The Eastern Race

[iris1612 1780]

The Eastern Race

From the peaceful misty eastern shores of Aegis comes many things, delicate flowers and sweet sea breeze, the gentle wash of the waves, and stories of a mysterious collection of people. The People of the East. They are a reclusive collection, very few inland know of their existence, however they by no means are forgettable. Coming from a Clan based society, focusing on beauty, honor, and family, the Easterners built a delicate and intricate warrior culture dominated by a feudal ruling system.

 

History

The wind blew gently across the foggy beach, the quiet notes of nature’s song sounding out; the rustle of green leaves, the rumble of the ocean as it crashed upon the golden sands, sharp cries of the birds in the azure sky. All of it melded together to a soothing beat. But another song had begun to blend, creating a new tempo within the misted morning. A steady thumping, the sound of hooves at a steady canter, broke the quiet song of the coast. Salted wind brushed through the thick mane of a large bay mare, her neck arched as her legs rose high, chomping at her bit in eagerness to run wild along the long stretch of open ground. She snorted, ears flicking back in mild annoyance as she yielded to her rider tugging back, slowing to an easy trot.

Tired grey eyes looked to the ocean beneath the armored helm, its golden trim glinting in the rising sun. A red hue was painted across the morning mist as light slowly pushed back the dark of night, stars blinking out one by one. The man turned as the haze slowly burned away, a gentle smile forming on his face as a village came into view. It was nestled safely upon the coast, hidden by tide and cliff, a beautiful secret that few within the lands of Aegis had been lucky enough to see. The mare’s ears flicked forward, giving an eager snort as she began to prance in excitement. She knew as well as her rider what this place was, with its alluring decor and social psychology. This was home.

It was a wonderful feeling, to be coming home. For the rider and mare were great things, and with all great things comes great responsibility, that of these two being this town’s stability. Oftentimes they were made to leave, patrolling the beaches and surrounding land for threats of attack. Thankfully though, today, as many days before it, was uneventful. Now they could simply return to their home and family and rest..

“Tadayoshi!” Wailed a voice, a woman’s, dripping with pain and fear. The rider’s head snapped around, yanking harshly at his reins to whip his steed around. His eyes widened at the sight of an older woman rushing towards him, her black hair frayed and the delicate silk of her dress stained dark with blood. Hiroyuki swing off his horse, rushing quickly to the woman as her step faltered, collapsing into his arms with a terrified sob. His brow furrowed, moving to a knee to support her slight weight against him, armored fingers gently cupping her slender chin to lift her face toward his.

“Taka, my love, what has happened?!” Tadayoshi  implored, eyes filled with worry.

“Your brother! He’s done it! He’s killed your father and has claimed himself the new Clan Head!” the woman wailed, turning her face into her husband’s armored chest as she trembled. Tadayoshi cupped the back of her head gently, lifting her carefully as his eyes wandered over the horizon. The ground beneath his feet rumbled, a feeling of dread filling his heart as a pillar of flame burst up from the hill far above, where his father’s home resided. He knew his siblings had often fought before, always trying to prove which of the four of them were best, and most fit for the position of leadership. Even he had once entertained the thought of simply butchering his siblings and father, taking it by force, but such an act was too terrible to speak of. The thought alone had brought him such grief. How could his brother actually go through with it?!

 

Tadayoshi shook his head in disbelief, turning and mounting upon his mare. The drumming of hooves filled his ears as he tucked his wife against him, looking up to see several men in extravagant armor upon their own proud steeds. His hand snapped to the hilt of his sword, ready to fight as hard as he could just to give his wife a few extra moments of life. He squinted slightly, teeth grit angrily as his mind tried to prepare itself for inevitable death at the hands of his own people. A sudden squeal filled the air as a stallion reared within the group, blood bursting from its side. As the horse fell, its stomach and ribs split wide, another squeal echoed out, this time from a mare far in the back.

Several men clad in heavy armor of black and grey hue rushed from the sides, massive swords nearly as long as their users were tall clutched tightly in their gauntlet covered hands. They cried out in rage, metal clashing with metal as the two groups mashed together in a flurry of blade and blood. Tadayoshi felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end, a shadow passing over him as a heavy snort of hot air blasted against his back. He twisted in his saddle, coming eye to eye with the massive white warhorse of his brother, Ishikawa. The largest of the children, and definitely the most imposing.

“Run, little brother. Get to the ships.”

“But Sato has betrayed us! We must fi-”

“If you want to fight you will get to your ships and provide the support we need! You know damn well you are useless with that sword! You always have been! Now go before you doom us all!” The massive rider snarled, looming over the younger male. Tadayoshi opened his mouth, the beginnings of a rebuttal, but a small hand setting against his lips quieted him. His eyes drifted downward to his wife, her brow furrowed in concern as her hand moved to cup his cheek beneath his open faced helm. Her head tilted slightly as she forced a weak smile, drawing a sigh from her husband. He gave a low grunt as he sat deep in his saddle, yanking at the reins to force his mare to swing around.

