Fantasy Isekai Warring States

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The Calendar used in this world is the "Kathina Era" or "K.E" for short. The Current year is 1567 K.E.

The supercontinent is called "Nara", it is the half the size of Asia. In the east of the mainland, there are hills, large mountainous plains and flat plains with five major rivers that are prone to flooding, even the most minor flood can cause damage to the crops.

Further east, across the "Great Sea", is the "Yashimo Archipelago", consisting of five large main islands, and a short chain of small islands connecting it to the mainland. It has many Volcanic Mountains Ranges and Coastal Plains.

To the South, are the Mountainous Plateaus and Mountain Ranges where warrior monks live in their main religions sites are built, with fortress temples built into the rock of the mountain or on the plains. They have many fortress temples across the land to protect themselves from bandits, thieves, and Daimyo (government) control.

In the West, are the Vast Deserts and a few Rocky Deserts, with very few oasis settlements can be found on the western fringes of Zhonggu.

In the North, are the steppes and tundras, where the Nomadic Yurten Tribes and Khanates live, they frequently raided and pillage the southern lands for loot, food, and slaves. And as such, the Great Bastion (40 meters tall, 12 meter deep, and 30 meters wide) was built to protect Zhonggu's northern border.

And there is only "one" civilization on Sel, the "Great Empire of Zhonggu", ruled and founded by a blessed person, his name lost to History but everyone refers to him with the same name "The First Emperor". It was a Golden Age for it's people but as Generations passed, the Shogun grew in power and became the true ruler in all but name, as the Emperor is relegated to a ceremonial and religious role in society.

The "Ada Shogunate" ruled Zhonggu, then it was overthrown and ruled by the "Hashiba Shogunate". Then lastly, the (current) "Matsudaira Shogunate" ruled Zhonggu though weak.

The Weapons used by everyone are spears (Yari, Jangchang, & Qiang), swords (Katana, Jian, & Dao), bows (Gong & Yumi), crossbows (have complex three piece trigger mechanism), halberds (Naginata, Yanyuedao,/Guandao, Ge, Ji, & Pi), and Shields (Tedate, Tate, Teng Pai, Yuan Pai, & large pentagonal tower shields)

The Gunpowder weapons are still in its infancy, with Rudimentary Cannons (Basically just a metal tube on a wooden slab for a cannon with no wheels), Hand Cannons (basically a metal tube you hold, point at the generally direction of where the enemy is because you cannot aim the thing, and shoot, hoping you hit them), and the matchlock guns called "Tanegashima" being the main forms of weaponry for gunpowder, along with simple iron or clay balls filled with gunpowder being used as grenades. The ammunition used are simple balls made of lead.

The Tanegashima (matchlock guns) has many classification, such as the "Ban-zutsu" (low quality muskets used by the common born Ashigaru soldiers), "Tanzutsu" (large bore, short-barreled, matchlock pistol), "Zama-zutsu" (long barreled muskets but has a smaller caliber than it, used as a wall gun, aka sniper rifle used in teams of two), and lastly, the "Odzutsu" (A Literal Handheld Cannon, basically large matchlock cannon musket, powerful enough to break the hinges of gates and serve as anti personnel and anti cavalry, but have immense recoil, require plentiful of gunpowder, and difficult to transport, needing a team of two).

There is also the "Samurai-zutsu" (high quality custom-made matchlock muskets, intricately crafted and designed for samurais of high social standing and wealth. They are longer and of larger caliber compared to the crude, low quality Ban-zutsu used by the Ashigaru)

Gunpowder weapons are looked down upon for being too easy to use and kill, especially from a distance, as the established hierarchy are deeply conservative and traditional, and as such, they were use limitedly, and mostly used as support.

The concept of "Gekokujo" permitted through Zhonggu. "Gekokujo" means those in lower positions overcoming those in higher positions. As lower rank samurais, lords, and even peasants (mostly, Ashigaru) managed to rise up and claim high positions of power in these chaotic times. And as such, they serve as inspiration for others to follow.

