| Kioko Kioko is one of the island’s most stable regions, if you can call a domain under the control of an unhinged spirit stable. While the region may not have as colourful a history as Kaori and Ahmose; undiscovered ruins, bandits, and a flourishing trade provide plenty of opportunities for the intrepid adventurer and enterprising businessman. Lord Description Also known as “The Fickle” or “Lord of Randomness”, Kioko is known as a slightly unhinged Kitsune-bi. Her flippant nature is reflected in her colour, which seems to be constantly changing. She revels in unpredictability and likes putting her personal touch to all kinds of matters within her realm. As such, she has been known to rule differently to established law simply because the possible ramifications intrigue her. One of the most famous examples of this was a case in which she punished a thief to wear banana peels on her head for an entire year. Despite her apparent disregard for rules and other’s well-being, Kioko does care about her subjects, although she has peculiar ways of showing it. Despite Kitsune-bi being known for their tendency toward lascivity, Kioko has shown remarkable restraint and willpower. She has never taken a mate, but houses a number of concubines within her castle for the sake of her retainers and the garrison. Despite the extensive amount of theoretical works in the Bestalion library, none of her subjects have managed to discover how she is able to restrain herself from her sexual urges, or how she can retain a level of intelligence way above normal for her species. Kioko is the official, but not de facto ruler of the Kioko region. Her flippant nature and frequent absence largely makes her unfit to actually rule her domain, and so her retainers Felice and Eunice deal with the day-to-day business of the realm. Servants Kioko has two retainers dealing with the day-to-day business of her domain, each one dealing with separate aspects of the government. Felice is a beautiful but stern youkou of average height with little tolerance for foreigners and an abrasive personality. She is Kioko’s treasurer and is rarely seen without a large, leather-bound tome under her arm and a quill behind her ear. While an incurable glutton, she never seems to gain weight. Her dress of office is a white kimono with a black, traditional floral pattern. Eunice is a modest and mild-mannered inari. Although acting as diplomat, steward and judge, she is incredibly lazy and spends most of her days comfortably curled up under the pillows that make up the “throne” in Pudding castle. She’s been caught snuggling and drooling all over the pillows in her sleep on various occasions but denies it fervently. In contrast to Felice, her dress of office is a black kimono with a white, fiery pattern. |
MetallumOperaturMar 27, 2017 4:54 PM
| Realm Kioko’s realm stretches from the northwestern marshes and beyond the mountains to encompass about two thirds of the north. The western part of her realm is characterised by a warm climate and a short but intense rain season. East Kioko on the other hand, being sheltered by the mountains, counts with a climate more closely resembling that of Elizabeth’s territory. West Kioko is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. An example of this is the rare blackwood tree. Blackwood has fire-resistant properties and enhanced durability but is rarely used due to few craftsmen skilled enough to work it, as well as outrageous fees to do so. Kioko’s culture is split in two. On one hand, old Kioko culture is heavily based on a nomadic lifestyle, and there are many tribes in the region who still live like nomads. On the other hand there’s also a new culture heavily based on what to humans would be asian; mainly chinese and japanese. The nomadic tribes are generally peaceful and account for a substantial part of Kiokan trade, but banditry is an integral part of their culture. Frequent attacks on unwary travellers and unprotected merchants has led to an upswing for freelance and company mercenaries. Because Kioko is mostly taken up by forest, farming has never had much importance to the Kiokan economy. Instead, the region relies on hunting, cultivation of fruit, as well as fishing for food. Shortly after Ahmose’s rise to power, a trade agreement was struck which made Kioko her main supplier of wood. While the value of coin is valued by Kiokans, the preferred method of trade is barter, whether it be food, materials, items, or sexual services. Coin is mainly used by foreigners putting down shop in Kioko or travelling merchants. Just like in other regions the most prevalent religion in Kioko is animism, specifically focused on the forest. Totems and pendants are common decorations believed to act as conduits or temporary homes to the forest spirit. Many believe these idols to bring luck or fertility when you have pleased the forest spirit. In every major settlement there is a tree which has been blessed and hollowed out. These are the homes of the Forest Keepers; a cult dedicated to tending to the forests. It is believed that by living in the trees themselves, they are able to bond with the forest spirit. The Keepers hold one of the most prestigious positions in Kiokan culture and are often elementals or renowned alchemists. Bestalion Unoficially known as “The Great Pudding City” courtesy of Kioko herself, Bestalion is Kioko’s capital and by far the largest city in the region. The city buildings are made of wood and built on stone foundations with few exceptions, the wealthier districts easily distinguishable by their multi-story buildings. Bestalion is known as a hub for commerce, and there is a large gambling community largely made up of traders. While there are no city walls, the city counts with a large city watch, and surveillance towers are dispersed throughout the city. The very center of the city is dominated by a japanese-style castle surrounded by a moat and a miniature forest garden. The forest garden doubles as the city’s largest public park as well as the home to Bestalion’s Forest Keepers. Kioko’s Castle Pudding castle is a five-story castle overlooking Bestalion, sitting on the top of a three level fortification with thick stone walls, each level above the last. It is visible from almost any part of the city and strikes a solid impression; It is one of few buildings in the city made of blackwood, and has a white tile roof. Aside from public reception and dining halls, the castle is equipped with all facilities needed to house a small army. Kioko has converted the top level into an aviary for carrier pigeons. In a cruel twist of fate, she also had a great bell installed in the middle of the aviary to call out the time of day. A severely underpaid harpy called Milly cleans the roof of bird poo every day. |
| Laws Kiokan law differs little from what could be considered a basic human framework. There is one notable example, however, which pertains to relationships. Upon finding a mate, a kiokan is required to find the nearest Keeper. The keeper will magically brand them, an action which serves two purposes: Firstly, it proves that an individual is claimed, and who their mate is. This way, a lost or abducted individual can be reunited with their family once they are located. It also prevents the selling of kiokans as slaves in Kioko domain, since the brand can be easily identified. Secondly, it allows the distribution of any legal action between the mates. A punishment of two weeks in jail for example, could thus be reduced to one week each. Unless requested, the punishment is assumed to be shouldered by the accused alone. The law was originally one of Kioko’s whims, but found steady support among the Kiokans and has remained in effect. Excerpt from "A Traveller's Guide to Kioko" by Joost Seldenthuis |
| Rumors - There are rumors of unexplored ruins in the northwestern marches. These have remained unconfirmed as none of the explorers who have set out for the marshes have ever returned. - There are claims that Kioko frequents the hot spring in Ethelyn, which is known as one of the best hot springs in Kioko. |
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