Realistic or Modern Emperor of Three Kingdoms - Lore & Information

[spacepanda]

• Basic Plot
• Roleplay Requirements
• Available Roles
• Countries
• Religion
• City / Palace Locations
• Timeline (WIP)
• CS Info
• RP Links

• Basic Plot​
  
  It is nearing the end of the 29th year of Jinse, and in just four months a large celebration will be had to extoll the Emperor's thirty years of reign. In honor of such an event, and to keep an uprising from taking root, the Emperor's Council is pushing him to name one of his sons as Crown Prince and heir to his empire; they wish to see all three sons take more responsibility in Yazhou's affairs and begin families of their own, but Emperor Zhang Liwei does not think any of his sons yet ready.
  
  This RP takes place on the fictional continent of Yazhou in the 29th year of the Jinse Era. It is a roleplay heavily inspired and based on Asian Palace Period Dramas in a newly-formed empire where tensions between nations are hidden but high. Emperor Zhang Liwei has finally achieved the dreams of his ancestors by uniting all of Yazhou under one sovereignty, but it is not easy to rule an empire when snakes remain hidden in the palace...
  
  _{*Note: This is not a harem RP! This roleplay is mainly focused on what goes on behind the Emperor's back and the invisible challenges the throne faces every day. Ask any questions below. Read the requirements for information on how to join.}
  
  
• Roleplay Requirements​
  
  * This RP Is for Ages 21+: I am 30 and would like to RP with people my age for a change.
  * Have Access to Discord: While all of the roleplaying will take place on RPN, I will be creating a discord server for easier OOC chatter and Roleplay Planning.
  * Be Available to Post at Least Twice Weekly: Everyone has their lives; please let me know if you will be unable to post for an extended period of time.
  * Be Able to Play 2+ Characters: This is meant to be a longterm RP with many characters. I need everyone to play at least 2 main characters and additional side characters as needed.
  * Don't Be a Butt: Be kind, rewind, and follow RPN rules here and in the server.
  * Post Length: You don't have to go crazy and worry about post length. The requirement for this RP is 5 sentences (or one paragraph) per post; this is lowered to 3 sentences in scenes heavy in dialogue or where a lot of people are talking at once.
  * Roles Are First Come First Serve: The first person to request the role, gets it.
  * Be Engaging: I'm looking for four people who really want to get along and create a fun drama together. I don't want to have to constantly remind people to post.
  * Make Your Post Readable: BBCODE is fine, but please assure that your posts and character sheets are readable in both Light & Dark Mode and on Mobile & PC.
  * Use a Header: Like above, this is to make it easier for people to know what is going on. Please use a header on each of your posts stating which characters you are playing within. It is very likely we will have multiple scenes going on at once.
  
  
• Available Roles​
  
  

  Role: Emperor Zhang Liwei
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Age: 57
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, Komorijin, & Some Gyeol
  Character Summary: Liwei may have succeeded in the dreams of his ancestors by uniting all of Yazhou, but the work of an Emperor is never over. With protests in Gyeol, the Imperial Council pressing him to name an heir when none of his sons have yet proven themselves worthy, and the rumor that the King of Bhandri will soon ask for aid, he has much to do. He has never been one to be intimated by a heavy workload... but then why has he been acting slightly out of sorts lately?
  
  
  

  Role: Empress Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - jones573
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 50+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: Childhood friend of the Emperor and his first wife, the Empress is the daughter of the Late Prince Chen Shirong of Piao. It is her job to care for the Empire's people, and is also known as the Imperial Mother. She is in love with the Fourth Concubine and has a secret relationship with her.
  

  Role: First Princess Zhang Jingfei
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 19 - 25
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: It is tradition in Piaoliang for the first princess of every King to become a priestess and one day be in charge of the nation's religious well being (and the country's secret sect of assassins called the Scarlet Sisters.) The First Princess, however, is not content with this destiny, and with the help of her aunt, plans to take the Empire for herself.
  

  Role: Second (Actually the Third) Princess Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - GetThree
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 13 - 17
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: The Emperor's most beloved child, the Second Princess can do no wrong in her father's eyes. She is spoiled and very much used to getting her way.
  
