It is Ambrodas, 21st of the Month of Cinder, in the year 95
Azuchi Clan
Empress Akamatsu, Matriarch of Azuchi
Formerly known as the 14th Great Banners of Setsen, colloquially called the White Sun Banners. The Azuchi clan has risen through the centuries to supplant its former master as the great dynasty of the Shenzhou. Their ascendancy has been meteoric following the Regency Crisis that drove the dynasty into civil war.
The Azuchi, ever bound by their honour and duty to seek vengeance, have chased the remnants of the old dynasty elite across the great ocean to the New World to bring the traitors to justice.
"Raiko demands their lives!"
- Empresss Akamatsu, invoking Raiko against Setsen Rebels
Play As...
Azuchi
General Characteristic
Race
Human
Language
Common, Azuchi
Height
162cm - 195cm (5'3 - 6'4)
Hair Colours
Dark Brown, Black,
Eye Colours
Dark or Light Brown, Green, Hazel
Skin Tone
Pale-skinned, Tanned
Ethos
Ceremonious, Bellicose
Naming Convention
Japanese, Chinese Family Names
Azuchi Rundown
Themes
Honour-Bound Culture, Extreme Loyalty, Matriarchal, Japanese Daimyo, Samurai
Aesthetics
Ancient - Medieval Japan, Chinese influences
Unique Aspects
Recently arrived to the new-world, hunting for the remnants of the Setsen Dynasty, precarious foundations
General Attitudes Towards
Attitude Scale:
Allied
Friendly
Cordial
Neutral
Unfavourable
Antagonistic
War
Gallia:
Neutral
Dumanon:
Unfavourable
Great Houses:
Unfavourable
Custodes:
Neutral
Daurans:
Neutral
Asturias:
Neutral
Komanali:
Neutral
Banen’Rhûn:
Neutral
Dynasty:
War
Sasanshahr:
Cordial
Ancient Dwarves:
Unfavourable
Amu-Tep:
Neutral
Turak:
Neutral
Azuchi and Aether Users:
Aether users are strongly distrusted in Azuchi society, a sentiment partially inherited from the Setsen dynasty but also rooted in historical precedent. The Aether, and its use, are considered dangerous, reckless and for those with the gift to give in, particularly evil. Aether represents an inherent danger to the world and those who are understood to be sensitive are typically confined for life or outright killed.
Like the Dynasty, those who are attuned but are born into particularly prestigious or rich families have more and better options than those who do not. Instead of confinement or death, they gain the option of exile to various mountainous regions where many monasteries and temples are dedicated to the Divine Court. Here they are forced to remain, to learn the pious life, to control their inner-self and to understand the shame of their existence. Publicly, they have chosen the religious life and their inner abilities are kept secret.
Azuchi and Demons:
Serving under the Setsen Dynasty granted the Azuchi the honour of being tasked with aiding Kaza’daukar from Sasanshahr with hunting down Demons plaguing Shenzhou on various occasions. Stories of these creatures are well known, and the power they can hold is remembered vividly by the destroyed continent not so far away. The Azuchi do not know the true nature of Demons but have stories of battles against them.
Demons among the Azuchi need to hide their true nature even more so than their Aetheric counterparts. Many will eventually give in and embrace what they are in attempt to achieve true freedom.
When Playing...
The Azuchi Clan has recently ascended into the position of controlling Shenzhou, and to solidify their control they hunt The Remnant of the old Dynasty across the ocean to Awenasa. - Despite this initial reason, the establishment of colonies and trade in the New World is an aspect of prestige to some Azuchi nobles, and furthering this development further legitimises Azuchi rule.
Along with the lords and their retinue dispatched to bring the rebels to justice, a host of free peoples, both Azuchi-born and Setsen, travel as well. To establish communities and settlements at the behest of their liege lords.
