Shilon
The Eternal Empire
One of the largest and most dominant kingdoms of Kudao, Shilon is an empire that has thrived consistently for thousands of years with its royal and mythical culture. Ruled by the chosen successor of god, also known as the Twelve Zodiacs; demigod-like beings with great strength and power sent from the very heavens to be the rightful heir of the throne. Having claimed a large portion of Kudao territories such as the Gaowong and the Midora Kingdoms, its main territory is shielded by a massive, invincible barrier blessed by the celestial deity Shenhai, who drew a circle around the land to thwart evil.
Symbolizing divine power, and diligence, Shilon is told to be the center of all unearthly life that walks among humanity. These mortals, being fragile and vulnerable to supernatural and demonic threats of the world, heavily worship their demigod rulers and rest their fate in their hands
The Shilon Palace
Capital
Shao Tai
Form of Goverment
Absolute Monarchy
Ruler(s)
-
Lao (current)
-
Ren (formerly)
-
Malong (formerly
-
Hushin (formerly
-
Jing Lee (formerly)
Military Captain
Han Yu
Climate
Moderate
Population
35 million
Population
(Post Yamamura)
33.5 million
Based on
Ancient China (Han/Ming Dynasty)
History
Dawn of Creation (Millions of Years Ago)
After Gudu laid out the earth, the Yin and Yang, and the five elements. He placed a shard of jade shorty before fading away. Eventually, the jade relic grew consciousness and woke up in an empty world. Seeing nothing blanket the horizon, he began carving the mountains and rivers with a stick. To keep out plagues and pests, he drew a large circle around his home, anyone entering this circle would be denied passage. However, he did leave a small opening by accident. As he was building his kingdom, he saw the fires of hell slowly reaching the mortal world from beneath, he took an axe and split the world as a whole in half, separating the mortal realm from the realm of darkness. However, the swing of his axe was so powerful it sent him into orbit, isolating himself from the earth to his realm of clouds. Leaving behind an empty kingdom of relics in the hands of the creator deities Otamu and Umato; who would later create the 12 Zodiacs of Shilon. The handle of his axe sticks out from the earth to this day which is now known as the Divine Pillar of Shilon.
Jing Lee
The Divine Pillar.
After Shenhai ascended from the heavens, the creator deity Umato gave birth to twelve animals:
A Rat, an Ox, a Tiger, a Rabbit, a Dragon, a Snake, a Horse, a Goat, a Monkey, a Rooster, a Dog, and a Pig. Whom began multiplying over the years and eventually interbreeding, leading to other species such as fish, amphibians, birds, and finally humans; the perfect mortal form envisioned by the gods.
Humans began spreading their civilization from inside the circle Shenhai drew. Building a
massive wall along the lines to signify it, but as their numbers exceeded the walls, humanity was beginning to lose guidance. They needed an enlightened sage to watch over them, the position was too low for the likes of an admiral in the Heavenly Court, and too mighty for the likes of a mortal. So the Zodiacs of Shilon, the 12 mortals born from gods, were sentenced to lead the humans and take their form. If they were to die they would eventually be reincarnated and born anew.
The Shilon Empire would then continue to both thrive and struggle for the next millennia.
An era so long most of its history failed to stay preserved.
Years 000-450 RH (Recorded History) 3,100 years ago.
Goat and the Tiger
The era of lost history (LH) ended with the Goat Empress Jing Lee. A compassionate demigoddess kind to both her people and her enemies. Making her the most worshiped and widely loved ruler even to this day. Unfortunately, even in this age of peace, a crack revealed itself. And Jing Lee was forced to abandon her life and her people for an otherworldly cause. The people's faith and compassion faded along with Empress Goat Jing Lee's presence. Fortunately, another was able to take her position, Tiger King Hushin, who just so happened to be a very competent and formidable leader to his followers, and managed to maintain the peace for a while. But the people have an excellent memory and a stubborn loyalty to their dead empress. The lack of favor for the Tiger Emperor stirred his bitterness, and it was his bitterness that shadowed itself on the kingdoms.
Eventually, Tiger Emperor Hushin fell victim to treachery from his own advisors. Deceived by an unknown trickster deity to walk the mountain ranges of Tuskunovna and never walk down. Using a spell similar to the one used to draw the Divine Wall of Shilon, The Tiger Emperor and his tyranny was no more. Leaving the Horse Admiral Malong to take his position.
Years 450-3100 RH
Dynasty of the Horse and the Three Zodiacs.
