Present Day Map Finalby RenDragonClawResources & Stock Images / Designs & Patterns / Other2012-2015 RenDragonClawFor reference use only, this is a map of the present state of affairs in KAS or the 'Present Day'. The map key can be defined as follows:

Welcoming- Nations that are welcoming to kaiju often either worship, employ or do their best to appease/understand giant monsters as whole. They are aware that kaiju are not uni-formally mindless engines of destruction or creatures out to drive humanity to extinction. Such nations also apply the same philosophy to enigma sensitives, mutants and giga fauna provided they don't prove themselves to be a serious threat to the environment and local populations.Discrimination against enigma sensitives and mutants of a non criminal nature is often against federal law and such individuals can find help in adapting to human society again. Welcoming Nations also are among the leading experts on kaiju in general, providing a secure and stable environment for kaijuologists and other scientific minds interested in the creatures to study and potentially even create them. Naturally this can backfire but welcoming nations are known for taking such debacles and turning some good fortune out of it or at least being all the more prepared.

Friendly- Nations that are friendly to kaiju may not have the resources to train, study or employ kaiju defenders of their own but are understanding that kaiju attacks can be reduced by not agitating them and understanding how and why they go about their business. Friendly nations often focus more on repelling and warding against kaiju attacks than attempting containment or termination. Many friendly nations are of the sentiment that kaiju are not something that should be challenged by man unless really necessary and spiritual and cultural beliefs in the region often tie into this. Enigma Sensitives and Giga Fauna often find refuge in such regions or are considered protected providing they are do not cause a great deal of harm.

Wary- Nations that are wary of kaiju are always on the defensive, expecting kaiju to attack at any moment. Whether it's pragmatism or national pride, wary nations think the world would be much better if it simply went back to not having kaiju at all. Knowing that kaiju are not so easily removed, wary nations strive to separate themselves from kaiju as much as possible. A very 'you stay on your side, I'll stay on mind' kind of mentality. As long as kaiju do not enter the borders of a wary nation they will not be attacked. Kaiju that come from hollows within the borders or are created there are subject to extreme scrutiny and wary nations focus on at least containing or driving off such kaiju as quickly as possible. Wary nations however do not actively hunt kaiju not within their borders and seek to avoid initiating a violent response from kaiju that may be nearby. Kaiju that have proven themselves valuable assets to the country are strictly monitored and controlled but are cared for and appeased as needed. Such kaiju are often held as a symbol of power. This philosophy extends to enigma sensitives and giga fauna, controlled and contained for the nation's benefit with the idea that any sign of disobedience or going rogue is grounds for stricter confinement and possible termination.

Hostile- Nations that are hostile towards kaiju are aggressive, sometimes self destructively so. Hostile nations always seek to kill all enigma based life forms out of either human supremacy, paranoia or a deep grudge caused by some major incident. Religious fanaticism also plays a crucial role in if a nation becomes hostile or not. Several major religions have laid a stigma on enigma based life as 'unholy' in some fashion and that affiliation with such is 'heresy' of the highest order. Some hostile nations are akin to wary nations that have opted for an extreme preemptive policy over a pragmatically defensive one. Hostile nations will attempt to attack any kaiju within reach of it's military and enigma sensitives and mutants are fugitives that are openly hunted and exterminated, thus many such individuals become either refugees or unwilling criminals. Giga Fauna are exterminated with extreme prejudice. If a hostile nation does have kaiju of it's own they are often driven out or become a region wide terror and public menace. Kaiju defense forces from other nations must go through extensive red tape and political meandering if called to deal with kaiju threats in the territory of hostile nations, often being barred altogether if the situation is not truly dire. Hostile Nations that grow powerful enough to use a kaiju of their own are either ruthlessly abusive to their ward or employ extreme measures to ensure loyalty. Hostile nations that have a 'working relationship' with a rogue kaiju are extremely rare. While kaijuology in general is openly ridiculed in hostile nations, the study of kaiju for military purposes and possible termination is highly prized. Hostile nations are willing to go to great lengths to secure such information for their own use.