Loyalty to your lord is an important cultural aspect of the Azuchi, but when you are so far from home and so far from the society that upholds these values, will this cement the bond between you and yours - or will you deviate and see the freedom from the trappings of social expectations and escape the cultural traditions?
"The Lords of Shenzhou need our guidance"
- Lady Kinosumae Mari, teaching the lessons of Kana to Azuchi Daughters
The History of Azuchi
New Era, Year -400 approx
The Three Maidens
Kana
The Azuchi have humble origins, being farmholders from Kusatsu province before the great dynasty of Setsen established its domain over the area. The clan found its success after the arrival of the dynasty, and its selection of Azuchi maidens to marry into various families as a means to maintain peace. Although a dozen of the daughters were wed to men of the dynasty, only three would become widely known and change the fate of the clan forever.
Kana was hand-selected by her husband Zhihao for her beauty, her grace and her enchanting charm. She instantly became popular in her husband's court, gaining such titles as “The Graceful”, “The Eternal Beauty” and “The Heavenly Blessed”. Her popularity and success led to two failed assassination attempts by her husband’s concubines, which resulted in their mass execution and Zhihao committing himself solely to her.
The story follows that Yichen was so enamoured with her creativity, and to create something that he otherwise considered ‘nothing’, that he fell in love. Her marriage was not only celebrated, but it became a display of performances, artistry, culinary skill and wonderment. All orchestrated by Hikari. The Awakening Wedding as it later became known created a tradition of grand weddings which put on a full range of displays and entertainment meant to tug and wrap around the senses and tease at the soul for what could be possible.
Raiko
Then there was the third maiden, Raiko, who was at first, thought to be a man. She had dressed as a soldier and performed the duties of a soldier, something not so uncommon within the Azuchi but disallowed by the Dynasty. She proved herself to be an agile and skilled fighter, so much so that she caught the attention of Baozhong. He brought her on as a retainer and she swiftly rose to be promoted to his personal retinue. The story alleges this was all without being discovered, a feat in itself. If Hikari knew or not is unknown. Their relationship developed over the years and eventually, it was announced that he would marry his retinue.
Many were confused by this announcement at first before it was revealed she was a Daughter of Azuchi. Even still, she was ‘wrong’ in taking a role not meant for her. And what's more irregular is that her Lord did not seem to care. Trouble quickly brewed as many became suspicious, though their chorus clashed against those who had reason to celebrate. Raiko might have hidden who she was, but her deeds were known across her Husband's realm. Many took to the news to celebrate her bravery in the service of her husband as she had saved them from beasts and creatures, both humans and otherwise.
She did not need to do much to gain attention, and men would eagerly listen to her despite whatever sound reasoning would dictate otherwise. She became an effective diplomat for her husband, preventing fights before they started and effectively gaining him every advantage. Her influence was so strong that she often seemed to supplant her husband as ruler, and was only held back by the lack of title.
Many daughters of the Azuchi were sent to train under her, and it was a task she gladly accepted. They were all trained in the ways of being a proper ‘Azuchi woman’, to be graceful, undefeatable, stalwart, beautiful and how to manipulate the minds of others. Their reputation had them become the perfect wives. The Dynasty eventually had a high demand for such women. To tackle the issue of demand for these prizes women, suitors needed to have their application approved to come and find an Azuchi Daughter to take as a wife, one must forgo polygamy and only keep their wife's warmth. This had an additional purpose to make their wives more influential.
Hikari
Hikari was another one of these first maidens who married into the realm of the Dynasty. Unlike her kin, she did not possess the looks or charm that dominated the interiors of courts. Instead, she was a more creative woman and saw beauty in displays and artistry. Her garden, known as the Great Serenity, was her greatest example of this before being married. Her husband, Yichen, praised the garden when he saw it and where he expected a man to present himself as the artist, instead, he saw Hikari.
