About Sanko: On the eastern shores of Aishiji, entirely surrounded by mountains, lies a dry region. Despite being next to the sea, this part of the country is defined by a semi-arid climate. This region is also home to the smallest of the only two natural harbors in Aishiji, the other one being located in Avysos. The harbor, its port city, and the area surrounding it are home to a state called Sanko. For as long as people have settled this land, the harbor has been used in order to provide what the land did not: transportation, food, and communication to the rest of the country. This is not the only state located behind the eastern mountains. Five states are located behind the chain, with Sanko sharing a border with the other four. Arugin on the Cursed Desert (fox and vulpine folks), The Crimson Horde on the Steppe (onis), Hakuboya on the Snowy Plains (wolf folk exiles), and Solmaren on the Mesa. Sanko's capital and port city is called Haganehama and was originally just a small outpost dedicated to exporting minerals from nearby areas. The local population soon grew wealthy and powerful from trade, which led to the birth of Sanko as a state. A curious trait of the people living in these lands is that the citizens of Sanko have a heightened sense of smell, likely caused by the unique climate. Because of this, some of the major imports coming through the port city include items such as perfumes and herbs, items that the populace likes a lot but cannot be easily produced locally. The ruler of Sanko was, until recently, a lord called Aki Hoshinomiya. He was at the Shogun's side when he was assassinated and, unfortunately, met the same fate. After a period of mourning, his eldest daughter, Nobuko, ascended as lord. The new ruler has a younger sister, Yasuko, who acts as an advisor.

About the Emerald Fleet: A state that relies so heavily on sea trade naturally requires a strong navy to protect it. Much of the wealth that flows through Sanko goes towards maintaining their naval armed forces branch. Sanko's navy is called the Emerald Fleet, a powerful force of metal-clad ships armed with rows of cannons on both sides. The metal from which the ships' hulls are made of turns green when exposed to the harsh and corrosive environment, giving the fleet its name. The state uses its navy not just to protect its own shipping, but also to project power. The Emerald Fleet rules the waves of eastern Aishiji, imposing Sanko's maritime law on all ships on this side of the country. What this looks like in practice ranges from 'freedom of navigation' to 'piracy', depending on who you ask.

About Kemonomimis: Aishiji is home to many species of kemonomimi races, such as foxes, wolves, mice, and squirrel hybrids. In the state of Sanko, non-humans don't have the same rights as humans. In Sanko, humans are perceived to be spiritually and sanguinely superior to all kemonomimi races. Kemonomimi are legally classified as being 'intelligent livestock' under Sanko law, and virtually all of them live as servants. The citizens of Sanko are, for the most part, profoundly racist towards kemonomimis and believe in human supremacy.

About the Black Hoods: Sanko is home to an organization known as the Black Hoods, a cult that 'worships' kemonomimi peoples. It seems strange for a state like Sanko, which views non-humans as lesser beings, to allow such a group to set up their headquarters within their borders. However, this is allowed because, ultimately, the Black Hoods still view kemonomimis not as equals, but as pets. Their members fawn over non-humans while, simultaneously, not thinking of them as people. Kemonomimis who serve Black Hoods members are usually treated much better than average, but being someone's pet is just a different kind of servitude.

About The Eyes: It is not only through force that a country like Sanko survives and prospers. The Eyes are the secret organization within Sanko that acts as the government's spies and informants. Common citizens have no idea that such an organization exists. The Aoki ninja clan forms the core of The Eyes, but the majority of its members are actually traders, commoners, merchants, and sailors. The modus operandi for The Eyes is to use Sanko's extensive merchant marine to infiltrate foreign states and, through ties of commerce, obtain information about the events and actors outside of Sanko's borders. The organization's current leader is a woman called Itsuki, who reports directly to the country's Lord.

About The Kingdom of Tortugal: A foreign nation of seafarers and traders. Their homeland is very distant from Aishiji's shores, but their impressive technology allowed them to set up trading routes far beyond their own borders. They have set up a trading post in Sanko, bringing immense benefits to the state. Although the Emerald Fleet's ships are domestically built with locally sourced materials, the designs were bought and adapted from Tortuguese officials. Contact with this foreign nation also allows Sanko to field a respectable number of tanegashima troops. The gunpowder that fuels Sanko's cannons and tanegashima rifles can be produced with materials that are either locally sourced or easy to procure in nearby regions, especially on the volcanic island to the south. Tortuguese people stand out from Aishijians due to their fair skin combined with light hair and eye colors. A considerable number of them live in Haganehama, usually living as traders and merchants.

About Aki, the former Lord: A popular ruler that brought immense wealth, prosperity, and prestige to the state of Sanko. His death was felt by most of the citizens in the country, and even more so by his daughters. He was a caring and loving father to both of them. Most of the populace doesn't know this, but the truth is that Lord Aki was, like many powerful men in history, a womanizer. Other than his two legit daughters, he had many children with women other than his late wife. Servants, personal guards, merchants. Many different women became concubines or warmed Lord Aki's bed at night. When the Tortuguese merchants first arrived in Sanko, one of the major factors that made them choose this location as their trade hub in Aishiji was the fact that the noblewoman that was leading their trade mission almost immediately became fat with the Lord's child.

Late Lord Aki's known daughter list:

1. Itsuki (age 29): Born from his personal ninja guard. At the time, his father yet lived, and Aki was still a prince. She is the current leader of The Eyes.
2. Nobuko (age 25): Born from his legitimate wife, a woman whom his father had chosen. Current Lord of the state.
3. Yasuko (age 23): Also born from the same mother as Nobuko. She is her older sister's advisor and tactician.
4. Charlotte (age 21): Born from the Tortuguese noblewoman that led the expedition that arrived in Sanko. Currently lives as a trader near the port.
5. Momo (age 19): Born from a lowly kemonomimi housemaid that caught Lord Aki's eyes. Currently lives in the castle as Nobuko's personal handmaid. Like her mother, Momo is a sheepgirl.