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 Tszun 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 584 (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 Tszun, 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 Tszun 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.

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

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

Daimatsagu
If the Naisiun 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 Tszun and given a rich plot of land to rule over with accompanying servants.

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 Tszun 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 and isolated Gnome-like folk called the Kiko who live in tiny villages across the nation.

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 Tochido Kaszatti have taken to removing fish from their diets in recent years, however, becoming completely vegetarian. Tszun Kaganenochi is one of these people, having never cared for the taste of fish to begin with he has limited his diet mostly to fresh kelp and rice.

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 brethren. That length of time however is very unusual and most more commonly live 600-800 years. 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 oh Naut'kah exist completely within the territory of Tochi's sea borders and are subject to Tochido laws and authority, but their kingdom of the 'Poklari Protectorate' is mostly left alone to practice their culture however they wish. 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 of Yaszria. While far less populous than their cousins, they have a large hold built into the Hanikwan mountain. Like most other Dwarves, they trace their origin back to Rathnir but have since found a strong connection to the lands they reside within now, worshipping the gods and spirits of Eriszetsu alongside their Human counterparts but primarily giving thanks to the deity Aniteren, the Golden Toad.

Kiko
Meaning "Little Spirit" in Tochido, the Kiko were first discovered centuries ago in a cave expedition in modern day Tochi and were assumed to be tiny manifestations of spirits, standing at little less than an inch in height. It has since been learned that they are merely an offshoot of the Maddrakki Gnome species that had long ago emigrated from their homeland and had found peace in the small caverns that dotted the land of Katsura but even with this new knowledge the name of Kiko has stuck. Today, Kiko can be found all over Tochi in both subterranean caves and in dark recesses of crowded cities.

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.