Marlakcor

Marlakcor, also known as Tianxia (天下) locally, is the northeastern continent of Qirsyllviar.

Empire of Au Lac
Capital: Sanoigon Government: Hereditary Absolute Monarchy Head of State: Vuong Head of Government: Vuong Legislature: none Demonym: Lac Currency: Van

The Empire of Au Lac is a Lac nation in southeastern Marlakcor. Occupying the tropical jungle islands of the southeast.

It is ruled by the Ly dynasty.

It solely borders Dongbalian to the west, by land on three islands and the rest by sea.

Au Lac has been resisting Mengguo expansion into the southeast for centuries. Not once ever did Au Lac accept joining the hegemony, rebuking every single invitation. More than once these rebukes turned into open confrontation and war. These wars were repeatedly met with defeat and truce, reducing Au Lac to a handful of islands.

When Dongbalian found itself occupied by the Roman Invasions, Au Lac took a chance to reclaim much of its lost territory.

Kingdom of Baoshi
Capital: ??? Government: Hereditary Absolute Monarchy Head of State: ??? Head of Government: ??? Legislature: ??? Demonym: ??? Currency: ???

The Kingdom of Baoshi (寶石) is a dwarf-ruled island nation in northeastern Marlakcor.

It borders Tianchao to the south on the island of Qiu, and share's maritime borders with Khitai to the east and Khuiten to the north. It also shares maritime borders with a cluster of neutral islands to the west.

Southeastern Hegemonic Confederation
Capital: Luoyang Government: Hegemonic Confederated Parliamentary Quasi-Federal Hereditary Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Gaowang Head of Government: Zhengfu Buzhang Legislature: Canyuan Demonym: Mengguo (盟國) Currency: Jiaozi, Guanzi, Huizi, Jinlong, Yinhu, Tongying, Tiegui

The Southeastern Hegemonic Confederation (東南霸權邦聯/Dongnan Baquan Banglian), also known as the Southeastern Kingdoms (東南王國/Dongnan Wangguo), or simply Dongbalian (東霸聯), is a large state in southeast Shenzhou, the central subcontinent of Marlakcor.

It borders Tianchao to the northwest and the Serica Provinciae of Rome to the northeast, the border marked by Mulan's Wall. To the west it shares borders the High Elven Empire of Gaoliang. First in the northwest it indirectly borders it via Zhonglibozi, a neutral zone separating it from Gaoliang; and down southwest, on the other side of the Jingshen Sea (精神海/Spiritual Sea), it controls the Lingzhai (灵宅) region, which directly borders Gaoliang.

Down south, it shares maritime borders with the island Nation of Renyu Dao, which was briefly part of the confederacy before it seceded in favor of retaining independence. To the west, it shares borders wiht the empire of Au Lac, which

It also holds sovereignty over the Cuocao Islands (鹺草島嶼/Cuocao Daoyu/Saltgrass Islands) (the southwestern half of the Dragon Islands) in Maritymir.

Dongbalian and its northern neighbor, Tianchao, are collectively known as Huaxia.

On the northern land border with Tianchao and down and northwestern coast, spaced varyingly (mostly between ten to twenty miles), are a series of fortresses and castles that defend the empire from invasion. The ones along the border with Tianchao were built in the aftermath of the last great war with Tianchao. The ones along the northwestern coast are relatively recent constructions. When Tianchao solidified its grip on the Laoying Peninsula, the fortifications were constructed down the northwestern coast. The final fortress, dubbed Bianjie Castle, situated almost right on the border with Gaoliang, also serves as one of several border crossing points between Dongbalian and Gaoliang. The northernmost of these fortresses is Qingwa Castle, which is also the westernmost fortress along the northern border fortifications.

To the east along the border with the Serica Provinciae of Rome stands Mulan's Wall, named for Li Mulan, the legendary female general who spearheaded the defense of Dongbalian during the Roman Invasion, and also led the recapture of much of the occupied territories before the wall's construction, and served as the wall's architect. These massive fortifications of 25m-high stone walls, fortresses and castles, which runs along the entire length of the border and took nearly ten years each to build, were constructed to prevent any further invasion by Rome. Mulan's Wall was built some centuries later in the wake of the Roman Invasion of Dongbalian. Mulan's Wall, blocks any further invasion by sea via some other fortifications along the coasts beyond the wall's end points, known respectively as Xiang-xi Castle and Nanchao Watch.

The wall has fulfilled its purpose throughout its existence.

History
The area that eventually became Dongbalian was originally a collection of independent kingdoms, city-states and tribes struggling for land and dominance. But in the face of Tianmin aggression and expansion during the Tianchao Wars of Conquest, many of the northern states banded together to resist the expansion of Tianchao, eventually becoming a confederated state.

However, the wars with Tianchao were met with repeated defeats on the battlefield, and Dongbalian was pushed back until it was ultimately defeated and fully annexed.

Much of modern Dongbalian (mostly the north and central area; Tianchao never reached very far south) remained under Tianmin rule for centuries.

During the Seven Dynasties & Twelve Kingdoms period that followed the collapse of the Mei dynasty of Tianchao, the lands that became modern Dongbalian broke away from Tianchao to form a pair of rival dynasties and were never recovered. Said dynasties are known to history as the Hang Kingdom and Sang Kingdom, two of the states counted among the twelve kingdoms of said period.

During said period, two nobles who were descendants of former Dongbalian rulers found a chance to revolt, now known to history as the Red Dragon Rebellion, and set up their own empires. By the time the period ended, the Hang and Sang empires were firmly entrenched and conquered up to the edge of Jing bu Xibei (what is now northwestern Dongbalian).

The first true peace treaty ended with Tianchao still in control of Jing bu Xibei.

