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| Earth - Iwagakure | Fire - Konohagakure | Iron - Samurai | Lightning - Kumogakure | Water - Kirigakure | Wind - Sunagakure | Rain - Amegakure | Rice - Otogakure | Whirlpools - Uzushiogakure |


All countries listed below have either a Daimyo, Lord, or Princess ruler. Even the main five still have one, even if the Kage seem to hold more political power. Please note that anyone who uses the title of Kage in the smaller nations is not doing so legitimately.

Great Nations

Land of Earth
The Land of Earth is a mostly desolate, rocky area. Mountain ranges encircles the villages of the Land of Earth, making communication and travel between other lands difficult. Buildings in the Land of Earth are built often into cliff-sides to offset the difficult, uneven terrain. The wind blowing from the North passes across these mountains and sends rocks showering across neighboring countries. This phenomenon is called 'rock rain'. Rock Rice Cake is a specialty of this land, and the crispy texture of the cakes are said to be irresistible. The Land of Earth has a history of going back on its promises and treaties when it suits them, turning on their allies to gain the upper hand as soon as an agreement's conditions have been met to seize opportunities of apparent weakness from other lands to attack. The Land of Earth has the greatest military might, though again this is not in their shinobi forces, of the nations. It has one of the weakest economies of the five nations as well due to their sheer inaccessibility. The Land of Earth possesses two Jinchuuriki, the Four and Five tails.

Hidden Village - Iwagakure

The village Hidden by Rocks gained its title for the jagged and almost impossible-to-traverse mountain range surrounding the village, completely hiding it to outsiders. Due to the impassable mountains surrounding the village, it is situated in its own natural stronghold, and difficult to siege: a fact many of its citizens take great pride in. The village itself is composed primarily of rock buildings fashioned by its earth jutsu users. The structures are usually tall and tower-like in their form, mimicking the jagged rocks they were formed from (and often are built into). The buildings themselves are interconnected on multiple levels with rope bridges, which are used to travel across upper floors without the need for climbing and descending stairs unnecessarily. The Tsuchikage complex is the tallest building in the village by far, and marked with the symbol for 'Earth', and therefore is easy to locate.

The current Tsuchikage family is known for flying across the tops of the tall buildings with their unique jutsu rather than using the bridges. The shinobi in Iwagakure are generally fanatically loyal to their Tsuchikage and will follow any order given by him even if it means their death. The people of Iwagakure strongly believe in the Will of Stone, the concept that an unrelenting and unchangeable will is the core essential to a strong shinobi.

Stone Monument

Within Iwagakure there is a small building considered the symbol of the village. Inside the building is a small fountain filled with small, round pebbles. In the center of the fountain is a raised dias holding a small and perfectly polished stone. Despite its size and simplicity it is considered to be as important and significant to the village as the faces on the mountain of Konoha.

(A very select few--primarily those considered for leadership of the village--are aware that there is absolutely nothing special about the stone: the purpose is to prove that the only thing important to making a strong shinobi is their will, and that any shinobi can be the cornerstone of the village.)

Bontiku

Bontiku is Iwa's primary port city, and thus its strongest trade center. Despite the cold temperatures the city experiences pretty much year round, its location on the coast of Earth allows it to be the easiest village to visit for foreigners.

Erebor

Once the home of one of the Dwarven clans of the Elemental Nations, this tall mountain now has become the home of the Gila Lizard tribe. The Summon group was driven out of Wind because of their hostile nature, and Smaug, the oldest, and by far largest summon in the tribe, used his fire breathing to make it unbearable, not to mention inadvisable, for those who formerly made the mountain their home to remain.

Iron Hills

Named such because of the way they reach into the Land of Iron, though there are many debates as to if the Land of Iron was named first or second when locals are asked, this mountain range is one of the gentler ones in the country, and typically a favored path for travel. Due to the residents, another of the Dwarven clans, the wisdom of choosing this path might be debatable, but still probably safer than attempting to brave Mirkwood.

Mirkwood

This forest, while far flatter than most of the rest of the country, is not any safer than anywhere else in the land of Earth. Inhabited by a rather aggressive tribe of Spider Summons, there are few who are willing to attempt to cross the area. If that weren't bad enough, the locals, a clan of people who call themselves Elves, are particularly aggressive to anyone who doesn't share their bloodline. This is especially notable when faced with those of the Dwarvish Bloodline.

Sawara

Sawara is a civilian city that sometimes doubles as a military fort in times when war with Ice or Iron seems likely. As such, it's a smaller city than the others in Earth, and much more difficult to travel to for those who aren't native to the country.

Taniku

Taniku is the Civilian Capitol and is where the Daimyo of Earth is located. It is equally as hard to get to due to the mountainous nature of the country.

Land of Fire
One of the largest and most powerful countries in the world, and the first to adopt a shinobi village. The Land of Fire is known for having very warm and temperate weather year round, and is heavily forested throughout the country. While the land is not the largest of the five countries, it possesses the largest hidden village and the most powerful elite shinobi forces in the world. The Land of Fire has engaged in wars with the Lands of Lightning, Earth, Water, and Wind, but recently has gained a reputation for being excessively peaceful. The Land of Fire possesses one jinchuuriki, the Nine Tails, whose identity it keeps hidden. On the border of the Land of Fire and Rice Paddies lies the Valley of the End, a deep chasm with a waterfall and river flowing through it, created by the battle between the two founders of the village of Konoha.

Hidden Village - Konohagakure

The Village Hidden by the Tree Leaves, also called 'The Village of the Dancing Leaves' gained its name due to the massive and plentiful forest that encircles and completely conceals the village to outsiders. A traveler could pass very near to the village and still not spot anything of the village due to the density of the leaves in the forest surrounding Konohagakure. While the village is built into the base of a mountain, it is a small mountain, like many others in the Land of Fire. From a distance, the faces carved into the mountain are beneath forest level. Around the village is a tall, wood-and-stone fence that forces all travel in and outside the village through one large gate. The characters for 'a' and 'n' are painted on the outside of the gate, to symbolize the original intention of the village as a peaceful retreat for shinobi looking for an end to conflict. The buildings of the village are almost exclusively one and two story, built primarily out of wood. Conical yellow rooftops on some of the buildings rise above the other buildings, and in some cases above the gates, but usually serve no purpose beyond their aesthetic value.

Due to the large civilian population within the village, Konohagakure is among the most technological of the current shinobi villages, and various power lines can be seen tracing the entire village back and forth, providing power to each building, as well as plentiful billboards and signs advertising goods and events hosted by and for the civilian population. The power plant for the village is hidden a short distance from the village under heavy security. The Hokage Residence, where each currently reigning hokage lives, is the second largest building in the village next to the Academy, situated at the base of the mountain. The administrative office of the Hokage is located inside the Academy, within a tall red building with the character for 'Fire' printed on it.

The Hokage is often seen as a paternal figure to the village, and the people of Konohagakure strongly believe in the 'will of fire', that love is the cornerstone of power, and the shinobi of the village are fanatically dedicated to the concept that the village is their true family unit and must be protected out of love for it.

Hokage Monument

Also called 'Hokage Rock' and 'Hokage Mountain'. The faces of each Hokage are carved into the side of the mountain, as a symbol of and reminder that the Hokages will always be watching over the village. At current count, there are five faces carved into the mountain, ending with the current Hokage, Obito Uchiha. The mountain has actually been hollowed out in multiple places, both as an emergency shelter and to hide secure or secret complexes. Contrary to popular belief outside of the village, the faces are carved by civilian stone cutters, not earth jutsu users, and maintained similarly when they suffer wear and tear. Work on a new Hokage's face begins almost immediately after a hokage takes office, but due to the nature of the work it can take up to three years to complete a new face.

Castle Dusk

An enormous castle, a hundred floors high, and with three basements. The castle used to be home to Princess Kasumi, but was only raided by Orochimaru for the secret of its vitality draining jutsus. It's thought that the residents were slaughtered to a man and the castle razed in the raid. Oddly, no one has been able to locate the ruins of the castle.

Hachou Village

A village on the outskirts of the Land of Fire. They are very friendly with Tonika Village. An entirely civilian village, but with a very welcoming leader. Those without hometowns to return to may find themselves here.

Mount Jofuku

Located on the border of Fire and Whirlpools, Mount Jofuku is most well known for its Jofuku Forest, which grows on its wide slopes. The Jofuku forest is legendary for the Jofuku flower, which is claimed to be part of one of the most powerful medicinal remedies in the world. It's said by locals that the forest and mountain are haunted.

