The November Edition - Taksan Upgrade

In the past week I've rewritten the Taksan nation description for Stone, Steel, and Steam. Before I start giving the same makeover to the other seven nations, I'd like your feedback. Better? Worse? Too much? Too little? (Yes, there's plenty more where that came from.)

Land and Climate (Old)
The Taksan Republic occupies the southeastern section of Peradiga. The land is mostly made up of broad coastal plains punctuated by scattered belts of short yet rugged uplands, lush hill country, and three major river valleys. The Remmi Mountains form the western border with its former provinces, and the Aadu River to the north separates it from Granarctia. The region is mostly very humid and ranges from subtropical in the south to cool temperate in the north. Because of long habitation, there is very little wilderness or old growth forest, and even in rural areas it is hard to get more than a few hours' walk from the nearest village.

Land and Climate (New)
The Taksan Republic occupies a large part of southeastern Peradiga. Most of the population dwells in huge, soot-choked cities along the coastal plains and three major river valleys. Though many of the urban centers were destroyed and then rebuilt in the last two centuries with broad avenues, tree-lined plazas and modern utilities, residential and industrial areas remain densely packed and unhealthy.

The countryside between cities is mostly cultivated farmland punctuated by small villages and scattered belts of rugged uplands and wooded hill country. There is little true wilderness or old-growth forest left, and even in the remote Remmi Mountains that form Taksan's western border, one is rarely more than half a day's walk from the nearest habitation.

Taksan's climate ranges from humid subtropical in the south to cool temperate in the north.

Dress and Appearance (Old)
Taksans are somewhat racially diverse, owing to the old empire's extensiveness. They are neither tall nor short, light nor dark, with bronze, gold, red, and olive skin tones. Both men and women wear their hair short and men usually don't wear beards. Citizens usually wear simple, durable uniforms of tunic and trousers and broad-brimmed hats on all but the most special occasions.

Dress and Appearance (New)
Taksans prefer simple, durable uniforms of trousers and tunics for everyday wear. Most sport several large pockets and are dyed solid, dark neutral colors and earth tones. Various styles of broad-brimmed hats are popular accessories. Most people own an elegant robe or gown of fine material for formal occasions and holidays.

Both men and women typically wear their hair short, and men seldom wear beards. Tattoos, jewelry, and even makeup are very uncommon.

There is a fair amount of racial diversity in Taksan due to the old empire's extensiveness. Most Taksans are of medium build and short-to-medium height, and while they are neither dark nor light they manifest several skin tones, eye colors, and hair colors.

Early History (Old)
Taksan is one of the oldest surviving civilizations and its recorded history stretches back more than 1500 years, when the Taksan Empire formed and eventually conquered over two-thirds of the Perdadigan continent. The old Empire was ruled by a dynasty of sorcerers, but when the excesses of the ruling class led to the breakup of the Empire, it was revealed that most of their magical power was nothing more than paper tigers. After a bloody revolution 200 years ago, the Republic has waned in power relative to its neighbors but still retains much of its former prestige and prosperity.

Early History (New)
Taksan is one of the oldest surviving civilizations in the known world and boasts a recorded history dating back over 1500 years. Their traditional foundation story deals with the young concubine to and early Taksan king. Fearing that her son would be killed as a threat to the queen's offspring, she fled into the wilderness and was taken in by a barbarian tribe. She taught them metalwork, agriculture, writing, and sorcery and her son was raised as a warrior prince. Twenty years later he returned to his ancestral homeland with the barbarian horde at his back, took his father's throne by force, and founded the first dynasty of the Taksan Empire.

The Empire eventually conquered almost two-thirds of Peradiga, integrating several smaller cultures into their civilization. There were a few periods of civil strife, provincial unrest, and dynastic upheaval, but for the most part the Empire was continuously victorious and prosperous. The Imperial family ruled with an iron fist, keeping the populace in line through fear of their sorcerous power. Then, 346 years ago, a series of military defeats against the Granarctians shattered public confidence in the omniscience of the aristocracy. Provinces seceded, the military rebelled, and the ruling class was increasingly shown to be incapable of maintaining order, their occult power largely illusory. Events culminated in a bloody seven-year revolution 214 years ago that established Taksan as a republican meritocracy.

