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Kathedra: Savannah of the South

Lying in the central south, Kathedra is an ancient province, founded in the early days of the Shogunate and absorbed into the Shogun's command during the first century of its rule. Bordered by Chiaroscuro in the north, (Lapland) to the west, Shalaian to the east and Kodomo to the south, Kathedra has seen its fair share of combat and incursions. During the Kodomo invasion two centuries ago, Fair Folk penetrated as far as southern Kathedra, and a few areas remain tainted by the Wyld and off-limits to entry to the present day.

Northern and eastern Kathedra is a vast, fertile savanna, and the province has a thriving agricultural community. To the west, the flat plains develop gradual definition, becoming hilly by the time they border with the even-more fertile region of Lapland. Southwards, the grasses gradually give way to scrub and the occasional desert region, until becoming pure desert near the Kodomo border. There are many rivers, but few lakes of any significant size, and Kathedra has had no need for a true navy since its foundation; its armies tend towards air fleets for transportation purposes, and large caravans trundle across the grasslands from city to city, connecting the fabric of the nation.

Politics

The political structure of Kathedra has always been significantly independant, even at the best of times. Founded not by the Shogun but by a local warlord in the aftermath of the Usurpation, it has always chafed under the restrictions of paying fealty to a far-away monarch. Usually, the Shoguns have respected this by ruling with a light hand, and Kathedra has mixed free-mindedness with a certain grudging loyalty to the concept of a Shogun over the years.

Currently, Kathedra Province remains a staunch supporter of the Shogun; Jukari courted the region heavily to take the throne, and the current daimyo is willing to extend his regard for her to her replacement for the time being. However, Daimyo Oloran is not a fool, and has already realized that Taron is deliberately exacerbating the rivalries that already exist between Kathedra and Shalaiain, hoping that this will keep Shalaian from turning its eyes towards the throne. If his province does not receive the full support of the Shogun as it previously did, Oloran will be willing to find other allies among nearby daimyos who are less concerned with using him as a pawn.

Politically, Kathedra has mixed relations with its neighbours. Relations remain good with Kodomo; Kathedra was one of the front-line supporters of the attacked province during the Incursion, and sheltered millions of refugees for years while Kodomo was reconstructed as a gesture of solidarity. Kathedra recognizes that Kodomo's position on the borders of Creation requires it to use its force against the enemies of the Shogunate as a whole, and Daimyo Oloran would not dream of taking advantage of that weakness; political manuvering is one thing, but Kodomo is a stalwart against the wolves at the gate, and that is a sacrosanct task. Daimyo Pavaris of Kodomo respects this attitude; he knows well that not all daimyos feel the same way.

Relations with Lapland and Chiaroscuro are friendly, but neutral and occasionally strained. There have been occasional minor skirmishes over trade issues, but they almost always boil down to sabre-rattling, rather than actual combat. Lapland is more concerned with politics in An-Teng, and Chiaroscuro spends most of its time focused towards the Blessed Isle. Lapland's stance of general opposition to the current Shogun has been a point of contention in the past, but may bring these two provinces together in the future.

Shalaian, on the other hand, is an avowed enemy, and has been since the founding days of both provinces. Frequent wars have broken out, simmering just below the point when the Shogun would be forced to intervene, and no civilian travel is permitted between the two provinces. For all intents and purposes, Kathedra considers itself to be on a war footing as relates to Shalaian at all times, and the feeling is mutal.