Mount Katsuragi

A lone mountain near Tsuchigumo Village. A road from Tsuchigumo passes near to the mountain, but veers away before ever leading straight up to it. Secretly, the last remnants of the original Tsuchigumo shinobi tribe live there, hiding away the kinjutsu that their treaty with Konoha prohibits the use of. Supposedly, the mountain is surrounded by an unbreakable barrier and fortified with numerous traps, making it extremely difficult to approach without permission. It's said of the people who chose to move to the mountain, only a handful remain living there. As no one has left the mountain in years, however, there's no indication other than the barrier itself that anyone remains there.

Recently, a group of Water ANBU hunter nin vanished while pursuing the six tails jinchuuriki near the mountain. Naturally, this is a fact known only to high level shinobi in Kiri.

Kisaragi Village

A small village south of Konoha. Presumably under the Land of Fire's domain. A civilian village which unknowingly has one of the five spirit orbs for the chakra and consciousness of an accidentally sentient (and powerful) puppet hidden inside it.

Konoha Strict Correctional Facility

Konoha shinobi who have committed serious crimes, too dangerous to keep inside the city but who are too valuable to kill or the death penalty is too extreme for, are kept here. It used to be called the Special Ninja Felony prison. The most common denizens are those who murdered less influential civilians, and missing nin that are deemed too valuable to the country to kill. Sometimes politically influential shinobi may end up here instead of killed, as well.

Nikkou Inn Town

A waystation for travelers crossing Fire. Shops are present to restock and minimal entertainment, in the form of sectioned hot springs and a bar and gambling house, are there for travelers to unwind. A small selection of residents live there to maintain the town as well, but primarily the town serves the purpose of providing several comfortable (and one lavish) hotels for weary travelers to spend the night in.

Shukuba Town

A pleasure district near Konohagakure. It has many inns, restaurants, bars, and brothels. A famous street among revelers is Fun Fun Avenue. Unisex hot springs and large public baths can be found in the town as well, but the primary draw of the town are the pleasure quarters, being the second largest entertainment center of Fire.

Sora-ku

An abandoned city, where some members of the Uchiha clan used to live before the founding of the village. It's thought to be completely empty and desolate now, since the Uchiha moved to Konohagakure. A secret of the Uchiha clan, the city actually remains a storehouse for munitions and other similar supplies, should the clan need them. It is also where Uchiha children travel to establish ninneko summoning contracts, if they wish to have them.

Anyone attempting to enter sensitive areas of the city without clan permission or accompaniment will be repelled by the family that remains there.

Tanzaku Quarters

Tanzaku Quarters is a lively entertainment town, and the primary tourism draw of Fire. Primarily, the town is focused on gambling and hot springs. An unofficial draw of the town are the many fine women who flock to the town for the successful gamblers who gather there. The biggest landmark of Tanzaku Quarters is Tanzaku Castle, an ancient structure that used to house the Fire daimyo before the time of hidden villages. Tanzaku plays host to many local festivals year round, but most are adult-oriented.

Tonika Village

A village located on the outskirts of the Land of Fire. There appears to be a very minor amount of Shinobi located in the village, who protect The Hole, which is a sacred oasis, which hosts many sacred objects. Residents of Tonika Village are charged with protecting the different sacred objects there. The spring waters in the oasis are said to accelerate healing. Within the Hole resides the legendary Ama no Hoko, which is said to give great power if one can master the Saezuri and use its sounds to control the legendary device. Due to their small population, shinobi of Tonika Village neither take missions nor attend Chuunin exams.

Tsuchigumo Village

A village composed of a single clan. Once a powerful village, their shinobi agreed to seal their most powerful attack (one capable of wiping out a village in one blast) in exchange for peace with Konoha. Due to their powerful secret, other countries hunted the shinobi almost to extinction. The clan had a further disagreement when their numbers dwindled, splitting them into two groups. The group which left the village has dwindled to all but extinction, leaving Tsuchigumo Village as the only true remnants of the clan, and the village has thus become absorbed by Fire as a technicality. Although they have shinobi, they are weak and too proud to participate in the Chuunin exams. Recently, all contact with Tsuchigumo village has ceased.

Uchiha Clan Hideout

An ancient compound dating back from before the founding of the villages, where the Uchiha Clan used to dwell. Only members of the Uchiha Clan are aware of its continued existence or its location. It is the only known 'hideout' still in existence.

Valley of the End

A vast chasm that separates Fire and Rice. A waterfall and river flows through it. The valley was carved during the battle between Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, shortly after the foundation of Konohagakure. To symbolize this battle, the likenesses of the two combatants were carved into the cliff side, facing off across the country boundaries.

Land of Lightning
The Land of Lightning possesses vast mountain ranges, and the thunderstorms that constantly occur there are said to be what gives the land its name. Due to the many mountains in the country, many rivers also flow through the land to the sea, creating a very crooked coastline and impressive oceanic views for the residents of the land. Also due to the volcanic region, there are many hot springs to be found in the country. Its hidden village is located so high in the mountains that cloud formations around it obscure it from outside view. Many buildings in the mountainous regions of the Land of Lightning are build into the mountains, rather than around or on top of them. Somewhere deep within the mountain ranges of the country lies the Valley of Clouds and Lightning, a water-filled valley full of fog. Within the valley is a deep cavern where the Eight Tails Jinchuuriki is known to train. Although not part of the mainland, the Land of Lightning also possesses a large island off of the coast, full of a wide variety of wildlife and flora, considered to be comparable to the Forest of Death in the Land of Fire. The Land of Lightning has often waged war with the Land of Fire, and has been known for Jutsu collecting or the stealing kekkai genkai from other lands. The Land of Lightning has two Jinchuuriki, the Eight and Two tails, which are publicly known. The Land of Lightning has the second greatest military might, though this is not in their shinobi forces, and the greatest economic strength of the five lands.

Hidden Village - Kumogakure

The Village Hidden in the Clouds gained its name by the clouds that are often trapped and linger among the extremely high peaks that the village is built into. Like Iwagakure, the village is built into a mountain range, but atop them, rather than among them. Further, the mountains that Kumogakure is built into are so tall that the cloud cover becomes thick enough to completely disguise and cloak the village from outsiders passing below. Due to its position, siege of the village is very difficult. Many buildings of Kumogakure use the mountains themselves partially or almost completely as their walls, rather than building out of them. Most peaks have platforms built around them to allow for easier travel through the winding streets and jagged peaks breaking up the village.

The Raikage's facility, one of the only villages in which the work station is larger than the kage's home, is a large dome-like blue building, built at the top of the tallest mountain in the village. Kumogakure shinobi and residents put a great amount of value into personal strength, although not always in the physical sense of strength. Offering mercy is generally considered an insult to a Kumo ninja, and even minor infractions are primarily reacted to with measured levels of violence. Weakness and perceived weakness is disdained, and has been considered a legitimate reason for war with another country. Due to the focus on personal strength, a shinobi's position at birth is less important than what they do with themselves afterward. Raikage have even been known to adopt low-level shinobi as members of their own family and grant them titles on occasion. The Raikage family is generally well respected and loved by the residents of Kumogakure due to their frequent interactivity with the populace.

A receiver is built into the very top of the Raikage's facility to allow for electronic communication between nations. A small but ornate building tucked into the back of the village, inaccessible except through a bridge leading from the village itself houses the Lightning Daimyo when he chooses to reside in Kumogakure.

Akazaya

The civilian capital of the Land of Lightning. This is where the Lightning Daimyo usually resides, when times of war don't necessitate him moving closer or into Kumogakure itself.

Blue Mountains

Named such because of the impressive blue stone that has been revealed over time along the exposed expanses of rock, the Blue Mountains are the home of one of the Dwarven Clans, and many would say the friendliest one. This group is known for their trade, though little else, and it's not uncommon to see their people out in the wider world, acting as Kumo shinobi.

Nagamachi

The northernmost city in the Land of Lightning. It has many tourist attractions within it, so despite its usually frigid temperatures and unpredictable lightning storms, many travelers enjoy visiting there, and so it brings in a steady profit for the Land of Lightning.

Moyama

The primary port and trade city of the Land of Lightning. Most of their exports and imports that travel by boat arrive in this city, as Moyama has the fairest and most reliable port. In the winter, many boats instead dock at Akazaya, but Moyama is better equipped to deal with the traffic.

