The Empire of Essen

## History

First formed from the beliefs that the chief god of the empire- Shizuru- who supposedly elected a female empress by the name of Luxin Sakira and granted her rule over the area. Since then, the empire has virtually always been run by females from the Sakira family line. Staunchly traditionalist, the kingdom has long viewed itself as predominant in the world for the arts, and for military training. Every member of society is trained to enter a singular field and hone their craft to a razor’s edge of refinement. A general view of society and of people is that everyone has a place they belong- it’s simply a matter of finding it. Obeying reverence to Shizuru, their military in particular is trained with the utmost care and precision, and members of society seek to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors by plying their chosen trade as perfectly and cleanly as possible.

During what was referred to as the “Glorious Era” under Empress Lexumia Sakira they then proceeded to claim territory from the surrounding area, dispatching “barbarians” either by blade or word, forcing them to set down their weapons and join or be cut down in the wake of their expansion. They settled after a decent time, the next empress- Miyumi Sakira- focusing more on infrastructure. She built canals that opened trade from other areas, and brokered deals that brought in an era of prosperity right on the back of their expansion. This was how they turned from a nation of conquerors to a nation of prosperity.

The Empire of Essen has long held staunch and clearly defined traditions and roles throughout their society. From birth, a constant aspect of the Empire’s citizens was electing where they would “fit in” based on a number of dynamics, and to this end “Matchers” are hired by the empire to educate and observe the growth of children and their skills, before slowly and subtly guiding them toward a path that fit with their temperament, ability, and skillset most acutely. The empire has a strong mentality focused on balance, uniformity, and tradition. As a result, most citizens tend to look kindly on these “matchers” and support them how they can. Falling out of your “place” in society is often looked upon with suspicion at a minimum, and open hostility isn’t uncommon.

## The Lost War

This view has caused the most struggle after what Essen refers to as “The Lost War.” the ongoing hostilities against the Sassafen Empire were deemed as just and appropriate. They saw Sassafen as hedonistic and viceful, and believed that the encroachment of Sassafen was a direct challenge toward Essen. To not stand and account for such would be dishonorable, so they chose to initiate the war first, sending a messenger to declare such, above any forms of trickery or deceit: If they were to war, they would do so right. Rather than sending any reply, Sassafen killed the messenger, and proceeded to attack Essen in the dead of night. This sparked outrage in the empire, and Essen retaliated instantly. In an explosion of violence, the contested lands between the two became a bloody battleground. The battle raged on for five whole years, with the death count skyrocketing heavily and morale on both sides plummeting. Should you ask a member of Essen, they would proudly proclaim that the battle was clearly a rout. They outmaneuvered the “barbarians” of Sassafen, and that the lands should clearly be theirs.

Nothing could be further than the truth. The battle was fought to a bloody stalemate, with members of both sides splintering off and settling the war-torn area as deserters. To Essen, this is a clear and decisive dishonor, branding the settlers as “The Disdained” and entering constant skirmishes with them. They never go to full-blown war, since these groups are not a recognized country, but frequently fight against them, viewing their very existence as a smear toward the honor of the Empire. With this group between them, however, the rivalry between the two ended in a tenuous peace. Essen continues to ready their blades in case of another sneak attack from Sassafen, however for now continues to insist that they won, and the lands that had been settled by The Disdained were rightfully theirs.

## Current Day

Modernly, they still maintain hostile relations with Sassafen, however tend to have neutral or positive relations with other countries, trading wares of jade, jasper, spices, and silks with other countries in exchange for many of the needed materials that are rare in their country. Their primary import being rare ores- Mithral, Adamantine… They are constantly seeking ways to hone their craft, and bladesmiths are a very common craft in a warrior nation. As such, quality ores and materials for metalworking are always in high demand, while their artisans tend to prefer sticking to the materials found in their nation, claiming that the materials they craft with are the “best in the world.” National pride is high, even with the recent war, and constantly being sparked by celebrations of their nation’s might and honor, and homages to their ancestors and amazing past such that they might continue into a glowing future.

