The Eastern part of Heibesu is a land of rugged mountains and ancient woodlands with little in the way of flat or arable land. It is separated from the Imperial Heartlands by the Hidden Glades, a deep and mysterious forest. In terms of economy it is generally poorer, especially the former kingdoms of Ido and Hosohara, and peasants have it harder here than they would in the Heartlands both because of earning less income and because the land generally does not lend itself well to farming or herding of any kind.
Eastern Heibesu only came under Imperial domination in 683. Before that date, warlords competed with the Dazaifu Kingdom and realms based around Ido and Hosohara. After the Dazaifu War, most of this land was ruled under the iron fist of Clan Totori, which initially ruled from the Monastery of Light - the home of the famed Yamabushi. Even today, the rogue Kokura Shogunate in the extreme east of the continent defies the Empire and has set its sights on the city of Deidora...
There are a few forts in this region, but usually only to protect trade routes and the many villages that spawn along them. More mountainous land is usually left unguarded, as it forms a natural barrier, but also because far less people live there. The Great Hakone Range is home to Mount Hakone, an active volcano, and its wastes stretch for dozens of miles around. Villages and towns tend to be less populated and further apart. The Ameiko Fleet, while traditionally the merchant and exploration fleet of the Empire, also protects the northern shores from invasions. While there is little noteworthy beyond that horizon, except the Ragondan Mainland, it is believed enemy fleets such as Oranda's might sail around to these less defended shores, or worse, launch a faint from the Red Drake Sea while in fact massing their armies in the Whitetide Ocean.
Weather in the Highlands is harsh and often rainy. In higher altitudes, snow is not uncommon. There are many festivals though they usually only concern small fractions of the entire Highlands. The Festival of Light happens across Totori lands on the longest day of the year and it is a time of pageants, drinking but also a time when people pray to the benevolence of the Chantry. In Ameiko lands, Tide Month is a one-week holiday dedicated to sailing and to the Sea in general.
Points of Interest
Towns and Settlements
Geographical Features
Eastern Heibesu only came under Imperial domination in 683. Before that date, warlords competed with the Dazaifu Kingdom and realms based around Ido and Hosohara. After the Dazaifu War, most of this land was ruled under the iron fist of Clan Totori, which initially ruled from the Monastery of Light - the home of the famed Yamabushi. Even today, the rogue Kokura Shogunate in the extreme east of the continent defies the Empire and has set its sights on the city of Deidora...
There are a few forts in this region, but usually only to protect trade routes and the many villages that spawn along them. More mountainous land is usually left unguarded, as it forms a natural barrier, but also because far less people live there. The Great Hakone Range is home to Mount Hakone, an active volcano, and its wastes stretch for dozens of miles around. Villages and towns tend to be less populated and further apart. The Ameiko Fleet, while traditionally the merchant and exploration fleet of the Empire, also protects the northern shores from invasions. While there is little noteworthy beyond that horizon, except the Ragondan Mainland, it is believed enemy fleets such as Oranda's might sail around to these less defended shores, or worse, launch a faint from the Red Drake Sea while in fact massing their armies in the Whitetide Ocean.
Weather in the Highlands is harsh and often rainy. In higher altitudes, snow is not uncommon. There are many festivals though they usually only concern small fractions of the entire Highlands. The Festival of Light happens across Totori lands on the longest day of the year and it is a time of pageants, drinking but also a time when people pray to the benevolence of the Chantry. In Ameiko lands, Tide Month is a one-week holiday dedicated to sailing and to the Sea in general.
Points of Interest
Towns and Settlements
- Nishino : Nishino is the capital of Ameiko Province and Clan Ameiko. It is a vibrant port town with an intricate wall pattern; five wards are separated by the walls. Many Guilds have their headquarters here; by many standards it rivals Heibesu City in terms of trade volume.
- Deidora : To the south, Deidora is the Empire's third biggest town. It is more austere than Ninomiya or Heibesu City, and most of its population are located inside the heavily fortified town. It had been a major focal point of the Dazaifu Wars, and in recent years, a new outer wall was constructed in case the nearby Kokura Shogunate decides to attack, as it is a very obvious target.
- Yoshida : On the shores of the Red Drake Sea, the ancient town of Yoshida stands proud. Its Dazaifu heritage shows in the distinctive architecture of the town, with cylindrical, brightly coloured buildings towering above more traditional Imperial architecture.
- Hosohara : Hosohara is the seat of the former Kingdom of Hosohara. It is an ancient city built of stone, and while it is small, its fortress is said to be impenetrable.
- Ido : Ido is a small town and currently held by loyalist Kokura Samurai. The war between the two sides of the Clan has drawn most of its inhabitants away and the countryside all about town is devastated.
- Takato : Takato is located on an island. It is a small town but it is known for the wineyards that stretch all across the island and produce some of the Empire's finest wines. It is also contested by the Kaeda Clan, however, and residents fear an invasion by Oranda troops.
Geographical Features
- Kureimori & Yureimori Woods : These ancient woods sit on the foothills of the Great Hakone Range, and are believed to act as a natural barrier between the small plains and the mountains. In the middle of the forest, the Yume river flows past the Yamabushi Monastery, a fortress designed with many ponds, fields and weaving paths, all leading to a fort in the middle which houses the Yamabushi order and the Font of Light
- Great Hakone Range : The Great Hakone Range is a massive mountainous area, though most of it is wasteland due to volcanic activity. In its midsts, the Oyasan Wastes are some of the most dangerous places to go in the Empire; only mad men and wizards ever adventure there, though it is rumoured many barbarian tribes of Ton'keena and Kitsune alike roam the Wastes.
- Hadano Range : This range is one of many running north to south. That particular range serves as the border between the Empire and the Kokura Shogunate, and is dotted with small forts and watchtowers from both sides.
- The Hidden Glades : Little is known about this forest, through which there is only one route. It is a massive forest, filled with spirits and mysterious ruins. Many people who enter the forest seem to get lost and return where they began without ever being able to pierce the woods. The road that goes through the Glades is usually avoided as traders prefer to go by boat between Ninomiya and Yoshida, but the forest is so deep that the Ameiko Clan runs a system of heavily guarded guides and wagon trains on the trail through the woods. Each train, usually of 30 covered wagons and thrice as many people, takes two to three days to cross the woods.