Sancho

An old training ground for previous Eight Tails Jinchuuriki, later transformed into a retirement village for shinobi who no longer wish to live in Kumogakure after their tenure is over. The village is fairly small.

Shire Valley

One of the lushest areas in Lightning, this valley, while filled with a group of people known for their disinterest in fighting, is one of the biggest producers for food in the entire country. Visitors aren't encouraged by the people who live there, but going to the edges of the valley will always get easy trade to any who come by. Because of this, the valley is one of the best-protected areas in the country, aside from the capital.

Turtle Island

A very large and secret island paradise owned by the Land of Lightning. Few even in the Land of Lightning know of it. Supposedly it is impossible to find by anyone the Lightning doesn't want it found by, even sensory ninja. It plays host to many rare animals, and according to a few Lightning natives, even hosts the secret to how Killer Bee tamed the Eight Tails.

Valley of Clouds and Lightning

A valley near to Kumoakure. It's one of the hidden village's primary sources of fresh water, due to all of the water that collects there during warm weather. During colder weather, the valley is known for its constant storming. Due in part to both occurrences, few travelers go to the valley who don't work there. One exception to that is the Lord Killer Bee, who travels there for solitary training.

Land of Water
The Land of Water is composed of many islands, each with its own unique traditions. The weather of the land is primarily cool and misty, with frequent rain showers. On the islands themselves there are often lakes of varying sizes, and temperatures on northern islands can range low enough to match the Land of Snow's frigid, frozen temperatures. Due to its secretive nature, little is known by outsiders about many of the islands in the Land of Water. In terms of landmass, the Land of Water has the smallest amount of the five great countries, and historically has been known for fighting more with itself than with other countries. The Land of Water possesses two Jinchuuriki, the three and six tails. As the three tails is the Mizukage, the six tails is usually kept secret.

Hidden Village - Kirigakure

The Village Hidden by the Mist gains its name by the permanent thick fog that settles all across the island that the hidden village is stationed on. By the same coin, within the village, the sunrises often turn the mist a deep red color, which lends partially to the nickname of 'The Bloody Mist'. While the fog would usually dissipate during short periods of the year, villagers manipulate water chakra to keep themselves perpetually shrouded in mist. Scattered mountains fill the island, creating a maze that makes it very difficult for outsiders to locate the village proper, and often lead invading armies into traps or disadvantageous positions. Buildings in Kirigakure are almost exclusively brick, squat, and round. Most buildings have some level of moss or plant overgrowth designed to help the village appear abandoned, and taller buildings have trees growing out of the top of them, to throw off those who might otherwise catch glimpses of the buildings in the distance.

The Mizukage's building is the widest and largest building in the village, tucked against a mountain. The village itself is heavily segregated into sections, with stone walls separating each section and preventing even welcome visitors from witnessing the majority of the village. Shinobi of the village have strong senses of self-preservation, and are widely known to be extremely duplicitous. Loyalty to the Mizukage is primarily secured through fear, and through the Mizukage's elite forces. Defection and escape from the village is so common that Kirigakure possess the largest and most highly trained division of hunter-nin (ANBU dedicated to hunting down and disposing of missing-nin) in the shinobi world. It's generally known that disobeying an order from a higher ranking shinobi, regardless of its importance, will result in an extreme punishment. Kirigakure is the most secretive of the primary five nations, and is almost as difficult to get information by the public as Amegakure.

Mokuzu Island

An island where travelers resupply their stocks and weapons between Water and the various other surrounding countries. The island is shaped like a crescent moon, but much smaller than the other moon island. The two sides of the island almost form a closed circle, which allows for an almost perfectly calm bay for the port. Strangely, many ships who stop by the port to resupply vanish completely.

Nirai

The civilian capital of the Land of Water. The exact location is rarely known by outsiders, due to the Land of Water's secretive nature.

Port Island

An island that serves as a neutral port city between Lightning and Water, it is technically independent, but receives military support from the Land of Water when necessary. It primarily serves as an in-between for trade with Water and Lightning when goods can't be shipped directly.

Land of Wind
The Land of Wind possesses the largest landmass of the five countries, but is primarily composed of desert and civilizations usually exist around oases of varying size. Despite the very harsh and extremely hot terrain, the country has a large population. The Land of Wind is heavily dependent on trade, and has open routes with most of the other great nations, particularly the Land of Fire. The Sand Dumpling is the Land of Wind's specialty food, which is prepared with a special flour meant to resemble sand. Most structures are adobe in nature, and rarely have glass windows so as to allow wind to pass freely through and alleviate the heat of the day. Summers are especially harsh, but Winters are mild in the Land of Wind. Wildlife tends to be either sparse or highly venomous, and plant life can be incredibly difficult to keep alive. The Land of Wind has the least military and economic strength, and is the least populated hidden village of the five villages. It possesses one Jinchuuriki, the One Tail, which it captured itself and whose identity is widely known within the country, though it is kept secret outside of their borders. Residents of the Land of Wind rarely use family names, feeling it demeans the independence of their people.

Hidden Village - Sunagakure

The Village Hidden by Sand is named such for the incredible desert surrounding it on all sides. Roads to the village are almost indistinguishable to foreigners without first being told what to look for. Given the frequency of sand storms in the area around Sunagakure and the relative lack of landmarks, most foreigners who attempt to find Suna without permission will almost certainly become lost in the desert of the Land of Wind and die. The village itself is hidden within a circular cut out of a giant rock cliff. Near to the gates of the village, the cliffs have been meticulously carved into many look out points, to allow a small army to stand above approaching armies and rain down weapons and jutsu before they arrive. It is almost impossible to enter the village through any way other than the small gap in the cliffside or by air. The buildings in Suna are primarily built out of clay and stucco, almost all being small, round, and short. Most buildings have windows that lack glass, save for some of the larger and more secure buildings. Due to the almost constant heat in the land of Wind, most of the buildings are designed for optimal cooling and temperature control. Sunagakure is the least technologically advanced of the five villages, as it is designed to be abandoned at any time the weather becomes unlivable even for natives.

Sunagakure contains the highest concentration of wind nature shinobi in the five great nations, and such shinobi are valued almost as much as those who can find or create water. The office of the Kazekage is not the tallest building in the village, but is located in the center, with the character for 'Wind' printed prominently on it. The village's primary water tower is interconnected with the Kazekage office, as is the primary meeting room. The meeting room houses giant clay statues of previous Kazekage, and is therefore considered sacred. Violence is prohibited in the meeting room out of concern of damaging the statues. Some small living quarters for the family of the Kazekage are also located in the office, on occasion where the Kazekage cannot return home due to business.

Shinobi of Sunagakure believe that the successful completion of a mission is the most important priority of a shinobi. Even if their life is forfeit, or if success is impossible, Sunagakure will pursue victory unrelentingly for as long as they survive. Due to this belief, Sunagakure shinobi are known as some of the most ruthless and deadly ninja to face in battle. The family of the Kazekage is usually respected in Sunagakure for providing supplies and shelter to the people, if not often loved. Sunagakure was the first nation to capture and seal away a Tailed Beast. Although the legend has become somewhat twisted and inaccurate now, the shinobi of the village are nonetheless extremely proud of this. Just like in battle, Sunagakure residents are ruthless in negotiations, rarely ever backing down from a demand.

Ainokura

The primary farming village, such as it exists in Suna. Where Sunagakure focuses on the military governance and Tsuyo-sa deals with the economic side of maintaining the nation, Ainokura is tasked with cultivating as much food as possible for the nation, so that it isn't entirely reliant on trade for survival.

Rouran

The remnants of a desolate and abandoned country lost in the desert. Once the most prosperous of countries in the shinobi world, it was destroyed by unknown forces shortly after hiring Konoha nin to protect its princess. In its height, it was powered by something that provided infinite chakra, but the secret to this was lost with the destruction of the city. Descendants of the survivors now live scattered across other countries, and no one remains to guard the lost secrets of Rouran except the harsh desert around it. Currently the location of the city remains unknown.

Tsuyo-sa Village

Tsuyo-sa Village is the heart of Suna's civilian government, such as it exists. The location of Tsuyo-sa was chosen for its milder weather than the rest of Suna, and for being near to the coast of Wind, which allows for cooler and more reliable weather for the residents than Sunagakure would.

Smaller Nations

Land of Bean Jam
A small merchant island which specializes in sweets. No shinobi are known to come from this land. It's likely the real name of this country is known only to its residents.

