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Moku no Kuni [Wood Country] The landlocked land of Moku no Kuni (Land of Wood) is one of a new and inspiring history. The many biomes in the large country of Moku no Kuni is fertile and arable land; owed to the deep amounts of water beneath the surface with high production in exporting raw goods and life. Some of it's more difficult features have made it largely inhospitable to the majority and as a result maintains a cutting edge export trade that benefits its residents. Like it's namesake, The Country of Wood is littered with forestry of different kinds as well as production of specialty woodworking material that give Moku no Kuni a sizeable trading power for the things that it lacks. It's rather balmy and temperate: moist air makes for cold wet winters and warm, sticky heat. It does feature a lack of extremity, which can be both a good and bad thing for this land. Basic Information NATIONAL FOOD: Tebasaki NATIONAL FLOWER: Ginko Tree NATIONAL CHARM: Maneki Neko ("Lucky Cat") NATIONAL ANIMAL: Black Bear MAIN IMPORTS: Fresh water, fish, metal(s) MAIN EXPORTS: Raw Timber, Rice, Funghi, Medicinal Herbs, other building materials RELIGIOSITY Moku no Kuni is a secular country but holds some regard to Shintoism as its "main" religion. Temples and shinto shrines are set in many places of Moku no Kuni and even in places where no life is found but someone may have carved out lucky charms or shrines from rocky outsets, even in areas generally deemed 'unreachable' Because of it's wayward landlocked position, it is secular because it finds itself a through road to many other countries. In Law Country, where they have many religion biding fanatics, to the north in Samurai country where chakra is deigned as despicable and not used in the traditional 'ninjutsu' sense. TOPOGRAPHY Because of the country being landlocked, it does not have any external sources and so maintains its water by the lakes and spring water found in central locations to Moku no Kuni. Toward each of the borders where their land blends with that of the other (and so mimics some of their climates) there are fewer villages to the borders of the land on account of its lack of freshwater sources. On one hand, makes an invading army difficult to mobilise there, and on the negative makes it both difficult for new areas to be established within the country and makes the existing water sources a target for securing in times of wartime - but makes for deep wells which have all of the water one needs to survive. Moku no Kuni's topography is primarily timber: wood and more wood. Large landscapes with forests a plenty with deep roots to pluck the water from the reserves of the country. There are many rolling plains in close proximity to water sources as they are used as farmland, with great valleys and lake "peninsulas" that capture water. Cirques are very frequent, rolling along the hills of various elevation, but generally also feature large plateaus that the cirques feature on. Rivers feature heavily in these areas; moving down the cirques and into 'bowl' like structures across the land and forestry. There aren't any direct mountains in Moku no Kuni. As such, can lack more natural defences than the other villages do like Kaminari no Kuni and Tsuchi no Kuni offer, neither do they stop potential armies from invading by particularly hostile environments like the harsh winters of Tetsu no Kuni and Yuki no Kuni. While they lack natural defences, the areas they do have are extremely well fortified in place of natural defences by everything that was built for individuals to cross have been engineered to disable use (bridges with 'intentional' flaws that can be utilised to destroy them quickly) and created with material as to be easily replaceable and areas of strong design like features (slopes, walkways designed to be easy for people to be picked off, thin enough to not allow traditional weaponry to be swung properly like Katanas) ENDEMISM Moku no Kuni's endemism is a variety of hardy animals and more traditional mammal, warm blooded creatures. They larger and more dangerous types of animals are deer, cougars, bears and mountain lions. They have predator animals like eagles, hawks, cats and rabbits. They host nocturnal animals like badgers, bats, skunks and small mammals. But, primarily mammals. Less frequently and more found in the higher regions of the land (but not as high as that of a mountain) can be goats, sheep, cows and other farmland mammals which in turn produces wolves, oxen and more mountain lions. That being said, the primary focus of wildlife is not co-harmony, and few species work in tandem with one another and instead are competing for some of the fewer natural resources as well as territory among the few water sources in the country. This produces a competing environment which can make for more treacherous journeys across the land of Moku no Kuni. Moku no Kuni in the winter does not produce new types of animals, nor any migrating species'. Military Information CAPITAL: Kosuigakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Lake) OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Nihongo GOVERNMENT: Absolute Plutocratic Monarchy CURRENT DAIMYO: -- LEADER TITLE: Moku Lord/Lady [Lord/Lady of the Wood] ECONOMIC RATING: 3/10 CRIME: Moderate-to-high, trending upwards ALLIANCES: