Kantai

**Kantai** (砍态) is an island in the Outside Isles.

## Geography

The island of Kantai consists of two smaller islands which are joined together for a short period of time each year.

Sanshu is a beautiful green land of rolling plains and lazy streams. It is full of colorful forests of pink and gold. The landscape is dominated by Mount Kyujin, an active volcano upon which the Ruby Palace sits. Surrounding the mountain is the capital city of Jinto, where thousands live and work for the glory of the Emperor. Jinto is also the manufacturing heart of the Empire, as swordsmiths use the natural lava flow of Mount Kyujin to forge the army’s weapons. The rest of the island is dedicated mostly to carpentry and farming, owing to its natural temperate climate and plentiful flora.

Canzhou features a much more diverse landscape than its northern counterpart. The northern stretch features green lands not unlike Sanshu. However, mountains dominate the land, rising high into the sky to rival Sanshu’s singular mountain. Tall green trees and waterfalls dominate this land, and the people have learned to harness the natural elements to create rice paddies and mountaintop homes. The mighty Lihe river flows from the greenbelt southward into the plains. It is here where many free range animals and people live, including the famous Chang horses. The eastern tip of the island houses the Huangxi desert, where it is believed that the Battle of the Twin Gods took place

## Government

The entirety of Kantai is ruled over by the Akira dynasty, of which the Emperor, currently Emperor Kushiwaru, is the head. The Emperor maintains total control of the island; however, he has traditionally assigned warlords known as daimyo authority over various provinces to deal with day-to-day proceedings and maintaining order. Authority over Canzhou is granted to a high lord known as the Shogun, who is appointed by the Emperor. The Shogun appoints his own daimyo to administrate the various provinces of Canzhou. Favor with the Emperor is vital for the daimyo, as the capital in Jinto not only houses the mighty Imperial Army but also supplies much of the armaments for the empire as a whole. However, the emperor does not often engage with the affairs of the ruling class, even as clans battle, politically and literally, for control of territory. The shogun on the other hand is far less tolerant of internal conflict. Being an appointed position, the title of shogun is itself volatile, and there are many who would like to claim its power for themselves. Additionally, the daimyo of Canzhou must contend with an unhappy native population, who, until recently, had always been free from the Empire’s control.

## Religion

Religion and worship in Kantai is incredibly diverse, despite the Akira Empire being ostensibly monotheistic. The two most widely worshiped figures in Kantai are the sibling gods Brother Sol and Sister Lune. The Akira dynasty claims to descend from Brother Sol and as such is considered the official state patron god. Besides imperial officials and family members, Brother Sol is also worshiped by many of Kantai’s ruling and warrior class. Worshippers of Sister Lune are also plentiful in Kantai, with her most stringent followers choosing a pacifist lifestyle in the otherwise warlike nation. Though the two gods are rivals, both followings operate without malice for the other. In addition to the twin gods, many in Kantai also choose to worship local celestials and spirits. These lesser divines come in a number of varieties, from river deities and mountain guardians to animal spirits and powerful ancestors. Though the temple of Brother Sol is the only officially sanctioned religion, worship of other divines is widespread and unrestricted.