Sungshen

## City Description

Completely different to everything else around it, Sungshen is a unique area in Ellarith from architecture to culture. Mainly because the people that live in Sungshen are migrants from Ecria and haven't been moulded by the normal traditional Ellarith customs. The only similarity this place has with Ellarith is with Ezlaesas, that being Sungshen isn't just a town, it's the name of whole region. From the Hingport Gulf to the Fractured Valley. The people have also kept to themselves over the years rarely venturing out and getting involved with politics other than its own although it's open to trade as its one of the only ports that leads to the north. The people who live there don’t really move on or leave the land. Tradition is important so they stay and tend to the land their ancestors planted roots in generations ago.

Sungshen has done surprisingly well considering it was founded by the banished members of the Fang family a thousand of years ago. They were banished from the homeland in Borsu for an attempted rebellion against the emperor of the Zou Dynasty (Some instead believed to have discovered the Fang family had arcane blood and attempted to assassinate them). Obviously the coup failed and as a result fled to Ellarith. Therefore some members of the Fang family still hold a grudge to the motherland. Like all noble families in Borsu the Fang family had a strong, 'elite' bloodline of humans but since they have migrated the bloodline has been muddled with a variety of races and people.

The hierarchy of Sungshen is a very confusing one due to there being a number of clans across the land some clearly more powerful than others but this is where it gets confusing because some are at war some are vassals to others and even if two smaller clans are at war they can still support the same supreme leader. It always is in a state of flux. However one thing that is clear is that whoever lives in the Dragonspire Palace is the supreme leader of the realm. This has been the case since the first leader Lin Fang built it and every leader since has always been a member of the Fang bloodline.

### **Geography**

Sungshen is its own territory, and all one land. The boarder starts at the Fractured Valley and anything north of that is Sungshen, well until you reach the ocean. The region contains a lot in its small land mass, From the Hiber mountains to the west and deep thick forests to the east in which different clans live in as well as other grasslands scattered across the middle. Outside of itself Oakenheart is the closest town and the small horse town of Hayhill is a normal stop off on the way to Knightsdale. Stagborn and Baywater are also a few days ride. However a lot of people don’t really venture out of the Sungshen territory unless it's necessary.

### **Weather**

The weather in Sungshen is surpassingly hot and definitely warmed compared to the adjacent territory's. Some believe that the Hiber mountains are actually a dormant volcano that warms the land. Others disclaim that theory due to there being snow on the highest peaks of the mountain range.

## City Life

Life can be a busy one but everyone has a job to do in Sungshen, farmers feed the land and the warriors protect it. Instead of the capitalistic ways of most of Ellarith adopted, Sungshen has taken a socialistic way of life where one works from everyone and shares their reward. However it isn't always as black and white as that and a portion always goes up the chain of command.

Due to Sungshen being voluntarily closed off, the technological and social advances in the world haven't yet reached the people. A conciseness of that is everything feels slightly outdated and more feudal. As most places in Ellarith have gone for a government of representative structure Sungshen still lives in a sort of dictatorship and the land rests of the supreme leaders whim.

### **Demographic**

There is no way to really count the number of people in the whole region but it is thought the number is around 10,000 to 14,000 and around 4,000 of those are in the main town of Sungshen. As for races its got more and more diverse as times passed. Once almost exclusively human over time that number has dwindled and due to being small bands of orcs and elves in the area a high number of mixed races can be seen here, obviously the half elf and half orc. Due to the mystery of the Hiber mountain a few dwarfs also live here and surprisingly a high amount of dragonborns, maybe this is due to the legend that Lin Feng was secretly a dragon.

## Notable Locations

*Shops/ Buildings*

**The Lucky Salamander Inn** - Tavern in the town.

**The Drakes Horde** - A rough pub in the docks and also the hideout and warehouse for smugglers.

**The Hollow Tree Tavern -** Tavern in the woods.

**The Ironic Bistro** - Very expensive restaurant.

**Anything Metal** - Regular blacksmith in the docks in town.

**The Fifth Element** - Magic shop in the nicer part of town.

**The Elegant Swan Outfitter** - A small shop that sells the local and custom clothing to fit in.

**Titian’s Toothpicks** - A almost blind elderly gnome, who sells pole-arms of all ranges and designs.

**The Old Blade Dojo -** Expect sword-smith and teacher.

**A Fine Line -** A tattoo shop

*Locations*

***I*dol of the Dragon**: In the middle of the town square lays a idol of Lin Fang, it depicts her in a battlecry and seemingly looking like she's about to transform into a dragon, this has further convinced people that she use to be one.

**Dragonspire Palace** - The home to whoever rules Sungshen, the palace is very secluded and heavily guarded place that most citizens in Sungshen have never been on the inside of. It's protected by high walls and some say a magical barrier.

**The Opal Amphitheatre** - Built into one of the many large hills around the town and on looking the ocean, the amphitheatre houses the entertainment for many citizens as they watch play, fights or circus performances.

**Lilly Pond Grand Spa** - To the east and in the wetlands is built Lilly Pond Grand Spa, a place of relaxation for many of Sungshen's elite. You can relax on a giant lily pad on the lake or go for a natural mud bath in swamp.

**Still Mountain Monastery** - To the west and slightly more barbaric lands lies the monastery, in a divot high in the Hiber mountain this monastery is untouched by time. It is also a sacred place in Sungshen and as a result has an unspoken rule that it is to never be pillaged or raided by anyone, this includes nomadic barbarians for if they did there would be radical consequences. It is also forbidden to speak when inside any of its buildings in the area and heavily frowned upon to speak outside them.

## Military

Shigen: The warriors that parol and protect the town and region of Sungshen. The Shigen can be seen in a red scale-mail with a golden trim, they are also known for not having shields and using both hands when wielding their longsword (Katana). They also are very capable with a longbow for range. You may not have seen as many Shigen compared to other towns guard, thats due to them being more capable than your average guard and thus not as many are needed to keep the peace.

## History

Additional Notes: Originally a bloodline of strictly humans the Zou family has changed over the course of generations after being banished from the land of Borsu. Now the bloodline is mixed with many other races from Orc to Elf. Lin Fang (said to be a dragon) head of the family killed everyones wife and took control of the land and now her 3 descendants hold most power