prologue.

Eastern Kingdom, 1689 - The Ascension

The late Emperor Yongle is laid to rest and his fourth son, Prince Dao acends the throne as Emperor Yongguang, his princess consort installed as Empress Yuan. His late princess consort was posthumously given the title of Empress Wen. In the first year of his reign, he abolished salic law and allowed his female descendants to join the order of succession. He also enforced absolute monarchy, reigning in power from court officials and influential eunuchs, taking back wealth from corrupt ministers and land from members of the imperial family, and designating state-owned land to be used for agriculture and silk production. He also regulated the units of measure and currency across the entire kingdom. Finally, he promoted education for all, regardless of social class and gender. Within the palace however, two factions of power were starting to form. Empress Yuan who feared that her son may not succeed his father and Noble Consort Wan who was loyal to the late Empress Wen were bitter rivals who knew that when it was time for their husband to pass, one could not live while the other survives. Consort Hui, the mother of princess Jingyi, was loyal to Empress Yuan while Consort Chun, the mother of princess Bitna, was good friends with the Lady Wan. Consort Shu chose to devote herself to Buddhism and stayed out of harem politics. 

Eastern Kingdom, 1693 - The Barbarian Invasion

War had ravaged the imperial treasury and the Emperor had to raise taxes just to cover war expenditure. This created a lot of unhappiness amongst the people and to placate them, the Empress cut palace spending until things improve. The Emperor signed a treaty with the leader of the Barbarian forces to end all fighting in exchange for an annual supply of food and coal every year. They asked for a princess to be sent to marry their chieftan and instead of sending one of his own daughters, the Emperor sent his youngest sister, Princess Yunnuo instead. 

Eastern Kingdom, 1700 - The Great Banquet

Emperor Yongguang has eight adult children, all waiting in the shadows, ready to succeed their aging father. After being sovereign for a decade, he is weary, tired and ready to name his successor. He has written three imperial wills thus far, the first he wrote in 1689, naming his son Yuqiang as heir apparent, out of grief for his late wife. The second, he wrote in 1693, naming his son  Xingyi after realizing their kingdom still needed a strong military leader, even going so far to arrange a marriage between him and the daughter of his best General. The final one he has is kept hidden in his study, the exact location of it only known to himself and his trusted chief eunuch. So what happens next in our tale? 

The first event will begin 27 December - 7 January (ic time: 1700 june - 1700 august). Please remember to inform the chief eunuch what your 1. marital status is, 2. all character details/relationships, and 3. how you will complete your dice roll assigned activity by the 27th (gmt -8). Good luck and have fun!