The Okeya Clan
Yoake no Yama no Mura...
Water.
A towering waterfall. Streams winding through streets; lined with vibrant, golden lights, reflecting transcendentally upon the river's surface. Gentle sloshes, the sounds of paddles pushing travel boats through the village emanate just barely above the hum of the town...
Wind.
Humid. Cool. The air whistles, pealing through the settlement just as pleasantly as chimes; carrying with it the voices that traverse the roads. Each, just barely a whisper - as if every person living within has a secret to tell... or hide.
Earth.
The village - tucked away in a mountain valley. Surrounding it, a luscious forest; providing rations and sport for training. Beautiful creatures roam beneath the leaves, and yet, walking through the pathways elicits an ebbing, undeniable tension. As if every step one took was being watched by spirits, by something of another world. Reapers in the canopies...
....staining the greenery below a deep crimson.
People are watching.
Fire.
The feeling of warmth; flames licking at an hearth, soothing the chill of the atmosphere - but doing little to soothe the chill one gets from stepping foot in the land. The unsettling feeling that beyond all of the beauty, the pleasant smiles, the attentive shop-keeps and lovely performances...
There's the feeling of rage.
The feeling of burning hatred every time one dares to meet an eye.
History
A village hidden away in the mountains. Not much is known about it... to the public, at least. To those living within; their history is every bit as rich and sacred to their people as it is twisted and chaotic to the outside world. What is known; though travelers are permitted to pass through their village, they are never allowed to stay. They are a particular and secretive people; any who try, accidentally or no, to learn or linger are scant to be seen, or heard from ever again.
---
A traveling priesthood. In Era's past, venturing the lands, as a holy people or no, is undeniably dangerous. Perhaps even more so by the truly vile types; they who saw, and took advantage of a peaceful, spiritual people. Who better to abuse than they who will not fight back? For the desperate - for the damaged, there were no better targets than gentle men and women in lavish robes; bespeaking harmony, love and forgiveness. They needed help. They needed guards. Protection.
It started with hired hands. Lone samurai offering blade for coin, hired for the sole purpose of making sure that the priests could travel unperturbed. In the priest's company, however, many of their hearts were stolen by their philosophies. By the way they reached out to the world, and offered a helping hand for no other purpose than to better the world through selfless kindness. How unrequited it was, and how little it mattered to them touched the hearts of their guards. Protecting them gave many a sense of purpose. They found honor in in being their blades, and many pledged themselves to their service. In time.. too many to wander with, unorganized and wild as it was. And with that reality coming to fruition, the priests and their guard decided to settle. Huts turned into homes, tents replaced with houses. What was once a camp would become a village known as:
Yoake no Yama.
The Dawn Mountain.
---
Led and established by the Head Priest, Yoake no Yama began to flourish under a fair and generous rule; everyone was given a purpose, and spent their entire lives born and raised to that perfecting that purpose. Chefs, doctors, priests, performers, shop-keeps, and what have you, all spent the next decades passing down lessons and methods to the later generations. No matter how mundane and medial those lessons or jobs may be; by village law, they were relentlessly trained to become masters at it, and because of this, they became a reputable and highly respected people, often sought out and revered for their perfectionist ways and rumored ability to perform any job or assignment at above average skill levels and speed. A fair exchange, most thought, to be relentlessly trained in exchange for a long and peaceful existence in a well protected settlement led by a blessed sovereign.
Though no travelers were permitted to stay; many came from far and wide to take a tour, and enjoy what they had to offer. Be it the food, the performances, the novelties, or more oft than not, to seek the wisdom and blessings of the priests in the temple centering it all; for it was due to the temple and the priest's rule that the masses believe that this sacred, hidden village flourishes so.
However, too much of a good thing is never a 'good thing'.
