Nigiyakashufu

Nigiyakashufu is the heart and center of Kiba no Kuni, a bustling metropolis and trade center for many nearby countries. The heart and jewel of the city itself is Soutenkanchougai, or the Palace of the Emperor, located in the direct center. Sometimes called "Capital City" or "The Capital of the World" because it is an often used meeting point for various countries to discuss political disputes. The city's role as a world hub comes from its centralized location which allows many countries access to it without traveling across other borders.

Nigiyakashufu from the waste.

History

Nigiyakashufu was founded in the year 1063, long before the age of ninja was created. It was originally created as a fortress trade center for the continent as a way point between the land that would eventually become Hi no Kuni and Kaze no Kuni. Being the only way point and stopping point on trade routes between the two lands created a vacuum of wealth that quickly created a monarchy of wealthy traders. Over time this monarchy came to be the preceding force within the city and as they expanded their power become more and more cemented. Over the centuries the role of Nigiyakashufu has risen and fallen, changing from era to era, but it always was a meeting point for different civilizations for trade and politics.

In the year 1989 the monarchy was removed as the head of the government of Nigiyakashufu and was replaced with an oligarchy of representatives from different wards. The monarchy, which was a symbol of power and unity for the city, was kept as a constitutional monarchy that was more ceremonial in practice.

Soutenkanchougai after the Battle of Fang

In recent history the city was the seat of power forth the Kumogakure Empire outside of Rai no Kuni. The oligarchy did not fight when Kumogakure came to them, without a ninja force of their own they only benefited from the exchange. The Empire brought in new trade and revenue, it was merely another changing of an era for the millennium old city. In 2110 the Battle of Nigiyakashufu shook the city as resistance forces came against the Kumogakure Empire who had claimed the city as their seat of power. It was at this point that the oligarchy believed they may have made a mistake when allowing the Empire to take residence with them.

Economics

The city is a hub of trade, bringing in goods from the Eastern Ocean to be shipped further inland to countries without sea access. Because of its neutral stance in political disputes, central location, and relatively low taxation on goods, the city is used in one way or another by most known nations. Whether it is salts and silks from the sea or minerals and food from the north. The city makes its money mostly from the taxation and transportation of goods from other countries. Kiba no Kuni has some mining operations in their country that they export.

Transit

Access to the city is primarily done by foot and through wagon and road. There is a single railroad line that runs from the Sekitan no Kuni to Nigiyakashufu. Though normally only used for the transport of goods, it has been known from time to time to service travelers from one country to another.

Political Structure

Currently the city of Nigiyakashufu is ruled by an oligarchy of chairmen from each ward whom are elected to the role for life. The country has a monarchy as well, but it is more ceremonial in practice and has been removed from the political day to day of the city itself. The place where the six chairmen of each ward meet is called the "Seat of Governance". The Seat of Governance is responsible for the city of Nigiyakashufu as well as the Country of Fang.

In addition, there is a structure of national representatives that is separate from the Nigiyakashufu government but overshadows it because of its importance across the continent. The place where these ambassadors meet and discuss emerging issues is called the Chamber of Nations. Each country and even some important city states have representatives in the Chamber of Nations.

Structure

The city itself is arranged in three great circular walls, . The inner city is planned for defense, with the height of the buildings slowly growing as one moves further in; but the outer city has no such planning - the ghettos have sprung up and been demolished many times. The outermost wall is the lowest, at forty meters feet; the middle wall is seventy meters tall, and the inner wall is one hundred meters tall.

Soutenkanchougai

The Soutenkanchougai district is the central district of the entire city and entirely taken up by what is referred to as the "palace grounds" by many. The walls around the Soutenkanchougai are one hundred meters tall, the tallest of the three walls that make up the city limits. Soutenkanchougai is the most heavily guarded and richest area of the entire city holding not only the home of the constitutional monarchy, but the Seat of Governance, the Chamber of Nations, and the Eternal Cathedral. Aside the monarchy, there are no other permanent residential housings within Soutenkanchougai. The ambassadors for the Chamber of Nations are housed withing the palace as a courtesy while the chairmen of each district live within the Inner City.

Soutenkanchougai (Palace)

Soutenkanchougai palace grounds.

The palace of the constitutional monarchy which shares the name of the district takes up a majority of the district itself. Because of the sprawling nature of the palace and because it was originally the only buildings within the district causes many people to speak of the Soutenkanchougai as the "palace grounds" despite the other structures that have come to be within.

Seat of Governance

The Seat of Governance is where the chairmen of each district meet and set the laws that govern the city and country. From here is where all decisions made about Kiba no Kuni and Nigiyakashufu are made.

Chamber of Nations

The Chamber of Nations was a creation as part of the new governance. As part of the cities evolving role it became the seat of political discussion for all nations of the continent. Each nation sends ambassadors which stay in the city throughout most the year to discuss the happenings of the world. Though the Chamber of Nations only meets when necessary, one can always find the ambassadors wandering the city or living a well off life within the palace itself.

Aside the monarchy, the ambassadors of nations are the only people who live within Soutenkanchougai. They are housed within the palace itself as a courtesy extended by the monarchy.

Eternal Cathedral

The ancient and venerated home of the Daikomichi Clan. Constructed over 800 years ago, it still hosts the most influential clan in all of Fang, who are dedicated to the power of the Light. This Cathedral is one of the oldest standing buildings in the city, and the clan it holds is well respected.

Inner City

The Inner City is all which is contained between the second and third walls. The second wall which makes the bordered between the Inner and Outer Cities is 70 meters tall, structures to defend the Inner City if the Outer City were to fall. The Inner City is considerably better off than those in the Outer City, with much of the taxation and wealth that the city generates being spent to upkeep and clean the Inner City where those of influence live. This section of the city is also built to a more strict code, with buildings rising in height as they move inwards, making defense easier. The Inner City is broken into five wards, each of which has a chairman that represents its interests in the Seat of Governance within Soutenkanchougai.

Outer City

The Outer City is considered one giant ward and is considerably poorer than the Inner City. Though none of the citizens starve due to the work of the Gaien-kaicho, many of the residents do manual labor and jobs of less prestige than those within the Inner City.