Jade Empire

A powerful and influential Far Eastern Empire Hailing from the Region of Tzepyin, commanded by the ‘Brood Empress’. They have successfully conquered territories, razed cities, through cunning strategies that destroy nations from the inside. Their main exports are potent drugs, alchemical ingredients and simultaneously extremely effective medicines. Their main product is simply called the Jade Sap, which is a highly addictive concoction made with the snakefolk’s venom. Very few know the formula to create such a substance, to this day no nation has been able to replicate it, due to it's addictive nature it is banned in most nations, and is often smuggled in as a result. There also exist many concoctions that could allow a rich noble to enhance himself to the strength of a trained warrior theoretically, however without the their skill obviously, which has made the worth of ancient wild roots and gingseng explodes. With potent drugs, and powerful sorceries, it is no wonder why the Jade Fang Empire is a powerful force within the Familiar Lands. Capable of reducing another nation to a vassal state with the reliance of Jade Sap alongside cunning political maneuvering.

The Jade Empire’s crime rate is the lowest world wide, due to the punishments being extremely severe and cruel. In reality, crime is still rampant but the few who does have simply managed to escape capture or paid off officials. The Jade Fang Empire’s main religion is that of Greed, all of their monarchs descending from her, often demigods or at the very least a Heavenspawn of Greed's descent, however they mainly practice the selfish aspects of greed’s teachings. They see greed as the perfect being, with grace and beauty, as well as the only one of their kind to ascend, with those within the Jade Empire trying to do what she did. Their bane can be found in the orcs of the Great Steppes of Mongori, a trained orc warrior able to contend with a blade dancer, one of the most elite unit of the Jade Empire. Because of that they have tried to find other means to fight against them, eventually turning to the usage of Jade Sap against them, which subdued many orcs, as well as allowing them to expand as a result. Slavery within the Jade Empire is a legal practice that is done commonly, regular slaves within the Empire, imported or exporter are marked with a magical brand to identify them. However spies and infiltrators that are put into slavery to gather info aren't inflicted with this brand as a way to keep their tracks clean, and their involvement unknown.

Despite the beastfolk’s general insensitivity to sorcery, the Snakefolk of the Jade Fang Empire are known to be powerful users of magic, with even pure snakefolk able to use magic, said to be due to having Greed's favor; they rival even the most prestigious court wizards of the magus collective. Knowing even some magics from the forgotten Age of Myth, magics that were thought to be lost through the passage of time. Blood purity is coveted within the Jade empire, with pure snakefolks sacred and seen as living treasures, as well as dragons by extension. Foreign snakefolks and dragonfolks are seen poorly due to their dynasty being unable to be tracked properly and in turn their blood purity. Many snakefolks will do selective breeding, and even tailor snakefolks while they are in the egg. Preferring quality over quantity, with magic being valued highly, Snakefolks with selective breeding are striving to achieve perfection by making each individually formidable, however thus low in numbers. It is also common that disputes between bloodlines erupts, and legal if agreed by both parties to sign a combat agreement allowing them to fight until the extinction of a bloodline. A dynasty that has ended other dynasties is naturally more revered and feared. It's also common practice to wear your enemies scales as clothes, a distinct sign of superiority to show others. Among the nobles houses lies an old tradition of concubines, with bunfolk, catfolk or foxfolk making the lower tier of them, and the most exotic animals like peacocks or lions very prized and respected. It has been deemed illegal to own weapons within the Jade Empire for most after multiple attempts to rebel has been made, resulting in the creation of several types of martial arts to allow for them to still defend oneself in the empire.

Within the Jade empire many will give themselves red 'eyes', considered as 'other eyes' they hold a belief to see themselves a trickery, a warning and a beauty standard. Children within the jade empire don't get it.

Warrior Caste

Those possessing potent beastblood would spawn as a lamia. They are regarded with high authority thanks to their more snakelike appearance, indicating the sacred blood coursing through them.

Infiltrator Caste

Infiltrators are regarded with less admiration, they are closer to humans than they are a serpent and as such are often sent out for diplomacy or subterfuge, the snakefolk also naturally being very charismatic individuals.

The Great Serpentine Wall

On the northern border of the Jade Fang Empire lies the skeletal remains of a fallen Great Serpent offspring. These bones serve as both a natural barrier and a bastion against the tribes of the Mongori Orcs since the Age of Myth.

Garrisoned year-round, the defenders stand vigilant for any incursion, meeting all attempts with force to drive them back. The cold-blooded nature of its defenders leads to heating supplies being the greatest logistical burden second to food and clothing. Along the wall an eerie glow can be seen from braziers alight with Serpentine Light keeping its defenders warm in its glow.

The composition of these garrisons changes with the seasons. During the summers, a force of snakefolk; warrior caste born and otherwise, are seen manning the wall with human and beastfolk auxiliaries. During the winters, most snakefolk move off the walls to the nearby garrisons while the number of auxiliaries manning the wall is increased. Mercenary armies can also be spotted taking up the walls, the Jade Fang Empire sparing little expense when it comes to safeguarding of this conflicted border.