Pokemon

   Pokemon is a popular video which has spawned a manga, anime, collectible card games, and other video games series which is based around the idea of individual who use "Pocket Monsters" to dual. The series revolves around a young boy named Ash Ketchum and his quest to become a Pokemon Master. Along his journey he meets many friends, and seems to be an individual who was destined to play a significant role regarding pokemon. Not only has Ash made a name for himself as a Pokemon Master, he has saved the world a number of times.

The regions of the Pokemon World that have been introduced have heavy influences of Japanese culture, but different regions hint at other cultural inclusions from all over the real world of the 20th Century. Hoenn, Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, the Orange Islands, and Unova are example of regions that Ash has traveled to. The technology level is equivalent to our modern day, excepts with a little bit more tweaks in technology and social advances. Many regions balance ancient traditions and the modern life, and many live in peaceful cooperation with each other. However, that does not mean there are no shortage of antagonista. Several Mega-Corporations, Gangs, Ninja Clans, Mercenaries, Cults, etc can be found as villains in the series.

Pokemon have been found in several different worlds as well. One planet has a region named Orre which is a bit more advanced that the usual world. The other is a planet were no humans exist, only pokemon. It is also a known fact that several pokemon come from outer space such as Deoxys, Clefairy, Staryu, Lunatone, Solrock, Jirachi, and Elgyem. Clefairy and Elgyem are known to have space ships.

Snipets of the world ancient past reveal a lot of mystical elements to Pokemon. It is known that there is whole pantheon of Pokemon who act as spiritual guardian for the world. There are several major guardians whose power rivals gods. Likewise there are many minor ones that are city patrons or known to be patron of certain spheres. Many of these guardians are outsiders, and others seem to be related to the fey/spirits of the first world. 

Major Guardians
-Arceus is the creator of the Universe, and serving as is herald o time is Dialga, as his herald of entropy is Giratina, his herald of matter is Palkia.
-Rayquaza controls the skies, his heralds are Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus.
-Groudon controls the Land, and his herald is Ho-Oh who controls the weather on land, and his heralds are Entei, Raikou, and Suicune.
-Kygore controls the seas, and his herald is Lugia controls the weather of the seas, and his heralds are Articuno, Moltres, Zapdos.
-Regigigas is an ancient guardian, his underlings are Regice, Regirock, and Registeel who shaped the earth.

Minor Guardians
-Latias and Latios are patron guardians of Alto Mare 
-Azelf, Mesprit, and Uxie are the Lake Guardians of all consciousness.
-Darkrai is the lord of Nightmares.
-Cresselia is the lord of Dreams.
-Manaphy is the guardian of the seas.
-Kyurem, Zekrom, Reshiram are legendary guardians of Unova.
-An unnamed Alakazam, Gengar, and Jigglypuff were guardians of Pokemopolis. 

The ancient past also explored the mystical and elemental connections pokemon had. Psychic types seem to be sensitive to an enrgy called Aura. Certain individuals such as Sir Aaron of Rota was known to be a Guardian who worked in tandem with pokemon to channel these powers. Other learned they could harness the elemental powers of pokemon as well, and were known an Pokemon Magicians. Both Guardians and Magicians created many object some as old as 20,000 years that had the ability to control and capture pokemon. Items such as staves, orbs, runes, and chains were used. Eventually stone orbs and hollowed out apricorns were used, which are the ancient form of Pokeballs.  

Pokemon can be considered as constructs, fey, magical or psionic creatures, and outsiders. They are related to other mundane animals, but possess an awakened intelligence. People have classified pokemon under 17 differnt types (Normal, Fire, Water, Fighting, Flying, Grass, Electric, Poison, Ground, Psychic, Rock, Ice, Bug, Ghost, Dark, and Steel). These help people to better understand and use pokemon. Some pokemon also have a unique ability to alter their forms in a sort of evolution changing from a child, young adult, and adult stages. The process can work in either direction too! A far number of human are Pokemon Trainers, Breeders, Doctors, Professors, Connoisseurs, and tech designers.


There have been several attempts to convert the series into the D20 system, with various rules governing battling and a Bestiary of Pokemon. As of to date there are over 600+ pokemon with the number growing with expansion.

