Nosamo Empire

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

History

Little is known of the early age of the Nosamo history. It had 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 first made official diplomatic contact with the civilisations of the Inner Sea in 213 AIC. The empire quickly established itself as a major power, forming an alliance with Thure, hoping to destabilise the Archadian Empire and end its hegemony. The Great Inner Sea War was fought primarily between Nosamo and her allies against the Archadian Empire and her allies. Nosamo was the victor, with many Archadian provinces gaining independence and several humiliating terms imposed on Archadia.

Nosamo suffered a series of civil wars known as the 75 years war and the War of the two Herons starting around 795 AIC, which resulted in the rise in power of the young northern commoner-made noble Makeshin. This noble led the nation through the tumultuous 880s, establishing trade with far off nations like Statodamus. Despite the courageous leadership of the noble, Nosamo was severely weakened and in decline. The empire eventually became a protectorate of Desteylle around 900 AIC, with the emperor serving only as a powerless figurehead.

In the 1120s AIC, the Nosamo Empire collapsed, being humiliated by the terms of the Serrentino Conference which ended the hegemony of Desteylle over the empire, opening trade with all nations including Azurien, Archadian Empire, Neogaranid Empire, and Montebianco. This resulted in chaos which eventually collapsed the regime and through a revolution, a new state was established.

Military

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

• The Southern Order : one of the oldest yet formerly humble family. They relied mainly on massive peasant levies and a strong archer corp. Their strength was the very dense population of the South, the Southerners having a reputation of excellent swordsmanship.
• The Northern Order : the second oldest family and justly named "conquerors of the North". Their strength lay 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 was one of the hardest on the islands. These warriors would fight with clubs or naginata with no fear of death and could spend days without eating.
• The Navy was 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 was rich of its population. It produced mainly grains, rice, timber, iron and steel, and shipwright. The society was divided in 4 classes in order of preference : the nobles, the farmers, the craftsmen, and the merchants. Though the merchants were the lowest class, they hold the highest revenue and gold reserves. There was no common currency circulating in the country. The main money system was based on accounting and paperwork. Coins were rarely used and only serve for merchants who go abroad. Gold was 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 was strictly regulated through Desteylle and often seen unnecessary by locals, at least until the Serrentino Conference. The Nosamo would rather acquire goods than coins.

Culture

Nosamo was a tribal society centered on the village and the family. The most important aspect of the Nosamo cultural life was the self fulfillment and the sense of being part of the community. The Nosamo religion is centered 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 questioning 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 writing, 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 often encouraged poetry and philosophy. It was once said "he who cannot see the beauty of a drifting leave on the river cannot understand the Nosamo spirit".