## Religion

With the heavily spiritual view of Essen, Religion is an obviously important part of the country. While religious freedom is mostly tolerated, a lot of evil deities are still scorned pretty heavily, neutral deities often with a sense of caution or concern, and chaotic are often distructed. The concept of an honorable chaotic entity is difficult for many members of the Empire of Essen to truly comprehend. There are some deviancies to these rules, such as Abadar being heavily praised for the religion's focus on growth and the perfection of society. Gods such as Iomedae are heavily praised by the general population of Essen as well, for obvious reasons, and gods who have concerns over the arts such as Shelyn and Daikitsu. Obviously, however, this only accounts for the surface of society. The underbelly where most of the Casteless or Marked tend to live have a wholly different view, and the worship of evil deities becomes more common the lower into the underbelly of the capital you reach.

As a whole, the city worships Shizuru primarily. Even worshippers of other deities will pay credence to Shizuru, as many of Shizuru's verdicts are law in the city. This causes a majority of worshippers in the capital to be of Shizuru, although other cities are not always as clearly defined due to travelers and changes in social norms. With Shizuru's perspectives and patronage, metallic dragons are often viewed very highly- though none so highly as the Gold Dragon, one of the forms of Shizuru and considered a divine messenger of her word. All metallic dragons are viewed highly, however, and those with the blood of a metallic dragon are often viewed as being blessed- with those with the blood of chromatic dragons being viewed as cursed, and often being forced into the marked or casteless stratas of society.

With this love of Metallic dragons, it is perhaps no wonder that Apsu has a sizable presence within the city as well. A number of metallic dragons make their home around the city, and as such the worship of Apsu is surprisingly strong even within a country of non-dragons. While still only a side-deity compared to the worship of Shizuru, Apsu receives a particular seat of honor in the pantheon of the country that receives a fevered pitch when metallic dragons are around, or settle down nearby. As a result, the antics of metallic dragons with a more chaotic bend- such as brass and bronze- tend to be... forgiven... a little bit more quickly than non-dragons.

## Hierarchies: The Castes

Essen is a primarily matriarchal country, however gender isn't the primary deciding factor on an individual's rank. The leader of the country is female, and women have in some manner been granted a form of "divine right" in Essen that is not a defined role. Rather, while women of a particular station will tend to be higher in station, the primary deciding factor is a meritocratic observance. An individual, regardless of gender, who stands out in the particular field they reside tend to have higher societal accolades within their 'tier' or 'caste' of society. A crafter who excels at their craft beyond all others will often be brought up to the council and allowed some level of higher authority and decision making among the crafting caste, which is separate from the smith caste which in and of itself is considered a 'divine' occupation, and often granted more privileges toward the upper echelons of the caste.

Various occupations that have obvious delineations are set of up into "castes" with which individuals are ranked based on their level of expertise (Basic, advanced, artisan, master, and grandmaster being the primary ranking in professions based on their individual skill, however the 'names' for these levels sometimes change between castes. Most of the castes are viewed as approximately the same as a whole, with the exception of Matchers, Military, Smith, and Marked. The Casteless, obviously, are disdained in this society as having ignored their calling, and viewed as a disgrace, thrown to the wayside. While it is possible to change castes based on your growth- it is accepted that the Matchers are not always perfectly right, only usually- doing so often comes with great scrutiny, which will continue until the individual proves themselves within their caste.

The nobility is often made up of households that frequently put forward Grandmasters of their craft, and as such heavy weight is put upon them to continue to produce exceedingly adept professionals lest they be viewed in disgrace. The Matchers, The Smith, and The Military castes most comprise the nobility, with chief members of each group that consistently put out the top members of their castes being granted these positions of power in the city, however members of other castes and their families often elevate to this station over many years of consistently putting forward perfection in their castes. As a result of this, individual families often reward and favor children who end up within their caste, and pay more attention toward their growth in general.