Indifferent- Nations that are indifferent interact with kaiju as the situation demands. They otherwise are effectively neutral or simply don't care. Often this is because the nation is having severe problems not related to kaiju or are culturally unfazed by the weird and strange, taking it in stride. Indifferent nations are also nations that have not really suffered major kaiju attacks or have very little enigma activity to speak of. Others are caught between powers greater than themselves and are shielded from a high degree of kaiju traffic. Those that do have interactions with kaiju either are too powerless to do anything about it or are content to live in their shadow.

United States of America: Status: Indifferent.The USA, being the site of nearly half the number of Earth Hollows across the Globe counts itself among the world nations that have polarizing mixed views of kaiju. While exact policy remains divided along party lines (much like everything else) the USA has perhaps the largest number of active kaiju and the views on them differ from state to state. Many of the rogue kaiju from the United States are at least even in temperament and while this is not by any means a given, tend to be receptive to communication and cooperation with humanity. Much of the Northern or 'Liberal' states want to at least understand these titans so they can better defend themselves or learn something from them that could be beneficial to the US. The southern and more conservative states meanwhile have gotten the brunt of aggressive kaiju both from within their own borders and those traveling over seas. This has upset them something fierce and many are of the militant and even stubbornly evangelical opinion that kaiju are abhorrent abominations of the devil at best and active threats to national security at worst. Thus the most efficient method of dealing with kaiju is 'shoot it till it dies'. Between these two extremes and countless demographics that fluctuate wildly in actual knowledge of kaiju, the United States is largely indifferent as a whole though how long the powder keg between the two radically different stances will stay unlit and united will depend on how well they can continue to defend American soil. A task that is proving more difficult as larger and more powerful kaiju emerge.

Canada: Status: Friendly.Canada has a generally positive view of kaiju, seeing them as an extension of their parks and lakes. While any individual kaiju is more dangerous than a moose ever could be, Canada enjoys the relative security from it's neighbor and thus even when aggressive kaiju do attack, there is a usually a solution right around the corner. While Canada doesn't have much in the way of kaiju defense personally, it's rogue kaiju population is generally amicable as long as they are not attacked. The Great Lakes are home to a number of these kaiju and are not too aggressive as long as they are left alone and given a respectfully wide berth.

Mexico: Status: WaryAlready rife with drug lords, poverty, pollution and half a hundred other issues, Mexico really doesn't need giant monsters rampaging through their country on top of it. As Mexico has several coastal choke points, it is very vulnerable to sudden attacks by sea which is a prime Kaiju method of travel. Like many coastal nations, Mexico is threatened by that fact alone. It, and the all countries leading to the Panama Canal, are threatened by the rise of the Conquerors in South America. If the Conquerors succeed in crossing through Colombia, Mexico will be right in their cross hairs.

South America: Status: HostileIn general, the countries that make up the Amazon continent are utterly hostile against kaiju for a very simply reason: they've lost the most. Lima Peru was utterly devastated to the point a national day of mourning was announced to mark the occasion. The Panama Canal is also a major choke point for traveling kaiju and many fear it could be attacked or smashed apart any day now. The Amazon Jungle is a perfect hiding place for mutants, growing kaiju and even fully grown kaiju. The continent as a whole lacks the military resources to make a sizable dent in anything that's hungry enough to come prowling out of the trees and rivers. This understandably has put them on edge.

Brazil: Status: WaryBuffered by the Amazon Basin, Brazil has so far managed to avoid the often damaging attentions of Kaiju. It's no secret that they are just as paranoid of a kaiju attack as the rest of South America but for now they are not up for provoking the issue further while the majority of kaiju activity is either far south or far north. There is also no telling when a kaiju could emerge from it's forested areas.

Europe: Status: Mostly IndifferentSo far Greenland, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden and Finland are considered Friendly toward Kaiju. The reasons vary from myths and folklore being heavily engrained into the culture to the point that kajiu from the region are regarded as proof of such, to being included in the safety net of the United States and it's kaiju defense forces of various origin. Far as the Brits are concerned, stranger things have happened. Meanwhile France and Germany are Wary of kaiju threats, having major landmarks that would be fitting battle grounds for kaiju. The destruction of national treasures would be astronomical. Most of the rest of Europe is indifferent, caught up in the flux of the economy and their local issues to pay kaiju much mind until one ventures into their cities. This is generally the case with one exception...

