Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170701191412

"Now a Xia could be said to be much like your knights back home in the west. Save knights with more dogma, honor, and by far more loyal to their lord. That is what we call a Xia"

-Prince Yang to Imrahil

Xia are feudal warriors, elite swordsmen, bureaucrats, poets, tacticians, and artists all in one. They tend to take the position of feudal lords that are also elite warriors in service to a master of sorts (normally). This master is either a local 'General' or 'Great lord' while those individuals are sworn to either to one of the Generalissimos or to the Emperor himself (Dragon's Guard)

Xia's are nobles by definition but the actual wealth varies highly between the Xia's standing. The Great Lords or Da-Zhuxia have large estates with thousands of servants under their direct control alongside the servants and estates of their vassals. They also tend to be in charge of a 'Great Clan' of which 50 exist in all of Xin. Now the lower Xia or Shizuxia tend to have a single small estate and far with a handful of servants. In between these two divides are many different ranks and such.

Xia of any standing apply to a strict social code built around, honor, loyalty, and sacrifice. The traits of a mighty warrior. These codes dictate everything a Xia does from the way he sips tea, the place he sits when with fellow Xia, to who he bows and those that bow to him, and the list goes on.

Xia's can be defined as a 'sub-culture' in the large culture of Xin. A Culture that is by far prouder and more stepped in ritual then the rest of Xin (this is not to say that Xinese themselves aren't proud Xia are just more so).

Now the roles of Xia are 'warrior poets' or 'warrior scholars' they are supposed to be fierce warriors yes, but also wise thinkers and poets. The intellectual nobles and not just brute soldiers. When off the field of battle they indulge in the arts with things like poems, painting, calligraphy, and gardens. They are also expected to be able administrators and when at home should be able to manage their own affairs with little to no assistance (Most Xia appoint a head servant for this role when they are off in battle)

But when you boil it down. Xia are still warriors at heart, although honorable ones. They fight as they live in ritual and within a code of honor. Instead of fighting like the common soldiery they host duels and so on. They do not just fight other Xia though most Xia are sworn to defend the Empire in exchange they are gifted some autonomy. These Xia given over to the state become either 'Dragon's Swords' or 'Dragon's Guards' with the later being a elite group that guards Imperial officials, Royals, and Generals. 