The Great Empire
Name:Tianxuan Diguo (天玄帝国 — "Celestial Profound Empire")
Location: Eastern continent, lush with mountains, rivers, and sacred sites
Structure: The 10 kingdoms serve as semi-autonomous regions ruled by noble clans, but all swear fealty to the Emperor of Tianxuan
Capital: Xuanjing (玄京) — a massive, layered city built into the mountains with golden spires and a palace that touches the clouds
Emperor: Xuandi Shengli (玄帝胜理) — "The Profound Emperor of Sacred Order," chosen by divine right to unite the ten divine blessings under one throne
The Ten Kingdoms (Shiguo 十国)
Each kingdom is blessed by a different god and named in their honor. Below are the kingdoms, their ruling families, and key traits:
1. Yanhuang (炎煌) – Kingdom of Flame
God: Huoshen (火神) – God of Fire
Culture: Volcanic rituals, fire festivals, smithing arts, warrior-monks
Ruling Family: House Baishen (白炘)
Influence: Qigai's homeland
Location: Western volcanic belt
2. Binglan (冰澜) – Kingdom of Ice and Tides
God: Bingshen (冰神) – God of Ice
Culture: Glacial palaces, mirror oracles, frost mages
Ruling Family: House Xueyao (雪瑶)
Location: Far north, bordering frozen seas
3. Riguang (日光) – Kingdom of the Radiant Sun
God: Rishen (日神) – God of Light
Culture: Celestial astronomers, temples made of crystal and gold
Ruling Family: House Jintai (金台)
Location: East-central plains, bathed in sunlight
4. Yueyin (月隐) – Kingdom of the Hidden Moon
God: Yueshen (月神) – Goddess of Moon and Shadows
Culture: Nocturnal seers, stealth warriors, illusion magic
Ruling Family: House Heiyue (黑月)
Location: Southeast forests and misted mountains
5. Leiting (雷霆) – Kingdom of Thunder
God: Leishen (雷神) – God of Thunder
Culture: Mountain citadels, sky-drums, stormforged steel
Ruling Family: House Zhanshi (战石)
Location: High mountains in the southwest
6. Diyuan (地渊) – Kingdom of Earth and Depths
God: Dishen (地神) – God of Earth
Culture: Stone cities, deep mining, geomancy
Ruling Family: House Muyan (穆岩)
Location: Central lowlands and cavern systems
7. Fengliu (风流) – Kingdom of Wind and Grace
God: Fengshen (风神) – God of Wind
Culture: Airborne cities, gliders, wind-chime politics
Ruling Family: House Qingxuan (青旋)
Location: Northeast cliffs and cloud forests
8. Shuihua (水华) – Kingdom of Rivers and Blossoms
God: Shuishen (水神) – Goddess of Water
Culture: Floating palaces, river courts, lotus rituals
Ruling Family: House Lianhe (莲荷)
Location: South riverlands and deltas
9. Yamikaze (闇風) – Kingdom of the Hidden Wind
God: Kurai no Kami (暗の神) – God of Darkness (with Japanese influence)
Culture: Ninja orders, hidden scrolls, shadow contracts
Ruling Family: House Takamura (高村)
Location: Far western forests and caves
10. Kitsuhana (狐華) – Kingdom of the Foxflower
God: Kitsune-no-Kami (狐の神) – Trickster Deity (Fox Goddess of Spirit and Illusion)
Culture: Spirit markets, illusion dances, dream-magic
Ruling Family: House Hanakawa (花川)
Location: Borderlands between dream and reality (mythic realm overlap)
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I. Imperial and Global Hierarchy
1. The Emperor of the Great Empire (Tianxuan Diguo)
Supreme ruler over the 10 kingdoms
Considered the "Son of Heaven" divine right passed from the gods
Oversees all noble families, approves marriages, inheritance, military appointments
2. The Empress (Huanghou 皇后)
The First Wife of the Emperor
Holds the highest authority among imperial women
Manages court affairs, empress dowager (if widowed) may hold even more power
3. Imperial Wives and Concubines
Ranked strictly by status, origin, and imperial favor
Guifei (贵妃) – Noble Consort
Shufei (淑妃) – Virtuous Consort
Defei (德妃) – Moral Consort
Xianfei (贤妃) – Wise Consort
And then lower-ranking concubines (Pin, Meiren, etc.)
Children of higher-ranking consorts have better succession rights
4. Princes and Princesses
Crown Prince (Taizi 太子) – usually from the Empress or most favored wife
Other princes are ranked by the mother's status and personal merit
Daughters are married off to strengthen alliances, especially to noble houses
II. Noble Kingdom/Clan Hierarchy
Each noble family follows a mirror hierarchy, but on a slightly smaller scale:
1. The Lord (or King) of the Kingdom
Usually called Guowang (国王) or Zhuhou (诸侯) if semi-autonomous
Recognized by the Emperor
Often chosen based on merit and maternal status
2. First Wife (Main Matron)
The Zhengqi (正妻) — official wife of the Lord
She manages internal household politics and raises heirs
Her son is typically first in line to inherit (unless another child earns imperial favor)
3. Secondary Wives & Concubines
Ceqi (侧妻) – secondary wives (more respected, may be from powerful families)
Qie (妾) – concubines, often selected for beauty or talent
Their children may be legitimate but must compete for recognition and inheritance
Political marriages often involve taking multiple wives from different factions
4. Heirs and Offspring
Shizi (世子) – designated heir (usually son of main wife, but not always)
Sons compete based on:
Their mother's rank
Their father's favor
Their own accomplishments (martial, political, magical)
Daughters are valuable as diplomatic tools — married off to other clans or even the Emperor
5. Household Ranks
Matriarch (Taifuren 太夫人) – elder women with authority (e.g., the Lord's mother)
Stewards & Tutors – educate and raise noble children
Servants, guards, tutors — each assigned by rank
III. Harem Politics & Power Plays
In a harem world, favor and rivalry drive the narrative:
Wives and concubines form factions to promote their own children
Poisonings, scandals, and spiritual attacks (like curses or dark magic) may be used covertly
A physically or magically gifted child (even from a low-born mother) can rise in status if acknowledged
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[IMPORTANT]
House Baishen – Royal Family of Yanhuang
Patron God:Huoshen (火神) — God of Fire
Seat:Huoyan Palace (火炎宫), nestled near the great volcano Chiwei Shan (赤焰山)
Lord Baishen Rongxu (白炘荣虚) –
Primary Wife: Lady Baishen Xuelian (白炘雪莲)
Children:
Baishen Huowen (白炘火文)
Baishen Huali (白炘华璃)
Second Wife: Lady Baishen Meiyin (白炘梅吟)
Title:Ceqi (侧妻) — Second Wife
Children:3. Baishen Lieyan (白炘烈焰)
Baishen Hongjian (白炘鸿剑)
Third Wife: Lady Baishen Xiuying (白炘秀莹)
Title:Qie (妾) — Favored Concubine
Child:5. Baishen Lanyue (白炘澜月)
Youngest Son: Baishen Qigai (白炘奇改)
Son of Lady Xuelian (First Wife)