Corone [Archive] - Althanas

AdventWings

03-23-07, 10:36 AM

Akashima Lore Guardian

Ruka – Guardian of the Forest

The mighty Earth Serpent known as Ruka resides deep within the forest somewhere between Concordia and Akashima. Despite his humongous size, the Lore Guardian has been known to disguise himself as a wandering druid or even as a tiny tree snake. Utilizing the ancient art of Illusion Magic, he can change even his size and weight, deceiving the senses of perception of all but the other ancients of Althanas. Ruka is also known to Akashiman as the Guardian of the Harvest, legend saying that his very presence will cause small seedlings to sprout instantaneously from the ground. Ruka is fairly amiable, though he is also known to be quite slow as well.

Myra – Guardian of the Beasts (Pronounced as Maira)

From time and time again through its relatively young history, Akashima would be filled with festive music as a wandering band of street performers graced its streets, spreading their joyous tunes throughout the peaceful kingdom. Among them is a wild and lively dancer, her flame-red hair fanning through the crisp, cool air. The Scarlet Dancer, however, is none other than Myra herself – The other performers being the wild animals disguised by her Illusion Magic. She is known for her exuberant and lively personality as well as her fiery zeal in combat. Because of this, Akashiman soldiers consider her their very own Guardian and have on them a small bone-carved image of a saberlion – a reminder of her zeal and as a token of protection. Her natural form is that of the Akashiman Saberlioness.

Hadaja – Guardian of the Sea

Calm and serene, the Maiden of the Sea is known for her wisdom and charm reflected in her elegant turquoise locks and sapphire eyes. In her natural form, she known as the Great Eel of the Ocean and also acts as the Matron Protector of Yanbo Harbor, ensuring the continual flow of harvest as long as nature is respected. The Maiden of the Sea is also known to hold deep philosophical conversations with the sages of old times. She is seldom seen nowadays, but people have said that she rarely even appeared in full human form – at most having long, tail-like fins in place of her legs. Most of the locals know her as Hadaja, though some outsiders just regard her as Hadaj.

Kazen – Guardian of the Wind

The Wind Dragon is regarded as one of the most widely-known in Akashiman Lore, appearing in many legends and tales dealing with the Lore Guardians. The Emerald Dragon, however, resembles nothing from the Draconian legends of the Thayne Lore – his snake-like body holds no wing-like appendages and his maned head shines a glimmering jade glow. In his human guise, thanks to the ancient art of Illusion Magic, he resembles a robed sage wandering the rice fields with small birds flocking wherever he went. He is a rather jovial fellow, but he is also known to be ever-changing in temperament.

Gingitsu – Guardian of the Spirits

The Silver Fox known as the Trickster and Illusion Master, Gingitsu is the Patron Guardian of Ninyama Village and the Spirit Warders within. Crafty and mischievous, he is often times found along the slopes of the Shirayama Mountains close to the Sacred Crystal Cavern playing illusion tricks and mind games with the wanderers in the area. Whether it was to protect the Cavern or just for kicks, no one could really tell. Legend has it that his natural fox form has nine tails, though it could also be an illusion on his behalf as well. Then again, the Master of Illusion Arts is unrivalled and equally hard to catch, making him an ever elusive target to find. In his human form, he can often be found garbed in the traditional clothing and flowing silvery hair, a childish grin perpetually plastered on his face.

Koriko – Guardian of the Final End

Koriko, though not as well-known among the populace as much as Kazen or even Myra, is thoroughly feared by many who have heard her tales. “Shirahime,” “Pale Saint” and “Shinigami” being some of the titles usually referred to in place of her name, the Snow Maiden serves as the guide to the Akashiman Afterlife. According to legend, when the time of death approaches an Akashiman, A black-hair maiden dressed in snow-white kimono would appear at their side and whisk them away to the mountains. Other times, acquaintances of the deceased said they would see a white ferret scuttling about around the final moments of their loved ones. Not much else is known about her asides from her cold, enchanting stare and emotionless expression. Who knows what lies beyond her indifferent demeanor…

Aozor – Guardian of the Capital

Aozor manifests himself as a gigantic, snow-white heron who soar through the sky above Akashima, lending the tiny kingdom protection and guidance from afar. In fact, the very clan this nation had risen from regarded the Snow Heron as their sacred totem guardian. Not much is known about Aozor, though, nor has anyone ever seen him in his human disguise. To date, the most anyone had sight of his existence was a gigantic bird-like shadow far above the clouds. Still, his mere presence assured the Akashiman of the Lore Guardians’ eternal protection.