Asian Locations: World of Warcraft

   The island of Pandaria was once part of the super continent that broke off during the Sundering. The islands terrain is rather rocky, sporting numerous mountains and plateaus. The southern and eastern regions are home to dense jungles and thick forests. The Northern and central portions are dominated by two mountain ranges, between them are plains and valleys were the land is blessed for farming. The western regions though were heavily scarred by the Sundering leaving jagged isle that are hundred of feet above sea level. To the north of main island, a titan refuge was sparred destruction and became known as the Isle of Giants. This island lay partially within the mist, and is one of the only areas that were exposed to the outside world.

History
   The history of Pandaria echoes back to the time of the Titans and their wars with the Old Gods. The Watcher, Ra-den, put here created the Mogu. These servants of living stone, like other titan creations helped shaped the southern portions of Azeroth. Like so many others after the defeat of the Old Gods and the departure of Titans, the Curse of Flesh struck the Mogu. They soon became flesh and blood. Like the Earthen who became the dwarves, and other titan  creation who became giants, vrykul, and Tol'vir soon had to adjust to a mortal life. The Mogu took it upon themselves to use the knowledge and power of their creators to ensure their dominance. They soon began carving out empire for themselves in southern Azeroth.

   The founding of their land was built upon the backs of some of the younger races: Hozen, Pandaren, and Jinyu. These races were enslaved by the Mogu and forced to build their great cities across the land. Their biggest threat came from the northwest as the Aqir threatened their new kingdom. A group known as the Mantid sat just along their borders, and because of this one of the greatest structures post-Titan era was built: the Dragon's Spine. This wall served as a great blockade from the looming threat. Fortunately for the Mogu, the Aquir were pre-occupied with the Trolls. The Mogu ruled for years, and as their mastery grew they created new races to serve them. The Saurok were created by them to be their taskmasters, frightening lizard men. The Grummle came to be from a group of Troggs that tunneled to far into the Mogu Empire.

   After centuries of Mogu rule the Empire came to end with the Great Rebellion in 12,000 BDP. The peoples that the Mogu had enslaved rose up. The Mogu even called upon the Zandalari as their allies to fight, but they were overwhelmed. Soon they began rebuilding and for the next 2,000 years built up the Pandaren Empire. Leadership of the land changed hands between the three races, each contributing to ell being of the civilization. They even made contact with the Highborne in the north, enriching their respective cultures.
Sadly though the corruption of the Highborne and disrespect for the land soon drove a wedge between the nations. With a few years as one leader fell into decadence, the last Emperor of Pandaria ascended. Knowing a great calamity was to befall the nation, a powerful Hozen known as the Monkey King and the August Celestials encouraged the last Emperor Shaohao to purify himself. In doing so he sealed away the lingering powers of the Old Gods and protected the lands from the Great Sundering. As the world was thrown into chaos and turmoil, the ritual he used to spare his people and country also encompassed a portion of an Aqir stronghold holding the Mantid and tribes of Tauren known as the Yuangol.

   For the next 10,000 years Pandaria would be cut of from the rest of the world surrounded by a mystical barrier of mists. The Monkey King who had promised Shaohao that he would protect the land enacted a ritual which turned the remaining Mogu into Jade, which also trapped him. The only threat were the Saurok, who vowed vengeance all. It was within a few decades that one Pandaren would do the unthinkable. He would leave the island. This young Pandern named Lui Lang set of on a journey to see what befell the world after the Sundering. Soon every five years he came back, and this was becuase of his turtle Shen-zin Su. As the story goes, turtles can instinctively return to their place of birth which made perfect sense in bypassing the protective barrier. His stories encouraged other to come along with him. As they traveled Shin-zin Su grew and grew, and soon was big as a small island. With Lui's last visit to Panderia, he gathered supplies that would ensure the growth of a small community that would be built on the back of a Great Turtle. For centuries this was the only way people could travel to and from Panderia and wander the seas of the world, and as the turtle grew in age the visits became less and less frequent to its place of birth.

   Recently the biggest impact came in the form of the Cataclysm. Deathwing's rampage around Azeroth interfered with the effectiveness of the mists around Pandaria (Although it actually it may have been the death of Malygos since many ley lines were re-routed). The barrier no longer steered beings away in confusion, but allowed them to pass through. Most notably the first to pass were the Zandalari who fled the destruction of their homeland, and they began waking the Mogu. Worse the Alliance and Horde discovered the island by accident and brought their war with them. Somehow by fate Shin-zin Su, by extension would be discovered by the Alliance/Horde as an Alliance ship crashed into its shell.

