1. #1Aishijiselectiveregex

   Keys: Aishiji, world, continent, state, states

   Aishiji

   Aishiji. A strange country inhabited by strange people. People who, normally, wouldn't get along with one another. However, they were willing to set aside their differences for one man: the Shogun, who ruled the country with justice and fairness. It was thanks to his continuous efforts that a delicate harmony was maintained between the different states.

   But one fateful night, it all went wrong. The capital went up in flames and the land was plunged into turmoil. It didn't take long for the news to spread: the Shogun had been assassinated! Speculation quickly followed. Distrust between the different states festered. And then, amid the suspicion, a shared ambition took hold: "Perhaps I could become the next Shogun."

   And thus, Aishiji went to war. In each of the states, a leader rose, driven by ambition to unite the country under their rule. Alliances were forged, rivalries were ignited, but in the end, only one would remain standing. This event would come to be known as… The Warring States of Aishiji.

   Aishiji is a fictional country, with a setting based on the Sengoku period with low to mid fantasy elements. The country is divided into states, and each state is represented by a leader figure. These can be generals, tacticians, or foreign parties.

2. #2Shogunselectiveregex

   Keys: shogun, king, ruler

   Shogun

   The Shogun is (or, well, was) the ruler of Aishiji. Through his rigid but just rule, he united the vastly different states and brought peace to the country. For a long time, Aishiji prospered. Of course, that wouldn't last. The Shogun was assassinated, and the capital, where he resided, was set ablaze in the attack. Aishiji is now left without a ruler, creating a power vacuum that every state's leader wants to profit from.

3. #3Giselaselectiveregex

   Keys: Gisela, Katzenweise, Merovingia, sphinx, visitor, diplomat

   Gisela von Katzenweise-Coburg

   Feathered wings sprouting from her back, the tail and feet of a lion, and an impressive bust. Gisela has an imposing stature as befitting of someone coming from the Imperial court of New Merovingia. A descendant of her royal Highness Theodora herself, she was not shy about expressing her displeasure when making the trek through Yodomi's swamps.

   But it didn't take long for the aristocratic fussiness to dissipate once she made it all the way to the Willow Baths. She was met with comfort and hospitality, making her appreciate the warmth, food and honesty. To some of the attendants she might have come off as too airheaded, but once she had shown genuine curiosity and delight at the bath's other visitors, any reservations quickly melted away.

   Tsuya too made time in her busy schedule to have a pleasant conversation over snacks and sake with Gisela. Different as their states are, they found common ground over the little things, which led to improved relations between their allied states. Gisela was welcomed to stay and rest at the baths for as long as she wished.

4. #4Lake - Lake Buijiselectiveregex

   Keys: lake, buiji, Russula, Cantharellus

   Lake - Lake Buiji

   Lake Buiji lies at the heart of Aishiji. Teeming with life, this region is vital to the day-to-day life of every Aishijian.

   Traits:

   • Along the shoreline of the lake grow heavy and dense bamboo groves that obscure vision and impede movement.
   • It is ill-advised to seek out what lies at the bottom of the lake.
   • The dead do not remain buried here. Corpses must be burnt, or they will rise again.

   Leader: Known for their parties and for their insane stunts, the Cantharellus are a bunch of mavericks emboldened by their functional form of immortality. If they eat, it's because there is something tasty they want to eat, not because they are hungry. If they work, it's because they want to enjoy the fruit of their labor, not because they are a slave to those who hold their grain.

   The Shogun had protected the Cantharellus from persecution in exchange for banning them from turning others into Cantharellus. In light of his death, they have united under Russula to ensure the new world order does not persecute them. Russula is a rare individual who sees turning others into Cantharellus as a moral good. Her skill in strategy and social interactions makes her an ideal leader for the Cantharellus.

5. #5Swamp - Yodomiselectiveregex

   Keys: swamp, bog, Yodomi, Ashibara, settlement

   Swamp - Yodomi

   Formally the state is called that, though most people call it the bog or swamp. Outside of Ashibara, there are a dozen of other settlements, each one dealing in its own niche under the giant trees whose canopies overshadow the ground. It's a warm and wet place, sitting in the middle of southern Aishiji.

   Yodomi's early settlers were outcasts, drifters and criminals. People who needed to disappear and haven't been followed. And what started as an assortment of scum, has slowly knit itself into the present communities. Shared hardship works wonders in that sense. Whether you were a cutthroat or a thief doesn't matter if you can pull your weight in the bog.

   Today's settlements are built on stilts, wooden platforms and rope bridges crisscrossing from one dry patch of land over to the next. Buildings are held together by whatever materials the locals can scrape together, whether it's wooden beams or rusted metal sheets. Each settlement is fortified with sharp wooden stakes embedded into the ground as well as palisades with lookout towers. The defenses are naturally strengthened by the swamp's murky waterways teeming with hungry creatures on top of sinkholes.

   Shallow pools provide a place to grow rice, and hunting parties are always out and about. Whether it's fishing or taking on the horse-sized salamanders prized for their tasty meat, none sleeps on an empty stomach in Ashibara. The amphibian hides get cured and are durable enough to create demand in neighboring states. But the most profitable trade is mud. Aside from Tsuya's main business, the locals extract and sell it packaged in clay containers for anyone who can't make the trip to the baths.

   In recent years Tsuya has been recruiting more outsiders as well. Deserters, disgraced soldiers and ronin. The new arrivals fit in with the locals surprisingly well. The swamp doesn't ask questions and takes its own. They received modest housing, a new identity and a new chance to see the next day. In exchange, they were Tsuya's. Their lack of honor is a boon, and fighting in the night with poison, traps and terrain is what they're best at.

