The Huā Long Dynasty of Sengoku, the Jade Empire in the East

When Empress Asami was assassinated, the Hua Long clan swept through the realm with no resistance or opposition towards the capital city of Osaka. When they took the city as a final message to the people that a new age was dawning upon them, they destroyed the Lotus Palace and renamed the city. Its now common knowledge that the Hua Long clan had affiliations with draconic cults and orginizations. This gave them the support to rise up against the empress in the first place. And with their control over the nation when the Tiamat Crisis began, they gained the favour of the Queen of Dragons. But sticking to their ideology of progress, once they gained control the land was quickly being mined and worked for its riches. Jade being one of the most versatile and magically potent materials coming from this expidition. And much like the rest of the world, when Tiamat was released, the landscape of Sengoku was changed and altered, no longer being a waterlocked island. Now sharing a border with the quickly expanding Nehekhara.

## Overview

Sengoku has expanded from an island nation of one people, to an empire of eastern culture unique to it alone. The new dynasty made rapid changes to way of life in Sengoku that the previous attempted to avoid. No longer a nation of simple farmers where the noble and magical elite were the only ones who mattered. Now there are large cities with tall walls and commerce. Schools for common folk for reading, writing, mathematics, medecine, law and other esteemed fields of study. These days, the nation is commonly just reffered to as the Jade Empire.

***Mandate of Ministers:*** While the nation is ruled by the Jade Emperor, most of the day to day governing and policy making is done by their Ministry of Celestial Guidance. Ministers are in charge of such things such as commerce, ceremonies, justice, war etc. While the Jade Emperor has the wisdom of them to fall upon, generally they are left to their own devices and whims. When one speaks to a servant of the Ministry it would be wise to act as if you were speaking to the emporer themselves. The Ministry always has much work to do and is short on patiance. And they have the Shogun and Samurai enforce these mandates.

**The Great Jade Wall:** This monumental wall spans over 100 miles along the mountain pass that seperates the region of Mien Tay and Sengoku. Constructed entirly out of Jade with an army of jaded golum like soldiers numbering 10,000 to defend it. Blackpowder cannons, firethrowers and vats of burning dragon fire oil are just a few of the weapons used to push back any that would dare oppose the wall. This wall was not only just a response to the monsters to the west, but a show of power to their powerful neighbour to always reconsider invasion or war in the future.

## Economy and Culture

One can find all of the social classes in the new Jade Empire. Cities have their slums, their middle class neighborhoods, and estates for the wealthy and powerful. Its land rich with jade, precious metals, gems and spices. Poppy petals are also a common underground nacotic export. While commoners live lives of progress in on the ground in their walled cities and small towns, monks and followers of the old dyansty's vision seclude themselves in the mountains and high hills of the land.

**Mien Tay:** To the west of the Jade Empire lies the humid jungles and hot planes of Mien Tay. Its most valuable trade and political frontier to Nehekhara and its tributaries. Along here lies the Sapphire Road. A trade route spanning thousands of miles all the way from Okayama to the city of Nehekhara. Many of the small tribes and villeges here are part of the Jade Empire and contribute to its trade. To the north is the hot planes of Jingim. In Jingim the people share a language with the Dagi'Raht and trade with them. Vast planes of exotic feline beasts and horses are prized for thier hides, meats and utility. The southern jungles of Nong is where much of the unique food stuffs of the Jade Empire is grown such as coffee and river fish. However, this is also the most dangerous and exposed part of the empire, as many brave bands of orcs, desert monsters, grogan and dragons raid and pillage this route. Which quickly led to the construction of the Great Jade Wall and Jade Army.

***Heavenly Peaks:*** Monk monasteries and simple villages have secluded themselves above the Jade Empire. Here they live simple lives of farming or pursuit of mastery over the spirit, mind and body. Like how they used to a century ago. At times, ministers will seek out some of these old monks for wisdom and insight. Its for this reason that they are left to their practices.

## Politics, Perception and Magic

The Jade Empire achieved more in less time then some of the other western nations. The growing power in the East that has no signs of stopping. The rising sun. As it stands now Nehekhara and the desert is one of teh few things keeping the empire from biting off more than they can chew. But because of this, they've started developing their navy and own rudimentary form of skyships in the form of hot air balloons. As it stands now many of the empire's ambassadors and emissaries sit silently in the courts of the Continental Sovereignties. Learning and listening.

**Desert Rivalry:** The relationship between Nehekhara and Sengoku is ''friendly'' in a way that two tigers circle around a pond. Coexisting, but ready to attack if provoked. Nehekhara in particular likes to push the boundaries against the empire in Mien Tay. While Mien Tay technically is part of the Jade Empire, everything beyond the Jade Wall has proven to be difficult to manage and control.

**Arcane Voltage:** Mages are free to practice their craft in the empire, but it comes with a form of taxation. Regardless, most spellcasters here are of the evocation and destructive nature that participate in ceremonial duels and tournaments. The way of live does not require much use for spellcraft so most see it as a prestige or luxuary to pursue the craft. The Jade Emporer does have their own cabal of mages that act as their personal bodyguard and war generals.