Hinode

Individual governments

**Hinode** is the country in the east of Vitaria, bordered by the immense Kirakira Lake. A great, beautiful country steeped in ancient traditions, ideals of honour, endless magic, and ageless customs, Hinode is mysterious and inspiring in equal measure.

## Customs and Culture

Traditionally, Hinodeans view the elements of the world as an integral part of life, and everything they see and do relates to the elements in some way. As a result, Hinodeans believe that the elements must be preserved and maintained, or the world itself will decay and suffer. To Hinodeans, the land has provided for them since the dawn of time, and they must treat it with the respect it truly deserves, thus honouring it and ensuring the world remains fruitful for generations to come. Hinodeans believe that the state of their country is a result of their actions. Because Hinodeans have safeguarded and respected the land, they believe it rewards them with its beauty, colour, and wonder.

Treating each other with respect and honour is vital to Hinodean culture and identity, as is respecting the land. Hinodeans won't hesitate to defend their country, home, and families with their utmost devotion, since they believe an attack on any of them is an affront to their honour and what they stand for.

Hinode is well-known for its metalsmithing. Citizens born in the three major cities are encouraged to practice some form of craftsmanship, since it is believed that by doing so, Hinodeans increase their sense of unity to their country, and to the traditions established by their ancestors.

Most Hinodeans worship Kelest, and know Him as Kinzoku, The Great Metalsmith. Craftsmanship, to many Hinodeans, is a means of self-expression, whether that be through forging a sturdy sword, or creating an intricate necklace. Ore is seen as an object worthy of great respect by followers of Kinzoku. By mining ore and forming it into something of value, Hinodeans believe that they are returning its value back to the land, since it will be used to defend or enhance it in some way.

   The people of Hinode may seem cold and distant to visitors from other countries, but this is due to them being cautious. Once Hinodeans gain an understanding of someone's attitudes or beliefs, they are very welcoming. Regardless if they live in the cities or not, many Hinodeans enjoy a laidback, peaceful life. They especially enjoy relaxing activities like hour-long bathing, fishing, music, and stargazing.

Hinodeans regularly have festivals and events celebrating a number of things, from the Emperor, prosperity the land has given them, bountiful crops, and more. During these festivals, Hinodeans will light candles inside of paper lamps and make a wish for the future, before sending them down a river or stream.

While most Hinodeans are fluent in Vitaran, their culture has three native dialects-

* *Hino* is the language of the Older Years, and was the first language spoken by Hinodeans when Mei Lin established the country. Now, only scholars are expected to speak this language, and it is very difficult, compared to the succeeding two.
* *Theno* is known as the 'traditional' language. It is easier to learn than Hino, and is now usually used in traditional ceremonies, events, and funerals. Most Hinodeans are taught Theno as their first language. In Hinode, it is mandatory to speak Theno to someone that is a military leader, royalty, or those that command high respect or formality. Speaking Jieno or Vitarian to a Hinodean to a military leader, for example, is considered extremely rude and worthy of dishonour.
* *Jieno* is the current native language of Hinode, spoken by those of similar social status, friends, or those that don't know Theno or Vitaran. Relatively new, Jieno is nonetheless popular for its appeal; mixing its ease of learning with its adherence to the traditional roots of Hino and Theno.

## Flora and Fauna

Hinode is the home of beautiful, otherworldly forests, towering mountain ranges, and vast plains. Trees in Hinode are truly a sight, with leaves ranging from shades of green, red, light blue, and even pink. Some of Hinode's forests glow at night, a breathtaking sight not found anywhere else on the continent.

Faeries, magical creatures said to be created by Chessah, Herself, are native to Hinode. Many fae are mischievous, some are malevolent, and others are cheery and kind. Faeries take a seemingly-endless number of forms, including immense moving trees, small mushrooms with glowing eyes, and groups of leaves that constantly swirl around each other. A few of these creatures are said to possess a Link to the Earth Maiden, their interpretation of Chessah. Mages wonder if this is how faeries interpret being Favoured, but none have been able to prove this point, so far. Curiously, if faeries are indeed capable of being Favoured, this creates many further questions.

