Post by Hasekura Takamori on Jun 2, 2007 11:34:45 GMT
History
Nigh on nine centuries ago, the people of Far Eastern Septrem found themselves in the midst of a bloody civil war. For years, the tribes that populated the banks of Lake Nadai had lived in an uneasy peace, ruled over by the strong, but supremely traditionalist Theriza clan.
However, the new leader of the Theriza was immensely distrustful of any and all of his subordinate tribes, and started a dangerous path down the road of intense paranoia.
Finally, one tribe, the noble warriors of the Shirezei, punished and persecuted due to their position on the highly fertile and strategic Ganura Island in the middle of Lake Nadai, declared a schism of their tribe from the Theriza.
Looking to new ways, and the arts and technologies of the fabled Ulthan, they built themselves a great fortress of stone, armoured their soldiers in suits of intricately forged steel and leather, wielding katanas and spears of, until this point, unknown sharpness and balance, and composite bows with carefully fletched arrows.
The Theriza, resplendent in their painted bodies and ancient spears, arrayed themselves at the end of the bridge to fight, in the ways they had been fighting minor skirmishes for hundreds of years. Finally, as the sun rose over Ganura at dawn, into the eyes of the Theriza, the Shirezei marched forth from the fortress.
The tsuwamono, or Brutes, decked out in massive suits of full steel armour, and carrying the massive no-dachi, led the charge of the Shirezei forces, smashing their way through the forces of the Theriza, who could neither protect themselves against the crippling sword blows, or penetrate the thick plates of steel with weak spear thrusts.
The ashigaru followed, mixed cavalry and light infantry, who easily ran down the fleeing Theriza with sword and spear on horseback, or laid them low with volley after volley of steel tipped arrows.
In but two hours, the Shirezei had destroyed the Theriza, and the tribes of the Nadai honoured their new rulers with respect. Many of the shore tribes moved to Ganura, and the island-fortress was built larger and larger on land reclaimed from the lake using Ulthan techniques.
Some large sections were built on huge stilts, set into the depths of the Nadai, which were difficult to build, but hugely useful.
Now, the tribe is ruled by one Hasekura Takamori, a uruwashii, one of the cultured and educated officers of the Shirezei. They face many problems from the Imperials, who sense a military opponent, and the other factions who have their own reasons for ancient grudges.
Nigh on nine centuries ago, the people of Far Eastern Septrem found themselves in the midst of a bloody civil war. For years, the tribes that populated the banks of Lake Nadai had lived in an uneasy peace, ruled over by the strong, but supremely traditionalist Theriza clan.
However, the new leader of the Theriza was immensely distrustful of any and all of his subordinate tribes, and started a dangerous path down the road of intense paranoia.
Finally, one tribe, the noble warriors of the Shirezei, punished and persecuted due to their position on the highly fertile and strategic Ganura Island in the middle of Lake Nadai, declared a schism of their tribe from the Theriza.
Looking to new ways, and the arts and technologies of the fabled Ulthan, they built themselves a great fortress of stone, armoured their soldiers in suits of intricately forged steel and leather, wielding katanas and spears of, until this point, unknown sharpness and balance, and composite bows with carefully fletched arrows.
The Theriza, resplendent in their painted bodies and ancient spears, arrayed themselves at the end of the bridge to fight, in the ways they had been fighting minor skirmishes for hundreds of years. Finally, as the sun rose over Ganura at dawn, into the eyes of the Theriza, the Shirezei marched forth from the fortress.
The tsuwamono, or Brutes, decked out in massive suits of full steel armour, and carrying the massive no-dachi, led the charge of the Shirezei forces, smashing their way through the forces of the Theriza, who could neither protect themselves against the crippling sword blows, or penetrate the thick plates of steel with weak spear thrusts.
The ashigaru followed, mixed cavalry and light infantry, who easily ran down the fleeing Theriza with sword and spear on horseback, or laid them low with volley after volley of steel tipped arrows.
In but two hours, the Shirezei had destroyed the Theriza, and the tribes of the Nadai honoured their new rulers with respect. Many of the shore tribes moved to Ganura, and the island-fortress was built larger and larger on land reclaimed from the lake using Ulthan techniques.
Some large sections were built on huge stilts, set into the depths of the Nadai, which were difficult to build, but hugely useful.
Now, the tribe is ruled by one Hasekura Takamori, a uruwashii, one of the cultured and educated officers of the Shirezei. They face many problems from the Imperials, who sense a military opponent, and the other factions who have their own reasons for ancient grudges.
