Sakura Town

Sakura Town
Parent Location	Sakura (Setting)
Owner	Ichigatsu Angelf d'Eath
Organizations Present	Wyrd Clan, Wulv Clan, Kissekigumi, Mercuria Clan, Youko Kai, Murakami Clan, Hikari Clan
Builder	Leikeze, Timber, NelaK
Businesses	Eagle's Landing, Theatrum Chemicum, Verdant Vixen, Umeno Geisha House, Noh Theatre, Okami Irezumi (Tattoo Parlour), The Witch and the Maiden, Kitsune Color Spray Bath House, Rising Sun Teahouse
AssociatedLocations	Yokai Forest
Setting Type	RP, Story, Events
Location Type	Testing

Sakura Town is a small, mountainous settlement steeped in magic and tradition. Dominated by Shinto and Buddhist beliefs, its residents live in harmony with the spirits, kami, and yokai that infuse the land. The town thrives on a blend of ancient customs, martial prowess, and a deep spiritual connection to nature. While magic is embraced, advanced foreign technology gradually fails, rejected by the local spirits, keeping the town's technological level at a medieval fantasy standard. The town's culture, economy, and governance reflect a balance between the old ways and the pressures of a rapidly changing world.

History

The region has been dotted by various small hamlets and villages but the largest of them has been Sakura Village and with recent events it has become even more of the regional hub. It's unclear how the village came to be where it is considering how different the culture is from everything else around it. Local legend suggest it has something to do with the Yokai Forest forest and that if you get lost within, it can transport you across space and time. One theory that is becoming increasingly common is that the village was once part of a larger realm but somehow the entire village was transported to it's current location by some quirk of the Yokai Forest. Many of the recent Imperial citizens that have settled in the Village believe that the Village must have originally been a part of the Celestial Empire . The native Sakuran's are more likely to believe Kazan No Ryu brought them there to save them from some great calamity.

Regardless of the truth, the native Sakuran's just appeared one day on the edges of the Kingdom of Durakiss and King Sandro granted them permission to settle the land. Later in return for years of faithful and heroic service to the Crown, King Sandro granted the region to Reri Murakami along with her and the region's independence from his Kingdom. Thereby establishing Sakura as it's own independent region.

Reri Murakami would go on to establish the Black Lotus Dojo and it has been a central part of Sakura ever since. Its renown for training some of the most talented warriors around has brought a steady stream of students over the years and put an otherwise insignificant village on the map.

The Imperial invasion of Sakura Village has only accelerated the growth of the tiny village into the busy town it is today. The same growth has also resulted in significant population growth for the overall region and the number of small hamlets and villages has increased but none have gained any notable prominence yet.

Government and Politics

The region is claimed and loosely controlled by the Sakura Village Council . Outside of Sakura Town itself, the region is largely lawless with the Council only exerting their authority on more significant issues. The few small hamlets and villages that exist largely govern themselves under the leadership of their Village Elders.

Factions

Historically Sakura has mostly been dominated by the Black Lotus Dojo but as of late a number of other groups have started to form and gain influence over the town.

A few samurai clans have sprung into existence with support from the Lord Protector: Wulv Wyrd Hikari Clan Murakami In addition there are also official factions working directly for the Sakuran government such as the Kissekigumi , and Sakuran Militia .

Finally there are also some informal factions establishing themselves. Some are simply families with significant wealth or influence but without official status as a clan such as the Mercuria Family , and others are criminal enterprises such as the Youko Kai.

Foreign Relations

Sakura Town maintains friendly relations with it's neighbors but does not generally engage in significant trade and does not establish political ties with foreign powers.

Culture

Sakura Town's culture is deeply rooted in traditional Japanese influences, heavily guided by Shinto and Buddhist beliefs. The town is a spiritual hub where the natural world is revered, and the presence of deities (kami) in every aspect of life is honored. Shrines dedicated to local kami dot the landscape, particularly near the Yokai Forest, which is considered both a sacred place and cursed. Rituals and festivals are frequent, often timed to the cycles of nature, with ceremonies to bless the land, honor ancestors, and maintain harmony between the town's inhabitants and the supernatural forces believed to protect them.

Buddhist practices also play a prominent role in daily life. Monasteries and temples serve as places of meditation and reflection, with teachings of compassion, mindfulness, and balance shaping the moral and ethical foundations of the town. The influence of both Zen Buddhism and esoteric traditions is evident in the town’s arts, architecture, and martial disciplines, particularly in the Black Lotus Dojo, where the philosophical principles of calm, discipline, and inner peace are taught alongside combat training.

The town's architecture and aesthetic traditions are a reflection of simplicity and connection to nature. Homes and buildings are designed with natural materials like wood and stone, blending seamlessly with the mountainous terrain. Gardens are meticulously maintained with an emphasis on balance and serenity, reflecting the Shinto and Buddhist ideals of harmony.

