Nosamo Empire

Nosamo Empire is an realm on an archipelago comprising two main islands, Nanjima and Hokujima, in the eastern ocean. It's an hereditary empire whose dynasty dates back several centuries. Its capital city is Nankyo. Nosamo is ruled by an hereditary emperor assisted by a General in charge of repelling the southern barbarians. The real power is held by the general, the Emperor being merely a symbolic and religious leader. Nosamo is seen by many as a client state of Desteylle.

History

Little is known of the early age of the Nosamo history. Given its central position it's always been a rally point of different populations and influences. The majority of the population of what we call the Nosamo originate from the western cold continent. They used to be hunter-gatherer population that would launch long fishing campaigns in the Cold Sea. Some eventually started settling the western coast of Nanjima. As more and more population settled, the natives were pushed up north or assimilated into the new culture.

Nosamo recently suffered a series of civil wars known as the 75 years war and the War of the two Herons, which resulted in the rise in power of the young northern commoner-made noble Makeshin.

Military

There is no proper national army but a collection of clans and orders.

• The Southern Order : one of the oldest yet formerly humble family. They rely mainly on massive peasant levys and a strong archer corp. Their strengh is the very dense population of the South. The Southerners have a reputation of excellent swordsmanship.
• The Northern Order : the second oldest family and justly named "conquerors of the North". Their strength lies on their light cavalry and the swiftness of movement. They managed to impose their dominion over the Northern native in the plains but did not manage to conquer the Northern islands.
• The Manji cult : mainly composed of monks. The fighting monk training is one of the hardest on the islands. These warriors will fight with clubs or naginata. They do not fear death and can spend days without eating.
• The Navy is composed of a collection of ships under the orders of several nobles. The Emperor has no personal army but holds the most battleships as his duty is to ensure the Great General has the means to defend the islands. His ships are de facto under the command of the Great General.

Economy

Nosamo is rich of its population. It produces mainly grains, rice, timber, iron and steel, and shipwright. The society is divided in 4 classes in order of preference : the nobles, the farmers, the craftsmen, and the merchants. Though the merchants are the lowest class, they hold the highest revenue and gold reserves. There is no common currency circulating in the country. The main money system is based on accounting and paperwork. Coins are rarely used and only serve for merchants who go abroad. Gold is a religious metal and thus mainly used as a mean to communicate with the ancestors. Most buildings having gold indicate their religious position as a bridge between this world and the past. Foreign trade is strictly regulated through Desteylle and often seen unnecessary by locals. The Nosamo would rather acquire goods than coins.

Culture

Nosamo is a tribal society centered on the village and the familly. The most important aspect of the Nosamo cultural life is the self fullfilment and the sense of being part of the community. The Nosamo religion is centrered on the cult of the local Invaderijl god. Each village has its own. The Manji cult is not a religion in the first sense. There is no God or gods and no worshiping as such. It's based on self-centered questionning and ethical struggles. There is no proper dogma but school of thoughts. The Manji cult serves as a repository of knowledge and science. It educates the masses in writting, reading and poetry. It also helps the poorest and is often a refuge for lost souls. The Manji cult has a particular status due to its strong position amongst the population and its frightening fighting monks. It has posed several problems in the past and the Manji-ikki revolts can often succeed in removing noble families. Some Manji territory is considered off the central political power and no wise General will mess with them. Hunting is an important part of a nobleman's life. The act of killing is regarded as sacred and should be done in particular circumstances. That explains why there is no meat industry in Nosamo. Killing a trapped animal is an insulting act. Individuals condemned to death will often either be casted away in the Western Cold continent, killed by duel or perform ritual suicide.

Nosamo will often encourage poetry and philosophy. He who cannot see the beauty of a drifting leave on the river cannot understand the Nosamo spirit.