Religion   Like others parts of the world, the races of Pandaria venerate the ancients. In particular they worship a group known as the August Celestials. These four are Chi Ji the Red Crane, Niuzao the Black Ox, Xuen the White Tiger, and Yu'lon the Jade Serpent. Although not an Ancient by right, those on the Wandering Isle give reverence to Shin-zin Su as well. Geomancer and Monks gather under these Ancients and learn their teachings.

The Jinyu however practice a unique form of faith. They claim that everyone is connected by water, and they can tap into the "Song". To them water hold deep secrets, gives life, and also can give death.

The last major faith is that of the Old Gods. The Mantid still hold reverence for Y'Shaarj, an Old God destroyed by the Titans. His essence was in fact scattered and became the Sha. A corruptive influence that can be magnified by emotion of Anger, Despair, Doubt, Fear, Hatred, and Violence.

Asian Locations: Romance of the Three Kingdoms & Dynasty Warriors

The Three Kingdoms period takes place at the end of the Han Dynasty. From 184 AD to 280 AD, China experiences a period of civil unrest as the the Imperial Court is weakened from both within as well as several powerful warlords and nobles that would eventually consolidate power as the Kingdoms of Shu, Wei, and Wu.

Trouble started early on with a number of rebellions, one of them growing from the Five Pecks of Rice rebellion decades earlier. The Yellow Turban Rebellion as it came to be known as, lasted from 184-215 AD. It was a religious movement and a response to the state's abuses of its' peasants and farmer class, as well as the corruption by the 10 Eunuchs within the court of Empress He. For some time, 189-199 AD 10 Eunuchs were known to abusive their stations of power. Both Noble to peasant were at the whims of these individuals and seemed to have the complete protection of Empress He. Internal struggles years earlier had caused the future Emperors Shao and and Xian to flee the court and go on the run.

Shao and Xian found an ally and protector under a northern Warlord known as Dong Zhou.
He used the two nobles to his own ends until a rebellion occurred within his own domain in which a band of Nobles rescued the future Emperors. With all this strife, the Han Dynasty began to fracture. A long period of battles occurred as the nobles started squabbling over areas. It didn't climax until 208 when the division of Three Kingdoms began. The Kingdom of Wei to the North who held the last Emperor of the Han Dynasty, the Kingdom of Shu to the east who managed to have held the Imperial Seal, and the Kingdom of Wu to the West.

This period of the The Three Kingdoms is a popular setting for several video game franchises. Koei has capitalized on this with its game series "Romance of the Three Kingdoms" and "Dynasty Warriors". In both of these series you play out one of the three major faction who attempt to unify China. This historical period makes a wonderful RPG setting as their is much battlefield action and political intrigue going on.

Asian Locations: 7th Sea

On the world of Theah, in the far east several Asian nations exist. They are located along Ussura's eastern coast, separated by the are behind a natural border of the Eastern Great River which connects the Mirror Sea with the eastern ocean known as "Corridors of Flames". Furthermore, the Corridors of Flame and the Great River are itself part of the Wall of Fire.

Cathay is one of the earliest civilization on Theah, and influenced the development of the Crescent Empire and had frequent contact with Ussura. Although around 760 AV, a massive wall of flames appeared along the great river that separated Cathay from Ussura. These magical flames trapped some of the natives of Cathay outside their homelands. Most attempted to return across the Mirror Sea, but any travel was harsh.

Cathay is unusual as an Asian location, as it incorporates the peoples from the middle east as well. The nations of Tashil and Tiakhar are reminiscent of India and Sir Lanka. Although these are not true Asian locations, they are mentioned since they pay tribute to Han Hua.

Cathay is made up of several nations, some of them mirror many cultures of Earth. Each nation owes allegiance to the nation of Han Hua, who has collectively kept Cathay together over the centuries. Although there have been internal conflicts, Han Hua has maintained peace over the centuries and its' rulers are responsible of creation of the Wall of Fire.

Han Hua
The largest nation of Cathay, is currently ruled by the Celestial Empress Wu Shang Fon. The nation is much like China. It's people are lucky to live in area of great fertile plains and sweeping forests, feed by the Huang He river. Much of the land is used to feed the many citizens of the Empire. It also boasts rich fishing villages and maintains a large supply of ships since it touches both the Mirror Sea and the Corridors of Flame. Although many have not sailed beyond the flames, they ship are used to sail to the southern nations as needed.
Han Hua is one of the most influential centers of Cathy. 