While originally two empires fighting for the same thing, when the conflicts with Tianchao ended they quickly turned on each other and warred for dominance in the region, even while members of their centralized governments were fighting for control of them. Their governments grew unstable from constant infighting and soon collapsed into many dozens of independent kingdoms, dukedoms, counties and city-states struggling for land and dominance. Eventually some concurrence was reached and a directorial confederation, in which all lords have equal say, was set up. However, the directorial confederation eventually turned hegemonic, with Lan Kingdom taking the lead role as hegemon of Dongbalian under the title of Gaowang (High King).

A few centuries after the peace treaty that left Tianchao in control of Jing bu Xibei, Tianchao descended into chaos during the civil war taking place during the transition between the Ang and Ting dynasties (known in Tianchao as the Ang–Ting War (盎–亭戰/Ang–Ting Zhan)), Dongbalian seized the chance to reconquer the region from Tianchao, and did so with minimal resistance, achieving its modern northern and western borders. Aside from that, Dongbalian has mostly avoided taking advantage or getting involved in Tianchao's near-constant internal strife.

Even while going to war with Tianchao on and off for years, they turned their attentions toward expanding west and south, uniting many other states and tribes under their banner through treaty and conquest, eventually expanding into northern Maritymir. Dongbalian even managed to steal some territory from Gaoliang, the Lingzhai (灵宅) region. That region joined Dongbalian after seceding following a war for secession, which was secretly organized by Dongbalian.

Dongbalian remains at odds with Tianchao to this day, and the two powers go to war almost every other decade for one reason or another. Its relations with Gaoliang and Au Lac are cold too, but diplomacy has avoided too many wars.

Dongbalian eventually lost some of its northeastern territories to Rome. While Dongbalian anticipated an invasion when Rome all but defeated Tianchao, it was still unable to resist the ferocity of the Imperial Roman Army in the initial invasion, despite years of preparation. This changed when a female warrior, known to history as Li Mulan (李木蘭); styled Guowei (國衛), came to prominence. Li Mulan, an ethnic Haiyuan peasant woman of Tianmin birth, and an alleged descendant of Xiangrikui Gongchen, had been taken as a war slave by a Roman officer during the invasion. During her time as a slave – after learning their language – she learned all about Roman war tactics both from watching the battles from afar and from listening to the Roman commanders talk. After managing to escape, she disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Mengguo army. Her determination and mettle, along with her knowledge of Roman war strategies, allowed her to quickly rise through the ranks until she became a general.

Once a general, Mulan took charge of an army and her widely successful anti-Roman tactics allowed her to turn the tide of the war, culminating when she fully defended against the Roman army in a decisive battle that changed history forever, now known to history as the Battle of Qiuling Pingyuan. Mulan's true gender was accidentally exposed not long after, but her loyal troops defended her from any punishment. The High King of the time – known to history as Chang Guizhou (常規週) – was so impressed with her and her record that he let her retain her position and rank. Mulan then led another successful campaign that saw the reclamation of much territory before a peace treaty ending the war was signed.

Governance & Politics
The head of state is the Gaowang (高王/High King), the main ruler of the nation. The incumbent High King holds the rulership of his kingdom concurrently. The title is held for life and at first Lan Kingdom held the position of hegemon. There were attempts early on to make it hereditary, but when the first holder died there was no clear heir. And so, the next High King is elected from the rulers of one of the kingdoms or the heir to the kingdom of the previous holder when the incumbent one dies.

The head of the government of Dongbalian is the Zhengfu Buzhang (政府部長/Minister of Government), but the office is mostly ceremonial in practice and holds little actual power.

The legislature of the confederacy is the Canyuan (參院/Senate), which is divided into the Shangyuan (上院/Upper House) and the Xiayuan (下院/Lower House), the upper and lower house respectively. Members of both houses of the Senate are referred to as Canyiyuan (議員/Senators), and are directly appointed by leaders of the political divisions, and higher level states are permitted more senators in the Senate. Representation in the Lower House is determined by population, which is determined by a nationwide census taken every twenty years.

Political Divisions
Dongbalian is divided into many territories termed one of several things depending on the rank held upon accession to the confederation.

Empire of Gaoliang
Capital: ??? Government: Hereditary Absolute Monarchy Head of State: ??? Head of Government: ??? Legislature: High Council Demonym: ??? Currency: ???

The Empire of Gaoliang (高魎) is a large confederated High elven empire occupying the dense Conglin Jungles in southern Shenzhou, the central subcontinent of Marlakcor.

It borders Dongbalian to the east, indirectly via Zhonglibozi, a neutral region, and directly via the Lingzhai region; Tianchao to the north via the Jingling Peninsula; the wood elven Senxiao kingdoms to the southwest, and shares maritime borders with Raimei to the west across the Conglin Sea.

A country occupying mostly jungle, the Conglin Jungles of Gaoliang is home to the largest river Basin in the world.

Empire of Goryeo
Capital: Goguryeo Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Taewang (태왕) Head of Government: Taewang Legislature: Jegug Uihoe Demonym: ??? Currency: Mun, Yang, Won

The Empire of Goryeo (고려) is an island nation occupying the island of the same name in the northwest corner of Manzhou, the northern lands of Jiangshan, the western subcontinent of Marlakcor. It shares maritime borders with Morokoshi of Yamatai to the south and Tianchao to the east. Up north it controls the island of Jinjuui (진주의) and the Yosae (요새) peninsula on the mianland, its only land border with Tianchao.

Once controlling great swathes of the northern half of the western continent, down to at least the central regions of Manzhou, Goryeo, the homeland of the Seomin people, was once the dominant nations on western lands of Marlakcor, and seemed primed for ultimate domination before Tianchao invaded. As a result of the Tianchao Wars of Conquest, Goryeo was reduced to the island from whence it originated. The Yosae peninsula, which is governed from the fortress city of Jeohang (저항), is also Goryeo's only remaining mainland holdout against Tianchao.

