Worldwide Spread of Technological Civilization When the era of chaos following the Magic War subsided, people were able to make use of steel and gunpowder, and employ inventions such as steam-powered machinery all over the world. They were able to revive the world using the power of machines. In the post-revival world, the northern and southern continents housed a number of different states. The commerce nation Alburg and the states Maranda and Tzen flourished on the southern continent. And starting from the west of the northern continent, Jidoor, Figaro, the free city Narshe and likewise free city Nikeam, Doma in the east, and the fronteer zone all developed in disparate ways. The Four Nations - The Empire, Jidoor, Figaro, and Doma However, recently the political order has been changing with dizzying speed. There have been great changes on the southern continent, where the Gastra Empire has replaced three nations with a single unified state. In other words, at present the superpowers could be said the be the Gastra Empire and the north continent nations Figaro, Jidoor and Doma. Among them, Figaro, with Edgar as its king, persues technological research eagerly and is becoming the foremost civilized nation, even as a desert country. The socially strict Jidoor and traditional Doma have lagged somewhat behind on technological civilization, perhaps due to thier unique cultures. The Gastra Empire, Plotting World Domination Now it is the Gastra Empire who's military might causes the world to tremble. It's central figure is Emperor Gastra. Using the bipedal weapons called "Magic Armor" which were created by combining machinery and the power of magic, he conquered three nations in the blink of an eye. Gastra chose to raise up his Empire with a captial directly in the center of the southern continent. Striving for world conquest, he is launching offensives on the northern continent. As parts of the territories of South Figaro and other cities are already occupied by the Empire, the invasion is proceeding with conciderable force. The Existance of the Underground Organization, the Returners The Returners are an underground organization that stands in opposition to the Empire's inexorable expanding might, and is attempting to cause a rebellion in order to maintain peace. It is gathering members across national boundaries. At present only the King of Figaro and the King of Doma endorse them. Their headquarters is hidden in a cave in the Sabre mountain range, but they are no the brink of annihilation from Imperial attack no matter the region. The Status of Small Nations and Individual Regions Many small outlying regions such as the colliery city Narshe, the harbor city Nikeahm, and the beast plain of the frontier zone exist independently of the large nations. As for their status, unsuprisingly every region trembles in fear before the cursed reach of Imperial invasion. The peoples who live in regions that were ruined have been pressed into a slavish way of life. However, Narshe, which has a strong sense of it's own autonomy, is defending itself - readying military preparations such as the deployment of guard monsters in case of Imperial attack. Regions Colliery City Narshe - An independent city-state in the sheer cliffs Ruler: Elder Population: 2100 Area: 2560 m^2 Climate: Tundra climate Primary Industry: Mining A great rift amid steep cliffs - in the valley, countless iron frameworks stretch about, criss-crossing freely. The frameworks are transporting cargo that was once piled high in the mines in place of railroads. The city that stands silent in this valley - that is Narshe. Since it exists in the heart of a craggy mountain, it is a poorly lit, intensely cold city where snow can fall year round. The city is protected by monsters called Guards, and by virtue of it's strong, zealously guarded sense of autonomy, Narshe continues to exist as an independent city. -199 Large deposits of coal are discovered. Ruffians dreaming of sudden windfalls gather; an industrial state focusing on coal mining develops. -150 An independent political organization with the intent of commercial solidarity starts. A transformation from a small state with ceaseless conflicts to a nation with a stable, united self-government. -20 In response to Imperial aggression, weapons trade comes to rival the coal trade. Enters a mutual peace accord with the Empire that could in fact be called a nonagression treaty. Henceforth, as a state posessing a powerful self-governing body, Narshe takes a position of neutrality, siding neither with the Empire, nor with rebel organizations. 0 The frozen genjuu is discovered in the deepest part of the coal mines. It is treated as the nation's most highly classified information, and should have been processed with the utmost sercrecy, but... Mechanical Castle Figaro - A High-tech Castle poised in the golden waves Ruler: Edgar Population: 2500 Area: 1900 m^2 Climate: Steppe climate Primary Industry: Machinery Production An isolated castle, standing directly in the middle of the wilderness. It is a castle with a history of 200 years, and is currently ruled over by the young king Edgar. Because it is centered aproximately in the center of a desert, passage on foot is accompanied by conciderable danger. For that reason, use of chocobos is popular. It is not widely known, but in fact high-tech capabilities that belie the the castle's ordinary exterior are brimming within. This high technology allows the castle subterranean movement. It is the so-called moving machine cilization castle. -202 Completion of Figaro Castle. At this time the facilities for such things