The South

“There are horrors beyond our borders that we do not suspect, and once in a while man's evil prying calls them just within our range”.

The lands south of the Empire are rich in both life and wealth. Trekking out of the endless jungles come countless caravans bearing tribute of gems and ivory to set before the Imperial Throne, and these treasures represent but a hint of the riches that could be acquired if the dark forests could be tamed. However the wilds have proven near to impenetrable, for every foothold won for man comes at a cost in blood; to step foot into the jungle is to risk deadly wildlife, poisonous vegetation and virulent disease.

Many brave bands of explorers have none the less risked the dangers of the deep jungle in search of gold and glory. Few have returned, and those who do stagger back alone, arms clutching riches and eyes wild. Some speak of hidden cities, and laughing shadows. Others of birds who sing with the voices of children and tigers of mist and flame that hunt men for sport.

Within the Empire the people of the South are often portrayed as poor cousins, undisciplined and ignorant. Lacking the temporal oversight of the Bureaucracy, and rejecting the spiritual authority of its Celestial equivalent, the Southerner is prone to sloth and impropriety.

The people of the South see things rather differently; often living in secluded settlements within the jungle, it is quite possible for a Southerner to go their entire lifetime never meeting an outsider. What need then have they to waste time learning the customs and rules of a people they will never meet. Life in the South is harsh and often short; surely it is no surprise then that they take pleasure when they can; enjoying what bounty they can wrest from the world around them, and the tight comradery of their communities.
Many Southerners acknowledge the existence of a Celestial Bureaucracy, but to them it is far more important to concentrate their worship upon a local deity. It is a rare settlement that doesn't support a small cult with its own peculiar practices

The hot, damp air of the South encourages its people to wear light, simply made garments, however what their fashion lacks in material complexity it makes up for in compositions of vivid colour. The dyes of the South are sought by nobles across the Empire but even the humblest Southern villager is normally found sporting three or four bright eye-catching colours.

The gateway to the South, Kalarat lies closest to the Empire and is the heart of the Imperial presence in the region. Around the city stretch vast swathes of farmland, carved out of the native jungle through years of toil. Kalarat's sobriquet is derived from the great cattle markets which supply the local farmers. Visitors have said derisively that there are four oxen for every man in the city, locals respond with pride that this is true but there are also eight for every woman and ten for every child.

Fascinating as the city's markets are to the Imperial bureaucrats, those with a more adventurous nature may instead be interested in other sights such as the respected Daring Monkey School, the impenetrable Prison of the Five Pretas and the curiously unnerving Ox Shadow Pagoda.

Clutching the side of Mount Siam is the City of Gold and Ivory. The mines of Siampan are said to be the most extensive in the world, winding up to the mountaintop and plunging down deep beneath the earth. From the depths a great elevator, pulled by a hundred straining elephants, brings forth gold specked ore, stained with the sweat and tears of the slaves who labour below.

In the City above craftsmen turn crude chunks of ore into beautiful pieces of jewellery and finely honed blades, all to please their noble patrons. Those privileged enough to win an invitation to the Rani's court are said to be offered every luxury known to man.

Several times in the past year Mount Siam has rumbled ominously and doomsayers cry that is only a matter of time before the mountain shakes the city from its back.

The southern most stronghold of mankind in the jungle, Chatrabad is less a town and more an armed camp. Ruled by a militant cult known as the Children of the Guardian the outpost has long offered a refuge for those lost in the wilderness and most of the cult is comprised of those rescued from the undergrowth by the Children's search parties.

The warriors of Chatrabad are said to possess a magical torch which sheds a light that may lead the way to the bearer's heart's desire. If this is true then they certainly don't make it publicly available.

Rani Ajala is the young ruler of Kalarat and a talented bureaucrat who has done much to ensure the growth of her city. Educated within the Empire she has several close friends within the highest echelons of the Imperial Capital, and is a strong advocate for the spread of Imperial culture into her kingdom.

She has been romantically linked with Lady Cao Huan of Wei who visited Kalarat several months ago and is rumoured to be infatuated with the Rani.

50 years ago Tanvi was known as the Jewel of the South, her beauty so great that admirers would risk the dangerous journey to Siampan just for a chance to see her from afar. Today that reputation persists for since she inherited the throne of the City of Gold and Ivory she does not seem to have aged a day. Common speculation in the Empire is that a god was so taken by her beauty that she was gifted with one of the Peaches of Immortality.

Rani Tanvi is a somewhat reclusive figure in this age as most of her matters of state are handled by her Chancellor, Idris.

Leader of the Children of the Guardian and the Grandmaster of Southern Tiger Style, Golden Claw Nipa is the most feared warrior in the South and a known opponent of Imperial interests in the region. Nipa has obstructed several Imperially sanctioned expeditions intended to thoroughly explore the deep jungle and has killed several agents sent to bring intelligence from Chatrabad. To the shame of the Empire she has also grievously wounded a number of prominent martial artists who have tried to demonstrate the superiority of Central Tiger Style.