LUNAR CLAN LORE
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LOCATION AND LANDMARKS
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The lunar clan resides in the northeastern part of the world. Members of the lunar clan are kind but guarded. The lands they live in are quite mountainous and are covered in snow most of the year safe for late spring and all of summer. In the summer the lands are covered in cherry blossom instead. At the end of summer, a great snowstorm arises and covers the lands in snow and ice once again. Due to this cold most if not all members have an affinity for the ice element.
Dranera keep:
A keep built into the highest mountain by the lunar clan’s ancient ancestors. This is where the leader of the clan resides. It’s well defended with high walls and only a single access point that can only be opened by solving a complex riddle.
Dranera mountain:
Sticking out above the lands like a well... a mountain, this mountain is visible from almost anywhere in the territory. This mountain is part of a mountain range that consists of 22 mountain peaks with Dranera mountain being the highest. This mountain is home to Dranera keep and the temple off Higetsuno. Where the final trial of the leader’s selection ritual takes place.
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The temple of Higetsuno:
Located on the very top of Dranera mountain this place is notoriously hard to reach. Even so its customary for the eldest son or daughter to make the pilgrimage come time for the yearly ritual. Some may not return although most due to the protection of the twelve-master ranger squadron who are there to help and guide young pilgrims.
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CULTRUE
Members of the lunar clan have a reputation for being as cold as ice. However, this is rarely actually the case. It’s just that it’s HARD to gain their trust as the lunar clan has been victim to many wars and sieges in the past. But once you get close to them, they can be the most kind and hospitable people you have ever met. Due to their 8-month long winter they consider it highly offensive to leave anyone out in the cold. Due to these travelers are often invited into a member’s home to warm up and stay for the night. The lunar clan has a code of honor. Breaking it is considered a grave mistake and soils the reputation of a member’s entire family.
Their code of honor has a few simple tenants:
1. You will defend your family and the ones dear to you until you draw your last breath.
2. You will never give up on any and all promises.
3. You will fight fairly.
4. Those who have wronged you should be victim of a vengeance of a tenfold severity.
5. You have the leader’s trust; you will not betray their trust.
When a member’s elemental power starts to appear, they will be assigned a teacher or master depending on the members previous skill. For example, if a young member has an affinity for the sword, they will be assigned a teacher of legendary skill in the sword. In total there are 12 masters each proficient in a different style of combat. the ranking of the twelve masters goes from 12 to 1 with the first master being the clan’s leader. Every master has their own school where they train members that are just starting to develop their powers 90% off the time these powers are either aqua ore glaze with a small percentage of 10% or less developing a different one. The training is hard and rigorous as you are not allowed to give up until you finally master the skill. This results in the average training day being 18 hours long.
after training a member s weapon will be as an extension of their own body. They can then fight in complete harmony with their weapon and element.
GODS / RELIGION
The lunar clan worships 3 moon gods for the 3 moons.
Hartsukia: Is the goddess of the harvest and spring. Members of the lunar clan (especially farmers) worship this goddess by offering food at her shrine on the last day of winter. with these offerings members hope to appease her so that she might bring a bountiful harvest and a summer that last just a little longer.
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Higetsuno: Is the god off winter and honor. Members of the lunar clan worship this god by praying to him on the last day of summer in the hopes that he might bring a merciful winter. At exactly midnight every member of the clan lights a candle that they will then set afloat on the great lake and make a wish. Besides winter this god is also a god of honor, If a member has disgraced themselves by breaking the code they will be sent on a holy trial by the leader of the clan in the name of this god. If the trial is completed successfully the members honor will be restored. A member cannot deny this trial.
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Kazerunai: Is the god of darkness and misfortune. Speaking of this god is taboo as it’s said that this god causes misfortune on the family of anyone who dares speak of him. It’s also generally believed that this god can cause a dark moonless night in which everything will be drowned in absolute darkness. This god is more feared then worshipped.
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CLAN LEADER
A new leader will be selected a month after the current one has died due to the leader’s funeral ritual. Members that are able bodied and not elderly can volunteer to undergo the leader’s trial. This trial involves 12 sub trials. 11 of these consist of beating the 11 remaining masters in combat and wits, the combat should be Honorable meaning that none of the participants lose their lives but will instead be rendered unfit to fight. The final trial is the hardest of them all this trial consists off meditating on top of sacred mountain in an effort to commune with the god of honor. The trial is complete ones the snow landing on top of the Raqion stops melting. This is seen as a sign that the god of honor deems the Raqion patient enough to be the leader until their death. Until the snow stops melting the Raqion is not allowed to eat, drink or move. The final trial can take months. During this time the 11 masters rule together in the leader’s stead.
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The twelve fighting styles
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Way of elemental mastery:
The only fighting style that doesn't make use of any weapons. Instead, it completely relies on elemental attacks and manifestation. A user of this fighting style is highly skilled in elemental attacks as well as unarmed combat.
way of the blade:
One of the first fighting styles invented. This style makes use of two katana like blades. these blades are often infused with the user’s elemental type and are wielded with high precision.
Way of the great blade:
A fighting style that requires great strength. This style is currently mastered by the shogun and leader of the clan. This style makes use of one great sword twice the size of its wielder. This results in the wilder not only having to be skilled in the use of this weapon but also be strong enough to wield one in the first place. This style makes use of arcing motions and heavy ramming blows.
Way of the spear:
A fighting style that is known for its versatility. This style makes use of ranged as well as melee attacks as the spear can be thrown and easily retrieved due to a rope attached to its user’s chest. This style makes use of quick jabs and stabs when used for melee and these spears can travel a great distance when thrown.