Tadayoshi clutched his wife to him tightly as his mount surged across the coast, teeth grit in fury and growing dread as chaos swirled around him. Fire had broken out by this point, the buildings erupting into bright flowers of red and orange as smoke rose upon the salted wind. There wasn’t much time left. Finally, the docks come into view, the low gate still locked. The mare snorted, gathering herself before bursting upward without her master’s call, for even she knew the urgency of the events unfolding before them. Her hooves banged loudly on the wood, sounding hauntingly akin to the drums of war as she cantered up the ship’s gangplank, the thunder of her hooves already rousing the crew to the deck.

“Prepare the ships! There will be refugees coming soon! Be ready to defend our people!” Tadayoshi screamed as he yanked his mare around, the bay squealing as she twirled on her haunches. His arm opened, letting Taka slide down from the saddle, sailors already moving to guide her to their captain's quarters. Tadayoshi’s heart dropped as he turns, eyes wide at the sight of his beloved home in fiery ruin. His head shook, the gravity of everything finally starting to sink into him. The land his family had watched over for so long, the people they had tended to, were now tossed into turmoil and death. He urged his horse forward, the mare’s head low in regard to her rider’s growing sadness as she stopped at the ships edge. The world around him seemed to quiet, save for the forlorn cries of the people as they drew near.

He sat tall in the saddle, face grim as the innocent rushed for the docks. Women, children, elders, those who could not stand against the raging warriors around them, all took leave to the sea, fleeing upon Tadayoshi’s ships. He ushered them like a shepherd would his flock, carefully tending to get them all to a safe place on one of the many ships, his sailors doing their best to accommodate the wounded and comfort those who had lost their loved ones. Such pain, such torment. How could Sato do this to their people? They were supposed to be guardians! They were supposed to lead together! How could he possibly push through in his lust for power, when the consequence was so dreadful?! It was unfathomable.

 

Tadayoshi turned, frowning as another plume of fire burst up from the town. There was no going back, their home was gone now. Even if the town could be salvaged, the painful memories imprinted into the land would never leave them now. He looked back to his crew, a hand raising as he ordered his fleet to take leave, save for his own to gather his siblings. Slowly, Tadayoshi watched as his ships faded away, fist clenched at his side in the worry he may never see them again.

=================

Ishikawa sat quietly on the porch of his villa, a thin saucer of sake cupped in his long fingers as he stared at the delicate pink petals of the flowering trees, watching them fall slowly with the gentle sway of the spring breeze. It had been five years now, the fall of his father at the hand of his brother Sato. His fingers closed as he grit his teeth in anger. Rage still burned in his heart, the heat of his fury had been smoldering since that rueful day, the day their family had been shredded by his serpent of a brother. Oh how deeply he yearned to tighten his fingers around that traitor’s neck, squeezing until he heard the snap of that pathetic, snivelling shrew’s neck. Ishikawa would never stop. Not until he had his revenge.

“Master Ishikawa!” cried a voice, “Master, they have found him! They have found your brother!” A servant wailed as he swing the door to the side, nearly shattering the delicate wooden frame. Ishikawa needed no other encouragement. He stood, brow furrowed as his eyes burned in the eager prospect of his search finally coming to an end after half a decade.

His bare feet thudded heavily against the wooden floor, a growing drumbeat as others began to move across the sprawling manor. Cries of all kinds rose, calls of excitement, rage, of bloodlust long festering. As he moved through the halls, the bang of doors sliding open echoed in his ears, heavy feet quickly moving to join beside him. Ishikawa glanced to the side, brow furrowing a moment as he saw nothing, though the tempo of feet alongside his own rung true in his ears. His eyes drifted down, finally landing on Tadayoshi beside him as the pair moved along.

The smaller male glanced up at his towering sibling, unspoken words passing between them. Today was the day. At long last it would all be over. The two gave a curt nod, turning forward as they broke into a run, something rather unsightly, but neither had the tolerance for appearances at the moment. They rushed forward down the hall, both itching for the chance to put their long search to an end at long last. Reaching out, both clutched the edge of the double sliding door, flinging it to the side with all their strength. Neither of them heard the thin wood shatter as it bounced out from its grooves on the floor, nor the squeals and neighs of the horses bearing the carriage in the courtyard. Even the cries of the men around them were absent, so deep was their shock at the sight before them.