In war, gunpowder weapons despite being formally adopted and having martial arts like "Hojutsu" (the way of the gun) being established, due to the conservative and traditionalist ideas and despite being a supposed meritocratic society, nepotism and strong traditions prevents even the most talented individuals from rising above their rank.

And as such, promotion based on family blood still serve as the basis for promotion in both government and military, despite it's supposed "enlightened meritocracy" under divine enlightenment ideals.

Due to hardcore traditionalists and conservatives of the court and military, gunpowder is relatively underutilized by the army and state, even among the Ashigaru and Ronin classes. As there is a prevalent belief that gunpowder is useless and dangerous. Dangerous as a single spark can lit a whole room of blackpowder, and useless because in bad weather, if the gunpowder gets wet even a little, it is useless.

gunpowder produces a lot of smoke and cause fouling in the barrels which requirre cleaning before and after a battlefield. And muskets are used like how they use archers and crossbowmen, firing a volley but muskets can't shoot in an arch like a bow or crossbow and as such, they were used poorly and are spread out.

The cannons are treatly the same way as the muskets, they are stationed in the back behind infantry and firing long range shots (which often miss as these are early rudimentary cannons), and they are also spread out and sprinkle across the battlefield, further diltuing their firepower by being alone, with varying degrees of caliber mixed in, as there is no standard categorization for it

There are two races in this world: Human and Beastkin. Racial Discrimination occurs between the two but for the most part, it is peaceful.

Humans are a very adaptable race and live alongside with the Beastkin. They have a lifespan of 60-100 years.

Beastkin are Anthropomorphic creatures that look like humans but have animal ears and tails, along with horns and antlers for the few specific born. Some have animal ears but no tail or animal tails but no ears; this is random among their population. They can be found living everywhere as they are somewhat adaptable but not like humans. Examples of these are: cat, dog, mouse, fox, wolf, rabbits, etc, etc. They have a lifespan of 150-200 years, double that of a human.

The average height for men is 5'4", while the average height for women is 4'11", this is the standard for both Humans and Beastkin.

Social Structure: Emperor (Figurehead) and Imperial Family (Empress, Crown Prince and Princess, and Princes and Princesses)

Shogun (Military Leader and Actual Ruler of the country)

Daimyo (Feudal Lords: Duke, Marquess, Count, Viscount, and Baron)

Samurai (mounted warriors and their apprentices who serve their lord)

Ronin (samurais who have no lord, becoming a mercenary or bandit)

Ashigaru (Peasant soldiers)

Peasants (Farmers and other professions like mining and chopping wood)

Artisans (Masons, Craftsmen, Blacksmiths, and other skilled trade, that involves making things by hand) (They are looked down upon as the prevailing belief is that making items from scratch is more honourable. But craftsmen took goods already made by others such as wood and metal to craft new items, this is perceived as laziness)

Merchants (considered scum by many, similar to the craftsmen, they were deem as lazy, as merchants sold items and goods made by others, and are called "parasites" as they profit from the rest of society)

Outcasts (Mostly Criminals and Beggars, but also undesirable jobs such as Butchers, Gong Farmers, undertakers, actors, entertainers, prostitutes, and others)

Despite being under the ideals of "Divine Enlightenment" (Confucianism, Daoism, Taoism, Legalism, and Shintoism, combined), and striving for an enlightened, meritocratic society. But it is riddled with corruption and nepotism in the highest ranks with no form of public accountability.

It is a rigid hierarchy with all Important Government and Leadership Positions being passed down in the same clan for generations after generations, although this has not stop political maneuvering from other noble clans.

Women are property of men. In Society, A man can have multiple wives and mistresses, as Polygamy is common in society. Incest marriages are considered bad as society is influenced by ideals of Divine Enlightenment but there are some exceptions; Cousin and Half Siblings Marriages are generally accepted.

