Rankai Lands

The Rankai Lands
Also Known As	The Land of the Gods
Organization Type	Feudal Lands
Leadership	Emperor Wakamoto
Membership	Emperor Wakamoto; Inochi Noou; Yamijou Tenpouin; Cecilia;
Associated With	None
Related To	None

The lands of Rankai are a mirror-image of Feudal Japan, with certain critical differences, currently in the Warring States era.
For an overview of the society used in the Rankai Lands, this is their Codes of Conduct and Customs.

History

The lands of Rankai parallel a lot of ancient Japan, however, the differences are critical. This world has had the presence of demons and powerful magic users since its inception, however. Myths are often true, and they have altered the course of human history. The warring states era have gone on for much longer than expected, and the presence of Youkai and temporarily displaced technology, which has precipitated more escalation to the warfare. There is a long and complicated history to the Rankai Lands, but no Nation can agree to which details are accurate, and the more progressive Nations dismiss some of the preternatural elements, until they are forced upon them.
For more details, click here:
<toggledisplay> In the beginning, it is said that the lands of Rankai were united and peaceful. The spirits (or Kami, the legends vary) that oversaw the lands were in balance with each other, and each of them gifted the lands with their domain. The children of the spirits grew, with the spirit of wind creating birds, the spirit of earth creating the animals, and so on and so forth. However, three of the spirits created things that caused problems. The spirit of darkness created youkai, evil beings, unbalanced with the world, that he claimed would challenge other denizels. The spirit of dragons' children were clearly the most powerful creatures in Rankai, as by his own pride, he could do no less, and they interfered onto other spirits' domains. And all of the spirits claimed some part of the humans as theirs, as their presence reinforced the spirits and gave them praise. A war of the gods began, from which there could be no victor.
After the war, each spirit claimed a piece of land as its own, and settled there. Their presence allowed for a particular type of terrain or element to flourish, regardless of weather patterns or geography. The lands associated to a particular spirit became the Rankai Lands, causing nations to grow around these elements or terrains. However, as time passed, and the ambition of man grew, the proliferation of youkai became less and less, and the legends started to become just that. Legends. This ambition led to armies rising, weapons being developed, and wars to break out, with each lord having their own motivation or justification to expand their own territory, which furthered the split between the Rankai Lands even more, with carefully watched borders, and peace treaties to assure trade, with self-sufficient countries being the most well off.
For years, dynasties and traditions grew, where lines of nobility were subsumed or cast aside in favor of warlord. They still had their uses, as diplomats, counselors, or figureheads, but everyone knew the real power in the land belonged to the warlords. Legends of their own grew around these lines, creating great heroes, tragic villains and icons of power and strength, with each new warlord expected to outshine his predecessor, leading to constant border skirmishes and some truly spectacular battles. However, as technology and trade progresses, current warlords have less chance to fearlessly engage in battle, as news of any military movement is well known, and crafty warlords wait to strike on a triumphant return.. or kick the enemy while they're down, leading to high tension between countries, where a war of pride may break out at any time.
Recently, lands have become united under two distinct factions, the Yasha Dominion and the Imperial Unification Army. The former has declared open war on the Rankai Lands, but the latter claims to want peace through unification, but is more than ready to conquer to enforce said peace.
</toggledisplay>

Important Information

• Currency: Mon, Imperial Mon.
• Language: Japanese.
• Year: 35th Imperial Year - 133th year of Tenkou.
• Population: 20 million, rounded.

Major Locations

• Hajime Nation: A small land with few features. The appearance of Inochi Noou and his appointment as Shogun of the land has made it a formidable military power, making neighboring countries build their defenses in response. The capital is known as Ichirou.
• Kaen Nation: A land of high temperature and a proud military tradition. The capital is known as Hinoto.
• Aoba Nation: A verdant country, with several trees and a sparse population. Their military is known to operate via camouflage and arboreal tactics. The capital is known as Konoha.
• Izumi Nation: A water-based country, with easy access to the sea. It has a powerful navy for one of the Rankai Nations. The capital is known as Umisen.
• Shiden Nation: A country with odd weather patterns. Their military force is known to use hit and run tactics, focusing on strength and speed, not defense. The capital is known as Kyorai.
• Sanagi Nation: A country currently under heavy scrutiny by the rest of Rankai, due to its ruler's marriage to a Gaijin, and the harboring of several more Gaijin. Currently facing serious chances of invasion, but the warlord's champion, Cecilia, is known for defeating entire battalions. The capital is known as Konchuu.
• Kobushi Nation: A country with a proud military history. It has one of the strongest land armies, not known for its strategies, but each of its warriors is expected to be exceptional. (Basically, This. Is. Sparta!) The capital is known as Saikyo.
• Daichi Nation: A vast tract of land, covering the center of the Rankai Lands. Its military force is relatively normal-sized, but with the width of their territory they can exhaust invaders on a regular basis, through their history. The capital is known as Tsuchijou.
• Genmu Nation: A heavily forested area, known to house at least one clan of ninja. Their military is known for disruptive and intelligent tactics, with strategy prized over strength. The capital is known as Mirajii.
• Tsubasa Nation: A country currently in a bad situation, caught between the Unification Army and the Yasha Dominion. Its military has been on guard for years, readying for attacks on both sides. The capital is known as Minamoto.

