Rong

The Divine Guardian Symbol

*"Saved by the Chant, Blessed by the Maker."*

Sited on the eastern continent, lies the realm of Rong. Mysterious and large, it is said that it is the realm without ends. A phrase that is portrayed with negativity or positivity, depending on whom you just ask the question.

## History

The history of Rong is considered to be vast, spanning back way before the Sage of Six Paths came to be or when the clans on the western continent started to wage wars upon one another. The start of Rong's history starts 900 years before the death of the Sage.

### The Serpent's Rise

Centuries before the death of the sage, tribes were scattered on the eastern continent. These tribes weren't very well developed. They lived in primitive settlements, agriculture as the ability to craft tools. But it was until they discovered how to melt and smith iron that the 'politics' remained the same. The discovery of iron led to better tools, which in turn resulted in better harvests of resources. And in turn, the first crude weapons and armour were forged out of the sturdier metal. Over time the tools and weapons became more refined. Increased harvests allowed bigger populations and turned small settlements or gatherings of farms into cities.

The time of the city-states also brought a period of war between the various states. Over the course of two hundred years, various states became prominent and would lose power as status to another uprising state. That would eventually end with the rise of Zhao, the Serpent. It is unknown how the city-state of Zhao managed to overcome the others but the recorded history of Rong states that they were blessed for they acknowledge the holy Chant.

### The Birth of Rong

The growing increase of Zhao's power and influence started to spread over many neighbouring city-states. Forming the Monastic Kingdom of Rong, for it was the Divini by the name of Su that learned of the manifest destiny of the realm. To spread the Chant, for Divini Su also said that if the Chant would be spread and accepted over the known world then the Maker himself would come to live with his children. Bringing eternal prosperity and peace.

To accomplish this, Rong would first send out missionaries. Sending them into all directions of the wind, the realm would prepare the means to defend the faithful from those who would seek to cause them harm. Many city-states and early as petty kingdoms rejected the missionaries and usually cast them out with cruel violence. Because of this, Rong started to wage wars in order to demoralise those who would seek to hurt the faithful. Over time, the realm started to grow, westwards. But for some reason stopped expanding further westwards. For while many had turned to the true path, praising the Chant and seeking the love of the Maker, there were still many disturbing factions seeking to break free.

### The Zealots Expanse

While Rong managed to accomplish many victories over her foes, there were many fiercely struggled against the monastic kingdom. Many of those resistances have been reduced to mere footnotes in the recorded history of Rong but some still stand after centuries of violence and conflict.

This constant state of war slowly morphed most faithful of the Maker into more militant believers. With the lack of interest from the western world for the eastern counterpart, most of these developments remained unknown. Not to mention that Rong started to invoke stricter border control to prevent any more chaos from slipping into their divine realm.

But for the last few decades, Rong has sent covert agents towards the west and south. First, just to gather information. To learn about the people that should be converted, in their opinion, to the true faith as on how they best could manage that. And since recently, they have started to make their moves towards the west. To the Wolf Country and perhaps soon, beyond.

## Rong's Military

The armies of Rong are unlike those of the western nations. Not just the difference in numbers or types of prefered weapons but also in spirit. Many are drafted to serve and various regions in the monastic kingdom in various ways. There are the spirited as pious who enlist out of free will to the military but they are outnumbered by the conscripts, that are forced to give their life for the greater good. With the abudance of resources, the military threat of Rong for the western world is quite real.

### Drafted Folk

The main bulk of the military of the nation is made up of conscripts that are just given a weapon and then send to do the Maker's duty. They are being told to protect the true followers and thus meaning that those who don't follow the Chant are heretics - those who believe in the Sage, but don't worship him or the Maker - and heathens - those who don't believe in the sage or worship him at all - , people who can be abused as they don't have the Maker watching over them. While not all that are drafted in the service of Rong's military are pious, the majority either is forced or voluntary joins the cruel deeds of war. Being seen as scum, murderers and worse in the viewpoint of their opponents, the soldiers of the realm are considered heroes by the faithful.