   Yodomi is a neutral region and doesn't have a leader, though unofficially all settlements answer to Tsuya. Each of its settlements is specialized in some way. Some hunt the swamp's hostile creatures, fashioning hides into light armor, claws and fangs into darts, and meat into meals. Others extract poison sacs from the slain creatures to create various coatings and concoctions. Some carve blowguns from the wood of the ancient trees, and yet others deal in mud.

   Neighbors: To the northwest lies Tsukigo, a neighboring state with little ties to Yodomi. Further west, beyond Tsukigo, lies Avysos, known as the staging ground for Sukuna's adventure. To the northeast lies Lake Buiji, whose leader maintains a correspondence with Tsuya. To the east lies Infuku no Kuni, a steady trading partner. To the south lies Sanjō, once an ally before the death of its oni leader. To the west lies New Merovingia, a current ally. Yodomi is landlocked.

6. #6Forest - Tsukigoselectiveregex

   Keys: forest, Tsukigo, Umetsuki, Senju, Kaedeji

   Forest - Tsukigo

   A pleasant forest state with cold winters and warm summers. A wide variety of trees and plants can be found here, with coniferous trees becoming more frequent as one moves north.

   Traits:

   • Rare plants essential in high-grade medicine production can be found deep in the forest. However, they have a symbiotic relationship with a more hostile plant: a population of some manner of prehensile vine, that assault passerby and feed on their "life essence" for sustenance.
   • Contains several sizeable tracts of Yew trees, prized for making bows.

   Leader: Tsukigo's representative is Umetsuki Senju, an agent hailing from one of the region's four forest-dwelling usamimi clans. When peace came to Aishiji, she traded her century-long assassination career for spycraft, now working to prop up the Kaedeji, Tsukigo's usamimi-favoring human rulers. Within a decade, she built a network spanning all of Aishiji: gamblers, courtesans, pirates, corrupt guilds. All feeding intelligence to their supposed masters, unaware their secrets funnel straight to Tsukigo's usamimi. Now that war has returned to Aishiji, she's itching to return to her old ways as well. Life-extending treatments keep Senju's body in peak condition and her wits sharp, but her mannerisms have degraded into those of a sleazy old hag. She insists it's an act to blend in with the lowlifes. The kiseru, however, has always been a part of her. Without Kizami, her mind will begin to fall apart.

7. #7Woodland Port - Avysosselectiveregex

   Keys: woodland, port, Avysos, Stolas

   Woodland Port - Avysos

   Avysos is centered on a giant port-town that has grown organically over centuries, surrounded by equally massive rainforests. Unfortunately, progress has surrendered to decadence, much to the chagrin of its owly progenitor.

   Traits:

   • People born here keep being reincarnated with their memories intact.
   • This state is a state of the stars!
   • For some reason, long-term exposure to the land causes its inhabitants to grow much bigger than normal. This applies to human, animals, and crops.

   Leader: Stolas is a grumpy wizard with strange features here and there, but one who cares for his subjects more than anyone else in this world! For... certain.

8. #8Boreal Forest - Shiramoriselectiveregex

   Keys: boreal, forest, Shiramori, Shimizu, Fubuki

   #Boreal Forest - Shiramori A boreal forest stretches along the northwestern coast of Aishiji. Days with snowfall are more frequent than those without.

   Traits:

   • This state is locked underneath snowy days and gray skies. The sun has not been seen here in a long time.
   • This state is renowned for their art.
   • Ore stronger and more versatile than steel can be found in the ground. However, yokai are naturally drawn to deposits of this ore.

   Leader: Blue haired and fluffy. Boisterous and energetic. Petite, but with a very big sword. Not to be underestimated. Allies shall be aided by her blade. Enemies will taste it.

   • Official declaration from Shimizu Hisame, foxgirl general and current acting leader of Shiramori Province. Rumored to be a fierce warrior who fights with manic glee on the battlefield.
9. #9Wildgrowth - New Merovingiaselectiveregex

   Keys: wildgrowth, Merovingia, Trümmerhof, Theodora, Katzenweise

   Wildgrowth - New Merovingia

   A state known for its wildgrowth. Plants grow here at an accelerated rate. Great for crops, but let nature run its course for too long and your settlement becomes uninhabitable.

   Traits:

   • Through means natural or otherwise, their roles and physiology have been flipped between the sexes of this country. Compared to their neighbors, women are much taller, muscular and brutish while men are shorter, softer, and more effeminate.
   • A titanic sword lies half-buried in the earth, wielded by a great giantess warrior from ages past.
   • A group of priestesses (or priests) maintains a temple to an ancient goddess in the wilderness of this province. They are practitioners of healing and nature magic.

   Leader: The message from the Wildgrowth bears the seal of a foreign nation: a sphinx encircled by the motto 'Veritas, Ordo et Ratio ad Exstasem'.

   "By proclamation of Archduchess Theodora von Katzenweise, the Wildgrowth province of Aishiji will henceforth be known as New Merovingia, a crown holding of the Katzenweise dynasty and a province of the Merovingian Empire. This expansion of claims is a response to the threat posed to the Imperial colony at Trümmerhof and a reflection of the reality of Merovingian rule in the area. The Archduchess wishes the people of Aishiji to know that she is open to diplomacy with honorable leaders and that she intends to bring peace to the country by any just and prudent means."

10. #10Peat - Khotaiselectiveregex

    Keys: peat, Khotai

    Peat - Khotai

    This massive island of peat had been adrift on the ocean for who knows how long before making landfall on the Aishijian shores. It most likely originated from somewhere overseas.

    Traits:

    • People in this region are masters of growing a rare herb with hallucinogenic and euphoric effects. It is commonly brewed into tea (mild dose) but some locals have experimented with concentrating it further.
    • Savage dinosaurs roam these lands.
    • The body ages far slower than the mind in this state.

    Leader: "KYAHAHAHOHO! Tremble before the might of The Venerated Saikha the Merciless of Bloodshed, Great Khan of Khotai, the Unsobered Slaughterer of Houses, Mistress of the Saurid Horde, Demigoddess of Carnage! We shall fight another until sunset, then we shall feast, smoke and drink together until dawn breaks, then fight again!"

