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[If you're interested in playing an eastern character, and would like to help set up a settlement, please send me a message.] Other Relevant Resources: [Note: There are various interchangeable terms whose usage varies between texts, i.e. a foreigner may use 'Distor', whilst a Shí loyalist may use 'Shíguó'. This is to emphasis the writer's perspective as well as the 'intended audience'. Distor is heavily influenced by Middle China, between the Qin and Han dynasties (considered the founding dynasties of China). Some documents may be considered outdated and contain information that may be perceived as being questionable. This is to ensure that these documents are not too rigid, for other contributors.] Distorian and Eastern Culture A Brief History of Distor, by Oū Ruònéng Tàishǐ, 1187 Wǔyuán - The Five Principles, Qiū Chóngyáng Sēng, 1203 Etymology of Distor, Erictheus Taitale, 1437 The Book of Shí I - Fashion and Culture, Yíng Zhēng, 1569 [If you wish to have a document added to this list, please message me a link, all contributions to the Eastern culture are welcome. Thank you.]

Art by: Picky Wallpapers Chiyaki ♚(A Sub-Culture of the Farfolk/Easterners)♚ Introduction: ------------- The Chiyaki of the Far East are a very elusive group of people, and not well known among their cousins in Vailor. Located on two large islands far from the troubles of the rest of the races and cultures, the Chiyaki people have grown into quite a peaceful group of humans, free of any troubles until recently. Under the Phoenix Emperor, the people of what they call The Empire of Chiyoko are taught to pursue what they wish, but never adventure outside of their islands. They are advanced when it comes to proficiency in building and studying things like plants and marine life. The Chiyaki are supporters of the arts, creating fine china and oil paintings to decorate their temples, pagodas, and noble palaces. This is a guide to the history, culture, and customs of this rarely heard of culture of people. to enlighten those who may seek to adventure to this mysterious land. ♚ Early History: ♚ ----------------- The earliest history of the Chiyaki people is recorded in old scrolls and tomes, describing the arrival of a group of explorers hailing from the West. Their leaders, Amelia and Raja, were of Heartlander and Farfolk descent, respectively, and had sailed a group of their close friends East to discover what they might find, to bring back to their Kings and Emperors. One of these fellow adventurers, Saleema, record that, during their journey, "Our ship was caught in a great storm, giant waves pushing the ship about like a toy." A further account of the aftermath of this tome is provided by the male leader, Raja, who claims that the ship was wrecked upon the shore of a large landmass, the group losing two to the vast ocean that had spit them out. Gathering what they could from the wreck, they built a small town deemed "Seaside" upon the coast, intermarrying with one another and beginning the Chiyaki culture as we know it today. As the leaders and founders of the town, Amelia and Raja were named Lord and Lady of Seaside, holding a grand official ceremony for their town in 1378. As the generations grew older and began to adapt to the island, their skin grew tanner and their eyes shaped into a slight slant. This effect on the eyes occurred due to the town being settled on a beach, where many of their farms and homes were out in the exposed sun. Their eyelids adapted to such, altering their appearance and that of this new culture forever. After 20 years, this small town had grown into a small city, many shipwrecked or lost sailors washing up on the shore and calling Seaside their home. After a while, the Council of Seaside began taking a census, recording the amount of people who lived in the city each year. In 1400, the Council called a meeting with the now aged members of the original group of explorers, including Amelia and Raja. At this meeting, it was decided that this city, with it's now expanding lands beginning to sprout with smaller villages and trading posts, needed a ruler of a higher station. Eight of the Nine Councilors agreed to crown Raja as their "Phoenix Emperor", taking on a similar system of class and government as they had lived under in their old lands. The Phoenix, a mythical bird, was chosen because it is reborn when it dies, rising from the ashes as the explorers did when they wrecked on the islands so many years before. ♚ List of Phoenix Emperors: ♚ ------------------------- Phoenix Emperor Raja Saefang, First of His Name, Ruler of the Chiyoko Empire (1400 - 1420): Raja Saefang was born to a Farfolk merchant and his wife in the back of a wagon. Some would later write that this was the reason for his adventurous nature. After being crowned Emperor, Raja arranged for the Lazuli Palace to begin contruction, the main building components being white marble and special bricks made of Lapiz. This grand palace was to be where he and his family would reside, the materials being collected from the large and wealthy mines that the Council had opened a few years before. His reign, not including his time as "Lord", was one of the shorter ones in the history of the Empire. He died of a chill, at the age of 59. Sometimes called "Raja The Explorer". Phoenix Emperor Tomoha Saefang, First of His Name, Ruler of the Chiyoko Empire (1420 - 1481): Eldest and only son of Raja and Amelia, Emperor Tomoha was crowned on the morning after his father had passed on. Being 19, he had escaped a regency, but he was forced to wed that same year to the daughter of one of the original explorers, Kellan Windsweep. This girl, Setsuna Windsweep, would eventually become one of the greatest Empress-consorts and Empress-Regents in history, assisting in building Seaside's first homeless shelter and orphanage. Tomoha, during his reign of 61 years, accomplished many crucial objectives like creating a proper tax system, establishing a formal Imperial military force, and finally making official