Lóng-Qīn

in: Races

## Introduction

A forgotten empire, shrouded in mystery and rumors as it was seemingly lost to time. Some say it was a peaceful land of dragons and merchants, others claim it was full of serpents and

warlords. Many intriguing tales of this forgotten empire, the most bizarre of which is a first hand account of its people believing to be the true sons of mystical serpent-like dragons. All that could be said for certain is Lóng-Qīn is a diverse land full of varying yet similar cultures with the same goal, one that will either unite its people or further divide them.

## The Basics

* **Appearance:** Lóng-Qīn are often people of medium height and a light tan to olive toned skin, black hair and darker eye tones.
* **Lifespan:** 75 Years
* **Height:** 170 cm (5'7") - 190 cm (6'3")
* **Regions Found:** The Lóng-Qīn are found on the south-eastern part of the south-east continent along the eastern coast.
* **Common Character Roles:** Adventurers, Warriors, Farmers, Architects, Traders
* **Common Allies:** There’s no official alliances established between the Lóng-Qīn and other factions or kingdoms. Due to their own infighting, and their aggressive nature, most are averse to dealings with the Lóng-Qīn. Sometimes the people of Khemet have done trade with the Three Kingdoms, despite an inherent dislike of the warbound people, but it is rare considering the opposition of the Orudei to the Lóng-Qīn’s efforts to travel through their lands and Khemetian’s own perceptions.
* **Common Enemies:** There is a long standing conflict between the Lóng-Qīn and the Nihon. The origins of this date back many years, and the original cause is debated but as they tell it, Lóng-Qīn have sought to rectify a wrong at the hands of Nihon, the small island nation, and have been met with fierce resistance. As of right now, the outright fighting has simmered but the two factions are engaged in a sort of cold war, performing small scale deeds to undermine their opposition in any way they can.
* **Religion:** The people of Lóng-Qīn's religion vary from kingdom to kingdom, though they all stem from one, singular story. The War in Heaven; where the serpent Yué-Dúshé fought the dragon lord Guāng-Chī for thirteen days and thirteen nights. Through monsoons, endless lightning storms, and a raging inferno of flame within the sky. It brought natural disasters to the land of Lóng-Qīn that decimated the people's homes and land, earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes pelted the land of Lóng-Qīn while the pair fought up in the heavens above. The true winner has been lost to time, varying claims passed down from generation to generation.
* **Views on Magic:** A society of people who harnessed their physical strength and used it as the center of their economy had little use for the easy way out and as a result the people of Lóng-Qīn viewed magic as something forbidden. It was punishable by death to manipulate the elements throughout Lóng-Qīn, that was unless you were someone who could understand the path of the great serpents, a monk.

## Appearances

Lóng-Qīn are often people of medium height and yellowed skin, black hair and darker eye tones. Much like the Nihon, they are a proud nation who stray away from alliances with other nations due to their aggressive nature.

## History & Culture

### Government

The Lóng-Qīn do not have a central government. They’re a combination of three smaller kingdoms, with Xīn-Hé being the strongest kingdom of the group both before and after the great fall.

### Xīn-Hé

A kingdom built along the greatest river in the country, serving as the heart of the Lóng-Qīn mainland. The strongest kingdom and capital of Lóng-Qīn at the time before and after the collapse, a land where strength is valued above all else. Xīn-Hé also serves as the home of Warlord Liu Zhou, known as Bloody Zhou or the Red Emperor by his adversaries and subjects alike, a set of titles and names befitting of a ruthless leader. Xīn-Hé is a city of soldiers and martial artists, their proof of marital status taking the form of their armaments and battle-scars. The only true way to tell a liar from an honest warrior in this kingdom is by who remains standing after a dispute, the fear of death and capital punishment being enough to scare off most lowly con-artists. A kingdom protected by mandatory conscription, not man, woman or child is spared in their drafts. A kingdom feared, yet respected for being the heart of Lóng-Qīn and the origin of both the strength of the country and its people. These disciplined and well trained people are often seen with red accents upon their uniforms and armor. A bloody wave of red helmet plumes visible whenever the kingdom begins another warpath through its own country or further west.

### She-Yan

The merchant kingdom city of Lóng-Qīn, She-Yan, a prosperous and wealthy society built up through trade over years of effort from its inhabitants. Communication and bargaining with the outside world has given them more resources than other kingdoms in Long-Qin, and as such - has become a formidable competitor for the Imperial Throne.

It's ruled by lord Chen Jin, an advisor to the emperor with the tongue of a serpent. For many years he whispered in the emperor's ear, trying to turn the leader into his own puppet to push his agenda. He directed resources to She-Yan, gold, materials - whatever Chen Jin needed to begin carving out his empire. Until eventually, the Emperor became wise to the advisor's plans - thus striking into motion the war for the Imperial throne between the still loyal kingdoms. What was once a nuisance from rebels became a seething inferno of competition.

