Heibesu society is centred around the Empress, holy leader of the realm, and her Court : herself, her advisers and ministers, Clan Champions and distinguished nobility. The current Empress is the young Kimeko, who took over during the recent War of the Broken Lilies (see Timeline). It is a moderately bureaucratic nation due to its sheer size.
Political life is based on Noble Houses (or Clans), families that have done a great deed for the Empire and are recognized as a result. The Clan system was established after the Conquest of Tsurumaki to reward those families that played a role in the establishment of a strong Empire. Clanship is a serious matter that involves duties to the Empress and stewardship over provinces, and very few families ever acquire Clanship, though some find themselves integrated into some Houses. A Clan’s first responsibility is stewardship over a province, which does limit how many clans can exist at once.
The initial clans were the Rugashi, Yama, Ameiko, Sokomo, Kaeda and Kokura clans. The Toturi ascended to clanhood after their contribution to the military during the Retaliation Period. The Soshi clan was an ancient organization that ascended after the fall of Oranda. Some clans can fall if they betray the Empire - the Kaeda and Kokura clans are now called Rogue Clans.
Cities are usually led directly by their owner Clans, though Guilds have a lot of say in urban political life. Each City and Town has a Major, who is a noble, typically directly from the ruling House.
Outside Cities and Towns, the Empire is divided in Provinces (held by the Houses themselves) themselves divided in Myoden. The major/upper families within a House tend to lord over the Province as a whole. Lesser gentry families are usually given stewardship of a Myoden. The leader of a Myoden is known as a Landlord or Landlady, himself or herself vassal to the Clan Champion and upper families of the ruling House.
Loyalist Noble Clans
Loyalist Clans sit in the Imperial Court and have a say in Imperial Politics.
Rugashi Clan : A loyalist Noble House that specialized in artisanry, and is especially noted for its duellists They hold the Rugashi Province. The House Champion is Rugashi Akane, a duellist known for winning many duels across the Empire.
Hayashi Clan : A loyalist Noble House from which the first Empress came, and famed for its engineers. They built more of current-day Heibesu City, and lord over all of Asao Province. They gained South Asao when the Ameiko were given Dazaifu. Takeushi Mitsuko, a courtier to the Empress, is the current House Champion.
Yama Clan : A loyalist Noble House, mostly known for its navy and tasked with protecting Imperial waters. It is now also tasked with patrolling the border with Oranda, and many Yama fortresses have been built in lands held by the Soshi Clan. The Clan is led by Sekigawa Meiko, ex-Buccaneer and Captain of the flagship Amagimaru,
Toturi Clan : A loyalist Noble House, formerly a group of warrior families which ascended as one Clan upon the Retaliation Period after distinguishing itself in retaking Imperial cities and the Dazaifu capital, and were given stewardship of the lands they helped conquer. It is known to be a very valorous clan, known as the Defenders of the Empire. Most of the Imperial Army is made of Toturi bushi.
Soshi Clan : A loyalist Noble House, formerly the Archivists of the Empire. They were made a Noble Clan and given the Western half of defeated Oranda for allowing to subvert Oranda nobility enough to cause chaos in their military and conflicting allegiances - which seemed to confirm rumours that the Soshi are a clan of spies and assassins.
Noble, yet non-Court clans
These clans are not part of the Imperial Court, but are considered Noble and generally fulfil their duties for the Empress.
Ameiko Clan : Noble Clan that used to lord over southern Asao after Nishimo was taken over, but was given back control of the latter city after the Dazaifu were beaten. Since they rule alongside Dazaifu nobility and generally are the ones leading trades with outsiders, their Court rights were revoked. Due to the size of the port city of Nishino, and the fact they had stewardship over part of wealthy Asao, they have been tasked with mercantile and trade duties, especially conducting exploration and trade missions far from Heibesu. They are also notable in that the Clan Champion is a male. The Northern Fleet is theirs to maintain.
Sokomo Clan : Noble Clan which have lorded over the island of Sokomo for countless aeons They isolate themselves from Heibesu and refuse to take part in Court. They welcome many Gifted casters and are known for their exceptional magic skills. Those Sokomo that do indulge in Heibesu life tend to join the Chantry’s shrines and monasteries, and are also known as the best runecrafters in the Empire. Sokomos have become somewhat associated to religious keepers, but that is technically not their role.
Rogue Clans
These clans used to be part of the Court and of Imperial rule, but for various reasons have drifted away. They are hostile to the Empress, and might end up waging a bloody war against her, should diplomatic means and the lack of trade not prove effective enough...
