❧ THE COUNTRIES

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[style=color: #336666; text-shadow: #CCCC99 1px 1px 1px; font-family: georgia; text-align: right; padding-right: 30px; width: 450px; margin-bottom: -10px;]sajagul.[/style]

[atrb=style, background: url(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g26/DirtyWhiteEye/ticbg.png);][atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=width, 450, true][atrb=cellpadding, 5px, true][style=background-color: #F2ECAD; border: 1px dashed #8ca399; padding: 10px; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: arial;] NAME MEANS: “The Lion’s Den” PEOPLE ARE CALLED: Sajagulian HIERARCHY: Unlike other countries, Sajagul has a clearly defined hierarchy. The emperor is the highest authority and most important figure in the country, as it is believed the royal family is descended from the dragon tamers of Sajagulian myth. The royal family themselves hold the second highest position in the country. Then the order of power goes: court officials, the military, noble families, commoners, and the jal. The jal are a class of people who work dirty jobs that no one else wants, usually because they ow a heavy debt or were disgraced. A jal usually remains a jal for life; it is very hard for one to move up in the world. GEOGRAPHY: Sajagul takes up an entire peninsula that used to make up four, smaller countries including Sajagul. There are not many trees on the peninsula – most were cut down during the efforts for expansion – but it is very grassy and open. Tall sea grass and sandy dunes are common sights. Homes are built out of brick and stone, while those of lower status live in wooden or clay houses. CULTURE: Sajagul values reservation, personal honor, and obedience above all else. Men are expected to be obedient to the emperor, and women are expected to be obedient to their husbands. Women are treated as low-class citizens as far as the laws are concerned, but are also treated as precious commodities for men to flaunt. Sajagul is very big on fostering ‘friendly’ competition between men as well as brotherly love. Men are allowed to take two wives, and they are also encouraged to take on a courtesan if they have a very high rank. Women are not allowed to divorce their husbands, but husbands are allowed to divorce their wives. Divorced women are not allowed to remarry. There is no such thing as love marriages, even among the jal. All marriages are arranged. CLOTHES: The clothes for Sajagul are very reserved, even in the sweltering summer. Women are expected to be completely covered up. They are not allowed to reveal anything from the chin down, which means they are covered completely from neck to wrists to ankles. Their hair must also be worn pinned up or tied back somehow, as long flowing hair is seen as very sensual. Men are also expected to cover up, though they do not have the same restrictions as women. Men are allowed to show their collarbone, wrists, and ankles but they cannot be topless in public. FOOD: Since Sajagul is composed of a peninsula and several islands seafood is a staple in a Sajagulian diet. Fish is eaten raw or cooked, and is usually served with a spicy sauce. Sajagulian food is usually spicy and salty, and is very protein-heavy. Noodles and stew are common accompaniments to lunch and dinner. Meals are usually served with two main dishes, and many different side dishes comprised of vegetables and protein. Seagull eggs and ocean salt soup (a soup made of kelp, sea salt, and little dried fish and prawns) are very common foods. Dessert is usually drunk rather than eaten in the form of sweetened tea, dessert wine and liquor, and drinkable pudding. Other desserts include cookies and rice cakes, and snacks include dried fish and assorted dried fruit and roasted kelp. HISTORY: Legend says that Sajagul was carved from a mountain by the dragons and the mulsaja, the lion-like creatures of the sea. The dragons and the mulsaja fought so bitterly that the crashing of their bodies into the big mountain sliced pieces of it off until it became a peninsula and the debris became the Serpent Tail islands. The dragons managed to drive the mulsaja further into the sea and claimed Sajagul for themselves. The first mortals to settle on Sajagul began to worship the dragons in order to appease them. One clan became very close with the dragons, to the point where the dragons would obey the clan master’s commands. This clan became known as the dragon tamers, and it is said that the Sajagulian royal family are their descendents. Since its beginning Sajagul’s people have been in a religious ‘war’, as it were, between the dragon worshipers and the mulsaja worshipers. For now dragon worshipers make up the majority of the people, but there are still many people who believe the mulsaja are the rightful protectors of Sajagul. [/style]

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[style=color: #336666; text-shadow: #CCCC99 1px 1px 1px; font-family: georgia; text-align: right; padding-right: 30px; width: 450px; margin-bottom: -10px;]yanwo.[/style]

