Zipangu
From Shahara
Contents |
Overview: Land of Mystery and Secrets
Before magic was forgotten, Zipangu was known as "The Forbidden Lands of Zipangu". Nowadays they're known as mysterious isolationists, many believe them to be xenophobic. As the modern ages began, Zipangu would only make intermittent contact with the outside world, and even those bits of contact were, at best, enigmatic. Their culture was peculiar to most outsiders, their religious ceremonies equally strange, and they have always remembered their legends and myths. Zipangu has always been relatively quiet around the rest of the world, studying them, rarely offering much more than a few words of wisdom and some new toys they'd dreamed up. Then they'd go back to being quiet, integrating what they thought was fascinating about the outside world into their society, and continue their existence. Legend and mythology was never fully suppressed in Zipangu, the wondrous and amazing creatures that seemingly died out or disappeared in the rest of the world could, occasionally, be seen on the outskirts of Zipangu's society, and be believed instead of put down as lunacy or too much liquor. It is well known, at least in their own secluded society, that there are communities and monasteries where strange creatures quietly live out their lives hidden deep within the secret, icy ravines and caves of their forbidding Dishav mountain range. So when the Upheaval came.. They weren't really all that surprised. Indeed, they were barely bothered by it at all. Aside from the violence it brought, of course.
Society
Zipangu's society is full of quirks that seem downright odd to most people. For example- homosexuality is accepted here, it has a basis in Science as natural, yet a homosexual is still expected to find a way to reproduce that he or she might raise the child to prevent the end of their lineage and preserve their family's traditions. Another example is that women are generally expected to be docile and housewifey (for lack of a better term), yet it is fairly common that women acquire the same level of social, political, or even military power as men- married or not! Zipangu's philosophers say that their society, when comparing to the outside world, is to take everything you (the outsider) know, and give it a sharp twist. Honor is an important factor in this society, sometimes even more important than the truth. Face, on the other hand, has lost a great deal of value since they began dealing with Sharaha fifty or sixty years ago, allowing the younger generations to question its importance. Of course, every rose has its thorns, and Zipangu is not without its dark side. Ancient criminal societies that date back hundreds of years still persist to this day; smuggling, dealing in illegal substances and weapons, and slavery. Many of the eldest generations, particularly the elders that still hold power, resent the younger people and their disregard for when one wishes to save face before his peers. And then of course are political activists that wish to end Zipangu's tradition of being passive and isolationist in worldly affairs, their presence barely noticed unless the toys stop coming. The latter two examples may not seem all that important to outsiders, but people are regularly assassinated over simple matters, veiled insults, and private thoughts spoken behind the backs of others. The police do their best to keep these from happening or at least catch the perpetrators, but it is difficult due to traditions and unspoken alliances, unwritten rules of conduct and the like. And then there are the dark things that lurk on the outskirts of civilized society, strange aberrations unique to their land that cannot be found anywhere else. Secret cults and orders that have existed for over a millennia that wish to make their presence known, and there's always a radical terrorist or two that manages to get their hands on a bomb..
Economy
The main exports of Zipangu are various rare plants that are only found in their environment, digital equipment, and culture. Various plant-life that we would consider 'prehistoric' exists in vast quantities in Zipangu, which makes it invaluable for medical research, drug production, and use as food. They practically leapt into the computer age, fascinated by the prospects of a new world to explore, and have come to design some of the most advanced and sophisticated computer software in the world. They're also the leading country in the design of robotics and electronics. And, with another similarity to Japan, another big thing is their fairly esoteric culture. Philosophy, music, video games, animation, pornography, these are all very valuable and bring in plenty of money for Zipangu's people to enjoy their quiet lives. Visitors to Zipangu can expect to be treated based upon the impression that they give to the natives. A warrior can expect to be given a wide berth by the lower classes of citizenry, accorded respect by police and military personnel, provided they show it back. Roguish types should expect the Law to watch them closely, but the commoner at the tavern will be delighted to hear their tales of foreign lands and adventures. Spellcasters make them a little nervous, as they remember the old days of black magic and evil wizardry, though if a magic-user causes them no trouble they need not worry about villagers with farm implements. Adventurers can find all manner of activities to keep them busy, and quite a few decide to stay and live there. These visitors are quite important in their economic needs, as adventurers often bring new ideas and new experiences for them to study, contemplate upon, and develop ideas around.
Military
Sometimes you just can't live a quiet, peaceful life like you want. The neighboring country of Gathyanjo has always wanted to exploit Zipangu's natural resources for their own uses, and several other countries are likewise eager to sink their greedy fangs into the unknown treasures that these enigmatic people conceal within their forests, jungles, and mountains. This leads to war. Zipangu has a highly developed philosophy into the arts of war, many times they have exchanged tactical strategy with Pureacea's elite, and Gathyanjo's high priced mercenaries.. On the battlefield. Zipangu's military might lays almost solely within its infantry and its air force- they only have a few coastal towns, none of them are capable of supporting a naval force outside of a couple fishing boats with guns mounted on them. The ideal of the Samurai warrior is strong, even if the image has changed from a man carrying a katana to an armored soldier carrying a heavy gun, or a brave pilot cheating death time and again in brutal dogfights.
