longer and thinner than those in other nations. Their archery is weak but their armor is strong. The men always use swords; when they are not at war they still go about carrying swords 
The Great Families were in constant flux, with new families rising and taking the place of others. During periods of peace, the Great Families worked with each other and maintained the security of Xiansai, but civil strife was frequent, with numerous civil wars breaking out. The position of king was reestablished under the Treaty of Junchi in 523, but it was a purely ceremonial role, with the Great Families holding true political sway. Mages were, and still are, highly sought after, filling the ranks of their personal armies, and Xian military doctrine has relied on small cores of elite mages ever since.
During the late 10th/early 11th centuries, the island was in one such period of strife, but since then has remained under a steady, if tense peace, with the Great Families fighting in the backgrounds. The island remained distant from the conflicts of Sanctuary, engaging in trade and with members of the Yshari Sanctum frequently seeking prodigies among the Xian.
=== Currant Status ===
In recent years, Xiansai has been forced into a more open position. The Great Families united in opposition to demonic invasions of their homeland, and actively supported the White Concord.
== Government ==
Administration
== Known Locations ==
Xiansai is Sanctuary's northernmost nation. Its mountain ranges are littered with arcane repositories and an untold number of magical artifacts, leading some to suggest that Xiansai's people have practiced magic for millennia.
=== Landforms ===
* Guozhi Mountain Range
* Heron River Valley
=== Towns ===
* Chizu
* Xiansai (capital city)
* Zhou
== Culture ==
Due to Xiansai's insular nature, Xian culture developed free from major foreign influence. Xian society is dominated by the constantly competing Great Families, which each controls a portion of their kingdom's economy. Xiansai's mountain ranges are littered with arcane repositories and an untold number of magical artifacts, leading some to suggest that Xiansai's people have practiced magic for millennia.
At least some Xian are aware of the existence of the Burning Hells.
Arts practiced in Xiansai include the legal making of poisons. The island has a rich fishing industry.
They grow no rice but have black oats, red pulse, barley, and buckwheat. The principal domestic animals are the yak, pig, dog, sheep, and horse. There are flying squirrels, sembling in shape those of our own country, but as large as cats, the fur of which is used for clothes. They have abundance of gold, silver, copper, and tin. The natives generally follow their flocks to pasture and have no fixed dwelling-place. They have, however, some walled cities. The capital of the state is called the city of Lohsieh. The houses are all flat-roofed and often reach to the height of several tens of feet. The men of rank live in large felt tents, which are called fulu. The rooms in which they live are filthily dirty, and they never comb their hair nor wash. They join their hands to hold wine, and make plates of felt, and knead dough into cups, which they fill with broth and cream and eat the whole together.
=== Religion ===
Xian religion is polytheistic, featuring 59 gods, albeit without any distinct hierarchy. The kingdom's priesthood has never formalized this religion, and the religion, such as it is, has not dissuaded the Xian from practicing magic. Of all these gods, it is only Zei, the Trickster, who is loved by the Xian. The Xian celebrate many holidays that are dedicated to one making a fool of themselves. The Festival of Zei is one such example. Xian deities can be "peaceful" or "wrathful". The Xian cultivate household gods in addition to other deities and the layout of their homes may include various seats for protector deities.
Xiansai has numerous different and diverse religious sects and philosophical traditions that have developed. Often times, these traditions are reinterpreted by local religious leaders and figures who preach their own unique doctrine, making Xiansai a land of abundant local religious variation.
==== Chun ====
One of the more well-known and popular tradition is the philosophy of Chun, which emerged during the 7th century AK. According to the Chun tradition, all of reality is pervaded by a transcendent principle, which has a male aspect called All-Good and a female aspect called All-Lovely. This principle is an empty dynamic potentiality. It is also identified with what is called the "Chun body" and the 59 gods of the Xian are embodiments of this dichotomy. This ultimate principle is the source of all reality and to achieve spiritual liberation, one must have insight into this ultimate nature.
Followers of the Chun tend to be more accepting and explicit in their embrace of the practical side of life (and the importance of life rituals and worldly activities) which falls under the "the Nine Walks of Chun". This schema includes all the teachings of Chun and divides them into nine main classes, which are as follows:
* Way of Prediction codifies ritual, divination, medicine, and astrology;
* Way of the Visual World teaches rituals for local gods and spirits for good fortune
* Way of Magic explains the magical exorcistic rites for the destruction of adverse entities.
