Empire of Soga

Q: THE ORIGIN

The Empire of Soga traces its roots to the Crimson Ages , when colonists from beyond Calad settled the north. Many turned against their Invader overlords, allying with the native Kitsune tribes to cast off foreign rule. From that uprising, fractured clans rose into power, and after long wars of unification, the Soga clan established imperial authority. The Kitsune alliance, sealed through ritual and custom, has since remained central to imperial identity.

FACTION

The Empire of Soga is the largest and northernmost of the four main factions. Its harsh environment and storied past have shaped it into a pragmatic, feudal society. Upholding the martial traditions of its ruling warrior clans lies at the heart of its identity, with the Soga clan bearing the legitimacy of rule.

Severed from foreign rule by a bloodstained blade, the realm soon became riddled with internal conflict. Grief scarred the land, and where misfortune loomed large, profane forces took root—plaguing and preying upon any who passed. The worst afflictions stemmed from dilapidated shrines and neglected places of worship, which became overshadowed by tormented spirits.

Through the esoteric practices of the disciples of Rishinkyo—who draw upon ancient scriptures, ascetic training, and deep understanding of spirits and wayward demons—the Empire’s land gradually became more hospitable.

To seal away misfortune, the Empire honors its alliance with the Kitsune tribes, known for their foxlike features and alluring rituals that appeal to the gods. By custom, the Grand Priestess, a descendant of the fox peoples, holds dual roles as both the First Empress and the Head Court Ritualist of the imperial Soga Court.

Yet despite these efforts, the roads and depopulated lands remain haunted by echoes of past failings. Matters of gods and ghosts are left to the few capable of handling them, while the general populace—sturdy and self-reliant—remain largely unfamiliar with magical doctrine. Hardened by constant threats, a sparse population, bitter weather, and war, they tend to favor physical strength and martial discipline.

In particular, the northerners are famed for their brawn and resilience. Every winter, demonic ogroids known as Oni emerge from hibernation and descend from the boreal mountains, ravaging the snowy domains. It is against these threats that the true might of Soga is tested—year after year.

THE IMPERIALS

The Empire of Soga boasts the largest territory and population among the four great factions, as well as the most diverse landscape. Its terrain ranges from the mild coastal climate of the Inner Sea in the south, through fertile midlands, to the harsh, freezing mountains in the far north.

The Empire of Soga traces its roots to the Crimson Ages, when colonists from beyond Calad settled
the north. Many turned against their Invader overlords, allying with the native
Kitsune tribes to cast off foreign rule. From that uprising, fractured clans
rose into power, and after long wars of unification, the Soga clan established
imperial authority. The Kitsune alliance, sealed through ritual and custom, has
since remained central to imperial identity.

Unlike the Sand Kingdoms, arcane talent is rare among the humans of the Empire. Most magic comes either from the Kitsune—mystics and ritualists who serve the spirits and gods through the Shinryuu faith—or from the monks of Rishinkyo, who pursue discipline, scriptures, and ascetic rites, sometimes awakening arcane ability through their devotion. For Imperials, magic is not a craft of the many but a sacred, perilous gift, entrusted only to those born with talent or initiated through rigorous tradition. Matters of spirits, curses, and gods are left to these few specialists, while the wider populace remains largely untouched by magical doctrine.

The majority of Imperials are human, descended from ancient settlers. They
are hardy and resilient, shaped by a land of cold winters, rugged plains, and
haunted battlefields. Northerners are especially famed for their brawn and resilience, their lives molded
by heavy snows and constant raids of Oni. The Kitsune, with their foxlike
features and crimson-white attire, are the most distinct non-human population,
though they often live apart from human settlements, maintaining their own traditions.

Imperials are hardy, industrious, and disciplined, forged by hardship and
old scars. A feudal people, they prize strength, loyalty, and martial
tradition, with the bushi warrior class at the heart of their society. To
outsiders, they may seem distant, even unfriendly toward strangers, but theirs
is a culture of small, tight-knit communities.

GAMEPLAY

With few exceptions, the Empire of Soga is predominantly human. As such, what they lack in innate magical ability, they more than compensate for with martial discipline and some of the finest military equipment among the four great factions. This makes them the most resilient and durable force on the battlefield.While players may need to be cautious of more unconventional threats—such as special magical attacks or supernatural effects—the empire’s superior armor and sturdy units allow them to face most challenges head-on. Their playstyle tends to be more straightforward, relying on strength, defense, and formation tactics. Under the guidance of a skilled commander, the Empire can become a formidable and unyielding force, capable of weathering even the fiercest opposition.