OYASHIMA: HOKE-IDA ホケイダ

[Islamadon 4562]

HOKE-IDA ホケイダ

 

 

Hoke-Ida, an isle of mystery and the arcane, serves as one of the Great-Eight of Oyashima. Mountainous and secluded in its geography, Hoke-Ida finds itself cresting from the sea south of Ihon and Yamatai. A vast majority of the population dwells within its mercantile coastal cities while the more recluse (and arguably more powerful) individuals have hidden themselves away in its vast rocky outcrops. 

 

As of today, Hoke-Ida remains the last predominantly Yōsei island of the Great-Eight; as a result, the influence of the native Aeldenic elves can be felt amongst its population. To an outsider, the Island would feel as if it were frozen in time. Centuries old bureaucrats, merchants and laborers show no sign of age. Beauty too is maintained within Hoke-Ida’s architecture, a subtle serenity purposefully designed to radiate from each structure. For all intents and purposes, Hoke-Ida is not all that dissimilar from standard High-Elven society.

 

The earliest records from the Isle indicate a cult of Zezubi, the Patron Kami of Knowledge, Obsession and the Sky. To this day the cult thrives and most of Hoke-Ida’s population pays reverence to Zezubi or his derivative children - the Sky Dragon Kami. Regardless of patron, the Hoke-Ida embrace the quest for knowledge issued by Zezubi. Embedded into the minds of each resident of Hoke-Ida is the belief that one may always improve their skills and banks of knowledge.  To become the best one can be is to display the ultimate degree of exceptionalism. 

 

This reasoning has resulted in the Hoke-Ida to place a great emphasis on study, be it academic or martial, and many opt to research the very nature of the universe. Hidden away in the rocky hills of the Hoke-Ida interior a series of Observatories have been constructed to study the sky. Equipped with powerful lenses and reflecting pools, these Observatories provide an accurate record of the stars’ movement, as well as prophetic omen. 

 

 

Albeit originally intended for cosmology, these observatories have become more akin to wizard towers. Many scholars who seek to uncover the nature of heavens make an effort to find employment within these observatories, and many have branched from charting the night sky to the study of the arcane. Otherworldly powers are drawn upon and artifacts of mystery are imbued. To the Hoke-Ida, there is no need to fear the unknown - it welcomes a master.

For generations immeasurable Hoke-Ida engaged in these studies, but before long the Golden Sun Empire arrived upon its rocky shores. Seeking to reap the boons of Hoke-Ida’s research, the Hou-Zi made a deal whereby the Yōsei would pay a tithe in artifacts, charts and research and in exchange the Golden Empire would not engage in violent reprisal. The Yōsei, who could not be bothered with such affairs, agreed and were more than willing to showcase their vast wealth of knowledge to whom they perceived to be uncivilized. 

 

In time, as the neighboring isles Oyashima revolted, a coastal clan of warrior yōsei known as the Inoue too joined in the fight to remove the yoke of the Beastmen. Deeming the tithe of artifacts and knowledge to be unacceptable, they became determined to keep the knowledge of Hoke-Ida contained for Oyashiman use. Having spent centuries harnessing their skill, this singular clan managed to defeat the light-occupation of Hoke-Ida with little casualties and, as a result, were rewarded with the title of Daimyō by the restored Imperial Clan.

 

In this interim period, Inoue rose to great prominence within the Imperial Court. Although few in numbers, their mastery of swordsmanship and the arcane made them a truly feared Samurai clan. Even so, the Kawato War disrupted the peace of the Oyashiman archipelago as the clans of Ishikawa and Sato engaged in war. The Sato came to the belief that the Inoue had been conspiring against them and, fearing the sudden entrance by a third party, Sato sought to deliver a devastating preemptive blow. 