Land of Bears
The Land of Bears is a heavily forested area near to the Land of Fire. Siege on the land is almost impossible due to the chasm of highly toxic gasses surrounding its hidden village (called the Devil's Ravine or Valley of Death). A meteorite crashed down near the hidden village a little over 200 years ago.

Hidden village - Hoshigakure

The Village Hidden Among the Stars is named after the meteorite which crashed in the site the village sprung up around. The village insists it is the oldest village, older than Konoha, but no proof exists of this. Hoshigakure is one of the only villages outside of the Five Great Nations to have a leader with 'kage' in name, despite the treaty disallowing this. The Hoshikage is kage in name only and holds no authority with the other five kage, nor is his strength near the level of other kage. In the past, Hoshigakure used a training method which absorbed the chakra-enhancing radiation that the meteorite emitted, creating massively powerful shinobi with almost unlimited chakra control--allowing them to manifest chakra in any form they wished. The most recent Hoshikage banned the practice, however, as the training and radiation usually led to organ failure and death (and even successful practitioners suffered rapid degeneration and death).

Hoshigakure is too proud to send their shinobi to any chuunin exam not hosted by them, and therefore make decisions over promotions themselves. Shinobi from Hoshigakure not trained in the star method aren't usually very powerful, but they are excellent with the crossbow, and are the only ones known to possess gas masks capable of properly filtering the toxins present in the Devil's Ravine.

Certain whispers have been made of re-instating the Star practice recently, but the Third Hoshikage ignores them.

Star Meteorite

The location of the Star Meteorite is a heavily guarded secret of the village. Presumably it is located somewhere in the outskirts of the village itself, within the safety of the devil's ravine. A shrine has been built in the middle of the crater the crashing Meteorite made, which houses what's left of the Meteorite and supposedly allows Hoshigakure to harness its power.

The Devil's Ravine

A vast ravine surrounding Hoshigakure, filled to the brim with extremely toxic gasses, presumably emitted from fissures in the ground. These presumptions cannot be verified, however, as none but the villagers of Hoshigakure possess the equipment and skills to survive inside the valley. It's said that any attempted seige on Hoshigakure would fail both due to the treacherous forest of the land (filled as the name indicates with large bears) and the Devil's Ravine, also known as the Valley of Death.

Benisu Island
An independent island between the Land of Fire and Lightning. The only civilization on the island is a village of shinobi merchants. They specialize in shinobi weapons and supplies for war, and use mostly jutsu that aids in travel and sales. Their combat jutsu tends to fall behind the warring villages. The Benisu have no interest in world politics and do not send their shinobi to Chuunin exams.

Benisu Village

The only village on the island, populated by the merchants of the island. Unlike many economical villages, outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering the village except on special diplomatic privilege. Most of their expensive stocks are kept in warehouses scattered throughout the village.

Land of Birds
Named after the large number of birds which migrate there each year. Until recently, the land had no shinobi presence. A group of rogue ninja has recently infiltrated the land and assassinated the lord of the land, seizing control of it. There are rumors of a ghost warrior that seeks revenge on the usurpers, but none substantiated. It possesses no hidden village, but had a thriving economy prior to the coup. The current ninja of the land boast the ability to copy any technique as a sharingan would allow, but in fact they use cheap tricks to make it appear as if they're able to use jutsu they can't.

Gokayama

The capital of the Land of Birds. Recently, villagers claim that a ghost haunts the town, terrorizing the usurping rogue nin currently in charge of the land, but there's been no proof presented of this. Despite the recent overthrow, the Land of Birds' economy continues to thrive.

Land of Claws
A minor country with a long-standing rivalry with the Land of Fangs. Their shinobi are used as a personal army for the lord of the land, specializing in claw-like weapons, and do not participate in the chuunin exams. They are currently attempting to make a tentative peace with the Land of Fangs.

Hidden Village - Moyagakure

The location of Moyagakure is unknown, even to the Land of Claws. The shinobi of Moyagakure set up a hidden village within the Land of Claws without sanction, to avoid having to serve under a Daimyo. As of yet, no one has discovered this. Moyagakure nin are known for their creative poisons that cause victims to suffer discomforts other than pain, or uncontrollable and unconventional spasms that lead to death. The slow nature of their specialty, and their lack of any ninjutsu to speak of other than poisons make their threat minimal enough that most other countries ignore them.

Land of Demons
A religious country located near the Land of Frost led by a priestess who is said to be able to see the future. Although it possesses shinobi, they are few and exist only to serve and protect the priestess. Their country specializes in spiritual jutsus, sealing away creatures in non-living objects and permanent henge, taking on the form of someone else irreversibly. Maintaining sealed away creatures appears to take chakra directly from the priestess and seems to require a constant drain. It's said the priestess' jutsu allows her only to see her own death, which allows a chosen protector of hers to take her place and die instead to protect her from this. This jutsu appears to be a kekkai genkai and is only inherited through female descendants. Further, the sealing jutsu can only be performed and maintained by the female with the kekkai genkai.

They claim to have sealed away a large portion of dark chakra somewhere in their land, but the location is secret and heavily guarded. Most not from their land dismiss their ways as their religion, and nothing of use is to be found in the country to be worth conquering it.

Kanazawa

What exists of a civilian population in the Land of Demons is situated in Kanazawa. For the most part, they're in charge of making sure that those in the Priestess' Compound are well supplied, and are usually the ones communicating with the outside world instead of the Priestess or her personal retainers.

Priestess' Compound

The closest thing to a 'capital' in the Land of Demons. The leader of the country, the Priestess, lives in the Compound, along with her loyal and powerful retainers. According to the people of the Land of Demons, her primary role is maintaining the seal on the dark chakra hidden in their land, keeping it from the body of the potentially-world destroying monster hidden elsewhere. The plausibility of these claims is dependent on how much the listener believes in the religion the people of the Land of Demons observe.

Land of Fangs
A minor country with a long-standing rivalry with the Land of Claws. Their shinobi are used as a personal army for the lord of the land and do not participate in the chuunin exams. They are currently attempting to make a tentative peace with the Land of Claws. The Land of Fangs is noted to be filled with many sharp peaks, thus resulting in their name.

Land of Fields
A small island off the coast of the Land of Sky. It's known for its constantly blooming flowers and high quality flower seed.

Land of Forests
A land so thickly forested that only natives can navigate it and hidden nature has led to stories of the forest being enchanted. A river flows through the middle of it which allows foreigners to pass by the land. The land has no hidden village, nor does it have shinobi. Instead, it is guarded by civilian soldiers, typically heavily armored and armed with swords, lances, or bows, who are notably well-skilled, however, and can navigate the forests of the land with ease.

The Land of Forests largely consists of smaller administrative regions (example: Maurice's kingdom, Aurora's, etc) ruled by civilian leadership under the banner/command of the rulers of the Royal Castle. Exceptions include the Dark Castle and the Dark Palace.

In recent years, Forests has seen some turmoil and uprisings. With Leopold's death, the Evil Queen Regina seized the Dark Palace region and seeks still to enact revenge on Snow White. George, the late ruler of the Royal Castle was ousted by his son, David, and David's wife Snow White.

Royal Castle

Currently ruled by royals Snow White and David (aka Prince Charming, the heir to this region), the palacial fortress is nestled deep in Forests, and serves as governing body for most of the Land of Forests. Situated over water, it is accessible by land only through a stone bridge with a drawbridge and is heavily guarded. The army, a mixture of bowman, swordsman, and mounted calvalry serve their lord and lady dutifully. The throne of Land of Forests is contested by Regina (The Evil Queen), Snow's stepmother.

Dark Palace

A dark, spire-like tower ruled by Regina. The region is formerly the kingdom of Snow White's father, Regina's late husband Leopold. After a failed attempt to assassinate Snow, Regina was banished to this region.

Dark Castle

The home of the Dark One, Rumplestiltskin. A stone fortress, it is lavishly decorated, but often dark, dusty, and ill-kept, especially now that his servant-girl has gone.

Neverland Island

Ruled by The Shadow and Peter Pan, the island is lush with forests. It has special powers to maintain youth, but what are the costs?

Forest River

A wide and winding river which cuts through the middle of the Land of Forests almost its entire length, originating in the northern part of the country and eventually emptying into the southern sea. For foreigners who are unable to navigate the thick forests of the country, this is the only method of travel through it.