Examples of other castes include: Crafters (who handle most other forms of creation that aid in life, such as construction), Artisans (who create things such as paintings, vases, sculptures, liquor, high-end food...), Farmers, Fishers, and Merchants

### The Matchers

The Matchers are the only all-female caste, with members selected from females who gradually show strong instinct and judgement as they grow, and mature gracefully in their formative years. They are selected young, and trained to hone that instinct to a razor edge. Matchers often take on roles as interpreters of the law, advocates, guides, and mentors within various faculties of society. This caste is paired at the top with the Smith caste and Militant Caste, each of which being viewed as in some way bestowed with a form of "divine right" at the top of the caste, however The Matchers in particular have a tendency of their highest members being viewed as bestowed of the insight of some deity. This is not always Shizuru, however, as while their chief goddess is always viewed as supreme within the kingdom, other gods have their own place in many ways, and the judgement of all is necessary for a fair and just society.

These views on The Matchers and their general power within society is the chief reason why Essen comes off as a matriarchal society. While within all other facets of society merit reigns supreme, The Matchers are the only all-female caste, and primarily compose the judicial system of the country. As a result of this, there is a clear delineation of power lended toward women in Essen in general.

### The Smith Caste

In spite of it's general use of forges and smithing for many purposes, The Smith Caste is primarily judged based on their capacity to create swords. As Shizuru is the chief deity of the kingdom, a swordsmith of true skill is often believed to be divinely blessed by Shizuru herself, and as such is often viewed in incredibly high regard. While The Matchers maintain the Judicial matters of the country, The Smith Caste often are looked upon for religious matters as well, granting the caste a degree of sanctification within the city. One does not have to be a bladesmith to be in The Smith Caste- all metalwork invariably is a part of this caste so long as metalwork is your primary focus- however is is not without say that Bladesmiths receive the lion's share of attention. To be a master or grandmaster bladesmith in The Empire of Essen is often a distinguishing title that in and of itself grants you fame and acclaim worthy of nobility itself.

### The Military Caste

While all members of The Empire of Essen are trained in at least the basics of martial combat, The Military Caste specifically is comprised of individuals who dedicate their lives solely to the art of war. This is the particular caste in which the most heavily trained specialists come from, and as such it is no surprise that this, too, would be of the three castes that receive some identification as "blessed" or divinely ordained. Often sparring with each other, the Military Caste takes honor the most seriously, and are often quick to test their mettle against each other. Those that come out on top and show peerless ability with the blade, however maintain honor to the highest standards, are often rewarded greatly, with families that consistently maintain individuals at the height of martial training being made into nobility.

For obvious reasons, the Military Caste and The Smith Caste have a tendency of overlapping at times due to their interlocked nature. The Military Caste requires the blades of The Smith Caste, and are also the primary users of the highest quality blades to come from said caste. Inevitably, this creates some level of cooperation, with some noble families having experts in both the smith caste and the military caste. Sometimes, individuals showcase expertise in both castes, which results in one of the few acceptable situations of individuals being in two castes at once- a possibility in society, but not common at all.

### The Marked

The Marked Caste is on the lower end of society. While not disdained or spurned like The Casteless, who are viewed as 'waste', The Marked are members of society who focus on skills or professions that are... less than honorable... But necessary for society to continue. Spies, assassins, bounty hunters, undertakers and funerary services (who are seen as unclean due to dealing with the dead but are granted a significantly higher appraisal by society), custodial workers (for similar reasons), and other such professions fall in this field... But also those from other castes who have fallen from grace due to resorting to dishonorable methods to attain results. These individuals are often ignored, peripheral, or treated with a reserved level of respect due to what service they provide even if it is disliked. Spies and Assassins in particular fall under this latter treatment, as often members of the nobility, military, or the royal family must rely on their services in order to prevent incursions from other countries such as Sassafen to provide counter-intelligence or handle such.