Education is privileged, despite having a printung press, it is strictly controlled by the government meaning the only literate people are those of high soical status such as the Samurai, Daimyo and above who made up only 15% of the population of less, along with a few commoners like Merchants, Craftsmen, and others who have the money to afford an education.

Samurai are allowed to carry weapons wherever they went, and have the right to kill commoners who disrespect them. The Samurai are mounted warriors and as such, they use the Naginata (Glaive) or Yumi (Bow) more often than their katana, which is considered a secondary weapon by them, and are easy to carry around in public spaces compare to a bow or spear.

The Currency used in Zhonggu is the tri-metallic monetary system of gold, sliver, and copper, circulated along with a commodity-baser system using rice and grain called "Koku". All metallic coins all share the same design, round coins with square holes in the middle. Bronze Coins are called "Wuzhu, Iron Coins are called "Zeni", Sliver Coins are called "Yuanbao", and Gold Coins are called "Ryo".

Official exchange rates were set by the Shogunate: 1 Gold Ryo equals to 50 Silver Yuanbao, 1 Silver Yuanbao equals to 50 Iron Zeni, and 1 Iron Zeni equals to 50 Bronze Wuzhu.

Bronze and Iron Coins are used for everyday purchases and transactions and are strung together in bundles of 100 or 1,000 for convenience in daily use and transport, while Silver and Gold Coins are used for large payments, taxes, and trades, and act as a measure of wealth among high ranking lords and samurais.

Koku was the fundamental unit for measuring wealth, land value, and tax revenue of feudal domains, as 1 Koku equals to 180 litres or 150kg of rice/grain, enough to feed a person for a year. And as such Koku is used the base salary of samurais and officials, and were often paid in Koku of Rice/Grain as an alternative, as well as reflecting their status and the state's or lord's wealth.

The Architecture is a mix of Chinese (bilateral symmetry, enclosed open space, feng shui, a horizontal emphasis, & an allusion to various cosmological, mythological, or symbolic elements), Korean (naturalistic tendencies, simplicity, economy of shape, & avoidance of extremes) , and Japanese (wooden structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tilted or thatched roof).

Gunpowder exist and are used to make fireworks and weapons. Steel and Cast Iron are widely used as the standard material for everyone for tools, weapons, armor, etc. And mechanical marvels in using sophisticated water powered machinery to power tilting hammers for forging metals, fanning blast furnaces, and much more, allowing mass production, before the steam engine, though still rely heavily on hand made goods to produce.

The Steam Engine does not exist, but there have been a record in the official books saying that someone had invented it but no one used it, and has been faded from memory and the book is collecting dust in the shelves of the vast imperial archives. (this also happen in real life in 15th century china, someone had invented the steam engine but no one industrial for it) because they merely seem the steam engine as a "curiousity" or automata and due to the nation's large population of tens of millions, allowing them to have cheap labour from the hundreds of thousands of skilled craftsmen and labourers to do whatever they need, they see the steam engine as "clever but useless" contraptions, they rather spend money on their vast skilled labour than investing in some expensive, unreliable, and potentially dangerous technology (aka the steam engine).

In the world of Nara, the people believe in Chi Cultivation, and Alchemy.

Practitioners of Chi Cultivation are called "Cultivators", believes that Chi is the energy of all life, often describe as subtle flowing energy. Most Cultivators are martial artists who practice Chi gathering to strengthen and enchance their body through purifying it and meditation to better gather and circulate Chi, diecting attention inwards to feel sensations of warmth, tingling, fullness, which are perceived as Chi, using the mind to guide it.

There are three realms in Chi Cultivation, and passing each realm means the Cultivator has reached enlightenment and can advance to a higher realm. A Cultivator must achieve all 20 States of "Higher Being" in the first realm before they can reach "Enlightenment" and advance to the realm.

Three Realm Tiers: (Highest to Lowest) Heavenly Realm Immortal Realm Earth Realm

But there are a few Cultivators are Potion Makers, Alchemists, and other martial artists, who practice two types of alchemy: "External" and "Internal" Alchemy respectively.