In general, these men are simply grunts with crude weapons and clothing. Though an experienced genin could deal with a soldier, as these men often get little to no training at all, their skills aren't what makes them dangerous. They overwhelm in numbers and give most of their enemies the idea that they are dealing with locusts. There are some groups of more veteran soldiers that are geared with better equipment and weapons, often the guards of prominent members of Rong. These are harder to deal with as they have more experience and instead of the grunts and brutes, often drill and train to better themselves as well being more capable of posing a threat with decent equipment, skill and training.

### Professional Force

The military of Rong doesn't consist only out of mere brutes clad in rugged clothing and armed with crude weapons. Though in smaller number, the monastic kingdom does possess a core of professional soldiers at its command. Trained and equipped well, these men are easily on par with an experienced chuunin in terms of martial arts and weapon expertise. Their equipment exists out of decent crafted armour and weapons. Following the main tactic of the Rongese is that the professional core waits until the opposition has been weakened by the overwhelming bulk of conscripts, before landing the killing blow.

### Divine Swords

Though not a big part of the military, the Divine Swords are the 'Shinobi' in service of Rong. They are a fearsome force as they follow the ideal of the Chant without questioning it, being thus feared and secretly hated by the others in Rong. In terms of skill an average member can equal an Experienced Chuunin, being relentless fighters that are devoted to making the Chant spread to all the corners of the world. Because of their distinctive red cloaks, they are often referred to as Red Cloaks.

### Auxilary Forces

Having conquered and occupying many regions in the east, the Rongese military has been expanded with the aid of various regional forces. These range from Lagyrian horseman that have turned against their brethren to Sevudian and Ri-Docian beastmasters - atop their elephants.

### Beasts of Rong

Sometimes it isn't enough to deploy mere men on the battlefield. This has been a fact that Rong hasn't only acknowledged but fully embraced to the full. Having fought against the likes of the Sevudian elephant masters and mysterious shifters of Ulalic, Rong has gained the knowledge on how to both combat and deploy beasts of war. Only to twist and experiment further than what anyone has done so far.

It isn't quite clear where Rong has managed to obtain knowledge to twist and conjure abominations but they have been able to deploy these to great effect. Disfigured and savage beasts have been used to fill up the ranks of Rongese armies, to deliver both physical as psychological blows to their opponents.

## Important Sites

#### Gimcheon

The large city of Gimcheon is a staple market. From Gimcheon products of agriculture and various large quarries of the surrounding region, venture to the town. From there, the city's administration makes sure that these goods are sent to where they are needed the most. The confusing part of Gimcheon is the fact that wealth is generated through produce and trade, but little of it remains in Gimcheon. Despite the vast amounts of business and produce, many of its city's buildings are built with relatively cheap resources. At the same time, the residents watch with glee how more luxurious goods venture to places they will never witness themselves. The presence of the Chant likely will keep this venture going, oppressing any possible envy or frustration about the current state of Gimcheon.

#### Hayashina

The Rongese that founded Hayashina had a vision. In this vision, they saw a great city that would be protected by the Maker, as long as they would remain faithful. If they ever lose faith, the city will burn and fall to heathen devils. The impact of this vision or legend still has the residents of Hayashina in an iron grasp. Shrines and temples to the Chant can be found within the city's walls. Some even wonder if Hayashina has more places of devotion than the capital, Zhao.

#### Khyal

The vast eastern steppe is once various tribes used to roam and harass the true believers of the Chant. These nomads refused to adhere to any other authority and managed to remain unchallenged for a long time. Until they had to face a fledgling Rongese might, as these nomads came together to set up a desperate attempt to defeat the Rongese army, they were defeated and enslaved. The site of their defeat would be where the city of Khyal is founded - forever reminding the people of the region of Rong's might and destiny.

Regardless of this story is true or not, many residents in the region are obedient and bring wares as cattle, horses, fur and more to Khyal. From there, these wares are dispersed to the rest of Rong.

#### Pyongje

The city of priests, Pyongje is often called the little sister of Zhao. This endearing nickname is because Pyongje is more of a massive monastery than an urban centre. While civilians reside within or near Pyongje, it is mainly occupied by theologians and the like. Important documents of religious nature are rumoured to be kept in Pyongje - far away from public view and only entrusted to the most pious and diligent that serve Rong.

