The mighty Tiang Long Du and its more than 500,000 inhabitants.

Tian Long Du - Capital of the Heavenly Dragon

Tiang Long Du, the capital of the River and Sea Autonomous Region, stands as a monument to resilience and ambition. Situated where the vast sea meets a mighty river, its foundation is a legend of blood, betrayal, and dark magic.

The Creation

Centuries ago, the region where Tiang Long Du stands was a disputed territory between rival clans and ancient creatures. The place was considered cursed, home to spirits and monsters. Despite this, the land was strategically valuable, offering access to both maritime trade and riverine riches.

It was the ambitious warrior Ji Wenzhao, leader of a fragmented faction, who decided to defy fate. He used forbidden magic to overcome the powerful dragon that inhabited the place, sealing its spirit in a statue. The ritual drained the soul of the powerful animal and also the vitality of its allies, giving rise to the fortress that would become the King's palace.

Battles for Supremacy

The founding of Tiang Long Du did not bring immediate peace. Situated on the fertile plains between the Great Mae—as its residents call it—and the Sea of ​​Storms, the city attracted the greed of rival clans and warlords. Ji Wenzhao, the city’s founder and leader, faced a coalition of enemies determined to seize the region’s riches.

The Fields of Blood

For years, the plains surrounding the city became a battlefield. One of the largest and most decisive battles took place in what is now the city of Bai He Xiang, a prosperous agricultural settlement. The armies under Ji Wenzhao's command were constantly outnumbered. Despite his skill as a strategist, his enemies' allies threatened to surround Tiang Long Du and annihilate it before the city could establish itself as a regional power.

Faced with imminent defeat, Ji Wenzhao resorted to a desperate act: a dark pact with the imprisoned spirit of the Dragon Shenlong, the beast he had defeated and subdued during the founding of the city.

The Pact with the Imprisoned Dragon

During the founding of Tiang Long Du, Ji Wenzhao had faced the legendary Dragon Shenlong, guardian of the region's waters and fertile lands. After an epic battle, he destroyed the dragon's body, but could not extinguish its spiritual essence. Instead, he imprisoned the dragon's spirit in a stone statue, forcing it to bestow prosperity upon the city.

At the height of the conflict, Ji Wenzhao returned to the site of his imprisonment and proposed a dark pact. He offered his soul, the blood of his fallen soldiers, and the promise that each generation of his bloodline would suffer a curse. In exchange, the dragon ceded its destructive power, allowing Ji Wenzhao to call upon his fury to destroy his enemies.

The Battle of Bloody Twilight

The following night, during the Battle of Bloody Twilight, Ji Wenzhao led his troops in a final assault on the region that is now Bai He Xiang. Under the cover of a red moon, he summoned the black waters of the river, which rose up like gigantic serpents, swallowing the opposing armies. The waves, filled with the evil power of the dragon, swept men, horses, and weapons to the bottom of the river.

Annihilation and Bribery

While half of his enemies were being destroyed by supernatural forces, Ji Wenzhao used another trick: he bribed the leaders of the most influential clans, promising them lands and positions of power in Tiang Long Du. Those who accepted the deal were absorbed into the city's political structure, while those who refused disappeared.

The Mark of Victory and the Eternal Curse

With the complete destruction of his enemies and dominion over the surrounding lands, Ji Wenzhao established Tiang Long Du as the capital of the River and Sea Autonomous Region. However, the price of the pact soon became apparent. The spirit of the imprisoned dragon demanded its offering: relentless storms began to ravage the city, and the rising tides brought the wreckage and bodies of those who had perished in the river, now undead and thirsting for human beings.

The spirit of the Dragon Shenlong still whispers through the waters, his imprisoned fury shaping the treacherous tides and storms that ravage the entire region. Bai He Xiang and other coastal cities have prospered, but their inhabitants fear the stormy nights when the distant roars of the dragon seem to echo across the coast.

This victory secured Ji Wenzhao's monarchy, but it also sealed a legacy of shadows and curses that still lingers over the lineage of rulers, whose lives are cut short by the dragon's vengeance.

The Eternal Monarchy

After Ji Wenzhao’s death, his lineage was maintained through political alliances and ruthless control. The dynasty adopted the title of Sons of the Black Dragon, claiming a divine right granted by the spirit of the powerful entity. It is said that the statue only awakens to the true heirs, devouring the impostors.

To protect their power, the emperors created the Eyes of the Tide, an order of spies and assassins trained to eliminate dissent and stop revolts before they even begin.

The monarchy also maintains its position with dark rituals performed in the King’s Palace, the great castle whose towers control the waters of Lake Baibum. These rituals include the sacrifice of political prisoners and even members of the court itself, fueling an energy that keeps the city standing, even in times of crisis.

The City Today

Tiang Long Du is a city of stark contrasts, where opulence and poverty coexist in close proximity. Its ornate walls symbolize the power and glory of the ruling elite. Vibrant markets display exotic products, the fruits of a trade often rooted in exploitation and dark magic, in a relentless pursuit of wealth.

