Marlakcor

Marlakcor is the northeastern continent of Patria.

Four Holy Cities
The Four Holy Cities are a quartet of independent religious city-states spread around Marlakcor, all of whom worship one of the four divine beasts.

Bei Haigui
Government: Theocracy Heads of State: Council of Four Masters Heads of Government: Council of Four Masters Legislature: Council of Four Masters Demonym: n/a Currency: n/a

The Holy City of Bei Haigui is a city-state situated on the island of the same name in the Sea of Yao, at the entrance to Gui Bay. It shares Maritime borders solely with Huaxia to the south.

A deeply religious state, Bei Haigui is one of four independent cities that are controlled by the religious order that pledges faith to the four Divine Beasts. As the northern city of the order, Bei Haigui serves as the base for the Temple of Genbu Xuanwu, the Black Turtle, Lord of Winter & Warden of the North.

As Huaxia expanded into the north, Bei Haigui was spared any threat of conquest or vassalization, as not even the Huaxian Huangdis dared to threaten the sanctity of such a holy place.

Dong Long
Government: Theocracy Heads of State: Council of Four Masters Heads of Government: Council of Four Masters Legislature: Council of Four Masters Demonym: n/a Currency: n/a

The Holy City of Dong Long is a city-state situated on the island of the same name in the Bay of Xiaolong, surrounded by Qiu Island to the north. It shares Maritime borders solely with Huaxia, whom surrounds it.

A deeply religious state, Dong Long is one of four independent cities that are controlled by the religious order that pledges faith to the four Divine Beasts. As the eastern city of the order, Dong Long serves as the base for the Temple of Seriyu Qinglong, the Azure Dragon, Lord of Spring & Warden of the East.

As Huaxia expanded east, Dong Long was spared any threat of conquest or vassalization, as not even the Huaxian Huangdis dared to threaten the sanctity of such a holy place.

Nan Niao
Government: Theocracy Heads of State: Council of Four Masters Heads of Government: Council of Four Masters Legislature: Council of Four Masters Demonym: n/a Currency: n/a

The Holy City of Nan Niao is a city-state situated on the island of the same name in the Zhuhong Sea. It shares Maritime borders with Huaxia to the north and Jingling to the south.

A deeply religious state, Nan Niao is one of four independent cities that are controlled by the religious order that pledges faith to the four Divine Beasts. As the southern city of the order, Nan Niao serves as the base for the Temple of Suzaku Zhuque, the Vermilion Bird, Lord of Summer & Warden of the South.

As Huaxia expanded southward, Nan Niao was spared any threat of conquest or vassalization, as not even the Huaxian Huangdis dared to threaten the sanctity of such a holy place.

Xi Hu
Government: Theocracy Heads of State: Council of Four Masters Heads of Government: Council of Four Masters Legislature: Council of Four Masters Demonym: n/a Currency: n/a

The Holy City of Xi Hu is a city-state situated on the island of the same name in the Laohu Channel, just before the fork the deviates into the Sea of Udeung to the west and the Strait of Xaio to the east. It shares maritime borders solely with Huaxia, whom surrounds it completely.

A deeply religious state, Xi Hu is one of four independent cities that are controlled by the religious order that pledges faith to the four Divine Beasts. As the western city of the order, Xi Hu serves as the base for the Temple of Byakko Baihu, the White Tiger, Lord of Autumn & Warden of the West.

As Huaxia expanded westward, Xi Hu was spared any threat of conquest or vassalization, as not even the Huaxian Huangdis dared to threaten the sanctity of such a holy place.

Empire of Huaxia
Capital: Xiquanqiu Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Tianzi Huangdi Heads of Government: Tianzi Huangdi & Zaixiang Legislature: None Demonym: Huaxian Currency: Jiaozi, Huizi, Banliang, Wuzhu

The Empire of Huaxia is the dominant, and largest, state on Marlakcor. In the Shoudu Region, the capital regions, it borders Zhunghua to the south, and shares maritime borders with the Roman province of Serica via the Lading Channel. Via the Conglin Peninsula, it borders Jingling to the south, and on the western continent, the Xifang Regions, it borders Raimei to the south and the Yamato Morokoshi Kokudos to the west.

To the east, it and shares maritime borders with Shenzhou. In the northwest it shares maritime borders with the island empire of Joseon, from whom it conquered most of the western continent, and the Empire of Tibet to the north, from whom it conquered most of the western half of northern continent. The eastern half of the continent was once controlled by the Empire of Tianxia, whom resisted Huaxian expansion until its final breath.

