Cin

Cin is a large nation-state found on the continent of Akido, the largest and most populous on the continent. Its territory makes up more than half of Akido by land area, bordering all three oceans. It lies east of Niro, a neighbouring archipelago nation, and shares a border with Li'un to the north.

Spanning temperate, tundra and mountainous climates in the southern hemisphere, Cin is cold on average, and its people's culture and lifestyles have long been shaped by the inhospitability of the outdoors.

A major power, it has strong trade ties with its neighbour Niro, as well as a few nations on the other side of the oceans: Bel and Orsand in particular.

Science and technology
Numerous innovations are credited to Cin, including the inventions of the steam engine and aerostatic air transport (hot air balloons).

Clockwork
Clockwork was invented in Cin, and spread slowly via trade routes, first to Niro and then to the Solan nations. It is more widespread across Akido and the archipelagos, where it has been developed into intricate machinery, and less popular across the Ecorem landmass where early ideas about religion stymied the incorporation of science into daily life.

Steam power
The first engine was theorised about, and then constructed, by Lei Ou, a scientist from the city of Baihi. Lei Ou initially specialised in clockwork innovations, before the possibility of using the pressure of steam to power machines became apparent to her. Her invention started an entire revolution in mechanical industries worldwide, particularly in Bel where steam machines gained widespread application after the New Truth movement.

Hot air balloons
First invented in Cin in 11 AOG, hot air balloons make use of hot air and optimal air conditions to attain altitude and motion. This innovation never made it far past the borders of Cin, for the transport mode was seen as too dangerous to be adopted broadly. However, the methods have been heavily refined since they were first shared with the world, and recreational ballooning is not an uncommon pastime in Cin.

Steering systems have always been crude on aerostatic systems such as these, and no one so far has been able to conclusively solve that problem. All hot air balloon journeys require extensive planning and even then are unpredictable. No commercial application for this mode of transport has been found yet.