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Ancient History of the Empire
KitsuneWarlock Sun Nov 13, 2011 3:50 pm
These are the scrolls of history, passed down by the founding kami to the mortal realm so that all may know why things exist.
Before time there was nothing. However, nothing was lonely, so it created the two creator gods, whose names have been lost to time. These gods themselves couldn't see nothing and themselves soon became lonely, so they created the moon and sun and departed existence for an unknown realm, their power completely sealed from existence forever.
The sun and the moon were wed: Amaterasu, the God of the Sun, and Tsukiyomi, the Goddess of the Moon. Alongside them were their lesser brothers and sisters, the Kami, who reigned over everything. Beside these beings lie the five elemental dragons, who control the very fabrics of existence themselves.
And so, in the beginning in the heavens above the regions of Saiken existed the Kami. The humans and other creatures of the earth roamed free in sad tribes. Various other gods ruled over the earth, heathen gods whose names are now all but forgotten to Saiken.
It was in this time of chaos in which Tsukiyomi was invited to her brother's feast. Her brother was the Kami of the Feast, Uke Mochi. Uke summoned from his body a bounty of sea, grains and animals. Spewing together in a primordial mass, they created the first rice paddy (mochi). However, this scene disgusted Tsukuyomi, who killed the kami of food via decapitation.
And so man had to learn to feed themselves.
Amaterasu was so disgusted at her husband's actions, she ran to a cave, darkening existence for many days. It wasn't until Otohime, a mortal woman, borrowed Tsukiyomi's mirror and danced upon a stool, causing all the other Kami to laugh and attract Amaterasu's attention. Amaterasu left the cave and Otohime sealed the cave for the rest of eternity as the sun became enamored by the splendid mirror before her. These actions lead to Otohime ascending as the first Kami who had been a mortal.
Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi would later reunite. They would sire 9 children: the founding kami of Saiken. Each was trained to be a pinnacle of excellence and exemplify a virtue we now know as part of the 8 tenants of Bushido. The 9th would be trained in each tenant, for he was the eldest by a cycle. A great dragon, Yamata no Orochi, grew jealous of the attention these new kami gained from their parents. The dragon reached his 8 heads to heaven and ate each of the kami, save for the eldest who tried to fight the dragon. The eldest was killed, stabbed through the heart and flung to the earth with one of the monster's 8 tails.
Susanowo, Kami of the sea, hearing Tsukuyomi's pleas, cried forth in bloodlust and slayed the Orochi. In the 4th tail of the Orochi, the tail that slayed the 1st founding kami, emerged a sword: Kusanagi, the grass cutter.
Susanowo presented the sword to the 2nd founding kami, the first Emporer: Sai. Alive, but unable to return to the celestial heavens due to the corruption the earth had already played on their now corporeal bodies, the founding kami remained on earth, emerging in the Sea of Japan.
The Kami, pleased to see the founding kami alive, had a great feast. Amaterasu, through Otohime who could still walk upon the earth since that was her original home, gave the founding kami Yata no kagami, the mirror which lured him out of his cave when his wife slayed Uke Mochi. Along with the mirror was sent an item that Amaterasu, and not Tsukuyomi, originally wielded: the Yasakani no Magatama, a crown carved from a single piece of jade.
The kami were meant with some resistance on the shores of China. However they quickly proved their divinity and most of the human tribes swore fealty to these descended gods. The remaining humans ran to the west and are now known as the Kajat.
The 8 kami created a council over which they ruled. Sai would be the first emporer of the land. His wife and sister, Konai, would stand to his left hand, while his faithful brother, Tsubai, would stand on his right. The remaining 5 kami were each given the task of organizing the rest of the empire.
The empire was henceforth divided into 8 clans that spanned the regions of China, Japan and Korea.
The kami and their respective clans were as followed:
The center and western region of china was controlled by Yosei, the kami of the fox clan. Half of his territory was a forest, an unclean area where none dare passed. But the other half was good land, so the kami could not complain (especially since he had been technically given the most land). He represented the benevolance (Jin) tenant of bushido. His clan is a peaceful one, although they have some of the strongest archers, hunters and rangers in the land. Furthermore, they train a special catagory of earth shugenja who specialize in manipulating wood. They also have the most wu-jen than any other clan. They patrol the western borders that go into the desert where the Kajat and mysterious Saudian empire reign. They also are responsible for most of the non-fish meat in the empire, which is unfortunately not as used nearly as much as fish.