Unlike Tibet and now-defunct Daludao, Goryeo managed to stave off the threat of invasion and retain full sovereignty.

Khaganate of Khitai
Capital: ??? Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Khagan (ᠬᠠᠭᠠᠨ)/Khatun (ᠬᠠᠲᠤᠨ) Head of Government: Khagan Legislature: None Demonym: Khitan Currency: n/a

The Khaganate of Khitai (ᠺᠠᠩᠨᠠᠲ ᠬᠢ ᠲᠠᠢ), or the Khitan Khaganate (ᠬᠢᠲᠠᠨ ᠺᠠᠩᠨᠠᠲ), is a large nation in eastern Liao and the homeland of the Khitan people.

It borders Tianchao to the west and south, and shares maritime borders with Khuiten to the northwest and Baoshi to the southwest.

Khitai once controlled the vast majority of Liao, dominating the mountains, tundras and steppes, even having Tibet at its mercy, from whom it conquered most of the northern continent, until the various wars with Tianchao saw the loss of most of its empire.

Kingdom of Nangoku
Capital: ??? Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: ??? Head of Government: ??? Legislature: None Demonym: Nangoku Currency: Hansatsu, Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

The Kingdom of Nangoku (南国) is an island nation, occupying the island of the same name, off the southern coast of Manzi, the southern division of Jiangshan, in southwest Marlakcor. Nangoku shares maritime borders solely with Raimei to the north across the Meiyo Channel.

Nangoku was once the Kingdom of Shengsuo (聖所), which once occupied great swathes of the southern portion of the western continent, once stretching to the Isthmus of Caihong, at one time bordering Tianchao, but invasions by Yamatai and the Yamato-Saimese War (4120 AFZ – 4131) led it to recede from the mainland as Yamatai established Morokoshi. Decades later, Yayato settlere rose up and overthrew Shengsuo, establing the Hayato-ruled kingdom of Nangoku

When the Sanda clan rebelled against Yamato rule a century later, separating from Morokoshi and establishing the Empire of Raimei, Nangoku managed to diplomatically stay out of the conflict, and fostered a trade relationship with both empires. Since then, it has served also a diplomatic medium between the two empires.

Empire of Raimei
Capital: Hekireki Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Raiu-jinno (雷雨人皇) Head of Government: Raiu-jinno Legislature: None Demonym: Raimese Currency: Hansatsu, Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

The Empire of Raimei (雷鳴), sometimes known as the Thunder Empire to countries outside Marlakcor, is a large monarchical state in southwestern Marlakcor, occupying much of Manzi, the southern lands of Jiangshan, the western subcontinent of Marlakcor.

Raimei borders Morokoshi to the west, Tianchao to the north via the Isthmus of Caihong, and shares maritime borders with high elven Gaoliang Empire and the wood elven Senxiao kingdoms to the east across the Conglin Sea, and the neutral island of Hei'an Zhidi to the southeast via its island territories in the Chidao Sea, and Nangoku to the south across the Meiyo Channel.

Raimei was once part of Yamato-Morokoshi, and therefore sovereign territory of Yamatai, until a rebellion led by one renegade clan, the Sanda clan, established the new independent empire, which took ten years of war, now known as the Raimese War for Independence (4235 AFZ – 4245), to achieve.

Raimei remains at odds with Yamatai, and have fought several wars with the empire since its founding, but careful diplomacy has prevented the empires from outright destroying each other. The Sanda clan still rules Raimei to this day.

As an empire made up of lands that were formerly part of Nangoku, Raimei has its own unique culture that is a blend of both Hayato and culture.

State of Renyu Dao
Capital: Yai Government: Elective Absolute Monarchy Head of State: Patriarch/Matriarch Head of Government: Patriarch/Matriarch Legislature: Council Demonym: Renyan Currency: Jinlong, Yinhu, Tongying, Tiegui

The State of Renyu Dao (人魚島) is an island nation occupying the island of the same name in the Chidao Sea of southern Marlakcor, sharing maritime borders with solely Dongbalian.

Renyu Dao is a nation where merpeople live alongside humans in harmony. Renyu Dao was originally founded when a clan of humans got washed up on the shores, and have lived alongside the merfolk together in harmony from then on.

When Dongbalian expanded to their waters, they at first signed a treaty to come under Mengguo sovereignty, but pulled out of the confederacy less than a year later. The separation wasn't welcomed at first, leading to a brief military confrontation, but Dongbalian's government caved in and drew back within weeks.

Magic Republic of Seijiseom
Capital: Mabeob (마법) Government: Directorial Wizard's Republic Heads of State: Hyeonjaui Uihoe (현자의 의회/Council of Sages) Heads of Government: Hyeonjaui Uihoe Legislature: Hyeonjaui Uihoe Demonym: ??? Currency: ???

The Magic Republic of Seijiseom (세이지섬/Sage Islands) is a Seomin nation of magic in northwestern Marlakcor. It occupies to islands, Masul Seojjog (마술 서쪽) & Masul Dongjjog (마술 동쪽). It soley borders Tianchao on southern Masul Dongjjog.

Kingdoms of Senxiao
The Senxiao kingdoms is the collective term for the dozens of independent wood elven tribal chiefdoms led by different clans in southwestern Shenzhou.

Kingdom of Shayuwei Dao
Capital: Shaqi Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Wang Head of Government: Wang Legislature: None Demonym: Shayu Currency: Jinlong, Yinhu, Tongying, Tiegui

The Kingdom of Shayuwei Dao (鯊魚尾島/Shayuwei Dao Wangguo) is an island nation on the island of the same name in the Sinolatin Sea off of Shenzhou in western Marlakcor.

As Dongbalian expanded, Shayuwei Dao rejected all offers to join the expanding confederacy and even managed to repel an invasion when negotiations with one regime turned hostile. After the only war it ever fought with Dongbalian, Shayuwei Dao experienced a golden age of prosperity due to the soon established trade and military alliance that followed a change of management to both nations. However, this ended with the invasions of Rome.

