The Yukikaze Clan
Traders | Farmers | Fishers | Diplomats | Warriors
Yokai
Location
The village of Asakura is the heart of the Yukikaze clan lands. Nestled between the upper reaches of the One River to the west, foothills and a large forest to the east, the Jizutsu clan to the south and Reunion and the Azim Steppe to the North, the Yukikaze clan holds onto some of the more strategically valuable land in Doma.The geography is described as moderately flat flood plains that give rise into hills and cliffs in the west. With mountains, ice and snow with which the Yukikaze clan takes its name from, one may find a bit of everything, in Asakura.
Clan History
The Yukikaze Clan has existed for some three centuries ruling over Asakura and the surrounding lands. It's been relatively stable, even through many of the wars and the occupation, due to the abundance of food it produced it never could afford to be razed, rather it was occupied. It's maintained peaceful relationships with it's close neighbors through offerings of food and trade, and even during the occupation was saved from the worst of Garlean oppression due to growing food for the occupying force.The clan has had a rather storied history with xaela, specifically the Oronir tribe, with whom the Yukikaze clan has had to turn its swords towards for many years to combat raids. Lately these raids have decreased since Doman independence, but they still happen. As such, Asakura boasts a standing army, though it is moderate in size.The last Yukikazes, Lord Goten Yukikaze and Lady Hina Yukikaze, are both deceased, the Lady having been killed by Garlean occupiers and the Lord dying some years later of a broken spirit. For a time, the Yukikaze Clan lands had no official ruler, until Miku, adopted child and legitimate and sole heir to the clan, went to claim her title. Through a rather arduous process due to not being blood to her parents, Miku inherited the land officially last Summer, and has been peacefully ruling since.Since then, improvements have been made to the village. An aetheryte was installed, making travel from outside of Doma easier, as well as improvements to infrastructure with irrigation systems, fishing boats and roads. Due to ongoing instability in the Empire, there has been an increase in bandits in recent moons, but these are swiftly and rather harshly put down.
Asakura
Asakura is a village situated on the east bank of the upper reaches of the One River. The town is able to be split into four sections, with the western, fishing distract lying adjacent to the river, the eastern field of farming lying in irrigated flood plains to the east, and in between them, a middle district filled with all manner of shops, stores, inns and other staples of Doman life. Finally, at the south end is the administrative district, home to the Yukikaze Estate and several houses for important members of the village.The northern edge of Asakura is covered with checkpoints and fortifications built up over years of clashing with the xaela clans. They have recently been rebuilt since the Garlean occupation, even though raids from the more combative tribes have seen a sharp decline.Near the Yukikaze clan estate is a prominent dojo, lead by Rin Hayasaka, a famed martial artist who is known for her hand to hand skills. This school has attracted students who seek to learn her way of the fist, though she also, like many sensei's, teaching basic use of the katana and other Doman weapons.Near the center of the village, not far from the aertheryte, is a traditional shrine. It's dedicated to Kuraokami and Watatsumi, dragons of snow, ice, rain and water, as these are the patron deities of the Yukikaze Clan. Out in the rice fields, near where the foothills turn to forest, there is also a shrine to Inari, Kami of harvest.The Yukikaze estate in the south is rather moderate. A walled estate with a central garden, the house boasts a private outdoor bath, as well as multiple well furnished bedrooms and full time staff, including a groundskeeper, housekeeper, and cook.
The People
Player Characters
Lady Miku of the Yukikaze Clan
Lady of Asakura, Lord of Doma
Lady Miku of the Yukikaze Clan, or more simply as she prefers to be addressed as, just 'Miku,' presides as the head of the Yukikaze Clan. Partially retired from her life adventuring to settle down with her wife and raise their daughter, Miku administers the region in order to promote her ultimate goal of bringing about a lasting peace between people and friendly yokai.
Shouri of the Yukikaze Clan
Master Samurai
Shouri of the Yukikaze Clan, is a master level samurai of nearly two decades of experience under his belt with use of the katana, including seven summers using the blade abroad against foes from across the Star. Hard working, dedicated to tradition and upholding of the Clan's beliefs, Miku is proud to count him amongst the rank of the Yukikaze Clan, and amongst their forces in Asakura.
Freya of the Yukikaze Clan
Head of Irregular Forces
Freya of the Yukikaze Clan, originally a veteran of the Ala Mhigan Revolution, fell into the east while searching for work, and simply never left. Her experience fighting Garlemald has lead her to retain a position within the clan training their specilist forces in the ways of red magic. Miku keeps her close at hand.
