Dice Exalted 3E - Tale of a Falling Empire Lore

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For information about the world and its characters.

 

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Locations

(Edited image, original created by Kashi. Will be updated as new locations are added.)

• Kandara
• Albahr
• Nagaraja
• Yangofu

• 
  Kandara
  The city-state of Kandara is a Realm satrapy located within the Southeastern Threshold, roughly 400 miles southeast of Jiara. Encompassing the settlement of Kandara itself, as well as numerous villages and farms within the surrounding countryside, it was founded by survivors of the Balorian Crusade shortly after the birth of the Realm, and became an official satrapy but a handful of years later, the newly-formed Scarlet Empire using it as a base to strike out against remnants of the Fair Folk within the area. Under the Realm's protection, Kandara has expanded to become a wealthy and populous city over the course of many centuries, as well as a hotbed of Realm culture; the city's architecture bares much resemblance to that of the Blessed Isle, and peasants are far more likely to speak Low Realm than Flametongue or Riverspeak.
  
  The city of Kandara has an approximate population of 40,000 people, with an estimated 400,000 living within villages, farming communities and other settlements within the nearby area. Satraps of Kandara have traditionally been of House Ragara, the house of bankers mining seemingly never-ending amounts of jade, silver and gemstones from the surrounding regions, and investing money in the form of loans into the city-state's prosperity, all for the sake of ensuring increasingly larger returns from it. Other Great Houses with notable influence within the region are House Cynis, who own the vast majority of Kandara's gambling dens, brothels and opium houses, among other investments, and House V'neef, who operate a number of large tobacco and qat plantations nearby, as well as a game reserve where one can hunt ox-dragons, hellboars and even tyrant lizards
  
  With the Great Houses preparing for civil war following the disappearance of the Empress, Kandara has suffered like many other satrapies. The Realm garrison has been all but pulled back to the Blessed Isle, leaving the Kandarans open to attacks from bandits and monsters. The extortionate tributes demanded by House Ragara have beggared the populace, impoverishing many and working others to beyond the bone. And the brutal measures taken to enforce House Ragara's rule, as carried out by a self-righteous and sadistic satrap, have turned the common people against both the Realm and the Dynasts.
  
  As if sensing this hatred, a group calling itself the Cult of the Illuminated has come to Kandara and begun preaching defiance of the Scarlet Empire and the Immaculate Philosophy, galvanizing the Kandarans against the Realm. At the same time, a former handmaiden of the satrap, now a Zenith-Caste Solar, has returned to the kingdom with the intent of liberating it from the tyranny of the Realm. At her back stands a great host of loyal soldiers, many of them Kandaran peasants who have suffered hard under Dynast oppression. Among her allies are a number of fellow Exalted, including a Full Moon Lunar with his own army of beastmen, and
  
• 
  Albahr
  A Peleps satrapy that encompasses the inland seas directly south of Kandara. Its capital city of Omodar was one of many enclaves used by the Alkirsan, a pirate people who once terrorized the surrounding oceans, taking slaves and other valuable goods from trading vessels and coastal settlements. Those same corsairs eventually accepted satrapy, the Scarlet Empress allowing them to continue their raiding of non-Realm affiliated nations in exchange for a portion of their plunder and exclusive slave purchase rights, seeing it as a more efficient means of gathering tribute than making their victims satrapies as well.
  
  As more and more of the Alkirsan's usual victims followed their lead and accepted Realm control, the Alkirsan began to gradually shift towards policing the inland seas on behalf of the Imperial Navy, protecting the shipping of the merchant fleet and fellow satrapies from sea monsters and other pirates. That said, there is still much plunder for them to be had, whether by going after those still not under the Realm's banner, or carrying out clandestine raids against Realm allies.
  
  In contrast to the seafaring cultures of the West, Albahr has no stigma against women serving onboard its ships, mainly due to the absence of jealous Storm Mothers within the inland seas. It also has a number of Dragon-blooded noble families, with the majority of their members serving as ship captains or fleet commanders, and a minority being adopted by the Great Houses, typically Houses Peleps and V'neef.
  
  Albahr is based upon the Barbary States, with Arabic influences dotted around.
  
• 
  Nagaraja
  A Mnemon satrapy that encompasses a great, serpentine-shaped ridge over 400 miles long, with its capital city of Snakehead situated at the southern coast. Snakehead is named as such for the gigantic snake's head - comparable in size to a truly colossal behemoth - carved from the mountain which the city is built around.
  