- Kaeda Clan : The Kaeda Clan used to be the cavalry of the Empire and were initially the holders of a province bordering Oranda. Using their fast avian (chocobos) and equine mounts, they struck deep in the heart of Oranda, precipitating its fall. After the War against Oranda they were given co-rule of the semi-sovereign, defeated kingdom - greatly increasing the size of their province - but they refused Soshi stewardship over the Western half of the conquered lands. They since distanced themselves from the Empire, and are reportedly seeking ways to take the lands they consider rightfully theirs.
- Kokora Clan : The Kokora clan were the skilled assassins, rogues, and illusionists of the Empire. They used to administrate a small province that has since been merged with Narugami Province. While generally distrusted, they strove to perform their Imperial duties well. When the Empire took over the Kingdoms of Ido and Hosohara, the Kokora were assigned stewardship to these far-away provinces, and banished them from the Court. Seeing this as a betrayal, the Kokora refused to carry out their Imperial Duties, became passively hostile to the Court, and there is no telling what way they will find to enforce their revenge or get payback for what they perceive as unfair, prejudiced shunning. However, Samurai of Kokora Clan are split in half on the matter : the Order of Vengeance being hostile to the Empire, the Order of the Penitent remaining loyalist.
Since Clans are often tasked with several other objectives, the departure of the Kaeda and Kokura clan left certain responsibilities unfilled. While most were delegated to clans that remained loyal, several families hope to take some over and therefore achieve Clanhood. The idea of minor clans that would not hold land, but serve the Empire more directly, has often been pushed forward, but Guilds already serve that purpose to some extent, and many of these have a long and rich history.
The Chantry is not a clan of its own, but many of its members tend to be Sokomo or Toturi people.
Winter Court
Winter Courts were established in 687 by Empress Sakura, and were traditional winter visits by the Empress and other officials to a city in the Empire. Winter Courts are a great time for political opportunities, and a place where people could show their skills or achievements, especially so for the chosen host.
Traditionally, a city or town is chosen to host the Court. Such a demand has never been declined. The Court invites people from all across the Empire to join them for the winter there, and proceeds to depart at the beginning of winter, whenever that may be. Usually a castle or manor is chosen and carefully arranged for the visit of the Empress, lavishly decorated, and entertainers are brought. It is also a great opportunity for local artisans and merchants to show off their skills and wealth in a bid to impress the Imperial escort.
Foreign Policy
The Empire is somewhat isolated, but there is a desire for more trade with the other civilizations of the world. Mostly, it only allows strangers for a limited amount of time. Due to how widespread the Heibesu religion is, and to the objections of the Merchant Class, the Empire still maintains relations and many other countries have an embassy or diplomatic mission in the Foreign District of Heibesu City.
Bushi Sphere and the Imperial Army
The Bushi are the military nobility of the Empire - namely, they are the warriors of each Clan. Samurai form the backbone of the Imperial Army, and many end up in the Northern or Southern Navies. Each Navy is led by an Archadmiral and answers to their respective Clan as well as the Empress. The Ameiko Navy is more of a trading navy and responsible for colonial ventures while home defence is often up to the Yama Navy.
Samurai belong to Orders, each of which is tied to a certain Clan or to the Empress herself. Each Order functions like a sub-Army, each with its own agenda and specific training style. However most Orders must swear allegiance to the Empress herself, as well as the Clan Champion, if applicable.
This is not always the case, however. The Orders of the Hammer and of the Black Daimyo, both linked to the rebel Kaeda Clan, actively fight against Imperial forces and have been declared traitors. More interestingly, the rebel Kokoro Clan - and the lands they own - are being split apart : the Order of the Penitant declared itself loyal to the Empire and actively fights the Order of Vengence, which has aligned with the rogue Kokoro Champion.
Samurai are part of the landed elite and often steward over land. Their duties involve enforcing the law and putting down threats to the Empire. They act as military officers. Some Samurai eventually get promoted into the Court Sphere, and usually become regents - powerful landlords that are granted part of a Clan’s territory to administer. Others become Champions, found military schools, or otherwise become noteworthy and important to the Bushi Sphere.
Bushis are regarded as the elite of Imperial society. They follow a very strict code of conduct, the Code, usually centred around upholding the Imperial ideals but most importantly based on honour to one’s Clan. Bushis are told to wage war, and to accept the possibility of death, but by no means behave like suicidal warriors.