Non-Player Characters
Goten Yukikaze
Former Lord (Deceased)
Lord Goten Yukikaze was an honorable man. Harsh but fair, he did what he had to in order to ensure that his village and his people would survive the occupation. Unfortunately after the kidnapping of his daughter Miku, and the death of his wife at the hands of their occupiers, Goten passed away quietly some years later, of a broken heart.
Hina Yukikaze
Former Lady (Deceased)
Lady Hina Yukikaze was a kind and caring woman. Through her time as Lady of the Yukikaze Clan, she would be often seen tending to the injured and the poor. Amongst the retainers she was known for helping around a lot too, most likely due to her commoner upbringing. She instilled into Miku her philosophy on healing and nurturing, and mentored her in geomancy until her death at the hands of her occupiers.
Kaede of the Yukikaze Clan
Princess of the Yukikaze Clan
Rescued from traffickers and with no where else to go and no where else to turn to, Kaede was adopted by Miku and Izumi at the age of eight. She sits, officially, as the heir apparent of the Yukikaze Clan while her claim is being legitimized, and is cared for in Asakura by Miku and Izumi, as well as Rin who oversees her training, and Yuki, who oversees her education.
Yuki
Head Retainer
A viera with a scarce past. Originally going by Snow, now going by the Doman translation of such, she was a mysterious and enigmatic choice for Head Retainer. Still, her knowledge of Doman and Doman etiquette is impeccable, and she's a hard worker. Miku mostly uses her for excursions against the Garleans, or to help with dangerous tasks. Whatever her past, she has Miku and Izumi's trust, completely.
Rin Hayasaka
Master of Martial Arts and Bladed Weapons
Referred to simply as 'sensei' by Miku often, Rin Hayasaka is a world renowned martial artist hailing from northern Doma. She is a master specifically with unarmed combat, and takes students should she find them worthy. On top of that she is skilled with a katana, and isn't half bad with a bow either, though she will only train in the former. She does not hold the title of Master with a katana, but she will still slice with the best of them.
Kenna Hayasaka
Master of Bow
Originally a raen near Ikeda lands, Kenna Hayasaka found herself indebted to Rin during the occupation, and the two became fast friends. During the revolution Kenna served as a scout closer to Doma proper and throughout the lands. Her mastery of archery is second to none, said to be able to hit a man and pierce his armor from three hundred yalms. No one is sure if this is true, but she is known to take a student or two if they are dedicated to the yumi.
Kai Nakano
Master Eastern Blacksmith
An older, extremely boisterous and friendly man, Kai is a master blacksmith in every sense of the word. He has helped Miku and Izumi forge some of their more ambitious projects, even if they did the enchanting themselves. Though he seems to hold some kind of grudge against Izumi. Something about losing one of his best pieces within the week?
Kaito Nakano
Martial Artist and Sensei in Training
The eldest son of Kai Nakano, the boy did not want to follow in his father's footsteps. He dreamed of training under Rin since he was a kid, and though he didn't get the chance to begin until about a cycle ago, he has quickly taken to the study. Rumor is he is set to succeed her, so the woman growing older in age can finally retire.
Saiko Uchigana
Huntmaster
Externally an austere man with a good heart, Saiko was Asakura's huntmaster during the occupation, helping tend to the game in the area in order to help feed the population now forced to split resources with their occupiers. A crack shot with a bow or a rifle, as well as good with daggers, he is a force to be reckoned with when tracking a beast. Though he seems gruff on the surface, he simply has much respect for tradition, in the wake of all he and Asakura suffered under Garlean yoke.
Kiyoshi Rokoto
Brewmaster
Perhaps the most important man in the entire village of Asakura! Kiyoshi helps manage the day to day operations of the Yukikaze Clan brewery, ensuring a quality product is brewed from each batch. He is a bit of an experimentalist though, known to scrape portions of each batch to mess with and tinker with improving the recipe. His dedication to his work has earned him the admiration of Miku, who visits often to learn a bit of the ways for herself.
Asuka Suzuki
Yukikaze Estate Overseer
Asuka Suzuki took over as the keeper of the estate in the interim period between Goten's death and Miku's claim to the title. Loyal to Goten as an old retainer of his, she is a hard working and friendly woman who seeks to help manage and keep Asakura running, even as Miku and Izumi find themselves entangled in other affairs. Though if you catch her in the night, she's known to imbibe a bit too much of the clan's famous sake!
Asami Mirabami
Head Mender
Just slightly older than Miku, Asami studied under the late Lady Hina Yukikaze as a mender and is ranked as one of the best healers in the region. A geomancer and alchemist by trade, a war veteran by history, she is described as an intense woman with a charismatic charm to her. Miku trusts her to help lead in her stead and she's even stepped in on occasion to lead her mercenary company in her absence.
