County of Akal-Samudra

To my most esteemed Benefactor;

Of course I would be most interested in expanding on the particulars of the County of Akal-Samudra and the family that has held it, the Yamaichis.

The County of Akai-Samudra finds itself i/on the (edge/heart, as the maps allow) the Duchy of Zylphania, and (location) in the Kingdom of (Stuff). The records show that approximately 478 years ago, the County was named and passed on to one Ariana Yamaichi, who became its first Countess, and was already documented as Matron of the Yamaichi Family.

There is much speculation and scandal surrounding the time of the King who granted the Yamaichis their county. It is known that prior to their acquisition of that land; they are virtually unknown within the known families of the time of the courts. Their name pops up from place to place, and across a rather startling number of kingdoms. From this, we believe that the Yamaichis were nomadic. What is known, however that once Akai-Samudra was founded, the Yamaichis and their off-shoot ‘Clan’ families appear most prominently in the local kingdoms.

Akai-Samudra is an unusual name, when I inquired as to its meaning; I was told it refers to the light the sun casts upon the ocean when it rises. (OOC NOTE: If I am forced to choose a landlocked property, I have an idea of where I can go with this – No worries ~^_^~)

Akai-Samudra’s personality, as a county, is much like its ruling family. Unusual and routinely refusing to fit into a mould like a proper kingdom should. The Yamaichis have long embraced a great number of aspects of society, with a wide variety of minor innovations making its way across the Akai-Samudra border.

Akai-Samudra and the Yamaichis have long embraced the arts of healing, herbology, and animal husbandry. As a sort of odd-couple law, within Akai-Samudra, the rule of law permits contracted assassins within its borders, under very special rules and ‘social conduct’ expectations. I will expand on that in a special section later in this document.

ON THE COUNCIL OF EIGHT

After the recent spectacular assassination of the former Matron, as well as her Council, no new seats have thus far been appointed.

Often, council seats are filled by the most productive Barons and Baronesses within the County, but, it can occasionally be graced by a gifted scholar or talented member of society. This council takes an advisory role and assists in determine the direction the County as a whole will go.

While the Council of Eight sounds like a very specific number, the name is a misnomer. It is traditionally eight, and the first council was rumoured to comprised of eight presumably legendary individuals, the Confidante, the Jade Physician, The August Warrior, The Obsidian Hand, The Ruby Scholar, The Golden Chrysanthemum, The Sapphire Craftsmen, and the Silver Guide. While the names of this first council are lost to time, the symbology and functions are not.

The Jade Physician – Is responsible for ensuring that the County’s medicinal supplies, and access is not inhibited to the population. It is believed, oddly, that healing should not be given to the wealthy primarily, and they believe that providing healing to the lessers in our society is not a tax on resources and, somehow, it might keep everyone else from getting disease. Everyone knows that poverty induces illness, I’m sure we’ll both agree, my Lord, that if they cannot pull themselves from it, so much the better.

The August Warrior – Responsible for the military and defense of the County. It is rumoured that the August Warrior has the ability to offer training to anyone who would take it, even farmers.

The Obsidian Hand – The member of council responsible for monitoring and ensuring those wretched Assassins, their slatterns and whatever

such creatures they can whelp maintain what counts as decorum within the County.

The Ruby Scholar – Ensures that the population is encouraged to become literate, and facilitates access to training facilities across the county. I have heard it said that the Yamaichis do not wish to cut off a bloom before it fruits, hence why they waste valuable resources on allowing anyone, regardless of if they are born of a deserving station, to learn what they feel they would excel at.

The Golden Chrysanthemum – This station, effectively, holds the County purse-strings. It is a fancy name for ‘Accountant’. I imagine such a station is reserved for whomever is most accepting of such drudgery, or simply assigned to whomever is mad enough to expend the County wealth on the lowest and least deserving classes.

The Sapphire Craftsman –Why a Sapphire, I do not know. I would have imagined something more.. homely. This position is most commonly filled by a Baron more inclined to get his hands dirty doing what the lower classes do best, or a tradesman with particular talent. I assume he is responsible for ensuring trade guilds refrain from going at one another’s throats and directing the rabble to which hunk of iron or wood they would be best sullying themselves with.

The Silver Guide – This individual is responsible for consolidating the many maps of the world, overseeing the building and maintenance of roads, and organizing and supplying explorers mandated by the County.

As for the Confidante, I assume it’s simply the lady-in-waiting, or whomever the Matron likes best. In some cases, the Matron has not been the Count or Countess, and has herself filled this position. She has no special stone or metal assigned to them.

While one would believe all others are ‘beneath’ them, this smaller council only serves as a smaller group to determine what ideas and mandates are worthy to be brought forward to the Barons for consideration. All positions are expected to encourage innovation in their field, and those Barons and Council members successful in producing something viable are often rewarded handsomely.

ON ASSASSINS

A professional assassin will find some refuge within the county, as the Yamaichis have historically refused to execute, and occasionally extradite such criminals. Strangely, if said assassin trips over the social expectations of his or her conduct, or accepts a contract on a target that would harm or bring ruin to the county or Yamaichi family, they may have preferred to have been sent elsewhere for punishment. It seems, o Generous one, when one knows how to heal, bringing harm becomes a creative exercise.

