Editing Sho Lore (section)

=== On Ispar ===
==== Founding ====
The history of the Sho is intertwined with their mythology. For more information on the Sho creation story, see [[Sho#Religions and Beliefs|Religions and Beliefs]]. The legendary founder of the Sho Nation was [[Shou-Jen Rian]]. According to their beliefs, after dishonoring the [[Dragon of Power]], Shou-Jen Rian and his kinsmen were driven west and south by the Dragon, who burned their crops and destroyed their villages.<ref name=ShouJenVer1>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ispar Texts/Sho Heritage/The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 1)|The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 1)]]</ref><ref name=ShouJenVer2>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ispar Texts/Sho Heritage/The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 2)|The Shou-Jen and the Founding of Ryuujii (Version 2)]]</ref> The people were driven southwest for years, all the way to the sea.<ref name=ShouJenVer1/><ref name=ShouJenVer2/> There, the Shou-Jen family established a kingdom and named it after the Dragon (Ryujii) to placate the Elder.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Sho]]</ref> However, six families instead sailed across the sea and founded their own kingdoms upon islands named after the Firebird (Iiwah) and the Unicorn (Chiran-tou).<ref name=ShouJenVer1/><ref name=ShouJenVer2/><ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/>
<br><br>While the dates of the founding of the Sho Nation are unknown, we can some assumptions. The first is that the [[Ryu Jou Gai]], the Order of the Dragon Temple, was founded ''after'' the founding of Ryujii since the Ryu Jou Gai is based at the Dragon Temple in the Sho homelands.<ref name=ZogblasterShoFactions>1999/11 [[Release]] - [[Zogblaster Archive/Heritage Groups/Sho/Sho Factions]]</ref> In Leafcull, 10 PY (1286 RC) the Ryu Jou Gai was said to have been founded over one thousand years ago, giving us an approximate date of 286 RC for the Order's founding. Thus, one can assume that the events of the founding of the Sho Nation took place at some point prior to that.
<br><br>Given that this is a fantasy setting, it is entirely possible that the Sho creation story and their Elder spirits are real beings and the story of Shou-Jen Rian is true. However, if interpreting their mythology from a more secular point of view, it is possible that the Dragon destroying their crops and home and driving them to the sea is a metaphor for a stronger nation expanding their territory by claiming the old Sho homelands. If the Sho Nation was founded some time prior to 286 RC, the [[Roulea|Roulean Empire]] could certainly be the rival nation. Another idea, presented on [http://ac.warcry.com/content/lore/ispar/sho Warcry's Crossroads of Dereth's Sho introduction article] is that the Dragon was a metaphor for volcanic activity.

==== Three Kingdoms ====
For centuries after the founding of the three kingdoms warlords feuded amongst themselves, mostly in the name of one of the Elder spirits or another.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/>
<br><br>Over a thousand years ago (286 RC or earlier), the [[Ryu Jou Gai]] was founded.<ref name=ZogblasterShoFactions/>
<br><br>Around 800 years ago (approximately 486 RC) Jojii received a vision from [[Unicorn of Grace]] on how to reach Paradise by following four primary precepts: Humility, Discipline, Detachment and Compassion.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/>
<ref name=CommentsOnJojiism>1999/11  [[Release]] - [[Jojii Zhen Gai Comments on the Teachings of Jojii]]</ref> This new religion, called Jojiism, would gradually become the guiding school of thought for the Sho.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/> For more on Jojiism, see [[Sho#Religions and Beliefs|Religions and Beliefs]].
<br><br>No more than 500 years ago (approximately 793 RC or later) the [[Tanada Clan of Nanjou Shou-Jen]] arose in the midst of a minor territorial war between the warlords Fansin Hanu and Kosu Jainan.<ref name=RiseAndFallOfTheTanada>2006/11 [[Remembering the Past]] - [[The Rise and Fall of the Tanada]]</ref>
<br><br>300 years ago (986 RC) a split occured in the [[Chiran Jou Gai]], the Order of the Unicorn Temple. While the Order focused on healing magic, the new group, the [[Chiran Jishui Dan]] or The Ranks of the Unicorn's Battle focused instead on battle magic.<ref name=ZogblasterShoFactions/>

==== Unification and the Kou Dynasty ====
200 years ago (approximately 1086 RC), the Emperor Kou rose to power in Ryujii at the age of fifteen. Kou united the Sho people under his banner. Iiwah he took by force, invading with a massive fleet; Chiran-tou he took by peace, marrying the daughter of its ruler and moving his throne there. Then, he quickly began reforming Jojiism and encouraging its spread. Thus began the Kou dynasty, and the Sho people were at last unified under one Throne and one vision.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/>
<br><br>At a very approximate date of 1176 RC (based on average human generational span and the ages of Kou and Kou-an) Empress Kou-an, great granddaughter of the Emperor Kou, ascended to the Throne of the Sho Empire at the age of fifteen. Guided by Jojiism, Kou-an in turn guided and refined the Sho culture. During her reign, Kou-an sen the Thousand Emissaries to the other nations of the Iron Sea, including Gharu'n, Milantos, Viamont, and Aluvia. Kou-an also decreed that the common trade language of the other nations, Roulean, be taught to all Sho.<ref name=EmpressKou-an>2001/11 [[Dark Majesty]] - [[AC:DM CD Lore/Ispar Texts/Sho Heritage/The Glorious Reign of Empress Kou-an|The Glorious Reign of Empress Kou-an]]</ref> 

==== Present Day ====
As late as 1286 RC, the Sho still enjoyed the stability brought by the Kou Dynasty. Monasteries and temples provided a foundation of education and training for the populace.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/> The old rivalries between the three Elders and their associated Jojiist principles still remained. There were also rumors of secret groups who despise both Jojiism and the Kou Dynasty, and are loyal only to the Dragon.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/> Trade had begun with the two closest kingdoms, the Gharu'ndim and the Milantos, and the Sho were growing increasingly aware of the vast lands beyond their borders.<ref name=ZogblasterShoIntro/>
<br><br>In 1292 RC, the Gharu'ndim realm was shrinking as Viamontians aggressively expanded their territories. Some in the Sho Nation worried the Viamontians may target their lands next.<ref name=LetterFromHomeSho>2005/07 [[Throne of Destiny]] - [[Letter From Home (Sho)]]</ref>