Shiruba

The island nation of Shiruba has a long and often violent history. The main island lays within the Dragon’s Jaws, a cluster of sharp, jagged rock formations that jut above the waves, churning them to white foam, or loom just below the surface, threatening to shred unwary ships. This natural protection has afforded Shiruba an impressive defense from enemy nations wanting to invade. It is such an impressive barrier, in fact, that the main island has never been invaded by an enemy army. There are some smaller outlying islands outside of the Dragon’s Jaws that have suffered some form of invasion in times past, but these occupations are often short-lived. The navy of Shiruba is large, impressive, and trained to maneuver through the treacherous seas with expert precision.   The main island, Hebi no Kokoro, is widely covered in high mountains, lush valleys, and thick forests. The islands experience a lot of volcanic activity, which is not only responsible for the jagged teeth surrounding Shiruba, but also hot springs, both healing and deadly, and rich, fertile soil capable of producing bountiful crops and exotic flowers. Mud from the springs and the unique edible flowers are highly sought-after trade items.   The Shirubans live in a very strict caste system, where the ruling families are Yotogi who hold their power and influence over the merchants, farmers, and craftsmen. Some merchant families can gain more influence through money but are never afforded the same privileges as the Yotogi. All members of Yotogi families are expected to learn Seido; son or daughter, all children are taught the way of the sword, bow, and horse. If a family has no sons, the daughters are expected to not only defend the home, but also go to war when called upon. So it is not uncommon to see women carrying the sword of the Yotogi, or riding through town in full battle garb. It is, of course, preferred that the women stay and defend the home during war, and this ensures that the enemy very rarely rape or enslave those left behind by the men.   The capital of Shiruba is Kami Seki, also called the Seat of the Gods. It lies cradled at the crest of a wooded mountain so the gold and white walls are often shrouded in clouds. The tiered palace towers above the walled estates of various Yotogi families, its golden roof tiles gleaming like fire.