Konohagakure no Sato NEUTRALITY: Tetsu no Kuni ENEMIES: -- HEADBAND: LARGEST CITY: Kosuigakure no Sato (Village Hidden in the Lake) POPULATION: 413,665 MILITARY POPULATION: 4,544 MAP: link BORDERS: North: Tetsu no Kuni East: Tsuchi no Kuni, Bird Country South: Bird Country, Vegetable Country West: Law Country TRAVELING RESTRICTIONS: Local Ninja: See Hidden Village Wandering Ninja: Foreign Ninja: Provided Foreign Ninja are capable of getting to the land and then its village, they are fingerprinted, have their chakra signature recorded and are sent off on their way with some relative restriction to the places they may visit. Trespassing and breaking the rules is death. No survivors. Citizens: Citizens enjoy relative freedom as long as they can afford to do so. They are not regulated to the same respect that the shinobi are. history Moku no Kuni has been established for hundreds of years but unlike the major and minor countries, Moku no Kuni did not have a formal military until +3SD. In the warring clan era, while Moku no Kuni had been established as a place of prominence on account of it's ability to produce raw exports such as fertile soil and arable farmland as well as hardy wood (and lots of it) frequently made it a battlefield. The desire to own the land had made it a competing area among lands. In the decades that followed, Moku no Kuni had become an onerous battlefield, as such for a long period vast quantities of the land had been rendered inert by the use of Shinobi. Culturally, this was significant because the hugest push back in the development of Kosuigakure no sato was because of the impact Shinobi and Kunoichi had on the natural landscape. So, the warring clans moved on to other areas, having left the landscape of Moku no Kuni as a destructive and chakra-ridden wasteland. The Nobunaga clan was one of the warring victors of the land: with consistent and use of samurai skills of Kenjutsu and general lack of chakra made them popular among the people and they were able to unite the borders between lands to establish Moku no Kuni as an existing country with a Daimyo. Unlike other countries, the existence and emergence of the Daimyo actually came after the establishment of the country in part because of the highly territorial nature of the clans simply protecting their borders that established the shape of the country. They would be also having intra-border strife between clans as they began to branch off into factions. At around -150SD when other villages were going through the same time, Moku no Kuni was just beginning to have their strifes that caused the villages to emerge. Currently, there was a crisis in the land that their lakes were decimated: all of the natural wildlife was only able to grow on part due to the deep roots, where their water was more abundant. This time between -150SD and -130SD was marked by a rapid decline of militaristic in fighting because of the decimated landscape. But, it was beginning to heal and with it, they were being pushed more in land because of the lack of availability of water, and because of fighting from other lands. They were not as established or synonymous with the purposes that other villages did, that incited them to work together under a unified banner. This time was mostly a time of simply trying to survive against the land itself: trying to turn the less arable lands into something that could be used for farmland. The Nobunaga clan at this stage was beginning to annex the intra-borders of the other clans inside Moku no Kuni, enticing people with money. This was the formal moment that they began to become the 'Damiyo' of the land. They key being they were ordering other people around, ensuring a swift dissemination of the food and beginning to operate trade inside their land: trading outside of the country would not become more widespread until after -85SD and the formation of the primary ninja villages. Even other hospitable lands were starting to get rejuvinated, and eighty years of lack of true battle saw their land turn to the beautiful green that it once was than the ashen, burnt branch and open plains. What were once razed landscapes had become rolling fertile hills of grass. The far-reaching effect was that the chakra had saturated its landscape rejuvenated the wildlife and flora once again when the majority of the clans had left the area. The surrounding land began to produce interesting results, which later became one of the primary exports of Moku no Kuni when they had formally formed a working military. What they hadn't anticipated is that the 150 - 200 years previous, the waste created by Shinobi had saturated the land with such chakra that they had created a different type of plant: the wood, it seemed, learned how to make use of the chakra as a source of life. They was able to take this material and find a use for it as a tool of weaponry. To that end, the reigning Nobunaga Daimyo set about training a hundred blacksmiths to learn how to work with the material and it was that choice that made Moku no Kuni rich again as they had discovered the versatile use of Tochi no chi mokuzai [Land's Blood Timber] this material it seemed had the ability to translate into useful effects when elemental chakra was introduced to it. Because of that find - the land was finally annexed to become a full nation, in -68SD. In part because