It was because of the village's success that people grew complacent. Their people were thriving and well hidden, and blessed by the Kami besides! With such long-running good fortune, there was very little to be concerned over. But complacency leads to carelessness, and carelessness leads to destruction. One night, when all of the shops were closed and every house in the village was locked; people dreaming or preparing for another day of harmonized labor.. flames began to billow from houses. From shops and from carts in the street. Everywhere one looked, smoke and fire rose into the sky, blotting out the stars with ominous crimson, orange, and pluming clouds of black. Samurai and guards rushed from the temple to help quell the insatiable flames, and when they did... the temple was put under under assault. And though they fought to protect it, relics and secrets were stolen, and many of the holy people inhabiting the sanctum were killed. The Head Priest, along with just a very few others, survived to tell the tale. For many moons, similar occurrences began to take place.
And thus, the change began.
It was a wake up call for many. A reminder that their people, now more than ever due to their prosperous nature, were targets to the world. And having single-mindedly trained their residents how to perfectly perform a single, or on rarer occasions, a few select jobs all of their lives, they had little in way of defending themselves outside of their samurai guard. However, this spread the guard too thin and made them susceptible to assault even still. If the village was attacked, then the temple was abandoned to protect it; and thus, the temple was open game for their assailants. They needed eyes to scout their grounds for enemies. They needed people in the shadows to eliminate threats and to be able to tell when threats were emanate. A secondary group so that their people, temple and otherwise, were never vulnerable and nothing was left for chance or unprotected. For that reason, the idea of shinobi were brought to light.
Orphans. Children, teenagers, young adults. Any without parents or a place to go to were taken in, and taken to a dojo built in the far corner of the village; hidden away within the curvatures of the mountains, and towering trees blocking it from view within the vibrant confines of green leaves and weathered trunks. For years, for every waking moment of their lives, they were taught to fight. To sneak. To kill; to assassinate. But to properly assassinate, they, too, needed to learn how to charm. How to convince people to trust them. To get them alone and vulnerable, how to extract information and learn people's real motives before they acted upon them. And thus were they equally taught proper etiquette. After spars and horrendous lashings, some were taught to sing. Some were taught to dance, or play music or paint. To cook, to heal. To make themselves alluring to the public eye; that they may get close to them. That they may watch from the shadows.
But it was trial and error for a long time to come. More oft than not, rules were born through failures and not through a need to make preventative measures. One of the largest examples of this is when the Head Priest himself set eyes upon one of the shinobi trainees. A young, beautiful girl with a soft heart; who struggled with their regimens and ways. During his tutelage to her, he fell in love, and she the same in time. Together, they had a child; an heir to the clan, which would henceforth be known by the name of 'Okeya', the Head Priest's surname in his honor.
From then on, generations of Okeya leaders inherited and learned the ways of leading their people; just as their people passed on the skills through the generations to come, no matter how small or unimportant they may seem. Starting with the Head Priest, rules were created and passed on. The first of many was brought about when his chosen wife died during an attack; he was distraught, and his leadership and judgement suffered tremendously. After being confronted, and after much prayer, he saw the flaw in a loving something, or someone, too much - and thus was romance itself banned from those who would call themselves 'shinobi' within the Okeya clan. However, it didn't stop there. Future leaders continued to spot flaws in emotion; not just in romance. Each had its own weakness, each clouded judgement, or had the potential to, in a different way. And one by one, they were banished. Okeya were taught to never feel. Only execute. Only assassinate. Only complete their mission. Any who strayed from that path were severely punished, and at times, when persistently rebellious.. made an example of.
For many generations their training and methods became more advanced and more brutal. However, despite some very outlandish, but inarguable and undebatable rules, there was order and there was peace. There were not many rules, but any who broke what were in place were severely, harshly punished. Traitors were dealt with just as swiftly as any of those who would dare raise a hand to the village again. And, seeing the use in having a people with combat prowess, every member of the settlement gradually became required to take at least a certain level of training to be able to defend their homes and themselves. Not a soul lived within the walls that wasn't trained not only in a particular craft, but in the art of killing, even if to a much, much drastically lesser extent than the full-fledged shinobi and samurai units.
Things continued on this way for a long time to come. Traditions were never broken. Orders and missions were given, but never without a specific purpose, even if that purpose wasn't widely voiced, even to those receiving... Until recently.