* Way of Life details funeral and death rituals as well as ways to protect the life force of the living
* Way of a Lay Follower lay morality, contains the ten principles for wholesome activity as well as worldly life rituals
* Way of an Ascetic or "Feverous Path" focuses on ascetic practice, meditation and monastic life;
* Way of Primordial Speach this refers to tantric practices and secret mantras;
* Way of Primordial Action, refers to certain special yogic methods. There are numerous breakoff groups and various traditions for this.
* The Supreme Way, or The Way of Great Perfection. The main method of meditation and walk to true understanding.
The Xian Pantheon
The Xian Pantheon
Name 	Titles 	Gender 	Domain 	Notes
Peaceful Gods 	Peaceful Gods 	Peaceful Gods 	Peaceful Gods 	Peaceful Gods
Tong-Shi 	Father of the gods; Heavenly Father	Male 	Eldership, creation, oaths. 	Father god of the Xian pantheon. He is believed to be omnipresent but not omniscient. Because of this, he is generally depicted with a somewhat overwhelmed expression.
Zei 	The Trickster 	Male 	Trickery, cleverness, thieves 	The most popular of the Xian pantheon. A trickster god who played numerous tricks on his fellow deities, with numerous legends and stories about his exploits. He is said to travel the world in the guise of a simple merchant. He was once a moral thief who pulled the divinity from Dirgest to become a god.
Liria 	 	Female 	Beauty, love, the second moon 	A goddess of impeccable beauty, courted by Dirgest and married to him. She fell in love with Zei, but was found out by her husband and imprisoned, torn from her love.
Meri-Zun 	The Flaming Mountain 	Female 	 	
Chang 	Supreme Mother of Rivers 	Female 	Rivers and streams of Xiansai 	A river goddess who overseas all waters on Xiansai. Married to Chenest, and produced nine gods and goddesses. One legend has her entranced by Zei the Trickers and having an brief affair with him.
Kekia 	The Future-Looker 	Female 	The future, prophecy, movement of time 	Kekia lives on Mount Quchid, and has 360 strands of bound hair. Each of these is associated with the 360 days of the year.
Mejan 	The Past-Looker 	Male 	The past, previous knowledge, stopping of time	Mejan is the counterpart to Kekia, who lives on Mount Quchid. He has 360 teeth, each associated with the 360 days of the year.
Pehul 	The Old Pale Man; Eye King 	Male 	Wisdom, protector of Zhuzhun, the heavens 	Pehul is the protecting deity of Zhuzhun, one of the taller and more isolated regions in Xiansai. Reportedly, Pehar is related to the celestial heavens and the sky in general. He is said to transform into a bird and appear to give visions to seers.
Dzuinkar 	 	Female 	 	Female consort of Pehul
Qinchius 	The Philosopher-Emperor 	Male 	Magic, divination and astrology 	A historical figure and holy king, who was regarded for his philosophical musings. He was said to be so honorable and noble that the gods offered him a place as one of them.
Dirgest 	The Demon God 	Male 	Desire, jealousy. 	Obsessive, he desired the goddess Liria and offered her riches to be his wife. Zei seduced her, and Dirgest held onto her soul. He was imprisoned in a magical ruby by Zei.
Samvara 	The Chanter 	Male 	Meditation and chanting 	A god associated with meditation and calmness of mind, with his name being often important in meditative chants. He is said to have sat and begun chanting at the beginning of time, without stopping.
Hunjan 	 	 	 	
The Four Manifesting Ones	The Four Manifesting Ones 	The Four Manifesting Ones	The Four Manifesting Ones 	The Four Manifesting Ones
Ersang 	The Mother 	Female 	 	Her sacred color is yellow. One of her most important manifestations is Don-Shema (lady of wisdom), a female mother-like being.
Shiwa 	The Shimmering 	Male 	Wisdom, light, compassion, 	His main color is white. Often seen as personifications of the Ultimate Reality, or one who embodies the true nature of reality.. In Chun, he is often presented in a slightly different form called Kawung Azor (the All-Good Cycle), depicted seated in meditation with a letter in his breast.
Magyu 	The Teacher 	Male 	 	Considered the central figure of the present day in regards to teaching
Bumtri 	The Procreator 	Female 	 	She is the being who brings forth the beings of this world and plays an important role in Xian cosmogonic myths.
Sangchog 	 	 	 	
Tartug 	 	 	 	
Zhewi 	 	 	 	
Trowo 	 	 	 	
Welse 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	The Lords of Fire, tricked by Zei
Category:The Servant