The Nine Counties

[Space_wolf]

Northern County: River - Blue Fox

North Western County: Hills - Grey Fox

Western County: Plains - Swift Fox

South Western County: Delta - Silver Fox

Southern County: Desert - Fennec Fox

South Eastern County: Gentle Mountain - Red Fox
Ruled by the soulful Yu clan, headed by Yu Zongxian. The main temple district of the country with the large Dafang (Grand Peak) Temple is the seat of power for the Yu clan, and is the centre of worship for the Three Sisters - the deities of the country. The Temple is set out around the three central shrines, and only the priests and the head of the Yu clan can enter the central triangle where all three deities are worshipped as one: known as the All Knowing. The deities are:

• Taiyang (sunshine): Known as "The Youth", "The Morning", "The Dawn", "The Begininng", Birth
  
• Anhe (peaceful harmony): Known as "The Day", "The Mother", "The Wife", "The Peace", Life
  
• Gulong (ancient dragon): Known as "The Ending", "The Night Come", "The Dark", Death
  

All three sisters are known as a whole as the "All Knowing", who's true name cannot be spoken aloud until the last breath in a person's body. Most people worship Anhe, who represents life - though many young children and mothers pray to Taiyang. Not many worship Gulong, though soldiers pledge alliegence to their clan, Her Imperial Majesty and the Sister Gulong when they join the army.

Eastern County: Mountain - Sechuran Fox

North Eastern County: Plateau - Kit Fox

Middle Kingdom: Imperial Capital - White Fox

[Laura]

This story is so beautifully detailed. My second favourite of all your things (the elements trilogy is still my faithful first favourite). I can't wait to hear more about the nine countries and their inhabitants.
Keep writing (I'm begging you),
Your faithful fan,
Laura.

[Lorda384]

Interesting, the background helps a lot in the understanding of the stories.