She-Yan, though a merchant kingdom, has its own privatized military. Relying on mercenaries from Lóng-Qīn and surrounding areas to form their fighting force, waiting in reserve while the valuable gold from She-Yan trickles into their pockets. Though even with a highly skilled force, the Triads of She-Yan still remain rampant throughout its underworld. They control many trade rings, and have powerful connections through She-Yan, sometimes outreaching further across Long-Qin itself.

Whilst the majority of She-Yan's merchandise is honest work, there's still a notable amount of con artists, greedy traders, and snake oil salesmen. It's the city of opportunity, anyone can become rich if they have the business skills to go with.

The people of She-Yan are proud of their home, and their country; though not to the same degree as Xin-He - the warring city - making them skilled diplomats and businessmen, people who can pull strings and pay bribes to safeguard what they call treasure.

### Jīng-Shén

The youngest of the three kingdoms, a makeshift empire built on faith, tenacity and a strong work ethic. A land populated by fishermen, carpenters, masons and blacksmiths who one day decided to unite and split off from the tyranny of Lui Zhao. In order to display one’s success in battle, the people of Jīng-Shén choose to mark their bodies with tattoos that symbolize rank and martial skill. This rebellious nation is led by a mysterious figure known simply as the “Golden Crane'' , a man who insists on having no name. Some say the Golden Crane was once a warrior monk who had his temple used by Lui Zhou for an unjust cause, now seeking to liberate the innocent from the same fate of being a pawn. Others however view him as a savior from the heavens themselves, sent to free the faithful from an approaching onslaught from an unknown force, a messiah from the dragons themselves. This godlike figure has caused a large amount of monastic practice amongst the people of Jīng-Shén, many training both themselves and others in the way of self-defense and faith in their leader and the great serpents. Whilst Xīn-Hé may have a well trained and uniformed army, those of Jīng-Shén find themselves using overwhelming force through their militias to fight back their tyrannical invaders. Despite all of this desire for peace however, the fishing hamlets of Jīng-Shén find themselves constantly being besieged by pirates of eastern origin. It would seem most of these pirates are Lóng-Qīn themselves, though Jīng-Shén is no stranger to the foreign raiders of Nihon. All of these threats forced the already hard working people of Jīng-Shén to become battle hardened, leaving their foes with a force truly willing to die for their independence and kingdom.

Although they may not be well equipped and often fight with staves, spears and tools, the people of Jīng-Shén should never be underestimated, nor should their faith in the Golden Crane and his cause. A people so close to the sun that their attire glows with shades of orange, gold and white, a glowing sea of the most determined fighters in Lóng-Qīn.

### The Bǔshí Zhě

Long forgotten, the jungle peoples of Lóng-Qīn exist in turmoil. As a once peaceful people, their tribes thrust into conflict with one another as the civil war for the Imperial Throne rages - another, unknown, competitor rises from the woodwork.

Bao Cheng, a self proclaimed king of the Bushi Zhe, seeks to unite the tribes. Through diplomacy, or war; he settles at nothing to ensure the Bushi Zhe are on their destined path to glory. To drive their blades through the Emperor's throat, and claim the throne for the people. Believing that civilization has brought nothing but disgrace to their ancestors and way of life.

A quiet war has burned within the jungle's clutches. Bao Cheng's amassed tribal forces sweep their way through the land, claiming himself as chieftain of whichever clans he finds along his warpath. Draped in a cloak made of a tiger's head, a fearsome warrior, word of his ambitions are beginning to spread.

The history of the Bushi Zhe is clouded in mystery even more than Long-Qin itself. They are a primitive people, devout to the old ways and their religious beliefs - they were people who rejected modernity. Choosing instead to live, as they believe, to be free in accordance with their ancestors.

Before Bao Cheng's conquest, the tribes of the Bushi Zhe were scattered and bereft of strong leadership. Often enough the strongest warrior in the tribe would take command, as he would be able to kill any competitors. They'd raid trade caravans, military outposts, patrols. Whomever entered their territory who was not part of their clan could expect a cunning force to be trailing their every move.

The Bushi Zhe are renowned hunters and animal handlers, coming to tame many predators of the jungle on their own, such as tigers, elephants, and panthers. These animals would be used as weapons of war when engaging each other, often ending in bloody massacres that painted fields red.

## Perception of Magic

A society of people who harnessed their physical strength and used it as the center of their economy had little use for the easy way out and as a result the people of Lóng-Qīn viewed magic as something forbidden. It was punishable by death to manipulate the elements throughout Lóng-Qīn, that was unless you were someone who could understand the path of the great serpents, a monk. Those who grew up in the hermit temples in the mountains scattered throughout Lóng-Qīn were allowed the use of magic, their strict way of life being proof of the great discipline it took to not use the elements for greed and power.

That is not to say it was not a tool for war however as unique martial arts involving imbuing one's weapon or body with the elements were widely used amongst warrior monks, especially those who hailed from the land now known as Jīng-Shén. Although magic is rare throughout Lóng-Qīn, one may find themselves encountering a monk or a criminal who managed to steal or buy scrolls off a black market, the latter often being found throughout the merchant kingdom of Jīng-Shén.

If one is to use magic in a harmful way they should expect great and often fatal critique in response, that is unless in the presence of those who wish to change this ancient tradition.