Huaxia also borders four island city-states: In the north, beyond Gui Bay, Huaxia shares maritime borders with the Holy City of Bei Haigui. In the Han Channel, which separates the eastern and western sides of the continent, Huaxia shares maritime borders with the Holy City of Xi Hu. In the Zhuhong Sea to the south, Huaxia shares maritime borders with the Holy City of Nan Niao. To the east, in the Bay of Xiaolong of southern Qiu Island, Huaxia shares maritime borders with the Holy City of Dong Long.

Huaxia is also the overlord of Tibet; forcing them to surrender base sovereignty in the face of the ferocity of the Huaxian Imperial Army & Navy and threats of invasion. At one point it held the now-defunct Kingdom of Shenzhou as a vassal as well, but it has since been conquered by Rome.

Huaxia spared the four Holy Cities from conquest or vassalization, as not even the Huangdis of the time dared to threaten or desecrate the sanctity of such Holy places. All this is a result of the Huaxian Wars of Conquest (c. 3522 AFZ – c. 3875).

Originally a collection of nearly thirteen states in what is now the Shoudu Region, Huaxia began when a warlord known to history as Qiang Zheng, a general from what was then the Kingdom of Fenghuo, usurped control of the kingdom in a military coup d'état. Qiang Zheng then led his followers to conquer all of Fenghuo's rivals, thus founding the Huaxian Empire under the rule of the Qiang Dynasty with himself as the first Huangdi. In the subsequent Huaxian Wars of Conquest, which lasted hundreds of years with varying periods of peace, and several different dynasties, Huaxia expanded in every direction and grew into one of the largest and wealthiest empires on Patria; it is outclassed only by Yamatai in the latter aspect.

Currently under the rule of the Jiang Dynasty, Huaxia maintains the largest known armed forces on Patria, but the country's sheer size, and constant threat of rebellions in the outer territories furthest from Benqian Province, the capital of the Shoudu Region, causes it to be spread thin. This flaw caused it to lose control of its westernmost territories during the Yamato Invasions of Marlakcor (4010 AFZ – 4100). Huaxia also lost the former Kingdom of Shenzhou as a vassal, along with some of its southeastern territories, when the Roman Empire invaded and conquered Shenzhou, renaming it Serica. Despite these flaws, it maintains its status as Marlakcor's dominant empire.

On the western border with the Yamato Morokoshi Kokudos stands the Great Wall of Xifang. This massive fortification of 100-foot-high stone walls, fortresses, and castles, which runs along the entire length of the Morokoshi-Huaxian border. It was constructed in the wake of the Third Yamato-Huaxian War (4100 AFZ – 4112) to prevent any further expansion eastward by the Yamato into the western continent, and took nearly a century to build. 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 was fought from 4516 to 4523.

This wall far surpasses Mulan's Wall, which was built for similar reasons against Huaxia.

Confederation of Jingling
Capital: Toron's Grove Government: Confederated Elective Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Rinv Head of Government: Rinv Legislature: High Council Demonym: Jinglinese Currency: Bloom

The Confederation of Jingling is a large confederated Wood Elven kingdom occupying the dense Conglin Jungles in southern Marlakcor.

It borders Zhonghua to the east, Huaxia to the north via the Conglin Peninsula, and shares maritime borders with Raimei to the west across the Sea of Fengbao.

Ruled by Wood Elves, Jingling one of four independent Wood Elf states on Patria, the others being Korokiri and Huzkhaz in Aquilonis, and Muisca in Nekcroz. However, compared to the rest of the known sovereign Wood Elf states, Jingling is much larger and more powerful.

Jingling is a collection of nearly two hundred autonomous tribal chiefdoms pledging fealty to the king, and therefore isn't wholly united. Consequently, internal conflicts, ranging from inter-clan disputes to all-out-war, are a common occurrence.

Empire of Joseon
Capital: Goguryeo Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Taewang Head of Government: Taewang Legislature: Imperial High Council Demonym: Joseonite Currency: Mun, Yang, Won

The Empire of Joseon is an island nation, occupying the island of the same name, in the northwest corner of Marlakcor, sharing maritime borders with the Yamato Morokoshi Kokudos to the south and Huaxia to the east.

Once stretching from the northern Sea of Udeung to the southern Isthmus of Jeolm-eum on the western continent, Joseon was once the two dominant nations on western lands of Marlakcor before Huaxia invaded. As a result of the Huaxian Wars of Conquest, Joseon was reduced to the island from whence it originated. Unlike Tibet and now-defunct Shenzhou, Joseon managed to stave off the threat of invasion and retain full sovereignty.