  Snakes feature prominently within Nagarajan culture. The vast majority of spirits there take the form of snakes, numerous Snake Style dojos exist throughout the land (with mastering the style mandatory for members of the ruling priesthood), and the most devoted worshipers of the serpent gods can have operations performed on their noses to reduce them to snake-like nostrils. There are even communities of serpentfolk throughout Nagaraja, the descendants of refugees from the destruction of Ixcoatli.
  
  It is notably one of the few Realm satrapies where the people can conduct worship as they see fit. This is largely because the vast majority of Nagaraja's priesthoods count Dragon-blooded martial artists among their members; not only can they battle Dragon-blooded Immaculate Monks on an even level, they can worship gods as they see fit on account of their "enlightenment" (with mortals being allowed to join in on the basis that the ceremonies are overseen by the Dragon-blooded). Nevertheless, there is an Immaculate temple within Snakehead's upper level, and the Immaculate Philosophy is making inroads within Nagaraja.
  
  Nagaraja itself is an ecclesiarchy. It is ruled by the Serpentine Synod, the high priests of the Nagarajan religion who have their main temple and administrative district within the center of Snakehead's upper level.
  
  Nagaraja takes a number of cues from pre-medieval India, as well as from serpents in general.
  
• 
  Yangofu's Satrapy
  A Ledall satrapy located in the hills several hundred miles northeast of Kandara. Its capital city of Yangofu was said to have been built long before the Shogunate, before being ravaged by both the Great Contagion and the Balorian Crusade. Whatever the case, powerful wards generated by a manse within the city prevented it from both becoming a shadowland and being lost to the Wyld, allowing for its reclamation after the Realm came into being.
  
  Early on in the spring, Yangofu - which had been suffering from post-Empress decline much like Kandara - was liberated from the Realm in a peasant revolt supported by an unknown patron, said to be either the Guild, a powerful Terrestrial God, or even Lookshy. Whatever the case, the Realm leadership of Kandara now looks towards the area with a wary eye.
  
  Yangofu and its satrapy are loosely based on Nepal.
  

 

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Allies of the Scarlet Empire

• Ragara Satori
• Satori's Household
• Other Noteworthy Individuals

• 
  Ragara Satori
  Appearance: Ragara Satori is a slim and buxom woman in her twenties with long blonde hair, blue eyes and a near perpetual arrogant expression (Appearance 5). She typically wears form fitting silk robes in House Ragara colors (white and gold), but when called upon to do battle, she will don an ornate set of White Jade Lamellar Armor gilded with Orichalcum.
  
  Background: Having graduated from the Spiral Academy at the top of her class, Ragara Satori soon found herself appointed Satrap of Kandara. Despite being young, and possessing senses of entitlement and sadism beyond those of any other Dynast, she did surprisingly well for herself in the position, but this was mostly due to her negative urges being kept in check by her four chief assistants, three of whom were appointed by the Scarlet Empress herself for this exact purpose. And all that went out of the window when the Scarlet Empress disappeared a year after Satori's appointment.
  
  Before long, all but two of Satori's chief assistants - her military commander and her Ragara-born financial advisor - were stripped of their positions and executed on alleged charges of treason, and replaced by more sycophantic members of House Ragara. A year ago, following the fall of Jiara to a group of Anathema, Satori killed the King of Kandara after discovering that he'd been corresponding with the Anathema about getting their help in liberating his domain from Realm control. His twelve-year old son took the throne afterwards, but was soon made into a figurehead when Satori declared herself his regent. Today she controls Kandara with a jade fist, demanding large tributes and loan interest payments in order to fund her house's war effort, and inflicting horrific cruelties on the people of Kandara whenever they refuse to acknowledge the divine right to rule of the Dragon-blooded, something that has been happening increasingly often in the last few months.
  
  Abilities: Satori is a Dragon-blooded of the Earth Aspect with Essence 2, and Bureaucracy 4. She has Resolve 4 and Guile 2.
  
  Merits: Besides the aforementioned armor, Satori also possesses a White Jade Daiklave. Her position as Satrap gives her Resources 4 - her stipend plus money gained from loan interest payments - and Influence 3, among other benefits. Her palace is a Manse.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle - Dynasts are the pinnacle of enlightenment, and mortals should treat them as such.
  Defining Principle - Those who defy me will be made to suffer.
  
