Dr. J'an
Across the vast continental of Pūrvō, countless kingdoms rise between mountains and forests. Yet among them several states dominate the political and cultural landscape. These nations control major trade routes, resource regions, or centers of knowledge that shape life across the land.
Six of the most influential are described below.
The Sensō Dominion
At the political heart of the continental stands the Sensō Dominion, the homeland of the ruling lineage that governs the land in the name of Sunpō.
Unlike most "noble" families across the world, the Sensō lineage is not mortal in the usual sense. Members of the family possess quarter-divine blood, meaning they are considered true nobles and are descendents of a great 5 head sunpō. This ancestry manifests in extended lifespans, heightened resilience, and a natural affinity for spatial forces—traits that have reinforced their authority for millennia.
The capital city of the dominion is Astryx, a colossal metropolis constructed inside a vast mountain basin. The surrounding cliffs form natural walls, giving the city the appearance of a civilization nested inside a stone bowl.
Astryx serves as the diplomatic center of the entire continental. Noble envoys, merchant delegations, and scholars from dozens of nations reside there at any given time.
Above the capital rises Sensō Manor, the immense palace complex where the ruling family resides. Over thousands of years the estate has expanded into an entire district containing gardens, archives, training fields, and ceremonial halls where major continental treaties are signed.
Within Astryx stands one of the most prestigious institutions on the planet: Velaturum Noble Academy.
Velaturum is not merely a school. It is one of seven global academies responsible for educating the heirs of powerful houses and the future administrators of major civilizations. Admission is extraordinarily selective, often limited to nobles, prodigies, or individuals personally sponsored by influential figures.
The academy studies an enormous range of disciplines:
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strategic warfare
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noble governance
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magical theory
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diplomacy and political manipulation
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historical analysis
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covenant law
Students from across the world attend Velaturum, meaning the campus contains representatives from dozens of races and cultures. Rivalries formed within its halls often echo into continental politics decades later.
The dominant language spoken within the dominion is Kaizhen, a formal administrative language used widely in diplomacy across the region.
The most common peoples of the dominion include Tengu, Oni, Kitsune, and Naga. Other communities exist in smaller numbers throughout the territory.
The dominion excels primarily in strategy, governance, and military scholarship, largely due to the influence of Velaturum itself.
The Raikō Stormlands
Along the northeastern coast lies the mountainous kingdom known as the Raikō Stormlands.
This nation occupies a rugged coastline where mountains plunge directly into the sea. Storm systems gather constantly along the region's high peaks, creating some of the most volatile weather patterns on the continent.
The capital city, Kenzai, is carved into massive seaside cliffs. Towers rise along the coastline like stone spears, serving both as defensive structures and storm observatories.
Above these mountains roams the ancient Elder Creature Léi Huáng, a colossal yellow bird capable of commanding lightning and storms. While the creature does not rule the kingdom directly, its presence dominates local mythology and national symbolism.
The Stormlands operate as a warrior monarchy supported by powerful martial clans.
The dominant language of the nation is Raijinai, a sharp tonal language whose structure favors short commands and rapid communication—features well suited to aerial combat traditions practiced by many of the region's peoples.
The most common races of the kingdom include Tengu, Oni, Raiju-kin, and several wind-aligned spirit races.
The Stormlands are renowned for lightning magic, aerial warfare, and storm navigation, skills necessary for surviving their volatile environment.
The Hirazan Forge
South of the volcanic regions surrounding Huǒ Shān lies the industrial nation known as the Hirazan Forge.
The capital city, Gorokai, sits within a ring of volcanic mountains whose geothermal energy powers massive foundries. At night the city glows red from thousands of furnaces burning simultaneously.
Hirazan functions as an industrial oligarchy, governed by powerful forge guilds whose leaders control the production of weapons, armor, and advanced machinery.
The dominant language spoken in the realm is Gorathi, a heavy consonant language that originated among ancient forge clans.
The most common peoples of Hirazan include Oni, salamander-kin, stone-folk, and subterranean races adapted to volcanic environments.
The realm's economy relies heavily on metallurgy and industrial production, supplying weapons and equipment to numerous nations across the continental.
Several mining territories within Hirazan rely on slave labor systems, particularly in extremely dangerous extraction sites deep beneath volcanic rock.
The Velan Republic
Within the fertile central valleys lies the wealthy Velan Republic.
The capital city, Lethara, is built where several ancient caravan routes intersect. Massive trade districts dominate the city's layout, and markets operate day and night.
Velan is governed as a merchant republic, with powerful trade houses electing representatives to a ruling council.
The dominant language spoken there is Velari, a flexible trade language that evolved through centuries of commercial exchange between many cultures.
The population is extraordinarily diverse, reflecting the republic's role as the commercial crossroads of the continental.
Velan's greatest strengths lie in banking, trade logistics, and economic diplomacy, making it one of the wealthiest nations in the region.
The Jade Lotus
In the eastern valleys lies The Jade Lotus, a nation famous for its mastery of healing arts.
Terraced hills surrounding its cities are filled with medicinal herbs cultivated over thousands of years. Entire academic traditions have formed around the study of plant-based medicine.
The capital city, Lianzhou, houses enormous botanical libraries and research gardens where physicians study thousands of healing compounds.
The nation operates as a scholarly monarchy, where physician guilds and research academies hold substantial influence.
The dominant language spoken there is Zhanyu, a melodic tonal language strongly associated with scholarly writing.
The most common peoples include Kitsune, forest spirits, Oni, and river-folk.
The dominion excels in medicine, agriculture, and botanical science, producing many of the most respected healers in the continental.
The Azure Coastlines
Along the southeastern shores lies the powerful maritime nation known as The Azure Coastlines.
Its capital city, Seirakai, surrounds one of the largest natural harbors in the continental. Shipyards dominate the coastline, and fleets from distant lands regularly dock within its ports.
The nation operates as a maritime republic, governed by influential naval guilds and shipping families.
The dominant language spoken there is Seikari, a fluid coastal language influenced by centuries of ocean travel and international trade.
The most common peoples include Naga, sea-folk, Tengu, Kitsune, and wind-kin.
The state excels in shipbuilding, naval warfare, and long-distance maritime trade.
Several outer islands under its authority historically relied on slave labor captured during naval conflicts, particularly for port construction and fleet maintenance.
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Even this deeper description captures only a fraction of Pūrvō's complexity. A continent large enough to require seven years to cross on foot inevitably produces far more cultures than any single chapter can record.
Yet among all these powers, one institution quietly binds the elite of the world together: Velaturum Noble Academy. Students who once studied in its halls often become rulers, generals, and nobles whose decisions shape entire continents.
A historian studying the politics of Eden eventually discovers a strange truth.
Sometimes history was decided years before any of the players of the event had any power