Their brother stood, his head hung, a shadow of his former self. Once he stood tall and proud, full of life and laughter, now meek and broken, his eyes dull and downcast. His robes were worn and dark, a stark change from the delicate silks and bright colors he was known for. Hair hung limp, dry, faded, nothing like the shining midnight it once was. Could this be the wrong man? He looked nothing like their brother Sato.The man’s head lifted slowly, a grim smile with no heart behind it on his cracked lips, his voice coming as a ragged and hoarse whisper.

“Hello, my brothers. It has been far too long, hasn’t it?” muttered the man, his shoulders slumped and his posture on of someone worn far beyond their years. The three stood for several moments, an aching silence between them as they stared at one another. With a sudden rush of movement, Ishikawa’s hand snapped to the hilt of his blade, surging forward as he drew it with a furious howl. Sato’s eyes closed as the blade came down, only for it to crash against a second.

 

“Tadayoshi?!” Ishikawa cried, looking down to his smaller sibling beneath his arm, the younger male barely able to hold his blade beneath the elder’s. His shoulder trembled in strain, all his effort into holding back the massive sword of his brother. Ishikawa grit his teeth, bouncing back to land harshly on his heels a few feet away. How dare Tadayoshi stop him from slaying that snake! What could he possibly be thinking doing this?! The elder brother snarled, eyes blazing with his hate as he surged forward, his fury redirected at his seafaring kin. Their swords clashed harshly, Ishikawa slamming into his brother with all his force, each strike nearly sending the smaller to the ground from the strength behind it. The ground vibrated from their stomping feet, air filled with the harsh cries of battle between the two.

“I will not be denied my vengeance, brother!”

“Nor shall I! And if I must defeat you to gain my solace, I shall!”

Both had become blind to anything but their fury, focused only on each other. All around them was darkness, there was nothing but each other, and the shining blades that pierced it. Neither would notice the small, pale frame steadily drawing nearer, the soft rustle of silk the only announcement of its arrival The house servants parted as the figure drew ever closer to the fight, bowing low after a quiet gasp of shock. A pale hand reached out, long delicate fingers extended as it reached through the fray just as the blades came down. Then all became still, all became silent

A soft rustle broke the quiet, the slashed silk of a pale blue kimono, almost white, slowly fluttering to the ground. Twin silver blades rested against soft, snow white skin, thin lines of dark red blood welling along the barely drawn cut on either side of the thin wrist. The brothers stared down in shock, their eyes slowly drawn to those that still remained closed, long black lashes standing out in sharp contrast to the delicate white face upon which they lay. A soft huff of a laugh came from the soft pink lips beneath them, curling into a barest hint of a smile as the cut hand slowly lowered, folding over its twin in front of the slight form.

“Inoue?!” cried all three brothers, eyes wide in shock. The small female moved forward, Ishikawa and Tadayoshi backing away as she moved to Sato in smooth, graceful steps. He stammered brokenly, sinking to his knees before the pale maiden before him, head bowing in shame. The woman turned her hands outward, holding them out towards Sato as the gentle smile remained on her face, eyes slowly opening to reveal the milky white orbs within, the blind surface shimmering like a polished opal.

“It has been such a long time, my brother. Tell me, are you well? I’m afraid I cannot discern it with my own eyes, but you remember this, I am sure..” Inoue whispered gently as she stooped, catching Sato’s rough chin in her long fingers. The tattered male stammered, staring up at his only sister as his own grey eyes brimmed with tears, unable to form a coherent word before her.

“How are you so kind to him sister?! He is the one that took your sight from you!” Ishikawa roared, slashing the air beside him with an indignant toss of his head. The small woman turned her head slightly toward the sound of her brother’s voice, ebony hair spilling from her shoulders to brush the ground. Her chin lifted slowly, blind eyes searching for a moment before resting atop Ishikawa’s.

“He may have harmed me, but he is still my brother. I do not bear grudge against him.” Inoue said softly as she shifted, silks rustling as she sat on her knees before Sato. Her fingers brushed the side of his face, lips curling into a frown as she felt the starved hollow of his cheek. Slowly she withdrew her hand, sliding it into the deep opening of her sleeve and drawing out a delicately carved wooden box. With a slight click, she opened it, revealing the carefully crafted lunch within. Inoue curled her fingers around the chopsticks, pinching them around a single slice of steamed fish.

 

“Eat, my brother.. “ she murmured softly, a gently smile on her lips. Ishikawa grit his teeth in anger, glaring down at his younger siblings as fury boiled in his heart once more, hate twisting in the pit of his stomach. He lurched forward, swinging his hand harshly across Inoue’s temple. A sharp cry of pain rose from the petite form as she was flung to the ground by the blow, long fingers pressing to the wound as she gave a meek whimper. The silks rustled as she turned, blind eyes staring up at her brother, a deep set sadness within as the opalesque surface shimmered in the springtime sun.