Khimal
The northernmost point of Cathay is home to some of the highest mountains in the world.
Here the kingdom is ruled by their spiritual leader, High Lama Kunchan Choden. The people of Khimal are similar to that of Tibet and Nepal.

Koryo
This kingdom is located in the forested areas between Khimal and Xian Bei. It's ruler is
King Kyu Hwang Bae. The people and lands here are similar to that of ancient Korea.

Xian Bei
These plains and deserts are home to the horselands, and is found north of Han Hua. The people and cultures here are similar to that of Mongolia. Before the Wall of Fire sprang, the Xian Bei were some of the first people to explore the western half of Theah. Many of their tribe were left to wander Ussura and Crescent Empire after the Wall of Flame was erected. Even within Cathay, Xian Bei has proven a tough nation to tame. Their current ruler is Khan Dalan-Tai.

Lanna
The small nation of south of Han Hua, is ruled by King Suraphand and Queen Vidura. The nation was once one of the largest explorers, sailing as far as the Crescent Empire. Their lands are filled with rain forests, feed by two great rivers from the mountain to the south.They are reminiscent of ancient Siam.

Tashil and the Island nation of Tiakhar are located at the tip of southern Cathay.
As described, the people and cultures of this land are very similar to that of India and will be covered in another article.

Asian Locations: Domains of Dread

Ravenloft is the Domain of Dread, where hundreds of people have been taken from various cultures. The realm is filled with many Gothic Horror elements from various cultures, and over the years some Asian influences have appeared as Island of Terrors. Likewise a on a Gothic Earth, where the dark Powers have influenced history, an Asian theme supplement was also planned.

I'cath has been identified as an island of terror. It is a small forested domain in which travelers usually find themselves lost. The weather is usually heavy with thunderclouds, threatening a storm. As they wander some of the travelers encountered Chinese-like small mansions, inns, or beautiful tea shops often run by beautiful women. Travelers who stay at such places may find companions missing, structures disappeared, or worse decrepit structures.
The Truth behind this is the forest is cursed. On the world of Toril, a powerful sorceress known as Tsien Chiang from Kara-Tur and her daughters were taken by the Dark Powers for murdering one of their own. Tsien Chiang has a hatred of men, one which she passed on to all but one of her daughters. She had used her daughters beauty and charms to lure many men to their deaths and drain them for her own personal gain. Yet, her daughter Nightingale was appalled by her mother's plan. When she and her lover failed to stop her sister's and mother, Nightingale was killed. I'cath and her daughters continue to prey on travelers lost within their domain, and Nightingale resurrected does her best to be an obedient daughter by luring the wicked and letting the pure of heart go free.

The second such site is a larger domain found on a raised island chain in the Poisonous Sea. These island are known as Rokushima Taiyoo and are ruled by the Shujin, the son of Shinpi Haki a great Warlord who ruled over these islands. He was a ruthless and cunning warlord that tamed the islands by any means necessary. When Shinpi Haki died, his began fighting for control of the lands. It was then that the mists rolled in and a great earthquake happened. When the mists cleared the entire chain of islands were raised above the sea. It was soon discovered that the surrounding seas were toxic in nature, and that they were cut off from the rest of the world. Soon each brother began blaming one another and each went to war with each other. When one of the brothers fell in death, their island was pulled down into the sea. The island chains again experienced another great earthquake and adjusted itself. The people here a very Japanese like, during the feudal era. They are distrustful of outsiders, as it boggles them how some could have traversed the poisonous sea or managed to climb the deadly cliffs.
Like other domains, the truth of this curse is hidden. Shinpi Haki was a ruthless warlord who was without mercy or honor. He seized control of these islands. His only pride and joy were his children and the legacy that would live in. When he died, the Dark Powers confronted him, but Shinpi Haki was a stubborn should who accepted his fate for the life he lead and had no remorse. So the only way the Dark Powers could torture him was through his family. He children had learned and followed in their father's footsteps. They instigated the feuds between the brothers, and let them tear Shinpi Haki's legacy apart. Helpless to warn his children of save his legacy.

