Empires Rising

In out next Gazetteer, we will briefly explore the lands of the Kamakura people and the oriental world of Empires Rising.

A Kamurai warrior

Ruling over a kingdom made up of the Island of Kamakura and the Northern Provinces, the Kamakurans once ruled a mighty empire in the east.  The Kamakura people are a disciplined race believing in honour and tradition, and have a long-standing practice of a militaristic lifestyle, priding themselves on their martial prowess. The Kamakura people live in a feudal state, which is very prosperous, with a rich economy and a huge trade in importing goods to other lands. The autocratic Shogun, who imposes his will through his warrior-elite, runs a regime that is militaristic and totalitarian in nature, and the peasant class is subjugated and treated no better than slaves. There are various levels of society, starting with the Shogun warlord at the top, his warrior-elite (known as the Kamurai) in the middle, and the peasant-serfs at the bottom toiling in the fields. The laws are very draconian and justice is swift. The people know their place, and know not to try and rise above it.

The Kamakura people are one of the most disciplined people in the world. Years of strict training and tutoring has formed a unique society that thrives on honour and self-discipline. Most Kamakura men spend many years, from a very early age, learning different skills that will forge them into a true warrior. While the women learn domestic skills, in order to serve the man they will eventually marry. The only women that are allowed to learn the martial arts are priests, who are held in high regard, one equal to any man. The Kamakura practice ancestor worship, and firmly believe that their ancestors have a guiding hand in their lives. Ancestral Temples can be found in all the major cities and every home has a shrine dedicated to the family spirits.

A Kamakura woman

The Kamakura makes up the largest ethnic group, but actually are not the true native peoples of the region. The true natives are the Aiyu. They are seen as outcasts and hold no honour or rank in Kamakura society. They had lived in the region for many centuries before the Kamakura arrived. Most live freely on the islands of Chi and On, but those that live on the mainland are treated as slaves. Any Aiyu living in the region are not well treated and are often persecuted by their Kamakura overlords. At the end of the Winter Age, the Kamakura tribe came to the islands occupied by the native Aiyu. The Kamakura were a warring nomadic tribe, looking for lands to settle. They came across the island that is now present day Kamakura and conquered the peaceful Aiyu.

For the Kamakura cultural Keyword, please consult the Empires Rising campaign setting book.

For our fifth gazetteer, we shall be taking a brief look at the city of Grydor, the capital and centre of the Grydorlan Empire. This blog entry simply expands on the one in the Empires Rising setting book.

The Grydorlan Empire's coat of arms

The city of Grydor is one of the oldest examples of Durran occupancy of the Southern continent. Dating back to circa 200 Old Calendar, Grydor was once a place of culture and learning, with the embodiment of democracy at its very heart. It was this very democratic process that allowed Mirandiele to take power, and transform Grydor from a slumbering city-state into a mighty empire. With riches plundered from conquered nations, a radical rebuilding program began, transforming Grydor into a modern city. All the slums and rookeries of the old city were demolished to make way for modern living accommodation, new public buildings were erected, and great monuments were constructed to Mirandiele’s achievements. Today, the city is a good example of modern architecture, with its plazas and wide avenues laid out in a grid pattern, symbolizing both efficiency and expediency. At the heart of this grand design stands the great cathedral dedicated to Mirandiele the Immortal Empress. The building itself has been placed so it dominates the city, a strong symbol of the ideology that has been thrust upon its citizens.

At first, the people of Grydor were enthusiastic and ecstatic at the prospect of regime change. Mirandiele’s rise to power was meant to herald in a golden age of prosperity. What she promised, Mirandiele delivered, as the city grew rich on plunder derived from conquest. However, all this came at a price, as Mirandiele’s regime started to impose strict draconian measures on its people, in an effort to stamp out any thought of discontent. Civil liberties vanished, martial law was imposed, and the new religion was imposed upon the people, as Mirandiele’s megalomania and narcissistic tendencies grew out of all proportion. The citizens who had handed power to her, and once loved her too, now live in fear of persecution. Speaking out against the regime is a crime punishable by death, and the more popular political agitators simply disappear in the night. A dark cloud has descended over the city, as a totalitarian age dawns for its people, and the so-called golden age has turned to rust.