11. #11Grasslands - Sanjōselectiveregex

    Keys: grasslands, Sanjō, Sanjo

    Grasslands - Sanjō

    Flat grasslands, ideal for agriculture. One of the most populated states of Aishiji.

    Traits:

    • Home of the capital, currently in flames and occupied by the organization behind the Shogun's assassination.
    • Cherry blossom trees are dotted across the land.

    Leader: "Praise to be sung! Hopeless, without HIS guidance. Trivialize the danger this brings and, oh, you shall find a mind no longer yours.

    The Queen Bee has deemed this land perfect for his colony of hungry children... Acquiring Sanjō under his command, indeed, was not an errand - Struggling far too long while pointing their swords at mere inane children.

    Let the living beware of whom they can truly trust.

    Wither under my laws, Let filth mud your destiny, Aishiji is (mine) for consumption."

12. #12Underwater Coral Reef - Tatsu-no-Umi-no-Kuniselectiveregex

    Keys: underwater, coral, reef, Tatsu, Ryūkai, Ryukai, Amagumo, Ryūjin, Ryujin, Ningyo, Kanibito, Ebinin, Samebito

    Underwater Coral Reef - Tatsu-no-Umi-no-Kuni

    Tatsu-no-Umi-no-Kuni (龍海國, also read Ryūkai-koku) is a fantastical underwater kingdom nestled against the volcanic coastal shelf of Aishiji, the great archipelago-realm above. Aishiji is a land of daimyō and shogun, of pine-clad mountains and rice-terraced valleys, ruled until recently by a shogunate whose sudden dissolution has thrown every vassal in earth and sea into uncertainty. The Dragon-Sea-Country is one such vassal, and a most unusual one. For centuries it has paid tribute to the surface throne in pearls, coral, and ambergris; in return it has received charcoal, tin, iron, and the assurance that the surface would not try to fish its waters. With the Shogun's assassination, that arrangement is now in jeopardy, and the realm beneath the storm-belt is deciding what it wishes to be. The realm cannot project much power towards the surface, but it is considered a powerful yokai kingdom. Lately, there has been talk in court about inviting and assimilating the kappa (or turtle-folk) tribes somehow.

    Traits:

    • Storms above these waters are harsh enough to blot out the sun for extended periods of time, meaning the people live in darkness for however long they last.
    • Naval skirmishes were frequent along this side of the Aishijian coast. Remnants of sunken ships, along with any weapons, armor, trinkets, and other artifacts they were carrying, were carried by the sea currents to these reefs.
    • Women outnumber men roughly five to one, which has visibly shaped inheritance laws, courtship, and more.

    Leader: A young woman of courtly bearing, black of hair, styled long and straight as of a princess. She has a bright and cheerful demeanor as she negotiates on behalf of her most esteemed father. Your hairs bristle in her presence from time to time. She will not stop eating.

13. #13Forested Hills - Infuku no Kuniselectiveregex

    Keys: hills, forest, Infuku, Nobunaga, Oda

    Forested Hills - Infuku no Kuni

    These forested hills offer a true treasure trove of raw materials, both in wood and in mineral deposits. Their elevation makes them less favorable for agriculture, however.

    Traits:

    • A shifting labyrinth exists somewhere in the hills whose entrance moves regularly, a legend that swallows the brave and foolish alike.
    • Inchlings are indigenous to the state.
    • The people of this region have a legend that says that, in their time of greatest need, a legendary ruler will reappear to lead them.

    Leader: The leader of the inchlings is a human foreigner who suddenly appeared one day. He goes by the name "Nobunaga Oda".

14. #14Mountainous Basin - Hishoryuikiselectiveregex

    Keys: mountain, basin, Hishoryuiki, Kenshunei

    Mountainous Basin - Hishoryuiki

    Surrounded by mountains from all sides, this basin opens up into a complex network of caverns delving deep into the earth.

    Traits:

    • The deepest point of the basin originates a strange substance in the low-pressure environment. It permeates a good portion of the land.
    • This state believes heavily in Tanegashima (japanese musket) use.
    • The land is populated by a variety of rodent kemonomimi, such as mice, squirrel, and gophers.

    Leader: An easygoing demeanor and ornate rifle does little to disguise the ambition in this tactician's eyes. With the opportunistic bandits of Hishoryuiki recently suppressed and their goods confiscated, the people can no longer afford to wait for history to absolve them. The Kenshunei's moment to take the stage has come. All Tomeshi Nemura has to do is to see her dream of a unified Aishiji through, no matter the consequences.

15. #15Cold Steppe - Rúmshofselectiveregex

    Keys: steppe, cold, Rúmshof, Rumshof, Gythja, Gefn, Dísir, Disir, Gefnar

    Cold Steppe - Rúmshof

    A steppe region that's better known for its cold winters than its warm summers. While it may be dry, there is certainly something of value to be found here.

    Traits:

    • Due to the unpredictable weather and terrain of this land, many people live stationary lives, not traveling past their place of birth. Those that do are heralded as brave but also isolated from the community with some level of suspicion.
    • Thanks to occasional meteor strikes, this state's land is rife with both craters and whatever those meteors brought down with them.
    • An indigenous species of plant grows here that allows an incredibly slimy and lubricating substance to be crafted from it.

    Leader: "Gythja, Will of Gefn, does not seek the title of Shogun. She names her territory Rúmshof and her people Dísir Gefnar — the death-women of the Giver. She will not ally. She will not submit. She will trade only for living men and women of breeding age. Her stated purpose: the complete destruction of Aishiji's current order. Every man dead or dying. Every woman taken into Gefn's Grace."