  Major Principle: I do not wish to suffer the dishonor of being driven from my post.
  Major Tie: Sesus Asuna (Affection)
  
  Minor Principle: I have failed in my duty, and I bear responsibility for the consequences.
  Minor Tie: Cynis Manato (Affection)
  Minor Tie: Cynis Manato (Respect)
  Major Tie: Ragara Javald (Attraction)
  Minor Tie: Sesus Asuna (Gratitude)
  Minor Tie: Sesus Asuna (Lust)
  
  
• 
  Tepet "Cold Waters" Kirito
  The current commander of Kandara's military, Kirito was an austere and disciplined officer even before the sobering experience of his house's fall from grace. He appears to be a muscular man in his fifties, with grey hair arranged in a topknot and a short grey beard running along his jaw. He nearly always wears a set of Black Jade Lamellar Armor when on duty, and carries a Daikalbar of the same material, with which he can use White Reaper Style.
  
  Kirito is one of the two remaining chief assistants of Satori who were appointed before the Empress's disappearance - the other being a Ragara relative of hers - and he has maintained his position by keeping his head down and not provoking Satori's ire. Instead, he occupies himself with trying to protect Kandara's people and the Realm's interests with what few military assets he has left. No longer believing that House Tepet has a future - thanks to the Bull in the North - his loyalty lies foremost with the Realm.
  
  Abilities: Kirito is a Dragon-blooded of the Water Aspect with Essence 3, and ratings of 4 for Intelligence, Wits and War.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Tie: The Realm (Loyal Duty)
  
  Major Tie: Hasuri Boroma (Dutiful concern)
  
  Minor Tie: Satori and her Ragara council (Disapproval)
  Minor Tie: Cynis Manato (Respect)
  Minor Tie: Ledaal Fel (Respect)
  
  Ragara Javald
  A Dragon-blooded of the Earth Aspect, Kandara's head of finance, and the man responsible for generating as much wealth from the satrapy as possible. He is a handsome, tall and lightly muscled man with neck length wavy-blond hair, and a goatee on a pointed chin (Appearance 4).
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle: Dynasts are the pinnacle of enlightenment, and mortals should treat them as such.
  
  Major Tie: Ragara Satori (Attraction)
  
  Minor Tie: Cynis Manato (Respect)
  Minor Tie: Ragara Satori (Possessiveness)
  
  Ragara Voruna
  A Dragon-blooded of the Water Aspect, and the spymaster of Kandara. He is a smooth-faced man who looks to be in his mid-thirties, with long black hair worn in a top-knot, and attire that typically consists of black and navy blue robes, though he is also a reputed master of disguise (Appearance 3).
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle: All warfare is based upon deception.
  
  Major Principle: Dynasts are the pinnacle of enlightenment, and mortals should treat them as such.
  
  Ragara Zadari
  The court sorcerer of Kandara, tasked with matters relating to demons and sorcery. She's a young woman with pure white hair that reaches down to her neck, along with pale blue eyes, and she wears a set of form-fitting light blue sorcerer's robes (Appearance 4).
  
  Abilities: Zadari is a Dragon-blooded of the Air Aspect with Essence 2, and ratings of 4 for Intelligence and Occult. She has been initiated in the ways of Terrestrial Circle Sorcery (Student of the Heptagram), and can perform the spells Demon Of the First Circle, Infallible Messenger and Summon Elemental.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle: What are mortal lives but a step on the path to enlightenment and perfection?
  
  King Hasuri Boroma
  House Hasuri is one of the Realm's many cadet houses, and has been the ruling family of Kandara ever since it was officially founded, which was the same time Kandara became a satrapy. The current king and head of the family however is the black-haired and twelve year old Boroma, after his father was killed by Satori for corresponding with Anathema. He has never truly forgiven Satori for this, or for usurping his kingdom, and only grudgingly works with her.
  