When Rome exerted its control of western Marlakcor, Shayuwei Dao was no exception to the ever opportunistic Roman Empire. After losing almost half the island to the invaders, Shayuwei Dao signed a submissive peace treaty with Rome, retaining nominal sovereignty while still a vassal of the empire.

When wars back in Eurodysia forced Rome to recall some of its forces, Shayuwei Dao took the chance to reassert its independence and reconquer its lost territory.

However, even after reasserting its sovereignty, Shayuwei Dao was unable to restore its relations with Dongbalian, as Rome prevents all trade and communications from reaching the mainland, forcing Shayuwei Dao into an unequal trade alliance.

Sige Sheng Cheng
Government: Theocratic Elective Monarchies Heads of State: Four Masters Heads of Government: Four Masters Legislatures: none Demonym: n/a Currency: n/a

The Sige Sheng Cheng (四個聖城/Four Holy Cities), are a quartet of religious city-states spread around Marlakcor. Although in four separate locations around the continent, and are mostly autonomous from one another, the four cities are considered a single state.

Deeply religious states, the holy cities are controlled by a religious order that pledges faith to the Divine Beasts of Tianxia, and each houses a main temple dedicated to one of the four to represent their cardinal direction. As Tianchao expanded in every direction, they spared any threat of conquest or vassalization, as not even the huangdi of the time dared to threaten the sanctity of such holy places.

The eastern and western cities were also spared conquest of vassalization by Rome and Yamatai when the two empires formed Serica Provinciae and Morokoshi respectively. Despite the former's usual policy to impose their religion on conquered or visited lands, Rome respected the eastern city's neutrality and honored the sanctity of a holy place, and Yamatai gave the same courtesy to the western city.

Although mostly autonomous from one another, the four masters, the leaders of each city, meet every year, taking turns to host the meeting in each of the four cities over the course of four years.

Empire of Tianchao
Capital: Jiaju Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Huangdi Heads of Government: Huangdi & Chengxiang Legislature: Guohui Demonym: Tianmin (天民) Currency: Jiaozi, Guanzi, Huizi, Jinlong, Yinhu, Tongying, Tiegui

The Empire of Tianchao (天朝) is the dominant, and largest, state on Marlakcor. Tianchao is often known locally by whichever dynasty is currently ruling it, while the common name for the country remains prevalent for foreigners, at least for diplomatic purposes.

Tianchao and its southern neighbor, Dongbalian, are collectively known as Huaxia.

It occupies much of the continent, controlling northern and western Shenzhou (the central subcontinent), most of Manzhou (the northern lands of Jiangshan, the western subcontinent), and two thirds of Liao (the northern continent). In the Zhongyuan Provinces, the capital regions, it borders Dongbalian to the south, and shares borders with the Roman Serica Provinciae on Shengfen Island and on the eastern peninsula of Qiu Island. It also chares borders with Baoshi in the northeastern corner of the latter island.

Via the Jingling Peninsula, it borders Gaoliang to the south, and on the western continent, the Xifang Regions, it borders Raimei to the south and Yamato-Morokoshi to the west. On Liao, it borders Tibet to the west and Khitai, from whom it conquered most of the northern continent, to the east. The great majority of the northern continent was once entirely controlled by the Khaganate of Khitai, whom still resists Tianmin expansion with all its might.

In the northwest it shares maritime and land borders with the island empire of Goryeo, from whom it conquered most of the western continent, and the magic republic of Seijiseom.

Tianchao also shares borders with two of the four island city-states: In the north, on the southwest shore of Gui Bay, Tianchao shares maritime borders with the Holy City of Dongshui Guibei. To the east, on the Long Peninsula of Qiu Island on the west side the Bay of Xiaolong, via what territories Tianchao still controls after the wars with Rome, Tianchao shares borders with the Holy City of Chunjimu Longdong.

In northern Liao, Tianchao also territorially surrounds the city of Shangri-la, making it an enclave, which is nestled in a tropical jungle valley surrounded by an impassible mountain range. The mountains around the valley are frigid and snow-covered almost year-round, but the valley is kept warm by geothermal activity. Becuase Tianchao can't get to it, as the only way into the city is via hidden caves that only the people of Shangri-la know the location of, the empire leaves it alone.

Tianchao is also the suzerain of Tibet, forcing them to surrender base sovereignty in the face of the ferocity of the Tianchao Imperial Army & Navy and threats of invasion. At one point it held the now-defunct Daludao Kingdom (大陸島王國) as a suzerainty as well, but it has since been conquered and renamed Serica by Rome.

Tianchao spared the Holy Cities from conquest or vassalization, as not even the huangdi of the time dared to threaten or desecrate the sanctity of such holy places. All this is a result of the Tianchao Wars of Conquest (a collective term for the many wars of expansion Tianchao has fought throughout its history.).

On the western border with Yamato-Morokoshi stands the Great Wall of Manzhou. This massive fortification of 25m-high stone walls, fortresses, and castles, which runs along the entire length of the Morokoshi-Tianchao border. This wall far surpasses Dongbalian's Mulan's Wall, which was built for similar reasons against Rome.

History
An unnatural creation with thousands of years of reliable history, what became Tianchao was originally a collection of quarreling wangguo (王國/kingdoms) in what is now the Zhongyuan Region thousands of years ago. There were eleven major states and several minor states under vassal hegemony of a few of the major ones.

