Chanos Prefecture

Chanos Prefecture is a large prefecture on the northern coast of the Blessed Isle, its northeast shore marking the end of the sandy beaches of the White Coast, its northwest the beginning of the Shadowed Coast. It is considered the heartland of House Ragara.

Economy

Though the soil of Chanos prefecture is poor, it remains wealthy as both a hub of trade and center of mining and smelting. Mines dot the rocky land around Chanos, and the smelters and foundries pollute the local water badly. Those that drink from these sickly waters are all slaves of House Ragara or peasants, though, so it is not seen as a matter worth worrying over. Food is of little concern to this agriculturally stunted prefecture, as the prefectures of the Pahua Basin and White Coast are rich in food production and must export their goods via the Chanos port, allowing it to exploit its economic dominance to feed its population.

Weather

Chanos is one of few areas on the Blessed Isle to experience true winter weather, with the Air and Water months cold enough that few spend time outdoors and both lakes and ground can freeze. Weather control has never worked well in Chanos, and there are many tales to explain the reason:

One says that an invading army once descended from the North upon the shore at Chanos... a force of Anathema, perhaps, or of a Shogunate daimyo seeking to be Shogun... and their opening salvo tore the white sand beaches asunder, leaving only a rocky coast, and shattered the white jade obelisk which protected the land from winter storms.

Another says that a young Prince Ragara made a deal when he first came to Chanos, offering a loan at punishing interest so the natives might develop their economy. When they could not meet the increasing payments, he took first their homes, then their health, and then their summer weather to pay the debt.

Politics

Prefect: Ragara Nova, considered an incorrigible wastrel and one of only a small handful of Dragonblooded who serve in the lowly role of prefect.

House Ragara has a significant presence in the prefecture, despite their current leadership being based out of the Imperial Palace. The vast majority of members of House Ragara consider one of the four great Ragara estates around Chanos to be their ancestral home.

The manses of Chanos were distributed widely by the Scarlet Empress, placing many other Great Houses in the prefecture. House Sesus has the most developed economic foothold, controlling several gem mines, though Ragara holdings continue to far outmatch them. House Peleps also has a presence due to the base of the Imperial Navy Air Fleet being found at the port of Chanos.

Geography

Chanos - Port city and capital of the prefecture.

Tabuhareth - Mining town sitting atop rich veins of gems. House Ragara currently controls the mines, but House Sesus has disputed this ownership... the matter was not resolved before the disappearance of the Empress.

Pillar Hall of the Righteous - Fire-aspected manse, serving as chapter house for the Wyld Hunt. The Pillar Hall's numbers have been reduced to nearly nothing following disasters against the Bull of the North and casualties in slaying the Anathema-Voivode of Azerban.

Tower of Guiding Waves - Fortified lighthouse-manse, headquarters of the 14th Imperial Legion.

Glorious Clouds Manse - Air-aspected manse a half-week's ride south of Chanos city. One of the four ancestral estates of House Ragara.

Vault of Endless Jade - Earth-aspected manse a week's ride southeast of Chanos city. One of the four ancestral estates of House Ragara.