Quyan

Quyan is a conglomerate of territories under a common name. It is divided into four cardinal regions, each run by a shikari sect that answers to a single Shikara. The current shikara is Shouwèi Zian. 

Quyan is best known for the cultural saturation of shikar work. While many Asuvian nations have shikarists, Quyan is the only country in which shikar sects hold distinct political power. 

Foreign Relations

Quyan deals with nearly every other Asuvian nation. They have ongoing trade with Tawashi and Rajpathar in spite of the longstanding tension between them. The mountains between Quyan and Riseyng largely limits their relationship with the city-states of the desert, due to the creatures that call it home.

Su-an Toan prefers to keep its distance from Quyan. The majority of their interactions lay in the criminal underground, as quyani organizations smuggle contraband into Su-an Toan. Still, some routes remain open for essential goods such as diamonds, and through private channels. 

Political System

Quyan is governed primarily by various sects that control portions of the nations territory, all of which are united under a single elected Shikara. Each territory is permitted to enforce its own laws and policies, though the shikara may impose rulings across Quyan.

Most sects practice Unknown, with varying styles. The traditional relationship between sects and civilians is that in exchange for taxation and loyalty, the sect provides protection from the dangers innate to Asuvian territory. The major sects live in relative harmony, with their conflicts resolved by the Shikara. Minor sects may feud with one another for status, land, or personal grievance.

The Shikara is the closest thing Quyan has to a central seat of power. Their role is to act as mediator between the other sects, especially the major sects. If significant conflict breaks out, most sects will ally themselves with the Shikara's side. During the War of Five Planes, the shikara abdicated. They were replaced with the Shouwèi Clan in the aftermath.

History

In early post-Binding days, the region that would be named Quyan was characterized by distant settlements and roving groups between. Mountains and rivers formed natural barriers that initially kept these factions separate. With the rise of shikar and the development of bladesinging came the concept of shikar sects: the common people granting authority and respect to those who would protect them from the dangers of the age. The concept of a shikara was raised early on: an authority outside of the typical political sphere, intended to provide leadership in times of disaster. The first of these was Kong Qiaolian, who had claimed Bladesinging as her own invention and popularized the concept of shikar.

This remained the dominant system in the region. Developing technology and infrastructure brought the sects into greater contact across greater distances. With this came increased feuds over power and territory. During this period, the region often had multiple conflicts active. At multiple points these conflicts became short wars.

The establishment of the Rose Coalition brought an end to most of the feuding between clans. It also raised the shikara to a more direct authority. Rather than being the leader only in times of crisis and great danger, they became a constant mediator and peacekeeper between the sects, and the moral leader of the nation.