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Fantasy Tales of Nakashigata -- Setting & Lore
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Chordling
Bardbarian, the Divine Chordia of Concordia
Tales of Nakashigata -- Setting & Lore
The Land of Nakashigata
Nakashigata is of ancient soil. Life was simple when it began. A substantial portion of the meager population back then consisted of farmers and merchants. It would have been impossible for the founding generation of Nakashigata to predict that the bare farmland would prosper and blossom into the bustling society it is today. The Land of Nakashigata is divided into four regions, one for each of the four lakes and spirit shrines, but the Emperor and his cabinet of trusted advisors rule over all. Imperial power has governed the land for over the last century after a meek and grim era of martial law. The people of Nakashigata have enjoyed an era of prosperity and peace ever since Imperial power was restored. Civilization was reformed and technology was transformed during the upbringing of national unity. Many of them see it as a blessing from mythical creatures, the Dragons.
Dragons
Dragons are recognized as water deities. They are serpentine and do not have wings as observed with dragons from European mythology. Some records show human sacrifices of various forms to the dragons. They even explain dragons as shapeshifters; dragons could disguise themselves as humans. Military fleets often named themselves after these powerful creatures, which could be seen living in bodies of waters by dedicated temples or shrines. Japanese dragons notably have three claws on each foot. Dragons have been connected to the royal bloodline in countless tales. Modern rumor has it that some of the ancestors of the Emperor still live. The people celebrate an annual festival is held in honor of the great serpents that feature five main events. It is a showcase of Nakashigata pride and culture.
Regions
Nakashigata is divided into four regions that all neighbor each other. People of Nakashigata will refer to their own region as the "Lake and Shrine of…" to indicate where they are from.
Nakashigata National Defense Academy (NNDA)
The NNDA is located in the Lake and the Shrine of the Sword. It is the training grounds for future military leaders, soldiers, region advisors, and samurai warriors. Students as young as 18 years of age and of any gender may enroll. The following degrees are offered at the academy:
School of Humanities - a degree that focuses on law, languages, religion, and art.
School of Science - a degree that focuses on physics, chemistry, geography, and oceanography.
School of Defense - a prerequisite degree to the military program that focuses on national defense, strategy, leadership, and history.
Military Program - a 1,500 hour course that focuses on martial arts, archery, and sword technique. Those who excel in the program may graduate as a samurai warrior.
History of Steam Technology
The Nakashigata military pushed advancements of steam technology and industrialization to fortify and protect the land from potential invading forces. But advanced weaponry and some technology were banned from the nation once the Emperor regained power from the military for the way officers used them to abuse society, break from traditional culture, and cause long periods of terror. Citizens and military members alike are no longer allowed to own or manufacture firearms. Steam technology is only allowed to be used for recreational purposes or for manufacturing commercial ships. The Emperor receives aide from allied nations in times of war in exchange for a share of Nakashigata's riches.
Nakashigata is of ancient soil. Life was simple when it began. A substantial portion of the meager population back then consisted of farmers and merchants. It would have been impossible for the founding generation of Nakashigata to predict that the bare farmland would prosper and blossom into the bustling society it is today. The Land of Nakashigata is divided into four regions, one for each of the four lakes and spirit shrines, but the Emperor and his cabinet of trusted advisors rule over all. Imperial power has governed the land for over the last century after a meek and grim era of martial law. The people of Nakashigata have enjoyed an era of prosperity and peace ever since Imperial power was restored. Civilization was reformed and technology was transformed during the upbringing of national unity. Many of them see it as a blessing from mythical creatures, the Dragons.
Dragons
Dragons are recognized as water deities. They are serpentine and do not have wings as observed with dragons from European mythology. Some records show human sacrifices of various forms to the dragons. They even explain dragons as shapeshifters; dragons could disguise themselves as humans. Military fleets often named themselves after these powerful creatures, which could be seen living in bodies of waters by dedicated temples or shrines. Japanese dragons notably have three claws on each foot. Dragons have been connected to the royal bloodline in countless tales. Modern rumor has it that some of the ancestors of the Emperor still live. The people celebrate an annual festival is held in honor of the great serpents that feature five main events. It is a showcase of Nakashigata pride and culture.