of the Nobunaga clan, and in part because of trying to keep people from their own lands and using it as a battlefield as it had been so a hundred years prior. This choice was what dominated the enemies of the Nobunaga clan. So each time a war broke out, the Nobunaga clan fashioned together the Shinobi clans (allowing them their own home and land as vassals; and in turn they would provide taxation) to mobilize at the borders to protect their land from being used as they once had before. In -43SD at the start of the Second Shinobi war, the Nobunaga clan was politically usurped - their leaders murdered and replaced by a much more hungry clan, both rich in their own right but also more warlike. The Oda clan instead was the new leader, and with that internal strife began to take place again and seemingly only doomed to repeat the history of last. To this day, they had not been able to establish themselves as a Ninja village because of the push back to learn Ninjutsu other off branches of it. It was a necessary development that required decades of weaning people on to- but eventually, the ninja of the land began to take on board the vast and overwhelming power of Ninjutsu and turn it into their own type of learning. Little academies, informally created inside clan territories to teach people it, if only to defend themselves. Crime was on the rise due to the trades and technology emerging through war time that ravished through the land. It seemed everybody and their neighbours was dealing with a scourge. It became clear that there was only one thing they should or could do to maintain their position and protect their lands: grow into a Shinobi village. The Daimyo began to travelling the lands, getting and gathering what money they could; taxation on the clans that resided there, as well as banding them together formally under one roof and a village to be built properly where they had themselves settled, later dubbed 'Kosuigakure no Sato' was formally just a lakeside village, until the heir apparent Daimyo Oda Ukiyo had her way with it. But they were unsuccessful. Oda Ukiyo, the reigning Daimyo and a warrior in her own right was unable to achieve that and she passed before her dream could ever be recognised. The task was then placed by hereditary right into that of Oda Momo. Momo was just a teenager and not as skilled as his mother: but try he did. Where he lacked in combat right, he had people that believed in his mother's cause. A significant barrier between reaching this dream was the land's history with Shinobi being tumultuous at best; they had never desired to operate under Shinobi rule but it was his word. So, the only thing -- could do was pour money at it. Money and influence. The ruling Daimyo put in a vast majority of their money into bolstering the economy surrounding the development of Kosuigakure no Sato: but when the money ran out and they still hadn't produced any true Shinobi yet, was a dire problem. The nation began to suffer, but at that time: shinobi were finally being trained under one barrier. They did eventually break through and as a result were able to build a shinobi presence, but are still recuperating from the fiscal requirement in setting up a centre of shinobi-ism in Moku no Kuni. The time it took was that by the time the lakeside village had been created, the infrastructure in place to support a formal economy, other nations were catching wind of it - and sent to destroy it so that they would become reliant on other nations again. Fearing the worst and in their fourties at the time, Momo who had grown to become a fine ruler would place their heritage aside and promise that they would not form a new village. In -5SD, the "dream" was abandoned, Momo had passed on and the next best person took the slot. But they had no intention of keeping the promise. Moving full force toward a new Shinobi village was all they could aim for, and eight years later - in +3SD, the village was finally formed under the guise of darkness. Headbands were created, they had finally created a batch of shinobi under their unified teachings, supplemented by the teachers of their time - so that they could begin a show of force, they were not a nation that could be held down. Eighty years late, certainly: but not out of the running. But through this entire time, the Daimyo and head of state that was, the new Lord of the land were under disagreement. It seemed almost fateful, that similar to that of Kirigakure no Sato - they were merged together as one by an assassination and political usurping which seemed all too common of its time. They had poured so much money, the once "doing well" nation was currently facing a recession: and that's where their story starts. notable places Village Hidden on the Lake Kosuigakure no Sato is the Village Hidden on the Lake, a stark difference to some other hidden villages and out of a need to survive because of the climate being rather water deprived, it is little secret that Kosuigakure no Sato is based on a lake and makes use of some natural outcrops that it is able to survey the plain lands that surround it. It is there that they are able to maintain water superiority, and surveillance on the world surrounding it. Water powered elevators separate the top from the bottom, and on the rocky outcrops the water is laden with houses built on the water. At the very