Difference between revisions of "Shenzen"
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[[Shenzen]], the largest landmass in the [[Counterwise Region]], is known locally as "The Land of Three Kingdoms", though it has been a unified nation since late in the old [[Alliance]] era. Modern-day Shenzen is known for its exotic spices and well-preserved ancient ruins, its unique local culture, and the wondrous legends that still circulate about it' distant history. | [[Shenzen]], the largest landmass in the [[Counterwise Region]], is known locally as "The Land of Three Kingdoms", though it has been a unified nation since late in the old [[Alliance]] era. Modern-day Shenzen is known for its exotic spices and well-preserved ancient ruins, its unique local culture, and the wondrous legends that still circulate about it' distant history. | ||
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| + | Shenzen is part of the [[New Day Alliance]] but not the [[Trans-Draconic Federation]]. The [[Gudersnipe Foundation]] maintains a sizeable military presence in the region and owns some industry on Shenzen. | ||
==Modern Shenzen== | ==Modern Shenzen== | ||
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Shenzen contains many ruins that can be dated to Antiquity, but these are unique and do not match the style of other ruins known to belong to [[The Ancients]]. Some archeologists argue that these ruins in fact pre-date [[Antiquity]]. These ruins, however, are of a quality and intricacy too great to belong to any other culture. Ergo, conventional wisdom holds that some unique but connected portion of the [[Eladamri]] culture must have existed here. | Shenzen contains many ruins that can be dated to Antiquity, but these are unique and do not match the style of other ruins known to belong to [[The Ancients]]. Some archeologists argue that these ruins in fact pre-date [[Antiquity]]. These ruins, however, are of a quality and intricacy too great to belong to any other culture. Ergo, conventional wisdom holds that some unique but connected portion of the [[Eladamri]] culture must have existed here. | ||
| − | The ancient legends of Shenzen are of much greater interest, with the land having a unique lore all its own. One curious | + | The ancient legends of Shenzen are of much greater interest, with the land having a unique lore all its own. One curious aspect is the continued repetition of the concept that Shenzen is or is supposed to be a peninsula of the [[Greater Continent]], and not an island. The presence of the especially deep [[Drunlake]] sea and the island of [[Iami]] between Shenzen and the mainland makes this impossible, but the stories are interesting. |
| + | |||
| + | ===Recorded History=== | ||
| + | The recorded history of Shenzen begins around 3500 [[B.G.A]] when an invasion force from the mainland first landed and Shenzen culture--which until then simply hadn't been known about--was discovered. The invasion force lost badly, but introduced the concept of [[Tower Magic]] to Shenzen. | ||
| + | |||
| + | At this time, Shenzen was ruled by three waring kingdoms then divided by natural borders. Each kingdom made heavy use of these natural defenses and launched frequent but seldom successful campaigns to attack their neighbors. Tower magic changed all this, and for the next 1,100 years, war ravaged the country. Tall mountains, once the most important defensive measure, became beacons of destruction on the new normal. | ||
| − | + | Necromancy, | |
Revision as of 19:09, 14 October 2025
Shenzen, the largest landmass in the Counterwise Region, is known locally as "The Land of Three Kingdoms", though it has been a unified nation since late in the old Alliance era. Modern-day Shenzen is known for its exotic spices and well-preserved ancient ruins, its unique local culture, and the wondrous legends that still circulate about it' distant history.
Shenzen is part of the New Day Alliance but not the Trans-Draconic Federation. The Gudersnipe Foundation maintains a sizeable military presence in the region and owns some industry on Shenzen.
Contents
Modern Shenzen
Modern-day Shenzen is a constitutional parliament which retains an emperor as a powerless figurehead. One curious eccentricity of the state is the way the emperor is not even paid for his position, and is in fact a middle-class working man. While no one would ever argue that Shenzen's government works "well", it has a semi-command economy which lets it respond to market forces while also maintaining local wealth. Shenzen is unique on Aren in the New Day era for having its own currency strong enough to exchange for Gate Credits and Wingbeats.
Shenzen's chief industries are tourism and spice production. The island is food-self-sufficient and sometimes exports food as well.
Population
Because of its status as an island, Shenzen is also uncommon on Aren for having a unique ethnographic population. Comprised of two major haplo-groups, typical facial features include high but rounded cheekbones and slit-shaped eyes. Skincolors are generally darker tending towards more yellowish. Shenzen has a population in the New Day era of around 750,000,000; notably low for the land area.
Necromancer Population
Around ten percent of the population of Shenzen are necromancers, who while sharing many physical features in common with the locals, still comprise a unique haplogroup. Shenzen Necromancers are considered a unique tribe within the greater necromancer population, and have their own version of the sacred texts and lore.
History
Ancient History
Shenzen contains many ruins that can be dated to Antiquity, but these are unique and do not match the style of other ruins known to belong to The Ancients. Some archeologists argue that these ruins in fact pre-date Antiquity. These ruins, however, are of a quality and intricacy too great to belong to any other culture. Ergo, conventional wisdom holds that some unique but connected portion of the Eladamri culture must have existed here.
The ancient legends of Shenzen are of much greater interest, with the land having a unique lore all its own. One curious aspect is the continued repetition of the concept that Shenzen is or is supposed to be a peninsula of the Greater Continent, and not an island. The presence of the especially deep Drunlake sea and the island of Iami between Shenzen and the mainland makes this impossible, but the stories are interesting.
Recorded History
The recorded history of Shenzen begins around 3500 B.G.A when an invasion force from the mainland first landed and Shenzen culture--which until then simply hadn't been known about--was discovered. The invasion force lost badly, but introduced the concept of Tower Magic to Shenzen.
At this time, Shenzen was ruled by three waring kingdoms then divided by natural borders. Each kingdom made heavy use of these natural defenses and launched frequent but seldom successful campaigns to attack their neighbors. Tower magic changed all this, and for the next 1,100 years, war ravaged the country. Tall mountains, once the most important defensive measure, became beacons of destruction on the new normal.
Necromancy,