#### Ranshiri

The northern coast of Rong once used to be the victim of vicious raids of unknown people. To prevent these heathens from establishing a foothold and becoming a threat to the people of Rong, Ranshiri was one of those bulwarks to avoid such a fate from becoming a reality. Without these unknown raiders bothering the northern coasts, Ranshiri is considered a testimony of Rongese ingenuity of architecture and military understanding. While Rong has adopted a more offensive doctrine, Ranshiri is a fortress city that still reminds them of the old days.

#### Taiyant

Taiyant was once a city-state that prided itself on various matters, and such as the production of glass and high-quality velvet. Nowadays, Taiyant is a bustling city with large industries. Multiple kinds of resources are moved in from the region, and finished produces are sent out to the rest of the realm. What is quite surprising is that a council still runs the city with semi-independent rights and the light presence of both the Chant and Rongese forces.

#### Zhao

Zhao is considered the most impressive and largest city on the eastern continent. It is a sprawling urban centre that is unmatched by any of the cities on the eastern continent, and it may even be more extensive than any capital of western nations. The most critical institutions to the realm of Rong are situated in Zhao. A good example is, for instance, the largest temple structure of the Chant, even made more prominent due to housing the leadership of the Divine Swords and various other essential leaderships. The population is so large that the city guard, or even aid from present military forces, can't be handled efficiently. Crime is, however, held to acceptable levels without disturbing the precarious balance of the city's stability. In some city districts, gangs are the voice of authority and even engage in alliances with the city guard to ensure that the will of Rong is done.

#### Zuunvi

Zuunvi was founded by a Divini named Niwo, who believed that the site would be perfect for another grand temple. This old temple is still at the centre of the city. But where it was once open to the public, walls and stern guards prevent curious residents from exploring the temple. Important matters such as the invasion of the Arewenese realm are discussed before orders are given to the various armies at the southern border. Due to its importance as military headquarters for the south front, Zuunvi houses various facilities from which competent officers are educated and sent to multiple Rong armies to spread the Chant.

## Demographics

Population

Though divided into traditions and beliefs - as not all follow the Chant or believe what the priests say, the population of Rong is Rénese in culture. They thus share the same language that is quite foreign and different from the western languages.

### Language

The main language of the realm of Rong is Rénese. It knows some dialects that do appear in the realm of Rong. The language has somewhat spread to the western coast of the eastern continent and to the southern island states that have gotten into contact with the monastic kingdom.

Religion

The major faith that is followed within the monastic kingdom is the Chant. It is considered by some as a vile religion that preaches nothing but abusing the needs one has where others manage to find their salvation within the organised faith.

## Political Structure

The political structure of Rong isn't from the base not that different from a kingdom. At the head of the political pyramid stands the King-Priest. The King-Priest is chosen by the High Priests for being considered the most devout and brightest follower of the Maker. Though often a High Priest is chosen for the position of King-Priest, it has occurred before that the High Priests elect somebody of another status.

Following the King-Priest in terms of power and influence are the High Priests. These individuals are usually old men that are devoted to the cause of spreading the Chant. They are in no way men that are trained in wielding a blade or martial arts but it isn't uncommon for them to dabble in some fields of ninjutsu.

Another influential rank within the realm of Rong is the *'Blessed Son'*. One of the true heroes of the Chantry. The Blessed Son is seen as the holy warrior of the realm. His powers are one to fear and admire as the Maker himself has blessed the Blessed Son to help guide the Chantry to achieve their goal. This position is usually occupied by the most trusted and capable general of the realm.

Then come the generals of the military and Divine Swords. While the Chant doesn't preach violence or war, the commanders of the armies have quite a lot of political influence. Most important generals are usually bestowed with governing a region. And as one might suspect, they don't know a gentle approach. Next to the demanding tribute and taxes, these respective generals are tasked with the drafting of new conscripts.

Lowest of the social and political pyramid within Rong are the various commanders of renown. It is being said to the conscripts that everybody can climb up in the hierarchy and while many don't believe it, there are the occasional pious that are promoted by their officers.  Those commanders who continue to prove both their loyalty to Rong as their devotion to the Chant can start with gaining more political power, perhaps even promoted to the ranks of general.

Then there is the Dread. Though it is no administrative or military office, it is a name that is intertwined with the politics of Rong. Some say that the Dread is the source of all evil, corrupting the heretics to resist to embrace the true path. Others say that it is a fallen guardian to the Maker, that was cast down by the Sage but not yet defeated.