Lord Zee
Kho
Timemaster
Fetzen
Kuro
Crispy Octopus
Vec
Scarifar
DionEntr'Acte: The Three Clans
Kinoshita, builders of faith
The sounds of bustling work echoed throughout the outskirts of Tategawa, woodworkers shaped planks of the dark Kailasa wood, drake beetles pulled the chopped down logs to production sites, artisans the finest this side of the Azakua Sea crafted beautiful sculptures made of clay and stone. Overseeing it all was Kinoshita Narikazu, grandson of Kinoshita Munehira, founder of Tategawa, he sat upon a slightly raised pedestal, in front of him lay a few clay tablets, each one with building designs upon them, to ensure everything was being built exactly as he desired.
He heard movement to his left, looking he saw Kuzuyama Koyo, local Kannushi and spiritual advisor to him. She was dressed in her white ceremonial robes, her mask was absolutely beautiful, an intricate and beautiful design of a red flower that Narikazu often found himself getting lost in, but he was quick to ensure his mind did not waver, he needed to be observant, this was an important task.
“Greetings Kannushi Kuzuyama.” Naikazu spoke, bowing his head in her direction with respect, before turning his attention once more to the ongoing work, two large wooden poles had begun to be planted into the ground, their dark wood sinking deep into the rocky and swampy earth of the isles.
Koyo bowed towards the Daimyo “Lord Kinoshita.” Her gaze too was drawn towards the construction, watching the workers and Drake Beetles do their best to ensure stability for their current work, the two posts were now getting two horizontal logs added to their tops, one shorter and placed in between the poles, the longer one placed on top and with a more flatter bottom. “It seems construction is going along nicely.” She finally spoke after a few seconds of waiting.
“Yes, we’re already getting ahead of schedule, as you can see,” he raised one of his hands, gesturing towards the finished construction of the poles, which had formed a gate-like structure, called a Torii if the Daimyo recalled correctly, while he was the patron of this construction, he was never one for spiritualism. “Though I believe the artisans wish for more time, they wish to give Kalaru a bit more extravagance with his form, add a bit more details to the tentacles and all.”
Koyo chuckled “I’m sure the god of the depths shall appreciate that.” Her gaze shifted leftward, towards the houses and structures of Tategawa proper, before once more looking upon the building site. “How much longer do you think it will take?”
This made the Daimyo think, he knew the Kannushi wished for little delay, but while Narikazu’s ancestors had kept to the faith, he was the first to ever attempt something like this, they had built yes, his grandfather especially but none of them had attempted to build a temple, one dedicated to all four of the gods as well. He was unsure of how long it would exactly take, already the artisans had brought some delay, unwilling to make any slights towards the gods, who knew what kind of delays could come from the workers, afraid of the gods wrath?
“I am rather unsure, as you know this is the first attempt to build something like this, the workers wish not to anger the gods.”
“Do not worry my Lord, the gods are sure to incredibly appreciate the devotion of this grandeur, the temple will be sure to gain their favor.”
The Daimyo thought for a moment, building such a place of worship was sure to negate any potential slights, but still, too many might be terrible for his people. “I will be sure to inform the workers,” He finally spoke after a few moments of thought. “But I can't promise it will be done before Natsu.”
“I see.” Koyo trailed off, staring off towards the construction site. Narikazu was unsure of what to say further, the Kannushi had a trend of this, many said she was speaking to the gods and spirits of the world while doing it, he just always assumed she was deep in thought. “In that case,” She finally spoke, turning towards the Daimyo, “I will bid my leave and return your attention to the work.” She bowed once more, before turning to leave.
Naikazu too bowed, “Off course.” As she left he found himself staring at her, his gaze lingering, the sound of construction drew him out though, and he once more turned his attention to the workers.
In time the temple would be built, a mighty building filled with icons and murals of the four gods: Yamatu, Akwael, Aritafek, Kalaru. It, in essence, would put Tategawa and by extension, the Kinoshita, upon the map across the Kailasa Isles. The First clan was born.
Hashimoto, Lords of the Blade.
