When the voyager Zheng He returned to the Imperial Court, the Hong Xi Emperor feted him for this travels and the knowledge he uncovered, and appointed him Grand Architect of the Imperial Naval Expansion and Exploration effort. This led to an age where the Chinese fleet dominated waterways and trade, opening up the world and cementing Asia as a formidable place during the age of sail.

As time went on, the merchant and military families grew stronger, gaining more influence within the Imperial court, competing with each other for power. When the Emperor eventually passed on, the families waged a shadow war for control, manoeuvring for power through character – and actual – assassination. In the end, to prevent trade from being affected, the top ranking clans of both sides agreed to form a council, composed of half of each group. Thus, the Dynasty was born.

The military families got to rule China, the merchant families would rule the world.

The Dynasty is at the heart of all civilisation. The world takes its cues from the mood in Nanjing. This reflects most in the doctrine that is favoured by the pariahs and veterans that make it to these far isles. The Dynastic tradition is ‘Stone’ and that reflects in all their apparatus and tactics. It’s telling then, that the chosen symbol of their might is the enigmatic and temperamental dragon.