Continent: Westria
Capital: Shintapoor City
Ruled by : Bright Lotus
Government: Empire
Dominant Religion: Chinese (decrepit)
Language: Shintapoori (Chinese)
Typical Physiology: The typical appearance in this country is black hair, olive skin, delicate features, slim to moderately heavy build, height above average for world population. This last is particularly noticeable among the ruling class, who tend to be taller than average.
This country is ruled by an undying empress named Bright Lotus.
Originally, the only deities known and worshipped were those of the Chinese mythos; these beings all died in the Judgement War. Since then, there have been a number of other temples opened, mostly in Shintapoor city, with modest success. This religion may have developed here first in the world; as the emperors are always fantastically long lived, this part of the world has worshiped the Chinese deities for millennia.
Of particular note is that slavery is not only legal, it is quite common. This is typically a type of indentured servitude, forcing people to work as laborers or farm hands; personal slavery is unknown, as the profession of personal companion is quite common. This usually takes the form of a woman or man who forms a long-term, but professional, relationship as a companion to the employer, and only to that one person. However, slaves can only be bought by upper class and nobles, and they cannot be taken away from their home city.
The country is divided into three provinces, which were originally smaller countries before Bright Lotus unified them with two wars. She led her province, Guangxi, against Hainan province, in a war that lasted from 885 EA to 891 EA; by 890, Hainan was reduced to guerrilla tactics, and the remains of the government capitulated completely in 891. Some small elements continued to attack for the next two years, but they were usually wiped out during or after these attacks, and all resistance ended by late 893. In 902, Guangxi attacked Sichuan province, using a combination of overwhelming force, resettlement, and mixing society, completely conquered it in fifteen months. There is evidence that Shintapoor used to be much larger, with some very old ruins found in Gralur, and far to the south, beyond the great canal.
Guangxi province makes up the eastern part of Shintapoor; the western border includes the towns of Badding, Shaoguan, Lanzou castle, Tianjin and Nanning, and includes the islands north with the towns of Guilin and Wuzhou, plus the uninhabited islands north. Hainan province includes all the lands to the west, with the northern border including the towns of Botou, Thangshan, Hengyang and Yichang. The province of Sichuan includes all the lands north of those borders. While there is farming everywhere in Shintapoor, it is most heavily concentrated in Guangxi, where many crops are grown that are shipped elsewhere in the country, or out of country for trading. Hainan has more logging and mining than the other provinces; Sichuan is the trade center, and also is the home for numerous fishing fleets.
The government controls most sources of power - wizards, temples, druids, alchemists, enchanters, and so on. No private businesses along these lines will be generally found.
Bougainvillea has been mostly eradicated from this part of the world. Morning Glory grows everywhere and is very popular.