Shui Qao

Also known as the Archipelagos, the Swamp Wasteland, the "gross disgusting bog", or the place of those unlucky enough to be constantly thirsty and be surrounded by undrinkable water.

Nowhere in the world can you find those more endeared to their families. In Shui Qao, nothing is more important than who you are related to - your parents and siblings, your grandparents, the lineage of your people. In a land where storms batter even the largest villages into the sea, blood endures. The dwellers here show homage to their people by etching lines of deeds and history into their skin, rough tattoos and scars crossing muscle and skin with the story of a brave cousin or wily aunt.

Geographically Shui Qao is the smallest of the other Provinces. Hundred of thousands of islands, litter this area. Many of the bordering islands have come into conflict with Zai Huo Xia. The inhabitants of the islands tend to stray away from organized religion. While there are shrines to the Arcana on all of the bigger islands, most have shown interest and untrained talent in sorcery and the magic of the spirits. Among some islands, necromancy is performed as a practical magic, as what use do the dead have for their bodies once they move on?

There are as many variations of culture here as there are islands. However, they all value the "language of the soul" and are a musical and emotive people who show great care in any task they undertake.

It is rare to see a citizen of Shui Qao in the other Provinces, however, every generation has a few young folk who come out and see what life is like on the mainland. No child here ever goes to sleep without a thought about the great blue expanse, and the murky swamps upon which they were born.

As for those closer to the mainland, the swamps is what they call home. The humid climates and fertile lands make it optimal for farming villages to call home, but people are not the only ones to call this area home. Moguai and other monsters roam these lands.