There's discord in the clan. That in which has been prosperous so long, synchronized and controlled for so long, has recently erupted into chaos. The current leader, whether it be due to old age, or something else, has been giving out strange and vindictive orders to people. Some say that he is simply a ruthless man, and others claim that he has personal motives in mind. Others do not question him at all; for they were trained to do otherwise since the time that they could even speak, and do not know the wiser. Regardless, the split has caused many a disagreement. The current leader's own two daughters have since abandoned the clan, and are responsible many a death of their peers. Some have joined them in their break off. Others, however, seek nothing more than to end their lives for their disobedience and the dishonor that they have bestowed upon their leader, and their people.
---
Presently, it is rumored that the eldest daughter, Okeya no Asai, seeks to rebuild the clan under her name, and is single-handedly responsible for the eradication of several shinobi camps. The youngest, Okeya no Yurei, disappeared two years after her sibling's departure, and has only recently resurfaced in way of severing her father's hand from his body after the abduction of her sister. Okeya no Kiromitsu, a samurai of the village, was caught aiding the defected - and has since been labeled an on-sight kill along with the sisters. Presently, these are the only three known of and actively hunted rogues, however, the clan is steadily branching into factions with varying views upon how it should be run. Some are on the current acting leader's side, and others, who have noticed a steep decline in their leader's sanity and decision making abilities, on Asai's. The leader's motives and orders have altered, for better or for worse; that conclusion falling upon the clan members to individually draw, and people are taking to it differently.
Chaos and discord has since ensued.
Clan Members
Asai Okeya (Leader)
Okeya no Asai
From a young age, the first daughter of the clan leader was what most would call 'odd'. She became known amongst her peers for her uncommonly violent and furious nature; rare traits to have in a clan trained to feel very little. Oftentimes, she would get herself in trouble thanks to her tendency to pick fights with others in order to prove herself to her father. Her need to improve and prove herself meant that she learned fast; and her advancement meant that her teachers had to find things to preoccupy her with, and to keep her from exploring a dangerously developing rebellious side over the years. Eventually, it was decided that she would excel in the art of interrogation and infiltration of the mind. With that, she was trained to do terrible, terrible things for the sake of extraction - and became known amongst her fellow shinobi for her disturbing talent to get whatever she wanted out of a person with enough time.. and tools. However, that training and preoccupation only made her more dangerous when her rebellious nature won out, and in favor of saving a young boy under target for assassination, she took him and left the clan.
Age: 36
Height: 5'6
Notable features: Patches of silver scales, usually covered in bandages.
Specialization(s): Ninja. Well-practiced singer. Infiltration of the mind.
On her back, wrapping around her shoulder, and on her eighteenth summer, Asai was awarded the dragon tattoo.
Kiromitsu Okeya ( The Reaper)
Okeya no Kiromitsu
Gifted with a sharp tongue and a talent for languages, Kiromitsu provided a crucial talent for shinobi and samurai alike. With a clever mind and a gentle, seemingly harmless demeanor, Kiromitsu was, and is generally well-liked among his peers. However, on the battlefield, his swift execution of enemies and style preferring rapid, mercilessly speed and agility over strength earned him the nickname 'Reaper' in his class.
Age: 30
Height: 7'2
Notable features: Massive scar stretching from the left side toward the spine.
Specialization(s): Samurai. Bilingual.
On his right arm, branching into this chest, and on his sixteenth summer, he was awarded the tiger tattoo.
Clan Tattoos
Earning Them....
Most gaze upon tattoos as a work of art, interpreted in varying ways. Sometimes they're given for little else than beauty, sometimes as a tribute to something. To the Okeya clan, tattoos are given as a constant reminder to the beholder, and to others, of the trials and tribulations that they underwent; but perhaps more importantly, the manner in which they overcame them - represented through the tattoo in which they are gifted. Not every Okeya will receive one of these, and when they do, it always after a defining way and event in which they have proved themselves worthy of the honor of being acknowledged and identified in such a way.