Ishikawa jolted, his face paling as he stared at his hand in abject horror. A feeling of dread filled his stomach as his eyes flicked back and forth between the twitching fingers and the despondent young woman upon the ground. His head shook, taking a step back as the heartbreak coursed through him. How could he have done such a terrible thing? Betrayed the trust of his sibling so deeply? His anger had taken too deep a grip on his heart, he had lashed out on an innocent who only wished to help.

Thin pale fingers gently closed around Ishikawa’s massive hand, their soft warmth bringing him away from his own mind. The massive male glance down, staring into eyes of blinded opal as pale lips curled into a gentle smile. Ishikawa’s mouth opened, head shaking slowly as he stammered for words, but there were none adequate for expressing the sorrow in his heart. Inoue’s hand gently lifted his own, setting it to her reddened cheek, eyes closing as her head leaned into the calloused fingers of her brother.

“This is the same pain your brother feels, only a thousand times more. The ache inside you, this hurt you feel for me.. is what he feels for every single one of our people.” Inoue whispered, blinded eyes opening halfway as she looked towards Ishikawa's face. “I could hold this grudge against you, let it cloud my spirit. I could let this ache turn into endless rage and let it consume me... or I can let it go..”

Ishikawa gave a heavy sigh, head hanging as it shook slowly.

 

Social Structure

 

There are two kinds of Easterners. Kizoku, and Nōmin. The Kizoku are nobles and aristocrats. They are normally High Elves, but stand at a shorter height than most high elves after intermingling with Humans for generations. They are proud, and arrogant, and brash, much like other High Elves. They wear silken Kimono, often with designs on them, such as butterflies, or birds. Unlike other High Elves, however they compose most of the fighting force, being the famous Samurai (See the article on Samurai lower down). The Nōmin are the peasants. Normally human, they stand at average 5’5. They are extremely loyal to the Kizouku, even willing to die to protect their lord. They are a fierce contrast, often peaceful, and happy. They wear more drab clothing, and Kimono of brown, rough-spun wool.

 

Easterners are among the few societies that most strongly rely on social rather than supernatural sanctions and that emphasizes as a central guiding principle the benefits of harmony. Eastern children learn from their earliest days that human fulfillment comes from close association with others. Children learn early to recognize that they are part of an interdependent society, beginning in the family and later extending to larger groups such as neighborhood, school, playground, community, and company. Dependence on others is a natural part of the human condition; it is viewed negatively only when the social obligations it creates are too onerous to fulfill, leading to, for example, suicide, which is a topic of great elaboration in Eastern history and culture.

 

In interpersonal relationships, most Easterners tend to avoid open competition and confrontation. Working with others requires self-control, but it carries the rewards of pride in contributing to the group, emotional security, and social identity. The notion of harmony within a group, requires an attitude of cooperation and a recognition of social roles. If each individual in the group understands personal obligations and empathizes with the situations of others, then the group as a whole benefits. Success can come only if all put forth their best individual efforts. Decisions are often made only after consulting with everyone in the group. Consensus does not imply that there has been universal agreement, but this style of consultative decision-making involves each member of the group in an information exchange, reinforces feelings of group identity, and makes implementation of the decision smoother.

 

Cooperation within a group also is often focused on competition between that group and a parallel one, whether the issue is one of educational success or market share. Symbols such as uniforms, names, banners, and songs identify the group as distinct from others both to outsiders and to those within the group. Participation in group activities, whether official or unofficial, is a symbolic statement that an individual wishes to be considered part of the group. Thus, after-work bar hopping provides not only instrumental opportunities for the exchange of information and release of social tensions but also opportunities to express nonverbally a desire for continued affiliation.

 

Working in a group in The East requires the development of successful channels of communication, which reinforce group interdependence, and the sense of difference from those who are not members of the group. Yet social interaction beyond that which occurs with individuals with whom one lives and works is a necessity in contemporary society. If the exchange is brief and relatively insignificant, such as buying a newspaper, anonymity will be maintained. But if the relationship is expected to continue over a long period, whether in business, marriage, employment, or neighborhood, great care is likely to be invested in establishing and maintaining good relationships. Such relationships are often begun by using the social networks of a relative, friend, or colleague who can provide an introduction to the desired person or serve as go-between.

