Sunday 16 December 2012

Mikan



Mikan Prefecture


Mikan Prefecture

Mikan prefecture is governed by Onishi Clan. Southern parts of prefecture produce a lot of rice, fruits and meat from its fertile slopes and valleys. Prefecture is also known for its excessive mining. Shirokō and Genkaisha steel are plenty in mountains. Mountains are also the home of widely spread Yukisaru monkeys and many creatures such as Inugami and Baku.

The prefecture is divided to southern temperate broadleaf forest region, mountain region which spans from the center towards western border and northern swamplands region. Kurokawa River runs across the Mikan prefecture border and its banks are filled with farms and villages. City of Mikan, which is built next to Kurokawa River, is home of Onishi Clan.

Another two large cities are Shibushi and Dorodani. City of Shibushi was founded by Onishi Clan as an outpost in northern mountains to protect Mikan prefecture from dangers of Kuro no Mori. Shibushi was originally only a fortress with small community of farmers but after discovery of large gold and Genkaisha steel deposit from the nearby mountains, the small town started to grow. Castle city of Dorodani was built in wake of demon incursions from Kuro no Mori few hundred years ago. Along with Mikan, Shibushi and Ōyodo they form strong line of castles which ward the densely populated south.

Onishi Clan

Onishi Clan has long history as former society of warrior monks. Onishi Clan honors their past and standard Onishi Clan garb resembles the warrior monk outfit. Clan has great knowledge of channeling arts and martial arts and they are very secretive about their teachings. Great punishment falls to those bushi who are caught to teach their clan’s secrets to outsiders.

Onishi Clan is obliged to defend the Northwest side of Kuro no Mori against demons and outlaws which terrorize the north. Onishi Clan has little obligations outside their guard duty in north. The clans Pursuits towards human mental and physical perfection are cornerstones of Onishi philosophy. Martial arts and meditation are important expertise among Onishi Clan. Clan samurai constantly test their strength in duels. Independence and vigor are virtues among the Onishi. Clan has always had mixed loyalty towards Shogun. Onishi values their own tradition and autonomy over the ruling Clan.

See you next year!

Sunday 9 December 2012

Genkaisha


Genkaisha Prefecture


Genkaisha Prefecture

Genkaisha prefecture is the smallest prefecture in Tentaika and unlike any other prefecture it is not ruled by a samurai clan. Genkaisha prefecture is instead ruled by a five member council. Outside its governmental system Genkaisha prefecture is best known for its mining that produces large amounts of Genkaisha steel and black Genkaisha stone. 

Genkaisha Prefecture is located on rocky peninsula on eastern edge of Black Sea. Prefecture’s capital is well known across the Tentaika. The city is the biggest and most important spiritual and religious hub in entire Tentaika. Genkaisha’s priests and priestesses are known for their vast knowledge of channeling and ritualism and thus many wealthy samurai families send their children to train in Genkaisha. The city is also favored by rich artist and they produce a large quantity of first-class art. The city also offers the services of its demon hunting warrior priestesses for other prefectures.

Genkaisha High Council


Unlike other prefectures Genkaisha prefecture is not ruled by a warrior clan. Genkaisha prefecture is instead ruled by the Genkaisha High Council. Under normal circumstances the High Council has five members, the head of the warrior priestesses, the treasurer, the politician, the religious head and the mundane head. The five bodies of Genkaisha are led by these five members.

 

The five bodies of Genkaisha are official governmental organizations of the Genkaisha prefecture. These organizations handle different aspects of Genkaisha prefecture’s main functions just like in any other prefecture. When in other prefectures all of the official governmental organizations work either directly or indirectly under one person, namely the daimyo of the prefecture’s ruling warrior clan, in Genkaisha each body works under one High Council member and these members have almost daimyo-like power over their body.

The organizational structure of a body is similar to any other official organization in Tentaika. The High Council member that leads the body has full authority over the body. Under the council member works a number of lower ranking officials that answer directly to her.  These officials are usually given power to make independent decisions on smaller things that fall under their specialization and only the most important decisions are made by the council member.

Official positions in a body are usually granted for life and they cannot be inherited. However it is common that certain official positions stay in a single family for multiple generations. This is because officials can give recommendations for their successor when they are retiring and usually high ranking officials train their heirs for the position they work in.

See you next Sunday!


Sunday 2 December 2012

Rozushito Prefecture


Rozushito Prefecture


From this week onwards we will be talking about the different prefectures and their ruling clans in Tentaika. This day’s topic is the Rozushito prefecture, which is also the capital prefecture of Tentaika. In Tentaika every prefecture is named after its capital city. As a note all the maps and names of places may change in the future.


Rozushito Prefecture

Rozushito is the center of Tentaika. The Capital city has over five hundred thousand inhabitants. Rozushito is one of the few cities in Tentaika which are capable to handle such population. The city has an ancient water system which supplies it with fresh water. These ancient aqueducts bump life into the huge city which is filled with luxury amenities.

City of Rozushito is divided into five districts. Kogane district is the administrative district which houses residences for every samurai clan when they are making visit in Rozushito. Kogane district is also home district of Satake clan which is the current ruling Shogun clan of Tentaika. District also offers relaxation services for samurai.

Kaigan district houses large commercial docks. Most of the Rozushito’s traders live in the Kaigan district, and it is often referred as “merchant caste district”. Arata district is only real district outside the main city walls. Arata district was originally a suburb which was governed by samurai clan Kojima. Arata district is usually referred as “poor man’s district”. Illegal gambling and shady underground activities are common, and other clans of Rozushito often criticize the Kojima clan for being part of the illegal activities or just ignoring them. Momiji district is built around fortress which is located on the banks of Kurokawa River. Momiji district is governed by samurai clan Daishi. On other side of the river, lies Shinju district which is home of Sakagami clan.

Outside the capital’s walls, prefecture has idyllic mid-Tentaikan feel with hillsides and many small villages. Most of the Kurokawa River area is heavily populated by farmers and fishers. Population density in the prefecture is among highest of the entire Tentaika.

Satake Clan

Satake clan is the current ruling clan of Tentaika. Satake has reigned in peace for last three hundred years. Satake clan values tenets of bushido and samurai rule over ever growing power of merchant caste. Satake clan has weakened dramatically after Black Dragon Coup three hundred years ago. In fact, Satake clan has only retained its position as Shogun clan due to the high respect which they receive from all other warrior clans.

Satake clan takes cunning steps in everlasting dance of politics and game for power and ultimate rule for Tentaika. Unlike in neighbor country of Aleria where politics and the struggle for power is more aggressive, Tentaikan politics are formed around honor and respect towards other clans which is far more subtle than Alerian politics. Satake clan trusts to their good relations with other clans to retain their seat to power.

See you next Sunday!