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

The Empire of Nanyue is a monarchical island nation, occupying the tropical jungle island of the same name, in the Xich Dao Sea of southern Marlakcor. It shares maritime borders solely with Raimei to the west.

Empire of Raimei
Capital: Hekireki Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Tenno Head of Government: Tenno Legislature: None Demonym: Raimese Currency: Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

The Empire of Raimei is a large monarchical state in southwestern Marlakcor, occupying a territory known as the Farxng Region.

Raimei borders the Morokoshi Kokudos to the west, Huaxia to the north via the Isthmus of Jeolm-eum, and shares maritime borders with Jingling to the east across the Sea of Fengbao, and Nanyue to the southeast via its island territories in the Xich Dao Sea, and Siam to the south across the Keiyrti Channel.

Raimei was once part of the Yamato Morokoshi Kokudos, 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 Siam, Raimei has it's own unique culture that is a blend of both Yamato and Siamese culture.

Nation of Renyu Dao
Capital: Yai Government: Elective Absolute Monarchy Head of State: Patriarch/Matriarch Head of Government: Patriarch/Matriarch Legislature: Council Demonym: Renyan Currency: Banliang, Wuzhu

The Nation of Renyu Dao is an island nation, occupying the island of the same name in the Xich Dao Sea of southern Marlakcor, sharing maritime borders with solely Zhonghua.

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 Zhonghua expanded to their waters, they at first signed a treaty to come under Zhonghuan 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 Zhonghua's government caved in and drew back within weeks.

Kingdom of Siam
Capital: Thonburi Government: Hereditary Absolute Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Rama Head of Government: Rama Legislature: None Demonym: Siamese Currency: Dok Chan, Pod Duang, Namo

The Kingdom of Siam is an island nation, occupying the island of the same name, in southwest Marlakcor, sharing maritime borders solely with Raimei to the north across the Keiyrti Channel.

It once occupied the southern portion of the western continent, once bordering Joseon, and then Huaxia, at the Isthmus of Jeolm-eum, but invasions by Yamatai and the Yamato-Saimese War (4120 AFZ – 4131) led it to recede from the mainland as Yamatai established the Morokoshi Kokudos.

When the Sanda clan rebelled against Oda rule a century later, separating from the Morokoshi Kokudos and establishing the Empire of Raimei, Siam 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 Tibet
Capital: Lhasa Government: Hereditary Absolute Monarchy Head of State: Tsenpo Head of Government: Tsenpo Legislature: None Demonym: Tibetan Currency: Jiaozi, Huizi, Banliang, Wuzhu

The Empire of Tibet is an island nation, occupying the mountainous tundra island of the same name in the Sea of Hanleng in northern Marlakcor, sharing maritime borders solely with Huaxia to the south.

Tibet was once one of nations dominating the high mountains and tundras of the northern continent before Huaxia invaded, the other being the now-defunct Empire of Tianxia. Tibet once controlled the western half of the northern continent, up to the isthmus separating Gui Bay from the Gulf of Shule, while Tianxia controlled the rest of the eastern half; these two powers fought for land and power on-and-off for nearly five centuries before Huaxia invaded.

As a result of the Huaxian Wars of Conquest, Tibet was reduced to the island from whence it originated, while Tianxia has ceased to exist. Tibet has since become a vassal of Huaxia in the face of the ferocity of the Huaxian 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 Huaxia, Tibet also maintains the rights to mine certain areas within Huaxia's borders on the northern mainland, in exchange for Huaxia receiving 25% of the profits as tribute annually.

Empire of Zhonghua
Capital: Luoyang Government: Confederated Parliamentary Elective Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Huangdi Head of Government: Zaixiang Legislature: Diguo Yihui Demonym: Zhonghuan Currency: Jiaozi, Huizi, Banliang, Wuzhu

The Empire of Zhonghua is a large state in southeast Marlakcor, bordering Huaxia to the north and the Wood Elven kingdom of Jingling to the west. It also shares maritime borders with the Roman province of Serica to the north. 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. It also holds sovereignty over the islands of Long Qundao in Maritymir.

Zhonghua was originally a collection of independent states struggling for land and dominance; but in the face of Huaxian aggression and expansion during the Huaxian Wars of Conquest, many of the northern states banded together to resist the expansion of Huaxia, eventually uniting into a single confederated imperial state. When the wars with Huaxia ended, they turned their attentions toward expanding west and south, uniting many other states and tribes under their banner through treaty and conquest, eventually expanding to northern Maritymir. Zhonghua remains at odds with Huaxia to this day, and the two empires go to war almost every other decade for one reason or another. Its relations with the Wood Elves of Jingling are cold too, but diplomacy has avoided too many wars.

