Geography
Akumara is an archipelago region consisting of 3 large islands and 4 smaller islands. These islands hold many types of flora, foreign to those who hail from Aevira, including bamboo and sakura trees. The island contains wild and dead magic zones, along with the occasional arcane storm, making the archipelago an unstable and unpredictable environment for its visitors and inhabitants.
Society
The inhabitants of these islands are called Tieflings, descendants of the first humans who explored Akumara and were transformed in to demon-like beings. Before the Tieflings however were a race of demons scholars call "Akumarans". These demons once ruled the archipelago but mysteriously disappeared over a millennia ago leaving behind mysterious ruins and relics cursed with dark magic. The disruption of this dark magic by Aeviran explorers is usually blamed for causing the Storm of Darkness (Yami no Arashi), transforming humans in to the first Tieflings.
Many
of those transformed stayed on the islands, fearing prejudice from the
main land. Their fear was rightly placed as those who attempted to
return to their homes were cast out with fear as cursed abominations.
Due to this, the new species was forced to stay in Akumara, living in
coastal villages secluded from the rest of the world. Over time the
Tieflings developed their own feudal and caste system, based off of, but
unique from the kingdoms of Aevira.
Currently, the islands of Akumara are divided. The High King has lost control of his kingdom, and a brutal civil war has taken over the region. Many villages have rebelled against him due to scarcity of resources and those attempting to gain power. Being shunned from returning to the mainland, the fighting grows everyday.
Religion
The two major regions of Akumara are Akushintoism and the Way of Enlighntement. The former is a collection of ancient practices native to Akumara inspired by the Divine Kindred devoted to a variety of nature spirits, and the latter is a religious practice devoted to guiding its practitioners to spiritual perfection. It is normal for a Akumarans to recognize and participate in more than one religion or shrine. Those who dedicated themselves to the pursuits of only one religion tended to be priests, monks, or members of the Clergy. Some believe that members of the Clergy and Shogun lords compete for control over the throne, shaping politics and enforcing divine law.
Government
The Kingdom of Akumara was once a unified nation. It is now a
place of constant bickering, betrayal, and infighting. Residing in Arashi, the High
King Emperor is seen as a divine figurehead, but the High King's grasp
on the region has been in decline for over a decade. Shogun-lords have
began taking provinces they were appointed to govern for themselves with
the help of corrupt daimyo-barons. Traditionally the Emperor owns all
land, the shogun govern the province, and the daimyo oversee individual
villages and farmland with the help of samurai warriors for defense.
Daimyo typically serve under Shogun with orders from the High King
Emperor similar to the Lords and Barons of Aevira. Under the samurai are
the Clergy. The Clergy serves as priests in the various temples,
welcoming people from all walks of life, including retired samurai, sons
of peasants, widows, and so on. Under the clergy are the working class:
peasants, craftsmen, and merchants.
Trade
Due to the nature of Akumara, trade is mostly avoided. The main kingdoms of Aevira typically avoid the eastern sea, except for the occasional missionary group, and are yet to officially facilitate trade in and around the islands. Various clans and guilds inhabit some villages of the islands, accepting pay for jobs such as mercenary work or assassinations. Ambitious explorers and noble sponsored expeditions seek the dark mysteries of the islands, but the fear of being cursed wards off even the most brave of adventurers.
Military
At the top of the military structure are the Samurai. Similar to knights, they are noble warriors who defend their lands in the name of their Daimyō. These samurai follow a strict mixed code of Bushidō (Loyalty, honor, discipline, and ritualized dueling) and Chivalry (Protecting the weak, serving a daimyo, and religious faith.) called Meiyo ni Shibarareta or Honorbound. Samurai are expected to create an army to defend their land, and typically recruit young men from villages under their daimyo's rule, although able young men have become scarce, forcing some Samurai to recruit women and children to fight. Samurai can but also hire rōnin and mercenaries from local guilds if needed under their daimyo's discretion. Samurai wear a mix of plate armor and lamellar, wielding polearms, longswords, katanas, and composite bows.