16. #16Post-Volcanic Hills - Fukyuufumetsuselectiveregex

    Keys: volcanic, volcano, hills, Fukyuufumetsu

    Post-Volcanic Hills - Fukyuufumetsu

    Long after a large volcanic eruption, people have settled on these post-volcanic hills. While the mineral-enriched ground and frequent rain would make the soil ideal for agriculture, most of it is too rocky to properly grow crops.

    Traits:

    • Due to the 'incident', only artificial 'humans' live in this state. With two exceptions.
    • An abundance of magic in this region makes it prone to a variety of natural disasters.

    Leader: It's been ages since their original leader died... however, this doesn't mean She no longer lives on. Two twins, one with warm eyes, the other cold, lead Fukyuufumetsu in Her absence. They seem to have enough on their plate with the natural disasters that ravage the land (are they natural if caused by magic?) and haven't expressed any interest in the war. Well, one is sick and the other hates the disgusting population, so what reason do they have for waging war in the first place?

17. #17Mountain Caves - Meirin Sanmyakuselectiveregex

    Keys: mountain, cave, Meirin, Sanmyaku

    Mountain Caves - Meirin Sanmyaku

    Shrouded peaks piercing the heavens and caves rumored to plunge into the underworld; a place called home by a people who are certain they don't belong, their history destroyed in the great calamity that pushed them underground.

    Traits:

    • An independent tribe of tanuki girls live here, pilfering from caravans and stealing away any able-bodied travellers who wander too far from the road. They have a murderous hatred of foxgirls, who smell like filth and are ugly.
    • Ancient customs of dress and style make it difficult to tell the men and women apart.
    • Due to a calamity that struck this state long ago, inhabitants no longer build their residences on the surface.

    Leader: Heralded by the bells strewn to her tail, gems and jewelry adorned over radiant scales. Her mark, placed upon summits few have reached and scratched within depths from which fewer return. A culture that strives for perfection in all facets. None more accomplished, talented, or beautiful than the ruling clan's daughter. Her older brother, pushed aside in the line of succession. Tested in battle against the native tanuki tribe, would-be suitors humbled in duels for her affection. Her people expect greatness and in these uncertain times, her ambitions reach towards the Shogunate.

18. #18Glacial Mountains - Kasumidaniselectiveregex

    Keys: glacier, glacial, mountain, Ankoru, Kasumidani, Shirayuki, Kagehisa

    Glacial Mountains - Kasumidani

    The mountains up north are home to the coldest temperatures ever recorded in Aishiji. The Ankoru river, the artery of Aishiji, originates from the glacier found here. Many natural hot springs can also be found here.

    Traits:

    • This land is home to a glacier-capped mountain that is considered holy to the people of Aishiji.
    • This nation is a natural fortress, with mountains and rivers as bulwarks against its neighbors. This makes trade and travel beyond it's own borders difficult, however.
    • The mountains are rich in precious minerals and gems.

    Leader: Shirayuki Kagehisa (Enduring Influence Beneath White Snow) is an arctic foxgirl dressed in layered silks of ivory and deep indigo. A gracious host by reputation, she offers warmth and welcome to all who reach her domain.

19. #19Mountains - Ripira Mosirselectiveregex

    Keys: mountain, cliff, Ripira, Mosir, Pirakim, Heyasi

    Mountains - Ripira Mosir

    The mountains along the southern coast rise up out of nowhere, forming steep cliffs. Traversal from one side of Aishiji to the other is easiest through here, though that is only relatively speaking.

    Traits:

    • When standing on the cliffs and peering over the sea, one might occasionally spot a mermaid. Whether it's wise to engage with them is still up for debate.
    • The dominant race in this province is centaurs. Bushido culture is deeply ingrained: mastery of polearms, swords, and most importantly, bows, is taught from a young age.
    • Urban and rural populations of the same species behave almost nothing alike.

    Leader(s): Hailing from the desolate border outpost of Pirakim, the indomitable captain of the guard. They say the reach of her naginata is matched only by the length of her titles. From the urban seaside capital of Heyasi, the minister of state. A master of diplomacy of unimpeachable decorum, it often shocks newcomers to learn that she's not a woman of the court.

20. #20Cursed Desert - Aruginselectiveregex

    Keys: desert, curse, Arugin, Kuru, Amita, Vespa, Sandbixi, Vengri, Skork, Gidian

    Cursed Desert - Arugin

    Dry and arid, this desert is a land bound to its past. Pockets of warped magic litter the sandy expanse, each showing sights which defy logic.

    Traits:

    • This land once worshipped an ancient deity of pacts and oaths, with certain rituals still persisting to this day. It is believed that breaking a promise results in a terrible curse.
    • The land is so rich in precious metals the people either only barter or use something else as local currency due to inflation.
    • Persistent sandstorms make it difficult to find one's way.

    Leader: Amita Oz Adi. Ruler of the Cursed Desert. A land unchanged from the dawn of thinking life itself. Save for what little detail there is on the commerce stamp that carry her name, little is known about Amita, and even less for the land she rules beyond its name: Arugin. Rumors and stories fill the gaps. A strange land of strange people. It is the cradle where life took its first steps, yet for reasons now long sunken alongside Ozymandias in the sand, drove the ancestors of every nation to take their cattle and travel outward. Currently, all that is known is that the masked girls are always ready to make a deal, their sands are made of gold dust pure as silk, and their lives are different.

21. #21Steppe - The Crimson Hordeselectiveregex

    Keys: steppe, Crimson, Horde

    Steppe - The Crimson Horde

    The steppe is a region characterized by extremes, swinging between droughts and torrential storms every few months. The location leaves this state somewhat isolated.

    Traits:

    • (Almost) every person in the country was handmade by a higher being to serve a specific purpose.
    • Not much grows here aside from a curious plant: It absorbs ambiant mana and, if consumed in sufficient quantities, enables one to cast unpredictable spells.
    • This region was recently in its own smaller warring states era and just recently unified.