"External Alchemy": involves the preparation and ingestion of elixers, medicines, and other magical substances to enhance or improve Chi cultivation as well as creating cultivation pills, elixers of healing, medicine, poison, and among others. These are mostly practices by said Alchemists and Potion Makers who sell them to Martial Artists.

"External Alchemy": involves the esoteric, spiritual, and physical practices that uses the human body as a "cauldron" for transformation. these are mostly used by the Martial Artists trying to achieve a higher being or enlightenment to advance to the next realm.

Divination, Shamanism, and other forms of alchemy and magic exist and are performed and practiced throughout society of every culture, either as major or minor depending the region.

The Great Empire of Zhonggu is a Great Civilization, priding itself as the center of the world in everything, of culture, arts, traditions, technological, economic, martial, and military. Founded by the mythical "First Emperor" whom also established the "Kathina Calendar", it is a nation that has endured many trials of unity and division over a thousand years. Currently, the Empire is weak as though the Emperor is the ruler of the country, it is actually the Shogun who rules it, however due to recent events, the Shogun is also weak and is controlled by the "Shogun Deputy", meaning whoever takes control of the Imperial Capital, "Edoto", controls not only the Shogun but also the Emperor.

Formally, The Emperor is the one that is supposed to rule the country, followed by the Shogun, then the Deputy Shogun, but in reality, It is the Shogun that controls the Emperor, and the Deputy Shogun is the one actually ruling and controlling the Shogun. Daimyos can marry into the Shogun's family, but no one is allowed to marry a member of imperial family, as said members are only allowed to marry those with imperial blood.

In the North, beyond the Great Bastion, are the Yurten Tribes and Khanates, a nomadic people who live on horseback, due to their nomadic nature, they have a warrior nature, with cattle grazing as their primary source of food in the harsh cold lands. Meat, Milk, and Cheese are the bedrock of their diet. They constantly fought against eachother as well as raiding the Northern Borders of Zhonggu, which they often did successfully as some parts of the Great Bastion has collapsed, allowing them to bypass it.

To the south, are the Mountains Sects of Warrior Monks who resisted Imperial Control, as well as "Lao Nam Kingdom" ruled by a High King called "Dalai Lama" who is also the head of the religion, with a court of nine minsters called "Lonchen" who are also religious high priests, and are responsible for choosing the next Dalai Lama to rule them.

The Main Religion of Zhonggu is "Divine Enlightenment" (Confucianism, Daoism, Taoism, Legalism, and Shintoism combined), the Emperor is the head priest of this religion. It preaches a harmonious society through moral cultivation, emphasizing values of humanity/benevolence, rightness, and propriety/ritual, focusing on ethics, family and filial piety, and good governance, viewing humans as inherently good but needing education to overcome their flaws. But conversely some parts of it also preaches that humans as inherently selfish and must be controlled by rule by law, centralised authority, meritocracy, and a system of rewards/punishments to guide behavior towards agriculture and war.

Cause of which, such a society should be striving for an enlightened, meritocratic society. But in reality it is riddled with corruption and nepotism, as enlightened as the ideals are, there is no form of any public accountability and the centralised authority made it immensely capable of despotism and state terror. Meaning if a person wants to challenge the state, he can only do so, by slowly complaining upwards from the bottom through all the institution of the Zhonggu State, to the top of that state. And as such the state is only as strong as the incorruptibility of it's state institutions and bureaucrats.

The Religion of the Yurten People believe in the worship of the Sky and Nature God, "Tengu", with a belief system of Shamanic and Animistic Rituals, Holding religious festivals and rites for Tengu.

The Religion of the Lao Nam People which have also spread across the land and have became a major religion in Zhonggu. The believe in the Four Noble Truths: Life involves suffering, craving cause suffering, suffering can end, the Eightfold Path leads to the end of suffering. The belief that actions can I flynce future lives, with the goal of achieving perfect peace with one's self to escape the cycle of rebirth. The preach meditation, mindfulness, morality and ethics, and wisdom.