Yasha Dominion

• Yasha Nation: Ruled by Yamijou Tenpouin. Formerly a verdant, lush country, currently, it is overrun with undead and blighted lands. The power here belongs to the Tenpouin Clan of Onmyouji. Power base of the Yasha Dominion. The capital is known as Tenpouin.
• Kigan Nation: Conquered by the Yasha Nation. A mountainous nation, using its natural defenses against all invaders, but were ultimately subjugated by the Yasha Dominion. Their forces have become undead, followers of the Yasha Dominion. The capital is known as Yamato.
• Dokuga Nation: Conquered by the Yasha Nation. Another country with a powerful military and exceptionally powerful ninja presence. These are the last bastion of resistance against the Yasha Dominion, but the entire military of Dokuga has fallen to Yamijou Tenpouin, and its people have been conditioned to accept the undead samurai as their military. The capital is known as Hebikyo.

Imperial Unification Army

The Imperial Army, situated in Ryu Nation, which wishes to unify Rankai under the rule of Emperor Mikado Wakamoto. They are the most powerful and numerous army in the lands, and they are on an expansionist bent.

• Ryū Nation: Ruled by Emperor Wakamoto. The highest lord of the Rankai Lands, this nation is rumored to have Dragons, and they have become part of the Emperor's army. Dissidents attempt to quell those rumors, but the fervent belief in the Emperor's power and what knowledge people have of the lands do imply that his army DOES have Dragons.. or something like it. The land is highly militarized and disciplined, noted for the lack of any sizeable ninja village or clan, due to the Emperor's distrust of them. The Imperial Capital is known as Ryudo.
• Mitama Nation: Allied to the Ryu Nation. A powerful nation, known for their spirituality. They are allies of the Ryu Nation, and their warlord is the most faithful retainer of Emperor Wakamoto. The capital is known as Gouki.
• Fukutsu Nation: Allied to the Ryu Nation. A newly established nation with a newly appointed Warlord. The youngest in the lands, but they have a military focused on strategy and some of the best weaponry in the land. Mitama and Fubuki have both expressed a lack of confidence in their tactics, but the Emperor claims he knows better. The capital is known as Hagane.
• Fubuki Nation: Allied to the Ryu Nation. A frozen land, whose military is used to operating in harsh conditions. They have been known to not respond to the calls of the Emperor, but he still believes fully in their loyalty, though Mitama and Fukutsu are not as certain. The capital is known as Hyouko.
• Akogan Nation: A country well known for it's craftsmanship of weaponry and tools. Its military force is average sized but their daimyo has been praised for cunning military tactics and loyalty to the emperor and Shogun. The capital is known as Kekkai.
• Shinanou Nation: A country surrounded by mysticism. The military of Shinanou is known for being fearsome, large, and completely loyal to their daimyo. The capital is known as Kuroru.

Ninja Clans

Several small families form tight knit ninja clans all over every nation, but some nations have considerably more numerous and expansive shinobi groups, usually with a secret village and three levels of agents before the ninja a patron seeks gets the mission assigned to him. Ninja operate on a vow of secrecy and loyalty, though some are more notable than others among the lands.

• Ryu no Shinobi: Ninja which reputedly founded the tradition in the Rankai Lands. Their location is unknown, but their name seems to indicate they originated in the Ryu Nation. They are reputed to be the strongest and best ninja in the world.
• Tora no Shinobi: Ninja under the command of Kenshin Uchimiya, the secondary military force of Genmu Nation. A group of devoted and skilled shinobi, known for their espionage and skill with weapons, but not recognized for their jutsu or special abilities.
• Sasori no Shinobi: The shinobi of Dokuga, formerly under the rulership of Kotaro Shippu, the clan branched out and now opposes the Yasha Dominion within Dokuga, under the Warlord's former wife. Before then, the Scorpion clan was known as the most powerful and ruthless ninja clan in the Rankai Lands. Their current state is diminished, but no less dangerous.
• Washi no Shinobi: The shinobi of Shiden. They are smaller in scope than the Tiger Clan and not as strong as the Scorpion Clan, but they are skilled in jutsu and known to operate freely within the Shiden Lands. They are not affiliated with the military of Shiden, but they do work for the lord occasionally.
• Gumo no Shinobi: Formerly just a family from the Yasha Lands, part of the power trifecta along with the Tenpouin Clan and the former Warlord, but currently on the same scope as any of the above, and fiercely loyal to Yamijou Tenpouin. They are the main ninja clan of the Yasha Dominion, and took the name 'Spider' because many of them are formerly from the Scorpion Clan.
• Ninja Families: Most countries have ninja families, usually only known to a few people who are themselves known to a few people, or living in service to a Warlord. Almost every Nation (save Ryu) has a few ninja families about, of various skill and power levels, but basically all of them are relatively small in scope compared to the above. Noteworthy families are the Samade Family of Izumi and the Reidou Family of Fubuki.

