Juche Prefecture

Overview

Juche Prefecture is a massive administrative division at the center of the Blessed Isle, containing the Imperial Mountain as well as the Earth Dragon Road linking the Mountain with the Imperial City and the coast beyond.

Juche Prefecture’s unusual size and shape are a product of economic and political realities. The need for a road linking the center of the Isle with the capital is obvious, but that road is also hugely expensive to maintain, a hobbling drain on the resources of the agricultural prefectures which occupy the lands between Juche city and the Scarlet Prefecture. Juche Prefecture itself, on the other hand, is the source of massive amounts of jade, metal, stone, and precious gems, the taxes from which ensure its prefectural government has full coffers. Rather than establish a system to redistribute the revenues from Juche to the budgets of a dozen or more agricultural prefectures, the Scarlet Empress decreed that Juche Prefecture would contain not only the mountainous region surrounding its namesake city, but the Earth Dragon Road all the way to the Scarlet Prefecture.

Between the large size of the core prefecture and its extension along the Road, Juche’s scale would seem to merit Dominion status similar to Lord’s Crossing Dominion or Arjuf Dominion. However, the Scarlet Empress did not want a single Great House to control such a vital font of resources, and Houses Tepet and Ledaal also fought efforts to declare a Juche Dominion.

Politics

Prefect: Gemstone Opal

All the Great Houses of the Dynasty have a presence in Juche Prefecture, controlling mines and estates and businesses of all sorts.

The largest presence is House Nellens, whose central estate is located here and crowded with the Dynasts who would normally live in a wing of the Imperial Palace, which the House currently lacks. House Mnemon, House Ragara, and House Cathak are also significant forces here. The Houses with the least power in Juche Prefecture are House Tepet (who concentrated their access to the central mountains in Lord’s Crossing Dominion) and House V’neef (which was not granted any mining interests by the Empress).

Economy

Juche is massively wealthy. The bulk of the jade used by the Realm (necessary for artifact construction, minting currency, sorcerous procedures, and popular for decorative items) comes from here, as does most of the metal ores used in the Realm. Juche is also a source of rare minerals, gemstones, marble and other stone. The terrain is not suitable for agriculture or vineyards.

Agriculture in Juche consists primarily of sheep and goat herders. The wool of Juche Longhorn goats is particularly fine and soft, fit for Dynastic and patrician clothing. However, Juche imports much food, both luxuries and staples, including rice from nearby Lord’s Crossing Dominion.

Military

Juche is not garrisoned by a single force, instead defended by a patchwork of military organizations. House Nellens is thought to have a significant force in the prefecture, what many estimate to be a full cavalry Legion in strength. House Mnemon also has a Legion-sized force of House Guard present.

From the Thousand Scales, the prefectural government can call upon a significant force of well-funded Black Helms to keep order, and the bulk of the Mountain Folk forming the Jade Legion of the Imperial Treasury are also stationed in Juche prefecture, and the Keepers of the Mandate are entirely located around the Imperial Mountain while the Northern Juche Militia operates in the northwestern mountains and hills.

Patrols of the 2nd Imperial Legion are present in areas of Cathak and Ledaal influence, while patrols of the 3rd Imperial Legion are present in areas of Sesus and Cynis influence. The largest Legion presence in the prefecture comes from the 6th Imperial Legion, stationed in areas of Ragara influence as well as patrolling the Earth Dragon Road.

Geography

Juche – Large city and prefectural capital near the base of the Imperial Mountain.

Imperial Mountain – The Elemental Pole of Earth, highest mountain in Creation, rising above the clouds and visible from every point on the Blessed Isle, even parts of the Threshold on clear days. The slope is uninhabited, covered in ruins of times now long gone and overgrown with plants prospering in the fertile soils. Imperial law bars wandering its slopes without special permission, a regulation enforced by the Keepers of the Mandate.

A pilgrimage path climbs the Mountain slope, called the Spine of the Amaranthine Dragon.

Steady Foundation Pagoda – Immaculate temple complex and township sitting at the base of the Spine of the Amaranthine Dragon, on the lowest slopes of the Imperial Mountain.

