Haesan

Haesan Countryside

## Description

The kingdom of Haesan is located north of Jungti and east of Shangti. It has had less conflict with Jungti than Shangti and Nisahn have simply because the two countries are separated by a mountain range. Tensions still exist as the Jungti are aggressive and seek to expand their borders. If the Nisahnites are practical and focus on simplicity and the Shangti are artistic and focused on knowledge then the Haesanites are somewhere in between. As much as Haesan is located somewhat between the two nations so is their culture. They are a proud people with a strong history of loyalty to their king. There are some that believe the Kalmyrans are descendant from Haesanites who settled in the mountains and that the unique environment has granted them longer life.

## Geography

The terrain of Haesan is fairlly gentle with mountain ranges to the north and south serving as natural borders. The rest of the kingdom is green and filled with rice fields and crops. The central region of the kingdom is fairly wooded and many small villages have sprung up in these woods.

## Government

The country is ruled by a single ruler, Taemin Han. He is stern but fair king and much respected and loved by his people. Since the unification of the three kingdoms of Haesan 300 years prior, the Han family has ruled the kingdom. The government and nobility in Haesan have a very organized ranking system to clearly delineate where everyone stands. The king is assisted by the State Council, which is made up of 12 Councilmen.

### The State Council

The State Council is the the highest deliberative body of the kingdom and is led by the Chief State Councillor, Left State Councillor, and Right State Councillor. They are the highest-ranking officials in the government at senior first rank. They were assisted by Left Minister and Right Minister both of junior first rank, and seven lower ranking officials. The power of State Council has always been inversely proportional to the king's power. The State Council directly controls the Six Ministries, the chief executive body of the government, but also serves in an advisory role under stronger kings. State Councillors also serve in several other positions including a tutor to the crown prince.

### The Six Ministries

The Six Ministries are all headed by six Ministers, each of senior second rank (the third highest rank) and are assisted by a Deputy-Minister of junior second rank. The Six Ministries are:

The Ministry of Personnel which is primarily concerned with the appointment of officials.

The Ministry of Taxation which deals with taxation, finances, census, land policies, agriculture, and trade.

The Ministry of Rites which governs rituals, culture, diplomacy, and civil service exams.

The Ministry of defense handles all military and defense.

The Ministry of Justice deals with the administration of law, the enforcement of the serf/slave system, and punishments.

The Ministry of Works is primarily concerned with industry, public works, manufacturing, and mining.

## Economy

Haesan is fairly self-sufficient economically. The Haesanites are blessed with fertile soil and enough flat lands to raise a multitude of livestock. Additionally, they are gifted artisans and craftsmen. Haesanese goods are considered of the highest quality. Haesanese swordsmiths are particularly gifted and although some prefer Nisahnese blades are better, many believe it is just that the Nisahnites are more fanatical about their swords and that the actual quality of the two are evenly matched. Due to the level of craftsmanship that goes into Haesanese goods, most of their income comes from the export of various items. They are also a large producer of fortified rice wine and many in the Eastern Kingdoms have grown quite fond of this over their own local alcoholic beverages.

## Defenses

Haesan has an extremely competent conscript army. All males at the age of 20 must spend two years in the Haesanese army. As a whole, the Haesanites are formidable swordsmen and a myriad of sword styles used throughout the Eastern Kingdoms are credited to originating in Haesan. Although Haesan has a considerable coastline, it has a modest navy. The coastline is mainly to the north and with nothing but frigid seas and a peaceful Kalmyr in that direction the Haesanites don't feel a need for one. The country also has a state-sponsored military academy whose graduates are known as the hwangdo. They are trained in martial arts, academics, and the arts to be an elite warrior and leader. The hwangdo were knighted as nobles upon graduation and serve as officers in the Haesanese army and as royal guards to the king. The academy accepts children at the age of ten and grooms them for ten years. All classes of citizens can apply for entrance. Nobility, or the lack thereof, has no influence on entry. All candidates must pass a rigorous battery of physical, intellectual, and moral tests. The tests are not academic so families with higher education cannot gain an unfair advantage due to schooling. Rather the intellectual trials test wisdom, common sense, and raw intellect vs education.

## Notable Locations

### The Yongsu Forest

A large forest runs through the middle of the country and known for its beautiful and lush vegetation. Waterfalls and flowing rivers punctuate the green landscape.

### The Lucid Pass

There are only three traversable routes to and from Kalmyr and Haesan is home to two. The easiest one is is at the northern border near the ocean and is known as the Lucid Pass. It is so named because when traveling north through the pass the reflected light off of the often icy backdrop on the other side has a halo effect on the pass between the large gap between the mountains.