Italy: Status: WelcomingWhile Italy, and it's capital of Rome were Hostile at first, considering kaiju abominations against God and the end of humanity's 'rightful' dominion of the planet, the country has recently flipped it's stance on kaiju. After the terrorist attack on the Vatican and the death of many major cardinals, priests and the previous Pope-all of which were strong advocates for kaiju and mutant termination-were killed. Their replacements have been much more moderate and have been drawing support for a 'sanctified' kaiju defense force of their own. While there is no proof that such a force exists as of yet, rogue kaiju by and large seem to avoid the area, indicating that a large earth hollow may be within Italy's borders. The government claims to be looking into the matter but has otherwise made no comment.

Greece: Status: WelcomingBecause of the sudden appearance of kaiju relating to Greek myth throughout the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Greece has been brought out of it's slump thanks to such legendary creatures proving to be real and at a far greater scale than they ever imagined. Many of these kaiju have reclaimed their ancient lairs and thus are mostly considered national treasures so long as they aren't disturbed. Several Heros from those same myths have also appeared in the form of massive golems, leading to a nation wide surge in interest into the period of history known simply as 'The Four Empires Era'. The generally amicable nature of the kaiju and golems in question has lead to a surge in tourism and has been a considerable boon to the field of Kaijuology. The area is defended from more rapacious rogue kaiju by virtue of these kaiju defending their lairs. The exception to this is Crete which was heavily damaged during a titanic battle there with enigmatic eldritch forces.

Russia: Status: WaryThe USSR has a great deal of territory to defend and defend it will. Adopting a policy of pragmatism when it comes to kaiju, Russia has little tolerance for kaiju aggression both along its borders and within the country itself. Several times they have sought to drive out various kaiju with overwhelming firepower. Due to the climate many kaiju don't approach Russia and those that lay under it have so far remained largely dormant. So far no Earth Hollows have been reported in Russia, something that can be seen as a equal blessing to the United States having the most. It is unknown if the Russian government is planning to create their own kaiju defense force and if they are, they are keeping it well hidden.

Southern Middle East: Status: HostileFrom Jordan to Pakistan, the entire Middle East has adopted a defiant and utter loathing for kaiju in their entirety. Seeing the Christian center of Rome turn its stance on its head has lead the Muslim Brotherhood and highest members of the faith to consider their path the only true path to humanity's survival. All kaiju sympathizers are damned and are among the infidel. Being that the Gulf and West Bank are frequently used by Kaiju to cross between Africa and Asia, this means many rogue kaiju belligerently stomp across Muslim countries on a weekly basis. This only serves to further infuriate the populace which swarm out like angry ants to tackle anything from full fledged kaiju to giga fauna with little more than AK-47's and rocket launchers. Kaiju also have a habit of leaving entire regions laced with mines bare after crossing and thus further frustrate their efforts to drive out western interference. The entire region has become one giant sand bowel of anger, more than it ever was before. The more aggressive and destructive kaiju don't waste a second thought obliterating, crushing or even eating their often times ineffectual attackers. To make matters that much worse, rogue kaiju seem to have an urge to battle each other when crossing paths through the deserts; leaving the area even further damaged. While Enigma Reactors have been brought up to help rebuild and protect the region, unanimously the Middle East has rejected anything to do with Enigma, claiming it to be a tainted and unholy substance. This has not stopped random occurrences of it to be left behind or stirred up from deep below the dunes by the never ending sea of conflict.

Upper Middle East: Status: WaryIn a slight departure from the southern areas of the Middle East, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are defensive in the face of kaiju threat. With the umbrella of the USSR working to defend itself from kaiju incursions from the south, these regions often work together with Russia to stall or deter kaiju that head north. Pressure from China is also keeping the northern countries here from actively provoking kaiju, generating a moderating influence that keeps these countries quick to defend themselves but not self destructively so as is the case in the far south. The Muslim Brotherhood, while present, is more passive as Russia is quick to act against countries that provoke and bring threats to their border and allies. The desperately extreme tactics used in the south are too risky to attempt in this region.