At the same time, the Canals of Lament, on the outskirts, reveal the price of this opulence. Labyrinths of narrow, dark passages shelter a marginalized class, trapped in poverty. There, desperate residents live alongside thieves and soul merchants, willing to do anything to survive another day.

We could sum it up as a microcosm of inequality. The elite monopolize power and resources, masking their exploitation with the glitter of the market and the grandeur of the walled city. Meanwhile, the masses live on the margins, sacrificing their humanity to sustain a system that oppresses them. Dark magic, both in the suburbs and in the palaces, is the perfect metaphor for a corrupt and predatory economy, where the success of the few is built on the ruin of the many.

Legends and Stories

. The Curse of the Guardian of Shenlong: The statue of the river, said to protect the city, sometimes glows with a ghostly light. Some believe it is a warning that the spirit is displeased, while others see an opportunity to reclaim its blessing.

. The Spirits of Shipwreck: On the great river and along the northern coast, locals and travelers report seeing ghostly sailors sailing on wreckage. These spirits are rumored to guard treasures, but attempting to plunder them can incur their wrath.

. The Spirit of the Miserable Old Man: In the Canals of Lament, locals tell of an old beggar who offers passage to those who wish to escape poverty. However, the price of passage is the memory of a loved one. Those who accept can never remember the person they have lost, but feel an eternal emptiness.

. The Breathing Wall: Some swear that the walls of Tiang Long Du breathe. Night watchmen report low, rhythmic sounds, like a sleeping creature. Legend has it that the city is alive, and that when the rulers fall, the walls will close forever, trapping everyone.

. The Wheel of Dark Fortune: On the gambling street, there is a gambling wheel controlled by a spirit named Huan Jing. Legend has it that by spinning it, gamblers can win immense riches or lose everything, including their identity. Many winners mysteriously disappear shortly after receiving their fortunes.

. The Wandering Monk: On the outskirts of the city, a faceless monk is seen wandering. He offers cryptic advice and disappears at sunrise. He is said to be a manifestation of karma, come to punish or bless.

Character Suggestion:

Gui Yan - Gui Yan cares for the bodies and souls of the dead. She runs the city's morgue and exorcism temple, maintaining a balance between life and death.

Boian - An alchemist who works in a secluded tower, surrounded by bizarre experiments. He has an eccentric personality and a smile that mixes genius and madness. His goal is to discover the key to immortality... or at least to prolong his own life.

Tan Mo - A street magician who has lost the memory of his own name and history. He creates fascinating illusions, but his personality is always changing, sometimes being a charlatan, other times a hero in search of a purpose.

Guo Zhi - A local nobleman who keeps a large harem of women and is constantly seen in questionable places. He thinks he is very charming and is known for telling silly jokes about his own escapism and "human weaknesses".

Ling Shuang - An expert archer with a dark history, known for never missing her target. Her eerie calm belies a life of sadness and regret, but she is amused by others' attempts to challenge her abilities.

Xue Lan - A mysterious woman with powers of illusion who offers simple wishes for sky-high prices. She laughs at people's hopes and is always amused by her clients' requests, often altering them in unexpected ways.

I tried several ways to make this hostile island look different from the traditional landmass. And it was getting too complex and I didn't like the result. So I decided to go back to basics and work with the least amount of images and functions possible. The result is here, a piece of land forgotten by the Gods.

Shi Ji Dao – The Island of Extreme Losses

This island is a cursed piece of land surrounded by merciless seas. Its skies remain eternally cloudy, as if even the sun refused to illuminate this place. The incessant sound of wind and waves echoes between desolate cliffs, reinforcing the feeling of absolute isolation. A few twisted trees and low vegetation punished by salinity are all that grows there. The inhabitants – or prisoners – live in rotten wooden shacks, supporting themselves with miserable fishing or the precarious cultivation of almost tasteless tubers.

The Island as the Final Destination

On Shi Ji Dao, there is no future, only waiting. Infectious patients, political opponents and traitors to the regime of the capital Tiang Long Du are sent to the island in reinforced-hulled vessels, never to return. The journey there is known as the "Journey of the Last Breath", because no one who crosses the treacherous waves that surround the island returns.

The surrounding waters are a veritable graveyard: razor-sharp reefs pierce vessels, while whirlpools devour even the most skilled swimmers. Even if someone managed to survive the sea, the harsh currents would push them back to the island.

Life in Shi Ji Dao

The inhabitants survive on an unstable barter system, with fishing and gathering being the only viable activities. With no hope of escape, some give in to madness, wandering the island as shadows of their former selves. Others organize themselves into small groups, trying to maintain some form of order. Among the leaders of these improvised communities, storytellers emerge, keeping alive the legends of the island where dreams come to die, but also a stage of forgotten secrets and deadly dangers, which can attract fools or those desperate for redemption.