    Leader: "I am Aozora Hidetsugu, a mother to many, and an acting Diplomat and Voice of the Carnalite Regency, though you may colloquially know us as the Crimson Horde. I was born an Azurite Oni, a magical being blessed by the goddess that formed our kind. However, I am a bit of standout from my sisters' and closer to a Carnelian Oni in the regard that I prefer martial arts over the spellbook. Though some (mainly my mother) would strongly prefer I boast solely of my capabilities and political tact, my true merits were forged entirely on the front lines. A time in my life that I sorely miss, now that I am a veteran soldier turned diplomat. The fact of the matter is that our world is in turmoil, and our leaders have decided to take an interest in the Shogunate, as we have much experience dealing with a fractured land. While I personally have no interest in leading the realm, as their voice in this matter I will see their will be done."

22. #22Dry Harbor - Sankoselectiveregex

    Keys: dry, harbor, Sanko, Haganehama, Tortugal, Nobuko, Yasuko

    Dry Harbor - Sanko

    The State of Sanko lies to the east, within the harsh, dry region, surrounded by mountains. Trade, people, and messages usually only arrive in this region by the sea. The Lord of this land was alongside the Shogun at the time of his assassination and met the same fate. His eldest daughter, Nobuko, has ascended to the title of Lord in his place, with her younger sister, Yasuko, acting as an advisor and tactician. Sanko fields a modest but well-equipped army of tanegashima rifles, but its main strength lies in its navy. The Emerald Fleet rules the waves of Eastern Aishiji, safeguarding their vital trade routes and projecting power beyond Sanko's borders. Sanko has relations with a foreign power named Tortugal, which is the source of their tanegashima rifles, the designs of their metal-clad warships, and the cannons lining up its broadsides. That nation hosts a trading post in Sanko's portuary capital city of Haganehama. People living in this region have a heightened sense of smell. Perfumes, herbs, and similar products are very sought after in this area. The citizens of Sanko are profoundly racist against Kemonomimi peoples and hold views of human supremacy. Within its borders, a cult that 'worships' Kemonomimis has set up its headquarters. Its members consider non-humans to be adorable and precious, but still lesser than humans. In general, Sanko is probably the worst place a Kemonomimi person could live in Aishiji. Nobuko has sworn to become the next Shogun, in order to bring justice to the people who murdered her beloved father. An interesting rumor is whispered among some of the merchants that arrive from Sanko. Apparently, the late Lord Aki was a very avid fan of female company. It is said that he sired bastard daughters with many women other than his late wife.

    Traits:

    • Despite bordering the sea, the air here is dry and thin, most likely due to the states surrounding it.
    • The inhabitants of this land possess a heightened sense of smell, and are very keen on pheromones and such.
    • Among the population of this state exists a sizable amount of cultists.

    Leader(s): With the recent death of Lord Aki, the two princesses of Sanko have stepped up to take command of the state in the upcoming civil war.

    Nobuko: Raised from childhood to become the next ruler, Nobuko is a charming young woman with magnetic charisma and a gentle smile, although she hasn't found much to smile about since her father died. Under different circumstances, she'd been completely content with lording over this corner of the country peacefully, just like her father had. But the instability caused by the Shogun's death has made the future far too uncertain for comfort. Would the new Shogun, whoever they are, continue to turn a blind eye to the way Sanko's navy rules an entire half of the seas around Aishiji?

    Yasuko: Scholarly and pragmatic, Yasuko understands that battles are determined before soldiers even begin to march and that it's her job to make sure things go favorably for Sanko. The sisters have made a pact with one anothe: should they come out victorious at the end, Nobuko would become the Shogun while Yasuko would be left in charge of Sanko and the Emerald Fleet.

    Both sisters are seeking justice for the murder of their father.

23. #23Mesa - Solmarenselectiveregex

    Keys: mesa, Solmaren, Mise

    Mesa - Solmaren

    Once an old mountain weathered by the elements, this mesa is known only for its scorching hot sand. Living here is not pleasant.

    Traits:

    • The people worship gods that take the form of various animals, and in their religious rituals they dress up as these animals and act as them.
    • This land was historically the testing ground for the ancients, and pockets of it are blighted by failed magical experiments, leaving behind strange environmental anomalies.
    • Some say they can hear the heartbeat of something buried somewhere deep beneath this land.

    Leader: "The Solmaren state elects its leader through a mix of traditional ritual and family lineage. Mine was a feud. As it was tradition, nobody stood in my way. But their silence spoke volumes. I was called reckless by those who witnessed my decisions, and lazy by those for whom I did not act. Jingoist by some, disinterested by others who thought I did not care. In truth, I simply did not think them worth my concern. I do not know if all the pretenders for the title of shogun have true experience in reign, but those who do will understand what I am talking about. My country, save for its cities and magical anomalies, is sand and ruins. I do not have war-mongering desires. But do understand that in the wake of the roaring states, I have no intention of letting my country fall prey. My advisors have told me that, to outsiders, I am known as a gambler, taking unnecessary risks. One who has, so far, not left her country, that I craze on the magic of my state but forego the intrigue of my court... I guess it's not for me to confirm or deny. We will meet, whether through diplomacy or otherwise. We shall acquaint ourselves then, so do try to bring something worth wagering."

24. #24Snowy Plains - Hakuboyaselectiveregex

    Keys: snow, plains, Hakuboya, Ginko, Rinka, Renzo, Chonyn, Ieyasu, Kiroshi

    Snowy Plains - Hakuboya

    Sitting atop a high plateau, these snowy plains appear to be stuck in an eternal winter. Life here is harsh, but people have learned to adapt.

    Traits:

    • Local customs and beauty standards have led to many flat chested wolf girls living here.
    • An earlier ruler once fancied this region as important to his realm and had an intricate network of canals built between the major settlements. Although some parts of the system are now in disrepair, it is still useful.
    • It might look like nothing is amiss, but the land above ground here is terribly poisonous. The underground is the only safe place.