Recent Events (Old)
Thirty years ago, Taksan 'accidentally' acquired a colonial province. Private trading corporations had set up a colony and a few trading posts in Aralei and came under attack because of some misunderstanding. The colonists managed to hole up until the army was able to evacuate the survivors, but in breaking the siege the Taksans delivered such an overpowering defeat that the assembled Araleans surrendered unconditionally. Not fully understanding Aralean rules of warfare, the commanding officer unintentionally bound the entire Aralean Empire in an oath of peace and secured a sizable territory as 'tribute.' The whole situation is highly embarrassing and the Republic has refused to take over administration of the province, leaving it as a semi-autonomous 'Free Territory' which has attracted adventurers and entrepreneurs from all parts of the world.

Recent Events (New)
With the discovery of Etanù, thousands of Taksans have emigrated to escape the cramped conditions of their cities. At first, colonists purchased land from the Araleans with manufactured goods, and prospects for peaceful trade and coexistence seemed good. However, fearing that a growing number of colonists would overwhelm them, the Araleans began attacking and razing Taksan settlements. The Taksan military was sent in to the area to evacuate the colonists, with devastating results. With their camelines and firearms, they completely overpowered the Araleans and, pressing their advantage, captured the fortress-city of Iyakul. The commanding general brokered an unequal treaty with the Araleans but without the Taksan government's permission.

The resulting 'accidental' colony is a subject of great consternation. The Taksan government cannot install a governor or send troops to defend it without tacitly condoning the the general's actions and damaging future Taksan-Aralean relations. The colony exists in bureaucratic and diplomatic limbo, with the now-exiled general as de facto governor. The 'Taksan Free Territory,' as it is now called, has become a magnet for entrepreneurs, explorers, adventurers, refugees, mercenaries, misfits, and malcontents from all over the world.

Trade and Technology (Old)
Taksans have the highest technology and average standard of living in the world, with a large middle class and tremendous industrial capabilities. Their own resources are barely enough to sustain their own population, so they import foodstuffs and raw materials and export high quality manufactured goods.

Trade and Technology (New)
For much of their history, Taksan has been the wealthiest and most advanced nation in Peradiga. Since the collapse of the Empire, some of that prestige has been diminished, but the citizens of the Republic still enjoy a high standard of living and every modern convenience.

Taksan is very agriculturally productive, but it would be a struggle to feed their immense population without constant imports of foodstuffs. The nation also has substantial mineral and fossil fuel reserves, though many mines have been played out and their industrial economy requires continual imports of metals and coal. The workshops and factories of Taksan export manufactured goods of every variety, from nuts and bolts to steam locomotives. Taksan manufactured goods meet the highest standards of craftsmanship and are sought after for their high durability and performance.

Taksan maintains a generally positive balance of trade with Granarctia, its former provinces, and the Free Territory. Trade relations with Aralei are somewhat strained because of their recent conflict and because Taksan tightly restricts exports of technology with obvious military applications, or that could threaten their near-monopoly on industrial manufacturing.

Weapons and Warfare (Old)
The Taksan military's pride is their infantry. They have specialized units of light cavalry, artillery and engineering support, heavy shock troops, and a small navy, but the regular infantry is as well trained, equipped and funded as any other division, and the core of all Taksan strategy. Taksans do not have a strong tradition of personal dueling, and civilians do not usually own weapons.

Weapons and Warfare (New)
Taksan has a large, strong, professional military. The military is made up of volunteers and is considered a normal profession; the military is also responsible for domestic law enforcement, public works, and civil engineering. The bulk of their forces are foot soldiers trained to use bayonet and rifle on the battlefield or revolving pistols when assigned to urban patrols. They also carry machete-like 'knives' for use as camp tools in the field and only used as a weapon of last resort, though urban patrol soldiers will use it in its leather sheath as a club to subdue criminals without killing them.

The military has small, specialized corps of light and heavy cavalry, artillery, and engineers, who are also responsible for the navy. Commanders can ascend from any of the divisions.