She became a figure against Dynastic convention, so much so that she made a point to press the issue against any and all who would decry it, or challenge her status, Raiko defended herself in over two dozen contests in her time, ranging from duels to wargames and even philosophical debates. - Although she failed to change the Dynastic convention, something she was known to attribute to the statuses of the other maiden's actions, she did offer to teach women the ways of war. A number of Azuchi Daughters received her tutelage knowing that it would make them unappealing as wives for the Dynasty.
Rise of Azuchi (New Era, -360 Years Ago)
With the prominence of Azuchi Daughters, those who have been trained by one of the Maidens or their respective schools, their hold of the cultural and social life of the Dynasty, their homelands saw a great upswing in their importance and started to become near mythologised in Dynastic plays and song.
This movement fed back into the Azuchi heartlands where it further cultivated the veneration of Azuchi Daughters and created the aspirations to follow in the footsteps of the Three Maidens. Over the decades since their passing, the Maidens became venerated through ancestor worship. And in the centuries since, they have come to dominate the cultural landscape of Azuchi.
The influence of the daughters did not end in cultural and social life either, many more of the clan were successfully able to gain employment and advance in their status as the Dynasty opened up to them with its vast opportunities. One of the more significant events was the establishment of an Azuchi Regiment by Heavenly Decree. The 14th Banners were to be trained and raised by the men of Azuchi, with the exceptional circumstance of being the only regiment in service of the Dynasty to permit women to fight.
Women became favoured for the role of ruler or steward in the years of the Maidens' veneration. This extended deeper into society as they took up various positions with some element of responsibility for a group. It was common to see women as merchants, diplomats, performers, bankers, settlement officials and to some extent manual labourers.
The men still dominated most work that required physical labour, they could also find themselves in various fields of work but were excluded more from the ‘top’ managerial roles due to the belief that a ‘Proper Azuchi Daughter’ was a blessed figure and therefore a better one. Men still made up most of the Azuchi Clan Warriors, with the bar of entry for women being quite high to ensure that they maintained a potent reputation befitting the Azuchi.
Azuchi’s Favoured Decree (New Era, Year 0)
A major event for the Azuchi clan was the second Heavenly Decree, by the then Emperor Shizu, who took as his Azuchi bride Shinohara some years earlier. This decree recognised the 14th Banners as the Royal Regiment, and permitted the use of the moniker ‘Great’. The advancement in the standing of the Azuchi military solidified them as the most prominent family in the Dynasty, true earth movers with the greatest reach.
Empress Akamatsu, New Era 81 - 90
Akamatsu became the clan leader of the Azuchi 14 years prior. Her ascension was the result of embodying the essence of the Three Maidens wholly, officially speaking, making her exceptionally talented like the Clan Matriarchs before her. Although, in the true fashion of the Azuchi, political manoeuvring shone through the display of other talents.
Over the coming years, she built up her power base and strengthened the trust between her and the current Emperor, all the while gifting more power to the Azuchi and those loyal to her from the Dynasty. The true reach of her influence was felt when the Emperor was suddenly stricken with an unshakeable malaise that proved fatal. His heir was only 6 years old, and she was selected to be Regent.
As Regent, she presided over a turbulent time. The lands of the Dynasty were restless with banditry, disobedient lords and scattered popular revolts. Much of these problems were claimed to be caused by a population boom of the past two decades now clashing harshly against the the agricultural output of the nation. The Dynasty had been ill-prepared to suffer consecutively low-yield harvests.
Akamatsu pointed the finger at a few influential rivals, levying the claim that they were harbouring food instead of distributing it. Those accused denied the claim, and instead criticised the situation on the Regent's mismanagement of the country. This criticism was met with uproar from the Azuchi who found the accusation sacrilegious.
The turmoil came ahead some days after the Heir’s 10th birthday. The celebration was hosted in the capital, with many nobles in attendance and bringing gifts to their future ruler. One of these gifts was delights from Sasanshahr, brought to the Heir who took a great liking to them. It is said that he was so engrossed in the sweet, that he gorged on them for two days and three nights. He did not live to gorge on them on the third day, he was found dead, poisoned in his room in the early morning. A tray of those sweets lay open near him.