Hashimoto Korekatsu had a mission, defend his people and end the rule of the Red Masks, bandits who had done nothing but terrorize the people of Okumaki, it needed to end. The young lord now marched alongside a retinue of warriors, some spearmen and a variety of archers, Korekatsu himself wielded a long copper spear and the copper blade of his father, who had been cut down by the Red Masks. They were a sizable force, volunteers from local villages who were fed up with the Masks’ rule, but the lord still hoped it was enough to take down the bandits.
The force marched deep into the rocky swamplands of Kiyodaka, the soft sound of their boots squishing into the dirt being the only sound in the silent forest. Korekatsu kept his eyes open, darting to check the trees and environment, wary of a potential ambush. He couldn’t be sure whether or not the Red Masks knew they were coming or not.
It was growing dark by the time they arrived upon their destination, through the mangled forest Korekatsu could see the fires of the Red Masks’ camp, he ordered his forces to halt, keeping them low to the ground to avoid the sight of sentries.
“What is the plan now my lord?” One of his retinue, Hori Morofusa, asked, he was an older reshut from a village close to Korekatsu’s, his knowledge of the bow and the local environment had made him a trusted ally to the lord.
“It doesn’t appear they’ve noticed us,” He replied, keeping an eye upon the camp, he could see the form of various Red Mask sentries illuminated by their torches, a few other forms moved about, appearing to be getting ready for sleep. “We shall wait until full nightfall, to ensure there are as few bandits awake as possible, then we will strike, your bowmen will take out the sentries, then, we strike.”
Morofusa nodded, going back to relay the plan to the other members of the force. They sat waiting deep in the mangled woods, the spearmen keeping their spears ready and the bowmen ensuring their bows and arrows were ready. As the dual moons raised higher into the sky, Korekatsu ordered Morofusa and the bowmen to spread out through the brush, ensuring they all had shots on the various sentries.
He waited, watching the shadowed forms, then, came the soft thunk of arrows. The forms fell, collapsing on themselves, he could see the shafts of arrows stick out of their bodies, now it was their time.
The spearmen kept low, yet still rushed through the brush, their spears at the ready. They drew closer and closer, spotting the fallen bodies of the sentries, they could see the sleeping bandits in their tents, he gestured for the spearmen to spread out, reading their spears, taking a bandit each. Korekatsu himself did not take one, instead heading towards the largest tent, that of the Red Mask’s leader.
A scream erupted through the camp. A bandit had woken up to see a spear straight at him, he did not scream long, said spear having been planted deep in his throat. But the harm had been done.
In an instant the camp had erupted into chaos, Red Masks shocked awake to see the retinue, some were cut down quickly while others managed to grab their weapons, fighting back against the force. Korekatsu found himself embedding his spear in a waking bandit, ensuring he did not add to the force, arrows began to fly from outside the camp, Morofusa and his bowmen hoping to aid the retinue against the bandits.
“Hashimoto!” A loud voice boomed over the carnage. He rapidly turned his head to see the leader of the Red Masks, Soga Hirakane, his imposing form aided by his blood red mask and his long curved sword, the bandit lord stared at the daimyo with pure hate in his eyes. Korekatsu pulled out his spear from the corpse with a sickened crunch, readying it towards the bandit.
The two warriors circled one another, neither one daring to strike first, less they gave their opponent an opening. The roar of battle surrounding them, Korekatsu clutched his spear close, his hand threatening the snap the shaft in half if they got too tight. Hirakane was growing impatient, eager to kill this rabble.
He struck first.
Their blades clashed, spear against sword, the clangs of metal against metal erupted, the duel had begun. The two danced around one another, blade striking blade, dodging or blocking a well timed strike, they were near even matches for one another.
Korekatsu lunged, his spear striking deep towards the bandit lord, but he anticipated this, backhanding the daimyo and sending him flying, his spear clattering to the ground far away from him. He felt the breath leave his lungs as he landed hard onto the hard dirt, his bones were screaming out in pain as he looked up, seeing Hirakane grow closer.
“Oh Hashimoto, you really thought you could beat me?” The bandit chuckled, bringing his sword to bear to utter the killing blow “You really are a foolish child.”