Festivals such as the Toro Nagashi, where lanterns are floated downriver to guide the spirits of the dead, and seasonal celebrations like the Spring and Winter festivals, are essential to the town’s cultural identity. These events draw people together, fostering a strong sense of community while also reinforcing the town’s connection to both the spiritual realm and the natural world.

Magic and Technology

Magic flows abundantly throughout Sakura Town, stemming from the kami, yokai, and other spirits that inhabit the region. The people of Sakura have learned to coexist with these supernatural forces, viewing magic as an essential and harmonious part of life. Spiritual practitioners, shrine maidens, and monks often serve as intermediaries between the human world and the spirits, ensuring that rituals and offerings maintain the delicate balance between both realms. Magical practices are deeply integrated into daily life, from simple charms and blessings to more profound spells rooted in ancient traditions, allowing the townsfolk to call upon the power of the kami for protection, guidance, and healing.

On the other hand, technology, especially that from foreign lands, tends to falter in the region. While advanced inventions may initially work, over time they begin to fail or behave unpredictably. The locals attribute this to the disapproval of the spirits, believing that these technologies attempt to control nature in ways that offend the spirits. As time passes, this spiritual rejection causes the technology to degrade or malfunction, eventually leading it to revert to a more "natural" state in line with the land’s mystical energies.

This has led to a general cultural aversion to advanced technology, with the people of Sakura preferring simpler, more harmonious tools that respect nature’s balance. Foreigners often experience frustration when their mechanical wonders fail, but the locals see it as proof of the spirits' influence and a reminder of the natural order.

OOC Note: The technological level of the setting remains around medieval fantasy standards. Modern inventions like guns or anything more futuristic will degrade and fail quickly, with sci-fi technology expected to malfunction almost immediately after introduction.

Economy

Largely rural subsistence farming and focused around Sakura Town. Large number of wealthy foreigners moving in have caused a huge influx of wealth into the region along with a demand for imported goods, but the region itself doesn't generate much of anything to export. The locals themselves still heavily value barter or working with their own local currencies and gold is a secondary currency to them; but it is the primary currency for the foreigners and any foreign dealings.

Demographics

The population is largely (90%+) humans . Split between Sakuran humans and Imperial humans . No significant populations of elves , dwarves , Halfling / Hin etc exist with the notable exception of the Snow Elves of the Wulv Clan who maintain a small settlement up in the mountains. Kitsune and other magical races are still relatively rare in terms of the overall population despite their disproportionate influence in local politics (OOC Note: Kitsune/Dragons/etc are massively over represented in the PC population but account for only a tiny portion of the overall population which includes NPCs).

Total population of the region would be between 10,000 to 20,000. An accurate estimate being hard to provide since the area is very rural and the local government doesn't really keep a close eye on the surrounding areas.

Geography

The region is predominantly mountainous wilderness with large fertile valleys. Sakura Town itself is founded at the base of a massive volcano with the Yokai Forest on one side. Further up the mountains are more forests and various lakes fed by winter snow melts. The Town itself is based along the shore of one of the largest rivers in the region and one of the few navigable by any but the smallest boats.

Points of Interest

Sakura East

The oldest part of the town. It is built along the river and at the base of the hill from the Black Lotus Dojo . The Sake Den can be found here along with many houses and small farms.

Sakura West

The poorest part of the town at the moment. It was hastily built to handle the influx of immigrants to the town. It is built on former swamp land and as a result many of the houses had to be built on piers. It is also neighboring the Yokai Forest and there are many superstitions abound as to whether this part of town is even safe.

Partly to assuage the towns folk's concerns the Lord Protector has funded the construction of a temple and an order of monks to ensure the safety of the townsfolk here from any stray malicious yokai that decide to get too close.

Town Center

The new heart of the town. It contains most of the businesses and entertainment options along with the fairgrounds which are used to host various events.

Noble District

Still partly under construction. It is located further up the mountain from the Town Center. This land has been set aside for Sakura's more powerful families to build their estates. Most notably Prince Hozumi's estate is located at the highest point of this district.

Farmland

In order to support the growing population additional farmland was created within the river valley across the river. Thanks to efforts by Echika Hikari the spring time floods have been largely mitigated thanks to a system of dykes and now the farmlands are one of the faster growing parts of the town.

Sakata Isoroku is constructing his estate on the edge of this district and he has largely been granted authority to patrol and secure these lands.

Climate

The climate tends to have mild to warm summers with winters that are cool but marked with a lot of snow fall.

In spring the accumulated snowfall melts often leading to flooding in the lower valleys but also leads to an abundance of natural growth.

OOC Notes

A homebrew setting inspired by Japanese, Korean, and Chinese folklore focused on GM run story telling.

Current Events

Sakura hosts multiple festivals throughout the year to mark the season changes.

Most commonly Toro Nagashi and a Winter/Summer/Spring festival.