Imperial Capital

Lore & Background

Sinegard is the imperial capital of the Nikara Empire, home to the military academy where Rin studies after placing first in her province on the Keju. The city is where Rin befriends Chen Kitay, son of a minister, and develops a rivalry with Yin Nezha, son of one of the twelve regional warlords. It is also where she attracts the attention of eccentric Master Jiang, who helps her explore her talent for shamanism. During a festival, Rin is enthralled by the appearance of the Empress Dowager Su Daji. The city is invaded by the Federation of Mugen during Rin's second year, leading to Master Jiang using shamanistic powers to summon the ghost of the Dragon Emperor to bring down a gate that Rin and Nezha were defending. During the invasion, Rin learns she is a Speerly and is selected to join the Cike, a special military unit of imperial assassins led by Altan Trengsin.

Reader's Guide

Sinegard stands as the imperial capital of the Nikara Empire, a city defined by its military academy where the empire's most talented candidates are trained. Its architecture blends traditional aesthetics with imperial grandeur, featuring sweeping tiled roofs and intricate wooden lattices that speak to centuries of dynastic power. Politically, the city serves as the stage for high-stakes maneuvering where generals and courtiers vie for influence over the throne.

During the invasion by the Federation of Mugen, its streets became battlegrounds where shamanic fire and conventional warfare scarred the landscape. The presence of the empress's palace dominates the skyline, a symbol of authority that draws both reverence and rebellion from the populace below. For travelers or soldiers passing through, the atmosphere shifts depending on who holds the keys to the gates. In times of peace, markets bustle with silk and spices; in war, the air smells of smoke and fear.