as subterranean movement had not yet been installed. -84 The mechanization of Figaro Castle proceeds. -74 Figaro's first submerge attempt. It's results are a serious failure. Victims rank in the hundreds. -68 Large-scale technological innovation proceeds with mass hirings for engineers. After three attempts, the castle finally achieves a successful submersion. Hereafter the castle takes the appellation phantom mechanical castle, but it was not said that another failure would be sufficient to strip the label of small nation from it. -7 The previous king (Edgar and Mathew's father) dies. The alliance with the Empire forged just prior may have been the last sign of a father's love for his children. City of South Figaro - The castle town of Figaro Kingdom where Matthew was living Ruler: Edgar Population: 2500 Area: 1883 m^2 Climate: Temperate/humid climate Primary Industry: None In the east of Figaro Kingdom, positioned at the foot of Mt. Koltz, South Figaro developed as a lodging town for travelers passing over Mt. Koltz. For Tina and the party it is the first full-blown city that provides the functions charcteristic of a city - pubs and inns, weapon shops, and so forth. Because the equipment and weapons produced in the machinery nation Figaro are carried here, the stock of the weapon and armor shops is abundant. The martial artist Mathew and his master Duncan live here, and the city also serves as a relay point for those aspire to arduous training on Mt. Koltz. -202 At the completion of Figaro Castle, South Figaro is named as united castle town. The city begins to flourish by the association. It also carries out duties as the gateway to the east, via Mt. Koltz. -72 When Figaro Castle's submersion fails, a temporary royal palace is set up in South Figaro. The devoted treatment of the injured by the city's people moved the king of that time (probably Edgar's grandfather) to tears. -68~ South Figaro comes into the duty of overseeing military border passages across the nation while Figaro Castle is submerged. A simple checkpoint is established at the entrances to Mt. Koltz from this period forward. -8 Though small-scale, a riot breaks out in response to the alliance with the Empire. It is thought that the Returners were pulling the strings from the shadows. Mount Koltz - Sanctuary of Ascetics positioned at the heart of the world Height: 12476m Area: 18486 m^2 Ruler: - Climate: Mountainous climate Primary Industry: none The world's tallest peak, which rose because of tectonic shifts and a massive erruption in -5400. Mt. Koltz was originally a name refering to the mountain itself, but calling the entire mountain range in general Mt. Koltz is common. It is famous as a training ground for martial artists and swordsmen, and Mathew strives to improve himself here. In addition to the sharply angled slopes and the unusually variable weather, enraged monsters are known to appear, so walking the trails brings conciderable difficulty. Very little travel east to west by crossing the mountain occurs, so it is a natural defensive barrier. -5400 Mt. Koltz forms in a large volcanic eruption, and the range of severe mountains is created. To the best knowledge from the few surviving records, it has only erupted once. It has lain dormant after that time. -700 Mt. Koltz's situation far from human habitation and punishing natural forces make it a good training ground for martial artists and swordsmen. For these reasons the name of Mt. Koltz became widely known among ascetic practitioners. -120 Rumors spread that hidden treasures of the Figaro kingdom lied in Mt. Koltz. This causes treasure-seeking undesirables to stream into the region, making it a more dangerous place than ever. In the end, the existence of the treasure was never confirmed. -70 The mountain starts being used as a boundary dividing east from west. Also, in this period a checkpoint is put in place and the entrance to the mountain in order to maintain the balance of military power. Doma - Doma Castle - A nation with an old history and an distinct culture Ruler: King Doma Population: 3100 Area: 2130 m^2 Climate: Temperate/humid climate Primary Industry: None Posessing a culture that differs from other nations, Doma holds fast to it's independence and traditions, passed down over many years. The uniqueness of it's culture is not only in it's styles of dress or the plans of it's castles - it can also be observed in the profession called samurai. Even when forcefully attacked by the Gastra Empire, the samurai maintained a fierce opposition, demonstrating their valor. Currently Doma is engaged in hostilities with the Empire, and is the only nation that does not yeild to the Empire's might. The name Doma Castle is widely known as a magnificent castle built on the coastlands of the eastern continent. -1200 Doma's history is far older than that of such rising nations as the Empire. The great war began, and in the midst of the strife, Doma formed into something resembling a state. It seems that not long after that, Doma began functioning as a state. -980 Loss of the one remaining national record, "A Faithful Account of the Magic War". The cause of the loss as yet remains a mystery. -600 While the peculiar profession of 'samurai' existed prior, it seems that from this point on, they started appointing them officially in the nation. The purpose of the appointments of samurai was to provide personal guards for the king, just as it is today. -520 Renovation of Doma Castle. Castle walls and so on that were deteriorated in parts were rebuilt. Doma Castle has not been remodeled since. -3 Skirmishes with the Empire begin.