Kaihon

Stalwart banners crack against the frigid breeze, their faded emblems adorning the tattered threads. Blades tremble in frosted hands as the warriors sing their battle hymn. For clan and honor would blood be spilt. Once a sprawling and prestigious empire ruling over the bulk of eastern continent, Kaihon now remains fractured and broken, scorched by the flames of civil war. With their grip broken by the Shadowhold and borders overrun by the Dead Forest, Kaihon’s power has greatly diminished through the ages as the southeast regions grew untamed and perilous. Though little more than a shell of their former glory, their culture and traditions have remained relatively unchanged

The people of Kaihon demonstrate a strict and unwavering commitment to honor, duty and justice, a practise evident in several aspects of their culture and conduct. Despite the growing animosity between the rival clans, Kaihonese warriors and soldiers display a form of mutual respect, honoring their opponents in life, combat, and defeat.

Above all: honor, or death.

Geography

Spanning from the towering peaks of the Nieran Mountains to the perilous coast of the Eternum sea, Kaihon’s ancient borders have remained uncontested since the empire’s peak before the Great Dojo Era. Though the southern provinces of Kaihon consist of relatively hospitable yet brumous fjords and grasslands, the nation’s capital is located in the gulf of the region’s frozen North, the majority of which is composed of bamboo forests and icy cliffs.

Architecture

Wandering down the streets of any Kaihonese village, one might wonder at the nation’s marvelous architecture built with unusual native materials. Wooden beams crossed with arctic bamboo struts provide the structural basis of their designs, while parchment fills the walls between. Despite the seemingly inferior design, the buildings are mysteriously unyielding, capable of holding up heavy, ornate sloped roofs of ceramic tiles. While most of Kaihon’s architecture is made from intricately carved wood and parchment from the native bamboo and trees, the defensive structures defining the borders are fortified with heavy slabs of stone, guarding the towns from attacks from competing clans.

Technology / Wealth / RICE

Although Kaihon lacks the luxuries of modern day machines and technologies, they excel in the craft of exotic blades and weapons, a skill that has been passed down from generation to generation since the days of their ancient empire. Known for their light weight and quickness in the hand, Kaihonese weapons are deadly in the hands of a skilled user, being able to cut through steel when wielded correctly. Though their blades are not as strong as that of Highgate and are more prone to shattering, their manufacture endows these swords with a superior edge compared to other regions, resisting high impact strikes when handled with finesse.

More interesting than their blade craft, however, is their singularly unique utilization of RICE. Grinding down these coveted grains, Kaihonese herbalists can produce a potent ink that can bestow strength and power when tattooed upon the user’s skin. But to seek these marks for the sake of power is to miss the point of the markings entirely, as the sigils are symbols of one's loyalty and discipline: to their principles, to their clan, and their cause. They proudly display their allegiance in a manner that cannot be hidden or revoked, the markings of which grow more elaborate and ornate with experience.

People and Culture

Once a unified nation, Kaihon now lies divided with multiple factions vying for power. With the constant feuding between clans, skirmishes and duels are increasingly common, regardless of time and place (though they generally have the decency to take it outside). As such, prospective warriors are trained extensively in the art of war from an early age, often being introduced to the battlefield by the time of their adolescence.

Holding on to their roots as a great empire, the Kaihonese people maintain a deep respect for the philosophy and discipline of their ancestors, most prevalent of which are defined by three core tenets: Honor, Duty, and Justice. Breaking any one of these three tenets is considered taboo for any Kaihonese citizen, often resulting in either prosecution or exile. Warriors are particularly expected to embody these values, both on and off duty, in both life and death.

Government/Religion

The Ancient Kaihon Empire was once unified and ruled by a single overarching faction, but since the Great Downfall has been dismantled and broken up into rival provinces controlled by feudal warlords. With much of Kaihon’s territory overrun by the Shadowhold, there is still active contention as to which clan should have the right to control and represent Kaihon. This constant feud between clans has led to a fractured government and separation of powers.

Much of Kaihon religion stems from the roots of Seraphism, but branches into varying adaptations of ancient local folklore. Tales of legendary creatures and spirits are often shared to teach lessons in upholding Kaihonese values and traditions. Many of these characters are illustrated through elaborate paintings and tattoos that vary between clans. It is not uncommon for each clan to represent a specific animal or creature based on their religious upbringings.

History

During ancient times when the ancient powers of the Seraphs and the Somnians were at war, Kaihon was the first known region to rise to power through Azurus’ aid, expanding their territory throughout most of Eastern Cier. For over 450 years, the Kaihon Empire’s reign reached far and their power was unrivaled. During this time, a great evil was brewing within the Shadow Hold. The discovery of this anomaly triggered a horrific event; an unending army of monsters flooded out from the Shadow Hold, destroying and corrupting everything within its path. Much of Kiahon’s southern territories were overrun and isolated from the main capital.

With the new threat from the Shadow Hold spreading, the Kaihonese army marched to the Aegis Fields to defend the capital and the northern territories in a last stand. After much bloodshed, the battle of Aegis Fields was ultimately won and the monsters were pushed back into the Dead Forest, but at the cost of the lives of countless warriors. After the Downfall, the Kaihon Empire was a mere shell of what it once was, relinquishing most of its territories and power. With the collapse of the government and territories fractured, Kaihonese clans now fight and skirmish for what little power that remains.