[occ] The Shadow

There are places in the Kingdom where Heaven closes its eyes and the Earth suffers from the absence of love.  In these places, the ground festers and the waters grow exceedingly calm.  In these places, there is no wind, no echo, and no hope.  In these places, the hungry dead roam for others as lost as them.

These places are known as Shadow.
And the number of shadowlands are growing.

Some say, if one mistakenly enters a shadowland, one remains in Shadow until the rising of the sun.  That one cannot leave the horrible place until the bright warm face of the sun peeks past the horizon once more.

Some say, while in Shadow, one's wounds fester and rot.  Tears become thick as blood.

Beware stepping into Shadow.
One might find an old lover, an old enemy, or a long hidden secret brought back to life.

[occ] General Setting Ideas

The Kingdom is to be greatly based on the lands of China, with touches of Studio Ghilbi and a mix of various other influences.   Various cities tend to have key "products" or wares in them.   The City of Endless Splendors, for example, focuses on the vices and drugs that people might seek.  The City of Unbridled Wisdom, on the other hand is a massive city-sized library with literally hundreds of thousands of books and scrolls.  Each Zodiac Minister commands a particular main City, although some do so less directly than others.  A few actually command more than one, a clear sign of the favor they have gained from the Jade Emperor.

There are levels of technological advancement in the Kingdom.    At the most basic, we have the rural early China feel where people farm and raise herds, with rice paddies and wagons commonly seen.  In some more modern places, steam and mechanical technology proves to be more present.  In such cities, gears and levers are used to open the city's massive gates.  Steam powered vehicles are used for both commerce and military needs.  In further flung areas, electricity is at its beginnings, with only the wealthiest of citizens having access to basic lighting and artificially reproduced music.  And finally, if rumor or myth is to be believed, the Jade Emperor himself and his most favored Minister own cities where magic and prayer fuels the very industry and technology.

The basic currency used is based on Jade.

For simplicity, a large majority of the population speak a single language with some levels of dialectual difference.  Typically, only foreigners to the Kingdom speak other tongues.  Some believe however even the animals and shadow demon have their own language.

Travelling between cities takes at least a few days by foot.  Some cities, such as the Jade Emperor's Forbidden City, may take years to reach by foot.  

There was a time when the Zodiac Ministers were first gathered by the man who was to become the Jade Emperor and the thirteen fought valiantly to unite all into one Kingdom under heaven.  Their acts of heroism and sacrifice united the various warring lands and clans into a single kingdom under the banner of the Jade Emperor.  But in the years that have passed, corruption and selfishness has set in.   Some Ministers refuse to see that, believing they still do what is best for the people.  Others realize the Jade Emperor has become the very threat he once gathered them to defeat, and secretly ponder on when action must be taken to bring the now ruling dictator down.