 

Religion of the East

 

 

Religion has always been an important part to eastern society. In modern eastern society, both Kizoku and  Nōmin adhere to their own denomination of the True Faith. In earlier years, spirit worship was most prevalent until the Easterners settled into the old county of Yamamoto. Being in such close proximity to the human capital of Abresi, many Easterners found satisfaction in the idea of devotion to a single deity in return for eternal life in the Seven Skies. For years, there were inner conflicts in Eastern society as the old traditional religion and the True Faith clashed. Under the continued leadership of Kais Ishikawa though, the two beliefs were brought together to bring peace, although some still worship the spirits. Decades later, on the island of Yamatai, eastern society in under one religion with very few who are irreligious. In the Eastern True Faith, it is believed that those in the Seven Skies carry out the Creator’s will be watching over those of the True Faith. The spirits of the deceased inhabit various aspects of nature and live in shrines built to worship the Creator. These spirits are seen as lesser to the Creator and are viewed more as his instruments to protect the realm of mortals. They also believe that the Easterners are the Chosen Race, and the Kizoku are seen as having parts of these spirits in their souls. Some are even seen as being direct embodiments of those spirits. The head of the Ishikawa Family has traditionally been seen as the most holy of men. They are seen as the chosen ruler of eastern society by the Creator and work as the ultimate mortal source of guidance for those wishing to live the correct path to salvation, rather like a Saint, or even an Angel. 

 

Weapons

 

The Katana  The famous Katana was the sword of any Samurai. Even those  who didn’t use it as their main weapon they would have carried it around into battle and in times of peace. To wear the Katana and the Wakizashi at the same time was a sign of status of a Samurai. Being finely made out of folded steel the Katana was sharp enough to cut a man nearly in half. The sword itself takes three days to make there is no sword of its size in The East that matches it. Most of the Samurai who wield the Katana as their primary weapon believe their soul was forged inside. As per tradition, those born into the warrior caste Samurai would have a sword forged for them at birth to use until they die. Thus, Samurai will often cut down anybody carrying a Katana that is not a Samurai. This has caused a particular hate for Dark Elves, who seem to carry Katana more than any other race. The Katana are far from perfect, however. They are very fragile, despite their strength, and cannot block other weapons directly. Instead, they use deflection techniques, consisting of sliding the opponent's blade along yours, both to keep the force of the blow off of the Katana, and to get inside your opponent’s guard.

 

The Nodachi a weapon only wielded by those truly skilled in the art of the sword, the Nodachi swords are significantly longer in terms of its blade and hilt are known to be extremely hard to make. Being larger and heavier it takes a stronger man to wield and a far more skilled warrior to use it effectively. Being a bigger sword it is not ideal for drawn out fighting it is better on the charge rather than continued battle, the Ishikawa clan were known to be notorious for their own personal use of the Nodachi as well as having thousands of their own Samurai who used it. Since the Nodachi is longer and thicker, it can parry blades more conventionally.

 

The Yari Spear The Yari Spear was known to be the bane of all cavalry and the best weapon one can use in a defense, yielded largely by the levied warriors. As a doubled edged spear takes little skill to wield the commoners levied could easily stand in a formation and point their spear which can make an impenetrable defense and kill even the most skilled Samurai if unlucky. However, there were Samurai who prefered the use of the spear over that of a Sword and carried their own Yari spears into battle. Unfortunately, the double edged spear barely had the cutting power needed to penetrate armour so the only way it could be used was in a thrust. The Yari spear had a few variants that included a triangle spear that the Samurai favoured and was shorter meaning it had more movement in close combat and the other variant being that of a diamond cross section on a longer pole good for defending a tight spot or stopping charging cavalry. However before the collapse of the four provinces, blacksmiths were starting to make single edged cutting spears, but this was never completed on a large scale 

 

The Yumi Bow The Yumi Bow and arrow was the first weapon for the Samurai warrior caste. They had first risen to prominence during the the period of invasion. In fact, the Samurai were first used as archers rather than anything else, wearing the O-Yoroi armour the Yumi bow being their most famous weapon. Being a longbow it has incredible range and it can be wielded by both levied troops and of course the Samurai warrior caste. The trained Samurai can unleash the fury of the Yumi bow directly to an enemies eye and quickly notch another arrow to hit the next eye. The Yumi bow was never replaced in The East because its design was considered perfect. Being widely used by Levies and the Samurai arrow storms were used to kill the foreign invaders that dared to intrude in The East.

 

The Wakizashi The Wakizashi is an old weapon, a smaller form of the Katana. It is sometimes matched with a Katana for dual wielding in the Daisho style of swordsmanship.

Clothing and Armour

 

Kimonos for men should fall approximately to the ankle without tucking. A woman's kimono has additional length to allow for the ohashori, the tuck that can be seen under the obi, which is used to adjust the kimono to the wearer. An ideally tailored kimono has sleeves that fall to the wrist when the arms are lowered. Kimonos are traditionally made from a single bolt of fabric called a tan. Tan come in standard dimensions—about 14 inches wide and 12½ yards long—and the entire bolt is used to make one kimono. The finished kimono consists of four main strips of fabric—two panels covering the body and two panels forming the sleeves—with additional smaller strips forming the narrow front panels and collar. Usually, kimonos were often taken apart for washing as separate panels and sewn by hand. Because the entire bolt remains in the finished garment without cutting, the kimono can be tailored easily to fit another person

Kimono fabrics are frequently handmade and -decorated, with repeating patterns that cover a large area of the fabric. Over time there have been many variations in color, fabric and style, as well as accessories such as the obi.

