Qilin

The Heavenly Domain of Qilin is the other half of the archipelago, Tigris. It follows an imperial system, where the islands rule autonomously for the most part and offer annual taxes to the Imperial House.

The nations of Qilin and Sammu-marat have been embroiled in skirmishes for the better of five hundred years. While many attempts have been made to foster a permanent treaty, negotiations have always broken down. This is due to some fundamental differences in their culture: the islands of Qilin are multi-racial with many non-human species enjoying equal privileges and rights which is not commonly available in Sammu-marat. Deep prejudices in Shamash and Eridu have made this a persistent area of disagreement during diplomatic talks. Another disagreement is that the Celestial and Ascendant are in rival roles of leadership with neither wishing to refute their sovereignty. The final and largest issues it the geo-political diversity of Qilin itself.

### **Tianti**

The largest island of the Heavenly Domain is called Tianti. This is the imperial capital and the home of Celestial, the formal title of the Imperial Emperor or Empress. The ruling family are Shanyao Shizu or the "Shining Clan" in Common. They are said to be direct descendants of their creator god, Qilin, two-headed divine dragon. The Baogui de Jinshu Gong ("Precious Metal Palace" in Common) and the Caihong Wangzuo ("Rainbow Throne") are found in Tianti. The current Celestial is Jaiyi, a powerful sorceress of celestial and draconic descent. She and Peizhi, her cousin, were the sole survivors during the last major battle between Qilin and Sammu-marat.

The other nine islands are tributary states to Qilin, having their own unique culture, language, legislature, and internal power structure. Each island provides a key function to the Heavenly Domain and are in constant free trade among themselves with Qilin as the supreme authority for executive, judiciary, and parliamentary powers.

Each island is controlled by three clans, to represent the pair of metallic dragons gods and Qilin. The three clans vie for control of their respective island through their own succession laws, disputes being adjudicated by the Rainbow Throne.

There are two exceptions:

1. Cre-úmha, which has been ruled by a council of elders who are acknowledged to be the most learned and wise of the Empire’s magical practitioners who denounce all familial ties upon assuming their leadership on this isle, and;
2. The elemental clans of Gin, the four genasi clans are independent and practice total democracy where no one leader is appointed. Rather one member of each element represents their population to the Celestial directly.

### **Platino**

The Platinum Isle where its main concern is trade and the establishment of goods between the 10 islands and the rets of Myrias. The three ruling houses are Perugia, Citta de Castello, and Siena. Succession is made through the practice of ostraka, where adults of the meritocracy voted among the eldest child of the three houses to rule until their death.

### **Nebu**

Nebu is the seat for religious study, philosophical debate, and the healing arts. The three most influential clans of Nebu are Waset, Neken, and Hanbal. They undergo a religious selection wherein the next ruler is decided by a series of challenges created by the Six Elders, an informal collection the most powerful shamans who meet only for this one purpose.

### **Gin**

Gin has enjoyed the most relative peace, being far from the warfront in the conflict between Qilin and Sammu-marat. As such, this tranquil island is the home of culture, learning, literature and art in all its forms. Heian, Muromachi, and Azuchi prefectures are the three ruling clans of the island. Succession is in the form of a cyclical rule wherein each clam reigns for 30 years and the last 3 years the successor is chosen and trained by the current leader.

### **Creúmha**

This island is the centre of all arcane research and advancement for Qilin. All magic practitioners are formally educated here before returning to their respective islands. The college is known as Draíocht Ciorcail and there every arcane user is represented: from artificers to wizards. The Comhairle na Sinsir ("Council of Elders") is an elected body of magic users who are the best at their respective arts. They are voted by the representatives of each conclave and, upon taking their roles, abdicate from all other forms of allegiance to family or nation.

### **Steli**

Steli is the sword and shield of Qilin. A mountainous and cold region, their population is known for being brave, strong, and deadly, regardless of race. This is where the majority of the Heavenly Army is trained, outside of each island’s unique battalions. Their succession is  determined by combat and leadership. All eligible heirs of the three most powerful dukedoms fight in a series of tourneys and skirmishes. The winner of the respective duchy then present their case to the noble vassals of Steli who vote in their Senate for their leader, who rules for life. The three dukedoms are Somerset, Beaufort, and Caerlon. The current duke of Somerset is the Minister of the Left and is currently residing n Tianti with his wife, Peizhi, the current Minister of the Right and cousin of the Celestial.

### **Le Fer**

This island is responsible for negotiating and processing all trade within the Empire. Though not large in land mass above sea-level, they control the underwater routes and communities between the 10 islands and pioneered underwater travel. They are also the source for marine industries such as fisheries, coral and pearls, and salt. Inheritance is matrilineal, with the oldest daughter of the current head given preference. The rulership of Le Fer is made by secret ballot among the guild masters who work under the various duchies, who chooses the successor from each family's appointed heir. The three duchies are Anjou, Montpensier, and Reims.

### **Cobre**

Cobre is responsible for the majority of agricultural supply of the Empire. Husbandry and domestication are the primary industries of the island. The island's ruling houses practice agnatic primogeniture, as the eldest son of the current head will rule. The Viceroy of Cobre is then negotiated among the three heads with one representative being chosen unanimously between the three.

### **Latão**

This island is the city of learning and education of the Empire, where the Great Library and Stellar Observatory are found. Latão also funds the guilds for the different craft masteries, which is a separate training from the arcane arts in Qilin. The majority of forges and workshops can be found here. The three duchies are Braganza, Goa, and Terciera. Considered the sister city of Cobre, their leadership is decided in the same way as the agricultural island.

### **Seuen**

Seuen is the island of the messenger and information guilds, who protect and carry the messages and intra-island travel. They also protect the Qilin citizens who travel further abroad to Myrias. The three clans are Baekje, Parhae, and Silla. Leadership is decided through each citizen voting from the three heads.