Asahi

Asahi is a series of islands off the southern coast of the Gui-Ling Empire. The land is home to the Asahisha people, a race of men of unknown origin, though they are thought to be related to the Gui-Ling peoples. There are no elves, dwarves or orcs in Asahi, however the land was once home to beast-folk known as Dragonborn, who were deposed and forced into diaspora millennia ago by the migrating ancestors of the Asahisha.

Asahi is made up of a series of archipelagos and major islands, with much of the region covered in tall mountains, deep valleys and thick forests, with only a small part of Asahi being ideal farmland, mainly located on the coast. The climate is usually temperate, but can vary wildly, with the northern swathes being colder and subject to heavy snowfall in winter, and the southernmost lands being somewhat tropical and warm throughout the year. Many places in Asahi are subject to flash-floods and earthquakes, often making the land unpredictable.

Asahi culture is in many ways similar to Arvinder, with your status and land-holdings being of huge importance to the Asahisha. But their differences are also irreconcilable. The scant accounts that have made their way to Arvinder detail a land where honour is paramount, and men ritually commit suicide should they fail their masters. A land where the Maker’s light never so much as brushed the people, and they worship the spirits of their ancestors and bizarre, pagan gods who spin webs of fate and conflict in the hearts of men.

## Government

The political landscape of Asahi is heavily fractured, though they have an Emperor, he is but a ceremonial convention of Asahisha culture, the real power sits with the Shogun, the military overlord of Asahi who the feudal lords of Asahi, the Daimyō, swear allegiance to...or at least they did.

Asahi is in a period of civil war and anarchy, and has been for the past century, the Ryōshu No Jidai. As the vassals of Asahi gained increasing power and influence, the authority of the Ezegowa Shogunate waned and dwindled until the Shogun found himself little more than a puppet himself. Beyond the capital, the various provinces of Asahi became de facto independent, the great clans of Asahi and their Daimyō fighting to unite the country, protect their own holdings and secure their existence in a time where a retainer can overthrow their lord, or a peasant can rally a great host and try to carve out his own legacy. The idle and complacent perish, and the cunning and ruthless rise.

### Emperor

Traditionally Asahisha society is heavily class-based, with the Emperor at the top of the social ladder; leading an opulent, if removed and uninvolved life, holding little power beyond the weight his title holds culturally. The current emperor is Emperor Gosahito, the one**-**hundred and twelfth to reign**.**

### Shogun

Next was the Shogun, the leader of the warrior class of Asahi and the true power behind the throne. He rules the whole of Asahi, however there has not been a true Shogun since the murder of Iida Ezegowa, the last of the Ezegowa Shoguns, by his own retainers over a century ago.To be a shogun one must have control over all of Asahi and gain approval from the Emperor to fully legitimatise their rule, and many have sought to do just that.

### Daimyō

Feudal lords and patriarchs of clans, to be a Daimyō in such times is the highest any man can hope to achieve before Shogun. With the bloody war that rages on, the Daimyō have become mighty warlords and vassals to other, stronger Daimyō. They rule their territories and vie with neighbouring Daimyō for power, as many seek to impose their will on their surrounding regions, and some even seek to see their clan become found a new Shogunate.

## Society

### Samurai

The Asahisha equivalent to a Knight, the Samurai are professionally trained retainers, warriors and bodyguards. They are employed and paid by their Daimyō and follow the Bushido Code, a code of conduct loosely analogous to the Chivalric Code which places emphasis on eight virtues, Gi (Justice), Yu (Courage), Jin (Compassion), Rei (Respect), Makoto (Integrity), Meiyo (Honour), Chu (Loyalty), and Jisei (Self-Control). The Samurai have a fierce rivalry and hatred of the Shinobi, who they see as cowardly, dishonorable, and untrustworthy. Due to the loosening of the social structure, it is possible for a common man to make a name for himself as a warrior and become a de facto samurai.

### Ronin

Ronin are masterless Samurai who have either lost or deserted their Daimyō. As a Samurai is expected to commit seppukku (honourable suicide) should their master die, Ronin are considered “on their own” and must be wary of others, drifting from town to town as a bandit, or in search of employment as mercenaries, as despite their lack of honour, a shrewd Daimyō will most likely not refuse more men-at-arms. Many ronin are poor, and some do not even use katanas, naginatas or other bladed weapons, adopting a bo staff.

### Shinobi

Shinobi are a secretive class of mercenaries who are tasked with espionage, sabotage, assassination, misinformation and infiltration. Not much is known about them due to their less than open nature, however it is known that they are divided amongst multiple “Temples” who operate from hidden sanctuaries. During this time of strife, Shinobi have become a byword for political assassins and unseen blades as Daimyōs attempt to outplay one another. The Shinobi follow their own code of conduct, and are anathema to the Samurai. As such the two groups have a mutual hatred of each other, and if detected, many Samurai will go out of their way to personally kill a Shinobi as it is considered a great honour.

### Peasants

Peasants are farmers and fishermen, and unlike their counterparts on Arvinder, are considered of a higher social standing than merchants and artisans. This is due to a belief that because the peasants produce food, all other classes depend on them. They live on the land under the protection and stewardship of Samurai and their Daimyō overlords.

### Artisans

Artisans are craftsmen that work in a specific trade, whether that be sword-maker, clothes-maker, carpenter or so on and so forth. They produce finished goods and often work for local lords directly, or sell their products to traders or peasants.

### Merchants

Merchants are considered the lowest class in Asahisha society. They trade and sell goods often purchased from artisans, and many do not stay in one place but travel the land in merchant caravans.

## Religion

Asahisha religion, called Ko-Shami, is polytheistic in nature, and is much more fluid and vague than religions on Arvinder. Ko-Shami beliefs say that the “Earthly Realm” is intertwined with the “Spiritual Realm” which is inhabited by millions of spirits or Keshi. The Keshi can pass through both the Spiritual and Earthly realms, and are split into multiple types, varying in nature, power, shape and size. Keshi are mainly divided into two castes, the Oshii, helpful and neutral spirits, and Taishou, malignant and violent spirits.The greatest of Keshi, the “Senkeshi” are regarded as gods and make up the focus of worship. The Senkeshi are as follows.

**Toshitaro:** The Supreme Spirit, King of the Spirits and Lord of the Heavens.

**Ringada:** Lady of The Sea, The Patron of Sea-farers and fishermen, The Storm-Bringer.

**Daramote:** The Wild Hunter, Watcher of the Forests and the Changer of Seasons.

**Enogume:** The Great Eagle, Master of The Wind and Breaker of Mountains

**Yetuoka:** The Blade-Master, Patron of Soldiers and The Heart of Battle

**Jusi:** Blessed Maiden of Nature and Patron of Farmers

**Suonojo:** The Wily Fox, Patron of Merchants and Salesman

**Wasawari:** The Flame-bearer, Master Forgemaster and Patron of Artisans

**Ayata:** The Divine Moon-Priest, God of The Moon

**Bensho:** The Divine Dragon, God of The Sun

**Fushikodai:** The Philosopher, Patron of Writers, Monks and Playwrights

**Masahuri:** The Merciful, Spirit of Healing and Patron of Healers

**Izadai:** The Wanderer, God of the Lost and Damned, Patron of the Shinobi

**Aomuri:** The Gentle Spirit, god of the dead