The kimono and obi are traditionally made of silk, silk brocade, silk crepes and satin weaves.

Customarily, woven patterns and dyed repeat patterns are considered informal. Formal kimonos have free-style designs dyed over the whole surface or along the hem. The kimono is normally worn with a single layer on top of one or more undergarments.

The pattern of the kimono can determine in which season it should be worn. For example, a pattern with butterflies or cherry blossoms would be worn in spring. Watery designs are common during the summer. A popular autumn motif is the russet leaf of the Eastern maple; for winter, designs may include bamboo, pine trees and plum blossoms.

A popular form of textile art in the east is intricate tie dye, found on some of the more expensive kimonos and kimono jackets. Patterns are created by minutely binding the fabric and masking off areas, then dying it by hand. When the bindings are removed, an undyed pattern is revealed. Shibori work can be further enhanced with hand applied drawing or painting with textile dyes or with embroidery; it is then known as tsujigahana. Shibori textiles are very time-consuming to produce and require great skill, so the textiles and garments created from them are very expensive and highly prized.

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Armour The armor of the Easterners is made with pride but unlike the armours of most of the Western cultures (which tend to make the wearer anonymous), the armour of the Easterner is made deliberately unique, so that others may identify a warrior by his armour, so that the the skilled known to their enemies. Known as the O-yoroi armour which means in the common tongue “Great Armour.” It was a lamellar type, but there was a plate type only affordable by the richest of Samurai, known as Tosei Gusoku.

O-Yoroi armour is made from metal and is composed of many plates and scales making it into lamellar armour, the armour was originally made for horseback archers as many of the warrior caste Samurai in history begun as bowmen, but the armour was still very good for those using close combat. It was cost effective to the clans to keep bowmen in the O-yoroi armour and invest the better Tosei Gusoku for themselves. Tosei Gusoku Armour is the armour best suited for close combat and fluid movement, and for the Samurai wielding the Katana or the Nodachi. Made from plates rather than plates and scales, it is not lamellar like the O-Yoroi, and due to this the Tosei Gusoku offer a better level of protection than O-Yoroi lamellar armour. However, it is far more expensive to make than O-Yoroi so the clans of The East reserved the armour for their Samurai who wield the sword and the few that wielded the spear.

 

Food Culture

The typical Eastern meal consists of a bowl of rice, a bowl of soup broth, pickled vegetables, and fish or meat. While rice is the staple food, several kinds of noodles are cheap and very popular for light meals. As an island nation, the Easterns take great pride in their seafood. A wide variety of fish, squid, octopus, eel, and shellfish appear in all kinds of dishes from sushi to fried vegetables

 

Rice Sticky, short-grained rice is the staple food along the coastlines. The cultivation of rice in paddy fields traditionally required great cooperation between villagers and this is said to have been central to the evolution of Eastern culture. Rice is also used to make rice cakes, rice crackers and sake (or rice wine). Rice can also be cooked with red beans, seafood and vegetables or as a kind of watery porridge seasoned with salt, which is very popular as a cold remedy. Another common food is rice balls with seafood or vegetables in the middle, usually wrapped in a piece of dried seaweed. They are traditionally part of a packed lunch or picnic. Individually wrapped rice balls, usually a triangular shape, make a good snack.

 

Noodles - Udon and soba: Udon noodles are made from wheat flour. They are boiled and served in a broth, usually hot but occasionally cold in summer, and topped with ingredients such as a raw egg, or deep-fried tofu. Soba is buckwheat noodles, which are thinner and a darker color than udon. Soba is usually served cold with a dipping sauce, sliced green onions and wasabi. 

 

Noodles - Ramen: Ramen is thin egg noodles which are almost always served in a hot broth flavored usually with soy sauce. This is topped with a variety of ingredients such as slices of roast pork, bean sprouts, sweetcorn and butter. Ramen is popular along the coastline and different regions are known for their variations on the theme.

 

Seafood & Meat: Eastern people consume a lot more fish than is typical in western countries and this is said to be a major factor in the country's relatively low rate of heart disease. Seafood is eaten in just about any form you can imagine, from raw sushi and sashimi to grilled sweetfish and clams. As the Easterners opened up to inland culture, eating habits also began to change. Now meat is increasingly part of the everyday Eastern diet, with grilled chicken, barbeque, and simmered beef bowls. 