Regions
Nakashigata is divided into four regions that all neighbor each other. People of Nakashigata will refer to their own region as the "Lake and Shrine of…" to indicate where they are from.
Lake and Shrine of the Koi
The lake sits on a mountaintop and is home to many koi fish. Residents come to admire the elegance of the water life and of the mysterious waterfall which feeds into the lake from high-set mossy rocks. Great measures are taken to protect the fish which inhabit the lake. It is prohibited for anyone to go fishing or swim in these sacred waters. The shrine honors the Koi, who overcame the strength of the waterfall to ascended and become a dragon. It is also a monastery for the Monks. People from this region emphasize the importance of education and perseverance. It is a society of high competition and crowned for prestigious schools.
Lake and Shrine of the Lotus
Eight mighty rivers feed into the lake and at the center is where the shrine rests. The multitude of rivers is used for commerce. Merchants must leave offerings of luxurious items to the shrine as a form of taxation. The eight young maidens who reside within the shrine, all between the ages of twelve and eighteen, accept the offers in honor of the eight-headed dragon deity. Virgin daughters are offered to the Shrine of the Lotus from families of nobility or from families who wish to redeem themself in the eyes of the dragons. It is anonymously considered to be a high honor to be a maiden of the lake and the shrine. A maiden is sacrificed to the lake once she is eighteen. Her body is mutilated during the private ceremony and her life is drained into a fountain that runs with the water of the lake. The ceremony includes the induction of a new maiden who must bathe in the blood-stained waters to complete the ritual. The entire process ensures that eight maidens are always present. There must always be eight maidens occupying the shrine or the eight rivers supporting the lake are rumored to drain dry.
Lake and Shrine of the Crane
The fables speak of a warrior who accepted to aide the dragon occupying the land and succeeded. The dragon allowed the warrior and his people to settle and blessed it with fertile soils. Bountiful crops grow every year here and the water of the lake is pristine thanks to the blessing. Needless to say, the region is a large contributor to the land's supply of food and stock. The Shrine of the Crane is a common pilgrimage site to those who a place of healing. Newlyweds come in search of good fortune for their marriage, pregnancy, families, and fertility. Those who are unable to receive the region's fertility blessings search for remedies of various natures. The region even has fortunetellers who offer readings… for a price.
Lake and Shrine of the Sword
The Shrine of the Sword is the oldest region of the land and is the heart of the region's military, training grounds, and forges. People of the region are proud and disciplined. Samurai warriors, who guard the entrance of the shrine and the ancient contents within it, gaze down from mighty horses and are clad with traditional armor and weaponry. The treasured artifacts tell of a samurai warrior who embraced mercy to slay the lake's dragon, who had been corrupted into attacking innocent, passing travelers. The bones of the deity are said to rest in peace beneath the depths of the murky lake. Most who wish to enter the shrine are rejected and may only admire the golden statue of the alleged hero moments before slaying the serpent. Young samurais who have completed their training are among the few individuals who are allowed passage into the shrine only during ceremony.
The lake sits on a mountaintop and is home to many koi fish. Residents come to admire the elegance of the water life and of the mysterious waterfall which feeds into the lake from high-set mossy rocks. Great measures are taken to protect the fish which inhabit the lake. It is prohibited for anyone to go fishing or swim in these sacred waters. The shrine honors the Koi, who overcame the strength of the waterfall to ascended and become a dragon. It is also a monastery for the Monks. People from this region emphasize the importance of education and perseverance. It is a society of high competition and crowned for prestigious schools.
Lake and Shrine of the Lotus
Eight mighty rivers feed into the lake and at the center is where the shrine rests. The multitude of rivers is used for commerce. Merchants must leave offerings of luxurious items to the shrine as a form of taxation. The eight young maidens who reside within the shrine, all between the ages of twelve and eighteen, accept the offers in honor of the eight-headed dragon deity. Virgin daughters are offered to the Shrine of the Lotus from families of nobility or from families who wish to redeem themself in the eyes of the dragons. It is anonymously considered to be a high honor to be a maiden of the lake and the shrine. A maiden is sacrificed to the lake once she is eighteen. Her body is mutilated during the private ceremony and her life is drained into a fountain that runs with the water of the lake. The ceremony includes the induction of a new maiden who must bathe in the blood-stained waters to complete the ritual. The entire process ensures that eight maidens are always present. There must always be eight maidens occupying the shrine or the eight rivers supporting the lake are rumored to drain dry.