In the year 2500RH, Horse Emperor Malong grew weary of his thousand-year dynasty. Hoping to pass down his position to a worthy heir, he commissioned Jade Emperor Shenhai for a successor. For reasons unknown, Shenhai issued three subjects; A male dragon, a female ox, and a male snake. Named Ren, Lao, and Fu bai in that order.
During their infant years, it was said that the Dragon, Ren would often find himself staring past the clouds above, sometimes directly into the sun. Ox Lao was known to be more ground-leveled as a young calf, keeping her eyes on anyone who she considered endearing. Snake Fu Bai however kept to himself as most snakes do. And despite having no eyelids, his pupils never fixated on anything, as if his eyes were closed this entire time. The three were raised relatively equally on their own accord, but it was clear even to Lao and Fu Bai that it was the dragon Ren who would see the throne through.
Ren's dynasty would then quickly prove its influence not just on themselves but also on factions around the world. The Dragon would become a prime symbol of strength and divinity to all and became a global wonder. Distant nations like Tekkan and the Haisong Kingdom began building temples and shrines for the celestial dragon. Even the current military force of Tekkan (The Tatsu Shogunate) depicts a dragon as their clan's symbol.
Despite his arrogance due to his success, Ren never let his brother and sister; Lao and Fu Bai linger in his shadow. In order to preserve their legacy amongst his, he allowed Lao and Fu Bai to regulate kingdoms within Shilon of their own. Included with military, advisors, and capitol.
Lao saw this offer through as she was very loyal to Emperor Ren and Shilon's interests. While Fu Bai, who also proclaimed his love for the Shilon Kingdom, focused on his solitude and strived on the path of wisdom. While soothsaying, he foresaw a dark life of jealousy and bitterness that could lead to a potential betrayal against Emperor Ren. To avoid this route, he sought self-enlightenment to save both himself and the Shilon Kingdom.
For five hundred years the Dragon, the Ox, and the Snake became an impeccable and beloved trio. Embarking on a journey to determine the kingdom's prosperity for generations to come.
Ren; the Dragon, Lao; the Ox, and
Fu Bai; the Snake.
Dragon Emperor Ren
The stone door built to sever the ties to the land below. A magic seal placed in the front to prevent any evils from getting
out.
Skull of Rou Shan.
Years 3100 - Present
Yamamura
In the southeastern hemisphere of the globe; An enraged colossal yaoguai named Rou Shan emerged from his slumber and went on a rampage in a Surochi village that worshiped the vermillion bird Suzaku. However, he was thwarted by the former emperor. Their steel clashed with such might it could be heard from the Heavenly court in Shenhai's palace. After 5 days of earthquakes and storms, the Horse Zodiac Malong sliced the titan into seven pieces. One of them being a rotten tooth that impaled him and subdued him with a god-killing poison. The old Malong marched his last steps out of the desert and died in a village 30 kilometers from the battle. A few days after his burial, the arm of Rou Shan crawled its way up the ruined temple of Suzaku. And drove his severed spine into the ground like a spike and hammered it with his parted skull.
Black mist clouded the southern temple, and what emerged from it was an endless sea of yokai from the realm of darkness and the deceased, Kindao—forcing all of humanity, including the islands of Tekkan, the nomadic tribes of Mt. Monkhu, and the kingdoms of Shilon, into war.
While the other nations fended for themselves, Dragon Emperor Ren led an overwhelming attack on the yokai, forcing every soldier to fight beyond their limits and until their last breath. After five months of spilled blood from thousands of fallen warriors, including former emperor Malong. Demigod of the Snake Fu Bai and his disciples infiltrated their way inside the Kindao gateway and sealed it for eternity with a magic door. The heroes managed to escape but were ordered by Fu Bai to entomb him behind, forever to part the realm of the living and the unholy.
Despite their victory, there was no triumph.
Warring States Period
Shilon's pride and reputation were tarnished following the events of Yamamura and many, including Admiral Lao blamed the Dragon Emperor Ren for this misfortune. While these accusations occurred, Ren remained focused on questioning the Heavenly Court for their lack of divine intervention. Poisoned with rage, Ren scaled the Divine Pillar, an act beyond taboo even for emperors. The White Horns guarded the pillar's base to prevent Lao and her men from intervening. Climbing with just his bare hands, he managed to surpass the clouds. It was never known what went on at the top, And shortly after, a great rumble erupted from the clouds—a storm like none other descended in wrath, sweeping the cities and temples clean, killing thousands. Whatever Dragon Emperor Ren did up there caused the heavens to react angrily, whether it was Ren's rage or the courts'. Eventually, the last raindrop fell to the earth shortly before Ren—in his dragon form, descended from the sky like a comet onto a nearby cliff near the valley. Lao, who had just slain the last of the White Horns, swiftly made her way to the impact zone along with her army of 150 soldiers to confront her berserk brother.
