Character: Order comes in different shapes and fashions. Do not judge unfairly if you do not understand; Take the time to study and ponder, then judge accordingly. Each person has their own lot in life, a destiny that is chosen for them as much as they choose it. To break from tradition is a dangerous gamble, one that may leave you stripped of honor; without such honor, you are nothing. Bloodlines are the most important things in life - to tamper with them is to dishonor your family.

Ruler: Each three cycles (which are denoted by 300 revolutions of the Orb of Day and Night) a new ruler is chosen from the populace of Nature's Calm. The new ruler is always of a different caste than the previous, the progression following the same pattern over the years. One would think changes of this nature would cause great turmoil, but not in the eyes of the town's inhabitants. It follows the pattern of a greater overall order repeating through the cycles.

The current ruler is Buko, a particularly impassive elf of the Dog caste. He has presided over the samurai guarding Nature's Calm for years, and now enters the third year of his reign over Nature's Calm itself. He is to hand-pick the Dove that will follow in his stead, a task that he is not finding easy.

Behind the Throne: Actually, the true power of Nature's Calm lies in the title of ruler. The nature of the town is everything is done for a reason. Life is dictated by these immutable laws of tradition, so the chosen leader should be the correct choice to follow. If one was to look deeper at the various castes, the ones that seem to hold the most sway within the city are those of Dove, renowned for their wisdom, and those of the Dragon, who are aggressive and unswerving in their loyalty.

Description: Lying within sight of the Citadels of the Wind King and the Rain King rests the city of Nature's Calm. It is populated by the Ainu, a race of elves that have a distinct 'oriental' flavor. Along with the typical pale skin and angular features, most all of these elves sport heads of bluish-black hair. Eye colors consist mostly of dark browns and strong shades of violet. In general, the inhabitants of this town are peaceful and introspective, searching their inner souls for the true paths to harmony.

The main difference in these elves that stirs up the curiosity of their neighbors is their tie to the animal world. A distinctive trademark of any of the adults of this society are the clearly brandished tattoos of a particular animal. These animals are referred to as their kami, spirits that guide their path in life. Upon reaching puberty, all children regardless of sex go through a three-day ritual of isolation and meditation where they maintain contact with their totem kami. Each child chooses, and is chosen by, a type of animal spirit that shows their true calling. Once the ritual is over, the young adult brandishes a unique tattoo symbol of their kami.

The types of animals representative of the kami are: hawk, rooster, hare, dove, rat, monkey, dog, dragon, and snake. Adults chosen by the Hawk are the hunters of society, providers who bring in meat and fish for the town. Roosters and Hares are the artisans who make the everyday items that those in the city need to survive. The dove is a sign of peace and healing, those under its call being the healers and caregivers of the city. Rats are the rogues, something not well respected, but an accepted class nonetheless - everyone has their place in society. The Monkey in this realm is seen as a sign of intelligence, those of this caste pursuing the lure of politics or magic. Dogs and Dragons are warriors of various skills, dogs being more of a home guard while dragons tend to go war and search out problems. The snake is something of a bad sign. Those chosen by the snake are believed to be doomed, their presence signaling impending misfortunes. Rather than casting out those of the snake, they are embraced, for when the time comes they are expected to lay down their lives for the greater good of Nature's Calm.

As far as Nature's Calm is concerned it is a well-sized town surrounded by farming communities that provide its well-being. Except for the heavy wood and stone castle that lies in the center of town, all of the buildings are constructed of thin wood and paper. They do not always stand up to the torrents of the Storm Kings, but the benefit is that these buildings are easily reconstructed from any disaster, whether it be winds or fire. All architecture and products within Nature's Calm are artistic, but within a regulated, non-extravagant fashion.

Militia: The Ainu maintain a sizable force of 500 samurai warriors vigilant to protect the city against warriors of chaos and evil. All of these samurai belong to either the dog or dragon caste, this being their main function. Rarely is there a skirmish that would involve the entire force, but they have been used to persuade ambitious Harmonium patrols from disrupting the peace.

Services: Nature's Calm is well known in the land for its cultivated variety of crops. Rice, grain, and vegetables can be purchased here in abundance, and it is a regular trading point for good-aligned travelers who know how to handle their different customs. The town is also a good point for acquiring medicines and herbs that may be difficult to locate.

As far as Arcadian towns go, Nature's Calm is probably a better resting point for the non-orderly. The elves of Nature's Calm are tolerant of outsiders, but there are certain customs to which no one but the Ainu are allowed, such as the ritual of maturity. Very few Ainu mate outside of race for fear of contaminating the bloodline and losing the gift of kami.