The solar kingdom of Arai descends from tribes of marine voyagers who utilized the sun and the stars for navigation across the waves. Our founding stems from the legend of a sailor lost at sea, desperate, who prayed to the Sun for guidance and blessings. When the sun rose again, he sailed straight toward it for 3 days and 3 nights, and he sailed until he spotted land ahead of him. When he reached shore, it is said that a drop of gold fell from the great fire in the sky and landed in front of him. It was a seed, descended from the sun upon a favored individual. When the seed was planted, it grew into groves of red-orange trees, and at the very center of the island, every century, the trees grant us spherical fruit. The Fruits are said to be imbued with the holy energy of the sun and contain a shred of its fire; it is seen as a gift from the sun god and proof of our holy faith. The Solar ecclesiarchy has total control over the kingdom, and the head of the church also holds the position of head of state. As an island-based nation descended from navigators and sea clans, our primary defense is the great fleet. Consisting of massive ships, it is the second largest faction within the kingdom, second only to the church—armed with Greek fire, ballistas, and hwachas, our fleets rain fire upon the enemy from far away. Our capital city, built in a dried basin that was diverted to the north, receives additional irrigation and is supplied by aqueducts, making our island relatively fertile for agriculture. The city itself is a dense Urban zone, with vast streets strung with glass globes and bright colors. Multi-colored ribbons of rich silk and pelts are dousing the city in bright colors. Somewhat protected from the civilizational collapse, though still heavily protected, has forced the empire on a more radical path of faith. Division between the lunar cults and the true path of the light has caused the development of extremism, with the vernal conclave aproaching we are looking for a sign.