Genjutsu Tree Village

Although the village does not train its own shinobi, it is a location other countries send their shinobi to practice dealing with genjutsu, as the forest surrounding the village are full of trees which create a magnetic field that has genjutsu-like effects on minds. Recently, people who travel to Genjutsu Tree Village do not return. It isn't technically aligned with the Land of Forests, but the Land of Forests allow the residents to remain there, due to the immobile nature of their village. It is rumored that the tree possesses chakra that will grant knowledge of secret jutsu to those with valiant hearts.

Land of Frost
The country is unique in that the lord of the land is a shinobi from their hidden village. However, the current lord has become very absorbed in politics, rather than military.

Hidden Village - Shimogakure

A tiny hidden village, too small to send their shinobi to the Chunin exams. They're noted for having primarily water nature shinobi. The land has become very political in recent years.

Land of Grass
In the days of the Sage of Six Paths, Grass possessed weapons so powerful that they were considered one of the most influential countries in the world. The weapon along with the old version of their country were destroyed in ensuing wars. The country as it is now is an ally of the Five Great Nations, but not considered particularly influential. The country is heavily forested, full of giant bamboo and massive mushrooms. The country of Grass is known for their skilled diplomacy and the ability to keep one step ahead of rival nations in diplomatic talks.

Hidden Village - Kusagakure

Kusagakure sends its shinobi to Chuunin Exams. Its shinobi are known for being able to analyze the techniques of opponents and anticipate attacks, thus keeping one step ahead of their opponents. Grass' civilian leader is also the direct leader of their hidden village, having a (distant) shinobi background himself.

Orochimaru's science lab

One of Orochimaru's many hidden bases, scattered throughout the shinobi world. This one is entirely underground, and almost impossible to locate by anyone who doesn't already know its location. The purpose of the base itself is unknown, other than as a fall-back location. Even the existence of the base is known only to a very select few.

Tenchi Bridge

Tenchi Bridge spans a deep ravine between Fire and Grass. It's the quickest route from Fire to Kusagakure, but not often frequented, due to the high winds associated with the ravine Tenchi Bridge spans.

Land of Hills
The Land of Hills is best known for their advanced seafood shipping, and is a large producer of all such items that Konoha gets. Its name comes from the many hills covering the island, and the curious lack of a volcano. Usually Hills has fairly temperate weather year round.

Kawagoe

The capital city of the Land of Hills, a coastal city, it serves both as a port for travel and export of the Land of Hills, and the primary home base for the many sorts of fishermen located in the Land of Hills.

Land of Honey
A minor, civilian-only country known for its riches and wealth of crops. It does not actually produce any honey of note. The wife of the lord recently vanished on the way to the Land of Bean Jam.

Kagero Town

Aptly termed 'Candy Land' by some traveling Shinobi, Kagero Town is the capital of the Land of Honey. The only country which can rival the sheer concentration and variety of sweet shops in their home town is the Land of Bean Jam, but Honey insists that their sweets are higher quality.

Land of Hot Water
At the time of the inception of the Chunin exams, they were an influential country, but over time their people lost interest in violence and instead transformed the country into a land of hotspring resorts. Home to the rarely-practiced religion of Jashinism.

Hidden Village - Yugakure

Once a bloodthirtsy and violent village which followed the practice of Jashinism, its members since lost taste for war and bloodshed and decided to disband the village as a shinobi village. One member of the village was disgusted in this decision however, and instead slaughtered much of the village and left. Survivors of the village may exist, but no proper structure remains for teaching or training shinobi there.

Land of Ice
The Land of Ice is named such because of their harsh, incredibly long winters, and the fact that this mountainous country has only very brief warm spells in June and July which don't manage to thaw the country. They're known for their animal life, not their crops or trees, and are a hard people who survive on their own terms. They used to have a very stable Daimyo, but years ago there was a coup that destroyed that family from the inside, from the oldest relative, to the youngest servant.

Land of Iron
The Land of Iron is an incredibly harsh land, almost perpetually snowy and quite small in landmass. It has historically always kept neutral in the shinobi wars, and is self-sufficient with its supplies and military strength to such a degree that no shinobi land has seen fit to launch an attack on it. The Land of Iron is located among three mountains, called the Three Wolves. The Land of Iron has its own traditions and cultures separate from those of the ninja lands, which is considered inflexible and serious. The most notable structure in the Land of Iron is Samurai Bridge, a giant rock bridge built out of blue-gray stones with a large gate on one end, emblazoned with the kanji for samurai. On top of the gate is a large, stone statue of a sheathed sword with weights hanging on both ends.

Primary Army - Samurai

Three Wolves

An arrangement of three mountains, where the Samurai headquarters is thought to be located. When Iron plays host to neutral talks between shinobi countries, it's usually here. The grand castle built into the juncture of the three mountains is several floors tall and, when party to diplomatic meetings, heavily guarded by armored samurai.

Kanna

The Capitol city of the Land of Ice, it's one of the few places you'll find the architecture that many of the settlers there were once known for, and is a ready trade center for the entire country.

Mount Odori
A former underground home to a clan of people known for their resiliency, the entire group was slaughtered, leaving the mountain caves to abandonment by the survivors.

Land of Keys
Named after the skill the shinobi of the land show in espionage. They are a neutral nation who loan out their ninja to other countries in return for money and information. Their knowledge is said to be such that no other country dares to attack them for fear of what they may know or release to other countries. Little else is known about them.

Hidden Village - Joumae Village

One of the few hidden villages not named after its hiding place. Shinobi of this village are masters of information gathering, easily able to gain information from other more powerful villages to provide leverage in negotiations by the country. They are specially trained with the ability to interrogate while being interrogated. Their ultimate dojutsu is 'eye mind reading', which specifically uses other mind reading techniques to allow the user to probe the interrogator's mind for information instead. It can also be used as temporary storage for information, locking information about the village away from even the user to prevent information from being found, and then later restoring it.

Unlike other dojutsus, this dojutsu must be activated and maintained by eye-signs, but masters of this technique move so quickly and subtlely that only sharingan or byakugan would be able to detect this. Ninja of the village do not participate in chuunin exams, and if in danger of leaking information, the shinobi are instructed to kill themselves as a first, rather than last, resort.

Land Island
An independent island off the coast of the Land of Tea. There is nothing particularly interesting about the small island nation save for its insistence on remaining independent, rather than allying itself with Tea or Water.

Land of the Moon
A small crescent shaped island, home to a thriving economy and a small hidden village. It uses a different currency than ryou for its transactions. Its lord was peaceful and kind, but was recently overthrown by his ambitious adviser. The son of the lord and his grandson are on a long trek across the shinobi world, using the country's riches to build a grand caravan of goods and luxuries, including a circus. It is unlikely the two intend to return any time soon, considering the fate of their family back home.

Hidden Village - Getsugakure

The hidden village of the Land of the Moon. Its shinobi take part in the Chuunin exams. Little is known of the shinobi specialties, but they seem uninterested in the politics involving the civilian side of the government, readily following whichever ruler happens to be in place at the moment. It's unknown if the Three Wandering Ninja had any original affiliation with the village, but if so, it would suggest the village specializes in genjutsu and taijutsu.

Land of Mountains
A mountainous land near the Land of Fire. Previously at war with the Land of Fire, they maintain a tenuous cease-fire since the destruction of their shinobi village.

Hidden Village - Kagerou Village

One of the few shinobi villages whose location was never hidden, and therefore was easily destroyed in the second war. Despite their open location, they were masters of stealth and traps, able on a personal basis to easily elude even the most advanced ANBU of other villages, and able to place traps only visible by use of the Byakugan. No survivors are currently known to exist...but it's possible one or two may simply be hidden.

Iwasaki

The primary village in the Land of Mountains since Kagerou Village was destroyed in the second war. The head of the Mountain's civilian government resides in Iwasaki, on a palace built to have a brilliant view of the distant shores of the Land of Mountains in three directions. It's easier to visit Iwasaki by sea than land.

Kannabi Bridge

A bridge between Waterfall and Mountains. It had great strategic value for Waterfalls and Iwa in the third war, serving as a primary supply line for the forces assaulting Fire.

Moria

The Last of the mountain Strongholds of the Dwarven clans, the land of Moria is perhaps the richest of them, known for their fine craftsmanship, this group is the source of more than one Legendary weapon in the Elemental Nations. The only access to this group of people is either cutting trough the Mountain Graveyard, or to circle through Waterfall and across the rivers to the west. Some have attempted to reach this area by the coast, but the rocky shores and steep cliffs make this inadvised.

