Tochi

The Tszunare Tochi, or Crownlands of Tochi, is a small, mostly isolationist kingdom located in Katsura, the northwestern region of Eldham. It was founded in the last days of Year 581 (12/16/2021) after a peaceful secession with the Regency of Yaszuma where the province bought its independence following years of separatist sentiment. It's led by Tszuno Nobimura Kaganenochi (Cyaesar) who exercises absolute authority, but land owners are given mostly free reign to do as they please in their own plots.

History
The history of Tochi is tied almost completely with the history of Yaszuma, as the fate of the two have long been intertwined until recently. This is bound to change however, as Tochi faces destiny alone and for the first time in a century, without its brothers and sisters.

Yaszumatti Standard Calendar
Tochi uses the Yaszumatti Standard Calendar to measure time and is currently in the Year 583 (Each month irl is one year in game according to this calendar).

During Valesco
The province of Tochi, called Piru during the times of the Valesco Senatorial State, was sparsely populated, with the only major settlement being Black Hollow. (WIP)

During Yaszuma
Once considered a 'Frontier Province', the province of Tochi grew rapidly as a population boom and an increase in regional trade enriched the province due to its position as a crossroad in the center of the continent. (WIP)

Secession
In the Year 581, Yaszuma declared its intention to war Varn Torum and the rest of the Northern Lights over the land known as Titan's Rest. Should the invasion have been successful, the province of Tochi would have been granted the land of Titan's Rest, but fate had other ideas. Mere hours after the official declaration of war, Nobimura Kaganenochi, current Governor of Tochi, pleaded with the Central Government of Yaszuma to find a diplomatic solution or accept the peace offer Varn had offered already. It would not be until a week later when the people of Tochi, stressed about being on the frontlines of a potential war and their homes threatened as the first to go should Varn Torum invade, called for a secession. Tochi's long history of secessionist ideology had finally boiled over and their faith in the Central Government was irreparably shaken. An agreement was made with the Central Government to remain a province for three more days while Varn Torum and Yaszuma negotiated peace before being peacefully released for a sum of 140,000 gold. And so, in the waning days of Year 581 (12/16/2021), Tochi was freed after decades of Yaszumatti rule and now the Tszuno, Nobmura Kaganenochi began work to reform the province into a fully fledged Kingdom.

Northern Lights - Constellation of the North
Mere days after their peaceful exit from Yaszuma, the Tszuno of Tochi approached the members of the Northern Lights and asked for them to forgive him for his participation in the regional instability caused by the Yaszumatti declaration of war on Varn Torum. While some may still not trust Tochi, the majority have welcomed the new nation into their arms as brothers, with Tochi officially joining the Northern Lights in Year 581 (12/17/2021).

A year after Tochi's acceptance into the Northern Lights the organization was converted into a cultural program with a new military alliance, Constellation of the North, being made between all current nations of the Northern Lights and the two remaining nations that had previously left; As'ria (Formerly Valore) and Yaszuma. Once more returning Katsura to full strength for the first time in years.

Government
The government of Tochi is simplistic, making sure that bureaucracy is kept to a minimum. The Tszuno technically has absolute authority, but the Daimatsagu has the power to arrange the military as they see fit and the Huigōyan, the land owners, have almost full autonomy within their plots so long as they follow the rule of law.

Tszuno
The King of Tochi, currently Tszuno Nobimura Kaganenochi (Cyaesar), rules with absolute power over foreign policy. Unlike most monarchs, the role of Tszuno (or Tszunna) do not have coronations nor crowns, expected to rule with a down-to-earth and simple style. One cannot lead the people without understanding the people.

Naishéyu
The Naishéyu are advisors, hand picked by the Tszuno to help him make decisions and to keep him grounded. The Naishéyu have powers granted to them on an individual level and they are undoubtedly an important part of the monarchy, being to the Tszuno what a sail is to a ship.

Daimatsagu
If the Naishéyu are a sail then the Daimatsagu is a row of cannons. Leader of the military in Tochi, they exercise full control over the military and are responsible for its upkeep, supply and recruitment. The Daimatsagu is inarguably the second most powerful position in Tochi, taking orders only from the Tszuno himself and given a rich plot of land to rule over.

Huigōyan
Land owners, Huigōyan are responsible for advertising their home, helping bring new people to the land and if need be, dolling out punishment for criminal activities. They hold no real federal authority but are given almost full autonomy over their lands to do as they please, although they can be overridden by the Tszuno if need be. Some towns even have religions that are not that of the Crown, but all are welcome to live as they please within the borders of Tochi as long as they don't bring trouble.

Culture
Tochi is among the most culturally diverse nations in the Northwest, with the Poklatti living in the seas to the south, the Pandafolk thriving within the jungles, a small Dwarven population residing in the mountains and two Human races living in the terrestrial cities, as well as a growing Vul and Gnoll populace in the area as trade with outside areas continues to flourish.

Kaszatti
The Kaszatti are the largest racial group in Tochi, originating from the province of Kaszara in eastern Yaszuma, having formed the first known Kingdom in the area, the Kingdom of Kaszara. They are known to enjoy fish, leading to more than a few awkward moments with their Poklatti neighbors. Some Tochian Kaszatti have taken to removing fish from their diets as well, becoming completely vegetarian, Tszuno Kaganenochi is one of these people, having never cared for the taste of fish to begin with.

Pirutti
The Pirutti or Blessed Humans are the Humans that arose in the area around Black Hollow. They posses a nearly completely pale white skin color and live hundreds of years with the eldest Pirutti on record living to be 1345 years old, much longer than their other Human brothren. That length of time however is very unusual and most more commonly live a few hundred years less than 1000. Pirutti rarely ever leave Black Hollow, let alone Tochi, making them a mysterious and highly exotic race to see anywhere else in the world.

Poklatti
The Poklatti are a mixture of anthropomorphic fish species that live in the sea south of Tochi. The Poklatti exist completely within the territory of Tochi and are subject to Tochian laws and authority, but their kingdom of the Poklari Protectorate is mostly left alone, along with their terrestrial holding of Wongfei where the Pandafolk originate.

They can vary in color highly depending on the part of the ocean where they originate from, they must keep themselves damp and wear glass tanks on their heads for them not to dry out and suffocate when on land.

Agêkidur Dwarves
Residing far underground, the Agêkidur Dwarves are cousins to both the Varn Torum Dwarves and Tetszotti Dwarves. While far less populous than their cousins, they have a large hold built into the Hanikwan mountain that they call Vaskarthis.

Like most other Dwarves, they trace their origin back to Rathnir but have since found a strong connection to the lands they reside now, worshipping the gods and spirits of Eriszetsu alongside their Human counterparts.

Vuls
WIP

Gnolls
WIP

Religion
Main Article: Eriszetsu Main Article: Seekism

As a part of Yaszuma, the province of Tochi was resistant to the void that had grasped the rest of the provinces. While Yaszuma was taken over by those that preached Kirutawa's demise, Tochi remained loyal to their ancient goddess and kept the worship of spirits alive. Even as Yaszuma once more changed leadership and with it a reformation to Junicism, a now independent Tochi still tends the shrines and temples dedicated to the spirits of the world, the Scarlet Fox and her companion gods.

Meanwhile, the Pirutti, the Blessed Humans of Black Hollow, pray within their Cathedral of Saint Vertibond. Not many know what their Goddesses tell them, but it is believed that their faith is the source of their long lives and most Pirutti dare not stray too far from their home, lest they lose the favor that has made them so blessed.