Editing Gloria-Etalia (section)

== Celestia Subcontinent ==

===The Wall of the World===
The Wall of the World is the mountian range deviding the Celestial Empire from the Westrasi nations. It is precipitous and nearly impassible to cross. However, there are in fact two passes of note.

The first is the route along the top of the cliffs where the mountains meet the sea. That route is narrow, but can be navigated by mule trains with care, and there is some trade between the Giants and the Empire, mostly of fine wine and brandy for silks. It is fortunate that both sides are peaceable. There are also several places where there are landslides hanging above the route, barely restrained by clever contrivances of rope ensorcelled to never rot, eternally ready to close this route permanently at the slightest threat of invasion.

The second is by the Pass of Yari. Also called Great Dragon Pass, this consists of a twisting route up a great col on the western side to a wall at the top of the pass, manned year round by the army of Leixi-Airoxia. There is then a narrow rope bridge from the gate in the wall across a sheer ravine over a mile deep to the other wall, guarded by Imperial forces. The walls are adorned by great designs of dragons in the style of the two sides (bearing in mind that neither side had an artist who had actually seen the overwhelming majesty of a real dragon). The route down on the other side to Yari is mostly along a long and narrow ridge. It is through the Pass of Yari that the Empire trades their tea for precious amber from the beaches of the Westrasi Sea and Saramese jade.

The exact manner by which the bridge over the great border ravine was made is uncertain, but it is surely the case that no invader could cross this way: a bit of fire, or some quick work with a knife, and the pass will be closed. By being so under threat, it can be viewed as *not* being a threat, and so safe to allow trade to happen that way.

=== Dou Qian - the Twin Mountain Cities ===
Races: 35% Oni, 47% Human, 9% Dwarf, 3% Elf, 6% Other
[[File:Duo Qian Dynasty.png|thumb|Duo Qian Dynasty]]
Government: Plutocracy

A city-state, Dou Qian is made up of twin cities dug into and out of, the northern mountains between the Celestial Empire to the south, the Windhell Valley to the west and the irradiated deserts to the north. Massive bridges of unmatched architecture connect the two mountain cities and the passes through these cities act as the only means of safe and practical travel through the mountains for trade and military purposes. The oni maintain their hold on the city through ruthless application of magic, strategic use of the terrain and their slave armies. Most of the population is made up of slaves and travelling merchants. The city’s banks are renowned for their security and discretion. Its slave markets are renowned for the variety of “goods” available.



Rule of the twin cities of Dou Qian is always held by a pair of Oni Twins. The elder twin is given Duo to rule while the younger is given Qian.

When reproductively compatible, tradition is they are to be wedded, with their firstborn set of twins to inherit the cities upon the death of one of their parents. 

In cases where the twins are not reproductively contemptible (as is the case now) the first twin to have children will have their spawn inherit the two cities upon the death of either of the current rulers.

====Duo-Fan and Qian-Ru====
The two current rulers of the twin cities, twin niece-children of twins Duo-Xan and Qian-Zed, are in fierce competition to see who can spawn heirs first. As Oni spawn very little young, this competition has gone on for some time.

====Second-Sword====
Second Sword is the bastard child of Duo-Fan.

The child of a Half-Elf, Half-Human slave, their race isn't why they are illegitimate (many Oni Rulers have been spawned from slaves). They are considered unworthy of inheritance and a true name because they were born with no twin, a degenerate weakness in Oni culture.

Second Sword's true parentage has been kept secret by forces in Duo, who wouldn't want an excuse for a conflict with Qian. They were mixed in amongst other slaves and given a slave name, eventually rising through the ranks of the Oni slave armies to become Second Sword.

Second Sword is the soldier assigned to oversee the cities slave, and they have become famous for over compensatory brutality on Oni chattel.