Legends of Despair

Though devoid of hope, the island is rich in tales of wonder and mystery:

. The Whirlpool of the Drowned Dragon

It is said that deep within a whirlpool north of the island lies the spirit of a dragon who was betrayed and murdered by the ancient emperors. His fury, transformed into ravenous currents, is insatiable. Some nights, the winds whisper promises of power to those willing to descend into the heart of the whirlpool and free the creature.

. Ships of the Dead

On the darkest nights, the hazy shapes of ships appear on the horizon, floating above the turbulent waters. Some believe they are the vessels of those who perished trying to escape, their spirits now doomed to wander the sea. Others say these ships carry artifacts of power, but to board them brings eternal damnation.

. The Cave of the Faceless Guardian

In the heart of the island lies a hidden cave that no one dares to explore. According to the ancients, the Faceless Guardian lives there, an entity that exchanges favors for memories. The few who have tried to bargain with him have returned without knowing their own names, with empty eyes and consumed hearts.

This time it was a bit of work.

I used only two groups of images for the trees: pine trees and scrub trees, multicolored, varying between colors 114 and 120, to try to achieve greater diversity, even with the same icons.

@Loopysue Thanks for the resize of the farm, it looks much nicer, at least to my taste.

The Southern Towns

On the southeastern edge of the capital Tiang Long Du, with cliffs protecting its mist-covered shores and crystal-clear rivers, lies a region known as The Southern Towns. Comprising three towns – Han Yue Cun (Cold Moon Village), Mu Shui Cun (Wood and Water Village) and Chou Ye Xiang (Stinking Leaves Village) – this area is both prosperous and dangerous, home to both natural riches and mysteries.

Han Yue Cun – The Village of the Cold Moon

A prosperous farming village located on a vast green plain bathed by the Bai Lin He River, whose crystal-clear waters fertilize its famous fields of Moon Rice – grains that shine with the silvery light of the moon, giving the village a mystical air. However, its tranquility is threatened by spectral creatures that roam the region. On the nearby cliffs, the enigmatic Yinying Temple attracts bold adventurers seeking its legendary blessings.

Mu Shui Cun – Village of Wood and Water

Sitting along the great Hei Lin He (Black Cedar River), Mu Shui Cun is the commercial heart of the region. Famous for its rare Yingmu (“Shadow Wood”) timber, which is highly durable and used in elite weapons and construction, the village also thrives on fishing and shipping. However, workers often disappear into the forest, where Yingmu herself is said to create monstrous forms to protect herself.

Chou Ye Xiang – Village of Stinking Leaves

Despite its unpleasant name, Chou Ye Xiang is crucial to the region. Situated in a wet, marshy area in the south, it produces rare medicinal herbs and a valuable fertilizer extracted from the leaves of a local shrub, Ye Chou. However, the toxic air of the marsh can sicken travelers, and the region is inhabited by dangerous creatures such as spirits that transform into familiar forms to lure their prey.

The Yinying Temple – A Test of Faith and Endurance

Standing high atop the cliffs, the Yinying Temple is a place of mystery and reverence. Those who reach its gate and survive the trials are said to receive blessings from the ancient guardians. The journey, however, is brutal:

1. The Path of the Dark Mist – A treacherous trail shrouded in magical mist, where illusions confuse travelers, leading them to fatal falls.

2. The Pass of the Cutting Winds – A gorge where razor-sharp winds constantly sweep through. Only the most agile or resilient can cross it without mortal injury.

3. The Riddle of Shadows – Spiritual guardians of the temple challenge those who arrive with riddles that test logic, memory, and perception. Wrong answers result in curses or attacks from the guardians themselves.

Dangers of the Region

In addition to the challenges of the temple, the region is plagued by terrifying creatures:

• Black Jiao Longs – Aquatic serpent-dragons that inhabit the sea, attacking fishermen and boats.

• Forests – Home to Yingmu trees that come to life to protect their roots, crushing intruders.

• Swamp Wraiths – Spirits that roam Chou Ye Xiang, whispering promises of gold or forgiveness in exchange for a worse fate.

List of citys, monastery and interest points:

Hai He He Autonomous Region – Autonomous Region of the Sea and River

Jing Hua Cheng – City of Brilliant Flowers

Tian Long Du – Capital of the Heavenly Dragon

Yu Shi Gu – Jade Stone Valley

Qing Shui Zhen – Clear Water Village

Hei Shan Si Black – Mountain Monastery

Zhao Guang Si – Temple of Morning Glow

Shu Guang Xiang – Dawn Village

Han Yue Cun – Cold Moon Village

Chou Ye Xiang – Stinky Leaves Village

Mu Shui Cun – Wood and Water Village

Bai He Xiang – White Lily Village

Chuan Bei Si – Drunken Cup Monastery

Chen Yue Cun – Hidden Moon Village

Hei Feng – Dark Wind

Zhan Yan Cheng – Cliffside Town

Yuan Lin Zhen – Original Forest Village

Tian Nong Cheng– City of Farmers

Shi Ji Dao – Island of Extreme Loss