Nippongi

Nippongi

Nippongi is a mid-sized independent island nation in the far East. The island is roughly 50 miles wide and 200 miles long with a volcanic ridge running through its center lengthwise. This ridge features several active volcanos and is largely responsible for the islands prosperity and rich fertile soil as well as its abundant resources. It is said that the God Nippo lives within the volcanos and as such he is the primary deity worshipped on the island. Due to the rich resources available Nippo is known for its Masterwork weapons. Credited partly to the high quality of iron, steel and Mythril on the island and partly to the way that smiths have learned on the island to utilize the geothermic abundance available to them. Nippongi Steel is seen as some of if not THE finest in the world. Palinor Steel (from its sister island) is its primary rival and equal due to the similar situations found on that island nation in the East. Nippongi has perfected the use of Gunpower and its coasts are well guarded from invasion however it is not an expansionist nation. The democratic Empire of Nippongi is based on representatives appointed from each of the major guilds representing the trades who then make decisions for the nation based on a house of lords. Each lordship is a position for 10 years at which time they can be re-appointed. This is done in a rotation so that no more than 1/10 of the house is up for election each year. These appointments are made by the Emperor who is said to be a direct descendant of Nippo. The order of Shinsengumi were formed to ensure corruption did not take the emperor or government officials, as well as to ensure the best interests of the people were always served. Nippongi is neutral and prefers to trade and profit but will defend themselves if needed, they lack a desire to spread or build an empire as they live a prosperous life under the watchful guidance and might of the god Nippo. The secondary God of the island is Pali, Goddess of Fire, Death and Rebirth. Nippongi has an active Travel Gate to Palinor hidden deep in the Imperial Temple. The Master smiths have learned the secret of Mythril and its creation but guard that secret well and most production of the holy metal is attributed to the rich veins that run through the central volcanic chain. Nippongi was relatively unaffected by the fall of Valdrakas due to its location in the far East.