kaminari no kuni locations"it is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
★ sancho
Formation: Time Immemorial
Head of City: Lord Daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu
Region: Mountain/Lake
Population: ~400k (Roughly 3k shinobi stationed)
Economy: Moderate [Mercantile]
The capital of Kaminari no Kuni, Sancho's dense population is second only to Kumogakure itself. The city sits on the shores of a massive natural lake formed by water flowing down from the peaks of the Blue Mountains. Lake Sancho, for which the capital is named, feeds into a confluence of rivers through which Sancho receives much of its supply and trade. The Daimyo resides here, as does the leadership and the bulk of Kaminari no Kuni's Ashigaru forces.
Surrounded by steep mountains on three sides, with transport to and from the capital bottlenecked, Sancho is one of the most highly defensible locations in Kaminari no Kuni.
★ kumogakure
& the valley of lightning
Formation: 901
Head of City: Lady Raikage Hirana Kizumi
Region: Mountain peaks, above the clouds
Population: ~250k (Roughly 8k shinobi stationed. Shinobi 'stationed' in Kumogakure are far more likely to be assigned to higher-rank and out-of-country missions, with the village of Kumogakure acting as their home base and reporting station.)
Climate: Generally colder due to high altitude, but also more directly exposed to sunlight; hot sun, cold shade.
Economy: Fair [Military]
The Village Hidden in the Clouds: here is the closest a person can get to touching heaven itself. Painstakingly built into the mountains surrounding the Valley of Lightning, Kumogakure is a high-altitude village whose infrastructure boasts over a century of impervious defenses and unimaginable fortitude. While buildings within the village are built into the mountains themselves, using those ancient titans of earth and stone as their foundations, more modern and carefully maintained metal pathways and bridges serve to unify the village into a cohesive unit. The Raikage Tower sits at the heart of Kumogakure, a glittering blue monument to the village's strength.
The mountain range surrounding Kumogakure is host to frequent thunderstorms, torrential rain and vicious cracks of lightning often moving through the region for days at a time. It's not uncommon to see building structures within the village boasting lightning rods, which serve to protect the village's infrastructure from the ongoing storms.
The path through the Valley of Lightning leading to the village can be dangerous and difficult to navigate if you don't know the way. Young Kumogakure shinobi, often genin or freshly promoted chuunin, are frequently assigned to assist civilian travelers coming to and from the village to ensure their safe passage.
The Valley itself is host to a large natural lake and many deep cavern systems, which are frequently utilized by Kumogakure shinobi in their training efforts.
★ moyama
Region: Coastal
Population: ~100k (Roughly 3.5k shinobi stationed. Shinobi 'stationed' in Moyama are often KIKA operatives and responsible for the defense of the country's coastline; they may operate in waters well beyond Moyama, but Moyama acts as their home base and reporting station.)
Climate: Mild; somewhat cooler summers and warmer winters
Economy: Moderate [Shipping, tourism, mercantile]
Built on a glittering coastline, Moyama is Kaminari no Kuni's primary port city, home to bustling docks bursting with sailors, fishmongers, and dockworkers. A vast majority of the imports and exports traveling through the country pass through Moyama, making this a hopping mercantile hub as well as a popular, easy-to-access tourist destination for foreigners. Though the tourism industry in the country is far less than it was prior to the Great Plague, Moyama still boasts pale sandy beaches and cool, clear blue waters.
Many of the nation's finest tattoo artists have set up shop here, as they have a consistent clientele from both tourists looking for a new experiences, as well as sailors who get inked as soon as their feet touch solid ground.
akazaya
Region: River Valley
Population: ~75k (Roughly 1k shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Moderate [Tourism, mercantile]
Akazaya sits at the confluence of two of Kaminari no Kuni’s strongest-flowing rivers. It acts as a waystation for merchants and travelers on their way to Sancho, and most goods coming in from Moyama will inevitably pause overnight in Akazaya. It boasts many hotels, a vibrant entertainment district, and even a hot springs. There is a strong military presence in Akazaya, as it sits on the only road leading to Sancho and acts as the capital’s first line of defense.
nagiso
Region: Forest
Population: ~35k (Roughly 150 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Logging, research, farming]
Nagiso is in the heart of Kaminari no Kuni’s largest forest, and acts as the nation’s foremost provider of lumber. Largely populated by lumberjacks, hunters, rangers, and botanists, the town sees frequent visitation from contractors and researchers alike. The region's natural biodiversity provides many of the herbs needed by the nation's hospitals, as well as keeping Kumogakure's medical teams and poison experts well-supplied.