Notable Figures

Imperial Unification Army

• Emperor Wakamoto: Currently the most influential person in Rankai, ruler of several lands, and hereditary lord of the Ryu Nation, and the most expansionist, unification-driven lord in the Rankai Lands.
• Engetsu Sappou: The warlord and ruler of Mitama Nation. One of the Emperor's most steadfast allies and most powerful warrior, his blade is only equaled by his strategy.
• Mitsuhide Nokodame: The warlord and ruler of Fubuki Nation. A retainer of the Emperor's who was given this land to rule. A clever and decent fellow who is reputed to do whatever it takes to win.
• Shuichi Tenjin: Warlord of Fukutsu. He is rumored to be so beautiful no woman can resist him and even the men will fall in love with him.

Yasha Dominion

• Yamijou Tenpouin: The head of the Tenpouin Family, and ruler of the Southern Nation of Yasha. A powerful Onmyouji, his army is reputed as the largest army, and definitely the most terrifying.
• Ujiyasu Kamikaijou: Warlord of Kigan. An honorable man who is paying for his land's defeat by pledging servitude to Yamijou Tenpouin. Arguably the strongest warlord in the Yasha Dominion.
• Kotaro Shippu: Warlord of Dokuga. A powerful ninja who had already overtaken the country before he allied to the invading Yamijou Tenpouin. Currently one of the Yasha Dominion's most dangerous agents.

Independent Nations

Western Nations

• Inochi Noou: A recently appointed warlord, having moved up in rank, and being promoted to Shogun of the Hajime Nation, due to his revolutionary military tactics and combat abilities.
• Motonari Kikoichi: Warlord of Aoba. Known to be rather lazy but clever. The Aoba force is exceptional due to his planning and thoughtfulness.
• Yoshimoto Fujikawa: Warlord of Kaen. Reputed to be a hothead. He inherited his position when his parents died.
• Motochika Suitsuki: Warlord of Izumi. One of the warlords whose army is stronger with him than without, and known to be a womanizer and seducer.
• Touma Jinrai: Warlord of Shiden. Supposedly the strongest ruler of Rankai. Known for his arrogance and impulsiveness, but his nickname is The Living Lightning.

Central Lands

• Yoshihiro Ichigaki: Warlord of Kobushi. A man devoted to strength above all else, with a long and distinguished military career.
• Hideyoshi Fuminori: Warlord of Sanagi. Married to a Gaijin, which has raised several issues among his people and neighboring land. Known to harbor outsiders, which has been both a source of ire and concern from other people of Rankai, but also his greatest strength militarily.
• Kenshin Uchimiya: Warlord of Genmu. Suspected of being a Ninja, or at least harboring them, his nation is known for deceptive tactics and incredibly intelligent maneuvers. He is often underestimated for his pretty face, and he more than makes up for it with skill and ruthlessness. Rival to Shingen Terada
• Shingen Terada: Warlord of Daichi. A battle-scarred veteran, with great respect for results more than execution. A rival to Kenshin Uchimiya, he counters his opponent's tactics and deceitful style with his own strong and overbearing one.

Others

• Raikou Ishijin: Warlord of Tsubasa. Known to have a powerful elite entourage that makes up over 30% of the strength of his army.
• Cecilia: A Gaijin, from lands unknown, a warrior blessed by the gods, from the Sanagi Nation. Her name strikes fear in all her opponents, despite being a woman.
• Kagero: Formerly the wife of Kotaro Shippu, raised as a samurai. Currently, leader of the Ninja Rebellion in Dokuga.

Trivia

• The lands of Rankai are named after the lands from a popular video game crossover.
• The Emperor is named after the fan nickname of Emperor Charles Zi Britannia from Code Geass, due to his voice actor, Norio 'Norio Wakamoto' Wakamoto.
• The ninja clans of the Rankai Lands are based after The Way of the Tiger series of Choose Your Own Adventure books, where the Tiger and Scorpion clans are from. The Eagle clan comes from Gatchaman.