Israel: Status: WelcomingBeing so close to the chaos is life as usual for Israel. However the kaiju defense forces of its allies often use Israel as a beach head for containing problems near the Westbank and to keep the brutal conflict contained. In a place where you could be shot or blown up any given tuesday, Israel accepts kaiju much the same way they do everything else and shield themselves in their bubble while welcoming the towering defenders that often arrive. It behooves Israel to trust in something that can actually leave a dent in a kaiju sized threat. It's neighbors, as usual, find this yet another excuse to destroy them. Indeed, many provocations of rogue kaiju in the Middle East are done to steer them on a bee-line to Israel. Hence the need for adequate kaiju counter measures on a routine basis.

Mongolia: Status: IndifferentThe plains of Mongolia have so far seen very little from kaiju activity. Due to being cradled between a kaiju welcoming mob state of China and the pragmatically ruthless Russia, Mongolia is probably one of the safer places for humanity in the world when it comes to kaiju. Like Russia, it currently has no discovered Earth Hollows and most would like to keep it that way. 'Let the giants sleep' is a common saying in regards to kaiju.

China: Status: WelcomingThe 'center' of the world changed positions very quickly after Sheymir single handedly dismantled their government, leading it to be ruled by a mob state that worships the crimson titan like a god. Always in search of more knowledge to satisfy his curiosity, Sheymir hardly begrudges the attention of other kaiju, especially those he has not seen before or those that particularly interest him. Sheymir however does not direct China so much as inspire it and so China sees the rise of kaiju as revitalization of ancestral spirits long buried and released in the modern era. While matters of government are mercurial in China, they are currently not openly antagonistic to kaiju.

India & South Asia: Status: FriendlySpiritualism is very high throughout South Asia and especially India. Many regard kaiju as something natural that was simply forgotten and having seen what has happened in Greece, are eager to plumb the depths of their own legends to see if kernels of truth can be found. While this is looked at by it's aggressive neighbors as a foolish and heretical journey into the unknown, India by and large does not see it that way and continues to find an increasing number of clues as to the times of the Four Empires and even earlier. It is unknown currently if this is a result in a calamity or a blessing. Kaiju are given difference as long as they aren't openly aggressive and even then more passive and creative ways of driving them off have been implemented by the various military's as conventional warfare, even if they had the funds of other nations, would not be able to do much to a large majority of kaiju.

Pacific Islands: Status: WaryBeing completely surrounded by water and having very little landmass to defend or hide in, the island chains of Indonesia and the Philippines are in considerable danger of kaiju attack. Even Giga Fauna are more dangerous and elusive here than they are elsewhere, slipping into the Pacific escape pursuit before coming back for another feeding...or worse. The people here are superstitious and on their own.

Australia: Status: IndifferentAs to be expected, the land down under couldn't give two shits about giant monsters. They already have at least a hundred smaller ones milling about. To Aussies a Kaiju, or 'Sky Jews' (head in the clouds and takes all your taxes) as they've nicknamed them, are on the level of a large croc. Dangerous to come in contact with but a great view to crack a beer over. It helps that there are only two earth hollows on the main land and only one of them is active and home to kaiju larger than rank 3.

New Zealand: Status: WelcomingThe island of sheep farming and fantasy cinema, New Zealand is a rather unassuming place...until you meet the people. As of late, despite a minor hiccup New Zealand is seemingly controlled by a large corporation named Abrahms Co and the country's stance on kaiju and enigma sensitives alike is one of open arms. While there is a dormant hollow of the coast, so far kaiju activity around New Zealand has been eerily calm as no attacks have been reported. Those that have been reported were debunked as 'too utterly over the top to be real' and explained as movie crews at work.