Modern scholars agree that the events that led to the founding of the Tianmin Empire began following the collapse of what is known to history as the Mo dynasty into the various states at the end of an era historians call the Predynastic Era. The previous recorded dynasties prior to Mo were, in practice, just fragile hegemonic alliances under the lordship of a stronger state. The Mo dynasty, a kingdom of magic ruled by magicians, was the first kingdom to exercise centralized authority over the rest of the kingdoms, and lasted longer than any dynasty in Tianmin history. In its initial founding, Mo held supreme authority over the other kingdoms; however, during the second half of its reign, the Mo dynasty lost control over the constituent kingdoms as the poor first experiments and attempts at bureaucracy cost the king and his court their authority, and the loss of influence cost the central authorities its control over the rest of the kingdoms. This time is an era termed the Summer & Winter Period (夏季和冬季). While the Mo dynasty didn't actually collapse until near the end of the ensuing period of civil war, the instability triggered the beginning of an era of near constant warfare, shifting alliances, and brief periods of peace between conflicts; ending the Summer & Winter Period and beginning a period of chaos and civil war known to history as the Warring States Period.

About a hundred years later, a warlord known to history as Ji Zheng (機政): styled Zhugong (主公), a general from what was then Tian Kingdom – whom was also an alleged descendant of Xiangrikui Gongchen – usurped control of the kingdom in a military coup d'état, overthrowing the inept and complacent wang (king) and the Zhi family, becoming king himself. Ji Zheng then led his followers to conquer all of Tian's rivals, thus founding the first imperial dynasty of newly-named Empire of Tianchao under the rule of the Tian dynasty with himself as the first Huangdi (皇帝/Emperor). His posthumous name was Chuangjian (創見) and his temple name is Kaiguo (開國), but he is also more commonly known in history as Tian Shou Di (天首帝). His conquests ended the Warring States Period and the Prydynastic Era in one stroke and began the Classical stage of the Imperial Era.

The early imperial dynasties up to the Mang dynasty, only ruled areas of the modern-day Zhongyuan Region. Later dynasties from the Rao dynasty onward began expanding Tianchao beyond its cradle of civilization. In the subsequent Tianchao Wars of Conquest, which lasted hundreds of years with varying periods of peace, Tianchao expanded in every direction and grew into one of the largest and wealthiest empires on Qirsyllviar. (It is outclassed only by Yamatai in the latter aspect)

The empire is currently under the rule of the Cui dynasty, run by the Sun clan, which took power roughly sixty years before present day after overthrowing the collapsing Nao dynasty and reconquering the state of Bingye/Khirano, a northern Khitan secessionist kingdom. Cui is the latest of many dynasties that have ruled all or part of Tianchao.

The empire has a chaotic history of various pretender dynasties, breakaway states, or usurpations by rebellion or coup d'état, and many other types of crises besides. For example, the Lang dynasty, the semi-legendary first organized dynasty, prior-founding Tianchao, collapsed and was usurped by the Cong dynasty only twenty-six years after its inauguration, which began the cycle for a successive change of dynasties.

The reason for the constant changes of dynasties and wars is all in part due to a dynastic cycle influenced by a religiopolitical concept known as the Mandate of Heaven (天命/Tianming), a philosophical concept of the circumstances under which a ruler is allowed to rule (see the two links to the wikipedia articles for the full explanation on both concepts). The concept dates back to the Re dynasty, the first dynasty of the Predynastic Era (前王朝紀元).

Not all of the dynasties came to power by violence: sometimes power was peacefully handed over to a new dynasty when the previous dynasty's final huangdi abdicated in favor of a favored person or named such a person as his sole heir. This was usually done if the reigning huangdi felt that he was going to inevitably pass on without leaving a valid heir (such as a son, nephew, cousin or brother), so that a power vacuum was avoided. This was also done if it was believed that the incumbent dynasty had lost the Mandate of Heaven and had been granted to a new dynasty. Another way was, if he did die without a valid heir or before naming one, one of the highest ranked members of the government (often by election) would establish a new dynasty to fill the power vacuum before any sort of chaos could ensue. But civil wars were still a common occurrence in the latter instance, especially so if the nearest relatives of the last huangdi (such as a brother, nephew, cousin or a son of a concubine) made claims to the throne.

Founders of several dynasties were descendants of great heroes from Tianmin history and/or folklore; i.e, the founders of five different dynasties were allegedly descendants of Xiangrikui Gongchen, the first lunaculus of Marlakcor.

Alongside the successive change of dynasties, Tianchao has also fractured into separate independent states and rival dynasties as a result of wars of succession, rebellions for independence, or other crises many times in the past. Tianchao's territorial control of Manzhou never reached all the way across the continent to the western sea; its armies stretched too thin by that time, it stopped its conquests roughly eight-hundred miles from the westernmost coast of the continent. Instead, it vassalized the native kingdoms to use as buffer states.

A few hundred years before present day (throughout the entirety of the Ang dynasty's reign), Tianchao lost its western vassals and control of its westernmost territories to Hayato conquerors during the Yamato Invasions of Marlakcor (4010 AFZ – 4112), which the Empire of Yamatai of Fuso initiated to spread Yamtao rule. In the wake of the Third Yamato-Tianmin War (4100 AFZ – 4112) – which Yamatai declared in hopes of taking advantage of the anarchy and aftermath of the Ang–Ting War – following a peace treaty with the Ting dynasty (which fully usurped the Ang dynasty in 4102 (4523 TJH) following a 14-year civil war), the Great Wall of Manzhou was constructed to prevent any further expansion eastward by the Yamato into the western continent. The wall took nearly a century to build (and the rulership of Tianchao passed from the Ting dynasty to the Geng dynasty during that time, in part becuase the project was so economically costly that it contributed to the already weak and strained dynasty's collapse), and it has so far fulfilled that purpose, save for very brief occupations of various fortresses at various periods during several wars throughout its history. The last official war between Yamatai and Tianchao was fought from 4516 to 4523.

Tianchao also lost the former Daludao Kingdom as a suzerainty, along with some of its southeastern territories, when the Roman Empire invaded and conquered Daludao, renaming it Serica. Despite these flaws and a recent decline in power, it maintains its status as Marlakcor's dominant empire, a title rivaled by both Dongbalian and Yamatai.