  
  

  Role: Queen Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 45+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Some Gyeol
  Character Summary: Second wife to the Emperor and best friend to the Empress. The Queen of Piaoliang is in charge of the upbringing of King's children and is mostly responsible for the daily going on's in the palace.
  

  Role: First Prince Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - Meowfyre
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 25 - 27
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, Komorijin, & Some Gyeol
  Character Summary: With a natural born talent for just about everything, the nation is head over heels over the First Prince, and many believe he will be named Crown Prince, but is that what he really wishes?
  
  

  Role: First Concubine
  Availability: Taken - Pilgrim59
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 42+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: Angry at the Emperor's refusal to make her his third wife, the First Concubine will stop at nothing to assure her son is named heir and next Emperor on the Imperial Throne. She is willing to take out anyone in her way.
  

  Role: Second Prince Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - Ruby Owl
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 21-24
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, Komorijin, & Gyeol
  Character Summary: Used to following his mother's schemes, the Second Prince has had his life mostly paved out for him, but constant scheming is beginning to tire him. Will he push forward on his ambitions to gain the throne, or his attentions stray elsewhere?
  
  
  

  Role: Second Concubine
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 30+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: Unable to have children, the Second Concubine managed to hide three miscarriages from even her servants. Once she was finally pregnant for more than four months she was more than happy to share the news with the Emperor. A miscarriage just a few weeks later, however, had her in a panic and so she hatched a scheme, making a scene of one of the other concubines bumping into her and falling down. Blaming her miscarriage on this event the other concubine was jailed for regicide and executed. But can she keep her infertility a secret forever? And how long can she live with the guilt for ending an innocent life?
  
  
  

  Role: Third Concubine
  Availability: Taken - GetThree
  Nationality: Komori
  Suggested Age(s): 40+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: The Third Concubine was once called 'the most beautiful woman in Yazhou,' and it was her beauty that first drew the Emperor to her. She harbors one deadly secret, however, and that is on a cold night over 20 years ago she gave birth to not one child... but two. Twins in a country were multiple births, especially in a Royal Family, were seen as bad luck. Unable to bare the thought of killing her child she gave her most loyal servant nearly a decade in wages, and sent her, and her daughter, far away from the palace forever.
  

  Role: Third Prince Zhang X
  Availability: Taken - jones573
  Nationality: Piaoliang/Komori
  Suggested Age(s): 18 - 21
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: There is nothing more satisfying in life than beauty, whether it be found in the notes of a song, in the strokes of a painting, the lines of a poem, or the moves of a dancer. The Third Prince cares little for the throne, or for politics, living a life devoted to enjoyment... or is that simple a façade?
  

  Role: Courtesan (Unknowlingly Second Princess) Zhang "Tsuji" Natsume
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang/Komori
  Suggested Age(s): 18 - 21
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: Not knowing her true origins, Natsume has spent all of her life beliving herself to be the daughter of a former Palace maid Tsuji Fumiko and a passing Komori sailor. Her life was relatively peaceful until her "mother" died at age 12, and having no relatives to turn to in Piaoliang, was taken in by a Courtesan Flower House as a servant. Still paying off her debts, Natsume now works as a courtesan in the city of Chiuming, and the Second Prince himself has been known to enjoy a drink in her company.
  
  
  

  Role: Fourth Concubine
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Komori
  Suggested Age(s): 40+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: This concubine was the daughter of a well known Komori warlord and has taken it upon herself to ease the Fifth Concubine into her new home. She also has a secret relationship with the Empress... but is it really love?
  
  
  

  Role: Fifth Concubine
  Availability: Taken - jones573
  Nationality: Hangyeol
  Suggested Age(s): 18 - 24
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Gyeol
  Character Summary: Formerly a princess of Gyeol, she fled with her sisters after the death of her parents and brothers and lived in hiding for six years. Captivated by her beauty, the Emperor allowed her to live and sent her to live in a Temple where she studied Liangyue and Piaoliang history until she could become his concubine. Will she find peace in Piaoliang, or does she crave vengeance?
  