Most individual Taksans believe strongly in the rule of law and the ability of the military police to resolve conflicts professionally. Therefore, unless they have a military background, most Taksans don't have combat training or carry personal weapons. Taksan expatriates in the Free Territory, however, are learning that they must often resort to protecting themselves and taking justice into their own hands.

Politics and Relations (Old)
The Taksan military is also responsible for domestic law enforcement and criminal justice. It is balanced by a civilian bureaucracy, and each has checks and controls on the other's operation. The Imperial family still exists in a symbolic role and can arbitrate disputes between the High Council and the Generals' Board, though how they remain neutral, or even how they survived the Revolution, is somewhat of a mystery.

Politics and Relations (New)
The Taksan Republic is governed by an elected deliberative body called the High Council which has executive, legislative and judicial powers relating to civil law. One councilor from the majority party is appointed Prime Minister. Most positions in the civil bureaucracy are either directly elected or appointed by the High Council and ratified by popular vote.

The military forms a separate branch of government with executive, legislative, and judicial powers relating to criminal law and national defense. The Board of Generals forms the highest military court. Their members are not elected, but promoted from within the military, though those promotions must be ratified by the civilian High Council. The High Council controls the military's budget and promotions, but the military can dissolve the Council and force a new election.

The Imperial family still exists and the current empress acts as head of state for some ceremonial functions. Members of the Imperial family are appointed to positions at all levels of the bureaucracy and serve as 'tie-breakers' to resolve jurisdictional disputes between the civilian and military bureaucracies and hear appeals from the general populace.

The Republic's relations with its neighbors are somewhat strained. Granarctia is its chief rival, and though they have shared an uneasy peace for the last 48 years, the two nations compete fiercely in the fields of technological development, economic power, and colonial ambition. Taksan has been accused of sending covert agents to interfere in the internal affairs of Granarctia and its former colonies, but any evidence brought to light is quickly swept under the diplomatic rug. The capture of Iyakul and 'occupation' of the Free Territory has soured subsequent Taksan-Aralean talks, and everyone is wondering (but not out loud) if the Republic oughtn't just conquer Aralei and have done with it.

Values and Attitudes (Old)
Ever since the Revolution, Taksan society has founded itself on rationalism, pragmatism, and equality. Education is compulsory until age 16 and all careers are open to both men and women who qualify and advance themselves through merit. Cooperation, duty, and social harmony are more important than individual needs or freedoms. While pure atheism is uncommon, public religiosity and superstition are frowned upon.

Values and Attitudes (New)
Taksans place a high value on pragmatism and practicality. Their style of dress is functional, their machines are efficient, and their society functions along the same lines.

Most Taksans take a moderate stance toward progress. They enjoy the most advanced technology of the age, but they are also starting to feel the negative consequences of pollution and deforestation. Science and invention are done by teams rigorously rechecking their own and each others' work. They rarely make stunning breakthroughs, but when a discovery is announced or an invention is released, it is absolutely sound.

They appreciate art and beauty, but seldom indulge in art for art's sake. Gardening is common, but the most popular plants are both ornamental and edible. Architecture and industrial design are the most prestigious arts. They do enjoy music, and most Taksans belong to a community chorus and gather to perform complex, polyphonic anthems and chants. Team sports are also a popular pastime, but spectatorship is low and there are no professional leagues.

Public education is compulsory to age 16. Advancement in a career is through merit alone (though, a certain amount of nepotism is inevitable). Women in Taksan society have enjoyed positions of power and respect since ancient times, and today are considered equal to men in all respects. Every field of industry and governance is open to both genders, though some professions tend to draw more men than women, and vice versa.

Taksans are generally polydeist in principle and somewhat agnostic in practice: they believe a number of gods created the universe and authored the natural forces that govern it without their intervention. The exact nature of the gods, magic, or an afterlife cannot be determined and contemplating them serves no practical purpose. Blatant atheism and religious fervor are both frowned upon. Taksans, instead, rely on an ethical philosophy that emphasizes empiricism, logic, personal integrity, and duty to community before self to guide their decision-making.

Sorry about the long format; Blogger is not friends with tables. So, yeah, the old version was about a page and the new version is around four.

This content, like all other content on this blog, is is Copyright © 2010 by Mark Johnston. Some rights reserved.