Tattoos and the meanings behind them
Dragon
Symbolization: Wisdom, strength, benevolent force, determination, unrivaled desire
Dragons stand for ferocity, strength and wealth.They are a destructive force, but are considered guardians. These creatures are often known for using their strength and wisdom to do good. In the clan, they are seen as formidable and dangerous to the last, and are a force to be reckoned with.
Koi
Symbolization: Determination, strength, courage, desire for success, power
Koi fish are considered masculine and brave. Oftentimes, these creatures are known for their determination and relentless need for success in everything that they do. They are fluid like water - both in body and mind.
Phoenix:
Symbolization: Rebirth, triumph, fire
Phoenix are often known for their strong sense of justice and graciousness. When they fall, they are known to rise time and time again; reborn anew and reinvigorated. In the Okeya clan, this is the tattoo that most leaders are given.
Tiger
Symbolization: Protectors against back luck, evil spirits, and disease
Tigers are considered sacred animals and guardians. In ancient times, tigers are often seen warding off Oni, and frequently represent Autumn. They are patient and confident hunters, however, that confidence can oftentimes be taken or misunderstood as arrogance.
Lion or Fu-dog
Symbolization: Good luck, heroism
Fu-dog are relentlessly protective; and often have statues built in their likeness next to villages in hopes of invoking the favor of fu-dog spirits to watch over the village and keep its people safe. Within the clan, people with this tattoo are often revered as great heroes; and as such, this is the most rare tattoo to be given.
Snake
Symbolization: Ever-changing, cunning, sly
Snakes are often seen as cunning and deceptive creatures; constantly shedding their skin, they embody ever-changing moments and goals, with the wit to wait for a perfect moment to strike. They also represent healing, or the darker side of a woman's fury. Within the clan, this tattoo is feared and reveled.
Oni
Symbolization: Good and evil, deceivers, tricksters, demons
Oni are said to be horned, rampaging demons. Cruel and violent, they are often known to be torturers and bringers of Hell and judgement; devourers of human souls. Within the clan, because of its specific nature, this tattoo is not given often.
Skull
Symbolization: Life and death, reverence, great change, embracing the new
Skulls are traditionally representations of empowerment and a great change. Within the clan, this is a symbol of one who embraces life with no fear of what may come, and is often seen as a rebellious symbol. Those who are inked with it are watched very closely.
Flowers...
Momiji (Maple leaf):
A single, or multitude of maple leaves are potent symbols of regeneration and resurrection as they cycle through the seasons. Changing seasons are marked by the transformation of leaves in trees. Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter are reminders of the cycle of life.
Botan (Peony):
The Peony is known as the 'King of Flowers'. With its large and flamboyant petals, delicately curled at the edges, it is also known as a 'rose without thorns'. In short, it stands for elegance and for wealth. Although often depicted in tattoos as a deep and vibrant red, it can be shown in a variety of colors depending on the person bearing it.
Kiku (Chrysanthemum):
This flower is often a symbolization of perfection. It is depicted with petals radiating like flames from the sun, the center of which represents an Emperor's status in the grand scheme of things. Longevity and joy are the attributes of both this blossom and a worthy ruler.
Sakura (Cherry blossom):
The fragility of the cherry blossom is akin to the fragility of human existence. It is brief, like the period of life; its movement toward death, indifferent to the good things of this world, is the ideal death of a warrior. And finally, its individual and perfect beauty are also ours.
Hasu (Lotus):
Lotus flowers have strong symbolic ties to many religions, and has become a symbol for the awakening to the meaning of life. Said meaning varies between different cultural myths and religious beliefs.
Traits and Mannerisms
Etiquette
Eyes widened by the sudden shift in personality, once warm and welcoming a woman he had come to learn so much about in months..had she even existed to begin with. Even the mountain tops of Coerthas would shudder at the cold gaze given to him now. "Who...are you..?" Was all he could muster under his breath while the glint of steel was held to his neck. "You have information I want, you will give it and then you will die. I can make it painless or make you regret every breath you ever took.."
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