The Y'azi Empire is a theocratic shogunate and civilization of Y'azi Dragonborn, founded thousands of years ago by the Dragon Emperor Ryujin Hattori at the dawn of the Third Age. Located on the eastern Y’azi Peninsula of Osira, the empire is a bastion of harmony, resilience, and draconic legacy, guarded by the ancient might of its Jade Warden protectors and inspired by the teachings of the twin draconic gods, Fujin and Raijin.
Founding of the Empire
The Y'azi Empire was born from the ashes of The Aeonic Struggle, a cataclysmic era that left the world in ruins. During this tumultuous time, Ryujin Hattori, one of the last surviving Unknown, sought harmony and restoration for his people. Accompanied by his two most trusted pupils, Kenshiro Takeda and Masaru Hayashi, Ryujin embarked on a pilgrimage to the Isle of Storms, a sacred place where the twin draconic gods, Fujin and Raijin, revealed their divine wisdom.
It was on this pilgrimage that Ryujin was anointed as the Dragon Emperor and entrusted with “The Song of Storms,” a sacred text containing the gods' teachings for uniting the fractured remnants of the world. He tasked Kenshiro and Masaru with founding the Unknown and the Unknown, respectively, to preserve and embody these teachings. Upon their return, Ryujin unified the dragonborn and Lung Dragons of the peninsula, establishing the Y’azi Empire as a beacon of balance and resilience.
The Great Y’azi Fireline
The empire’s borders are fortified by the Great Y’azi Fireline, an ancient network of watchtowers and Jade Wardens imbued with the spirits of the empire’s earliest warriors. These eternal protectors guard the peninsula from external threats, particularly the Tides of Khaos—an ever-looming danger from the northern wastes. The watchtowers, topped with blazing braziers, serve as both defensive fortifications and signal flares, ensuring communication and vigilance along the coastline.
Culture and Prosperity
The Y'azi Empire is renowned for its rich culture, emphasizing tradition, spiritual harmony, and community. Its citizens take great pride in their draconic heritage and are fiercely protective of their way of life. The empire is structured hierarchically, with the Hattori noble family, descendants of Ryujin, at the apex. The Hattori family possesses the unique ability to transform into Lung Dragons, embodying both their divine ancestry and their role as protectors of the realm.
Economically, the empire thrives on:
- A robust fishing industry, fueled by its extensive coastline.
- Skilled craftsmen who produce intricate pottery, masonry, and ceremonial weaponry.
- Hunters and scouts who explore the vast wilderness of the northern Sakura Spirit Woods.
- Honorable traditions passed down through generations of Warrior Monks and Samurai whom protect the empire with their lives.
The Dragon City, also known as the City of Hojo, is the beating heart of the empire, and a prosperous settlement which rests on the Bay of Blossoms. The Palace of the Celestial Dragon is the empire's seat of power and a repository of ancient artifacts, armor, and tapestries that chronicle its history.
The Divine Dragons
The Y'azi Empire is deeply theocratic, with its faith centered on Fujin and Raijin, the twin draconic gods of wind and lightning. These gods not only guide the empire spiritually but have also bestowed tangible blessings, such as the Jade Wardens and the divine katanas Kazehikari (Wind's Radiance) and Arashi no Ikari (Storm's Fury).
The Wind Monks of Fujin, founded by Kenshiro Takeda, embody the principles of resilience, adaptability, and harmony. They master Ether-Rifting, a martial discipline that channels the wind into fluid, devastating combat techniques, and live a life of quiet devotion at the Temple of Fujin.
The Warrior Monks of Raijin, established by Masaru Hayashi, embrace Raijin’s teachings of decisive action and unyielding strength. They excel in Arc-Rifting, which channels the power of lightning into martial prowess and spiritual insight, and train at the Temple of Raijin.
An Enduring Legacy
For thousands of years, the Y’azi Empire has endured as a bastion of harmony and order despite the constant threats posed by the Tides of Khaos, an ever-looming danger from the northern wastes of Norska. Guided by the teachings of Fujin and Raijin, and protected by the vigilance of its warriors, the empire has withstood countless challenges while preserving its traditions and ensuring the prosperity of its people.
The Dragon Emperor, as both ruler and spiritual guide, continues to uphold the legacy of Ryujin Hattori, uniting the empire under the eternal banner of wind and storm. The Y'azi Empire stands as a testament to the resilience of its people, an enduring symbol of balance and strength in a turbulent world.