All Bushi are given a Katana curved blade, which is a symbol of status. They can however bear any weapons they like, depending on their fighting skills and abilities. Wizards in the Bushi sphere, for instance, are more often found wielding staves and wands.
Despite their prestige, they are relatively few in number. In times of war, Samurai very often raise conscripted armies of local peasants and artisans, called Ashigaru. Some Orders on the borders of the Empire even run militia camps to ensure proper training of these forces that very often end up outnumbering the Samurai on the battlefields. Ashigaru and other non-Samurai forces that brilliantly serve the Empire and prove themselves formidable soldiers are often given low Nobility titles and made full-fledged Samurai.
There is also a Yamabushi Order. Yamabushi are special Samurai blessed with divine power and who tend to act as Paladins across the Empire, or who wage war abroad, notably in the corrupted Ragodan Mainland. Their Code is more demanding than the Bushi Code, and more focused on ideals of chivalry and selflessness.
If a Bushi fails to honour their clan or obligations, they might be relegated to Casteless status amd be stripped of her nobility. Many kill themselves as they cannot cope with such a loss of status, but those that do often end up trying to redeem themselves - or might as well give up. For that reason, many Casteless rogue Bushis are distrusted. Other Bushi might become ronin if they become part of a non-loyalist Order and Clan.
Winter Courts were established in 687 by Empress Sakura, and were traditional winter visits by the Empress and other officials to a city in the Empire. Winter Courts are a great time for political opportunities, and a place where people could show their skills or achievements, especially so for the chosen host.
Traditionally, a city or town is chosen to host the Court. Such a demand has never been declined. The Court invites people from all across the Empire to join them for the winter there, and proceeds to depart at the beginning of winter, whenever that may be. Usually a castle or manor is chosen and carefully arranged for the visit of the Empress, lavishly decorated, and entertainers are brought. It is also a great opportunity for local artisans and merchants to show off their skills and wealth in a bid to impress the Imperial escort.
Foreign Policy
The Empire is somewhat isolated, but there is a desire for more trade with the other civilizations of the world. Mostly, it only allows strangers for a limited amount of time. Due to how widespread the Heibesu religion is, and to the objections of the Merchant Class, the Empire still maintains relations and many other countries have an embassy or diplomatic mission in the Foreign District of Heibesu City.
Bushi Sphere and the Imperial Army
The Bushi are the military nobility of the Empire - namely, they are the warriors of each Clan. Samurai form the backbone of the Imperial Army, and many end up in the Northern or Southern Navies. Each Navy is led by an Archadmiral and answers to their respective Clan as well as the Empress. The Ameiko Navy is more of a trading navy and responsible for colonial ventures while home defence is often up to the Yama Navy.
Samurai belong to Orders, each of which is tied to a certain Clan or to the Empress herself. Each Order functions like a sub-Army, each with its own agenda and specific training style. However most Orders must swear allegiance to the Empress herself, as well as the Clan Champion, if applicable.
This is not always the case, however. The Orders of the Hammer and of the Black Daimyo, both linked to the rebel Kaeda Clan, actively fight against Imperial forces and have been declared traitors. More interestingly, the rebel Kokoro Clan - and the lands they own - are being split apart : the Order of the Penitant declared itself loyal to the Empire and actively fights the Order of Vengence, which has aligned with the rogue Kokoro Champion.
Samurai are part of the landed elite and often steward over land. Their duties involve enforcing the law and putting down threats to the Empire. They act as military officers. Some Samurai eventually get promoted into the Court Sphere, and usually become regents - powerful landlords that are granted part of a Clan’s territory to administer. Others become Champions, found military schools, or otherwise become noteworthy and important to the Bushi Sphere.
Bushis are regarded as the elite of Imperial society. They follow a very strict code of conduct, the Code, usually centred around upholding the Imperial ideals but most importantly based on honour to one’s Clan. Bushis are told to wage war, and to accept the possibility of death, but by no means behave like suicidal warriors.
All Bushi are given a Katana curved blade, which is a symbol of status. They can however bear any weapons they like, depending on their fighting skills and abilities. Wizards in the Bushi sphere, for instance, are more often found wielding staves and wands.
Despite their prestige, they are relatively few in number. In times of war, Samurai very often raise conscripted armies of local peasants and artisans, called Ashigaru. Some Orders on the borders of the Empire even run militia camps to ensure proper training of these forces that very often end up outnumbering the Samurai on the battlefields. Ashigaru and other non-Samurai forces that brilliantly serve the Empire and prove themselves formidable soldiers are often given low Nobility titles and made full-fledged Samurai.