top of the largest outcrop is the Lord/Lady's manor; offering a three sixty view of the world around it in the form of a shinto shrine, a room with four walls which are usually kept open. Ginko Forest The Ginko forest is a beautiful forest that for three quarters of the year can be categorised as a luscious and fertile green forest spanning around a hundred miles - seeming to span endlessly. It is one of the main features of Moku no Kuni. There are numerous paths throughout the country that traverses through these forests, and can be a home to micro-biomes inside the forest as the landscape changes. However, during fall and the start of winter the world turns gold: Ginko is a type of tree that turns its leaves gold when they turn to drop, and it turns the country into a land of yellow and gold. Culturally this is known as 'Sakin Fūka Shita' [Gold Dust Weathering] a time of luck and prosperity for the nation as the cycle of forestry begins again, where folks who take to it as a role identify the dying trees and chop them down before they can be rendered useless, so that they can be valuable once again. Zelkova (Japanese Elm) Zelkova is set inside a valley and not to be confused with a mountain: a large, steep entry to the north or the south, through ravines in the earth and where water carved out a path this village is concerned, situated around a central water source and a manmade dam. Shinto-inspired temple styled housing runs along a river, and the village is very 'rectangular' in style, situated along a river. The river is split in three ways at its source in the north: so that it can run between the rows of housing. It is particularly hidden hence their survival. Culturally, festivals take place during the year here to the river gods for prosperity and health. It's main trade is hemp and thriving funghi deposits. Bonsai (Potted Tree) Bonsai is the secondary location to Kosuigakure no Sato. Centered on a large forest plain-land and a single source of water contained by a memorial building in white, separates a civilian district from a Shinobi district with residential on one side and the other arts on the other side (blacksmiths, etc) with a colosseum in the middle of that district. The colosseeum is known for shinobi fighting, but also theatre; where plays are performed in the round and on a central stage. Opposite the residential and militaristic district is a lake, a religious shrine and parallel to the lake is a more specific militaristic sector that only Shinobi can enter: a barracks for outposted ninja, a mini-council in charge of the prefecture's affairs and the other governmental building in charge of day to day matters. Itadori (Japanese Knotweed) Itadori is a single building: a known shinto-religious focused town that is comprised of one huge building, its namesake is to the fact that it's just a long continuous building that incorporates all of the elements of a traditional town, interweaving between multi-levels, religious buildings and businesses with residential areas in one place. For that purpose and its position as one of the primary towns to the east and closer to the other nations, Itadori has a large military presence that focuses on allowing operations and missions to run separately from the state and daimyo there: allowing it to flourish as its own social and economic ecosystem under the remit of the ruler. Kaede (Japanese Maple) Kaede is a fortress to the north and separates Tetsu no Kuni from Moku no Kuni. It is a non-civilian land, and so the area surrounding it is completely empty and devoid of traditional foiliage to hide behind, so any attacks must be done directly: the land is still not entirely regenerated from battles that took place a hundred years prior and so is a very sparse wasteland that makes it hard to live. Inside the fortress is a dedicated area for greenhouse growing, since its land is more cold than not because of it's proximity to Tetsu no Kuni. Sakura (Cherry Blossom) Sakura is a flat land with a simple wall in a square that separates the inside world from the out. It is mostly known for the sakura blossoms that are in the area, and make for a wonderful sight for tourists. It is characteristic of their spirit - and tending to the trees is one of the most revered careers in Moku no Kuni, that they even have their own title of 'Cherī Pāru' [Cherry Pearl] it is the source of the primary herbicide, and herbal medicines that are made inside Moku no Kuni. When not in the 'Sakura Season' it can be good for it's Sake, created as a byproduct of the inferior grain that isn't used for eating, and the byproduct of the remainder of grain or byproduct from creating alcoholic beverages is then used as cattle feed. Sugi (Japanese Cedar) Sugi is a place that is located inside the Ginko Forest. Obviously, surrounded by Ginko trees, and many Torii gates that are adorned along the paths. Its buildings are spread out over the land and on the single path. Entire residential districts, the shinobi centre, or religious fronts: all based off one road. They do not branch from the main path, and are very characteristic of the Torii gates. It is known that this is the main path for any religious ceremony or journey and is commonly used as an area for events, especially of the religious kind when they come around because of Moku no Kuni's relationship to its forests.