The last area of Ravenloft was to be Gothic Earth, and focusing on who the Dark Powers influenced parts of Asia. Dr. Fu Manchu was known as one of the agents of the Dark Powers, and his organization spread corruption and terror of the Asian Continent.

Asian Locations: Mystara

Mystara is the oldest of the D&D Worlds. However, when it comes to an Oriental settings, Mystara provides few areas and what is provided the information is very scarce (except for the Ethengar). Mystara has showcased many cultures and themes, along with Pacific Islanders as well. Although many ancient and extinct cultures can be found in the hollow world, it is strangely absent. 

The first introduction of can be found with the Ethengar Khanate. It is located in the eastern grasslands of the continent of Brun. It is bordered by a ring of mountains, in which the nations of Glantari, Wendar, and Rockhome lie. It does however stretch to the Western Sea of Dawn. The people here a very reminiscent of the Mongolians, and follow the same lifestyle and much of the people are scattered in a various collection of tribes. Currently these tribes have banded together under a Great Khan. Long ago most of the people where enslaved by various humanoid hordes, but when the Great Rain of Fire occurred it poisoned the land and killed many. The humanoids abandoned their slaves and retreated to safety of the mountains. The remaining humans eventually formed the Ethengar peoples.

The second area is a mixture of oriental cultures. The island kingdom of Ochalea is a combination of various oriental cultures mixed in with the Alphatian.The island nation lies south of the Isle of Dawn. Ochalea itself has a mixture of temperate forest and jungles, broken up by several small mountains chains. The land itself is one of the few areas of the world that are free from monsters and monstrous humanoids.
Long ago Ochalea was a tributary kingdom, but gained it's independence. The people here have rigid tradition, and strong concepts of family and duty. Because of the Alphatians, they have a strong distrust of arcane magic. Ochaleans are similar to mainland Asians (Chinese to Siamese) and their culture is a blend of all this.

Lastly on one of the moons, Patera, there is a kingdom known a Myoshima. This kindgom remains hidden behind a magical shield which keeps it safe and invisible. Here Rakastas (Feline Humanoids) live in a fashion similar to that of the japanese. Only a few beings from Mystara have visited Myoshima, but all information about the empire comes from the few Rakasta that have befriended some individuals. From these encounters with their warriors, these beings wield katanas and dress in similar fashion to samurai.

Asian Locations: Oerth

One of the oldest campaign settings is Greyhawk, also known as the Oerth. Far to the west of the Flanaess lies two countries with cultures found in Asia. However these area have never been fully fleshed out. and much of the information comes from scattered adventures found within the original Oriental Adventures lines, the novels based upon Gord the Rogue, and what information was planned from the revival of Greyhawk.

The first to be encountered is the island kingdom of Nippon located just south of the Sea of Dust within the Pearl Sea. The land if Nippon is very similar to the feudal era of japan, and is a default location for the "1st Edition" Oriental Adventures book. Not many details were given about Nippon, and was largely left open for DM's and Player's to create. Likewise the Nippon have also expanded onto the mainland along the Peninsula, claiming an area known as the Geitsakuru Dominion, just south of Zindia and east of Erypt.

The second area lies directly west and past the kingdom of Zindia, north of Erypt, and situated between the Baklhaut and Dragonspine Mountains.The Celestial Imperium, also known as the Celestial Kingdom of Shaofeng "Sufang" is a large Chinese like empire made up of various smaller kingdoms. Their southern region is bordered by the Celestial Sea which separates them from Erypt. To their north the lands are harsh and cold, and ruled over by various barbarian tribes. Not only do they have to contend with the Mongol like tribes, but also with hords of Gnoll found near the Dragonspine Mountains and the hordes of Orcs from Darak Urtang near the Baklhaut Mountains. It is largely due to the orcish hordes, that the Great Wall of Tsian was built to stop these northern invaders.

It is believed that Shaofeng consists of the land of the Imperial Court ; to the east the Kindgoms of Tsian, Szian, and Tzong ; the Myrchang border kingdom near Zindia; Zhang-kiri border kingdom near Farak Utang ; Zhatana-kiri border kingdom near Erypt ; and the lands of Khanate's Nweng, Nwong, and Nwang along the Dragonspine Mountains.

