outland regions [Lore] Long Guo

[Bellosh]

Long Guo - On the Path of Harmony

 

East of Equestria, on the far side of the ocean, the nation of Long Guo shines as a beacon of beauty and harmony. Blessed with fertile lands, mild climates, and beautiful landscapes, this realm has prospered for more than two thousand years. Regarding themselves as the spiritual offspring of the Long — the race of sagely Serpent Dragons — the Qilin and Longma who call themselves Long Sun maintain a civilization based on maintaining balance with the natural world. As such, the Long Sun view themselves as guardians of wisdom, tradition, and the magical art of dragonbreath.

 

In the times before there was a nation of Long Guo, the Qilin and Longma races waged war against one another. The Longma warrior nomads believed that freely wielding the right to impose one’s will upon others replicated the natural order of life, while the Qilin city-states insisted that only harsh rulers with uncompromising legal codes could bring balance. After years of fruitless conflict, and the predations of opportunistic spirit-monsters, the Qilin and Longma races eventually conspired to give their own side a decisive advantage over the other. Their plan: to each send a champion on a long, peril-filled eastward journey to ask blessings of the mighty Serpent Dragons.

 

The Qilin sent their most accomplished scholar-sorceress, the graceful Xi Hua. Representing the Longma was the roguish stallion Xiao Huo, their most celebrated swordfighter. A fierce rivalry ensued between the two champions, even as their solo attempts to reach the Serpent Dragons repeatedly failed. In desperation, Hua and Huo joined forces, finding to their surprise that their skills and personalities pleasantly complemented one another. Working as a team, the two champions succeeded in overcoming the spirit-monsters in their path to finally reach the mountain lake where the elder Long dwelled... only to be told they already had all the wisdom they needed to finally restore balance to their homelands.

 

Their partnership blossoming into love, Hua and Huo returned and proclaimed themselves Emperor and Empress of both of the Qilin and the Longma. Uniting their races and banishing the wicked spirit-monsters from the land, the First Imperial Sovereigns founded the nation of Long Guo. Hua and Huo intended their new kingdom to last for ten thousand years, ruling through benevolence and exemplary nobility. Although the First Dynasty swiftly succumbed to squabbling heirs, future imperial dynasties have since striven to follow the illustrious example of the Two Champions.

 

To maintain the awe of their subjects, the Emperor of Long Guo not only must rule wisely but project an aura of otherworldly grandeur at all times. Whoever sits on the Dragon Throne is to be treated with absolute deference; it is a great taboo to even speak of the reigning Emperor’s given name. Imperial Court life is defined by lavish spectacle, solemn rituals, and decadent luxury; all of which commoners will only hear of exaggerated rumors. As a Heavenly Child of Dragons, it is traditionally frowned upon for the Imperial Sovereign to sully their hooves by mingling with lower-born subjects.

 

However, there are many pathways to curry favor with the Emperor. Well-educated Long Sun have the potential to become mandarins; running Imperial ministries and filling additional posts in the Imperial Court. The Imperial Consort of an Emperor or Empress, more often than not, also ends up assuming a powerful position within the Long Guo bureaucracy or military. For those willing to forgo love and honor, life as a combat-trained agent of the Imperial Watch also leads to great rewards. Finally there is service in the Army or Navy; with limited exceptions, all Long Sun living on Long Guo soil are expected to serve twelve moons in the military within five years of reaching adulthood.

 

After the Emperor, the Long Sun give the most reverence to the spiritual and philosophical teachings of the Harmonious Path. By following the Harmonious Path’s tenets, anyone has the chance to cultivate harmony within themselves and in Nature. First, one must perceive the complex interplay between the Five Aspects: Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water. A follower should not try to shape the world in their own image, but instead understand the world and their place in it. This understanding is reached by channeling the Aspects through attunement; a mental purification process enhanced by meditation, the pursuit of knowledge, and adherence to a strict code of honor. Mastering the Harmonious Path is difficult, but those dedicated enough to achieve the title of “Anointed Follower” will command the respect of their fellow Long Sun... and earn an exemption from mandatory military service.

 

The Harmonious Path’s prominence has dwindled over the centuries, but it still heavily influences art, culture, and magical study in modern-day Long Guo. Perhaps the philosophy's most enduring contribution though is the emphasis on the good of the community over the aspirations of the individual. According to the Path’s tenants, placing the self over the community is an unnatural world-shaping act, creating imbalance. In practice, this principle encourages adult Long Sun to live close to their families rather than set out on their own. Long Sun who willingly choose a completely independent life far from family, home, or nation are few and far between.

 

For the time being, Long Guo remains a land of peace and prosperity, although the Long Sun must remain ever vigilant. From inhospitable lands beyond the frontier, barbarian races and exiled spirit-monsters frequently try breaching the enormous, twisting Serpent’s Wall that encircles Long Guo. From within, nobles and Imperial courtiers disregard their nation’s well-being as they hatch countless conspiracies to undermine their rivals... including emperors if they’re ambitious enough. Dynasties have risen and fallen through the ages, but the strength of Long Guo’s cultural heritage guarantees that a more worthy dynasty will always take its predecessor’s place. 

~Journey to the Dragon Kingdom

Dr. Tong Zei & Ash Ravencrest