With the Heir dead, Akamatsu acted swiftly to call forth the 14th Great Banners and begin the greatest purge the country has ever witnessed. Accusing her political rivals of assassination, and demanding they come to the capital to stand trial. The 14th Great Banners, the White Suns, were merciless in their pursuit of the traitor nobles. All those that failed to surrender for trial, were summarily executed.
The war raged for nearly two years, and the claims against the ‘rebelling’ nobles only mounted. Various atrocities, one after another, became widespread rumours as support for the enemies of the regent dwindled. Those who were firm in their opposition were caught between the sea to the east, and the Azuchi to their west. Instead of standing down, they embarked on one of the greatest exoduss’ in history.
The Fleet of Ten-Thousand Souls has become the single greatest insult to Akamatsu during the war. The fleet was composed of a great many ships, many of them merchant ships that could handle the harshness of the seas and not an insignificant number were less prepared. To the advantage of the Rebels, they controlled most of the military ports and so too did they control the Dynasty’s navy. Using these ships and more, they transported entire villages and towns across the ocean and to Awenasa.
The Azuchi Navy was too small to truly combat the behemoth of a fleet that was trying to escape them. However, this did not prevent them from trying. They harried the fleet as much as they could and as far as they could, chipping away at the survivors before they escaped.
After the ‘victory’ over the rebels, Akamatsu ascended to the throne of the Dynasty and took the title of Empress. Ushering the Azuchi Clan onto the global stage with her first decree being to hunt down the enemies of the Dynasty who have fled justice.
"The men stand ready!"
- Hatamoto Hirata Kuninobu
Azuchi:
Civilization & Politics
Despite their humble beginnings, the Azuchi have inherited the Dynasty's affection for the great, grand and beautiful possibilities. Mixing the two cultures and the eminence of the Three Maidens led to a boom within the clan's homeland for technological innovation and economic growth.
In more recent decades, the advancement of the Empire and the Azuchi has been plagued by strife and turmoil that has slowed progress greatly. With the rise of the Empress, the outlook on the future of the common populace is once more positive. This sentiment is not wholly shared by the people of the Setsan Dynasty under the new rule.
Politically, the Azuchi Dynasty is ruled by the Taihou, the Empress, and her appointed Regional Governors who must balance their duty to the Empress with the management of the hereditary nobility that reside within their respective regions.
Noble Titles
Taihou
The Empress, once only the Emperor’s spouse, is the Supreme Ruler of the Dynasty, for lack of a male heir and Emperor. In recent times, the Azuchi have begun to refer to the title as ‘Kotei’, a term more common in their homeland.
Chuanren / Kotaishi
The royal heir to both the Dynasty and the Azuchi, this position is occupied by the Empress’ first child, Yuko. Not only is she the legitimate, hereditary heir, but she is also the preferred heir of the Taihou.
Fuyin - Regional Governors
A Prefect of the Dynasty, the noble aspect of the Dynasty’s bureaucracy. The Fuyin are Lords appointed to govern entire regions, rather than inheriting them through their family. As such, one may be a Fuyin multiple times in their life as they drift in and out of Imperial favour.
Daimyo (Azuchi) / Hou (Dynasty)
The highest title a Lord or Lady can rise to through inheritance, the strength of the Daimyo’s fluctuate heavily from noble to noble. Some rise high and are appointed as Fuyin, governing large provinces on behalf of the Empire. Others are much weaker, possessing a handful of large towns, only able to raise a host of several hundred men.
Hatamoto
A Hatamoto is a Lord who has had the grace of a Daimyo bestowed upon them. A high honour, it is often accompanied with significant rights, but weighty obligations of service.