Government & Politics
Tianchao is an imperial hereditary monarchy ruled by a Huangdi (皇帝/Emperor), and the heir apparent is titled Taizi (太子/Crown Prince). Rulers of Khitan-ruled division era states during the reign of the Khitan-ruled Lin dynasty were titled Khan (可汗/ᠬᠠᠨ) as well as huangdi. This was discontinued from the Ang dynasty onward with the return of Tuzhu rule.

Important female titles include the Huanghou (皇後/Empress) and the Huang-Taihou (皇太後/Empress Dowager), both of whom control the imperial harem and can exercise a great degree on the politics of Tianchao, mainly through the huangdi, if given the chance. Both also control the Huogong (后宮/Imperial Harem), yet the huang-taihou generally has more power over it than the huanghou.

Aside for the Taizi, sons and daughters of the huangdi, as well as brothers and sisters, are refered to as Wangzi (王子/Prince) and Wangfei (王妃/Princess) respectively.

Succession of the huangdi is generally straightforward. The heir to the throne, the Taizi, is generally appointed by either favoritism or by merit. Often the eldest son of the huangdi, whether he is from the huanghou or a concubine, is appointed the Taizi, yet this is not automatically so. If the huangdi feels that his eldest son is not up to the task or simply favors someone else, a younger son or a nephew, brother or cousin can be appointed Taizi instead. Generally, while there is only one huanghou at a time, the huangdi's harem of many dozens of concubines, often result in there being any number of children to choose from.

Yet, if the huangdi dies before or without appointing a successor, the huang-taihou generally has the sole right to appoint one of the late huangdi's surviving sons or relatives to the position. Most often the successor chosen in this fashion is a minor, thus the huang-taihou serves as regent over the government. Other times, responsibility for appointing a new ruler from among the deceased huangdi's relatives falls to the government, generally the liugexia.

The event a new huangdi can not be appointed in a timely fashion, the late-huangdi's various relatives generally tend make claims to the throne, resulting in a heated – and often deadly – strife to fill the power vacuum and even wars of succession in the extreme cases. These power-struggles often start smoldering even before the huangdi dies, and tend to shape the future of the dynasty for generations afterwards.

Sometimes the huangdi is suceeded without dying. Sometimes the huangdi will abdicate without ending the dynasty; in other words, retire. Huangdi who abdicate to retirement are referred to as Taishang Huangdi (太上皇帝/Retired Emperor). However, while most huangdi who do retire go into quiet retirement for the ret of his days, the huangdi sometimes doesn't always give up actual power despite retireing; sometimes they will act as the power behind the throne through his official succesor.

As a religious leader, the huangdi also bears the title of Tianzi (天子/Son of Heaven). While anyone can found a dynasty and claim the imperial title, the title of Tianzi is only conferred upon by the high priests to the true ruler of the realm; i.e. the one who is believed to have the grace of the gods and been granted the Mandate of Heaven, usually huangdi who rule a unified dynasty or succeed in ending a period of disunity. The title is hereditarily passed on from huangdi to huangdi of the dynasties until it is believed that the Mandate is lost, only bestowed upon again to the one it is believed has attained the Mandate of Heaven.

Huangdi are also bestowed with a posthumous name and a temple name after death.

Posthumous names can mean anything, and usually illustrate the huangdi or his reign in some way. Temple names are a selection of names chosen with more care. Even ancestors of dynasty founders, especially those who laid the foundation for the dynasty's founding, are sometimes posthumously promoted to huangdi and honored with temple names by their descendants, even if they did not rule as huangdi, or even claim the imperial title, in their lifetime.

Not all huangdi were given either name after death; in fact, there were many instances throughout Tianmin history where the practice of giving either one or both names were abandoned altogether until it was revived later, in particular during disunity periods. There were other reasons for not bestowing either to an huangdi, including the belief that a particular ruler was not worthy of one. Beneath the huangdi is the bureaucracy of the Guohui (國會/Congress). Beneath the huangdi and the liugexia are the titleless chen (臣/statesmen), whom make up the majority of the officials; there may be as many as five hundred or a few as fifty, depending on the policies and/or events of the time. They participate by suggesting laws and decrees, and even possible courses of action in times of crises; as well as bringing the huangdi and the liugexia up to date on what is going on around the empire, including instances of which may or may not have already reached their attention. Otherwise, they are generally powerless, yet enjoy a substantial government salary. Members are chosen based on scores taken from the Guomin Buji Kaoshi (國民部級考試/National Ministerial Examination), which is held every four years.

Throughout Tianmin history the power of the huangdi and the bureaucracy has constantly fluctuated. Sometimes the huangdi had all the power while the bureaucrats had limited or no power; other times the huangdi and the bureaucrats shared the power, creating a system of checks and balances on each other; and sometimes the power of the huangdi was curtailed, leaving the true power in the hands of the bureaucrats, the chengxiang, a regent or some other person while the huangdi was a ceremonial figurehead.

Armed Forces
Tianchao maintains the largest known standing armed forces on Qirsyllviar, but the empire's sheer size, and constant threat of rebellions and foreign incursions in the outer territories furthest from Xiazhou – the capital region – causes it to be spread thin. There are also several, albeit less organized, detatchments of naval forces in every body of water controlled by Tianchao.

Political Divisions
Tianchao today is divided into sixteen zhou (provinces). Those are in turn divided into several jun (commanderies), when are further divided into three or four xian (counties).

Empire of Tibet
Capital: Lhasa Government: Hereditary Absolute Monarchy Head of State: Tsenpo Head of Government: Tsenpo Legislature: None Demonym: Tibetan Currency: Tangka, Srang, Skar

The Empire of Tibet is a peninsular nation, occupying the tundra peninsula of the same name in western Liao, the northern subcontinent. It shares maritime borders solely with Tianchao to the east.