  Abilities: Boroma is a Dragon-blooded of the Water Aspect with Essence 1, with Intelligence 3 and Bureaucracy 2.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle: I intend to rule as a firm but just king.
  Defining Tie: Ragara Satori (Animosity)
  
  Major Tie: Tepet Kirito (Respect)
  Major Tie: House Ragara (Dislike)
  
  Minor Tie: Cynis Manato (Respect)
  
  Major-domo Mucao
  A mortal from a local patrician family, Mucao is a grey-haired and slightly plump man in charge of all the servants within the satrap's palace. Besides overseeing the day to day business that keeps the household running smoothly, he also helps organize events and parties as demanded by Satori. He prefers to try and stay out of Dynastic politics, saving his concern for the palace, for which he feels no small amount of pride.
  
  Abilities: Mucao has Bureaucracy 2, with a specialty in managing wealthy households
  
  Merits:
  Defining Principle: The Satrap's palace (Professional pride)
  
  Major Principle: Dynasts are the pinnacle of enlightenment, and mortals should treat them as such.
  
  Minor Tie: His staff (Professional respect)
  
• 
  King Al-Sakhawi
  
  
  Cynis Harun
  A Dragon-blooded of the Wood Aspect, and the woman in charge of all House Cynis's interests within the city of Kandara, namely its slaving operations and vice-oriented establishments. She is a woman who looks to be in her forties, with tanned skin and long hair the color of tree bark (Appearance 4).
  
  A top graduate of the Spiral Academy, Harun has been handling her family's affairs in Kandara for over fifty years, and set her roots down into a comfortable position within the city. She is a skilled, wealthy and well-connected businesswoman, as well as a refined hedonist; she happily engages in the debauchery House Cynis is well-known for, but goes about it with a highly formal air uncommon to the house - at least until she engages in foreplay.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Minor Tie: Cynis Maruto (Fondness and Trust)
  
  Ledaal Kessi
  A Dragon-blooded of the Air Aspect, and the woman in charge of overseeing maintenance of Emerald Chevalier. She used to be a warstrider pilot herself, going through the training program with Fel, but a battle with the Lunar Yin-Shizi led to her losing her right arm, left leg and left eye, and suffering serious PTSD, putting an end to her piloting career. She crafted artificial limbs and an eye to replace the ones she lost.
  
  Ledaal Sengon
  A Dragon-blooded of the Air Aspect who attended the Cloister of Wisdom at the same time as Larissa, and is now an Immaculate Monk of the Third Coil, and abbot of the order's main temple in the city. Having been appointed prior to the Scarlet Empress's disappearance, he has witnessed firsthand the Great House-induced decay caused by it, and he and his monks now strive to keep belief in the Immaculate Philosophy alive, in addition to their usual duties.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Defining Principle: I will see the Immaculate Philosophy spread across the entire region
  
  Major Principle: Enlightenment does not entitle stupidity, even for Dragon-blooded.
  Major Tie: The Cult of the Illuminated (Contempt for heretics)
  
  Mnemon Sokuma
  A Dragon-blooded of the Earth Aspect, and the satrap of Thueban, with his own manor in Snakehead. He is a stocky and somewhat short man who appears to be in his sixties, with a bald spot and neck-length grey hair. He is loyal to Mnemon, working Thueban hard to support her play for the Scarlet Throne, but he also appreciates the effects such hardfisted rule has within the Threshold.
  
  Known Intimacies:
  Major Tie: House Ragara (Disdain)
  Major Tie: Mnemon (Loyalty)
  
  Nellens Mabuka
  
  Peleps Basuni
  A Dragon-blooded of the Water Aspect, and the satrap of Albahr. A dark-skinned woman in her thirties with cerulean blue hair that she wears in a topknot.
  
  Tahaki
  An outcaste Dragon-blooded of the Water Aspect from the Scavenger Lands, and member of the Wyld Hunt. A believer in the Immaculate Philosophy, he has little love for the present state of the Realm. He wields a pair of black jade short daiklaves.
  
  V'neef Merina
  A Dragon-blooded of the Wood Aspect, daughter of V'neef herself, and the ambitious representative of her mother's interests in Kandara. A fair-skinned young woman with long, wood-brown hair (Appearance 4), she owns and operates the vast majority of the vineyards, tobacco and qat plantations in the lands surrounding the city, and even a safari area in the nearby grasslands, where Dynasts can hunt ox-dragons, hellboars and tyrant lizards.
  
  If Haruni is the fully grown tree, content enough with its current size to simply exist, Merina is the young sapling - or weed, as her enemies might say - eager to spread her leaves and roots across the surrounding environment, no matter the consequences for the surrounding plants.