the nobility system of the Chiyoko Empire. Tomoha died in 1481, passing of a heart attack whilst watching a katana duel. Phoenix Emperor Raja Saefang, Second of His Name, Ruler of the Chiyoko Empire (1481 - 1489 [Regency] / 1489 - 1532) Raja II of House Saefang was only 9 years old when he was crowned Phoenix Emperor, his mother Empress Regent Setsuna taking over as regent until he came of age in 1489. This when a bit of discord was felt within their once peaceful Empire, the Council fighting over why a woman should take the regency over a lord or proper man of the Imperial Council. Raja is not known for very much, other than having a tomb made for his family and building a better market for the city. Raja was thrown from his horse during a drunken race at the young age of 62. He left one issue, having had two wives who predeceased him and the latter giving him a daughter. Phoenix Empress Riku Saefang, First of Her Name, Ruler of the Chiyoko Empire (1512 - 1528[Regency] / (1528 - Present): Born 2 years before her father's death, Riku Saefang was raised from birth to one day rule the Phoenix Empire as it's first Empress Regnant. Her mother had died giving birth to her, so the Council took over as Regents until she reached 18. Her grandmother would serve in the beginning, until her death at the ripe age of 83. Afterwards, a small count named Manu Shitari would take up the title, educating the young girl in more unspoken skills, such as formal intrigue and spy-keeping. Riku, to this day, is called the brightest ruler the Chiyoko Empire has had thus far, and is known for expanding the city, building the first "Sky Temple", and rewriting the laws of succession, ensuring that the eldest child of the current ruler would inherit the titles of their parents, no matter the gender. ♚ Recent History ♚ ----------------- Phoenix Empress Riku's reign, other than the betrayal of her father-in-law, has been peaceful and prosperous..until a year ago. In 1555, diggers trying to open a new mine outside of Seaside discovered a strange tomb, from a more ancient civilization then their own. Within these ruins, the men found a scroll with strange writings on it, holding it up to the sun to get a better view of the characters. This was their mistake. Whatever dark magic that was inside of the scroll was released upon contact with the sunlight, a great storm coming over the Chiyoko Empire and lasting for several days. Once it passed, many villagers began hearing loud moaning in the night, and claimed to see spirits roaming the lands at night. At first, the Council brushed it off as peasant superstition, but then these more aggressive ghosts, called Poltergeists, began attacking citizens and burning down hamlets. Due to an army of Ghosts arising outside the Capitol, Empress Riku has since sealed off the gates into Seaside, placing checkpoints at each main gate and postern gate so that citizens and lords from the outside could get into their city safely, if their lands were not within the set perimeter. In late 1556, Empress Riku sent her seneschal, Rei Hirosawa, on a small boat to sail towards the latest realm of their cousins, Vailor. She hopes that perhaps, with time, the Empire of the Phoenix could migrate to this land whilst their own land's curse runs it's course, establishing a small Imperial colony to aid them in discussing their troubles with the racial nations. ♚ Appearance: ♚ ---------------- The Chiyaki people are similar in most everything to your common Highlander, Heartlander, or Farfolk, yet some things about them were a bit different: ○ Chiyaki folk are much shorter than most all humans, due to their diets being mostly fruits, vegetables, and fish. The average height for a Chiyaki person is 5'6. ○ Chiyaki, as stated earlier, have slanted eyes due to overexposure to the sun in their earlier settlement on the Islands. Their skin is tan or very pale, depending on their work, and many have either black, red, or brown hair. ♚ Culture:♚ ----------------- ○ The Chiyaki are quite proficient in celebration, holding a Harvest Festival every year in the Autumn Months. Men and women truly dedicated to such celebrations have invented quite a few items to help add to the fun, such as exploding colored powder and wands that sparkle when lit with a candle. ○ The arts are very important to the Chiyaki people, pottery and painting being their main interests. ○ Fashion and Decor are huge amidst the nobility of the Chiyoko Empire, things like exotic metalwork for jewelry and lanterns lighting your home are currently all the rage in Seaside as of late. ○ Everyone born in the Chiyoko Empire is raised to be quite passive and kind to others, only a few men and women holding jealousy or hatred in their heart. They also fear leaving their islands, many of the previous generations of Chiyoki saying that contact with Oren and the other human kingdoms might corrupt their pureness. Having carried over the Faith of Cannon from their old lands, they still build large temples in honor of the Creator and have a celebration for him every 5 years in the Lazuli Palace. (OOC:) This lore submission is something I have been working on for a while. I know a few people who have made asian-inspired characters, and I noticed that not a lot of lore was establish for such a culture....so here you have it ^__^ Feel free to leave suggestions with topics I should add, pictures, etc. Keep in mind, this is a sub-culture submission for the Farfolk Sub-Race. This is not intended to be a sub-race, nor is the land mentioned even supposed to be real. This is just lore for a culture that many, like myself, need some good background information for. In the "Recent History", I mention that the Empress has sent a ambassador of sorts to relate their problems to the leaders in Vailor. This is how, if approved, I will connect this land to Vailor and our next realm, due to their need to escape from the impending ghosts and ghouls! I also vow to constantly add to this snip of basic lore, and keep it as up to date as possible if approved! THANK YOU AND ENJOY! ^__^