    Leader: Ginko "the She-Bitch", eldest of the Kiroshi, the amalgamation of many disparate Wolf folk builder clans stripped of their titles, wealth and positions in the Shogun's court decades ago and exiled from the capitol in the grasslands, rumored to have been plotted by tanukis and foxes within the court. Those of her people that did not turn to petty crimes or were taken in by other lords on their way north settled Hakuboya (otherwise known as The White Wastes, Chonyn Tal, Ieyasu's Folly), sheltering from the poisonous gasses above inside the long abandoned canals below. The hovels the Kiroshi first settled into became buried cities over the decades of their exile, and the former scribes, architects and tradesmen turned to raiding their neighbors for both hostages to ransom and slaves for their own dark purposes. Now with Aishiji in turmoil, they seek to fill their coffers and cities with plunder and slaves, while taking their revenge on the still living nobility and courtiers of the capitol by seating themselves on the throne to be judge, jury and executioner for all those who wronged them.

25. #25Archipelago - Shiki-Shima Archipelagoselectiveregex

    Keys: archipelago, Shiki, Shima, Sankei

    Archipelago - Shiki-Shima Archipelago

    Along the southern coast lies the Ashijian Archipelago, a collection of small islands with wildly differing flora and fauna between them.

    Traits:

    • These islands are littered with high lakes and caves all over, likely hiding precious mining resources.
    • One island in particular is known for a legendary creature: an untamable steed, galloping across the land without rest.
    • The seasons are in complete disarray on these islands.

    Leader: Sankei of the Shiki-Shima Archipelago stands with absolute stillness, the dark fabric of his clothes absorbing the light around him. His skin is the color of bleached bone and possesses a slight, wax-like translucence. Most striking are his eyes: twin spheres of polished obsidian that lack pupils, reflecting your image back like a dark mirror. He does not blink. He does not appear to breathe.

26. #26Prison Island - Shinitaru Islandselectiveregex

    Keys: prison, island, Shinitaru

    Prison Island - Shinitaru Island

    This island houses the largest prison of Aishiji where the most dangerous criminals of the nation are exiled. Although technically under the jurisdiction of the archipelago, this island operates under its own leader and social hierarchy.

    Traits:

    • A revolt took place as soon as the Shogun was assassinated and now the convicts have taken over the large citadel that served as a jail, as well as several small islands around it. They've also managed to capture a sizeable flotilla.
    • A mystical force prevents anyone from staying here for long, the length of time varying per person (~10-40 years). Either they leave before then, or they die.
    • When a prisoner once dug an escape tunnel, a large, naturally formed tunnel network was discovered. To this day, it has yet to be fully explored.

    Leader: A fallen angel (tennin) cursed with desire, leading the people down the path of temptation and righteousness in equal measure. Raised among the rabble, his unorthodox faith once spread among the peasantry and the downtrodden like wildfire, to the point the Shogun and his monastic order branded him a dangerous heretic and exiled him to Shinitaru Island. He recently organized a revolt that overthrew the prison's citadel and now leads an army of fanatic criminals that follow him unquestioningly. Fond of bittersweet parables and poetry, he believes that for every carnal transgression a price should be paid… if not a punishment in itself.

27. #27Volcanic Island - Akujimaselectiveregex

    Keys: volcano, volcanic, island, Akujima, Ayato, Yuki, Hinawa, Hana

    Volcanic Island - Akujima

    Sitting at the tail end of the archipelago, this volcanic island contains the only active volcano of Aishiji. It sits a bit off the coast of the mainland and is only a few kilometers in width and length.

    Traits:

    • Vicious giant insects pester the inhabitants of this remote island.
    • An extensive subterranean cavern network lies underneath the island, with indigenous bioluminescent and psychoactive mushrooms that are central to the island's strange local religious rites.
    • Beach birds make nests of white guano atop black sands, while sheer cliff overhangs where molten falls of lava cascade into the sea are dotted with caverns that have housed innumerable generations of bats, coating the cave floor in centuries of that same white powder that feeds both field and gun. The tropical interior of the island is dotted with natural hot springs where the villagers communally bathe in the nude, while near the volcano itself are geothermal vents lined with sulfur.

    Leader(s): On the other side of the bundai kneels a slender young boy, his delicate cheeks flush with signs of fever. "I am Akujima Ayato (操人), my given name is written with the kanji for loyalty and person. I inherited this station from my late father." Beside him is a girl around twelve, in the red and white robes of a miko, "I am Akujima Yuki, and I help Onii-chan with everything. Is the tea to your liking? Perhaps you would like some ochazuke instead?"

28. #28Chronicles of Wardisabledconstantselectiveregex

    Keys: Chronicles, diary, war, neighbor, ally, alliance

    Chronicles of War

    The events following the downfall of the late Shogun didn't impact Yodomi as much in the very beginning. At first, the incoming flood of deserters and Shogun loyalists proved to be a boon. They were men who knew how to fight, with pasts that needed to be buried. A welcome trade and addition to the swamp's forces.

    Initially Tsuya didn't want to find herself in any active conflicts, and so she wrote a letter to Theodora of Merovingia. Her impressive proclamation coupled with her amazon-like warriors made Tsuya immediately consider them as good allies. And after a delay of a few days, she received a surprising letter offering a detachment of musket-wielding skirmishers, as well as goods from their bountiful plantations. The alliance was struck.

    Two other events soon followed. A proposal for an alliance coming from Sanjō. Tsuya didn't know much about them... and she agreed. Just like that. In the coming days Tsuya would facepalm herself for allying with an oni leader she barely knew. Discourse via letters was sparse, only solidifying the fact this was only an alliance on paper.