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Supporting applications:

Bloodline clan: Ochiru clan
Hijutsu clan: Not created
Narashi clan: Netsui Clan

In character plots with other nations in discussion if this is approved, with Konohagakure currently (other villages may be added)

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Moku no kuni Lore: animals "predator or prey - that's all there is" Basic Information Moku no Kuni's endemism is primarily characteristic of warm blooded mammals, holding both birds of prey and larger mammals you wouldn't see survive in other environments. They are typically more deadly than deer or other types of mammals, though. Because of the competition in the land, vying for vital resources the animals here are more aggressive and territorial than in other lands. Because of some of its treachery, they have been captured below for more information! Danger will be noted with !, !! or !!!. The latter being the most dangerous, and something only shinobi would try to face against. Hawks Generally of the least offensive variety, hawks prey on small mammals like mice and other rodents that live in Moku no Kuni, and some of the bigger and worse types can prey on small mammals like the skunk. But, hawks are primarily more friendly creatures that will leave you alone as long as you don't disturb their nests. They make for great messenger animals, and so more often than not you'll see this animal in tandem with outposts along Moku no Kuni for sending messages to and fro the nation. ! Deer Grass grazer, vegetarians and the primary bread and butter of Moku no Kuni is its deer: they travel in huge packs, and with them - predators follow. By themselves, they are harmless and will almost never attack - except for a stag that travels near them. But even so, they are extremely fast runners and can outpace other animals - as well as their sharp senses, their eyes on either side of their head for the biggest vision as well as a generally all round sharp senses. But - beware. Their legs can create a sizeable punch, as do the stag's horns - capable of piercing through skin with ease. ! Mountain Goat Surprisingly hardy and resourceful creatures that can survive with less food and water while also maintaining a competitive edge over their competitors makes them a viable resource to many individuals for their milk, horns, meat and other uses. To that edge, they can ram individuals with their horns or head which can cause a bruise: but they won't kill you, unless you happen to be standing on the edge of a cliff. ! Skunk Skunks are primarily nocturnal animals that are known for their smell - or offensive use of that smell. They are burrowers, and love to create dens. They do not typically attack individuals but they are capable of projectiling a sticky goo substance which clings to clothes. ! Black Bear Black bears are inquisitive and primarily vegetarian based eaters - but can and do venture to lakes in search of fish. As aggression goes they are preferential runners than fighters, except for mothering bears. Black bears will charge at individuals that threaten them, but it is common knowledge not to run - they will more often than not retreat if this does take place. They are naturally inquisitive and don't always come around to fight: they hibernate for large portions of the year and when they do come out, it's usually because their incredible sense of smell has led them to something they like. ! - !! Wolves A wolf, or wolves because they commonly travel in packs are predator dogs that take advantage not only of their relatively large size but also their teamwork to take down larger prey and animals. They can be very resourceful, but also very cheeky: they will steal, they will take and will kill indiscriminately, taking down the weak first or pulling away their meal to another location and to eat them alive. Generally, one should seek shelter or climb if wolves are around. !! - !!! honey badger The honey badger is one of the more ferocious animals in Moku no Kuni's endemism because of its complete lack of fearlessness. They aren't necessarily the hardest animals to kill but they will fight to their dying breath. For that purpose, they are generally considered animals to avoid or respect while out on the path to wherever you're going. They are territorial beasts and will defend it with their lives. !! - !!! Brown Bear Unlike Black bears, brown bears are far more aggressive and territorial than their counterparts. They will attack much more indiscriminately and are considered predator animals that will go for someone who runs. They are especially so when mothering cubs. Unlike Black bears, they are not so good at climbing although they can do it - their large muscles make terrible attacks, as well as their fierce teeth and jaw muscles to rip muscle from bone. They are to be avoided at most costs. !! - !!! Mountain Lion Mountain lions are merciless hunter that will sneak up on you as opposed to trying to face you head on, because they are assassin-type animals they tend to go for much larger prey than themselves. That makes civilians and unaware shinobi catchable by these predators. Because of that and their tendency to stay within designated areas, as long as you pay attention to the guidance by the people who live there you should be fine. !!-!!!

