Grass Country (Hidden Grass Village)
History:
The Hidden Grass village is one of the oldest villages of the ninja world. About 130 years ago, Grass Country?s High Council, which included feudal lords, skilled warriors and political leaders, assembled for a secret meeting of utmost importance. The objective of this meeting was to establish the need for a military base to protect the Grass Country from invasions and attacks coming from other countries. Indeed, the need for a Hidden Village, used to train ninjas, was becoming very urgent since almost all neighboring countries had already their Hidden Villages. The Fire, Rain, Wind and Earth countries were becoming more and more powerful with the emergence of Leaf, Rain, Sand and Rock villages. At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously decided that Grass Country?s best warriors would create an intensive training camp - Hidden Grass Village. The village is self-sufficient since they carry out missions for clients and obtain rewards on completion. Honkusa Takashi was chosen to be the first leader of the village because he was arguably the strongest shinobi and wisest person in the Grass Country. The others villages reacted quite well to the emergence of this new village, which quickly gained others? respect due to the worth of their ninjas. Grass ninjas had certainly nothing to envy to other villages? shinobis. Grass ninjas specialized themselves in Mokuton Jutsus, related to trees, plants and poison, but just like in Konoha, there was a large number of clans, each having their own specialties and advanced bloodlines. The ninja from the Grass Village were even accepted in Chuunin exams. The hierarchy in Grass Village is the same as in Konoha : there are academy students, Genins, Chuunins, Jounins. The leader likes to be called Kusakage, although he is not recognized as one the five great Kages of the ninja world. However, his strength is almost comparable to that of the other Shinobi leaders.
Within the past, when Stone was a more dominant force and foe, it struck against Kusagakure and it's people. Wanting to take it down to show that the Earth Country was indeed strong. In retaliation, Grass called upon the other great villages who gave their strength and forces in hopes of quelling the war and stopping Iwagakure before it became too strong. The results can be seen today, Stone having lost to the might of Kusgakure and the other countries retreated and Grass has deemed it fit to not hold grudges and remain neutral with the old enemy.
In the recent years that have passed, the newest Kusakage known as Daisou Garr has been elected in replacement of their old and great leader. Despite these changes, the village has never seen better days, every year more income is seen and stronger shinobi are showing up straight out of the academy. It has been what some people have been calling the golden age of prosperity, but how long will this great age last?
The Hidden Grass Village is definitely not up to the other superpowers in terms of population count, given that most of the commoners prefer to establish their plantation in a place other than a military base. Yet, despite this fact, there are still quite a number of inhabitants, the last census reporting a population of almost five thousand. Less than one fifth of this number are established shinobi, the others being simple planters or retired/dropout ninjas.
Geography and Climate:
The Grass Country?s position is certainly a strategic one since it is bordered by not less than six other countries including the renowned Fire, Rain, Wind and Earth nations. Strategically established at the very heart of the country, the Hidden Grass Village, surrounded by a dense forest can easily deal with attacks coming from any of its neighbors. Besides, due to the various natural ?barriers? situated at the frontiers, all sneaky moves coming from enemies could prove to be useless. Grass is separated from the Earth Country by a mountain range, the easiest way to cross these rocky peaks being traveling by the water route, along the river running through the two countries. Grass shinobis are usually stationed at the outpost located in the canyon near the border, making sure that all entering ninjas have the legal documents. To the west lies a dense and luxuriant rainforest, a place rumored to be a hundred times more dangerous than the infamous Forest of Death of Konoha. One is most likely to find fierce wild animals and carnivorous, poisonous plants in that jungle. South of the village is an arid desert, extending from as far as the Wind Country itself. Unlike the rest of the fertile Grass Country, water is extremely scarce in that region. Travelers, however, can stop at the oasis of Tenyokuchi to refill their gourds? Well known towns are the twin cities of Hokukishi (North Bank) and Nankishi (South Bank), which as their names suggest are on different sides of the River of Purity. East of Kusagakure is the capital city of the Grass Country, Sougen located next to the Jundo no Kosui (Lake of Purity). On the opposite bank of the basin lies the fishing village of Kaku, a place notorious for its illegal gambling houses. Most of the people who are too poor to go to Hokukishi, the most mundane place in Grass, prefer the welcoming setting of Kaku for a good game of dice.
The climate in the Grass Country is a tropical one. The weather is fine most of the time (like in Konoha) but each year, for two months, Grass Country is affected by the monsoon, which brings heavy downpours and violent gusts.
Allies and enemies: Because of its sensible position, Grass Country prefers to ally itself to its neighbors. The previous Kusakages have always privileged the strengthening of ties between these countries. Grass is neutral towards all countries, preferring to stay out of international feuds unless they are directly concerned. However, the Grass Country never lets its guard down, staying alert to be prepared in case of surprise attacks. History proved that alliances have never been very trustworthy and recently there have been reports of a group of shinobi advancing closer and closer towards Kusagakure.
Economy: Grass Village?s main source of revenue aside from the mission completion bonuses, is undoubtedly the sale of wine. Boasting the most expansive and best quality vines in the world, Kusagakure produces the finest liquors, grape juices and champagne. The quality of the goods coupled with an already established reputation make sure that this little business is good enough to allow the villagers to earn a living.
Special Squad: Within the last year, the Kusakage recalled all members of the former special squads and is currently setting up a new training regiment and name for this new unit.
