Setting
Jipang is a small fictional continent, set somewhere in the pacific ocean around about where Japan is in our world today. On the Earth that Jipang exists on, there is no country of Japan. All other Asian countries and historical events remain the same. The exact location of Jipang isn’t too important, suffice it to say that it’s far enough away from any other land masses that it takes at least four days of steady sailing to reach it from anywhere else. The land mass is about a third the size of Australia, and contains a wide variety of climes, ranging from a scorching hot desert in the south central portion of the continent, to the cool, high peaked mountain ranges that dot the land in other areas. It is a little ways north of the Equator, thus the weather is fairly mild and consistent most of the year, with the exception of the occasional passing storm.
The time period the MUCK takes place in is 1864. The important highlights of Jipang’s history will be highlighted on the page relating to that subject. The world in which Jipang fits is much like how our world was in 1864. The United States is in the final years of a ghastly Civil War, innovations in the world of steam power are moving forward rapidly, weapons using gun powder have been long since discovered and put to use. No light bulbs to be found, lighting was done with torches and candles. No gas powered engines. No air planes. Though hot air balloons exist for the purpose of air travel, their use is highly restricted, and no one other than the government is allowed to possess them.
Unlike Japan during this time period, however, the people of Jipang are a more open minded lot when it comes to outside people and cultures, having found much to gain from them in recent times. People of all ethnicities have come to Jipang over the years, molding for themselves what would become the Asian melting pot. Characters that are Japanese in the games and stories are generally native residents of Jipang. Characters from other Asian countries such as India, China, Korea, Thailand, etc., may be natives of Jipang or perhaps natives of other countries, according to the discretion of the players. Characters from European countries, or the American continents, will almost invariably be foreigners in Jipang. There isn’t much likelihood of them having been born there originally.
Due to the mixture of cultures throughout the history of Jipang, the architecture varies from location to location. Temples and shrines dot the land, varied in their design and purpose. In general, the cities are neutral in their design, in that they could have come from just about anywhere, but specific buildings throughout the land will definitely show signs of having non-Jipang roots.
Jipang is divided into 2 halves. East Jipang and West Jipang. The MUCK will open in East Jipang, and it is that region that is of immediate concern to those joining. East Jipang is governed by a Shogunate that rules in Eyoto, the capital of East Jipang. Rule is passed along family lines, though families close to the ruling family often have strong pull on the politics. The current Shogun is Kadokawa. Up until nineteen years ago, there was also an Emperor that served as a figure head for the government, but when the last Emperor, Mozomono, died in 1845, there was no one appointed to take his place. Western Jipang is ruled by a council of elected judges, claiming to be trying to follow the more democratic practices of the growing western empire, The United States. But so far this form of government has been filled with corruption and backstabbing, resulting in very unstable political environment in that land.
The economy in Jipang is varied as the people that live there. East Jipang is supported by a very productive silver mine near the center of the continent, an active trade commerce kept well stocked through its main port on the east coast, and a thriving lumber business. West Jipang’s economic core stems from it fertile farmlands and vast rice flats, which they export for other essential raw materials.
The main religion of Jipang is the Shinto faith, though other belief systems are not persecuted as a rule. Those who practice Buddhism are nearly as prominent, and there are various groups professing a belief in the Hindu gods. Except for a period of time during the late 1500's, Christianity has never taken a deep root in Jipang. There are those who practice it quietly, keeping it to themselves in order to avoid stirring up unwanted attention.
The variety of belief systems brings with it an equally varied range of reactions to subjects that are mystical or occult in nature. Those who demonstrate minor, non-threatening 'magical' powers will be viewed with a bit of awe by more simple minded individuals, and more or less subjects of curiosity by those who are more educated and aware of what is out there in the world. This is not to say that magic is so common place that it is publicly seen with some frequency, it's just that it is known to exist, and the mere possession of what appear to be magical abilities are not going to get one branded as a heretic, demon, or menace to the public good. However, those who use dangerous powered abilities against innocents or to threaten large groups of people will be immediately labeled as being in cohorts with devils, and efforts would be taken to eliminate the perceived threat.
There are three main communities of interest of East Jipang at the start of the MUCK. While it is assumed there are other communities that dot the land, these three are the principle locations in which to role play for now. Eyoto is the capital of East Jipang. It is from the castle there that the Shogunate rules the land. A large city, protected by an organized security force, surrounded by secure walls that have stood the test of wars of times long past, Eyoto has a thriving economy of places to eat, sleep, and shop, and is where many of the more important celebrations in the land take place.
PortTown serves as the main inlet of both trade and travel to East Jipang. A small, but very busy town, the population of which is always varying, the black market of PortTown is known for offering anything a person could ever want to buy.
And finally, Typhoon Town, located on the eastern frontier of East Jipang, right on the northern most part of the vast desert that spans the middle of the continent. A dwelling of miners and ruffians outcast from society, it has a law of its own, enforced by whoever is the toughest in town that day. Respect is earned by sword or fist, and secret combinations are always at work behind the scenes.
While one will still notice there to be a degree of class separation in modern Jipang, based on the amount of wealth, power, or influence an individual may hold, there is not an enforced cast system this day and age. Those born in a lower economic level may occasionally defy the odds and rise to the wealthy status of a rich merchant or noble. Likewise, those born to nobility may find their fortunes lost or ruined due to financial or political mistakes, and end up among the farmers and peasants, scraping out a living as best they can. It is generally considered uncouth for a wealthy individual to disparage or poorly treat those of the poorer classes, but there will always be those who act in this way, with little the downtrodden can do to prevent it.