### The Casteless

Among the most horrible offenses in The Empire of Essen, forsaking caste entirely and 'contributing nothing' is often the worst. For the most part, individuals who are Casteless as a result of being kicked out of their families, disbarred, or being born as Casteless are often spurned. Living in ghettos outside of cities, these individuals are more or less branded for life, and often viewed as ne'er-do-wells, petty crooks, thieves, brigands... The treatment for Casteless is often poor in most places, but usually not outright cruel... However their communities do not often see guards or protection unless something has gone wrong. Individuals who have left the military to take up homes in the lands between Essen and Sassafen are numbered in this, and often viewed with the most scorn. This is the only true example of actual contempt and horrific treatment The Empire of Essen shows to the Casteless, viewing them as not only deserters- the worst of crimes in the country- but thieves who are stealing land. This often leads to these individuals being killed on sight.

## Traditions

Essen is very much a nation contrived of tradition and law, however this does not mean it is stagnant. In many ways, the traditions of Essen are what allow it to breathe new lifeblood into the country, and grow, but also hold tightly to it's roots. Monastic orders, and various wanderings and scholarly pursuits, help to grow Essen both within and without. As one of the few nations that does not look down on advancement so long as it is done in the pursuit of perfection of the self, of the country, and of the world, it also holds no preference for either technology or magic. This, ironically, places it in a strange position in the world order, neither for nor against either the Technology-centric kingdoms or the magic-centric ones, nor does it particularly focus or maintain barriers against either. The following are traditions strongly held by Essen, and ones that flow freely outward from the country.

* To close one's mind to possibilities is to close one's mind to advancement: Always take the position of enlightenment, and learn when the opportunity presents itself.
* The world is a tapestry of the Divine Will. To travel it and learn from all walks of life is to walk in the Divine's steps, and see both the light and darkness that make up The Whole.
* Walk Always in The Law, be your travels Divine or Scholarly, perfection requires one to acknowledge the law not only of your soul but of your feet. Heed the law of Essen, but do not break the law of the land without due course, lest strife enter your heart.
* Wherever you go, be the light in the dark places. Spread goodness to the belabored, succor to the suffering, and retribution to the wicked.
* Wisdom not recorded is Wisdom lost, Wisdom destroyed is Wisdom forsaken. The libraries of Essen shall take learnings gathered by her traveling children, for even the wisdom of the shadows can be learned from to fight for a brighter future.
* Extend one's blade in defense of oneself and the innocent. When one strikes, strike true, and strike strong, but extend an offer of surrender before the final stroke. Leave not your enemy in suffering, lest you invite suffering to your heart.
* Never forsake the Teachings of Law, for once one has abandoned the Divine Will, retribution shall eventually come. Spare mercy for those who yet do not know their failings, for those who have willfully failed deserve none.

## Laws

Throughout the kingdom, there are multiple laws that are held to with an iron fist. Punishments for breaking the law are often very severe, especially for laws that infringe on honor of others without justification.

* Slavery is highly illegal, with slavers often being put to death.
* Desertion is highly illegal, Deserters are viewed as honorless and are to be killed on sight
* Theft is highly illegal, with thieves being punished based on severity. Death penalties for theft are rare, and petty theft that can be sourced to survival is usually almost entirely unpunished- rather, these individuals are often sent through rigorous retraining programs to re-integrate them into society.
* Murder is illegal, however if it can be justified (a Duel of Honor, or the other made a suitable slight to your honor) the charges are lessened, sometimes completely waived, although this is rare. Killing another is seen as a horrific act, and even when you have complete justification some level of a slap on the wrist is usually given- you should have left them alive, but beaten them thoroughly enough to get the point across.
* Assault is illegal to a degree. If you choose to fight someone because they besmirched your honor to enough of a degree, it is viewed as your right. This can sometimes lead to a gray area, and usually the final judge is a member of the court (or, for lack of such in the moment, a matcher.)
* Acts that take away another’s autonomy (such as false imprisonment, kidnapping, rape, or the like) unjustly are illegal, with the circumstances dictating the punishment. This usually ends up with fairly severe prison sentences and/or fines.

