At an early age, Hidoshi found himself a member of the Setsuzoku shogunate's
waka-doshiyori (lesser nobles), inheriting the position and power his father had
previously occupied. His father, then having become a shugenja (mountain ascetic),
renounced the world and left his son in his place. Hidoshi wasn't without his
means though, already a man of 18 years and able with both sword and pen. Perhaps
more importantly, he was possessed of effeminate features and great charisma,
instantly granting him unspoken authority1
and favour among his peers.
When war broke out in the Nordelands, Hidoshi was the first selected to aid
the kingdom of St. Laurent. The shogunate had maintained friendly terms with St.
Laurent and regularly engaged in trade. In liu of Setsuzoku interests, it was
agreed that every effort was to be made in aiding St. Laurent. With an army of
3000 (250 of which were cavalry), Hidoshi therefore found himself in the midst
of war, an envoy to the Nordelands.
The war had already lasted several months between a despotic force called the
Kriegbesonnenheit (Krieg) and the rest of the Nordec kingdoms. Many lands had
fallen to the Krieg previous to their attack on St. Laurent, but at that time
the assault had been stymied. St. Laurent, under the protection of the deities
the Tirade and the Etoh, and with the help of the Setsuzoku, repelled the Krieg
and won the day.
It took four months hence for the fighting to end, and when it was over, Hidoshi
returned home to tragic news. The shogun of Setsuzoku, Miyabi, had died while
Hidoshi was away. With no heir to succeed the late shogun, there was absolute
chaos as to where power would lie. Most of the roju (greater nobles) were ready
to war with each other over the matter. Seeing such barbaric disunity, Hidoshi
ordered the entire roju killed, an act which automatically promoted him to de
facto prime authority, as he already controlled the waka-doshiyori and all
lower ranks.
Having seen what disunity had done to the Nordelands, Hidoshi embarked upon
a quest to unify the Yagyu shogunates, a task which he knew might cost him his
life. At that time, hidoshi was already in his thirties and respected throughout
Yagyu. Several lords from neighbouring shogunates came to join his cause. His
adopted daughter Hayabusa was sent to the Nordelands to establish firm relations
with nations other than St. Laurent. He then appointed his cousin Motoko as field
marshal, and began a military campaign the likes of which Yagyu had never before
seen.
In this time, when Yagyu's fate was again being forged by the sword, that Hidoshi
came to know of a man named Hyun Kwon. Kwon and his government had declared independence
from Yagyu entirely, forming their own nation of Sosurim. They had the unanimous
support of the people in that region, and weren't willing to compromise in any
way, shape, or form. Knowing Kwon to be a driven man like himself, Hidoshi spurred
his campaign onwards, all Yagyu in his sights. Be it his head or Kwon's, the time
had come to meet his destiny.
…
1 Since
Yagyu was and still is highly matriarchal, womanly facial features are considered
a sign of strength.
Masayume · Katana
Masayume is a katana designed by the Osafune clan, woven one hundred and twenty
times and crafted from pure steel. The sword has been reinforced with magical
properties by means of Byakuren rituals. As such, the sword has been imbued with
animistic properties, and has certain enhanced properties, including that the
blade is virtually impervious to chipping, snapping, or outright breaking. It
can still be blunted from overuse, but any actual damage is automatically repaired
by means of the spiritual energy contained within its body.
Handan · Wakizashi
The Handan wakizashi is of fairly ordinary make and is used primarily in combination
with the Aozora-no-Ryu tendon-cutting techniques.
Kwan Chi · Kwan-tao
The Kwan Chi originally came from Chi'en, and was given to Hidoshi as a gift
by one of his father's esteemed guests. Similar to a naginata, the Kwan
Chi is comprised of a five foot staff, and a one-foot long curved blade at its
end. All kwan-tao weapons follow this make, and it is upon this design that the
Naginata is based. In terms of weight, the Kwan Chi is incredibly heavy at 13.6kgs
(30lbs) and must be wielded at all times with two hands. The blade is fairly broad
and features a second, smaller tooth on the inner curve for catching enemy blades.
The blade is decorated with a steel dragon outcropping, the staff painted a deep
red.
…
Aozora-no-Ryu
Aozora-no-Ryu is a style which finds its origins in traditional Nobunaga doctrine,
but with greater importance stressed on brevity in execution. Fast, deliberate
movements are the essence of the style, with emphasis placed on attacking the
tendons and joints in order to cripple one's opponent. None of the moves are performed
in an underhanded way however, and the practitioner is instructed to adhere to
the code
of Bushidai-ou at all times. Genjutsu
is also included as part of Aozora-no-Ryu, dealing largely with the projection
of the fire element through one's weapon.
Tsukamutedo
Tsukamutedo is a grappling art, generally performed with a weapon in one hand,
the other empty. It emphasizes sudden hip-tosses as well as avoiding weaponry
in order to come within range and disarm one's opponent.
Character
Study: