Exotic Locations: The Four Towers of the Celestial Empire

Jie Du, Huk Du, Bai Du, Yin Du:
The Four Towers

The Four Towers guard the southern border of the Celestial Empire from the threat of the Neogi. Occupied by the valiant Nezumi Lords, they and thier subjects are embroiled in constant warfare.

The Four Towers are provinces commissioned by the Emperor to four seperate Nezumi clans. Each one is named for a color of importance of to the Emperor with symbolic meaning for that region. In return for defending the borderlands, the Empire sends magical weapons and other supplies to support them. Would be adventurers and mercenaries are encouraged to join them.

The Four Towers are desperate, martial lands. The rule of law is harsh but fair and living is rough. Once living in idyllic peace in these dense natural lands, the Nezumi were thrust into warfare since the Invasions. It was when the Neogi came that mice learned to kill.

The Ratlings are fast and hearty allies, with families living mostly in underground dens. They do not enjoy a real economy- the Imperial bureaucrats dole out the influx of supplies from the Northern lands. Everyone fights, no one of them quits. There are no farmers in the Four Towers, only warriors and those who further the craft of war.

Each Tower has a specialty in warcraft, training their best warriors in certain martial arts. Thier forces are supplemented by the auxilary, mercenaries and adventurers, and the occasional Imperial reinforcements.

Jie Du: The Jade Tower
The Jade Tower is commanded by Duke Ratattak of the Changya Clan. They specialize in breeding warmages and sorcerors. The Duke himself is a mighty sorceror, whose reknown is legend through the halls of the learned.

Huk Du: The Black Tower
Baron Qin of Zhongsun commands the Black Tower. An assasin from the coastlands, he eventually earned the position after liberating the land from his predeccessor who was controlled by the Neogi. The Black Tower specializes in espionage and guerilla warfare, keeping the Four Towers safe from spies and treachery. They are seperate from the Emperor's Guardians, who maintain responsibility for the whole empire.

Bai Du: The White Tower
The White Tower produces valiant Knights led by the Mistress of Blades, Katana Hidao. Since horses fear the Nezumi and they are easily dominated, they are not used. Instead, the White Tower produces the finest infantry in the Empire. Few can stand thier inexorable advance.

Yin Du: The Grey Tower
Duke Shu of Yin is master of the Grey Tower. The Grey Tower Nezumi are master builders, specializing in castles and siege weapons. The Yin built many of the grand fortresses of the Empire. In the Grey Tower provinces castles and secure villages are scattered across the landscape, controlling swathes of land. The Yin clan produces master strategists and siege engineers, valued throughout the Empire.