Japan: Status: IndifferentThe land of the rising sun, the origin of the word 'kaiju' itself, ironically used to have nothing but bitter rage toward a large majority of kaiju. Tokyo Bay is still utterly lifeless. The appearance and subsequent battles with the 'Death Coil' Shimaku had left a burning desire for revenge in Japan and to date have gone to increasingly longer lengths to ensure her demise. Unlike other hostile nations, Japan was willing to allow kaiju defense forces from other nations to enter their borders if it means disposing of their number one enemy and similar threats. They have so far called upon the US based companies of Manticore Inc with little success. This ultimately changed when the Arbiter and Guardian of Predation Kaitheros emerged from the Dragon's Triangle and proceeded to humble them, his priestess Ruki voicing his concerns and ultimate prerogative of amending the course Japan had taken. Kaitheros even took the initiative to bar Shimaku from further unnecessary carnage upon returning to Japan. The results of which are inclusive but optimistic in the rogue kaiju taking a more protective role of Japan's borders as a fellow predator. The relationship Japan has with Kaitheros is one of mutual respect and while Japan cannot control Kaitheros, he remains an ally of sorts. Shimaku remains largely feared and resented but provoking the Death Coil without due cause would result in Japan fending for itself against the serpent. Between the two very different types of 'guardian' and the unknown aims of many other kaiju that frequent the Pacific, Japan is a guarded but tempered nation that is indifferent to activities outside it's borders and are effectively neutral within due to the new dualistic paradigm they have found themselves.

North Korea: Status: HostileA defiant bastion of Communism in the far east, North Korea makes no qualms about firing everything they have at intruding kaiju and have pledged to do so. Caught between the US supported South Korea and the Kaiju worshiping China, North Korea is like a cornered dog and will react to any perceived kaiju threat with utter urgency and without restraint. It has warned that it will use nukes, to which Kaijuologists the world over bury their face in their hands as such developments would likely make the problem that much worse.

South Korea: Status: WelcomingHaving had to stand in a military choke hold with it's communist twin for decades, and seeing China's sudden change of perspective, has given South Korea a lot of breathing room. While North Korea is extremely unpredictable and as dangerous as ever, South Korea hopes that it will eventually listen to reason as the only other hostile nation in the region, Japan, only cares to defend itself and will not interfere unless fired upon. South Korea allows allied kaiju defense forces to land and operate within it's borders, hoping to pressure its Northern opposite to concede before it does something rash and potentially disastrous.

Egypt & Turkey: Status: WaryThe Saharan nation of ancient ruins and desert winds is like France, dedicated to preserving it's ancient heritage and historical monuments. Kaiju are the single largest threat to that at the moment. The never ending and escalating conflict in the Middle East laps at it's borders but must go through a narrow choke point. On the opposite side of the Mediterranean Turkey has mild protection thanks to the presence of the various kaiju scattered about Greece and itself though many of the more dangerous ones call it's western shores home. Together they act as a buffer between the raging war in the Middle East and Europe.

Africa: Status: IndifferentLike Australia, Africa has little care for giant monsters as it has only one active Earth Hollow and several dormant ones though Kaijuologists believe there might be many, many more. The reason for this indifference is much different from what it is in Oz. Most of the scattered nations in Africa are embroiled in civil wars of their own making with rebel factions everywhere. Kaiju are something akin to yet another natural disaster they must watch out for and recover from. Where civilization has entirely fallen apart, Kaiju are revered like gods or demons, much like they were in ages past. Some rebel factions even try to exploit this by enraging the kaiju in luring it into the path of their rival tribes and militant opposition. Often this ends in greater tragedy and both sides are annihilated or devoured by the berserk kaiju. Poaching has taken an interesting turn but is now more dangerous than ever as about 8 out of 10 attempts on Giga Fauna fail miserably. This is mostly the case with one exception currently.

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Status: FriendlyWith so many other things going wrong in the second largest country in Africa, it's a wonder they aren't as indifferent as the rest of the continent. To the people of the Congo however, the kaiju are a symbol of something greater than themselves, something to be respected, feared and appeased. Many rogue kaiju and Giga Fauna either actively or subconsciously take advantage of this, promoting a growth of activity here in the heart of 'Deepest Darkest Africa'. While human on human conflict is as brutal as ever in the eastern side of the country, the kaiju seem to act as shock absorbers for this violence, driving out militant factions they see as either food or pests in their territory. For those that appease the new alpha predators in the jungle, life is dangerous but manageable. For those that wander recklessly through the undergrowth spraying bullets everywhere, life is short and graphically painful.