The eastern shore of the empire was controlled by Konai, controller of the Crane clan. Exemplifying respect (rei), she can be called somewhat of a perfectionist. Her clan strives for perfection in everything they do. They excel in the arts, poetry, etc...and their samurai are no different. There spells and fighting styles are a sight to behold. Some say every man slain by Konai died with a smile, for the beauty and grace in her fighting style was such that none who watched could frown. They have the most courtiers than any other clan and are considered the "upper hand" of politics in the empire. They control one of the more powerful economic centers of the empire and control the police of the empire. They are also closest to the imperial palace.
Sai controlled the relatively small area of the central Chinese coastline where the capital laid. He would found the Ki-Rin clan, which consists still today of the strongest samurai and shugenja families in the empire who oversee the empire. The emperor himself technically owns all of the saiken empire, his word: law. PCs in this clan would be forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all times, being a diplomat and representative of the imperial line itself. His was a position of pure honor (meiyo).
Tsubai would control the regions south of the fox clan and east of the crane clan, bordering on the north-east with the Ki-Rin clan and the capital of the empire, Edo-Jing. His clan, the bear clan, would serve as the military might of the empire, housing some of the strongest and most well known warriors in the land. Its shugenja specialize in medicine. They hold the Yu of the empire (courage) in place.
Squished between the fox clan and bear clan, by the southern border near modern day laos, lies the rabbit clan and its founder Osashi. She was the youngest of the kami, but her clan stays vigilant and ever alert. She is also the clan that is closest to Tsukiyomi. It should come to no suprise then that this has always been the region of the empire that has held the temple of Tsukiyomi, whose shugenjas venerate the dead and practice the only form of blood magic not yet considered impure. There shugenja and even samurai are said to glow with a holy white light on some nights...and a red dark light on others. They are known to be quite fickle, but still an upright clan. Osashi, always saddened by the death of Uke Mochi, holds the position of Ko, reverance for the dead. Amoung their ranks are the most shamans in the empire.
The dragonfly clan, who lived in the mountainous north west, hold some of the strongest shugenja in the empire. Controlled by the kami of chi (wisdom), Shinae (whose firey temper is said to sink ships and whose tranquil nature was said to calm a pack of wolves; she is said to have never lost a duel except to the crane kami),these shugenja wish to become one with the elements. Amoung their groups is a band of samurai yojimbo who swear their all to these Shugenja, as well as some of the most devastating, and luckily, well hidden spells in the empire. They are seclusive, but still play an important part in the history of Saiken.
The wolf clan of the kami of loyalty (chu), Koutetsu, controls modern day Japan. This powerful clan is divided into seven major families, each controlling an island of the region. Despite some minor disputes, it is said that attacking 1 family is akin to attacking all 7. They are fiercely loyal and dedicated to their clan. They control the biggest shipping, fishing and naval industry in the country. They also are the only clan other than the fox to really deal with the Indian nation in goods and services...although they do so secretly.
The sparrow clan of the north east, nearest mongolia are controlled by the kami Hisame. His boldness has earned him the title of the kami of Shin (honesty). They are a harsh people, albeit honest to a tee. They have the strongest fire spellcasters in the empire and the second largest population of every spellcaster in the empire. They are the wealthiest clan, however have the lowest income; they earned their gold in their wars against the Mongol who they hold at bay with the northern wall.
There are several disputed and otherwise uncontrolled regions of saiken...although they mostly exist between the borders of the clans.
The fox kami was killed due to reasons still unknown and henceforth allowed to remain in the courts of Inari. Without a kami, the fox clan thought its existence was at risk. Fortunately, Inari, the fortune of rice, sent forth his messengers, the kitsune, i.e. fox spirits, to aid the struggling clan. Soon the clan became the greatest source of rice in the empire, as well as the strongest hunters and gatherers in saikon: with the aid of the kitsune, the clan was able to finally venture into the forests that it had ruled over but never dared enter. The fox clan did lost much of its rice fields during the years between the death of the kami and arrival of the kitsune, but the small number of farms it has now are running well.
The first 300 years of Emporer Sai's reign having been complete, the empire flourished successfully across the land. Yet sadness descends upon the clans at the death of the fox kami, and in the emperor's old age, ancient even for a Kami, all wonder how long he has...Confusion reigns as the kami of the great clans now confront their true mortality...