Important People of Akashima

Even though Akashima is a rather small and isolated country within Corone, the need for self-sustainable society has led to the different classes of people forming and moving the kingdom forward. While the Royal Family acts as the Ruling Head and Regional Commander, the people still has a say in what goes on in their country. The Dukes, each overseeing the different areas of Akashima, act as both the Regional Mayor, Marshall, Judge and Jury within their boundaries. The safety of Akashima as a whole depends on the cooperation of each Dukes and their devotion to the Nation.

The Royal Family

Lady Akashima – Akashima Honoka. The Queen of Akashima, she oversees the governing of the nation. Her caring smile and sensitivity to the tiny nuances of social life has assured her people peace and joy for many years.

Lord Akashima – Akashima Ryohou. The King of Akashima, Commander of the Royal Army and the Royal Navy. He is a stern and cautious general who needed to lighten up from time to time. Not that he has never been light-hearted, though, and enjoys a good laugh as much as the next person. He is widely regarded as thorough and painfully attentive.

Princess Akashima – Akashima Kikyo. The direct heir to the Akashima throne, Princess Kikyo is learning the ways of the proper royal conduct as well as the many things needed to know about running an entire nation. There have been funny rumors about her daring deeds within the walls, though anyone who knows of it would immediately clam up in front of a stranger.

The Dukes of Akashima

Duke of the North - Sakurazuka Yukio
Duke of the East - Asaraki Jubei
Duke of the West - Yamihara Hiroi (Deceased)
Duke of the South - Minamoto Satoshi
Duke of the Capital - Harumura Kano

The Four Smiths

Smith of the Sword - Murakama Kashihiro (Deceased)
- Master weaponsmith who fashioned the best quality wares in Akashima for the nobility and commoners alike. His recent passing has left a hole in the market waiting for a rising star to fill.

Smith of the System - Higurashi Hajime (Missing)
- A man known for his skills with clockworks, Hajime is the de facto leading figure of a rising new class of workers in Akashima. However, he is currently missing though news has it he is actually traveling overseas.

Smith of the Sea - Aramaki Taisho
- Akashima has only one harbor capable of constructing sea-worthy ships and only one craftsman capable of putting together a colossus like the Battle Ark. Taisho is currently working on completing the ninth of Akashima’s Battle Ark, his work taking precedence over everything else – even if it is a quick meal.

Smith of the Streets - Touhou Rikishi
- Rikishi is regarded by the populace as one of the master builders, being the master architect during the construction and layout of the Capital during the most recent Reconstruction. His ancestors were also the people two planned and constructed the Royal Palace, a testament of quality and promise of dedication to stability of the nation.

Other Important Notes

Social Structure and Etiquette

Akashima is a nation of peaceful coexistence and tradition, rooted in respect for nature and other living beings. The citizens are well known for their hospitality and welcoming smiles, reflected in their simplistic fashion and lifestyle. Some are better behaved than others, however, so there is always a Lawkeeper around to help keep the peace.

Akashiman Social Structure is not entirely complex, composing of the Commoners, the Artisan and the Royalty. Recently, with the examples set forward by the noteworthy clocksmith Hajime, there is a new class arising in Akashima known as the Engineers. They are still relatively unheard of by most.

Racial Note: the Nekojin

No one knew for how long had the Nekojin first been seen among the humans, but one can attest to their sense of pride and unity within their relatively small community. These feline-like humans have furry cat ears, tails and eyes though other features are distinctly human. They have coexisted within the human population with little problem at all.