Asian Locations: Dragonlance

On the world of Krynn "Dragonlance", there are no major Asian cultures found.However, a variant of the Mongolians can be found on the continent of Taladas. In Northern Hosk, among the Tamire.... there miles and miles of plains and steppe, broken up every once in awhile by mountain ranges that ring the Great Sea of Fire.
These people are wild and live off the land, a far different cry from most civilized Asian locations.

   It is here that five tribes of people live their life with the land. The Uigan are the dominant Horselords controlling much of the Tamire. The two smaller tribes, the Purgi and Pureshk, live as allies to the Uigan.
To the far north, another tribe of fierce warrior known as the Kazar, a migratory people that spend there time among the borders of the Panak Desert and Il-quars during the seasonal months of summer and winter.
High in the mountain are the Alan-atu, a herding society that has little contact with the people of the Steppe.

   The Uigan biggest rivals on the Steppes come from the Tamire Elves.Ulike the most known elves of Krynn, the Tamire behave in a very similar lifestyle to that of the Uigan and are fierce warriors. Even the Kagonesti would have trouble with identifying with them, since the cultures are so different. The Tamire and divided up into various tribes, each identified by a Spirit Totem (ex. Horse Clan, Tiger Clan, Wolf Clan).

The people of the northern steppe worship the same gods as most of Krynn. However, these deities are known by different names here. Chislev is called Jijin, Kiri-Jolith is called Qu'an the Warrior, Mishakal  is called Mislaxa, Nuitari is called Ne'Ugiar, Solinari is called Toyaqual, and Takhisis called Erestem. Both shamans and priest respect these powerful beings, but as they have remained silent since the cataclysm most are venerated out of tradition more than anything else.

Asian Locations: Forgotten Realms

On the world of Toril, the eastern side of the main continent is home to a large Asian population. It's representation of the east is found in kingdoms of Kara-Tur (Mainland Asia), the Plains of the Horselords (Mongolian Steppe), Tabot (Tibet),Ra-Khati (Nepal), Koryo (Korea), Laothan (Laos/Cambodia), Petan (Vietnam), Kuong (Siam), and the Island Nation of Koza-Kura and Wa (Japan). TSR has released a two box sets (Kara-Tur and The Horde) that have attempted to inject a healthy sense of an Asian Campaign setting for play. Various adventure modules have been created, but were not as popular as the core western settings. It even has some greater connection to the Spelljammer Campaign Setting as both Wa and Shou Lung have managed to position themselves in the Fantasy Space of the Forgotten Realms.

Chinese Flavor....
Kara-tur mimics mainland China, but separated into two kingdoms of Shou Lung (North) and T'u Lung (South). Like china it is home to a myriad of ethnic human cultures as well as some fantasy races.
All the court intrigues and wars are found here, as their is much tension between the Shou Lung, and within the Kingdoms that make up T'u Lung. The Shou Empire was first founded by Nung Fu, who received a divine mandate from Heaven, and was the  first Emperor of the Li Dynasty. Since that time there have been several other Dynasties...ending with the Kuo Dynasty which was briefly taken over by the Tuigen of the Hordelands.
T'u Lung, in the south, broke away from the Shou Empire during the Lui Dynasty. Since then the country has been in constant conflict with the Shou and with each other. Each of the six provinces fight amongst themselves. Although currently overseen by the Empress, theses petty kings have sights on each other and the  Throne.  The Celestial Bureaucracy (Chinese Pantheon) is worshiped by many, and representation of some of the more popular philosophies are also found here.

The Hordelands are lime Mongolia... comprised of a vast steppe and desert that separate Kara-tur from Faerun. The Tuigen are skilled riders and feared by many as great warriors. 
Tabot, similar to Tibet,  is found high in the southwest mountains, and is a nation overseen by monks and the Master of Oceans. it is a spiritual nation and lies along the borders of Malatra and Zakhara.
Ra-Khati is a small valley nation, similar to Nepal found north of Tabot and close to the Hordelands. It isolate itself from the rest of the world.

Japanese Flavor....
The Islands of Wa and Koza-kura inject variations of imperial and feudal japan. Wa is very similar to Japan during the Edo period, where the Shogun hold true power and the Emperor is just an icon. Wa tends to be an isolationist country, although it has had it fair share of blows with the nation of Shou Lung during the Omi Wars. For a while it was a vassal state of Shou...as the Shou invaded Wa due to acts of piracy. An invasion from the Hordelands, and the untimely civil war within the Empire of Shou Lung (Lui Dynasty)  lead Wa to become and independent nation once again.

