|
Post by Bob (DM) on Jan 22, 2014 0:21:12 GMT -5
MYTHOLOGICAL ERA
The events of this period are known only from ancient myths and legends passed down through oral tradition. Namahe no Seiso (Time of Pure Glory) This is a legendary golden age when humans lived in harmony with the spirits and all were prosperous and at peace. It is supposed to have lasted 12,611 years. SEMI-HISTORICAL ERA
While the origin and duration of this period are also based purely on oral tradition, however the fact that it occurred and how it ended is factual. Dan'atsu no Seiso (Time of the Oppression) The legends state that a race of demons known as the Akuna no Bokun (Demon Tyrants) or the Hakugai-sha (Oppressors) came out of the north and overran the land and enslaved the humans and used them both for labour and as food. This period is said to have lasted 1650 years. Gokai Taisan (Great Heroic Wars) In time, the humans rose up and challenged their evil masters and after a long struggle spanning several generations (124 years), drove them out. This epic struggle, known as the Gokai Taisen (Great Heroic War) is the subject of the bulk of the current Zaidanese legends and folk tales. Each of the noble clans traces their descent back to some hero of that great struggle.
|
|
|
Post by Bob (DM) on Jan 22, 2014 0:23:00 GMT -5
EARLY HISTORICAL PERIOD
The recorded history of Zaidan begins with the victory over the Hakugai-sha, and thus the events of the following periods are better known. While much of what is supposed to have occurred in this period is factual, much is in fact entirely legendary as well. Sheinaru Miko no Zaii (Reign of the Sacred Priestesses) In the period after the expulsion of the Akuna no Bokun, the land was ruled by a series of Sacred Priestesses (Sheinaru Miko) chosen by the leaders of the major cults. This was a period of general peace and growing prosperity as the population slowly recovered from the devastation of both long liberation struggle and the centuries of slavery that preceded it. This system worked well for roughly 250 years, but eventually the Sogo clan (now extinct) managed to arrange to have its daughters selected for the position, and take effective control of the government. They did so without holding any specific title, rather the clan head ruled from behind the scenes until eventually the Sheinaru Miko were reduced to nothing more than mouthpieces for. Eventually the Sogo were overthrown and thereafter the various clans struggled to install girls from their clans on the throne and rule through them. This rivalry eventually led to open fighting and the land became increasingly chaotic with Sacred Priestesses being enthroned and dethroned in rapid succession. Sesho no Zaii (Reign of the Regents) Eventually Hashimoto Oda, who held the office of Daikomon (Chief Advisor), led a popular revolt and seized power and put an end to the chaos. The office of Daikomon became effectively hereditary in the Hashimoto clan and they ruled for 115 years after which time they lost control of the office. Once again the land descended into chaos as the rival clan Lords contended to control the office.
|
|
|
Post by Bob (DM) on Jan 22, 2014 0:24:21 GMT -5
MIDDLE HISTORICAL PERIOD Kashikoi no Gikai no Tochi (Rule of the Wise Council)In the Year of the Great Reform (535) Mori Yuudai defeated the reigning Daikomon, Tanaka Manabu, and rather than assume the office himself he instituted the Kashikoi Gikai (Council of the Wise) to govern the land, and the office of Daikomon was once again reduced to its original role of advisor on religious matters. The Council was soon pushed to the background and its chief officer; the Daijin (Chief Minister) assumed control. Once again the land descended into strife as the various clans contended for control of the new ruling office. Tai Henkan Funso (The Great Restoration Conflict) In the Year of the Restoration (683), the Council of the Wise was overthrown by a coup d’état led by the Sheinaru Miko which ignited a savage 13 year period of near continuous war from which the Abe clan emerged victorious.
|
|
|
Post by Bob (DM) on Jan 22, 2014 0:29:17 GMT -5
MODERN HISTORICAL PERIOD
Dai Kunshu no Toshi (Years of the Overlords)Abe no Yusei (Abe Ascendency)With the Abe victory, all pretense of ruling in the name of the Sheinaru Miko was dropped and Abe Takashi proclaimed himself Dai Kunshu (Great Lord) and ruled in his own right as a military dictator. Lacking any sacerdotal legitimacy, the Abe rule was a tenuous one, marked by repeated revolts and coup attempts by other clan Lords. Tobsei-cho Jidai (East and West Court Period)In Year the Land Divided (738) the Abe were overthrown and the land was divided into two realms, with the Ogawa clan ruling in the east and the Oshiro clan ruling in the west. Ogawa no Yusei (Ogawa Ascendency)In Year the Land Reunited (794) the Ogawa clan defeated the Oshiro clan and established itself as the sole ruler. Yamashita no Yusei (Yamashita Ascendency) In the Year of the Victorious Dragons (823) Yamashita Norio rebelled and defeated the Ogawa and established himself as Dai Kunshu, but his tenure was brief as he was assassinated in The Year of the Slaying (827). Kyogo Ryoshu no Toshi (Years of the Contending Lords) After the assassination of Yamashita Norio the land was without any central governing authority and the clans fought amongst themselves for supremacy. This constant strife lasted for 76 years until the Year of the White Hart (903) when a relative peace was established between the five leading clans. Go Do Jidai (Five Regions Period) This is the current era, where the chaos of the previous years has settled into the uneasy peace between the five paramount Lords of each region marked only by intermittent skirmishes. This situation has lasted 40 years, but tensions have been mounting. PRESENT The game starts at the beginning of the year 951.
|
|
|
Post by Bob (DM) on Jan 22, 2014 0:32:21 GMT -5
Players are encouraged to make up any tales or legends regarding their clan ancestors that fit within the above structure, from the Gokai Taisan (Great Heroic Wars)onward. The further back the story is placed, the more fantastical it can be.
|
|