Small communities of the Nekos are spread out in the Akashiman towns and one can easily distinguish the feline citizen from the humans – they found hiding their identity an unneeded chore and the human neighbors did not mind having them around anyway.

Regional Layout

The Capital

Centered at the very core of Akashima society is the Royal Family, the location of Capital City reflecting this belief into concrete form. Much of the area is made up of luxuriously-decorated homes and shops, the architecture being a unique blend of Radasanthian and Traditional Akashiman style. The streets are rather well-kept and paved with cobblestone, well-mapped and outlined to provide order and simplicity for travelling. Capital City is where the Crystal Spires stand, along with the Royal Palace and the Cadet Recruiment Center for Akashiman soldiers. The Duke of the Capital oversees the safety of this area.

The North

To the North of Capital City is a small stretch of farmland and forest before rising gently into the Shirayama slopes. This is also where Ninyama village is located, quite well-hidden among the trees a good ways up the slopes where snow occasionally touches the tips of grass. The towns in this area are fairly well-developed and easy to navigate. The path to Ninyama Village, however, is an entirely different story. Asided from Ninyama Village, the North is also well-known for its warm hotsprings and delicious fruit harvest, the best place to find strawberries and cherries of the highest quality. The largest population of Nekojin seemed to have made their homes here as well along the western outskirts of the city. The Duke of the North oversees protection of this area.

The West

This was the site the Snow Heron tribe once made their village long before the Demon Invasion, the defiled woodland now converted to massive oats and rice plantations to feed the growing population and support the entire kingdom. Beyond the fields lay the fringes of Concordia Forest, a short ways before reaching the main road linking Underwood to Radasanth. Much of the homes in this area has still retained their usual traditional ways, saved for the Estate which was modeled in the new Akashiman style. Also, the late swordsmith Kashihiro Murakama was said to have his home here, though it would now be difficult to find. The Duke of the West oversees the defense of this area, though it is now skeptical whether it is truly as safe as it appears with the recent death of Duke Hiroi Yamihara. The next in line to inherit the position is none other than the eldest of the Yamihara sisters, Asuka.

The South

To the south lies several rock quarries and a few well-placed fortresses built soon after victory over the Demon Invasion. This area is known for refined architecture and hardy men well-trained for defense of their homeland. As it is known in Akashima, no man is more devoted to his land than the Southern Akashiman soldier. It is here that the main training ground of the Akashiman Royal Army. Utilizing the limited stretch of open land to conduct drills and standard training, the Concordian forestland beyond the boundary is used as testing ground for all new recruits. The city is well-built and nearly half of the outer buildings are made from solid granite blocks, all lined up to resemble a gigantic wall in preparation for combat. Not surprisingly, the Smith Rikishi lives here and makes his rounds every morning to check on his grand masterwork for cracks and holes to fill. The Duke of the South overlooks the welfare of this area to make sure nothing sneaks in on his watch.

The East

To the East of Capital City, the nearly endless shoreline offers the Akashiman respite from the usual sight of green and brown. Though not quite beautiful enough to be called a vacation spot, the sea is filled with ocean harvest and Yambo Harbor is making every effort to bring in enough for the people while not destroying the fertile stock. It is also here that the gigantic Battle Arks are anchored, ready to defend the sea whenever threats come their way. It is also here that Higurashi Hajime's shop once stood, now only an empty shop remained in its place with the faint, eerie ticking of a clock heard in the darkness. Some say it is haunted, but others are quick to dismiss it. The Duke of the East manages the ocean harvest here and sends it to the Capital to be distributed to other areas, assuring that there will always be enough to eat for everyone.

- - - - -

Right. This is the slightly altered version for the add-on data with new updates, elaboration and all that jazz. So, what do you think? Too much structure or is this just plain horsefeather? :p

Seeing as Akashima will play a role in the Coronian Civil War, I felt it necessary to have all the needed data be put forth for in-depth role-playing experience. Plus, this would be kinda good for new members who have no idea what Akashima is about.