Wutai is a country that has seen much change and progress since the time of Holy. It was the first continent besides the South to become hospitable to human living. It housed not one but five different gatherings of people, whom all brought the remnants of their technology with them.

    With this Shinra technology secured, Wutai did not suffer the regression into barbarism that the rest of the world labored under. They slid only as far as the industrial era, where they've thrived and prospered as a whole.

    Due to necessity, Wutai is formed into several strong city-states. Their protective walls and security defend their inhabitants from monstrous incursion. Each city has a chosen royal family to guide it. Many of these families have existed since Holy and hold their position with infallible might.

    Working under the royal family is usually a symposium of local influential citizens who attend court daily and help to sway the decisions on day to day affairs. Commoners are barred from entering court without requesting an appointment for a specific concern. Most times, a commoner will write to one of the 'council' ( A name given to those who attend daily ) and have them bring up the matter.

Mages Guild

    Formed in 52 AH as the Istari, the Mages' Guild has had a strong influence on the going ons of the empire of Wutai. Meta, a long abandoned term for those born with a gift for magic, were once shunned and feared. With the constant presence of the guild, they have come to be accepted, and treasured.

    The guild spread out onto other lands, bringing with it a tide of mystical knowledge and insight. However, the guild's true loyalty never wavered from its homelands. There, the greatest secrets of arcane lore are kept and not disclosed to its 'lesser' branches. It is said that Wutai magic can level mountains and dry up oceans, but no such grand feats have been confirmed.

    A key to Wutai magic-working is the act of cooperation. Wutai mages are trained from the first day how to synchronize their spell casting efforts with another. In war, mage battalions cast spells with upwards of fifty magi at once. With such castings, spells to annihilate or cripple enemy forces become a reality. It is little wonder that Wutai repelled the geographically titanic Empire time and time again.

Heresy

    As noted previously, Wutai exists in a state of heavy industry. In their religion, heresy, the sin of working with technology, does not exist. They have access to, expensive, automotive vehicles. Their hunters and soldiers are outfitted with mass produced and efficient rifles.

    For the private citizen, products such as indoor plumbing, clean burning lanterns, and a wide variety of manufactured goods makes life worth living. A particularly popular technological toy is the camera. Though a tad unwieldy, Wutai families happily gather and sit still to get their images captured for later enjoyment.

    In the military, the latest innovation would be the automated battle platform. Recognizable as a tank to a resident of the real world, these rolling death dealers are armored to a sickening level. They are typically armed with two machinated guns on either side, with a main turret resting on top. The strength behind the battle platform is that no other nation has a method to combat it. Only a battle platform can easily get rid of another battle platform. There has to date only been one defeat of such a platform, but it was alone, and against an entire army, so the Wutai remain confident.

Religion

    The Wutai do not share ties with 'The Church' that permeates most of the world. Their beliefs are similar on a multiple of levels, but their refusal to acknowledge the need for true organized religion and steadfast devotion to heresy keeps the church away.

    Wutai religion is a quiet and reserved practice. Small shrines and reserved areas are set aside, usually in attractive places of natural charm. There citizens may visit at any time, to kneel on the provided mats and say thanks to God, and to the patron spirit of Leviathan.

    Leviathan takes an important role in philosophy. He is regarded as the guiding spirit of the Wutai Empire and of the continent that it exists on. Every battle that is won demands a sacrificial banquet be held in the holy serpent's honor. He is said to watch the doings of Wutai from the ocean, and that should the empire fall from the true path, he will devour the continent whole.

    Wutai priests are a monastic order. They deny themselves of many worldly pleasures and instead spend their days in thought and performing cleansing rituals. Priests are the continent's primary source of philosophy. It's very common for Wutai priests to compile their thoughts into texts and release them for general consumption.

    In politics, priests hold little sway over non-religious affairs. They do not get a word on military actions, or where a building is placed, unless that position happens to be of religious import.

    In the private sector, priests are respected and valued. They are often sought after for advise and counsel on all manner of affair. Priests are habitually called to perform blessings when a family moves into a new home or a building is erected. Weddings are performed in solemn affairs with not one but several priests attending.