Mountain's Graveyard

An intricate network of caves, sharp jutting mountains, and the bones of ancient, gigantic creatures from before the Sage of Six paths...or at least before the founding of the Shinobi Villages. Usually, the people of the Mountains prefer to indicate the former. It's easier to access the Mountain's Graveyard via the Land of Waterfalls than trekking through the uneven terrain of Mountains.

Mount Myoboku
Also known as the 'Land of the Toads', Mount Myoboku is the legendary mountain from where it is said the Legendary Sannin Jiraiya's toad summons originate. According to the toads who are willing to say anything about its location, the mountain itself is impossible to locate without knowing a precise and secret path to take to find it, and if traveled to the regular way, the path would take months to travel. Its location is, therefore, unknown.

Nadeshiko Village
A matriarchal village. Although there are men in the village, only women become shinobi, and shinobi women only marry foreign shinobi. A kunoichi of Nadeshiko trains intensely until maturity and then travels the world searching for a male shinobi who can defeat them. When they find one, they return them to the village and marry them. The idea behind this is to breed powerful shinobi and prevent the men of the village from attempting to rule. They do not send their kunoichi to exams, as they have no ranking system among their kunoichi, and the rulers are decided by eldest daughter of the current ruler.

Nanakusa Island
An island rich in expensive and rare medicinal islands. Due to a technicality in treaties between Fire, Lightning, and Water, the island is considered neutral territory and therefore its own country, despite the fact that no one lives on the small island.

Land of Neck
Between the Land of Honey and Bean Jam, nothing but ruins and forest remain after it was slaughtered to a man during the second war. Rumors exist that the Lord's castle is haunted and no one who enters it ever returns.

Land of Noodles
A land known for creating the most premium noodles commercially available in the world. Its biggest export are those noodles. It has no military power nor shinobi power to speak of.

Suganuma

Suganuma is the largest city in the Land of Noodles. It is not the capital city, though it is sometimes confused for it. Instead, Suganuma is the primary city in which noodles are manufactured and exported to the rest of the ninja world. As expected, it's also the city with the largest concentration of noodle stands.

Land of Rain
The Land of Rain is a tiny country in a very strategic location. It is highly industrialized as compared to other currently existing countries, and was the staging ground for many large battles in the Second Shinobi War. It has large amounts of marshlands and swamps, and at least one lake which its hidden village is located in, as well of many of its other, smaller villages. It's almost always raining somewhere in the country. It has a history of being distrustful of strangers. In recent times they have become more open to trade, but even known envoys will still get a distrustful reception from those who live in these lands. Most of the country regards Pein as a god and Konan as his angel.

Hidden Village - Amegakure

The Village Hidden in the Rain was named after the constant rainfall that covers and encircles the village. The haze from the constant rain and cloud cover has been known to obscure the village to passersby. Underneath and surrounding the village is a large lake, where the water from the constant rain gathers. Due to the constant poor weather, the waters of the lake are dangerous even to natives, with the rainy season bringing frequent flash floods. While marine life is present in the lake, they are primarily docile and unthreatening.

Rain village is the most technologically advanced of the shinobi villages. Buildings are made almost entirely out of metal, and are built in tall, thin spires that stretch out high above the lake, making up for the very cramped and small size of Amegakure. Ducts that carry rainwater safely down to the lake below, rather than allow it to pool on the streets criss-cross the village from the tops of buildings and out of nearly any ledge that can collect rain. Power cables also stretch throughout the village to provide much-needed climate and temperature control inside buildings. The last part of the web that interconnects the buildings is a series of skyways, which are covered walkways that connect buildings at different levels. Outside the lake are a collection of small settlements and villages, which are inhabited primarily by family and friends of active shinobi, or retired and current shinobi who would rather live on the land than in the city, or simply prefer less rain. Pein's Tower is the tallest building in Amegakure, and has four human faces built into the top, one of which holds a pipe and bears the rinnegan carved into its eyes.

Shinobi of the village are notorious both for skill with genjutsu and short tempers. The village values most the individual skills and potential of each shinobi, training them individually and encouraging them to create their own specialized jutsu that best suit their personal ability and skill. Pein and Konan are revered by the people of the village for their protection and dedication to helping the population advance to their fullest potentials.

Hired Akatsuki Base

A smaller town located relatively near to Amegakure. Missing nin looking to serve under the Akatsuki but who refuse to join Ame are housed here, rather than Rain's actual hidden village.

Land of Rice Paddies
The Land of Rice Paddies is home to many small shinobi clans who were cast out or rejected by other countries, but until recently was not in any way organized to use those shinobi or give them purpose. The land is lush and forested, with several tall mountains, but what the land is most known for are its miles of rice paddies and its trade in rice. Until recently, the country kept out of international affairs. Due to its proximity to the Land of Fire and its small size, its climate is almost identical to the Land of Fire.

Hidden Village - Otogakure

The Village Hidden by Sound is...not actually hidden by sound at all. Specifically, it's a large complex built below and into the side of a mountain, hidden from sight by hiding underground. Those who actually are recruited by Otogakure will further discover it isn't simply in one place, but is actually many different hidden laboratories and bases scattered across the ninja world, though this, at least, is the only one most of their shinobi know about. On the mainland, most entrances to the bases are hard to find and small, disguised by whatever natural terrain happens to be near them. On small islands dedicated to the less known bases themselves, the doors can be much larger and more obvious, though almost never outwardly marked with anything identifying them as such. All pieces of 'Otogakure' have some portion of their complexes devoted to laboratories of varying sizes. Other portions of bases differ between places for shinobi to rest, train, heal, or be imprisoned within.

Orochimaru's rooms are usually located deep within a base, and are among the larger rooms not dedicated solely to training or experimentation. Walls are generally always built with smooth, perfectly formed stones created by various earth jutsu users rather than transported underground by hand. Lighting is almost exclusively provided by torch, and very little technology is expended for anything that isn't involved in experimentation or the improvement of Otogakure shinobi.

The primary belief and motivation of Otogakure shinobi are that the normal and unremarkable can be made special and unique if enough effort is put into them and the appropriate opportunity is provided them. Opinions of Orochimaru vary from grudging respect and fear to adoration and fierce loyalty, depending on their experience with the leader, and how they came to serve Otogakure.

Inaho Village

A tiny village located in the hills near the Land of Rice Paddies. It's known for its rice. Entirely civilian.

Land of Rivers
Home to the Katabami Kinzan gold mine and processing facility, and therefore a very wealthy country. Currently the gold mine is under control of one of the former Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, who possesses the dual swords Kiba. In the past, the Land of Rivers was also known for Takumi Village, which was among the first ninja weapon manufacturers. In recent times, other villages have caught up with their skill and made Takumi weapons obsolete, making the Land of Rivers more dependent on their gold mine.

Hidden Village - Tanigakure

A village once feared for their superior chakra-enhanced weapons. Recently, there is little of note to be found of Tanigakure, save for the Four Celestial Symbols men, who haven't been seen in years. Tangakure sends shinobi to the Chuunin exams infrequently. The Land of Rivers is more likely to rent shinobi than raise them.

Katabami Kinzan Gold Mine

The primary source of the Land of River's wealth. Currently, the Katabami Kinzan Gold Mine is under control of a rogue nin claiming to be an ex-member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, and who wields the dual swords Kiba to prove it. No one who has attempted to retake the mine has survived, and those who live nearby have been dying alarmingly often due to the nin's unpredictable mood-swings. He trades the seized gold with Takumi Village and Tanigakure at his own discretion and at steep prices.

Takumi Village

Previously known for its incredibly high quality ninja tools, the rest of the ninja world has caught up with Takumi Village's techniques, almost entirely destroying their primary source of income. As Takumi Village is the civilian capital of the Land of Rivers and the Kinzan Gold Mine has been seized by a powerful shinobi, Takumi Village has recently turned to other methods of trade, rather than collapse.

Ryuuchi Cave
The legendary location of the Sage of Snakes. It's said that the Legendary Sannin Orochimaru's snake summons, including his favored Manda, hail from Ryuuchi Cave as well. The location of the cave (and island) are currently unknown to anyone without a Snake Summoning Contract.

Land of Sand
A civilian country with a famous daimyo, known for their carpenters. They have a good relationship with Konoha.