Black bears, coyotes, and cougars are often sighted in this region.
tsurui
Region: Foothills
Population: ~40k (Roughly 300 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Ranching, shipping]
In the foothills of the mountain range that Kumogakure calls home, Tsurui sits as the last waystation on any traveler's path to the Hidden Village. The western river and forest range make this region ideal for ranching, and many of Tsurui's oldest families boast that they were the first to domesticate the sheep and goats who call the region home. Some ranchers have expanded to keeping yaks as well, and most families keep fat, healthy chickens in their backyards. The town is known for its warmth and hospitality, as well as its good relationship with the shinobi forces frequently passing through.
mishima
Region: Island
Population: ~8k (Roughly 25 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Fishing]
Relatively isolated from the rest of the country, Mishima is the lone village on a small island off of Kaminari no Kuni's southern coast. Primarily populated by fishmongers, much of the island remains undeveloped and unpopulated, though the Daimyo has recently set his sights on the island as a potential location for further construction and development.
Rumors abound of beasts and worse in the wilds that dominate this island. Any who venture beyond Mishima are warned to walk softly, and carry a big stick.
biei
& the shire valley
Region: River Valley
Population: ~70k (Roughly 120 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Farming, breweries]
The Shire Valley is home to the richest farmland that Kaminari no Kuni has to offer, as the runoff from two separate mountain ranges and a healthy, swelling river have led to the development of the most fertile soil in the nation. A good percentage of Kaminari no Kuni's produce is grown here.
Most of the goods and people traveling to and from Moyama pass through the town of Biei, which has strong infrastructure supporting frequent travel and overnight visitors. The taverns in Biei are unparalleled in quality, with many offering their own locally-brewed beers, as well as whiskies aged in Nagiso oak barrels for decades before any citizen ever drinks a drop.
magamachi
& the blue mountains
Region: Foothills
Population: ~25k (Roughly 120 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Hot springs, vineyards]
Nestled into the northern foothills of the Blue Mountains, Magamachi is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike due to its renowned hot springs. The rocky terrain of the area isn't especially conducive to traditional farming, but some local families have established vineyards over many generations, and the region provides many of the nation's grapes and olives used in the production of wines and oils. To take a vacation in Magamachi is to enjoy the finest spa experience that Kaminari no Kuni has to offer, then unwind after a long day of relaxation with a local vintage.
sekai
Region: Coastal
Population: ~20k (Roughly 100 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Fishing, tourism]
While Sekai's primary trade is fishing, the beauty and relative seclusion of its beaches in addition to its proximity to Magamachi make this a popular locale for the second or third homes of the nation's wealthiest citizens. The Daimyo himself owns an estate in the region, and is reportedly a fan of the town's sushi. There is a significant wealth disparity in the region, which can sometimes result in some civil unrest.
okaya
Region: Coastal
Population: ~15k (Roughly 50 shinobi stationed)
Climate: Temperate
Economy: Fair [Fishing, farming]
The most isolated 'large' town on the mainland, Okaya has a modest population largely compromised of fishers and farmers. Though the soil isn't as rich as in the Biei Valley, the catches are plentiful and the nearby Blue Mountain ranges provide ample opportunity for hunting and gathering. The town does well for itself, though it doesn't invite much in the way of tourist destinations--which is exactly how the locals like it.
other communities
Region: Misc.
Population: Less than ~2k (Roughly 5-10 shinobi stationed per community)
A number of small towns and rural communities dot the Kaminari no Kuni landscape, though most of these communities are very small, ranging from populations as low as 50 to as high as 2,000. A nominal shinobi force is stationed in each of these communities to provide support and defense as required, and the shinobi dedicated to these small towns makes up roughly an additional 2,000 of the number in Kumogakure's employ.