Surrounded, Lao ordered Ren to yield. For he has disgraced both his godhood and humanity, but he came down the heavens as neither. Without thought, Ren quickly slaughtered Lao's army, his own people—like animals. Leaving Ren and Lao in a bloody quarrel that left no standbys in one piece. Despite their equal might, Lao was no match for her brother's primordial rage and made a pond out of her blood, yet she stood true. Still clinging to life, she endured until his final blow. Where she stood so firm her skin hardened to stone, causing Ren's arm to shatter to thousands of pieces upon impact. Embridled with overwhelming pain he ceased, knelt to the blood-soaked soil, and looked at his sister with clear eyes for his senses had been calmed and his warrior's spirit emptied. He bothered not to reason or even apologize, for it has come clear to him that he could never deserve forgiveness. And he faded away in the black wind, never to be seen again.
Lao laid unconscious in her pool of blood for eight days and was declared dead for six. Until one day she awoke to a young wolf pup licking her face clean, who guided the injured Ox back to her palace where she would be announced empress. The young wolf pup turned out to be a reincarnation of the Dog Zodiac, sent to walk among Lao and her broken path to reviving Shilon's lost glory. Lao never found out what happened beyond the clouds Ren tore his way into, regardless she dismantled anyone who remained loyal to the dynasty of old, executing those who didn't comply.
Culture
Since the dawn of creation, Shilon's culture has been heavily influenced and only influenced by its divine connection to the gods and the heavenly court. Even more so the Zodiacs of Shilon who rule them, have thousands of temples and shrines built for them. Some more than others, like Goat Empress Jing Lee, Horse Emperor Malong, and the current Empress Lao. Controversial Zodiac emperors such as the Dragon and the Tiger have had most of their shrines burned down after their downfall. But some still exist in rural areas.
View of the Divine Pillar from the edge of Shao Tai.
Landmarks
Divine Wall of Shilon
Over time when humanity developed they eventually constructed a wall within
the circle edges to signify the invisible barrier. The empty gap Shenhai forgot to fill became the main entryway into the Shilon Kingdom, which has been guarded by
the Boar Aspect Mao Rang for thousands of years.
Divine Pillar of Shilon
The Divine Pillar of Shilon is a 25-mile (40 km) tall mountain that stands as Kudao’s only entrance to the Heavenly Realms and the Divine Court, it is also the place where the Shilon Palace is built around; the home of demigods, nobles, priests, generals, and most importantly; Shilon’s emperor/empress. But even for them, they can only reach the mountain so high. Being the bridge between heaven and earth, to reach the clouds uninvited is forbidden among mortals, demons, and lesser gods. After Yamamura, Dragon Emperor Ren attempted to scale the pillar in a fit of rage but was eventually struck down.
Jinju Monastery
Many different jade mage sanctuaries are scattered across the world of Kudao, more so common in regions such as Shilon, Gaowong, and northern Tekkan. The largest and most sacred sanctuary of all is the Jinju Temple, home of the great master Jinsei, the chosen monk. The journey to this place is a 10-mile trek from the closest inhabited village in the northern valleys of Shilon. After traveling through a series of towering hilltops and thick mists, you will soon near the great sanctuary as the atmosphere soothes your tiring spirit and be greeted by Jademage students and masters.
This peaceful temple was built hundreds of years ago to serve as the main training grounds for learning the ancient arts of the first tao; Wisdom, along with Qi, also known as Jade Magic, the energy source of all immortal and mortal spirits. Through great trials of self-mastery and inner peace, one can master this runic energy and finally reveal the qi that all mortals have within.
Mao Rang stands at the entrance to the Shilon kingdom at all times to guard the nation from invading hordes in overwhelming numbers. He is regarded as a statue for his lack of movement and dedication to his title.
Jinju Monastary
Mao Rang at his post.
Influenced by their gods, the Shilon Military is often recognized as one of the oldest mortal-made armies of all time. Often sharing tactical traits and fighting techniques based on their current emperor or empress. It is highly enforced that every family within the Shilon walls is required to offer their strongest son or daughter to serve in the military, exceptions may apply.
Shilonese soldiers charging in the battle of Yamamura.
Gallery