[atrb=style, background: url(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g26/DirtyWhiteEye/ticbg.png);][atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=width, 450, true][atrb=cellpadding, 5px, true][style=background-color: #F2ECAD; border: 1px dashed #8ca399; padding: 10px; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: arial;] NAME MEANS: “The Bird's Nest" PEOPLE ARE CALLED: Yanwon HIERARCHY: : Because Yanwo is technically a territory of Sajagul, the top of their hierarchy is the Sajagulian emperor and military. However, Yanwo is usually left to its own devices. As a form of government, Yanwo has a democratic-republic system. Their leaders consist of a council of noblemen. These council members must all come from high status, and they must be voted in by property-owning men of lower-status. Although women technically do not have as many rights as men (they cannot vote, go to war, or divorce their husbands unless they are rich), they are certainly valued and treasured. There is a clear difference between the upper, middle, and working class citizens of Yanwo. GEOGRAPHY: Yanwo makes up the entire mainland. During the war many of the country’s cities were torn down or burned to the ground. Now only Xanadu, the city in the trees, is left. The country itself is encompassed in thick forest with trees that are many stories high. CULTURE: Yanwo is a very bright, cheerful place that puts a lot of emphasis on beauty. Everything a Yanwon does must emphasize the beauty in their movements. Arts such as calligraphy, flower arrangement, and sowing are very popular in Yanwo. While women and children do not have many rights, they are seen as sacred in the Yanwo culture and are treated as treasures. While tales of romance are very popular and rich in Yanwo culture, arranged marriage is still very popular in the country. However, many people – mostly the working class – do marry for love. CLOTHES: Yanwo fashion is made up of long, flowing, colorful lightweight fabrics that mimic the plumes of birds. Women decorate themselves with shiny hair pins and feathers. Men usually wear less bright, loose-fitting robes. Women are not as restricted fashionably as they are in Sajagul. While they cannot show bare shoulders, backs, stomachs, or cleavage Yanwon woman are able to show their arms and calves. Feathers are a typical accessory and symbol worn by many. FOOD: The Yanwo diet is primarily vegetarian. Eggs make up most of the signature dishes of the region, as well as vegetables, tofu, and noodles simmered in broth. Not all Yanwons are vegetarians, but most Yanwons do not eat meat on a regular basis. Poultry is a forbidden food as birds are seen as the bringers of life according to Yanwon legend. Rice mixed with honey and dried fruit is a very popular snack. HISTORY: According to legend, the moon and the sun were bird-like gods and Yanwo was their very first nest. The moon goddess laid a giant egg and when the egg hatched, the first few hundred humans were born. The Yanwon royal family is said to be descended from the favored child of the sun god. He married a phoenix and they ruled over Yanwo together. Their daughter is said to be the phoenix that now protects Yanwo as its goddess. [/style]

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[style=color: #336666; text-shadow: #CCCC99 1px 1px 1px; font-family: georgia; text-align: right; padding-right: 30px; width: 450px; margin-bottom: -10px;]kiba.[/style]

[atrb=style, background: url(http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g26/DirtyWhiteEye/ticbg.png);][atrb=border, 0, true][atrb=width, 450, true][atrb=cellpadding, 5px, true][style=background-color: #F2ECAD; border: 1px dashed #8ca399; padding: 10px; color: #666666; text-align: justify; font-family: arial;] NAME MEANS: "The Fang" PEOPLE ARE CALLED: Kiban HIERARCHY: : Kiba is ruled by four war lord brothers who have divided the mountain in half. The youngest brothers and they rule the south and east side of the mountain together. The elder brothers rule the north and west side of the mountain. GEOGRAPHY: Kiba is a country based in the Idaina Ha mountains. The south side of the mountains are very green, as they get the most sun, and are where Kiba produces most of its crops. The north side of the mountain falls into a basin. It is always winter there, and it is very dangerous as far as climates and malicious spirits go. CULTURE: Kiba culture is centered on the home. Family and village pride is everything in Kiban culture, even more so than religion. It is common for homes to house seven or more family members. Couples tend to have a lot of children, and the eldest child of a Kiban family gets the honor of taking care of their parents. Children are expected to work as early as six years old. Elders are highly respected in the culture, as old age is regarded as proof someone has paid their dues by living for so long as a productive member of society. Women and men are considered equal, although traditionally women are seen as the home caretakers. However, women are recognized as hard workers and Kiba women have a reputation for being rough. CLOTHES: Comfort is the key element in Kiba fashion. There are no particular fashion restrictions, though you cannot walk around naked. Kiban clothes are usually baggy, layered, and in the winter fur is a popular item. Men keep their hair long and shaggy, and women tend to have short hair. The clothes are usually dull or mild in color and accessories are rarely worn. FOOD: Meat, meat, and more meat! Kiba is big on eating meat, so much so that the word ‘vegetarian’ does not actually exist in the old Kiban tongue. Vegetables are eaten as side dishes, tofu is eaten during hard times, and rice and big noodles are popular. Pastries and meat buns are staple snack foods. For dessert there are an assortment of different things, but the trademark of Kiba are its sweet dumplings. HISTORY: Once upon a time there was a earth dragon, a kirin, and a giant. The dragon, kirin, and giant were all friends and, one day, they decided to have a ‘friendly’ competition to see who the humans of a mountain village would come to worship. First, the dragon reigned in the mortals by fear; he threatened their flocks and their children, and they started to offer him animal sacrifices but they were not devoted to him. Next, the giant showed the mortals his strength by throwing boulders and crushing things. Out of fear, the mortals worshipped him but they did not put their faith in him. Finally, the kirin saw that neither fear nor power impressed mortals and so he came to them kindly. The mortals deeply admired the kirin’s beauty and poise, and began to worship him with all their hearts. The dragon, jealous of the kirin, tried to eat the mountain so that the kirin would no longer have followers. The kirin broke the dragon’s teeth so that he could not eat. The teeth that broke off became mountains, and thus the Idaina Ha mountains and Kiba were born. It is important to note that the dragon in this legend is not the same dragon of Sajagul. For hundreds of years Kiba was not a united country. Instead there were many villages ruled by war lords. Fifty years ago one war lord started a campaign to unify the country and bring peace to the villages. He succeeded, and now his four grandchildren sit on the throne. The four brothers are known as The Four Immortals, as each of them are always victorious in battle and possess names that symbolize one of the four major gods of Tenka Ikka. The eldest is Genbu, lord of the north, and king of all the mountains; the second eldest is Baihu, lord of the west; the third child is Ryu, lord of the east; and finally, the youngest brother is Suzaku, the child lord of the south. Together, the four brothers hold the mountains and claim Kiba as theirs. Under their rule, Kiba has prospered and has become the only nation that Sajagul ever feared to take over. [/style]