Tibet was once one of nations dominating the high mountains and tundras of the northern continent before the Khitans invaded. Tibet once controlled the western half of the northern continent, up to the isthmus separating Gui Bay from the Gulf of Shule, while the tribes of Khitai inhabited the rest of the eastern half. When the Khaganate of Khitai came into being, these two powers fought for land and power on-and-off for nearly five centuries before Tianchao invaded.

As a result of the wars with Khaganate of Khitai, Tibet was reduced to the peninsula from whence it originated, while Khitai, and then Tianchao, secured its hold on the former lands of Tibet. Tibet has since become a suzerainty of Tianchao in the face of the ferocity of the Tianchao Imperial Army & Navy and the threat of invasion.

Being a cold country of mostly tundra and mountain, similarly to the northern mainland, Tibet has only a small amount of fertile land for farming and is mostly dependent on the sea and imports for food, but has a large economy thanks to rich mining on the island and elsewhere.

While still in a tense diplomatic relationship with Tianchao, Tibet also maintains the rights to mine and farm certain areas within Tianchao's borders, in exchange for Tianchao receiving 25% of the profits as tribute annually.

Khanate of Khuiten
The Khanate of Khuiten (ᠬᠦᠢᠲᠡᠨ), also called Leng (冷) by Tianchao, is a Khitan state in northeastern Liao, the northern subcontinent of Marlakcor.

Akantai
Government: Hereditary Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Tenno of Yamatai Currency: Hansatsu, Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

Akantai (亜寒帯) the collective term for the Ryoiki (regions) and Gun (Provinces) of the Yamato Empire in the archipelagic territory northeast of Yamatai in the Sea of Shinko in the northwestern waters of Marlakcor.

Like the main empire in Fuso, Akantai is divided into several ryoiki ruled by an appointed sotoku pledging fealty to the Tenno of Yamatai, and smaller gun ruled by chiji. Some clans and daimyo are from Fuso, whether by immigration or land grants. Other daimyo are more local compared to the clans of Fuso, as the majority are descendants of families that cooperated, and even helped, the invading Yamato Imperial Armies during the invasion; many even married into Hayato families, adopted Hayato names customs and traditions, and even their religion, to varying extents.

Morokoshi
Government: Hereditary Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Tenno of Yamatai Currency: Hansatsu, Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

Morokoshi is the collective term for the Ryoiki (regions) and Gun (Provinces) of the Yamato Empire on Jiangshan, the western subcontinent of Marlakcor, taking up great portions of both Manzhou and Manzi, and two large islands between them. The Morokoshi land closest to Fuso is a Y-shaped island named Makigaijima (巻貝島), which is also the name of a bundan.

The easternmost lands of the empire, Morokoshi borders Tianchao and Raimei to the east, and sharing maritime borders with Goryeo to the north. It was first established as a result of the Yamato Invasions of Marlakcor (4010 AFZ – 4100), which in turn sparked the First Yamato-Tianmin War (4010 AFZ – 4019). Over the course of the conflicts, Yamatai conquered the states referred to as the Xifang Wangguo (西方王國/Western Kingdoms), which included some of Tianchao's vassals, and the much of Tianchao's western territories. The Third Yamato-Tianmin War (4100 AFZ – 4112) ended with Morokoshi's furthest northern and eastward expansion into the westernmost parts of the western continent, and resulted in the construction of the Great Wall of Manzhou by Hauxia, preventing any further expansion. Yamatai instead turned its attentions to the southern lands, and several wars with Shengsuo (now Nangoku) over several generations led to the conquest of the entire southern portion of the western continent.

Some time after, Morokoshi then experienced an insurrection in the southeast by Yamato settlers, led by the Sanda clan, rivals of the Toyotomi clan, which led to the Raimese War for Independence (4235 AFZ – 4245), and the establishment of the separate Empire of Raimei. Morokoshi remain at odds with Tianchao and Raimei, yet has managed to secure a relatively peaceful existence in Marlakcor.

Like the main empire in Fuso, Morokoshi are divided into several ryoiki ruled by an appointed sotoku pledging fealty to the Tenno of Yamatai, and smaller gun ruled by chiji. Some clans and daimyo are from Fuso, whether by immigration or land grants. Other daimyo, particularly the western ones, are more local compared to the clans of Fuso, as the majority are descendants of families that cooperated, and even helped, the invading Yamato Imperial Armies during the Yamato Invasions of Marlakcor; many even married into Hayato families, adopted Hayato names, customs and traditions, and even their religion, to varying extents.

Serica Provinciae (Rome)
Government: Imperial Appointed Viceroyalties Head of State: Augustus of Rome Heads of Government: Proconsuls & Vicaruses Legislatures: none Demonym: Seres (also others, varying by province) Currency: Aureus, Denarius, Sestertius, Dupondius, As

Serica is the collective name of the is a colonies & provinces of the Roman Empire in Marlakcor, occupying a cluster of islands and a part of the mainland in eastern Marlakcor on the west side of the Sinolatin Sea. Serica shares borders with Tianchao to the north and west, and Dongbalian to the south in western Shenzhou, the central subcontinent.

Serica occupies the island of Daludao (the easternmost island), most of the Island of Shengfen (the land closest to the mainland) save for the western peninsula and just beyond it, along with a cluster of islands in between them. Northward, it occupies the eastern southern peninsula of Qiu Island. Serica also controls parts of the mainland just south of Shengfen, namely the Pingfang and Tuoyuan peninsulas and some lands just beyond it. But the mainland territories end at Mulan's Wall, which was built by Dongbalian to stall any further Roman expansion into the mainland.

The island of Daludao was formerly known as the kingdom of the same name, which was a suzerainty of Tianchao following the Tianchao Wars of Conquest, Serica was established as a result of the Roman Conquest of Daludao.