It is common to find spirits, ghosts, and elemental creatures all throughout Hinode's landscape. Visitors are often caught off-guard when they see one such creature for the first time, but Hinodeans are used to their presence, and try to coexist with these strange beings as peacefully as they can. Unknown to Hinode's people, Hinode's beauty and unique creatures are derived from its close attunement to the Weave. Reality and the Weave blur together in Hinode, and magic constantly pours into the flora and fauna, creating otherworldly phenomenon not present anywhere else.

## The Practice of Magic

Due to their desire to preserve the elements, Hinodeans almost exclusively practice the metaphysical arts of magic. Metaphysics alter the Weave, alone, which is why Hinodeans consider it the purest and safest form of magic to use. Hinodeans think elemental magic harms the natural flow of the earth in a dangerous, disturbing, and violent way. Elemental spells, to Hinodeans, are perversions of nature and balance, and they disrupt the natural harmony of the world. Because of this, Elemental mages are often feared or met with disdain by Hinode's citizens, regardless if they have good intentions or not.

Those born with the ability to use magic in Hinode are much rarer than those in the rest of Vitaria, and it is quite common to have entire towns or villages with one or no mages present. Hinodean mages living in small villages are often viewed as advisors or councilors, and are rarely ruling figures, themselves.

## Government and Economy

Tian Yu, Hinode's capital, is the largest city in the country, and is ruled by the Emperor. Xiaohe and Jiangsha are Hinode's second largest cities, and are considered sub-capitals, each governed by a delegate hand-picked by the Emperor, himself. All three cities share a treaty; if one of them is under attack, the others must send soldiers immediately to aid in defense. Hinodean soldiers' skill with the blade is impressive, and thus, they possess a fearsome reputation. Hinodean soldiers can be easily identified by the red cloaks and capes they wear into battle.

All three of the large cities have a mandatory requirement that their citizens must serve in the military for at least five years, whether that be in the field of battle, as a miner, or as a forger. Citizens can enlist as young as 21, and no older than 28. Those that evade this law are understood to have dishonoured themselves greatly, and are banished from the country. Exiles found within any Hinodean city's walls are imprisoned or killed, and any village willfully harboring an exile is subjected to grave punishment.

While there are only three large cities in Hinode, many small villages and towns dot the country's landscape. Hundreds of nomadic groups also live across the country, and many are constantly on the move. While some of these groups stay within Hinode's borders, others travel west and beyond, and can be found throughout Vitaria.

    Citizens living in Hinode's smaller towns and villages are free to choose their own forms of government, and usually keep their own rules and customs. Despite this, they also understand that they are to aid the Emperor whenever he or his soldiers pass through, without question.

Hinodean relations with Guinevere and Eth'leen are peaceful, and trade between them is prosperous. Hinode exports large amounts of their weapons, armour, and metals to maintain their economy, as well as various grains, rare herbs, and textiles.

## Cor Anara and the Plains of Sorrow

Hinode and Cor Anara have been battling for centuries, and has earned the name *The Eternal War*. Hinodeans view Cor Anarans as abusers of the land, power-hungry sadists, and despise their practices of slaveholding and how Cor Anaran mages believe they are superior to everyone else. Hinodeans believe that because Cor Anarans have abused the elements to such a grand scale, they have caused their own land's demise, and that is why their nation is dry, lifeless, and devoid of life. Cor Anara's attempts at invading their country in order to study their magical phenomenon is considered an unforgiveable crime, and Hinodeans will do all they can to prevent their homeland from suffering Cor Anara's fate.

The alliance between Cor Anara and Guinevere holds Hinode at bay from turning their western border into a warzone, since Guinevere's trade opportunities are vital to obtaining items not present on their lands. Despite this, negotiations between Hinode and Guinevere remain somewhat uneasy and tense, and Cor Anara's relations are usually brought up at least once in every discussion.

The fields between Cor Anara and Hinode are blackened from magical explosions and dotted with countless corpses of soldiers from both sides. These fields are called the Plains of Sorrow, or *Kanashimi No Hirano* in Jieno, and are a truly heartbreaking sight to behold.