 

Soy products: The humble soybean is used to make a wide variety of foods and flavourings. Soybeans and rice are used to make miso, a paste used for flavouring soup and marinating fish. Together with soy sauce, miso is a foundation of Eastern cuisine. Tofu is soybean curd and a popular source of protein, especially for vegetarians. Natto, fermented soybeans, is one of the healthiest but also the most notorious item on the menu. With a pungent smell and sticky, stringy texture, natto is easy to hate straight away. Eastern people themselves tend to either love it or hate it. It is usually served with chopped onions and a raw egg and mixed into a bowl of rice.

 

Bento:  A typical home made lunch box, usually containing rice and a variety of side dishes that pair well with rice, arranged in an pleasing aesthetic manner in the order they are to be consumed. These boxed meals are very common and constitute an important part of the lunchtime process. They are given special care in their preparation, and are judged harshly by their appearance. Oftentimes they are made to fit the theme of the season, preparing leaf-cut outs in fall, or oranges in the shape of a flower in the summer. Its also quite common to see seven different courses within a bento box. 

 

Chopsticks: There are many traditions and unwritten rules surrounding the use of chopsticks. For example, it is considered particularly taboo to pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks, as this is how bones are handled by the family of the deceased after a cremation. If one must pass food to someone else during a meal (a questionable practice in public), one should pick up the food with one's own chopsticks, reversing the chopsticks to use the end which were not in direct contact with the handlers mouth, and place it on a small plate, allowing the recipient to retrieve it (with the recipient's own chopsticks). If no other utensils are available while sharing plates of food, the ends of the chopsticks are used to retrieve the shared food. Mismatched chopsticks are not to be used. Standing chopsticks vertically in a bowl of rice is to be avoided, as it recalls burning incense sticks standing up in sand, typically at funerals; the act of stabbing the chopsticks into the food resembles an action devout Yamists perform when offering ceremonial food to their ancestors at the household shrine. Placing chopsticks so that they point at someone else is considered a symbolic threat. 

 

Architecture

 

Because of the mild climate, structures of wooden timber have traditionally been the basis for Eastern architecture. Most secular and sacral buildings completed in the past were built by using wooden materials. Forms and techniques used in this construction does not only reflect the climate along the coastline, but also it is deeply rooted in the evolution of the Eastern culture. However, other materials, such as stones, soil and bricks were also used. The architecture of wood was developed by adding decorative elements and a variety of design details. In that time Eastern architects gave birth to a refined architectural style and technique that became unique to their country.  

 

The rich tradition of Eastern architecture is best exemplified by the sacral buildings, such as temples and shrines. Typical features are columns made from cypress and the traditional thatched roof. This design conveys a sense of purity and simplicity, which is regarded to be the most important for the shrine. The ideal apogee of Eastern design is to bear a sense of airiness, with its open porches and lofty central roofs.

 

Between Aegis and Asulon, Eastern architectures set standards for domestic buildings. Some of this basic elements has been maintained to the present day. A traditional type of Eastern townhouse is known as 'machiya'. To meet high living standards, building materials for machiya are carefully selected. The most common material is timber wood, which attributed considerably to the beauty of the house. The other example of domestic architecture are farmhouses. To the most distinctive types of Eastern rural buildings are known as gassho-zukuri. These are small houses with a cozy and romantic look. 

 

Clans

 

The Kato Family: A family of Nōmin descent from Yamamoto. After converting to the True Faith, they left Yamamoto for Kaedrin and adopted many of the ideals of “human supremacy” under White Rose control,  contrary to eastern society where the Kizoku class is of higher status. Despite these ideals, most have no issue with Ishikawa rule. Although they started from peasantry, many Katos became merchants in the “gaijin-lands” due to their eastern wares being considered exotic to those outside Yamamoto. Today, the Kato Family is very dedicated to the

Church of the True Faith. To join, contact Thanndreli

 

Ishikawa:  Masters of blade and blood, the Kizoku born of the Ishikawa family stand tall and proud above any other, both within their culture and without. They were spoken of as the true masters of the Nodachi Blade, the fierce guardians of the shorelines upon which they made their homes, bravely defending it from any foolish enough to attempt to take it from them. To Join, contact Kais.

 

Inoue: Lording over earth and seed, the Nōmin born of the Inoue family toiled long and hard within the fields of rice and wheat, providing the food that would give strength to their people through the harshest of winters and the harshest of summers. Though their army was small, their heart was large, creating many powerful alliances based on the supply of their life-giving wares. To join, contact Kais.

 

Satō:  Quick of tongue and sharp of wit, those of the Satō clan were toted as the masters of commerce and coin. With intellect and cunning, they controlled the flow of trade along the eastern shore, their reach spreading far across their world. Their influence and wealth gave them claim of marriage to whomever they wished, leading to superior breeding that would create one of the most physically appealing clans within the Eastern people. They are Kizoku. To join, contact Warlord212.