Mori Village

The capital of Sand Country, where the daimyo resides. The most famous family of carpenters in the country also reside in Mori Village, and are said to have been the primary force behind the construction of the village back when it was founded.

Land of the Sea
A country composed of several small countries, closely allied with the Land of Waves for protection, as they have no hidden village of their own, and little in the way of trade with other nations. One of the islands hosts one of Orochimaru's hide-outs.

Battleship Island

Originally home to a peaceful village of woodworkers, the island was recently seized by a violent gang of pirates, and transformed into a giant stationary 'battleship', which attacks any ship unwary enough to travel within range, usually obliterating their targets with paperbomb cannon balls before the seafarers have an opportunity to respond. The few survivors who have told stories of the island mention that once the treasure is retrieved from the ocean, the pirates usually leave the original inhabitants of the boats to drown out at sea. The original residents are presumed to have been slaughtered in the violent takeover.

Jiro Island

A small port island. Its primary business is to offer supplies for passing travelers, so that boats may stock up on the long and dangerous journey through the Straight of Silence. Generally speaking, the businessmen of the island are known to be honest but overpriced. Recently, however, there's been a sharp increase of boats going missing in the Straight of Silence after visiting Jiro Island (even those well stocked before arrival) which has begun to raise questions.

Kiko Island

A supposedly uninhabited island. What looks like a man-made structure can be seen on the island by those who pass close enough to it, but no one who's gone to investigate the island and actually stepped foot on it have returned. Many consider the island cursed by an ancient ghost of some sort.

Mori Island

An island known for crafting some of the best wooden ships. They sell their services at a very high price to countries shinobi or otherwise who are interested in their work.

Straight of Silence

A unique stretch of sea between the main cluster of Sea islands and the bottommost tip of the Land of Forests, where the great river of the Land of Forests empties out into the sea. Due to special currents which run through the straight, no wind of any kind blows and automatic navigation equipment fails to compute properly. The flows of most of the straight are so unpredictable and dangerous that any ship attempting to navigate it will undoubtedly sink. One path through the straight exists which is safe, but the nature of it requires the boat to ride guided only by the straight itself from one end to the other.

Only one boat's width can fit in a given point of the straight at a time, and the current itself flows at a speed which takes the average ship two weeks to cross. As there are no sea life in the straight and also no land for which plant-life to grow on, navigating the straight is a death sentence to anyone not properly supplied. To those well supplied, however, the Straight provides two weeks of relaxation, and of almost guaranteed safety from pirates or other hostile encounters.

Summoning Island

A remote island full of summoning-level creatures. A secret research lab is hidden on the island. Which village organized the research is lost to time, like the island. Among those who dig deep enough into legends, or are high enough position in influential villages, there are rumors of this lost island and of it abruptly dropping out of communication, but there is no current map which marks the location of the island, nor any current records that describe the exact subject of the research supposedly conducted there.

Taro Island

Taro Island is the first inhabited island beyond the Straight of Silence. Taro Island is primarily a merchant's island, set up to resupply travelers who've exhausted or accidentally lost most of their cargo while traveling the Straight of Silence. Usually, their business is almost as good as Jiro's at any given time. Recently, however, far more ships have been entering the Straight with crew and then exiting it completely empty. This has understandably raised concerns with the residents.

Shikkotsu Forest
The legendary forest where it is said the Legendary Sannin Tsunade's slug summon, Lady Katsuyu, dwells. Although the location of the island and forest has been discovered and is known to some, none who attempt to step foot on the island have been successful, other than presumably those who possess a summoning contract with Lady Katsuyu herself.

Land of Sky
The Land of Sky was conquered and wiped out in the Second Ninja War. Their hidden village was personally destroyed by Konoha in retaliation to a powerful raid made during the war. Survivors and their descendants still exist, but remain hidden, posing as nukenin or civilians in order to pass. Sky ninja were noted for their ability to manipulate the wind element to such an extent that they could fly. Shinobi from this land were noted to be able to fashion intricate gliding devices to enhance their flight and allow them to attack using various jutsu while in flight. Obviously these devices would be lost to the survivors.

Ancor Vatian

The ancient flying city of the Sky Nation, said to possess power superior to that of a tailed beast. The location of Ancor Vatian was lost with the fall of Sky, and it is currently completely inaccessible without the proper keys, chakra amount, and code entered into the nearby ruins. Of course, even the location of the ruins have been lost with the end of the nation of Sky. If Ancor Vatian or the nearby ruins are on any map, they would only be ancient Sky maps.

Boyaku

The city with the highest concentration of merchants in Sky. It is believed no one in the city originated in Sky save for those who were born in Boyaku since its founding.

Mima

The northenmost city in the Land of Sky. It's presumed most of the villagers there are either descendants of old Sky civilians, or have no association with the old nation, simply taking up residence in an emptied country out of opportunity.

Ohairamaru

The southernmost and last known city in the Land of Sky. As with the other villages, it's generally presumed whoever lives there has moved there out of a lack of anywhere better to live, not because of rightful descent.

Land of Snow
The Land of Snow is a now desolate country in the north which once used to rival the five great nations with their ability to manipulate pre-existing ice into animal forms and combine chakra with technology with unrivaled efficiency. (Their chakra armor, which shields the user from many jutsu, is said to be the basis of the Land of Iron's samurai armor) After a coup d'état saw the murder of the lords of the land by the lord's tyrannical brother, Dotou Kazahana, the land had started to collapse into obscurity and weakness due to his carelessness with the land. It didn't last however, as the missing princess of the country, Azkadellia, was quick to take the man down, far more interested in getting what she felt was her inheritance before it could be completely hidden.

Hidden village - Yukigakure

Yukigakure, like the land itself, had been almost completely plundered by Dotou before Azkadellia took it over. Most, if not all, of their technological techniques were on the brink of being lost, and very few shinobi were born or trained in Yukigakure in the years before Azkadellia returned, leaving a weakness in the force that has since been brutally fixed. While far more closed off than they ever were before the coup, Yukigakure still has a frightening command of the extremely rare combination that is technology and chakra. They are, of course, the only country that has figured out how to make these opposing forces actually work, and it seems that their leader has no interest in letting the secret out.

Land of Stone
A small country full of temples, led by a priest. It's a neutral country home to the varied religions of the shinobi world, excepting Jashinism.

Hidden Village - Ishigakure

Little is known of Ishigakure except that it does not participate in the Chuunin Exams and seems to operate independently of the priest. Shinobi from Ishigakure often specialize in Earth jutsu.

Land of Swamps
It's allied with the Land of Fire, but entirely civilian. The body belonging to the creature sealed by the priestess of the Land of Demons is hidden in this country, but few are aware of this.

Onno

The capital of the Land of Swamps. Only the ruling family of Onno are aware of the location or factual nature of the creature sealed within their country by the priestess of the neighboring Land of Demons.

Land of Tea
A small country composed of two separate islands. It exports mostly tea, and is entirely civilian. The ruler of the country is determined by a race held every four years. The family who hired the winning contestant rules. Recently, the two families have taken to hiring shinobi to compete for them. Officially there are no shinobi in the country, but the competing families have been known to adopt nukenin in the hope of getting long-term winners for free. Other nukenin are often hired in secret to 'interfere' with the other family's champion. Unofficially.

Busan

Busan is the capital city of the Land of Tea, where the Daimyo of the Land of Tea lives. It should be noted that while he honors the race and allows whichever family wins the race to handle the practical ruling of the country, he serves as the tie-breaker and rule-enforcer. If he determines a family has cheated in the race, he may revoke their win and hand it to the other family. So far, this has yet to happen.

Degarashi Port

Degarashi Port is Tea's most recognizable port city, where most supplies arrive for the Land of Tea. It is also the starting and finishing point for the quadannual race held to determine Tea leadership.

Gyosen

Gyosen is the primary town in which the two rival families live, and is far livelier and rich looking than Busan. Many foreign shinobi confuse Gyosen for the capital city of Tea, and usually the ruling family doesn't bother to correct them. Gyosen is technically the economic capital of Tea, but it has little in the way to offer foreigners or tourists.

Hagi

An oasis designed for travelers--primarily racers--to refresh themselves and rest as necessary before continuing through the second half of the swimming portion of the race.

Hakuba

Hakuba is the primary trade city next to Degarashi Port. Anyone looking to visit Tea for anything other than their quadannual races should look to Hakuba for entertainment and shops. Hakuba is also the best place to offer the wide variety of high quality teas that the country takes its name from, although various specialized selections can also be found anywhere in the country.

