The North

**The North**

## Culture and Customs

### Government

The North is a union of tributary domains under the direct rule of the royal court of the city state Kunlun. Each domain is more or less independent, though Kunlun makes sure that each and every ruler closely follows the rules set by them. In order to exert control, the court assigns the so called lord protectors to domains. Those hold the absolute power in their domains, sanctioned by the capital itself. The royal court itself consists of multiple royal families, led by the patriarchs of the three most influential families.

Some of the hard-to-reach regions in the North are considered to be part of the nation, yet the wild tribes living on these lands are not tributaries to the court and have not yet been subjugated by the capital.

### Culture

Due to countless tribes inhabiting the Wildlands, the North is a melting pot of different cultures. Though the Tao culture of Kunlun is considered to be the main (and by many in the capital the superior) culture. The Tao see themselves as the more enlightened and cultured people and thus often look down on the wildlings, or people with mixed blood. However, since wealth and honor are respected above all, everyone has a chance to achieve greatness in Kunlun.

### Beliefs

Just like with the different cultures, the North is a melting pot of different beliefs as well. The tribal, wild spirits revered by the tribes, the ancient serpent Semiramis, the Celestials of knowledge, as well as scholarship and trade. The Northerners accept pretty much everything.

A special place is reserved for the veneration of ancestors, as those are seen to be still present in this world. Watching and helping over those who come after them.

## Environment

### Geography

Huge parts of the North are barely habitable and bitterly cold. Kunlun has established control over the most farmable lands in the nation. The rest is either covered by primeval forests, a giant steppe, or mountains. The capital itself stays moderately warm all over the year, but a huge part of the land is covered by snow for almost four months. Even in the spring, freak snow storms chase through the land, making living outside of Kunlun a very difficult affair at times.

## History

For the majority of its existence, the North consisted of a multitude of domains under the rule of local lords, city states and nomadic tribes. Pillaging and war were the norm for these parts of Kalon, each domain fighting hard to get their share of scarce resources to weather the harsh winters. According to the historians, the three families ruling over the current Kunlun were once lording over different domains. Seeing as the other nations prospered and developed themselves, they decided to unite and try to bring peace and prosperity to the North. Some unofficial historic records also mention another party, one of the tribes that had joined them, but those records are fiercely disputed until today. The union of the three families grew stronger and stronger and through means of diplomacy, political intrigues and war they managed to bring the majority of the North under their control. The capital was established in the ancient ruined city of Kunlun, which was subsequently rebuilt. During Kunlun's rule, different tribes united times and times again to break away from the rule of the royal court, but until now each rebellion was successfully dealt with by Kunlun's technically more advanced army. Though, with time, the royals grew a bit too complacent and the last Great Tribe managed to actually lay siege to the walled city.

It is said that Kunlun was once the capital of an ancient empire that venerated the great serpent Semiramis. The son of the last emperor offended the fickle Celestial and thus Semiramis brought ruin upon the empire, leaving nothing but stone and dust. Though most scholars argue that this is nothing more but a scary child story.

## Notable Locations

### Kunlun

The walled city of Kunlun might appear like a fortress from outside, the giant stone walls holding off tides of invading wildlings for centuries. Once inside, however, one gets to see one of the most beautiful cities in Kalon. Lush green gardens, countless waterfalls and gorgeous architecture. Even the houses of the lowest members of society seem to be richly decorated from the outside, still paling in comparison to the grand and decadent palaces and temples of the royal families.

### Kray

Kray is the most northern part of the nation and one of the most inhospitable places one could imagine. There is nothing out there, but a couple of tribes, snow, and endless snow. Traditionally Kray has been used to exile undesirables, which usually was equal to a death sentence. Most exiled didn't survive their first winter out there.

At the moment, the domain of Kray is overseen by Lady Maria, who was exiled together with her mother.

### Duskvalley

Duskvalley is a town located north-west from Kunlun, and is known as the last hospitable place before the territory of the Wildlands.

### The Wildlands

The Wildlands are a huge steppe situated in the eastern regions of the North and are inhabited by countless tribes. The steppe is not rich with fertile lands and thus not really interesting to the nobles in Kunlun. Still, the tribes are tributaries of the capital and are obligated to pay tribute to the royal court.