Itsuki Shiso
Apprentice Samurai and Levin Mage
Born during Garlean occupation, Itsuki is a brash, bright and young junior samurai with almost a decade of experience despite her young age. Shown early to have a gift for levin magic and the blade, Miku assigned her to be the apprentice of a levin sword master and train under the only other levin spellsword she knows. Miku sees a bright future in the girl.
The Yokai (Spirits)
Player Characters
Lady Izumi of the Yukikaze Clan
Lady of Asakura, Fox Yokai
Lady Izumi of the Yukikaze Clan. Second in line to the leadership of the Clan and to Asakura. A skilled shinobi and geomancer, she is Miku's right hand, ever guiding her and supporting her no matter what challenges come. Beyond that, she finds herself a philanthropist, often donating coin, but mostly food, to the poor wherever she goes. Lending a hand and upholding the Clan's values wherever she walks.
Hinami Shimizu
Great Dragon of Ice, Dragon Yokai
Hinami Shimizu is a ryu (dragon yokai) born and raised in the mountains near Asakura. She was always said to have an affinity for water, and quickly took to the studies of the Kami, finding it fascinating to try and divine their ways. She's a rather serious woman when it comes to her work as a priestess of the Kami and a shrine maiden, but outside of it she is a fun loving woman who enjoys the quieter things in life. She came to the village over four hundred summers ago to live and work, changing between forms until now where she is allowed to simply be herself.
Evoh Rhaal
Scout and Huntress, Fox Yokai
A strange choice to apprentice the Huntmaster, Evoh is a born and bred tribal Keeper from the East Shroud in Eorzea. Rather, that's what she believed. Finding out she was actually a kitsune who had her magic suppressed by her parents in order to hide amongst a Keeper tribe, she now tries to navigate her new identity while simultaneously adventuring and enjoying her newfound freedom to it's fullest.
Yori Kawakami
Handmaiden and Blacksmith, Raven Tengu
Yori Kawakami came into service of the Yukikaze Clan almost 70 years ago after Lord Satoru of the Yukikaze Clan defeated her in a duel. Originally serving as a bodyguard, she came to enjoy the quieter aspects of service and became a handmaiden for Miku that has been with her since she was young. She's also been picking up smithing, learning from Kai Nakano's secrets to forging the perfect weapon.
Non-Player Characters
Kei Aoki
Retainer and Wood Warden
The last of the four kitsune at Asakura, Kei is a six tail who had been living in the area for the past several centuries. Described by Miku as an annoying flirt who is eternally loyal, Miku uses him to often handle matters involving defending the large forest beyond the rice fields to Asakura's east. His connection to the earth and Inari allows him to do so single handedly.
Shiro Nami
Guradian to the Princess
A baby kitsune, Shiro ended up somewhat coincidentally as Miku and Izumi's second daughter in a way. Her and Princess Kaede are virtually inseperable and seem to be the best of friends. Miku's tasked the young kitsune with safeguarding her daughter and giving her companionship, something the fox was all too happy to give.
Naomi Sano
Guuji of Inari
Naomi Sano is young, impressionable, quick to scare and even quicker to grow attached. She's no ordinary miqo'te. That might be because to any discerning individual she's actual a young kitsune. One incredibly devoted to Inari. She spends her days foraging in the woods, conversing with wildlife and diligently cleaning the shrine, so that Asakura may have a bountiful harvest, year after year. Miku speaks of a rumor enjoys having the balls of fluff on her ears massaged, but she will vehemently deny it.
Yukikaze Clan Brewery
What would the most prosperous of rice villages be if not something to turn that rice into liquid gold?Sake is a commodity the Yukikaze clan produces in abundance, having mastered brewing techniques centuries ago and using their abundant rice harvest to craft the beverage.It's available in several varities, but mostly their ginjo and daiginjo are the most commonly sold. The ginjo is light and fruity, best enjoyed chilled just as the veena Lord enjoys it! The daiginjo, or 'Super Premium' sake, is also best served chilled, with a savory, complex and nuanced flavor that leaves a clean taste in the palette.If you are another Lord seeking to purchase a bounty of the sake, see Miku herself. If you are an Eorzean venue seeking out the sake for your locale, please contact Miku or Izumi, whom will be happy to discuss business!
Inspiration Pictures
In order: The main shrine, the view of the estate from the rice fields, a market on one of the stream offshoots, a nearby mountaintop onsen, a set of nearby falls during Hanami, and the view of Asakura as approaching from the Steppe.