Shujin / Tono
The Shujin’s are the most common nobles. In charge of several small villages, or a town, they are, more often than not, a vassal of a Daimyo. To become a Shujin is a great honour, and very rare, as they often hold these titles for decades, if not centuries, through their dynasty. Tono is used to refer to the children of a Shujin, who are often respected as much as their parents.
Kensai
A Kensai, or sword saint, is one of the highest honours a Samurai can receive. A majority of those given the title Kensai serve, or have served, within the 14th Banners, though it is rare to find them outside of the Azuchi’s armies.
Samurai
The Samurai are the Azuchi’s warrior class, fighters that choose to become a part of a Shujin, Hatamoto or Daimyo’s retinue, or travel from place to place, taking on work from those who can convince them, or pay them, to help. Samurai are prohibited from owning land, or taking on any responsibility not given to them by their liege-lord.
Inherited from the Setsen Dynasty, the Banners are a system of regional armies that owe their loyalty to the throne but are provided for by the various regional governors. In some circumstances, governors may be ‘honoured’ to house more than one of the banners within their territory.
They act primarily as a deterrent to uprisings from the regional governors or the hereditary lords of the realm. It is not uncommon for them to act on behalf of governors to deal with problems of banditry, peasant revolts or dealing with rebels and traitors.
During the civil war, five of the Banners sided with the rebel forces and prolonged the fighting. These five have had their honours stricken and have been disbanded.
The Banners
"A well tended garden is a sign of well tended character."
- Akimoto Norimasa, Azuchi Imperial Gardener
Azuchi:
Faith
Before the importance of the Three Maidens emerged in Azuchi culture, the clan followed the Divine Court. As the Three Maidens became collectively seen as the ‘common ancestors’ to all Azuchi, most families now revere them and other select ancestors of their lineage. In general, their ancestor worship frequently involves the careful cultivation of a shrine (typically involving a sand garden or a bonsai tree), and the occasional burning of wooden or parchment gifts, which are styled, whittled, or folded in the image of something that would’ve been significant to the deceased.
The Azuchi faith also is tied to a unified belief in the future, according to accepted Canon, the Azuchi Maidens each had a vision independent of one another but of the same kind. Within this vision, the white sun high in the sky had its core turned black, but with that core white again emerged.
While many meanings have been attributed to the vision, the most prominent is the belief of rebirth. The outer white idealises the mythos of history, of Azuchi tranquillity and its homeland. The black core that formed represents the changing tone, mood and people of the Azuchi into a strong uniformed constant. The white that then penetrates the blackness from within is seen as the true and eventual rebirth. Many believe this to mean the reincarnation of the Three Maidens, others believe it to mean the Azuchi themselves.
Kana, The Ever-Graceful, is the model noble woman that many Azuchi Daughters aspire to be like. She embodies all of the virtues the clan uses to describe the perfect woman. Both men and women often invoke her for a tranquil home and good family fortunes.
She plays a significant role in the traditional Azuchi marriages where a statue of her will be present to ‘watch over’ the festivities and be sought for blessings for the union. She is associated with tsubaki as a symbol; delicate flowers with dozens of almost mathematically arranged petals - they are so perfect, and so layered, that they have become an optimistic allegory of marriage. As they often come in pinks and reds, these are common colours for a bridal party.
In tranquil gardens and homes, people are known to meditate as a method of communicating with their ancestors, and Kana has become directly associated with how successful a space may be for aiding in that level of peace or zen. It is said that she had a grand Torii built at the entrance of her home, creating a boundary, a threshold between the mundane and the holy - this practice is adored by the nobility, and often the poorest homes carve her name and images of tsubaki into their humble entries.
Hikari, The Skilled Hands, has become a broad icon in the realm of craftsmanship and art. Aesthetic beauty for homes and gardens has become an idle manner of worship, as is the practice itself of creation. Previously, homes in the Dynasty were often quite bare in style, with rooms empty, and whilst that continues in a general preference of keeping floor spaces quite clear, there are now many trends for decoration within the home.