Most other laws tend to be circumstantial according to the region and its values, and some level of moderation toward those values tends to be accounted for. For instance, while theft in general is illegal, in the city of Minxiao where there are frequent issues with shadows, due to oni cabals that summon them as minions acting in the nearby Morayuki Mountain, theft of lanterns or light sources tend to be punished somewhat more severely than in other places, since it can endanger other individuals rather drastically.

### Duels of Honor

A time-honored tradition within Essen, Duels of Honor hearken back to the origins of the country. Traditionally, when an individual's honor is tested by another, they may challenge them to a sword fight. The terms of the fight are laid out in advance (to the blood, to the death, etc.) and are expected to be observed by others and clearly defined. After such, the two parties initiate the duel. Should the challenger win, the loser is expected to provide some form of solace or apology for the dishonor rendered. Should the challenged win, the dishonor is cemented. Refusing a challenge of honor from a peer is also considered dishonorable, unless there is clear and understandable reason.

In more modern times, the scope of a "duel of honor" has changed. Now, a "Duel of Honor" can take many forms, from a traditional duel to a skirmish between two warlords with their men (it is often anticipated both sides will use blunted weapons and adhere to a pre-determined code of honor for these battles), to competitions with their craft, and even games of skill. The core tenets, however, remain the same.

### Your Rights as a Citizen

* Citizens reserve the right to declare a Duel of Honor. Declaring a Duel of Honor when you have been slighted must uphold the normal laws otherwise, however should you kill your opponent without it being clearly justified as per the verdict of a Matcher, it likely will result in punishment.
* Citizens reserve the right to meetings with a Matcher so long as they are not Casteless. Should a Citizen require the guidance of a matcher for some reason, matters spoken will remain confidential unless they clearly break the law.
* Casteless must apply to meet a Matcher, and may be denied
* The guarantee that should you continue your work and show attempt to grow in skill even if your skill in your caste is not presently earning you money you will be allotted a minimum requirement for living of a place to stay and the absolute minimum necessity to work and survive. It must be observed that you are putting suitable effort into the growth of your skill, as judged by your peers with the guidance of a matcher.

### Your Responsibilities as a Citizen

* To continue attempting to grow in your caste- A minimum of two hours each day barring illness is expected in learning, be this in attempting to craft, in attending classes, in reading on your craft, in working your craft with your peers or superiors...
* To spend a minimum of one hour each day seeing to your physical health.
* To live in such a way that reflects Honor in your life to the greatest of your abilities
* To contribute to society in some way in turn for the boons that society contributes unto you.

### Your Rights as a Visitor

* Visitors are granted a certain level of understanding for dishonorable conduct. So long as no outright law is broken, it is expected that visitors be granted a minimum of one warnings that they are acting dishonorably before any action is taken.
* Directions: Visitors should be allotted the barest minimum of information at least should it be requested of someone who reasonably can assist.
* Duels of Honor: While it is expected that a visitor act with honor, and uncommon that they are granted dishonor by citizens, should a visitor be in a situation in which they are dishonored in a way that is understandable and direct (such as their morals being tested by another even after it is explained- it is important that a visitor explain what aspect of action is dishonorable to them first) a Visitor may enact a Duel of Honor just as much as a citizen can. In these situations, the terms and expectations within the duel is subject to significantly more scrutiny.

## Places and People

Minxiao- The Town of A Thousand Lanterns. A city at the foot of the perilous Morayuki Mountains, steeped in religion and superstition.

The Morayuki Mountains- A massive mountain range spanning a large area of the country. Home to many Oni tribes that crave the suffering of others.