Essen Setting Notes.

Essen is a land of 6 Provinces: Gunma, Tanbara, Yume, Makino, Furano, and The Kiku Isles. Within each there is a Capital and smaller cities and townships, and above all of these is a ruler known as a Daimyo. These Daimyo rule over their respective lands, yet there is one Province that is revered above others, and that is the Imperial Province of Yume where the current Empress sits upon her Throne of Ages. Her castle is held aloft by old world magics upon grand Jade lodes. The on-goings within the Imperial walls are a mystery to all but the Daimyos and the aristocratic that have their ears to the ground.
Though there is order within most cities, strife is ever present in the world: roving bandit clans; Abyss-altered Beasts and Monstrosities, threats of war among the Provinces, as well as alien forces that creep into the Plane from worlds beyond its veil. It is here where the story will begin.
This setting also holds a strong connection to their Gods. There are rites of everyday life, jobs and races that pay homage to their respective deity, or any deity that takes them into their fold. For instance: a Half-Orcish Blacksmith may devote their first ever crafted item to Tetsure as a show of piety, while a Dwarven Privateer may drunkenly carouse a weekend away before a voyage in the name of Susano.

Divinities in this setting are not the first. Neither will they be the last. They are however the survivors of ancient conflict that decided how the world was shaped and who presided over the newly forming plane. They have stood since the forming of the worlds against the Abyss and their servants in all forms. Many Domains of dead Gods were lost to the Planes and lie dormant, waiting for a Vessel compatible enough to take them in.

One more calamity that ravages the lands are Abyssal Thresholds: spontaneous openings into the infinite dark depths where horrors await their time to wreak chaotic slaughter on the Material Plane for whatever masters they answer. They are rare but are becoming increasingly problematic in recent years.

P.S.:
Take into account that there are others in this world, wandering wherever their God, Lord, or agendas take them that hold power of their own, sometimes greater than that of yourselves at the time you encounter them. Use your best judgement in these cases, as you don't have "plot armor". Running away isn't something that is shameful, because you live on in these circumstances, and Humanoid individuals will very likely not pursue you as long as you're not running from the Laws that be or have angered a particularly bloodthirsty person. Abyssaly beasts and Monstrosities however are another story, however you'll likely be ready to fight these creatures when you're intending to.

GUNMA, the Enduring Bulwark.

While most Provinces have a Capital, Gunma does not. The Province itself is instead its Capital, a sprawling canopy of multi-storied mega-buildings that interlink with bridges and catwalks; smaller houses and huts peppering their bases, and along all their sides a Grand Wall that some say Tetsure raised himself. It is here that many fall through the cracks of society due to poverty and corruption being rampant in the city. They have to fight for their place within its society, selling contraband, committing to gang violence, and warring among their competitor gangs for territory. Elders that have knowledge of the Province's history tell of times where things weren't this way, times where a neighbor helped someone in need rather than kicked them while they were down.
Gunma currently is embroiled in gang skirmishes over streets and businesses, while the city guard is either paid off by the wealthier gangs to look the other way, or they are a part of the problem, forcing "protection money" from the people they're supposed to serve and protect.

Banner Symbol of the Hydrangea.

Lord Hitozen is the current Daimyo of Gunma, its 7th Successor. A Tiefling man, Middle Aged and of a serious disposition. There are whispers he has ambitions to take the seat of power in the Holy Land for himself. However, those whispers are rebutted by criticisms of his inability to instill order over his struggling populace.


YUME, the Imperial Seat.

The Smallest of Essens Provinces, only holding the Empress and her Imperial entourage high up in the floating Castle of Jade. However it is here that she holds communion with the Divine and hears their wills. She is the voice of the Gods in their most undiluted forms, and commands respect of the entirety of the land. Those that wish to oppose her will or do her harm will have to get through the combined force of Makinos Grand Imperial Blades; a standing army of Paladins and Clerics that wait for the call to destroy Abyssal forces and enemies of the Empire alike.

Banner Symbol of the Camellia.

Empress Kikojou, 20th of her line: An Aasimar woman, fair of complexion and disposition. Her family hails from the oldest known beings in the Material Plane, said to be the offsprings of forgotten dead Gods.


TANBARA, the Gilded Boulevards.
Tanbara is a financial powerhouse within Essen. It might not hold a large standing army, but what it does have are large amounts of resources, coupled with skilled Mercenaries that come from all over the lands to make a living for one reason or another. There is always an event being held, a market to be cornered, and a coin to be made. Its many meandering woodland trails have recently been having trouble with Abyssal Beasts accosting the merchants while they make way to Kujaku from their townships and lesser cities. There is also a rumor that the Lord of Kujaku is seeking Retainers to man a Fortress on the border of Makino and Gunma.

