The Lands of Cathay
The Cathayan Empire is divided into 4 sections which are divided amounst Kings, who report their duties directly to the Emperor of Cathay. These four sections are goverened by the Kings of Huang, Yang-Lo, Shung, and Han. These states were named after their founding fathers, who constructed the capital cities, and assisted the emperors in their duties by acting as their generals as well as well as their advisors. Shung was the state, west of Gnok-Kay, from the top of the Valley to the bottom. The Emperor’s Province was the rest of the Valley, which included the ports of Sin-Lao, which were vital in trade and was the main flow of the riches of the entire empire. The State of Han was the narrow state which stretched from Cathay down to Jade Land, which was by far, one of the richest states. Yang-Lo was the northern Mountainous state, which included small portions of Cathay, and the entire northern mountain range. This area was rich in deposits of ore, which were vital to the construction of the Cathayan Fortresses and various mountainous trees provided wood for the Cathayan Fleet. Han was the farthest state from Cathay. It was based in the South Lands, where lesser districts were under loose Cathayan Authority. Han was dense with forests and provided a much closer port, which was called Han-Hoi. From Han-Hoi, ships would be supplied and be on their way.
Han
Han was the most diverse of all the states. It posessed the main navy of Cathay, and protected most of the homelands from invaders. Han was by far, the largest state, and it included within it’s massive borders, armies, fortresses, and nesting places for the sacred Firebirds. Han’s wealth of timber and land provided much of the Cathayan Empire with food. The Cathayans used wagon convoys extremely often, and supplied their cities through these thick road networks which stretched from the Han Capital of Han-Sing. Often, Ships would stay in Han, because it was the closest to the World Ocean where the Elves reigned as supreme rulers of the seas.
The most fertile of the lands were found in Han, because Jade Land remains within it’s borders, which fed the empire, and traded with the Elves and Humans from the Old World. These trading routes were of vital improtance, and it the Elves even thought that they could tax the ships entering the Straits, which lead to Cathay, the Emperor Ming would be quite upset.
Shung
Shung, being the western most state, was extremely important, to the safety of the Cathayan Empire. It protected the homelands from constant raids from the Chaos Dwarves, who managed to raid borderlands with their Hobgoblin slaves, and often attempted futile invasions through the thick Dragon Peak Moutains. Shung posessed the largest army, which was trained in the strict traditions of the Emperor Kwan, and had incredible fortrified strongholds and keeps which stood in front, on, and behind the thick Dragon Peak Mountains. It was proven inpenetrable, this line of defences,because there were no alternate ways around, and if there were, the main fleet of Cathayan Junks would surely catch them off-guard.
Shung was the only state which was loyal to the Empress Shi-Lian during the periods of civil war. During these times, many of the cities and villiages were militarized, and used as supply bases. This act is still used today, to supply the fortress chains. It’s capital Shung-Hoi, is directly linked to Gnok-Kay, which lies in Huang. Shung is the entire Cathayan Homeland, except for the state of Huang, which lies entirely within Shung’s borders. which they learned to call it, and it is the center of their entire empire. All the commerce is in this province, and it’s incredible population of over 50 million Cathayans makes it the most important city, other than Lothern of Ulthuan.
Huang
Huang could be considered the most sacred of all states. It lies in the center of the Cathayan Empire, and it completely surrounds the sacred Phoenix Tower, where the Phoenix’ and Firebirds nest. Around the sacred tower is the incredible city of Gnok-Kay, the capital of the entire Cathayan Empire. The creat city surrounds the tower, and is locked within a magically formed circular lake, which protects from invaders. The City is without any need, the most heavily defended area of the entire Cathayan Empire.
Huang’s main defence lies within the Shang Province, for it is Shang’s duty to protect the Empire from hostile invasions. Huang otherwise is the seat of the Imperial Palace, and directly above the Phoenix Tower, is the heavenly Empire of the Jade Emperor. A magical beam of glittering light is always connected from the heavens to the palace. This is where the Jade Emperor’s courtiers and officials enter and leave the Palace. Through this sacred beam, there is eternal light within the Cathayan Empire. Even from the distant province of Han, or the fortress of Shang, the light can be seen, showing that the empire will always live.
Yang-Lo
The Land known best for it’s incredible mountain ranges, Yang-Lo is a mountainous province,completely engulfed within the thick terrains of mountains. However, to the benefit of the Empire, the majority of mines lay in this area. Precious volcanic rocks and precious jade is mines through these mines constantly, and the riches are so great, that they are only surpassed by the deposits in Jade Land.
This area is of great strategic value. It’s capital, Yang-Hoi, is a strangely build city, located at the top of a mighty mountain. Only a few days journey from the capital is a great plain, in which, the center is filled with a mountain, which reached the top of the sky. This mountain, expected to be filled with snow filled caps and ice storms, is actually filled with wild monkeys! These monkeys live on the mountain, which is not cold, but magically warmed with hunderds of hot springs, and their own magical waterfall, which fills the mountain with water. This mountain is not deserted, but is covered with thick jungles! The Green Mountain, as it was called, is protected by a mighty immortal called Shun Kwong, or the Monkey King. He is unmatched in his martial arts skilled, dispite the fact that he is indeed a monkey. Although incredibly clever, he is somewhat not as intelligente as his opponents. The King of Yang-Lo employs the monkey for his own services, whether it means leading the armies of Yang-Lo, or providing trade with the Monkey King, who is the absolute ruler of Green Mountain.