Overview

Kamiato is an archipelago of ancient legends, hidden wonders, and simmering conflicts. These lands beckon rōnin (adventurers) seeking fame, fortune, glory, and discovery. Its islands, each with their own unique histories, cultures, adventures, and mysteries, are scattered across the vast expanse of the ocean, and curl around the great Dragon Sea. Kamiato's name whispers of its origins, a place where the kami once walked among mortals. Shrines and temples dot the landscape, symbols of their legacy. The spirits and rich mythology of Kamiato permeate everyday life, from minor acts of worship and dedication, to grand festivals and offerings that seek the kami's blessings.

The Rōnin of Kamiato

As the archipelago's beauty is marred by war, intrigue, and conflict, a new class of adventurers, known as rōnin, have emerged. Some of these rōnin serve the warring clans, seeking to carve a name for themselves into the land with the blood of their enemies. Others serve the various factions and organizations throughout the archipelago.

These factions have many differing purposes and goals. The Kenkyūsha Association delves into the archipelago's forgotten history, seeking knowledge of lost civilizations and ancient magic. Meanwhile, the College of Hanabi seeks to expand their knowledge and uncover the land's secrets for the purposes of technological advancement. The Shōnin Alliance, a conglomeration of the growing merchant class in Kamiato seeks to grow both their coffers and their influence. The Tri-Commission of Hinode works to maintain the stability of the empire. With the Keizai Commission managing administrative duties, the Keisatsu Commission enforcing its laws, and the Jisha Commission, seeking to maintain the delicate balance between the mortal and the spiritual realms. The Araihibana Syndicate thrives off the chaos of Hinode's Civil War, amassing wealth and influence through a variety of illegal activities. Many more factions and organizations vie for power, or seek to better the lives of Kamiato's people, and the rōnin will contribute to these factions' successes, or their downfalls.

A Diverse Landscape

From the turquoise waters of the Dragon Sea, lapping at the sandy shores of the Dragon Isles, to the desolate Oboro Wastes clouded with ash, Kamiato boasts a wide range of geographical features, climates, and biomes. The largest and centermost island of the Kamiato archipelago is known as the Imperial Heart. Its Heartland encompasses lush rice paddies, fertile plains, and snow-capped mountains. The primeval Spiritwood, abundant with magical and mundane life, stretches across its center. The Iron Fangs, a mountainous, volcanic territory along the eastern side of the Imperial Heart is a rocky and harsh landscape shrouded by clouds of ash belched from its rumbling volcanoes. Stretching across the southern seaboard, extending off of the Iron Fangs is the chain of islands known as the Dragon Isles, buffeted with balmy sea breezes. To the north, the mysterious island chain known as the Isles of Mist features swampy lowlands, bamboo groves, hidden valleys, and treacherous mountains. Here, the border with the spirit world wears thin. And finally, in the northwesternmost part of the archipelago is the miasmic Oboro Wastes, from which the river of the underworld flows.

Home to Many Peoples

The Kamiato archipelago is home to many different creatures, both mundane and supernatural. From yōkai to kaiju, and the many other spirits that inhabit the landscape. Certain beings, those born from the dieties that once walking the lands themselves, have developed civilizations and settled throughout the islands. The ever ambitious humans make up the majority of the mighty kingdoms and empires of the Heartland. The elves, otherworldly beings, thrive in the Spiritwood, working together with the awakened primates known as the masaru, and the rugged hill dwarves that dwell in the nearby foothills. The mountain dwarves toil in the the Iron Fangs in quiet rebellion against the oppressive Shogunate of Steel. Fearsome orcs rule the Dragon Sea in massive, kaiju-headed warships, while the ryūson, descended from the Dragon God Ryūjin, rule over the coastal city-states across the Dragon Isles. The nimble and oft-disregarded halflings live in all sorts of places. The reclusive and ancient lion turtles live in conclaves hidden deep within the Isles of Mist. And the ogres, a people nearing the brink of extinction, cling to all that they have left or wander the archipelago in search of a way to undo the curse that has befallen their people.

Not sure where to start?

Look to the site's content map below and pick anything of interest! The Ancestries pages covers the major intelligent (and playable) beings that make up the majority of Kamiato's inhabitants. Scour the Geography pages to get an idea of the archipelago's geography and climate, while the Societies pages introduce its settlements and the different civilizations that call it home.

For those interested in delving a little deeper into the Kamiato archipelago, seek the History, Culture, and Religion pages. They do not delve too deeply into these topics, but they attempt to cover the broad strokes of knowledge that most of Kamiato's inhabitants are aware of.

In the Mechanics sections, learn about the new equipments, backgrounds, feats, and spells available to characters in Kamiato. Finally, see the Tools sections for a guided tour through Character Creation, and resources such as name generators and more.