Cathay

Cathay (also known as Imperial Cathay, the Empire of the Celestial Dragon, the Kingdom of the Dragon, Grand Cathay, Great Cathay, Grand Empire of Cathay and the Celestial Empire) is a populous nation of humans located in the Far East of the world. To the north, with the Great Bastion as border, lie the Eastern Steppes and the Hung and Kurgan territories. To the east are the island realm of Itaria and the Far Sea, and beyond that the Boiling Sea and Naggaroth. To the south are the Kingdoms of Ind and the Hinterlands of Khuresh.

Overview

On the other side of the Mountains of Mourn and the vast steppes, begin the uncharted lands. Only a single path travels to the east, known as the Silk Road. It runs through the untamed steppes until its destination, the fabled kingdom of Cathay. The lure of the Silk Road is great to the merchant houses of Tilea and the Burgomeisters of Borinth, as well as the traders of Ibaran. But the road is far from safe: roving bandits, steppe nomads, and the vast Hobgoblin hordes of Hobgobla-Khan who rule the steppes are an ever-present threat, and one that cannot be taken too lightly. Only one caravan out of ten makes the trip safely. The travellers that return from Cathay tell tales of great golden pagodas and the inexhaustible armies of the eastern despots. They bring exotic spices and finest silks, gleaming gold, luxurious porcelain vases and all manner of strange and wonderful items from the Kingdom of the Dragon, glimpses of the mysterious glory of the distant and rich orient. They also bring tales of jade cities and high temples where mystics probe the movements of the heavenly bodies and the positions of the stars, of the scholars who inscribe every word ever uttered by their divine Emperor. Many strange creatures are said to live in the land of Cathay, from serpentine dragons to gigantic living stone dogs which guard the temples of the multitudinous gods of Cathay. Records of travellers tell of the thousand, thousand footsoldiers of the Emperor, the mystic brotherhoods of Monks who can kill you with a touch of their hand, and the strange monkey warriors living high in the Mountains of Heaven. Most of these tales are highly fanciful, but certainly the Empire of the Celestial Dragon must be a wondrous and rich place, but until the trade routes to the east are safe it will remain a realm of legend.

Cities

Not much is known about the population hubs of Cathay - some describe them as jade cities, while forts take the form of tall pagodas, rising up tier upon tier on a massive stone foundation

Wei-jin or Weijin - This great city, located on the eastern side of the Great Bastion according to some maps, has an underground Skaven lair, which was spied by Tilean explorer Marco Polare in 1247 IC. It is the Seat of the Dragon Throne and capital of the empire. Reputed to be the greatest city in the world, it is home to such wonders as the Paradise Gardens, the Temple of the Two Moons and the mystical River of Souls, said to allow passage to the underworld.

Beichai - In this city the aristocracy fell under the sway of Chi'an Chi (Tzeentch) around -1200 IC. It isn't known whether this cult is still allowed.

Fu-Chow - Known for the dubious morals of the inhabitants and shady estabilishments and commerce.

Fu-Hung - In this place live chanting monks.

Khairith Irlean - This unfortunate port, known in Druhir as Khairith Irlean, "the Place of a Thousand Bloody Delights", was encircled by Druchii and assaulted by Witch Elves. When the armies of the Dragon Emperor arrived, the Dark Elves had already returned to sea. In their wake, they left a town empty but for heaps of dismembered and charred corpses, writhing with flies and disease. The stones of the buildings were stained red with blood. So disturbing was the scene that the town was razed utterly and all mention of it was stricken from maps and records.

Mount Li - Here stands another monastery, where Yin-Tuan retired as an aged sage after serving as commander of the Palace Guard and wrote down the story of his journey through Zan'ath and Aiandell.

Shang-Yang - This is the westernmost Cathayan fortress. A mercantile quarter exists here to house Aiandell's caravans and merchants.

Tower of Ashshair - A watchtower and outpost of far Cathay amid the Stone Lands to the northwest. This jade-green tower - a thing as much of magic as stone - sits high and all but unassailable upon a jagged promontory of rock overlooking the ancient Silk Road that leads from the gates of the Great Bastion to the north-east, and the inhospitable mountain passes of the Ogre Kingdoms to the west. From here the servants of the Eternal Dragon Emperor surveyed the great road and kept watch for signs and portents of woe and threats from distant lands. It was unsuccessfully attacked by Sayl the Faithless, a Tzeentchite Chaos Sorcerer.

Nan Gau - Nothing is known of this city, other than it appears on the western side of the Great Bastion in the same maps as Wei-jin.

Heyang - A city destroyed by Artheus during his quest to become the Everchosen.

Known Fauna

In Cathay there are bears not unlike those of Aiandell and Endor - large, powerful beasts whose skins are prized by all races. In the depths of the forests there are also boars. Giant Leeches can be found in the jungles, and Giant Spiders in the forests. Wolves have been nearly exterminated, while horses are domesticated in north and east Cathay. Leopards and panthers live in the Southlands and parts of western Cathay, whilst tigers are exclusive to the Far East. Some Griffons and Hippogryphs have been sighted in Cathay too. Many legends talk about several dozen Dragons living in Cathay, but their description varies greatly - some say they are serpentine, others mention bejewelled Gold Dragons. There are even tales that tell their Dragon Emperor is actually an immortal Dragon in human shape, and the Shugengan wizards are described as "Dragon-blooded". Another magical beast typical of Cathay and the Far East is the Ki-rin, flying unicorns with long, flowing manes spun with sparks of silver lightning that ride the roaring winds and storm clouds, bellowing and screaming great cracks of lightning through the disturbed air. They are occasionally ridden by powerful heroes. There are also Jade Lions, which are revered for their courage and level-headedness. Occasionally a warrior may be found carrying the likeness of one of these as an amulet, and they still contain some of their power, although showing cowardice will cause the magic to depart.