  Role: Personal Guard Song Jonghyun
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Hangyeol
  Age: 25
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Gyeol
  Character Summary: Once a nobleman with ties to the Gyeol Royal Family, his father assisted Zhang Liwei in assassinating the Royal Family and is seen as a traitor in Gyeol and a hero in Komori and Piaoliang. Jonghyun himself, however, had fallen in love with one of Gyeol's Princes, and has joined a secret orginization known as the Black Azeleas whose goal is to make the surviving Gyeol Princess recapture her country, kill the Emperor, and become Queen.
  
  
  

  Role: Princess & Celestial High Priestess Zhang Qiuyue
  Availability: Taken - spacepanda
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Age: 53
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: As Emperor's younger sister and the only daughter of the Late King Zhang Xiaowen, from a young age she devoted herself to religion and becoming a priestess per tradition, always knowing that while a King may have a country, the Celestial Priestess held its heart. She has always been fond of her older brother and has supported him even before the beginning of his reign, but seeing the First Princesses' distaste for the inibility of women to reign, she has sided with her.
  

  Role: Priestess / Scarlet Sister
  Availability: Taken - Ruby Owl
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 19+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: Hiding under the guise of a normal Priestess, this sister carries out all of the Celestial Priestess's commands, and now also serves the First Princess in her plans to assert herself as the Emperor's heir.
  
  
  

  Role: Councilman Yu X
  Availability: Taken - Ruby Owl
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 77+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: Former confidant of the late King Zhang Xiaowen, Previous General of the King's Army, and now a member of the Emperor's council. He wishes the Emperor to name an heir.
  

  Role: General Yu X
  Availability: Taken - Pilgrim59
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 40 - 59
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, Komorijin, & Gyeol
  Character Summary: Son of Councilman Yu and General of the empire's army.
  

  Role: Royal Guardsman Yu X
  Availability: Taken - GetThree
  Nationality: Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 20 - 39
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue & Piaohua
  Character Summary: Son of General Yu and Grandson to Councilman Yu. He is a member of the Imperial Palace Royal Guard and secretly spies for the Emperor.
  
  
  

  Role: Mysterious Traveling Merchant
  Availability: Taken - Meowfyre
  Nationality: Bhandri
  Suggested Age(s): 26+
  Languages Spoken: Bandi, Liangyue, Piaohua, & Komorijin
  Character Summary: Not much is known about this mysterious merchant, or how he was able to leave Bhandri with so many goods to sell when their borders have been closed for the past year. Could he have a secret misson?
  
  
  

  Role: Young Scholar
  Availability: Taken - GetThree
  Nationality: Komori or Piaoliang
  Suggested Age(s): 20+
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue, Piaohua, & Possibly Komorijin or Gyeol
  Character Summary: Proving his worthyness and wisdom at an early age, this man as known as Piaoliang's Beloved Scholar and is seen often at the Palace, but which Prince does this man support in their plans to become the next Emperor?
  
  Additional Roles​
  These are mostly suggested roles; not all of them must be filled. Roles such as servants, guardsmen, councilmen, priestesses, the Emperor's eunuchs, etc. are also available. Feel free to share any ideas for additional roles.
  
  
• The Continent and Empire of Yazhou
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  HANGYEOL​

  
  Country: Hangyeol
  Based On: Korea
  Capitol City: Ocheon
  Languages Spoken: Gyeol (Korean)
  Additional Information: Was conquered by Piaoliang 10 years ago in 19 Jinse and is now a part of the Yazhou Empire. The previous Royal Family were all executed with the exception of some who went into hiding for 6 years but were re-discovered and dealt with in 25 Jinse. Many in Gyeol consider their new Emperor as power-hungry, as their economy is still suffering due to the war.
  
  

  
  

  PIAOLIANG​

  
  Country: Piaoliang
  Based On: China
  Capitol City: Chiuming
  Languages Spoken: Liangyue (Cantonese) & Piaohua (Mandarin)
  Additional Information: Once two separate countries, Piao and Liang, the two lands were reunited and become one again in 3 Tianguo, thanks to the great efforts of the late King Zhang Xiaowen of Liang and the late Prince Chen Shirong of Piao. As the Palace is located in the lands previously known as Liang, Liangyue is commonly spoken by royals, nobles, and other elites, while Piaohua is spoken mainly by commoners.
  