 

Tadayoshi:  Bravely riding the crystal waves into mists unknown, the seafaring Tadayoshi Nōmin are the the veritable kings of the water. They execute great skill and tact over their ships well known for their naval prowess, as compared to their weak land based army. They are the best fisherman to be found, even their Daimyo takes joy in the simple practice of casting his line to the azure sea. To Join, contact Kais.

 

Sano: The Sano clan are Southerners, with brown skin. They traditionally have grey eyes, and brown or black hair. They stand at average heights for Southerners, about 5’6 or 5’7. They are a recognized Eastern clan, appointed so by Lord Kais O’shas Ishikawa. They are led by Amuel Sano, who first met Kais when a servant of Kais’ saved his life. Since then, he grew intensely loyal to Kais, even extending the hand of friendship to his family, many of which have joined him. To join the Sano clan contact me.

 

Shimazu: The original bloodline came from Northern Raiders who delved far East, raiding most ports and cities owned by the Clans Sato. Eventually, the raiders conquered small bits of beach and farm land to the southern edge of the Sato lands, where they began to settle down and mate with the local Eastern People. Nearly a few hundred years later, Clan Sato had reconquered the raiders' lands, placing the half-Northern, half-Eastern people into slavery. However, during one of the many battles against the Undead, Clan Sato raised a few of the half-breeds from slavery, to which they adopted the name Shimazu. Shimazus have a distinct green eye color, which is mainly contributed to their Northern ancestory. The current Shimazus are unknown, as most had died a few years after the Exodus. To join, contact Kais.

 

Outsiders

 

To become a part of the Easterner culture, all outsiders must go through the trials known as the Four Gates. It is an ancient ritual, shrouded in mystery. Only those going through it and the ones administering the trials are allowed to know it’s secrets.

 

Credits

 

Lore written by Kais

Religion written by Thanndreli

The Four Gates tiny section thing written by Watyll

Edited by me, and if you think that’s an easy job, then **** you, because Kais is a sloppy writer.

Plz upvote for non-edgy Easterners.

If there are any mistakes, please do not post on the thread. Instead, pm me about it, and I'll fix it.

[Elad™ 560]

This black text hurts my eyes.

[Watyll 1104]

This black text hurts my eyes.

He's fixing it. 

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

Forgot Shimazu, like the only other Eastern Clan to ever reach nobility....................................

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

Most dishonorable Shimazu have disappeared, Satomi

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

Most dishonorable Shimazu have disappeared, Satomi

B*tch, we were your only bannermen now gimme shimazu recognition

[Watyll 1104]

B*tch, we were your only bannermen now gimme shimazu recognition

come back to us or i call shamefur dispray

[Anawkin 247]

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

This document was sitting on ice for like a year. Max made some edits the main body was done by me and Decolamb

[Demotheus 651]

((Can you please, for the love of god, tell all your people that the Katana is not a single handed sword? And that it's practically useless against armor? And that you can't duel wield effectively, if at all? It would be far too cumbersome due to the length of the blade? thanks.))

[Kickstarted and Running 965]

((Can you please, for the love of god, tell all your people that the Katana is not a single handed sword? And that it's practically useless against armor? And that you can't duel wield effectively, if at all? It would be far too cumbersome due to the length of the blade? thanks.))

[[thats edgies who dont rp with us lel

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

((Can you please, for the love of god, tell all your people that the Katana is not a single handed sword? And that it's practically useless against armor? And that you can't duel wield effectively, if at all? It would be far too cumbersome due to the length of the blade? thanks.))

(( I've been preaching that ever since I joined the server. As for the armour argument I avoid it, no one has the right to say one weapon is better than the other or ineffective against armour. We are usually the ones praised by the RP community for shedding light on the Katana usage in RP. ))

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

come back to us or i call shamefur dispray

i call shamefur dispray for know mentioning satomi's black son iwao.........

[Demotheus 651]

(( I've been preaching that ever since I joined the server. As for the armour argument I avoid it, no one has the right to say one weapon is better than the other or ineffective against armour. We are usually the ones praised by the RP community for shedding light on the Katana usage in RP. ))

((*Shrug* I watched a Katana in action against plate steel (used in meieval armor) and it glanced off. Not made for that, made for flesh and light armor, but anything solid fails miserably.))

[Will (TauFirewarrior) 2466]

((*Shrug* I watched a Katana in action against plate steel (used in meieval armor) and it glanced off. Not made for that, made for flesh and light armor, but anything solid fails miserably.))

(( I'd remind you this is not real life. No need to ruin peoples fun. ))