To the east of Wa, the island of Koza-kura relfects Japan during the Warring States period. Many Fuedal lords and their Samurai fight amongst themselves in a bid for territory and resources. Many wandering Ronin can be found here. Like Wa the Yakuza has a strong presence. The only main difference is that the Korobokura (asian dwarf) were native and treated as lower class citizens by the populace.

Korean Flavor...
Not much is known about Koryo....but it is an analog of Korea.

Other Asian tastes....
Lastly it is believed that Laothan (Laos/Cambodia), Petan (Vietnam), and Kuong (Siam) fill in the gap for the rest of the Asian cultures found in the realms. Supplemental information on these place are far in few in between but you can always fill thins in!

Avatar the Last Airbender

One of my favorite cartoon series aired on Nickelodeon was Avatar the Last Airbender. The series takes place in a world that is dominated by eastern cultures; namely the Chinese represented by the Earth Kingdom, the Japanese and Meso-Americans represented by the Fire Nation, the Tibetans and India by the air Nation, and the Inuit (Eskimos) and Pacific Islanders by the Water Tribes.

Each tribe is also closely in tune with an element, and certain individuals have the power to bend the elements. These individuals are called benders, and there is one for each element. Practitioners have also managed to create special techniques that have allowed them to perform feats such as metal, crystal, sand, lightning, plant, and blood bending. In order to ensure peace and spiritual balance on this world, the gods imbued an individual known as the Avatar with the power of the four elements. It is the avatar's duty to keep the world in balance, both between the people and world of the spirits.

The Avatar has been re-incarnated throughout the centuries, and within each life time is a strongly aligned to one of the four elements (water, earth, fire, or air). The current Avatar is a young boy named Ang of the Air nation. Previously Avatar Roku failed to stop his brother, who was ruler of the Fire Nation, into starting a war with the rest of the world. Thus the reason for the current state of things.

Since the Fire Nation has been left unchecked it has began a campaign to dominate the world. There first order of business was to destroy the Air Nation, for it was known that the next Avatar would be born unto them. From there they attack the Southern Water Tribe and the Earth Kingdom. The Earth Kingdom was a large nation and the only competition they had. However, the Earth Kingdom managed to fend off many of the attack and only losing a number of outlying settlements to the Fire Nation. forces.

Dragon Fist

Well just before the announcement of 3E, a free campaign setting was released by WotC call Dragon Fist.
It was a nod to the old Oriental Adventurers line, but concerning a more Chinese based theme rather than Japanese. We finally had a campaign world in which matched many of the kung fu and wuxia films that were being released.

Dragon Fist takes place in the lands of Tianguo, and its' nine provinces.The Kingdom is ruled by Emperor Jianmin, who is secretly in league with a demon who has helped the emperor exceed his lifespan. The Emperor know live out of the natural order, but is protected by scores of bureaucrats and demons who have their own interests for keeping him on the throne. The nine provinces deal with their own issues, from cults and bandits preying up its citizens, imbalances within the spirit world, and provincial political intrigue as bureaucrats and merchants try to climb the social-political ladders of the kingdom.

Legend of the Five Rings

The World of Ningen-Do is centered around the lands of Rokugan, a place which is very much like the feudal ere of Japan. Adapted from a AEG's CTG, it soon became a popular RPG. In this world it is believe that the great gods, the Sun and the Moon had divine children. The Moon being jealous of his progeny ate them. It wasn't until centuries later when the gods broke free and fell to earth. Most of the gods when they fell to earth became immortals being that lead many of the humans together and founded the Empire of Rokugan. However, their brother Fe Lung fell far to the south and into the realm of Yomi. Their the evil corrupted him and made him into a dark god. For the next couple of centuries it would be Fu Leng mission to destroy he lands that his brother and sisters created.

On the same continent, a number of other cultures exist as well. To the southwest past the Shadowlands, the Ivory Kingdoms hold sway (India), to the west the great desert kingdoms of the Burnings Sand, and farther still the ancient empire of Senpet (Egypt) To the north, the Yobanjin barbarians (the original inhabitants of Rokugan), and far west lies Imperial Yodatai (Rome). Contact with a continent to the east has been made, where the nations of  Merenae and Thane can be found  (Europe).