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Moku no kuni Lore: food  "North or south - you'll have something for everyone" Basic Information Moku's main export is timber - but secondary to that is rice, followed by funghi. It still has a great variety of other cultural foods. Because of the great ethno-cultural diversity in Moku no Kuni cuisine varies greatly depending on the northern or southern region. Northern regions are generally spicier; more soup like and commonly featuring eat where southern regions are more rice based and more earthy and rich. Below are some of the most common dishes, and some star foods that one must try whilst visiting Moku no Kuni and Kosuigakure no Sato. Price ratings will be noted with $, $$ or $$$. The latter being the most expensive, and something only the wealthy can afford. rice Rice: the staple of the world is produced in vast quantities and Moku no Kuni is no different. Moku no Kuni's rice paddies benefit fro lower warer need growth and as such produce a easier to handle, easier to cook and tasty rice in total. They are produced in two separate varieties: the Uruchimai variety (also known as sticky rice) and the Hatsuga-genmai (also known as nutritional brown rice). However, the lack of abundant water sources means that actual paddies are far and few between. $ Fudan Shira (soup dish) Fudan Shira [Everything Soup] More associated with the north than the south are the "everything soups" - typically used by that of lower incomes but rich versions of it exist as well. The principle is simple: water, and ingredients. These ingredients are perpetually on a fire, and ingredients are added and soups are taken from the same cauldron while everything continues to cook continuously. These can theoretically last forever but does raise a concern of sanitisation. In lower and poor income areas, the perpetual soup is generally held in a huge cauldron and people add and remove as they go - hence the name. In upper class areas, it's usually the 'soup of the day'. Tastes of either end typically end up in either way, of any distinction depending on what are in the ingredients. $ - $$$ Sakana Hayashi Sara (Fish Accompaniment Dish) A reasonable sized meal for one: usually a main of a boned fish cooked in oil, typically that of a herring. Coming with a bowl of rice, sprouted vegetables, miso soup and radish slices and dough balls fried in oil and covered in a warming sauce. In lower income households, this would be substituted with another type of meat as opposed to fish: which is one of Moku no Kuni's main imports. $$ - $$$ Menchi-Katsu (meat dish) Fragrant - spicy (of various intensities depending on the establishment) and filled and breaded with sticky flour and rice is the Menchi-Katsu. Typically used of cattle and other meats and garnished with a bigger side of usually washed salad ingredients to balance out the harsher flavors with lighter ones. It can also be substituted for non-meat varieties or rarer ones, as well as also being enjoyed with rice instead of salad ingredients. $$-$$$ Sencha and Omurice (Egg & Rice dish) Sencha Omurice is a egg and rice based dish where the egg is delicately prepared to cover a bowl of rice, and then decorated with sencha tea leaves for fragrance and texture and onion: together, they create a near porridge like texture with the rice and is one of the nation's favorite foods. $-$$ Nattō Raisu (rice dish) The regional cuisine of southern Moku no Kuni is prepared hot natto: fermented soybeans topped with a dollop of cream. There is an accompaniment of rice and natto together, separate from the dish. $ - $$ Isshiki Makanai (fish & meat dish) Isshiki Makanai [Everything Board] The food board is almost exclusively a noble based dish that uses a variety of meats and fishes, decorated gently and sauced appropriately - battered or oiled in a tempura batter. They are accommodated by only the finest of rice, various fine cuts of fish from their own fishing grounds as well as rarer fruits. To that purpose, they are normally only found and prepared in Kosuigakure no Sato and presented on a 'board'. $$-$$$

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Moku no kuni Lore: events "Class can be found anywhere" Basic Information While some nations celebrate the different seasons, majority of the events contained within Moku no Kuni aside from the universally enjoyed events such as a new year, Moku no Kuni's celebrations are when the year is ending and the new one is beginning as a sign of luck, prosperity and health. Because of the cultural associations with the fall and bloom, the love of Moku no Kuni is based on the fall of the Ginko leaves that comprise much of the land, as well as the falling sakura blossoms. There is a less a melting pot of cultures and more of a dedication to their primary religion in a secular land that has not seen war unlike in previous centuries. Sakin Fūka Shita [Gold Dust Weathering] The Gold Dust Weathering is a seasonal event that celebrates the autumn with three distinct stages that have their own customs and expectations of each event, characterised by the rise and fall of the sun. "Asa" to mean Morning, "Gogo" to mean Afternoon and "Ibuningu" to mean Evening. Importantly noted is that people should avoid bright colors as to not offend the custom that is outshining the master (in this case, means the forest) and potentially upsetting any spirits. Muted colors are more important. The Asa is the first of the three months. The first of many celebrations begin, when the ground has its first layer of golden leaves fall to the ground