Bahp Town

A cool, calm mist hangs over the verdant rice paddies, its full rich scent lush with the promise of a bountiful harvest. Dewdrops hang from emerald branches, glistening in the morning sun as the farmers begin their work. By the labor of the few does the world hang in balance.

For centuries, Bahp has made its name as the sole region where enchanted RICE can grow. Using a technique once thought lost after the Great Downfall, RICE cultivation has become the primary source of influence for the region. But this is not without its detractors. Despite the tranquil appearance of the paddies and humble farmsteads, a quiet unease looms over the region. Although the enchanted fields are protected by a powerful, magical barrier, calamity is no stranger to these lands and the people have scarce forgotten its ire.

Where lay power lies those who covet it.

Geography[]

Filled with rice paddies and large hills that line the mountainside from peak to base, Bahp is a land that is lush and beautiful. The basins of water lend life to the surrounding earth and stone, leading to vibrant growth of a wide variety of plants, both enchanted and mundane. Despite their beauty, these sections oft go untouched by the locals, and are seen as the property of the land, not the people.

The enchanted RICE in question can only be grown in one specific section of the Bahp region. It also demands highly labor intensive and specialized farming techniques to grow properly. If these sacred methods aren’t followed, the RICE will simply not grow, die, or even lead to irregular or disastrous results.

Architecture[]

The techniques used to build Bahp’s sacred RICE fields date all the way back to the ancient Dojo Era. These ancient fields are protected by a large, dome-shaped barrier brought to life by the Micfortress wizards long ago, and maintained by the few selected cultivists trusted to grow and provide the much needed enchanted RICE in Cier.

Despite the region’s reputation of growing the RICE, many other crops and plants are also grown in the area. These fields outside of the barrier are often cultivated by local farmers to provide goods to neighboring regions such as Highgate Landing and Micfortress. With large crop fields spanning most of the landscape of Bahp, its buildings are often few and scattered, just big enough to house the small families tending to the farmlands.

While many of the buildings here might appear roughshod and simple at first glance, for the people who call this land home, they are the pinnacle of warmth and comfort. Many Bahpese structures have been kept for countless generations by the families and communities that own them, standing strong against the test of time.

Technology / Wealth / RICE[]

While the region has significant wealth in the form of RICE, the Bahpese lead simple lives and use largely traditional methods of cultivation. When exporting the RICE to other regions, however, every grain is at risk of theft and illegal swindling. This results in received packages commonly being only a fraction of the intended delivery, at no fault to the Bahpese people.

The magical barrier that surrounds the enchanted RICE field remains active to this day, with merely a handful of select individuals knowing how to give access. Only those they deem ‘pure’ enough to enter the fields and remain uncorrupted may tend the fields and harvest the grains.

People and Culture[]

Despite their simple lifestyle, Bahp has a diverse range of schools in all matters: from alchemy to arts, philosophy, and many more; all of which remain active to this day despite centuries of activity. Each class stresses learning lessons from the past, and ‘purity without corruption’ in all areas.

The cultivist people train to be self-sufficient and incorruptible, with an intensive and rigorous test required to access the RICE fields. Each trial in the test correlates to an ideal of purity that the Bahpese uphold. The final challenge, representing Purity itself, is known to be an obstacle that ‘only the truly pure can pass’. If one fails the test, however, they may always try again at a later date, once they have cleansed themselves of their impurity.

The entire culture stands for peace, and they all seek to find contentment in an average, modest life out of the fear that being unfulfilled or discontent will cause one to become corrupted. They seek to distribute RICE evenly, and try to avoid all potential sources of greed. They firmly believe distributing RICE is contributing to the stability of the world, so they choose to surrender all thoughts of material wealth in service of the greater good.

Government/Religion[]

While holding a small militia for defence and emergencies, the majority of Bahp are adverse to holding a large standing army. The protection from its neighboring regions of the Alliance, and the powerful barrier surrounding the enchanted fields has sheltered this region from any outside threats.

Although a small minority, there is an ‘anti cultivation’ sentiment that is often discussed among some of the local farmers. To distribute to Cier or not. To cultivate or not. The discussion is nuanced, and often categorized into those four main categories. Despite the constant debates and discussion, the majority has always maintained that cultivation and distribution is in the best interests of both themselves, and Cier itself. Conversations will always arise when the power of RICE is considered. With its powerful properties and uses, comes many dangers.

History[]

During the ancient days of The Great Dojo Era, the region of Bahp and its cultivation of enchanted RICE was used by the Dojo Empire to flourish and prosper. The RICE being a powerful resource gifted by the Seraphs, led to the ancient Dojo’s reign across the western continent of Cier. The Dojo’s reign soon ended when The Shadow and its creatures from the Shadow Hold invaded the west, causing the Downfall.

After the horrifying events of the Downfall and the fall of the Dojo, Bahp and the neighboring regions recovered, but struggled with greed and power due to the demand of the enchanted RICE. Cultivists pushed to continue the growth of RICE and help the regions in need, while the anti-cultivists believed RICE would only bring on more death, wars, and destruction. Ultimately after the Cierian war, the cultivists gained the rights to start RICE cultivation once more, but under extremely strict protection and regulation from the newly formed Alliance. A great barrier now surrounds the enchanted field, preventing any unwanted attacks or access to this valuable and powerful resource. Only a handful of the purest cultivists in Bahp have control of the barrier to access the enchanted RICE fields.