Kobura

Kobura is a minor town of inns and fruit, but its primary purpose is as a checkpoint during the quadannual race to determine Tea's leadership. Many onlookers who don't want to wait for Morodoki Shrine choose Kobura to stay in and wait for their favorite racer to appear.

Morodoki Shrine

A shrine to a minor religion previously embraced by the Land of Tea. Currently, Morodoki Shrine is most notable as being the halfway point in the quadannual race held to determine the ruling family of Tea. It's thought if a racer reaches this point first, they are sure to win the rest of the race.

Land of That
A country composed of a single village, locked in a bitter rivalry with the Land of This. It has no native shinobi, but regularly hires mercenary, both from the five nations and nukenin. One of its Lord's family members has been taken hostage by the Land of This to maintain peace. It's located just South of the Land of This.

Land of This
A country composed of a single village, locked in a bitter rivalry with the Land of That. It's located next to the Land of Fire and the land of Rivers. The castle town is famous for its many delicious foods and its grand food eating contest. The Land of This has no shinobi employed, but it does have one rogue samurai who personally serves the lord of the country. It has adopted one of the Land of That's family members to maintain peace.

Tsuki

The Island of Tsuki is not to be confused with the Land of The Moon. The island of Tsuki is to the East of Fire, rather than the South, and is composed almost entirely of its shinobi village. Most civilians in the village have either moved to Tsukigakure or one of the neighboring, more wealthy, civilian countries.

Hidden Village - Tsukigakure

(Not to be confused with the other moon village, Getsugakure)
Their ruler is decided by heirs of the previous ruler. Despite being a shinobi village, they are extremely friendly to visitors, due to an old belief that visitors may one day save the village. Tsukigakure is known for its perfumes. Tsukigakure shinobi are known for their ability to seal opponents chakra through long range jutsu and sealing traps. They also have some skill in genjutsu.

Land of Valleys
Officially, it has no hidden village. However, shinobi hail from the land, and have been on missions to retrieve information from the Five Great Nations. Unlike the Land of Keys, however, there is nothing remarkable about the shinobi from the Land of Valleys, and they are not very successful at information gathering so far.

Hidden Village - Tanimagakure

Nothing is known about this village, but it's presumably quite new. Shinobi from this village are known to attempt to infiltrate other villages disguised as members of the other village, and then the country hires that land to retrieve their 'rogue' ninja. In combat, however, the ninja do not measure up. No shinobi are recognized as officially sanctioned by the Land of Valleys, therefore none are sent to the Chuunin exams.

Land of Vegetables
A minor civilian town with a wealth of crops and riches. Recently the entire Lord's family was slaughtered by a group of wandering ninja, and the country has been seized by these ambitious ninja, who hope to turn the land into their army and begin conquering other lands with it. Although never having a hidden village of their own before the coup, the Land of Vegetables is home to a clan which specialized in a kenjutsu that combined ninjutsu, genjutsu, and sword-art to create powerful flower attacks.

Most known members of the clan and the surviving daughter of the lord vanished shortly after the coup.

Hidden Village - Yasaigakure

The new name of the capital of Land of Vegetables. Unlike most hidden villages, Yasaigakure's location isn't hidden in any way. Currently, the only shinobi known to be present within Yasaigakure are the small group of nin who seized control of the country, and the few clan members who defected away from the overthrown family's rule to the new shinobi leaders, rather than go into hiding or flee the country.

Land of Waterfalls
The Land of Waterfalls is a long time enemy of the Fire Country, bordering it to the north. While they've openly aided other enemies of Konoha in their war efforts, neither Fire nor Waterfalls have successfully staged an individual invasion of the other. Kakuzu's heart-stealing jutsu and cords jutsu are among the Waterfall's most prized and secret jutsus. Waterfalls possesses Chomei and the jinchuuriki Fuu. Fuu is widely neglected and hated by the people of Waterfalls, and her whereabouts are currently unknown (although the people of Waterfall claim to be secure in the knowledge that she remains within their borders).

Rivendell

One of the clans that has the bloodline of Elves lives in this forested area, and while it's said that they are far more friendly than their relatives to the west, they are no less suspicious of those who would come into their city. Highly intellectual, the locals have several libraries hidden among the cliffs that make up the many waterfalls running through their land, only indicated by the colorful windows that let light through and reflect colors in the right conditions. The effect is eye-catching, and makes the city one of the most beautiful locations in the country, and perhaps is even the reason for the country's name.

Hidden Village - Takigakure

A hidden village located near (and partly inside) a large waterfall in the forest. Few foreign shinobi have witnessed the village itself and lived, as it remains well hidden, and fiercely defended. The water of the village produces Hero Water every hundred years, which when drank will multiply a person's chakra by ten times...but the strain will often prove fatal. Shinobi of Takigakure are known to be powerful, ruthless, and cruel. Takigakure is usually too proud to send its shinobi to Chuunin Exams, but there have been unexplained exceptions to that before.

Land of Waves
The Land of Waves is a very small island country off the southernmost part of the Land of Fire. Though small, they have a thriving trade economy due to their neutral status and access to multiple countries. They keep tariffs low, and though they have no military might to speak of, they do well, and in recent times have even started to regularly keep on shinobi for contracted terms. This appears to be largely due to the bridge that was completed after negotiations cleared them to build into the mainland, since it had upped the danger level from possible ambushes on caravans.

Kaizen's Bridge

The bridge built between the Land of Waves and Land of Fire. The bridge was built with great difficulty and sacrifice by the people of Wave, and is the primary reason Wave's struggling economy was able to turn around into a thriving market again. Therefore, the bridge is a symbol of hope to many Wave residents.

Land of Whirlpools
The Land of Whirlpools is located north of the Land of Fire. It is composed of many steep hills and a few wide rivers cutting through the land. In the past, it had a strong friendship with the Land of Fire. The land is still in the process of being rebuilt, and thus many of its notable landmarks are in ruins. The original location of the hidden village of this country is still submerged in the ocean partially, so most of the new residents have to go on expeditions to recover anything that might have been lost from it.

Hidden Village - (New) Uzushiogakure

Revived due to the efforts of the Yondaime Hokage's wife, who was born in Old Uzushiogakure, the village is still small, and unlike it's predecessor, is not actually hidden among the treacherous whirlpools off the coast just to the south of the new village. Originally named for the island location amid the treacherous water, the new village is close to the water, and while slowly growing, nowhere near their former reputation.

Shinobi of this village vary wildly in both temperament and lineage, as they are both returnees and people too young to remember what came before, lending chaos to the attempt at structure that is being established. One thing that is certain is that almost all in this village are refugees, and they will fight fiercely not to lose their home a second time.

Sugi Village

Although it lies within the boundaries of the Land of Whirlpools, Sugi Village retains its independence. They do not send their shinobi to the Chuunin exams, but they possess an unknown and powerful hidden jutsu strong enough that the Raikage himself showed interest in stealing it for the Land of Lightning's sake. Despite this, they usually hire other ninja to protect them, meaning the hidden jutsu is likely a sensory jutsu.

Uzushiogakure Ruins

The original location of Uzushiogakure, utterly decimated in past wars. Due to the damage of the war and of later weather, little more is left of the old city than mostly crumbled hollow structures and singular pillars. Until recently, the city also housed secret clan masks containing special jutsus and chakra formulas of the Uzumaki. Since the masks have been moved to a new, secure location, very little of interest is left within the ruins.

Land of Woods
The Land of Woods do not officially possess a hidden village, but they do admit to training up hand-picked shinobi as elite ANBU. Those ANBU called the Prajñā Group, wield sword-length kunai and are considered exceptionally dangerous. The Land of Woods is not particularly friendly toward the Land of Fire, and has in the past made treaties only to betray Fire immediately. The primary reason their country has remained allied with Fire this time probably has to do with the unrecognized shinobi village inside their borders.

Hidden Village - Yumegakure

While Woods doesn't acknowledge the village officially, most other shinobi villages are aware of the one hidden in Woods anyway. Yumegakure is located in a deep forest full of haze in the Land of Woods. Shinobi of this village are known for their transformation techniques, and the ability to turn into creatures to aid in combat. Yumegakure is in possession of a creature close to the level of a tailed beast, and therefore has an alliance with Konoha to keep it sealed. Until recently, the village had fallen into poverty and in-fighting, and now has been making efforts to stabilize their economy.