Before time there was nothing. However, nothing was lonely, so it created the two creator gods, whose names have been lost to time. These gods themselves couldn't see nothing and themselves soon became lonely, so they created the moon and sun and departed existence for an unknown realm, their power completely sealed from existence forever.
The sun and the moon were wed: Amaterasu, the God of the Sun, and Tsukiyomi, the Goddess of the Moon. Alongside them were their lesser brothers and sisters, the Kami, who reigned over everything. Beside these beings lie the five elemental dragons, who control the very fabrics of existence themselves.
And so, in the beginning in the heavens above the regions of Saiken existed the Kami. The humans and other creatures of the earth roamed free in sad tribes. Various other gods ruled over the earth, heathen gods whose names are now all but forgotten to Saiken.
It was in this time of chaos in which Tsukiyomi was invited to her brother's feast. Her brother was the Kami of the Feast, Uke Mochi. Uke summoned from his body a bounty of sea, grains and animals. Spewing together in a primordial mass, they created the first rice paddy (mochi). However, this scene disgusted Tsukuyomi, who killed the kami of food via decapitation.
And so man had to learn to feed themselves.
Amaterasu was so disgusted at her husband's actions, she ran to a cave, darkening existence for many days. It wasn't until Otohime, a mortal woman, borrowed Tsukiyomi's mirror and danced upon a stool, causing all the other Kami to laugh and attract Amaterasu's attention. Amaterasu left the cave and Otohime sealed the cave for the rest of eternity as the sun became enamored by the splendid mirror before her. These actions lead to Otohime ascending as the first Kami who had been a mortal.
Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi would later reunite. They would sire 9 children: the founding kami of Saiken. Each was trained to be a pinnacle of excellence and exemplify a virtue we now know as part of the 8 tenants of Bushido. The 9th would be trained in each tenant, for he was the eldest by a cycle. A great dragon, Yamata no Orochi, grew jealous of the attention these new kami gained from their parents. The dragon reached his 8 heads to heaven and ate each of the kami, save for the eldest who tried to fight the dragon. The eldest was killed, stabbed through the heart and flung to the earth with one of the monster's 8 tails.
Susanowo, Kami of the sea, hearing Tsukuyomi's pleas, cried forth in bloodlust and slayed the Orochi. In the 4th tail of the Orochi, the tail that slayed the 1st founding kami, emerged a sword: Kusanagi, the grass cutter.
Susanowo presented the sword to the 2nd founding kami, the first Emporer: Sai. Alive, but unable to return to the celestial heavens due to the corruption the earth had already played on their now corporeal bodies, the founding kami remained on earth, emerging in the Sea of Japan.
The Kami, pleased to see the founding kami alive, had a great feast. Amaterasu, through Otohime who could still walk upon the earth since that was her original home, gave the founding kami Yata no kagami, the mirror which lured him out of his cave when his wife slayed Uke Mochi. Along with the mirror was sent an item that Amaterasu, and not Tsukuyomi, originally wielded: the Yasakani no Magatama, a crown carved from a single piece of jade.
The kami were meant with some resistance on the shores of China. However they quickly proved their divinity and most of the human tribes swore fealty to these descended gods. The remaining humans ran to the west and are now known as the Kajat.
The 8 kami created a council over which they ruled. Sai would be the first emporer of the land. His wife and sister, Konai, would stand to his left hand, while his faithful brother, Tsubai, would stand on his right. The remaining 5 kami were each given the task of organizing the rest of the empire.
The empire was henceforth divided into 8 clans that spanned the regions of China, Japan and Korea.
The kami and their respective clans were as followed:
The center and western region of china was controlled by Yosei, the kami of the fox clan. Half of his territory was a forest, an unclean area where none dare passed. But the other half was good land, so the kami could not complain (especially since he had been technically given the most land). He represented the benevolance (Jin) tenant of bushido. His clan is a peaceful one, although they have some of the strongest archers, hunters and rangers in the land. Furthermore, they train a special catagory of earth shugenja who specialize in manipulating wood. They also have the most wu-jen than any other clan. They patrol the western borders that go into the desert where the Kajat and mysterious Saudian empire reign. They also are responsible for most of the non-fish meat in the empire, which is unfortunately not as used nearly as much as fish.
