About

The Empire of Kou is the world's largest multi-ethnic state, formed after a long war and subsequent merger between two great powers, Rei and Kei. Since both the Rei and Kei lineages were noble bloodlines stretching back through the ages, neither could be allowed to perish. Thus, the chancellors of both nations decided to rule the country through an alternating succession system. In this way, Kou came to be governed by two imperial courts. Under this system, when one lineage holds the throne, the next Emperor is chosen from the children's generation of the opposite court. This means the children of the current reigning Emperor cannot succeed him directly. Desperate to see their own children on the throne, both courts began taking in vast numbers of concubines to produce many children. By doing so, they hope to have a biological child born in their later years who can eventually take the throne when the cycle returns. Those children who cannot attain the status of Emperor contribute to the nation's prosperity by achieving military merit and being granted the rank of General. Currently, the Rei lineage holds the imperial throne.