 

Sato Kagetoki brought his fleet south where they attempted to besiege the aptly named city of Hoke-Ida by surprise. Certain that numbers and the element of surprise would win them the day, Sato Kagetoki was left baffled as powerful arcane energies rained upon his fleet by the Inoue defenders. An exchange of arrows and swords were shared and fires spread between ships. Though many Inoue retainers perished upon the sands of their shore, the Sato were forced to retreat. Enraged by such an attack, the Inoue Clan gathered what forces it could muster and pursued, soon joined by Ishikawa who had realized the Sato blunder. A devastating defeat soon came for the Sato as their fleet was wiped out in the Ihon strait. Ishikawa became the dominant faction of the Isles. The Shōgunate had risen, and Hoke-Ida was on the winning side.

 

 

The Shōgun acknowledged the strength of the Hoke-Ida Yōsei, yet feared them all the same. Though the Inoue clan were rewarded for their aid in bringing the war to an end, it was mandated that the spellcasters of Hoke-Ida be registered and monitored lest their power be amassed in secret. As a result, Inoue and the Shōgunate began to recognize sanctioned Sēji 聖人 who would serve as arcanic advisors, academics, and weapons of war. 

 

Peace was short lived, however, as the Li Dynasty soon returned to reap Oyashima when it was at its weakest. The Inoue clan, given their Yōsei heritage, was by no means prepared for war. Many retainers had died during the Kawato war and given the curse of Iboku, repopulation was untimely. As a result, when the Shōgun was defeated at Shinzo Plains, the Inoue bowed their heads in defeat. Survival was prioritized, and those of Hoke-Ida did not wish for their libraries to be lost in fiery reprisal. As such, Hoke-Ida was looted of its mystic relics and its population forced to labor in the hills.

 

Greatly ashamed of surrender, Inoue Yoshihiro pledged himself to commit seppuku before the legendary rebel, Ishikawa Kais, after he had traversed the treacherous terrain of Hoke-Ida to pursue aid. Ishikawa Kais refused the pledge, and extended a hand of friendship in turn. To live and defeat their shared enemy would redeem Inoue’s dishonor; all of Oyashima would benefit. By morning, the Ishikawa banner of rebellion hung upon the walls of Inoue Castle. Before long all of Oyashima would rise up in rebellion, and the Battle of the Yamamoto Woods put an end to the Cathantese occupation.

 

Since the liberation of Oyashima, Hoke-Ida has existed in relative peace. A pseudo-renaissance, the population took to rebuilding their stores of knowledge and the crafting of new mystical artifacts. To organize the effort the Inoue Clan erected a university of great renown. Dubbed the “Dai Tenmondai”, or the “Grand Observatory”, this center of knowledge finds itself equipped with the finest tools, scholars and library in all of Oyashima. Beyond mere study, the Dai Tendmondai also serves to train aspiring arcanists to become Sēji so that they might aid in future conflicts and the quelling of yokai. As a result, those who graduate from Dai Tendmondai are considered some of the most intellectual and wise of all of Oyashima.

 

 

However, ill omen befell Dai Tenmondai and the Inoue clan when Ishikawa Yorinobu perpetrated the coup of Arashi Castle. The act had coincided with the Great Eclipse and the resurgence of Yokai across the archipelago, and the Hoke-Ida scholars were quick to make the connections. It is now believed amongst the more prominent Sēji that Yorinobu had made a pact with the Yokai and had meddled with demonic powers, though they could never say such publicly. Shōgun Yorinobu’s Shinohasu now keep a close eye upon the scholars of Hoke-Ida as to ensure their loyalty, and many have begun to disappear without a trace. Whether these individuals had fled, were executed or were kidnapped for some greater purpose is unknown. 

 

This is not to say, however, that a Sēji could not be seduced by the prospect of power within the Shōgun’s court. Yorinobu is always looking for useful servants and is more than willing to provide the means for experimentation should he will it. Such has since given rise to the wicked connotation of the Sēji as they use given authority to perpetrate horrid acts upon domestic Oyashi and foreign Li-Ren alike. After all, the Yamamoto War provides an ample theater to toy with death.