Hei'an Zhidi
Hei'an Zhidi (黑暗之地/Darklands) is a tropical jungle island, in the Chidao Sea of southern Marlakcor. The place is reportedly a place of terror, allegedly home to monstruous creatures and carnivorous plantlife, and the island is durrounded by a noxious, almost toxic, miasma of unknown origin, preventing any real exploration. What is actually on the island remain a mystery into modern day.

Few have dared to venture there, and fewer have retunred alive. Those who did were either too far gone mentally or were in no condiution to give any meaningful accounts

Zhonglibozi
Zhonglibozi (中壢脖子/Middle Neck) is a strech of neutral land between Dongbalian and the high elven empire of Gaoliang.

The zone was established as a result of border desputes between Dongbalian and Gaoliang, established by the treaty that ended the Third Gaoliang–Dongbalian War, in an attempt to permanently separate the two countries from fighting over the land again. The terms of the treaty stipulate that while the zone is demilitarized and military presence in the zone is forbidden, both countries are responsible for the safety of the people who live there. Military forces are only allowed into the zone for humanitarian purposes, such as relief from the effects of natural disasters, and armed conflict between the two countries within the zone is forbidden, even in times of war. That clause of the treaty has been tested ever since it was established, as relations between Dongbalian and Gaoliang have devolved into war multiple times since.

Within the zone there are three large cities, Baolan (寶藍), Feicui (翡翠) & Hongbao (紅寶), each with their own governments and dozens of villages and small towns under their sphere of influence. Each is technically a city-state in its own right, but they don't claim any form sovereignty.

Notes & Trivia

 * There are two known demonyms for people from Marlakcor:
 * The exonym is "Marlakcese".
 * The endonym is "Tianxiaren" (天下人).
 * Becuase of how the Chinese language – which the Tuzhu language "Shijieyan" is based on – works, the title "Huangdi" (皇帝/Emperor), and any other adjectival nouns, are both singular and plural.
 * Ji Zheng used Tianchao as the name for his empire for sentimental reasons and diplomatic purposes; but, it wasn't until the Zhai dynasty that the name Tianchao was officially adopted as the official name of the country due to the name's vast popularity. Until then, Tianchao was simply known by whatever dynasty was currenty in power; though even today it still is.
 * While they are both given posthumously, a posthumous name and a temple name should not be confused with each other. See Wikipedia articles for better explanations.
 * Marlakcor and Tianxia come from two separate sources:
 * Marlakcor, the foreign exonym for the continent, originated from the Shijieyan phrase "Maran la kecheng o ren" (罵人啦課程哦人), which roughly translates as "Oh course people curse it", which was then shortened to Marlakcor. Historians and linguists believe this happened due to a miscommunication between translators at some point in the past.
 * Tianxia (天下), the local endonym for the continent, which roughly means "all under heaven", came from the historical belief that the farthest shores of the continent and those of the closest islands, were the edge of the world.
 * Tianchao and Dongbalian are collectively known as Huaxia.
 * TJQ & TJH are the initials used for the common era and prior era, respectively, of the Luan Calendar, while AFZ & BFZ are the initials used for the common era and the prior era of the more widely used Solramese Calendar. Furthermore, there is a 421-year difference between the dates.
 * The reason Fuso is greyed out is becuase it isn't, cartographically, part of the continent. It's just the areas that are clesest to Marlakcor.
 * Marlakcor is divided into three subcontinents, Shenzhou (神州), Liao (Tuzhu: 遼, Khitan: ᠯᠢᠶᠠ), and Jiangshan (江山). Shenzhou is the central, and largest, subcontinent divided between Tianchao, Dongbalian and Gaoliang. Liao is the northern subcontinent, fully controlled by Tianchao; and Jiangshan is the western continent, divided between Tianchao, Yamatai, and Raimei.
 * Shenzhou is further divided into three regions: Zhongyuan (中原), the land occupied by Tianchao; Dongnan (東南), the land occupied by Dongbalian; and Conglin (叢林), the land occupied by Gaoliang and partially by Tianchao.
 * The northwestern part of Dongnan, the part past the narrowest area of Dongbalian's territory, is sometimes referred to as Jing bu Xibei.
 * Liao is further divided into western and eastern regions known as Yuan (Tuzhu: 猿, Khitan: ᠮᠤᠤᠷ) and Khitai (Tuzhu: 吉泰, Khitan: ᠬᠢ ᠲᠠᠢ) respectively. They are divided at what is known as the Guixiong Corridor (鬼雄), the narrowest region of the subcontinent.
 * Jiangshan is further divided into northern and southern regions known as Manzhou (滿洲) and Manzi (蠻子) respectively. They are divided at the Isthmus of Caihong (彩虹), the narrowest point of the subcontinent.
 * the body of water on the west side of the isthmus is known as Dolgolae (돌고래) Bay, which is a part of the Yazuishou (鴨嘴獸) Sea further westward.
 * Within the space between northern and southern Shenzhou is a body of water known as the Zhuhong (朱紅) Sea.
 * The northern sea between Shenzhou and Jiangshan is known as the Qingshui Sea (清水), which deviates northward at the Dianqing (靛青) peninsula into the Sea of Jingyu (鯨魚) to the west and the Sea of Xaio (曉) to the east.
 * The Sea of Udeung separates Jiangshan from Liao.
 * The Sea of Xaio, followed by the Xiong (熊) Sea separate Shenzhou from Liao. The Sea of Xiao and the Xiong Sea are separated from each other by the Shumiao (樹苗) Strait, the narrowest point between them.
 * The southern sea between Shenzhou and Jiangshan is known as the Conglin Sea.
 * The Qingshui Sea and the Conglin Sea are divided by what's known as the Yinghao Strait, the narrowest point between them.
 * The island of Nangoku is sometimes considered part of Jiangshan, but modern cartographers still dispute this.
 * The southernmost waters of Marlakcor above the Grand Line is the Chidao (赤道) Sea.