There is also a Yamabushi Order. Yamabushi are special Samurai blessed with divine power and who tend to act as Paladins across the Empire, or who wage war abroad, notably in the corrupted Ragodan Mainland. Their Code is more demanding than the Bushi Code, and more focused on ideals of chivalry and selflessness.
If a Bushi fails to honour their clan or obligations, they might be relegated to Casteless status amd be stripped of her nobility. Many kill themselves as they cannot cope with such a loss of status, but those that do often end up trying to redeem themselves - or might as well give up. For that reason, many Casteless rogue Bushis are distrusted. Other Bushi might become ronin if they become part of a non-loyalist Order and Clan.
Crime and Punishment
The Empire recognizes many crimes, as with all civilizations - such as theft, murder, pillaging, and so on. However, not all Spheres are treated equally as to what is considered a crime, and what punishment or retribution should be given or awarded.
The law is usually enforced by Samurai, with the help of Guardians, the city guards, and investigators. However, it is the Magistrates Guild that is tasked with investigation judgement and punishment. The Guild is known to also use rogues, spies and informants to seek wanted criminals when Samurai would be too high-profile or unwilling to help. Only in very grave cases, such as high treason, do Samurai and the Imperial Court offer judgement - though the Court can always offer amnesty to a convicted inmate.
In theory, the Magistrates Guild is sworn to equal treatment of all cases. In effect, personal testimony and direct evidence are all that matters in the solving of a case - and the higher Sphere the person who testifies belongs to, the more weight this testimony has on the final outcome. This is changing, though, and more priority is given to logic and deduction. On the Benefits of the Magistrates Guild is an anonymous pamphlet written and distributed in many cities, warning against the shifty politics of the so-called rational doctrine. It is probably it is edited by wealthy members of society, who have less interest in a fairer justice system.
Laws vary considerably by clan and therefore province, though the Imperial Edict apply throughout the whole Empire. Trials are conducted in courthouses, built in the centres of towns. In remote provinces, some magistrates wander from village to village, and hold trials where they need to be done. Poorer people tend not to afford legal representation.
Punishment can be harsh in Heibesu. Petty crimes are usually solved by imprisonment, confiscation of property, fines, and the imposition of restraints, with or without corporal punishment. There is a strong code that regulates what is called bound display, which is often done in public, and codified so to be more demanding and degrading on more offending convicts, and more aesthetically pleasing for higher ranked members of society.
Indentured servitude is not unheard of, either, when the condemned cannot pay the fines or a debt that must be repaid.
For serious crimes, imprisonment is but the beginning : forced labour, usually on ships or in the quarries of the Northern Province is common. Some are used in arcane experiments, or sent into exile. Most jails are managed by cities or in the dungeons of castles, but there is an Imperial Jail, built especially to keep the most dangerous or high-profile of prisoners : Bleached Sky Tower, an Unseelie fortress, is known to be a dark place where abuse is commonplace.
The death penalty is in use in the Empire. Some Samurai and upper class members are given the choice between death and exile; for other prisoners there is no such way out. Each Clan usually has a dedicated Courtyard where executions take place, usually through ritual hanging and cleansing of the body. However, because executions are said to attract the evil spirits known as Oni, many death row inmates are instead shipped away to a special part of Bleached Sky Tower. There, executions are done in a far more codified manner - and, for the condemned, in a far gruesome fashion which usually involves weeks of torture before finally passing away.
The religious authorities are also able to hold Courts of their own through the Hand of the Void. Usually they are administrative, no-fault decisions such as divorces - but they also rule in the judgement of renegade Sorcerers and heretics. Inquisitors enforce religious law, usually with the help of Samurai.
Court Positions
The Empress or Emperor is often surrounded by trusted advisers, and certain positions are more precious than others.
The rest of the court is usually made of the Regents of the Provinces and their delegates, of the Clan Champions, figureheads and usually leaders of their respective Houses, of Chantry officials, and of Sokomo and Ameiko representatives that tend to have less say in overall politics, but increasingly more power in magical and trade matters, respectively.
The Empire recognizes many crimes, as with all civilizations - such as theft, murder, pillaging, and so on. However, not all Spheres are treated equally as to what is considered a crime, and what punishment or retribution should be given or awarded.