On the northern land border with Huaxia, and down the northwestern coast, stands Mulan's Wall, named for Hua Mulan, the legendary female general who spearheaded the defense of Zhonghua during the last war before the wall's construction, and served as the wall's architect. This massive fortification of 100-foot-high stone walls, fortresses and castles, which runs along the entire length of the Huaxian-Zhonghua border and took nearly ten years to build, was constructed to prevent any further invasion by Huaxia. The section of the wall along the land border prevents invasion by land, while the wall along the northwestern coast prevents an amphibious invasion via the nearby Laoying Peninsula. Mulan's Wall was originally just the northern wall along the land border, but when Huaxia solidified its grip on the Laoying Peninsula the wall was extended down the northwestern coast. The wall has fulfilled its purpose throughout its existence.

Kami Islands (Yamatai)
Capital: Aki no Machi Government: Imperial Appointed Magistracy Head of State: Tenno of Yamatai Head of Government: Sotoku Legislature: High Council Demonym: Kamio Currency: Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

The Kami Islands is an archipelagic Senkyo owned by Yamatai in the Sea of Shinko in the northwestern waters of Marlakcor.

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

The Morokoshi Kokudos the the collective term for the kokudos (provinces) of the Yamato Empire on mainland Marlakcor. The Provinces border Huaxia and Raimei to the east, and sharing maritime borders with Joseon 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-Huaxian War (4010 AFZ – 4019). The Third Yamato-Huaxian War (4100 AFZ – 4112) ended with the Morokoshi Kokudos' furthest northern and eastward expansion into the westernmost parts of the western continent, and resulted in the construction of the Great Wall of Xifang, preventing any further expansion. Yamatai instead turned its attentions to the southern lands, and several wars with Siam over several generations led to the conquest of the entire southern portion of the western continent.

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

Like Yamatai proper, the Morokoshi Kokudos are divided into several kokudos ruled by clan Daimyo pledging fealty to the Tenno of Yamatai, and smaller ryoikis ruled by Shujins sworn to the Daimyo. Some clans and Daimyos are from Yamatai proper, whether by immigration or land grants; other Daimyos, particularly the eastern ones, are more local compared to the clans of Yamatai proper, as the majority are families that cooperated, and even helped, the invading Yamato Imperial Armies during the Yamato Invasions of Marlakcor; many even adopted Yamato customs and traditions to varying extents.

Samui Shima (Yamatai)
Capital: Fuyumachi Government: Imperial Appointed Magistracy Head of State: Tenno of Yamatai Head of Government: Sotoku Legislature: High Council Demonym: Samuio Currency: Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

Samui Shima is an island Senkyo owned by Yamatai in the Sea of Kori Bing, the far northern waters of Marlakcor. Being so far north, Samui Shima is immensely cold.

Serica Province (Rome)
Capital: Wuhan Government: Imperial Appointed Viceroyalty Head of State: Augustus of Rome Head of Government: Proconsul & Vicarus Legislature: none Demonym: Serican Currency: Aureus, Denarius, Sestertius, Dupondius, As

Serica Province is a colony & province of the Roman Empire, occupying a cluster of islands in eastern Marlakcor on the west side of the Sinolatin Sea. Serica shares maritime borders with Huaxia to the north and west, and Zhonghua to the south.

Serica occupies the island of Shenzhou (the easternmost island), the Island of Shengfen (the land closest to the mainland), along with a cluster of islands in between them.

Formerly known as the Kingdom of Shenzhou, which was a vassal of Huaxia following the Huaxian Wars of Conquest, Serica was established as a result of the Roman Conquest of Shenzhou.

Suisho Islands (Yamatai)
Government: Hereditary Feudal Monarchy Head of State: Tenno of Yamatai Currency: Koban, Nibuban, Ichibuban, Tsuho

The Suisho Islands are an archipelagic territory of Yamatai in the western waters of Marlakcor, and are the easternmost islands of Yamatai proper. Divided into seven kokudos, all of which are ruled by the Hata clan, and one of which is named after the islands, the Suisho islands were the last lands to fall to Oda rule before Yamatai began its campaigns to conquer western Marlakcor; thus, it served as the launchpad for the mainland invasions that began the First Yamato-Huaxian War (4010 AFZ – 4019).

The conquest of Suisho is not considered part of the Age of Conquest period of the Two Hundred Years' War, as the islands and native states had been independent, and neutral to the chaos of the west, since long before the Thirteen Kingdoms Period preceding the wars. The islands weren't conquered until the 3950s.

Notes & Trivia

 * The demonym for people from Marlakcor is "Marlakcan".