Writeup on factions:
The Daimyo:
The kingdom of Nobunaga.
Leader: Chiyoko Nobunaga.
Region: Kyushu/Chugoku
Nobunaga's regime most closely embodies traditional Japanese culture. Worker "peasants" toil long, unfufilling hours in massive factories or man the fields in massive farms. Nobunaga's region is the largest producer of practical goods and food in Japan, but most of it isn't used to address the rampant problems of starvation, instead being seized as "tax" to fund the slightly higher class engineers, doctors, and programmers, but mostly to placate the landowner and warrior castes into easy submission, as the elite plot and scheme against their fellow daimyo. Deviancy, insubordination, and undesirable thought, and any other brand of "radicalism" is dealt with swiftly and harshly in Nobunaga's quest for a more "pure" Japan. Any "pig bloods" (that is, people with obvious non-Japanese traits) can expect unwelcome treatment in Nobunaga's region, and he is known to keep Ronin at arm's length, though those with the means have been known to discretely reach out to the Ronin for aid in "embarrasing" matters.
It's something of an open secret that Nobunaga himself is not actually a descendant of the famed conqueror, but merely adopted the name.
The Greater Japan Trade Collective
Leader: Naoko "Akuma" Yamaichi
Region:Kansai/Okinawa
Most activities of the GJTC would, in most cultures, be deemed "Criminal activity." That, however, is somewhat of a moot point when your "government" is the prime suspect. They are the largest trader in Japan, and while they do a fair amount of "legitimate" business with other countries, most
local business consists of pornography, drugs, prostitutes, alcohol, and other, more "niche" products. The Kansai region itself is haphazardly divided between chaotic, at times violent living blocks, and bright, shining sprawls of gambling, sex, and general hedonism, with Okinawa practically qualifying as an anarchistic, debauched recreation of Las Vegas. On these streets, money truly can buy you anything. Akuma himself openly welcomes Ronin, while usually encouraging them to spend their money, and the disorganized nature of the region means it's perfect for Ronin to set up shop and remain mostly out of sight, resulting in the heaviest congregation throughout Japan.
Part 2 in a bit.