    The same day another neighbor made himself known. Oda Nobunaga from Infuku no Kuni. It was a brief exchange, concluding in a neutral stance from his side. Inchlings would visit the healing baths in exchange for silver. For Tsuya, it was merely another transaction, and a boring one at that. Clearly the daimyo had his sights set on other states. But things would soon start getting shaken up by open letters, addressing the majority of Aishiji.

    The first was a letter from Tatsu-no-Umi-no-Kuni, calling all good states for a crusade against the vile barbarians and foreigners who dared to set foot on Aishijian soil. Tsuya shrugged and moved on. She wasn't about to join a mega-alliance for dubious reasons. Though that didn't turn out to be quite as simple as it seemed shortly later.

    For now, though, another open letter from Lake Buiji made her curious. The Lake was only a short distance to the north, so a letter was sent. A reply came from Russula, the leader of the Cantharellus, and another was sent. Back and forth, back and forth. It turned into so much chatter, Nazuna herself got fed up with it. And you know things are dire when the best messenger raises her white flag. And so, a penpalship was the answer. It brought Russula and Tsuya closer together without being an official alliance. Things started to look up for Yodomi.

    But then, it came. Another letter from the underwater Princess Otohime. A very formal one, again, though unmistakably pressing Tsuya for an answer about her stance on barbarians. It made Tsuya reconsider staying silent. Who knew how the fish-folk would treat that? And so, a careful letter was penned. One conveying worry about the recent banditry, mentioning Yodomi's modest means and a probing question about what'd be expected by joining. A classic stalling technique to buy time and perhaps get a reply from Theodora about her own affairs.

    The answer came quickly, but not from Merovingian lands. To Tsuya's disbelief she was actually accepted into the Shogunate Restoration Faction led by Otohime. A faction Tsuya never wanted to join. Great. But on second thought? Gears started to turn in the bath owner's head. Ten states strong total, including Yodomi's accidental inclusion. The loose faction seemed to be too large to backstab easily, and their intent to invade Merovingia was alarming. It was an ally, after all. Perhaps Tsuya could scheme her way through.

    Whether that would bear fruit remained to be seen, but that day there was also a more lighthearted event. Lady Sukuna, an inchling sent by Nobunaga, came knocking on her door and asked for safe passage to Avysos. To become large. Once more, Oda's machinations across the border were plain as day, but it was harmless enough of a favor. Hisame, one of the Willow Baths' attendants and a capable messenger, was sent out riding a salamander to escort the inchling. The road briefly led them through Tsukigo, which was the belated first contact with the region. Tsukigo didn't have much to say.

    The following day was mostly uneventful aside from news across the map. Sanko launched a large naval attack along the northern coast of Aishiji. They senselessly bombarded structures along the coast of Hakuboya before sailing further south for their main attack on Avysos. It's the second largest harbor of the continent and Sanko prioritized attacking their shipyards. Allegedly to solidify themselves as the largest naval power, though the Avysian ships themselves remained mostly unharmed. What's more surprising was that Sanko made one last detour before setting off home. Their oni mercenaries were set free to attack and pillage the coast of Merovingia. That attack, too, had been repelled, though not without casualties from our ally's side. The remaining oni scattered and retreated according to a letter from Theodora.

    These events seemed to have shaken our ally from her slumber, and Theodora sent us a diplomat. Her great-granddaughter, Lady Gisela von Katzenweise-Coburg. Human-sized, but with certain features of a sphinx, she had brown wings, a curvy figure, and from the waist down her legs resembled those of a lioness. An imposing sight at first glance, though she turned out to be sweet as pie. Less of a dignitary, she struck Tsuya as an explorer, and a curious soul. Gisela came bearing a journal she used to document her arduous journey through the swamp. She was welcomed with open arms and Tsuya showed great interest conversing with the guest over cups of sake and food.

    The next day was a good one. Hisame and Sukuna finally returned from their adventure in Avysos. Hisame outlined how they were lucky enough to run into Takemori, Witch of Affairs and External Politics Advisor of Avysos. True to her title, she advised the travellers to take a safe route along the coast by boat. It seemed going back through Tsukigo would have been a bad idea, though it wasn't clear why. Regardless, both of them took a long-deserved rest at the baths. And not only that, Sukuna found a crystal engraved with a symbol of Jupiter. Apparently it would go on to let her grow larger in size. The process didn't fully kick in yet, but it was time to contact Infuku no Kuni once more.

    Nobunaga answered quickly, saying that he'd sent escorts to safely bring Sukuna back home. Not only that, he also voiced interest in our special fungal weapon against the swarm to the east. As it turned out the oni of Sanjō we allied with had unceremoniously died to a hidden threat nesting in the capital ruins. These news were concerning, and at the same time Nobunaga's intent to go to war with the swarm was a welcome turn of events for Tsuya. Oda had bodies to throw at the problem, so lending him some amount of help couldn't hurt. Tsuya wrote back suggesting a test of her spores against the swarm.

    At the same time a second war started further south. Otohime finally made a move against our ally Merovingia. Her war plan was worded in an... amusing fashion, though it seemed to be effective due to its multipronged nature. The most surprising part was that Avysos would be marching on Theodora's north. Tsuya was reluctant to take action against them after Hisame received help from Takemori. Still, sitting idly by and watching Merovingia fend for itself was not an option. Tsuya made plans to stall the Avysian troops in case they were truly intent on striking.

    How the war would play out remains to be seen...

29. #29Fungusselectiveregex

    Keys: deep swamp, fungus, spore, spores, hallucination, military, old growth

    The Old Growth

    Deep in the most remote parts of the swamp, there is something ancient. Something that has been there long before any settlers came. A vast network of fungal growth is found beneath the damp earth and waters. Pulsing faintly with blue bioluminescence, this fungus appears to be almost beautiful. Some say, it might have come from Lake Buiji to the north. A piece from the moon falling down from the sky and lodging itself deep into the damp soil. Others dismiss it as superstition.