The eastern shore of the empire was controlled by Konai, controller of the Crane clan. Exemplifying respect (rei), she can be called somewhat of a perfectionist. Her clan strives for perfection in everything they do. They excel in the arts, poetry, etc...and their samurai are no different. There spells and fighting styles are a sight to behold. Some say every man slain by Konai died with a smile, for the beauty and grace in her fighting style was such that none who watched could frown. They have the most courtiers than any other clan and are considered the "upper hand" of politics in the empire. They control one of the more powerful economic centers of the empire and control the police of the empire. They are also closest to the imperial palace.
Sai controlled the relatively small area of the central Chinese coastline where the capital laid. He would found the Ki-Rin clan, which consists still today of the strongest samurai and shugenja families in the empire who oversee the empire. The emperor himself technically owns all of the saiken empire, his word: law. PCs in this clan would be forced to adhere to a strict set of rules at all times, being a diplomat and representative of the imperial line itself. His was a position of pure honor (meiyo).
Tsubai would control the regions south of the fox clan and east of the crane clan, bordering on the north-east with the Ki-Rin clan and the capital of the empire, Edo-Jing. His clan, the bear clan, would serve as the military might of the empire, housing some of the strongest and most well known warriors in the land. Its shugenja specialize in medicine. They hold the Yu of the empire (courage) in place.
Squished between the fox clan and bear clan, by the southern border near modern day laos, lies the rabbit clan and its founder Osashi. She was the youngest of the kami, but her clan stays vigilant and ever alert. She is also the clan that is closest to Tsukiyomi. It should come to no suprise then that this has always been the region of the empire that has held the temple of Tsukiyomi, whose shugenjas venerate the dead and practice the only form of blood magic not yet considered impure. There shugenja and even samurai are said to glow with a holy white light on some nights...and a red dark light on others. They are known to be quite fickle, but still an upright clan. Osashi, always saddened by the death of Uke Mochi, holds the position of Ko, reverance for the dead. Amoung their ranks are the most shamans in the empire.
The dragonfly clan, who lived in the mountainous north west, hold some of the strongest shugenja in the empire. Controlled by the kami of chi (wisdom), Shinae (whose firey temper is said to sink ships and whose tranquil nature was said to calm a pack of wolves; she is said to have never lost a duel except to the crane kami),these shugenja wish to become one with the elements. Amoung their groups is a band of samurai yojimbo who swear their all to these Shugenja, as well as some of the most devastating, and luckily, well hidden spells in the empire. They are seclusive, but still play an important part in the history of Saiken.
The wolf clan of the kami of loyalty (chu), Koutetsu, controls modern day Japan. This powerful clan is divided into seven major families, each controlling an island of the region. Despite some minor disputes, it is said that attacking 1 family is akin to attacking all 7. They are fiercely loyal and dedicated to their clan. They control the biggest shipping, fishing and naval industry in the country. They also are the only clan other than the fox to really deal with the Indian nation in goods and services...although they do so secretly.
The sparrow clan of the north east, nearest mongolia are controlled by the kami Hisame. His boldness has earned him the title of the kami of Shin (honesty). They are a harsh people, albeit honest to a tee. They have the strongest fire spellcasters in the empire and the second largest population of every spellcaster in the empire. They are the wealthiest clan, however have the lowest income; they earned their gold in their wars against the Mongol who they hold at bay with the northern wall.
There are several disputed and otherwise uncontrolled regions of saiken...although they mostly exist between the borders of the clans.
The fox kami was killed due to reasons still unknown and henceforth allowed to remain in the courts of Inari. Without a kami, the fox clan thought its existence was at risk. Fortunately, Inari, the fortune of rice, sent forth his messengers, the kitsune, i.e. fox spirits, to aid the struggling clan. Soon the clan became the greatest source of rice in the empire, as well as the strongest hunters and gatherers in saikon: with the aid of the kitsune, the clan was able to finally venture into the forests that it had ruled over but never dared enter. The fox clan did lost much of its rice fields during the years between the death of the kami and arrival of the kitsune, but the small number of farms it has now are running well.
The first 300 years of Emporer Sai's reign having been complete, the empire flourished successfully across the land. Yet sadness descends upon the clans at the death of the fox kami, and in the emperor's old age, ancient even for a Kami, all wonder how long he has...Confusion reigns as the kami of the great clans now confront their true mortality...
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