Villages
The Grass Capital, Sougen
A city of green, Sougen is always vibrant with the colors of nature, of course, I wasn?t visiting during the monsoon season so, who knows what its like then, the architecture is traditional, lots of traditional wooden framed housing, the capital is surrounded by a wall like any other city, however this wall is covered in ivy which is green all year round.
As a country surrounded by four superpowers there is of course military advantages and disadvantages, but for the tourist like myself, it provides the country with a wealth of trade, caravans pass through almost constantly and provide the city with a wide variety of produce.
For a city in the middle of trade routes a quick growth was inevitable, since the founding of the capital it has grown to equal the size of sands capital with almost a thousand people within its walls, staying true to its country however the grass capital has a large field in its centre in the centre of which is the capital pagoda, a building six stories high.
Due to Sougen being such a centre for commerce due to the trade routes passing through it there are markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, these markets are more like gigantic bazaars, the large open field in the centre of the city becomes alive with merchants, at least two hundred stands on a weekday and up to five hundred on Sundays, you?ll find whatever you need in the market, providing its legal.
Just like every other capital in the world the grass city is divided into segments, it makes it easiest to lay down quick information on where to visit if we think about Sougen in four segments, north, south, east and west.
The north and south areas of town are dedicated to residential uses, there are a few taverns in amongst the houses but nothing special, a small medical centre is in the south residential zone, a doctor whose house doubles as a surgery.
Well, not everyone is interested in finding a place to stay for the night and that?s why I?m writing about these capitals, the east quadrant has some of the finest spirits available, they?re imported from each of the superpowers surrounding grass so there is enough variety to suit any palette, the same goes for cuisine and entertainment.
In the west district there is the largest greenhouse in the world, it contains many species of plants that have been created in Grass Country through grafting them onto other plants as well as exhibiting rare greenery from around the world. Administrative buildings also sit in this area, there is a dojo used for training militia in a basic sword style and several upper-class establishments, inns and restaurants, for those of us with a little more cash than we know what to do with, I just ordered a glass of water.
Hokukishi: Mundane town to say the least, the town located on the north bank of the Purity River is famous all over the country as a gambling emporium, a haven for jet-setters and adepts of nightlife entertainment. The rich tourist is offered a variety of ?services? ranging from strip clubs, discotheques, bars, pubs and for those out of love, brothels camouflaged as massage salons. Hokukishi is actually the busiest town in the whole Grass Country.
Nankishi: Much more discreet than its twin, this town, which is an essentially trading outpost, is nonetheless almost as visited as Hokukishi, being the perfect location for merchants and villagers to obtain fresh goods at the best prices. Located at a strategic position, next to the confluence of two rivers, the city?s goods supply never run low. This is accounted for by the fact that Nankishi is connected to several hamlets and farms which provide more than 50% of the goods traded in the town.
Kaku: A seemingly uninteresting fishing village, Kaku?s only noteworthy feature is its underground gambling network set up by the locals. The games are illegal simply because the villagers are not ready to let the state receive a percentage of their profits as it is the case for legalized businesses. The most played game is Chinchironin?
Tenyokuchi: A little spot of paradise in the blazing hell of the desert, this oasis is the only place one can find water before reaching the Hidden Grass Village. A strategic and vital water source, Tenyokuchi probably saved the lives of several dehydrated persons who went out of water during their journey through the dunes of the Wind Country.
Kusagakure: Kusagakure hardly differs from most ninja villages in terms of structure and governance. Like most others, the Hidden Grass welcomes ?commoners? allowing them to set up business in the commercial district which, at peak hours, bubbles with shoppers. At the heart of the village is the base of operations of the Grass ninjas, the place where everything related to shinobis is handled: the Kusakage?s residence, the Ninja Academy and the headquarters. The headquarters? main complex is arguably the largest structure in the whole country, being the place where most administrative issues are decided. Teams have to report there to be assigned missions; high cadres meet in conference halls to decide on promotions and assignments. There are even dormitories which provide a roof to homeless shinobis. Finally, there are residential areas around the Village centre: Clan Estates are usually located in remote parts of the village, in suburbs, their grounds boasting immense facilities which have nothing to envy to those of the village itself. The same river taking its source from the Earth and Rain countries (i.e. is the Purity River) passes through the village as well. A dam was built across it to form a man-made reservoir, with a view to supplying fresh water to the whole village throughout the year.
Places in Grass
Library: The place where everyone, even non-ninjas, come to if they seek knowledge. The shelves hold several items, ranging from ancient manuscripts and scrolls to the most recent hard cover fiction novels. Of course, only Grass ninjas have access to the Jutsu Scrolls section and their level of access is also determined by their rank in the hierarchy.
Temples: These buildings are a common sight in the village, having been built to honor the gods of the earth, expected to bless the crops and harvests. Most of the temples have been built around shrines dedicated to specific deities, with a particular attention to serving the gods of wine, fertility and agriculture. Offerings are made each year after the first harvest to thank the gods for the good reaping.
Facilities in the commercial area:
-Ramen Stand
-Various restaurants
-Smith
-Tailors
-Barbers
-Sweet shops
Festivals:
-A festival is also held over a period of seven days after the vintage, the products being sold to the general public at amazingly low fares. Of course, other ways in which one can entertain oneself are abundant during this manifestation, which is concluded by a massive firecrackers show.
-Other festivals are also held but none is as significant as the so-called Wine Festival.