    Normally it is harmless, but if disturbed it releases tiny spores that travel with the wind and water. If inhaled or ingested, they cause vivid dreams and hallucinations. Then comes growing disorientation, trouble to distinguish between dream and reality, friend or foe. Finally, a compulsion to wander into the deep swamp. And those who set off have never been seen again, still out there, changed.

    The locals have learned how to live alongside it. They know the places you don't go to, and there is a treatment. The very same mud that draws visitors to Willow Baths is hostile to the fungus. Early-stage fungal infection can be cured by applying generous amounts of mud to the affected area. Tsuya realized the fungus can be used in other ways. A weapon. Her parchment balls are just one application. Several poison settlements have been hard at work deliberatedly cultivating and drying spores.

    Said spore weaponry has been further developed and turned into Yodomi's de facto doctrine. Storage vaults have been created where dried processed spores are packed into clay pots of varying sizes. The smaller ones can be lobbed by a single fighter, and large containers can be effectively catapulted across considerable distances into enemy camps.

30. #30Salamandersselectiveregex

    Keys: Hotaru, salamander, salamanders, mount, rider, amphibian, water, pen, pens, horse

    The Salamander Pens

    While giant salamanders have always been hunted for meat and hide, there were some settlements close to the deep swamp that learned something else. Young hatchlings, taken from their nest, cared for and fed with fish would bond with their human masters. In only two years the largest males would reach the size of a horse, except longer with their tails and moving close to the ground. They're fast, amphibious and move almost silently on their webbed feet, which makes them the best and fastest means of transport.

    The creatures are outfitted with harnesses made from salamander hide to keep the rider securely upright. The sight is slightly comical for any outsider, but given a try, one soon becomes addicted to darting around on their trusted, slimy-skinned steeds. Young salamanders sold by the pens are widely available within Yodomi and serve as the backbone of its fighting forces. The riders function as scouts, messangers and raiding parties, unexpectedly surfacing from the water or climbing up steep walls. Some even say the salamanders are cute, though that's debatable even in the swamp.

31. #31Hisameselectiveregex

    Keys: Hisame, messanger, Sukuna, attendant

    Hisame

    A Willow Bath attendant and the most reliable messenger under Tsuya's care. Despite how reluctant she appears when heading out, Hisame's demeanor reflects years of customer-service work. Patience at every turn and a polished smile can carry you far, and she knows exactly when to use each. Her short brown hair and bright green eyes give her an approachable look, and her athletic build is easy to underestimate beneath the cheerful blue of her short yukata with its flower motifs.

    Beneath the attendant, however, lives a creature perpetually exhausted and quietly frustrated. A groan here, an exasperated sigh there. Hisame knows the art of letting off steam while appearing perfectly presentable. The occasional curse does slip out, but she's quick enough to smooth things over.

    All the grumbling aside, she is still very much capable. Less a diplomat than a pragmatist, she carries the swamp's trademark poison needles at all times and knows how to use them. When a situation demands it, she takes charge without hesitation, often sensing danger before it has the chance to reach her. She has a giant salamander that suits her perfectly. Unhurried, and far more dangerous than it appears at first.

    Her most impressive feat after the capital's fall was escorting the inchling Sukuna through Tsukigo to Avysos and back. The inchling traveller was the opposite of Hisame: boisterous, loud, reckless, and too oblivious for her own good. And yet the duo played into each other's strengths and covered for each other's weaknesses. They didn't just survive the journey, but returned with a magic crystal that would lead to Sukuna's growth. Slowly.

32. #32Yodomi's militaryselectiveregex

    Keys: Military, army, poison, strategy, tactic, war

    Yodomi's military

    While the swamp doesn't have a standing army, it is far from helpless. It relies on a militia system drawing from Ashibara and all surrounding settlements. Hunters, trappers, poison-brewers and hide-curers all double as combatants. There is little distinction between civilian or soldier, man or woman. Most swampers have to know how to handle themselves to live in a place as dangerous as Yodomi.

    The core forces are men Tsuya recruited over the years from neighboring states: ronin and drifters who function as professional fighters. They know how to kill, have experience from previous campaigns, and aren't afraid to fight dirty. They fill the gaps and weaknesses the locals can't.

    Another element are Tsuya's salamander riders. Highly mobile units able to swim and submerge into the murky waters, they use their amphibian mounts for fast hit-and-run tactics in the dark of night. Whether it's an enemy camp or a foe's supply line, they are best used for harassment and exhaustion. They are no conventional cavalry, and don't try to be.

    A more deadly form of harassment are the blowgunners and needle-throwers. Their poison-coated arsenal doesn't just kill on hit, but is effective at bogging an enemy down to the point a campaign becomes too costly. The poisons range from paralytic, to hallucinogenic, to slow death. In a swamp teeming with wildlife that wants to eat you, a single well-timed strike can prove devastating. Another specialty are spores gathered from the deep swamp. Catapulted clay pots serve as area denial and terror weaponry. Launched into chokepoints or enemy camps, the released spores don't care about shields or armor, disrupting order and making the enemy strike at each other. And where catapults prove too unwieldy, smaller hand-thrown containers enable fighters to create chaos in close-quarter engagements.

    Yodomi's doctrine is night fighting and exhausting an incursion with traps, terrain and poison. Any invading force needs to deal with sinkholes, poisoned stakes hidden in the ground, collapsible bridges and false paths leading into fungus-infested areas or creature dens. Locals have the advantage simply by knowing where it's safe to tread.

    The overall picture is that Yodomi is a highly defensive region that lacks any meaningful means of projecting power outside its borders. The swampers can't hold ground in a pitched battle on open terrain, and neither can they effectively besiege a city. Their entire advantage is being asymmetric and deadly on home turf. And that's exactly what Tsuya envisioned.

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