“The only one foolish here is you.” Korekatsu sputtered out, “You really should watch your back.”
THUNK
An arrow shot through the tree surrounding the camp, landing itself directly into the bandit’s shoulder, causing him to reel forward with the sudden force. Korekatsu had his moment. He shot one of his legs out, kicking the bandit straight in the chest, sending him flying back. Struggling up he drew his sword, walking as quickly as his legs could carry him towards the now prone bandit.
Hirakane struggled to get up himself, his own right arm shooting with pain due to the embedded arrow head, but he was not quick enough. Korekatsu lunged with his sword, sinking it deep into the chest of the bandit, burgundy blood spilled forth from the wound. Hirakane could only stare at the Daimyo with pure and utter hatred, the strength leaving his limbs and the life from his eyes. He soon fell limp, Korekatsu slowly drew the sword out of the bandit’s chest, slick with burgundy blood.
The battle had been won, it had cost some lifes, some of the force had been cut down by the bandits, but they had won, the Red Masks were gone. Korekatsu could hear the cheers of “Hashimoto! Hashimoto!” erupting from the gathered force. The party would return to their home, applauded and celebrated by the people, the Hashimoto would become respected amongst the people as protectors of the people. The second clan was born.
Ohta, masters of the deal
Enkoshi was in celebration, the Reshut of the city were in pure joy, images of the gods were paraded around, food made from the plants and animals of the isles were laid out, blind Goze musicians sang and played beautiful music while dancers twirled and spun in long flowing robes coloured in bright and fantastical colours of plants found deep in the swamps.
Ohta Yasukuni sat at the docks upon several cushions, watching the celebrations while drinking a traditional Sake, next to him similarly sat Taagrulxarus, a Vrool tyrant. The Ohta and Taa’s tyranny had met some years earlier, as the Vrool had established himself and some of his lesser vrool and Akua servants close to the eastern shores of Kailasa, close to the are the Ohta and its allies had established itself.
The vrool had a tough time establishing if the Daimyo recalled correctly, the oceans around the Isles were not the most rich and the Oceants, those mighty hives of the oceans, had been engaging in conflict with him and made it harder to hunt. Additionally, from what the Daimyo had learnt, there were other Tyrants, but Taa was a minor one, so far the only Vrool to settle in the lands of the Kailasa at least to both of their knowledge. Taa was, in relation to other Vrool, not that powerful, but to the Ohta, he could be a useful aid.
And so, they now sat side by side, the Vrool being given a variety of Reshutian delicacies such as rice paddies and cooked catfight, and drinking more than his fair share of Sake, he turned towards the Daimyo, patting him on the back with one tentacle.
“I must say you Reshut sure know how to hold a celebration!” He spoke in his loud boisterous voice, his tongue was strange, Yasukuni believed it was called Vonu? He was still unsure, but it was nearly alien to him, luckily his Aku retainers spoke a far more understandable version to the land based Reshut which the vrool himself could understand.
“Well, why would we not celebrate?” The daimyo responded, raising a glass of sake in honor of their forming friendship. “We are forming a great bond together.”
“Yes, quite.” Taa leaned back, gesturing for his Aku retainers to begin fanning him, keeping him cool in the humid climate of the isles. “So, if I may, refresh myself upon our deal, you provide me with food and some tribute and in exchange,” he gestured another tentacle towards the growing fleet of basic ships the Ohta commanded as trading vessels with other nearby Reshut communities. “Me and my court will help protect your vessels in their voyages?”
The daimyo nodded “That is correct, I believe it is a respectful deal to a tyrant such as yourself?”
Taa uttered a boisterous laugh once more “Oh of course it is! Food for some basic assistance, I would be an idiot not to accept!”
This time it was Yasukuni’s turn to chuckle “Well then, shall we have another round of sake to celebrate?” The daimyo gestured for more of the drink to be brought.
Taa looked once more at the daimyo “This shall be the beginning of a very good friendship.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more.”
Tales would come from the east, the ships of the Ohta guarded by creatures of the sea, the only Reshut to ever make dealings with the sea. Their fame, and wealth only grew, aided by their newfound allies, the name of the Ohta spread across the east. The third clan was born.
