Kimoba

Kimoba is little more than a village, supporting the palace complex of the Genshu nearby. It does not hold any sort of importance beyond being the seat of that great authority, housing a particularly devout populace in service to their ruler. The Genshu has steadily grown in power across the generations, morphing a formerly exclusive spiritual role with one of a more political nature. It appears that the cult of Kunin strives to consolidate the position with the seat of Emperor, combining both aspects, political and spiritual, into a single union. For its part, Kimoba plays little role in politics or even regionally, being set very far inland from the coast. Farms stretch out around the village, providing food for the palace and its servants and occupants. Numerous other shrines to Kunin and various spirits surround the area, dotting the forests and foothills of the mountains. The Yama are particularly dangerous outside of the city, it being so close to their mountain homes.

Politics

Traditionally, Sea Elf culture was ruled by two figures: the Emperor and the Genshu. One acted in a political capacity, while the other was the supreme spiritual authority, both having separate power and recognizing one another as rulers. This was changed some time ago, during the time of the Emperors, who saw the power of the Genshu as a threat. Eventually, the Emperor eclipsed the Genshu, dominating even that role and completing their rule over the entire Kodno. And yet, the Emperors collapsed, leaving behind the still intact role of the Genshu. With their own power suddenly freed, and facing no other true opponent, the Genshu expanded their political power rapidly. It endorsed and supported those clans that would bow to and recognize its governance, lending the weight of religion to the rules of key lords around the island. All of this has managed to secure a very favourable place for the Genshu in the modern day, having carved out practically the entire southern tip of the island for their own domain. The Genshu today is more of a political role, though it still derives its power from religious authority. Kimoba is built around the worship of the Genshu as a demi-god, communicating directly with Kunin in the spirit world. There are no true vassals under the Genshu, instead they exert their will through their monks and religious dogma. Kimoba lies in the shadow of the spectacular temple-palace of the ruler, ensuring all who reside there understand his role on the island.

Groups

Kanshoku

The Genshu’s palace is attended by a veritable army of servants, organized into a very strict hierarchy. These servants include various levels of monks and other commoners, as everyone in the palace serves at the pleasure of the Genshu. At the pinnacle of the household are the direct advisors and attendants to the Genshu himself, serving as the ruling class of Kimoba. Each of these is invested with real influence and power from the Genshu, and is trusted with learning and carrying out the ruler’s most intimate political plans. Beneath these are the monks and other mid-level servants, having their own specific castes they abide by. Under these still are the lowest levels of commoners in the palace, owning no more responsibility or power than beyond their own meagre station. All of these servants together are the Kanshoku, a catch all term that denotes the power structure within the palace itself.

Landmarks

Genshu's Palace

The palace at Kimoba is a sprawling structure of corridors and rooms, more like a labyrinth than any sort of straight-forward castle. Its navigation is known only to the Kanshoku, many of whom have walked its halls for their entire lives. The entire palace is a massive structure that dominates the nearby village of Kimoba. It demands extensive resources from the surrounding populations, and houses monks from across the Kodno. All of this is in service to the Genshu, who resides primarily in a room near the pinnacle of the palace. Devout guards remain hidden away in alcoves and other antechambers, invisible lest they be called into action. All of this serves to inflate and impose the importance of the Genshu onto those who see the palace, connecting the figure with the stature of Kunin’s dominance in the spirit world.

Personalities

The Genshu

The Genshu has traditionally been the highest monk in service to Kunin, acting as a religious figure to unite and guide the dogma of his cult. In the past there was power struggles with the Emperor, resulting in the position being weakened tremendously from a status of parity. Without the Emperor to oppose the seat however, the Genshu's power has grown to rival and even eclipse that of the remaining great houses on the Kodno. The role is passed down to a designated successor, making its court a breeding ground of intrigue politics and power struggles. While the Genshu themselves tend to spend most of their time in spiritual contemplation, they do awaken to guide and direct their followers quite often. The current Genshu is an older Elf who ascended to the seat after a long career in the palace as an advisor. They have long white hair tied back, with a long beard and moustache as well. The Genshu is always extravagantly dressed in a robe more spectacular than, but similar to, other Kunin monks.