and the green cannot be found by the roots of the trees. This is the time of the least action for the weathering season because it is first a set of dances, poetries and creative arts being celebrated - it is seen as providing humility that one 'gives' their creativity to the world around them and is a perfect time for budding civilians and shinobi alike to pursue their other arts. Crowds are very centric to Kosuigakure no Sato, and the folk of Moku no Kuni means that anybody who wishes to provide is given a stage in order for them to do so. During this as well, to remember humility - a person or persons wearing an oni mask may appear. If this does happen, which it may during the entire event at some point that they are 'dispelled' by a common haiku riddle. If the Oni person cannot answer the riddle, are banished. If they do get the riddle correct, is a bad omen for the person doing the riddle. That person must kneel before the Oni and "restore" themselves by chanting a reciprocal poem. The Gogo can be between the second and third month, depending on the exact season - sometimes the Gogo can last a week or the full two months, forgoing the "Ibuningu" entirely should the circumstances be correct. It is typical of the Gogo event that poles are decorated with the heraldry and kamon of the individual clans and families before being set fire to - alongside gifts or tributes to the various gods and deities for fortune to come in the coming year, and for fortitude in the coming winter. From a religious perspective this is the one of most significance because those who have committed acts of indecency (read: any bad acts) are forced to repent publicly their sins. The redemption ceremony is where they stand atop a platform and renounce their dishonour before them. It is especially vital that the person involved does not show any emotion; and as little reaction as possible to the throwing of seeds at them by the people participating in the event. The significance of it being a seed is to hope that one catches into their skin and is considered lucky to have a seed "stick" to that individual: signifying a rebirth or ground in which regrowth can begin. During this time, various smaller events take place like singing from the more nomadic people of the land, or generic partying take place as a time of beauty. Ryokans are full to the brim: steam being created as a raw luxury that cannot normally be pursued in day to day life. The Ibuningu is the evening, usually in the third month or not at all in some circumstances. This time is characterised by more brown colors where participants match the season's changing. The "change of the dress" is the event that is overseen by Geisha where they ritualistically change clothing for the seasons. This is not directly seen to embody the purity of the change, but behind a shadow-created replica participants can watch, before they are revealed. The reason for this event taking place is that a play also takes place alongside this ritualistic changing: a mystical tanuki tries to steal from the changing Geisha: and is chased off by another actor dressed as the national animal: the lucky Nekomata. Natto is typically served during the event - nobody is quite sure why! Animals are also markedly a part of this event, where food is readily available that the more amicable kind. Predatorial animals are fiercely run off, and it is a stark point of Shinobi involvement that they are used to guard the civilian kind during this time. Sakin Kaika Suru Warau [Blooming Smile] Sakura pearls collect each individual petal from the trees contained inside the village of Sakura by hand and in quite a ritualistic fashion, an exercise which does take the entire time (weeks to a month) around the clock (the others are gathered as well outside the village, but with tools as opposed to by hand) The petals are indicative of how the next season (year) is going to be, as well as cleansing the land of the bad petals because of the exports they produce. During this time it is more than common that individuals will wear colourful and pink or light red noted clothing. This can also take place during the time of the Gogo and Ibungingu time. Because of the longevity of the entire event - daily stalls are set up and rotated week by week from the different corners of Moku no Kuni in order to circulate their goods internally, creating a sort of 'revitalisation' of one's stalls. At their homes, the stalls are set up and chosen by a raffle (of whom puts themselves into the running) as to be selected, it is considered fantastic fortune as it is common for much of the population as well as tourists to Moku no Kuni to visit, meaning great benefit and fortitude to those selected. The events themselves are not non-stop, there are periods of night time in which there is a mandatory "cleaning" - the secondary part of the stall owners is to take accountability for the waste they may create or perpetrate, and so are holistically involved with the event as benefactors of their own making. While the event is free to watch from the main gardens that surround the Sakura blossoms, there will always be a picker in all 24 hours of the day; as well as paintings being created by sand, rock carvings or other memorial creations to be provided to their individual deities or belief systems, so can become a bit of a religious melting pot.

[Han]

1/2 Denied

At this time, the villages we do have are not remotely full of active players. To add another village to the fold would be to shoot the villages that are already struggling in the foot to put very lightly.