  

  
  

  KOMORI​

  
  Country: Komori
  Based On: Japan
  Capitol City: Nishimawa
  Languages Spoken: Komorijin
  Additional Information: Once ruled by a greedy tyrant, Komori was conquered by Piaoliang in 19 Tianguo, and it's people still praise the current Emperor and his father for saving the country. Many from Komori moved to Piaoliang after the war and vice versa, marrying the two cultures and opening shops and starting new businesses in their neighbor's land. It is not uncommon to hear Komorijin spoken outside of the Imperial Palace.
  
  

  
  

  BHANDRI​

  
  Country: Bhandri (Not Pictured)
  Based On: India
  Capitol City: Vindhya
  Languages Spoken: Bandi
  Additional Information: A large country-continent located to the southeast of Yazhou. They are currently in the midst of a 3-year civil war and their harbors have been closed to the outside world for the past year. They are known for their large navy and exotic spices and fashion.
  
  
• Religion​
  
  The religion in Piaoliang, called Tianmu, is a type of matriarchal astrolatry worshipping the sun, the moon, the stars, and all other celestial bodies, seeing them as feminine spirits by which the world is governed. The religion itself is ancient but has only really gained popularity in the last 300 years, sweeping across what is now Piaoliang and recently parts of Komori. Tianmu, although practiced by the entire country, only allows females into its ranks, and as such only priestesses are allowed.
  
  
  Priestess Ranks​
  
  Initiate: Starting Ages 4 to 10 - Requires 10 years of manual labor, study, and worship.
  Lay Priestess: Starting Ages 14 to 20 - Requires 5 years of continued study and clerical duties / shadows a priestess and runs her errands.
  Priestess: Starting Ages 19 to 25 - Takes part in ceremonies and teaches classes to initiates; mentors a Lay Priestess.
  High Priestess: Usually Starting Ages 29+ - Leads ceremonies and mentors all Priestesses. These women are chosen for their devotion to Tianmu and their ability to lead others. There is usually only one High Priestess per Temple, and she is in charge of overseeing the entire Temple and its activities.
  Celestial Priestess: Traditionally the First Princess of each reigning King is sent to serve the temple and live her life as a Priestess, climbing the ranks until she is old enough to take over the duties as Celestial Priestess, a High Priestess in charge of overseeing the religious practices of the entire country. Now, she oversees the entire Empire. Along with planning all the religious festivities that take place in the Imperial Palace, she is also in charge of reading the stars to determine the requirements for priestess initiates every five years and is the head of a secret organization known as the Scarlet Sisters.
  
  
  The Scarlet Sisters​
  
  The Scarlet Sisters are a secret sect of assassins under the order of the Celestial High Priestess and the current monarch. They are always chosen by the Celestial Priestess among the current lay priestesses serving in the Imperial Palace and train for a number years before officially becoming a sister. Their existence is unknown in the empire, kept entirely in the shadows, and they are known only by Celestial Priestess, the Emperor, and the Captain of the Royal Guard. Even the normal priestesses in the Imperial Temple know not what their sisters are up to at night, thinking them normal priestesses.
  
  
• Locations (WIP)
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• Timeline (WIP)*
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  _{*Note: This will be updated once everyone's character sheets have been completed. Link for MOBILE HERE.}
  
• Character Sheet Skeleton*​
  
  Name: Surname, Given Name
  Role: As Listed in the Roles Section
  Age: Per Suggested Age Group
  Sexuality: If Character is Available For Romance
  Nationality: List Country of Origin
  Personal Goals: What Drives Your Character?
  Appearance Other: Anything additional you want to add that can't be seen on your FC
  Languages Spoken: See Roles Section
  Additional Information: Any Extra information You Wish to Add
  
  _{*Please also provide a realistic photo of your character. I will not accept anime face claims.}
  
• Roleplay Links
  
  Main Roleplay | Interest Check | Character Sheets | Lore & Information
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