Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy

Lore & Background

The series is set in the fictional world of Novoland, where the Duan Dynasty, ruled by the Muyun Clan for over 300 years, controls the prosperous Eastern Land of Zhongzhou and suppresses the eight nomadic tribes of Hanzhou. The story follows three male protagonists: Muyun Sheng, the sixth prince prophesied to bring chaos; Muru Hanjiang, the general's son prophesied to usurp the throne; and Shuofeng Heye, the heir of a nomadic tribe massacred by the Muru Army. Their lives intersect through loyalty, friendship, enmity, and romance, as they grapple with the sins of their parents and the prophecies that haunt them.

Reader's Guide

The series was one of the most expensive Chinese dramas produced, with a budget of 300–500 million RMB and a 270-day filming period from August 2015 to May 2016 in Xinjiang, China, and Hikone, Japan. Directed by Cao Dun, known for the social commentary series Dwelling Narrowness, and co-written by Jin Hezai, the series features a large ensemble cast including Huang Xuan, Shawn Dou, Zhou Yiwei, Xu Lu, Janice Man, and Zhang Jianing. It aired on iQiyi, Tencent, and Youku starting November 21, 2017, and gained international popularity for its production quality, storyline, and performances. The series holds a 6.8 rating on Douban.

Did You Know?

• The series is part of the Novoland franchise, which depicts a fictional universe with three continents and nine provinces.
• The Muyun and Muru Clans originally invaded Zhongzhou and overthrew the Sheng Dynasty 300 years before the series' events.
• The budget for the series ranged from 300 million to 500 million RMB, making it one of the most expensive Chinese dramas at the time.
• Filming took 270 days, starting in Xinjiang, China, and wrapping in Hikone, Japan.