The Capital of Kujaku: birthed from a trading post in the center of a large cross-way, boasts tall, sturdy, black stoned walls that hold anything a person with money could wish to buy. Its many storied, pagoda styled buildings all closely packed together, forming a string of alleys here and there, where there might be a stray stall peddling goods away from the proper stalls and stands. Positioned at the rear of the city is the Lord's Spire, a towering structure that looms over the rest of the architecture of Kujaku. The air hangs heavy with smells of spices, fruits, cooking meats and a faint scent of dust off the cobbles. Sounds of coin common, clinking to and from palms barely audible over the backdrop of carts passing here and there. Carriages are followed, driven, or otherwise supported by groups of 3-4 armed individuals. Mercenaries for protection, which Kujaku is known to sport the best of, and its Artisans lauded across the land.

Banner Symbol of the Peony.

Lord Dalyun, the 4th Successor of Tanbara: resides in The Spire of Kujaku, overlooking all of his finest city. It is here he makes agendas of business and law. He is a Tiefling man, very suave and mercantile. He is versed both in negotiations and combat, as many unruly mercenary can attest to. Any concerns that have to do with his Province and its cultivation of capital are his first and foremost concern, and anything to do without his Proivince "have naught to do with him" so says he.

MAKINO, the Holy Lands.
The Holy Lands are blessed as the breadbasket of Essen, most foodstuffs being cultivated here behind the brunt of Divine Protection from Paladins and Clerics of all the faiths. It has resplendent fields, and scenic rolling hills, and could be called the most peaceful land in all the Provinces. However, woe be to whoever spills blood within the territory. It will likely be that they have been brought to a Justices blade before the week is out. There is civil unrest among the youth that believe their Daimyo should lead a crusade against the people of Gunma for their hedonistic ways, not to mention the many miles of Gunma before its Grand Wall that are left unmanned so any manner of monsters or heathens may go unimpeded. His General, Gou Arima, is trying to keep the peoples hearts soothed for now, but who knows what will come of this situation.

Banner Symbol of the Lotus.

Lord Mamoru, 9th ruler. A grizzled, old warrior, with no wish for war to embroil his people, and thusly doesn't take part in land-grabbing. He also holds a duty to be ready at a moments notice to march to the aid of his Lady Empress, or North toward the Badlands scarred by the Abyssal Blight.

The Capital of Sagai: It holds 5 temples devoted solely to one of the Gods. They are grand statues that tower into the sky, the Temples themselves being within the Statues themselves. Sagai is also a popular destination of Pilgrims of Essen (Like Mecca). Here people are gifted minor blessings that stay with them for a time which make their lives easier or their jobs more profitable. It is reliant upon the Temple Guard for safety against threats, and upon religious tourism for a goodly portion of its wealth.


FURANO, Home of the Winds.

Though Matsuras gaze falls heavy on this province the people of Furano are a hardy lot, weathering the scathing heat and sands. Having survived a time where Djinni and Efreeti were contesting their deserts and enslaving their people, Lord Samir Nusair bin Nasra wielded his magical might and forced them back into the breach they came from. This was around a few hundred years ago now, yet Lord Samir still sits on the throne, and the people still tell this story in honor to their Daimyo. In recent years there seem to be altogether different problems, however. There have been clusters of the Dervish Guards that have been mustered for an unknown reason and sent into the sands, all the while there are rumors abound about the absence of his two daughters.

Banner Symbol of the Plumeria.

Lord Samir Ashar bin-Nasra, 5th Successor: A kind but militant ruler who endeavors to expand their lands and rule the downtrodden in order to lift them up. His people hold him in high esteem ever since he rid Furano of the Planar slavers and their wicked ways. He was blessed with Twin Daughters from his late beloved Queen Talea. Their names are Amira Hessa Inaam bin-Samir (the eldest), and Amira Lina Syra bin-Samir (the younger).

KIKU, the Freeman's Isles.
A sprawling archipelago said to have been carved by the might blade of Susano's August Blade. Sea Monsters and Pirate fleets plague the region, as it has only been recently settled. This makes it a veritable "Wild West" for criminals and their ilk to thrive, many Isles being under some kind of Pirate occupation. Though this isn't to say that the people dislike this. Many would rather be overseen by roving privateers than the greedy and dismissive men of their Lord. The people harbor much ill will for their Daimyo and his cowardly ways, but the soldiery follows the orders of Commander Yao, a prestigious Paladin of Susano, who has sworn fealty to Enjin's family. There are hushed rumors of a group on the Isle of Bahlpur that fosters a seed of rebellion, as well as a Child Pirate Captain that has yet to see a loss on the seas.

Banner Symbol of A White Lily.

Lord Enjin, 10th Successor. He is a sorry excuse for a ruler who throws men at problems to fix them, and hides from them otherwise. He has a mercenary adventuring group out searching for powerful artifacts that are said to be lost to sea or the monsters within. Many speculate as to what the reason is for this, yet nobody has made the connection yet.