The law is usually enforced by Samurai, with the help of Guardians, the city guards, and investigators. However, it is the Magistrates Guild that is tasked with investigation judgement and punishment. The Guild is known to also use rogues, spies and informants to seek wanted criminals when Samurai would be too high-profile or unwilling to help. Only in very grave cases, such as high treason, do Samurai and the Imperial Court offer judgement - though the Court can always offer amnesty to a convicted inmate.
In theory, the Magistrates Guild is sworn to equal treatment of all cases. In effect, personal testimony and direct evidence are all that matters in the solving of a case - and the higher Sphere the person who testifies belongs to, the more weight this testimony has on the final outcome. This is changing, though, and more priority is given to logic and deduction. On the Benefits of the Magistrates Guild is an anonymous pamphlet written and distributed in many cities, warning against the shifty politics of the so-called rational doctrine. It is probably it is edited by wealthy members of society, who have less interest in a fairer justice system.
Laws vary considerably by clan and therefore province, though the Imperial Edict apply throughout the whole Empire. Trials are conducted in courthouses, built in the centres of towns. In remote provinces, some magistrates wander from village to village, and hold trials where they need to be done. Poorer people tend not to afford legal representation.
Punishment can be harsh in Heibesu. Petty crimes are usually solved by imprisonment, confiscation of property, fines, and the imposition of restraints, with or without corporal punishment. There is a strong code that regulates what is called bound display, which is often done in public, and codified so to be more demanding and degrading on more offending convicts, and more aesthetically pleasing for higher ranked members of society.
Indentured servitude is not unheard of, either, when the condemned cannot pay the fines or a debt that must be repaid.
For serious crimes, imprisonment is but the beginning : forced labour, usually on ships or in the quarries of the Northern Province is common. Some are used in arcane experiments, or sent into exile. Most jails are managed by cities or in the dungeons of castles, but there is an Imperial Jail, built especially to keep the most dangerous or high-profile of prisoners : Bleached Sky Tower, an Unseelie fortress, is known to be a dark place where abuse is commonplace.
The death penalty is in use in the Empire. Some Samurai and upper class members are given the choice between death and exile; for other prisoners there is no such way out. Each Clan usually has a dedicated Courtyard where executions take place, usually through ritual hanging and cleansing of the body. However, because executions are said to attract the evil spirits known as Oni, many death row inmates are instead shipped away to a special part of Bleached Sky Tower. There, executions are done in a far more codified manner - and, for the condemned, in a far gruesome fashion which usually involves weeks of torture before finally passing away.
The religious authorities are also able to hold Courts of their own through the Hand of the Void. Usually they are administrative, no-fault decisions such as divorces - but they also rule in the judgement of renegade Sorcerers and heretics. Inquisitors enforce religious law, usually with the help of Samurai.
Court Positions
The Empress or Emperor is often surrounded by trusted advisers, and certain positions are more precious than others.
- The Imperial Advisor : Acting as a second to the Emperor, the Advisor ensures House squabbles are solved peacefully, and reports to the Empress about various situations. Current Advisor is Nogi Iamitsu.
- Voice of the Emperor : The Chief Herald or Voice is responsible for proclamations and making sure the laws of the land are understood and heard. The current Voice is actually a Kitsune : Saji Nyoko.
- The Chancellor : The traditionally male Chancellor oversees the day-to-day functions of the Court, such as posting times and locations, and also act as a figurehead during ceremonies. During Winter Court, the Chancellor is responsible for working with the host and ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the Court. Current Chancellor is Navy General Nagumo Maemi.
- Lord/Lady of the Treasury : The Lord or Lady of the Treasury is responsible for the finances of the Empire. They ensure taxes are properly collected and distributed, and oversee the maintenance of the Imperial Highway network. This position has come to be particularly important, and is usually considered even above the Imperial Advisor, or at least a check against their influence. The current Lady of the Treasury is Shimezu Madoka, who is known as a skilled High Mane.
- Imperial Blade : The Imperial Blade is a senior military advisor, and is responsible for the defence of Heibesu territory, as well as tactics in times of war. Toturi Katami, senior Bushi and war veteran, is the current Imperial Blade.
The rest of the court is usually made of the Regents of the Provinces and their delegates, of the Clan Champions, figureheads and usually leaders of their respective Houses, of Chantry officials, and of Sokomo and Ameiko representatives that tend to have less say in overall politics, but increasingly more power in magical and trade matters, respectively.