Way of the bow:
A very precise style of fighting. this style makes use of a bow and arrows. the arrows launched from the bow of the user are infused with its user’s element making for extremely effective blows. This style is wielded with patience and precision, the wielder only letting go of the arrow when they are completely sure it will hit its target.
Way of the staff:
The sister style of the way of the spear. This style makes use of a robust, yet flexible staff often made of the finest wood or bamboo. Users of this style are highly athletic, utilizing their staff to make jumps and launch themselves up in the air to both confuse their target and land attacks from every angle on their targets. The staff can also be used to channel the elemental energy of the user to either infuse the staff or launch short bursts of elemental energy at their opponents.
Way of the great club:
A sister style to the way of the great blade. this style makes use of a large, spiked club made out of wood with spikes made out of minerals like iron. This style requires great strength as well although it’s easier to wield then a great blade. The style is used to ram opponents as harshly as possible and cause multiple bones to break. This style is used to quickly incapacitate opponents so that other warriors can more easily capture or kill them. Warriors using this style often run headfirst into combat.
Way of the flying blade:
A style used by ones who like to remain within the shadows. This style makes use of throwing knifes known as kunai. the style requires the user to be extremely stealthy. Users of this style are masters of stealth and camouflage. Often employed as spies posing as diplomats or investigators.
Way of the parasol:
Often seen as the weakest style by outsiders, but this style is not what it seems. This style makes use of a large parasol with a hidden sharp edge. This style is more defensive and focused on protecting other allies in combat. The parasol has a cloth cover on the outside but is actually a large shield on the inside. Consisting of multiple collapsible panels that together from a sturdy shield. The parasol has a hidden set of blades in its edges as well for when it comes to self-defense of its user. When folded up the parasol functions similar to the great club.
Way of the chain scythe:
One of the newest styles of combat. This style makes use of a short one-handed scythe connected to a chain with a small metal or wood ball on the end. This style is used to disarm opponents first and then deliver a devastating blow on the target with the intend to disable the opponent permanently in as few strikes as possible. This style is still considered a tad unorthodox, and it took its first and current master decades to get recognized.
The style used to be considered dishonorable.
Way of the dual clubs:
Known as the way of mercy. This style makes use of two club like weapons with a rotatable handle on their sides. These are known as tonfa. this is a defensive style of combat used to block opponents from striking the user. This style is also used to quickly render opponents’ unconscious by way of striking the opponents head and weak points. This style may batter and break bones but is non-lethal in essence. Yet it can be very brutal as the user can batter the opponent as much as possible as long as the opponent remains alive.
Way of the gauntlet:
The newest style of combat. This style makes use of reinforced gauntlets often enhanced with spikes or extra plating. A user of this style is highly skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Often striving to defeat an opponent in just one punch. (Which rarely happens) after training is complete a user can undergo a separate training to learn how to infuse their punches with elemental energy for extra effect. Users of this style are often paired with parasol users. By working together, they can get closer on the front lines while being protected and then once they're closed enough the parasol is lifted to release a large group of gauntlet wielders.
Ranks
many members of this clan have professions next to their rank as its vital to be specialized in more than one talent for the survival of the clan as a whole in the harsh winter.
(Some of these ranks also come with age)
Clan Leader: A rank referred to as shogun by members of the lunar clan. the shogun is chosen by undergoing a ritual previously mentioned. The shogun is the most skilled warrior in the entire lunar clan.
One of the twelve masters: As a member of the twelve masters, you’re highly specialized and skilled in one of the 12 fighting styles and weapons. this rank is reserved only for the most skilled. And gaining this rank can only be done by beating one or several of the 12 masters replacing the last one beaten chronologically if you win from them in honorable combat. The 12-function similar to generals and lords.
The twelve-master soldier division: A division former student to one of the twelve masters that have pledged their allegiance to the country and their master and fight to protect it from threats. Your job as one from the division is to protect and serve the people of your country first and follow the philosophy of your master. You will often serve as guards in times of peace.
The twelve-master ranger division: A division of former students that still follow their master. as one of the divisions you are tasked with teaching beginner and intermediates students of your master as well as help pilgrims on their way to the Higetsuno temple. Another task is to scout out Potential dangers and sometimes infiltrate enemy territory without being spotted, Returning with valuable information to your master.
Youngster: youngsters are clan members that are considered too young to become warriors or take up a profession. you are considered a youngster until you gain your elemental power.
Elder: Elders are exceptionally old members of the clan that often lead villages. They are often asked for advice due to their years of wisdom and experience. Even masters are often elders as well. Elders are by no means weak or frail.
professions
Farmer: These Raqions are highly specialized in the cultivating of crops as fast as possible and as much as possible in the short summer period. Often cultivating rice, and grain as well as winter apples. A species of apple that can survive into the first few months of winter.
Smith: Highly valued artisans that provide every warrior with one of 11 types of weapons. every smith is specialized in making at least two of these weapons. Every one of the 12 masters has legendary smith within their household to supply them with weapons for themselves and their students.
Messenger/diplomat: The twelve often send out messengers that are trained and well versed in diplomacy out to foreign domains on diplomatic missions. Be it for trade accords or to settle disputes and in some cases act as detectives.
Fishermen: A profession as important as the farmers for they set out on voyages year-round to catch fish and other water dwelling creatures to feed the population of the lunar clan year-round. Fishermen are often on their voyage for multiple months.
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The disgraced: this is the lowest rank of the clan as a whole and the least respected of them all. this rank is imposed on those that have broken the code of honor and on those considered criminals. if you gain this rank you will loose all previous ranks. most clan members shun the disgraced and depending on the severity of your violation or crime you might get arrested outright. however the rank can be nullified if one completes a trial set by the clan leader themselves. such a trial can be requested , however the chance of a trial being granted completely depends on the severity of your violation of the code of honor or the severity of the crime you have committed.
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