Soshu Province

概览

Soshu Province spans three volcanic islands connected by toll bridges and ferry crossings. The central island holds the regional capital and most of the arable rice land, while the northern island contains iron mines and the southern island maintains fishing villages and naval outposts. A recent shogunal death without a clear heir has fractured the ruling council. Merchant ships avoid the ports due to increased inspection fees and cargo seizures by rival claimants. The volcanic soil grows excellent rice, and the hot springs attract pilgrims who pay shrine fees. The main road smells of sulfur and pine resin.

社会

The Divine Imperial Court claims authority through descent from the sun deity, but the Shogun controlled actual military force and land distribution. With the Shogun dead, the court priests assert divine right to appoint the successor, while regional daimyo argue only military victory proves divine favor. Peasants owe sixty percent of their rice harvest and must provide forty days of labor annually for road and castle repairs. Merchants technically hold the lowest social rank but control rice exchange rates, effectively loaning silver to indebted samurai.

科技

Steel smelting uses river-powered trip hammers and produces blades of varying carbon content. Matchlock firearms require imported saltpeter, making ammunition scarce and expensive. Peasants use wooden water wheels for irrigation and rice milling. Castle construction relies on fitted stone blocks without mortar and wooden interior frameworks treated with persimmon tannin. Paper-making and silk weaving provide the primary non-agricultural exports.