lannet and shivat

Lannet

Reality and legend are intertwined in the ancient Empire of Lannet, one of the oldest countries in Gaïa. Ever a proud and mighty land, its culture, determination and isolation have projected an aura of romanticism in western principalities. Despite its power, Lannet occupies only a small fraction of the island of Varja, an area full of mountains, valleys and forests. It is a green region where heavy rains alternate with long sunny periods. The country is densely populated, and even with its small acreage, it has more people than many principalities of the Empire.

It features two large cities, many smaller ones and innumerable towns scattered (most of them lost) between the valleys and mountains. Lannet’s economy is based on agriculture and fishing, but thanks to the contacts of some families, it also maintains prosperous trade with the west, where their quirky handicrafts are highly sought after. Lannet’s law has never respected Imperial principles, always following the ancient traditions inherited from Kuon Teikoku. Therefore, there are two completely different systems, one for the upper class and another very strict one for the peasantry. Lannet’s system of government is terribly classist, where everything is structured around a rigid stratum principle.

The Emperor, heir of the ancient Mikoto lineage, occupies the peak of power, collecting absolute authority in his person. His decisions are not only irrefutable, but merely contradicting them is dishonorable and an insult to Lannet. On the next rung down are the five great families, responsible for ensuring the security of the country and its people. Each of them controls and supervises a host of minor Daimyos, the equivalent to feudal lords who dominate various regions of the country. Their armies are extremely powerful, consisting of thousands and thousands of samurai warriors that serve their masters with devotion. Bred for battle, each of them is exceptionally trained in the arts of war.

Lannet is a closed culture, with old traditions and formalities that have remained unchanged for many thousands of years. The Lannetens are divided in two different strata: serfs and the gentry. The latter are split into two categories as well: samurai, or warrior caste, and the noble families, the lords of the samurai. Only members of the gentry are allowed to carry weapons, considered a symbol of their superior status. Peasants, living under the whims of their lords, can only use bows, sticks and knives to hunt or defend themselves; and moreover, it is a punishable crime to even touch a weapon they are banned from wielding. Each establishment is unalterable, and it is impossible to ascend if not by the express wish of the Emperor.

The Lannetens code of honor is sometimes confusing for westerners, like many of its customs. They have a strict code of ethics, especially inflexible for samurai, whom are required to have valor, honesty and loyalty to their masters. When somebody behaves dishonorably or violates the rules, he is separated from society and treated like a pariah by his own people. Followers of their own religious doctrines, they openly reject Christianity, which has caused more then one confrontation with The Church.

Shivat

Shivat is the Empire of the Eastern Moon, an ancient land of wonders and, like Lannet, one of the inheriting nations of the legendary Kuon Teikoku. From its origins it has always been a country as powerful as chaotic because of continuous wars and disputes. In times past they have fought with Lannet, the armies of Yagarema and those of The Sacred Holy Empire, not counting several internal rebellions. With an area three times larger than Lannet, Shivat occupies most of Varja.

It consists of a wide of geographic zones, with high plateaus and mountains in the north or vast plains in the south. Mighty rivers and dense forests adorn its beautiful landscapes, as well as rice fields, soybean and spices everywhere. The climate is quite humid and rain is normal during all four seasons. The Empire of the Eastern Moon has large cities, but most of its people live in thousands of small towns that are scattered throughout the entire region. They trade their products regularly with other countries just like Lannet, but generally are self-sufficient, able to supply themselves and meet their main needs. Enjoying many natural resources, there isn’t much that they’re forced to import from the west.

The country is governed by the figure of The Golden Emperor, who holds absolute power over the country and its twenty-seven provinces. Each one of these regions is in practice an independent kingdom, with its own laws, systems of government and lords. There have been countless disputes for power in the past and over the last 2,000 years, and five different dynasties have acceded to the Throne of the Moon, all directly descended from Shivat no Mikoto. The absolute power of the Wu Dynasty, the current leader of Shivat, is due to the fact that it has managed to control the most powerful army ever assembled in the country, thanks to a long period of stability, and the prohibition to the lords of the twenty-seven provinces to have armies over 1,000 men.

Like Lannet, Shivat’s culture derives from the ancient traditions of Kuon Teikoku, although unlike its neighbor, these have undergone considerable reform throughout history. Life in the Golden Empire is usually quiet. Most of its people are mere farmers and ranchers, who spend their days calmly cultivating the earth and taking care of the livestock. Although they maintain two different estates, social inequality is not high. The rights and prerogatives of the samurai families have been abolished for centuries; people are free to travel from one place to another without the permission of their lords and anyone with the desire or talent to wield a weapon can become a warrior. There is a real bourgeois class, wealthy people who have accumulated just as much or more economic power than the nobles. Honor is held as something fundamental, and is precisely what marks status. A family, however humble its origins are, can be honorable and be well considered if its members behave suitably and have proven their talent. In fact, the cases in which some provincial lord, or even The Golden Emperor himself, has revered simple peasants with full honors when performing remarkable acts for the Empire of The Moon are common.