The Kingdom of Qiulong

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*To dream is to know. To know is to dream.*

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## *Overview*

The Kingdom of Qiulong is the principal power that venerates Mengshen Zhidi. Qiulong is an intensely diverse kingdom, whose territory grows by the day thanks to the Emperor’s aggressive military and economic campaigns.

### Doukao

The seat of Qiulong’s power resides at Doukao, the capital. Hemmed in by forested foothills, the low, sprawling, and densely populated capital of Doukao is easily one of the largest cities in Qiulong (and the world). The outskirts of the city are comprised of prized rice paddies and tea harvests blooming on the steep inclines of the foothills. Doukao itself is organized on a circular grid. The Emperor of Qiulong lives in the Slumbering City, a magnificent, sprawling palace complex in the heart of Doukao strictly guarded by an elite fleet of royal soldiers during all hours of the day. No outsiders are allowed inside the Slumbering City without a writ from the Emperor herself, even if they are accompanied by one of her officials or consorts.

Qiulong is a dynastic monarchy with a long and contested history. At the start of the campaign, the Xiong Dynasty is in power. The current ruler is Emperor Zhen of Xiong, Her Imperial Majesty, Daughter of Heaven, Lord of Ten Thousand Years, the Dream-Blessed. Her word is law. Operating directly underneath Emperor Zhen is the complex, multifaceted bureaucracy of the central government, which is split into two primary categories: civilian and military. Running parallel to the central government is the less structured, but still vital system of court advisors, magicians, alchemists, consorts, and -- most importantly of all -- dream interpreters, also known as prophets. Dream interpretation is seen as both an innate talent and a cultivated skill -- one that is crucial to the successful operations of the kingdom.

### Culture

It’s difficult to generalize Qiulongans as anything other than “varied,” but that’s not to say there aren’t any stereotypes about them. There is a very high number of farmers and fishermen in Qiulong, and the majority of the kingdom’s geography is agrarian, save for a few of its technologically intrepid cities. Renowned scholars, mathematicians, philosophers, writers, craftspeople, and alchemists commonly hail from Qiulong. There is no lack of coin flowing from the capital for endeavors in the arts, humanities, and science, so long as they serve the kingdom’s interests.

Once per year, the all-important imperial examinations occur. This is a standardized test, open to anyone who can afford the hefty entrance fee and procure a recommendation from a court official. The test is rigorous and lengthy, and covers a broad range of topics including arithmetic, history, philosophy, literature, physics, alchemy, magics, politics, and, most importantly, dream divination. Examinees have been known to vomit, cry, or even pass out from stress. The rare few who pass the exam are placed within the Slumbering City as low-ranking officials, where they can begin to make their mark on the kingdom. Both civilian and military officials are required to take and pass the exam.

The royalty of Qiulong are well known as particularly adept necromancers, whose gifts in bone-rending, flesh manipulation, and hemomancy are said to be gifted by Mengshen Zhidi himself. Lichdom is the highest scholarly accolade a royal of Qiulong can achieve, though its success rate is extremely low. That said, many adept necromancers hail from Qiulong, as it is not considered a sacrilegious pursuit.

## Landmarks

### The Biyan River

The Biyan River, originating from Ingeir Lake in Nabal, bisects the northern part of Qiulong, flowing from west to east and leaving fertile deposits along the bank. Many fishing villages are nestled along the lowlands cupping the Biyan River and its dozens of tributaries. The Godspine demarcates the northern border.

### The Silent Grove

Located just south of center in the mainland, Qiulong is hedged on its eastern and western borders by subtropical forests teeming with bamboo. These forests are collectively known as the Silent Grove, and it is widely believed by historians and mythologists that all of Qiulong used to be comprised of these forests before people came along to settle the land. Rolling hills of cultivated lands sprawl across the heart of the kingdom, interrupted by agrarian settlements of hamlets, villages, and townships. The buildings here are rectangular and flat, with roofs made of glazed ceramic and spiralling pagodas that indicate nearby shrines.

### The Sacred Grove

There is a swath of grove that surrounds Doukao known as the Sacred Grove. This bamboo forest is highly protected and is off-limits to civilians, and is highly regarded as one of the most holy locations in Andake. The Godshard of Mengshen Zhidi was hidden here after the Cataclysm.