If a powerful enough case is made, or the immediate Duke or King demands such a criminal be turned over, though I must echo your opinion, my Master, that Bombastus is too much of a fop to enforce the clearing of Ursaphant dung from his own foyer. (OOC note: Medichi!!) With that in mind, I’m certain such creatures can breathe easy knowing they can continue incurring their ill-gotten gains rather than living with the squalor they deserve. What’s more, Your Greatness, that their families are completely immune to their crimes. Why, it was only twenty years ago when the previous Matron refused to extradite that long-nosed Assassin what caused such an uproar in the Kingdom to the east, of course they had every right to execute his family before he was to be drawn and quartered, and that goat of a Matron had no excuse to deny their extradition. Eight is old enough to pay back to society for the sins of your father.

Ideally, after the recent assassination, such horrid policies will change.

With that, my liege, I bid you adieu. I hear the smell of my servant’s recent creation and my insides demand I investigate further.

Yours Eternally,

Medichi

Governance within Akai-Samudra

Daughter,

While your place as Matron is assured, your rulership is not. The Yamaichis, indeed, have long held the seat of Countess, and many blessings have been sent to us by the Fortunes in those times. I do not know what the future brings, and any who insist that they command such visions are to be regarded with caution. Time, my darling, flows like water, and any stone cast into it may change its course.

While the Council of Eight is at your side for all major decisions regarding the County and Clans, they are not the end of all things. The Barons still hold final say, though your Council whittles the many, many trials our County faces to the most important. I assure you, my dear child, that in those times when it seems nothing can go right, remember, even when moving as a turtle does, it is still progress.

As Matron and as Countess, we wish for our Baronies to have as much free reign as they may require to pursue innovation, so long as they maintain their Clan pledge to provide to the well-being of their citizens.

We mandate that all Barons provide access to medical care and that they encourage their doctors and herbologists to do all they can to combat the horrors of plague and disease and discourage the Misfortune of Sloth from our borders.

We ask that they fend off the Misfortune of Ignorance and allow access to all for reading and an education to become productive to society.

We demand they do not fall to the Misfortune of Greed and do not bedeck themselves or their manors with garish displays of wealth, thus, making us a future target for those who have given themselves to the Misfortune of Envy.

We request that our upper class do not give in to animalistic rutting visited to them by the Misfortune of Lust and learn that such passion is often the mother of the most powerful emotions, and is best directed towards endeavors that further the County, the Duchy and the Kingdom. If, in fact ones desires cannot be overcome, we simply request that they remain discreet.

We ask that food is provided enough so as not to allow the population to starve, nor child forced to beg in the streets and that they themselves refrain from inviting the Misfortune of Gluttony to their table.

We ask that they treat the citizenry with fairness and an even-head, and they if they cannot maintain their Barony to appoint another and to resist the Misfortune of Pride, we ask that they hand over their rulership, temporarily or permanently, to another or lean on their fellows to aid them in their needs.

Now, child, as you may know, each Council of Eight sets the new taxation system, as we try to follow the example set for us by our King or Queen or Duke or Duchess.

Our goal, as a County, and as spiritual leaders, is to ensure enough is distributed that our Baronies can pursue those things that their geography, Clan lines, and specialties can do best. We like, as well, to not tear off a bloom that has yet to fruit. If the greatest Healer known to Elyria is to be born in a caste of warriors, so be it. I do not pretend to know the minds of the Spirits and where they send us when we are reborn.

If the example set to you does not permit this, it is up to you and your Council to adjust without angering those stationed above you. If you find a Barony is embezzling the funds designed to further the people of his or her county, it is your duty to punish them, or remove them, ideally without causing the Barony to wither.

You will find, dearest daughter, there is much push-back on the mandate to forgive, and permit those who are assassins to walk amongst us. While one would believe this would cause chaos and disorder, it is not so. We, as Yamaichis believe that the world is built in balance. While we may wish to avoid the gaze of the Misfortunes, you may not know the Fortunes unless you have met its twin.

Those who are chosen by the Spirits to commit such acts chose a dark, lonely and grim path. They, like any other person, be they cowherd or jeweler, deserve what little peace the world would hand them. Those they chose to love, and children they may bear hold no sin, thus, should ever share the fault of the parent.

We ask those that take refuge beyond our borders to not conduct business in public. The talk of committing murder is grim, sad business and those who do not participate in such acts do not deserve to share in that darkness.

We ask that all Assassins who wish to take refuge within our borders register themselves with the Obsidian Hand, so that if our County or a Barony will become troubled by their presence, we may prepare.

If an Assassin is permitted to seek business within the County, he will be granted a mask, and may wear it openly and without penalty.

If an Assassin is to consider a contract against those in power within his County, or those in power of his Duchy or Kingdom he must report this to the Obsidian Hand, who will then determine if the contract may undermine or upset the County too far or if we can safeguard and bless this endeavor. If the Assassin operates within the County, we will not prevent extradition between Baronies, but will not recognize extradition of his family unless fault is direct and proven. We will not accept a death-sentence if the activity was reported to the Obsidian Hand and the Assassin may be compelled to a contract with the affected, but may not be forced to reveal his contractor. If the activity was not reported to the Obsidian Hand, the Assassin is no better than a common mugger.

For activities outside of the County, so long as they do not directly affect the Duke or Duchess of Zylphania, or the King or Queen of (blablabla), so long as the contract is delivered to the Obsidian Hand (With, of course, the name of the contractor omitted) then such activities are treated as any other contract, with the responsibility of any shortage of payments handled by the courts.

You will run into problems with this philosophy, my child. While it is a dark art, truly, if such persons walk the world as agents of the Spirits deemed to push us to the Spirit Lands, to bring back wisdom and insight we would otherwise never have, I, personally am unwilling to upset such ideals.