Lake and Shrine of the Crane
The fables speak of a warrior who accepted to aide the dragon occupying the land and succeeded. The dragon allowed the warrior and his people to settle and blessed it with fertile soils. Bountiful crops grow every year here and the water of the lake is pristine thanks to the blessing. Needless to say, the region is a large contributor to the land's supply of food and stock. The Shrine of the Crane is a common pilgrimage site to those who a place of healing. Newlyweds come in search of good fortune for their marriage, pregnancy, families, and fertility. Those who are unable to receive the region's fertility blessings search for remedies of various natures. The region even has fortunetellers who offer readings… for a price.
Lake and Shrine of the Sword
The Shrine of the Sword is the oldest region of the land and is the heart of the region's military, training grounds, and forges. People of the region are proud and disciplined. Samurai warriors, who guard the entrance of the shrine and the ancient contents within it, gaze down from mighty horses and are clad with traditional armor and weaponry. The treasured artifacts tell of a samurai warrior who embraced mercy to slay the lake's dragon, who had been corrupted into attacking innocent, passing travelers. The bones of the deity are said to rest in peace beneath the depths of the murky lake. Most who wish to enter the shrine are rejected and may only admire the golden statue of the alleged hero moments before slaying the serpent. Young samurais who have completed their training are among the few individuals who are allowed passage into the shrine only during ceremony.
Nakashigata National Defense Academy (NNDA)
The NNDA is located in the Lake and the Shrine of the Sword. It is the training grounds for future military leaders, soldiers, region advisors, and samurai warriors. Students as young as 18 years of age and of any gender may enroll. The following degrees are offered at the academy:
School of Humanities - a degree that focuses on law, languages, religion, and art.
School of Science - a degree that focuses on physics, chemistry, geography, and oceanography.
School of Defense - a prerequisite degree to the military program that focuses on national defense, strategy, leadership, and history.
Military Program - a 1,500 hour course that focuses on martial arts, archery, and sword technique. Those who excel in the program may graduate as a samurai warrior.
History of Steam Technology
The Nakashigata military pushed advancements of steam technology and industrialization to fortify and protect the land from potential invading forces. But advanced weaponry and some technology were banned from the nation once the Emperor regained power from the military for the way officers used them to abuse society, break from traditional culture, and cause long periods of terror. Citizens and military members alike are no longer allowed to own or manufacture firearms. Steam technology is only allowed to be used for recreational purposes or for manufacturing commercial ships. The Emperor receives aide from allied nations in times of war in exchange for a share of Nakashigata's riches.
Chordling
Bardbarian, the Divine Chordia of Concordia
Magic is not an ability that humans have in this setting.
Advanced weapons, which are considered as a weapon that would outdated a standard bow and arrow, were banned from Nakashigata because of how the nation's military abused them against civilians for power.
Nakashigata relies on neighboring allies to protect them during times of war. Allies are formed in exchange for riches and noble and royal marriages.
They have been dormant for centuries. No one in this lifetime has seen a dragon. No one that you know has seen a dragon in their own lifetime. No one that they would know has seen a dragon in their lifetime.
Kizami was a tobacco product that they did smoke through a very long pipe called the kiseru. Opium is forbidden.
In Nakashigata, the Emperor receives aide from his advisors. There is one advisor for each region and his own personal advisor that lives in the palace with him, so there are five advisors in total who report to the emperor on the well being on the nation and its people. The Emperor is well respected and honored because he is believed to be the closest living descendant of the dragons themselves.
Basically a living god.
Here is a YouTube playlist with fighting styles that could be observed in the setting. Thank you
Purr
and
dr xenon
Xenon for providing the links to these videos.
Last edited:
Chordling
Bardbarian, the Divine Chordia of Concordia
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