Imperial Fiefdoms

> *"Competing for land used to be done with blood, sweat and steel. Nowadays, with the crown demanding peace between the clans, they have found a new way to compete over land and resources. Politics."*
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The Imperial Fiefdom is a region located within the Empire of Akino. What sets this region apart from others is that it forms a particular political battleground. Whereas Imperial clans are forbidden to fight each other, they now compete for Imperial favour to be granted a fief. Even while the region is split into numerous amount of fiefs, it has become a strategic source for resources and wealth. Not to forget; marking themselves being favoured enough by the Akinian crown to receive such a boon.

## Location

The Imperial Fiefs are located in the western area of the Fire province. This considerable sway of land used to be under the control of the Fire daimyo directly, despite the presence of some lower noble families. With the region nestled between various regional powers, there are several reasons why the inhabitants of this region haven't been able to consolidate enough power to be as independent as the neighbouring clans.

Under the rule of the Fire Daimyo in the past, these lands didn't receive much attention. It is unsure whether it was due to the lack of large populated centres or unique resources - or simple mismanagement.

## Current Status

To reduce the administrative burden on themselves, the Imperial Crown decided to come with a new plan. Instead of managing all this land by themselves, the region would be split into numerous fiefs. With allowing a clan to organise and manage a fief for ten years, it could lead to the development of the region - with a reduced cost for the Crown. And at the same time motivate the clans to earn themselves a fief. For while considered temporary control, most of the income can still be claimed by the respective clan.

Currently, various clans already are gifted control of multiple fiefs.

* The Arkos Clan
	+ The Arkos have been granted a fief near the city of Amthyr. Having a fief near the prospering site of Amthyr has allowed them to enjoy more prestige than before. Their fief is indicated with red.
* The Miyazato Clan
	+ While a small clan, the Miyazato have been granted a fief, at the borders of the Uchiha clan. Their fief is indicated with purple on the map.
* The Nimatsu Clan
	+ Already located at the borders of the Imperial Fiefs, the Nimatsu clan has been granted control of two nearby fiefs. Thus linking their heartlands with the city of Amthyr. Their fiefs are indicated with the colour green on the map.
* The Rojin Clan
	+ The Rojin clan has been granted control of a fief, at the western sphere of the Imperial Fiefdoms. Their fiefdom is coloured dark green on the map.

* The Yamanaka Clan
	+ The Yamanaka have been given a fief in the south of the Fiefdoms. With the fief bordering their heartlands, it is of little doubt that the Yamanaka may attempt to keep the fief under their control. Their fief is coloured light green on the map.

## The Fiefs

The mere fact that these fiefs are temporary creates a unique situation within the Akinian political playfield. For the crown, it allows them to revoke at any time whenever a clan mismanages governing a fief. All the while enjoying a slight increase in wealth as the lands get developed. For the clans, this situation has opened a new way to increase one clan's prestige and income. The mere fact that Imperial favour can see a clan being rewarded with the land has motivated various clans to impress the Imperial crown. Or attempt to sabotage the reputation of their rivals, to prevent them from growing more powerful.

A curious development has been that Great Clans have been interested in providing wealth and resources to smaller clans, whenever they are in control of a fief. Some speculate that the reasons are for Great Clans to have control over the fiefs indirectly. But others state that the Great Clans are willing to form pacts of political alliances with fledgeling clans.

What follows are the names of the fiefdoms, all in numerical order. Their names are aligning with the numbers on the map:

1. Bellenau
2. Aramore
3. Yarrin
4. Dalry
5. Torrine
6. UratoroJamikawa
7. Fujishina
8. Tawatori
9. Shimafurano
10. Kumihaba
11. Kamisusunai
12. Nakashishihoro
13. Nagakumo
14. Iwazawa
15. Matsuhaba
16. Tateraha
17. Yokoyama
18. Mitsuokan
19. Miyashihoro
20. Shitari
21. Fujidaka
22. Yahamoto
23. Hashisaki
24. Urahidaka
25. Kuminagawa
26. Birashiri
27. Yamatari
28. Matsunokawa
29. Horozawa
30. Miyayama
31. Matsudaka
32. Nakashitori
33. Tawarafurano
34. Soubiro
35. Nakakonai
36. Tatesaki
37. Miyabetsu
38. Matsukotan
39. Kumayama
40. Ranhidaka
41. Birahidaka
42. Narazawa
43. Urakita
44. Iwarano
45. Shintozaki
46. Shirahoro