Matsugakure

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Matsugakure

Nestled above a fjord and surrounded by hectares of pine forest and mountains in the westernmost area of the Land of Auroras, Matsugakure sits overlooking the brackish waters of an inlet river on one side and the vast ocean on the other.

Sugar and red pine dominate the landscape, providing enough natural resources to make hardwood furniture and paper seals the major exports of the village. A sprinkling of juniper dots the surrounding pine forest—highly prized by merchants for the fine gin it creates.

During summer, Matsugakure experiences a midnight sun for three straight weeks. And in winter the long nights are lit up by streaks of colorful auroras.

Although far from the middle of the Land of Auroras, Matsugakure was established after taking over an ancient mountaintop fortress that historians claimed protected the coast from coastal raiders. While the times have changed, the isolation from the greater Shinobi World has led Matsugakure and the rest of the Land of Auroras a relative peaceful existence.

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Map

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Headband

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International Conflicts

There are border tensions between the Land of Earth to the Land of Aurora's east and the Land of Steel to its south. While there is a neutral accord between the land and Stone Country.

For the Land of Earth, the large swath of land that separates the two nations has sled to many territorial disputes. Since the Land of Earth does not want to commit to large-scale action that could distract it from the Five Great Nations, most conflicts are relegated to minor ninja missions that try to upset the balance.

To the south, the Land of Steel as set up a highly-secured demilitarized zone between the two nations. Nobody is allowed entrance or exit from the nation. The Land of Steel has done this throughout its border that touches four separate nations. Any missions that take place in the Land of Steel are automatically ranked as S missions.

As for the neighboring Stone Country. The nation is too poor due to contracted campaigns against the Land of Steel to offer any conflict with the Land of Auroras. Though they share a long border, both sides allow free movement in and out between the two.
 

Village Features

Matsugakure is made up of intersecting bridgeways that criss-cross from one mountainside to the next. The main area of the village sits above all and features most of the major populace. However, as you move away from the central parts, other mountaintops have developed into their own neighborhoods—some known as foodie hot spots, others for crime, and still others completely privatized by major players in trade.

Closer to the inlet river, there are a number of karsts dotting the fjord. Most have a number of pine trees growing along their sides, but four jagged little mountains are kept bare. Three of these four karsts are crowned by a single massive pine each. The trees are named after the fallen Shiha that did not return from the Third Great War: Inga, Bo, and Kine. The fourth is vacant.
 

Culture

The major cuisine of Matsugakure is pickled dishes and seafood. Since it's quite labor intensive to transport food from the coast, the upper class enjoys the shellfish from the coast, while others partake in the fish that finds themselves traveling through the inlet river.

As for entertainment, the pine wood is used for beautiful sounding organs that fill the mountainside in song. The surplus of paper has led to very cheap printed material. Kids and adults alike devour manga and dime novels.

Unlike many other areas throughout the Shinobi world, Matsugakure celebrates two unique festivals: the Festival of Two Suns and the Festival of Two Moons. In the middle of White Nights, there's 48 hours of straight daylight; in the middle of Black Nights there's the exact opposite.
 

Notable Places

Pinesol Square - most sunlight during the summer, huge solstice celebration
Pineville - district for the better-offs, has all the amenities popular place to visit if you got some ryo
Pork-U-Pine Grill - the Village's best grill, snubbed by everyone who doesn't appreciate pine puns (mostly everyone)
Doc's Burger Joint - Franchise, cheap meat, popular for genin