Shang-Yang is the westernmost fortress-city on the border of Grand Cathay and the capital of the Western Provinces that connects to the great east-to-west commercial arteries of the Silk Road[1a] and the Ivory Road. It is ruled by the Cathayan Dragon Zhao Ming, the Iron Dragon.[2]
History[]
Origin of the Silk Road[]
When a Tilean trading expedition led by the merchants Ricco and Robbio of Verezzo arrived on the border of his realm, the Dragon Emperor was tricked into accepting the submission and tribute of Tilea, and sparing the westerners from execution so they could be inducted as mercenaries to defend his western borders. He also allowed them to create an Old World merchant enclave in Shang-Yang, thus opening up the Silk Road in 1714 IC.[1a]
Gateway Between West and East[]
Today Shang-Yang is a mighty city -- the largest city in the Western Provinces of Cathay, a bustling metropolis full of foreign merchants from the Old World who make their way into the Far East along the Silk Road and the Ivory Road. These hazardous travels all end in Shang-Yang, despite its location in the middle of the Warpstone Desert.[3]
At times the fortress-city has come under threat from the armies of Hobgoblins of the Hobgobla-Khan or Ogre raiders from the Mountains of Mourn but has fended them off due to the Iron Dragon's formidable presence. There are also Skaven in the desert, and even rumours of rebellion, but Zhao Ming remains a force to be reckoned with, and commands an impressive following.[3] To protect the city's commerce there is also an additional garrison mantained from Tilean mercenary, financed by traders from their city-states.[1a]
Over the last few centuries Shang-Yang has become the end of a thread connecting Grand Cathay to the Old World, and Estalians, Tileans and Imperial travellers and ambassadors all have permanent quarters within the city. The latter reside there before they are allowed to travel to the imperial capital of Weijin and meet the Dragon Emperor.[3][4] Many trade caravans leave Cathay from Zhao Ming's domain, and should they be successful he will reap the wealth and prestige.[3]
Notable Locations[]
Great Embassy[]
Ambassadors sent from other realms of the Known World, many from the Old World, are housed in separate compounds within the sprawling Great Embassy of Shang-Yang, for that is where the route to the west begins...or to the east ends.[5]
House of Secrets[]
The Lores of Yin and Yang are not the only magics practiced in Grand Cathay, though they are the most favoured and the usage of other lores of magic are often forbidden. Outcast Cathayan Alchemists and other magic-users gravitate to Zhao Ming, the Iron Dragon and his capital city of Shang-Yang precisely because he is uncommonly accepting of their talents and practices.[3]
Concept art of a Cathayan Alchemist as depicted in Total War: Warhammer III.[1]
Over the years this migration has grown into a powerful cabal of wizards who have formed their own shadow Celestial Court known as the "House of Secrets." In the House of Secrets, all kinds of magic are practised, though the alchemists of Shang-Yang are especially well known. The House of Secrets often sees its members hired by generals all over the Celestial Empire, as their capabilities are far beyond that of most mortals. The Cathayan Alchemists' potions imbue them with spells from the Lore of Metal, as well as allowing them to give themselves or their allies powerful advantages in combat such as massive bonuses to melee and/or ranged attacks and enhanced protection from metal armour.[3]
The Iron Dragon himself is a highly-skilled alchemist, which has led to grumbling along his siblings about his use of this disfavoured form of magic. It has also led his city of Shang-Yang to become an important centre of research and experimentation for the barely accepted wizards. The alchemists are not officially sanctioned by the Dragon Emperor as Cathayan Astromancers are, but Zhao Ming's status as a Cathayan Dragon and the Moon Empress' favorite child allow them to practice their art.[3]
The alchemists of the House of Secrets help the Iron Dragon in his experiments, and many magical weapons and armour are forged in the Iron Dragon's cities. The alchemist cabal who gather at the House of Secrets[3] also uses the city as a base for their expeditions into the Warpstone Desert -- some never return. Others come back loaded with exotic ores that end up in the forges, with the Iron Dragon as enthusiastic as any of the other alchemists to begin experimenting.[3]
Cathayan Alchemists of Shang-Yang often use the rare elements present in the nearby Warpstone Desert to create powerful elixirs, metals and potions. Favoured by the Iron Dragon, the Cathayan Alchemists have steadily gained power and acceptance in Cathay over the centuries, and generals and magistrates will sometimes secure their services in battle, where their skills can enchant the weapons of their soldiers.[4a]
Trivia[]
The name of Shang-Yang could be a play on Shang Yang (ca. 390–338 B.C.), an ancient Chinese philosopher, politician and a prominent legalist scholar.
In official Chinese translations of Warhammer materials, Shang-Yang's name is rendered as "上阳", meaning "upper brightness".
Sources[]
- 1: Warhammer Armies: Dogs of War (5th Edition)
- 1a: p. 95
- 2: Total War Blog - Total War: WARHAMMER III – An Introduction to Grand Cathay.
- 3: Total War Blog - Who is Zhao Ming, the Iron Dragon?
- 4: Total War Blog - The secrets of Grand Cathay – a roundtable with Andy Hall
- 5: Total War: Warhammer III (PC Game)