Victorious Ascendance of Mankind Temple – Immaculate temple complex on the upper slopes of the Imperial Mountain, at the highest point mortals may travel along the Spine of the Amaranthine Dragon.

Immaculate Temple of Ivory Resplendence – Immaculate temple complex just below the summit of the Imperial Mountain. From here, Dragonblooded pilgrims may meditate on the truths taught by Pasiap and make the final ascent to the very summit, known as the Seat of Pasiap.

Palace of Plunging Cataracts - Manse-estate and headquarters of House Nellens.

Obsidian Mirror – Fortified school, headquarters of the Splendid and Just Arbiters of Purpose, where new-found outcastes are brought for initial training and assignment to their future role in Realm society.

Arum’s Rest – Small village and large horsebreeding estate controlled by House V’neef. A frequent destination for V’neef newlyweds on their honeymoons.

Foremost Vault of the Imperial Treasury – Heavily fortified manse of significant power, one of the primary sites for the Imperial Treasury to store jade and mint jade coinage. It is heavily defended, by units of the Jade Legion, Black Helms, and an elite fang each from the 1st Imperial Legion, 2nd Imperial Legion, 3rd Imperial Legion, 6th Imperial Legion, and 9th Imperial Legion.

Kleinen Har – The Vault of Glass, a massive archaeological dig at the base of the Imperial Mountain. While work has taken place for centuries, and thus little of interest is thought to remain, it continues to offer up useful artifacts and discoveries. The site is currently secured by contingents from the Black Helms and 6th Imperial Legion.

Spider's Crossing – Small town along the Earth Dragon Road, one of many ‘wayside towns’ serving as rest stops for those making the journey along the road. The Precious Lamb Inn here is luxuriously appointed, fit for Dynastic guests.

Fort Midstream – 6th Legion fort along the Earth Dragon Road.

Palace of Three Crowns – A manse-estate controlled by House Ragara, granted to a primary school of the same name. Located outside any urban area (though a peasant village has arisen nearby to support it) the Palace is well regarded as an excellent school for children destined to be accountants or logisticians. It possesses spectacular views of the Imperial Mountain.

House of the Stone Stag – Manse and hunting lodge in the care of House Cathak.

Lodge of the White Eagle – Manse and hunting lodge in the care of House Cathak.

Rising Spire of Jupiter – Manse and retreat in the care of House Sesus, located on a mountain peak close to the Imperial Mountain. The manse produces the Opal of the Trusted Ear as its hearthstone.

Proud Lodge of Winter’s Warmth – Manse in the care of House Cathak, on a mountain slope just south of Juche, whose geomancy expends its essence in a wall of blue flame which surrounds it, making it visible for miles around.

Factory-Cathedral of the Exalted Battle Girded in Power and Fury – Massive factory complex on the eastern edge of Juche Prefecture.

Earth Dragon Road – Long road linking the Imperial City and Scarlet Prefecture with Juche city. It is expensive to maintain, but kept up by the wealth of Juche prefecture, and sees a great deal of regular use. The long thin stretch of Juche Prefecture which encompasses the Road is sometimes called the Great Tail.

High and Winding Spine of the Dragon - Road through the mountains, known as the Air Dragon Road, linking Juche with Lord's Crossing. The Road is defended by the Towers of Thunder fortress on the Lord's Crossing side of the prefectural border.

Underbridge - Village located beneath a massive First Age bridge which carries the Air Dragon road across the gap between two tall mountains.

Spring of Mountain Alders Vineyard - Vineyard located on the mountain slopes of Juche, with a growing reputation for producing quality wines matched for pairing with culinary dishes.

Golden Lake Teahouse - A teahouse on the Earth Dragon Road, a day's ride from the border with the Scarlet Prefecture, on the edge of Golden Lake Prefecture. While its rooms are appointed to receive poorer Dynasts and Patricians, even those expecting higher class accommodations are known to stop for an afternoon while traveling, as the Teahouse is known for fine tobacco and hookahs.