Preservation and beautification of shrines, gardens and workshops with gilded, exquisite details are commonly dedicated to Her. A particular practice, though somewhat modern, is that particularly dedicated artists may keep a canvas that they frequently add to and change over the years of their lives in prayer.
Rather than literally spoken prayers that are rehearsed or widespread, custom poetry is a substitute; favoured at events, funerals and even day-to-day. This goes hand-in-hand with the study of calligraphy. Overall, Hikari is worshipped via dedicated crafting and adoration of one’s creative hobbies.
One of the most repeated symbols in Azuchi artwork is that of the snake; they are considered complex, and artists have proven that there are thousands of ways to represent them. From the colours in their scales to the shapes their bodies can be arranged into. The reason for this point of inspiration is Kurome, Hikari’s pet serpent.
Raiko, The Challenger, has had her reputation moulded slightly as a rebel due to the prevailing norms of the Dynasty before Azuchi ascendancy. Although she still takes on this moniker, the clan has a more flattering image of her as The Challenger.
Raiko is invoked most often on the fields of battle, where steel clashes against steel and blood are expected to be shed. A tradition born out of the military to beseech her favour before going to war is the Totama. The Totama is observed the day before going to war, it is where the warriors cleanse their bodies and souls through a herb-infused bath. The washing in this ritual is methodical and must be done in certain steps to clean the body and expose the soul for purification.
Though she was not a smith, she has become particularly revered by them. It is said that her blades were tempered only in the water of a specific natural hot spring in Bandokoro - since then, this has become a royally protected location, where the most prestigious of weaponsmiths are permitted pilgrimage. Many prepare for what will be their life’s most important work and finish it on this mountain, during a three-month period that they are allowed solitude with the pools.
Divine Court
Beyond these Three, some still maintain the old faith, the Divine Court which once formed the solid base of the clan. The remaining followers of the ‘Old Ways’ face constant obstacles and roadblocks from their kin who follow the New Ways. They are often looked over and disregarded because of their faith, and the lucky few can sometimes find a Daimyo who looks past their misgivings and utilises their skill.
The followers know the court by the following names:
Lysander - Ojin
Corinna - Mitsuko
Dion - Taketora
Cyril - Kanezawa
Sophia - Nozomi
Eulalia - Tomoko
Nicodemus - Takumi
Hypatia - Waka
Amborse - Nohara
Hillarion - Doke
Pelagia - Ruri
Kallisto - Tome
Myron -Takeo
"Do you think she takes after Kana or Hikari?"
- Parents would often compare their daughters to the Three Maidens
Azuchi:
Norms & Culture
The Homeland
The Homeland of the Azuchi is a hilly landscape with luscious arable fields and thick forests. It owes much of its seclusion to the mountains that surround its lands and the rivers that form natural barriers to outside interference.
Although there are various settlements that fit the technical requirements to be a city of the Dynasty bureaucracy of the Azuchi lands, there is only one true city. Ryozen has been the capital of the clan for centuries and in that time has only ever developed and expanded as it drew favours from the Setsen Dynasty by the influence of its Daughters. It currently acts as the seat of the Imperial Power of the Azuchi Dynasty.
The White Sun Samurai
Formed from the various well-armed and well-trained retainers among the subservient clans loyal to the Azuchi, the Samurai first came into being to standardise the training and professionalism of these forces. After their lands came under siege from a great number of barbarians from the ‘Bandit Kingdoms’ to the west, it became clear that the differences in quality of these troops were detrimental to the security of the realm. This was a time when the retainers, known as Samurai, had developed their martial tradition through years of fighting against banditry and violence was common.
In recent times, with the rise of the Maidens and the Dynasty as a whole, an increasing number of these swordsmen have in fact been swordswomen, those that deign to follow the path burned by Raiko. As a whole, this class of fighters fulfils various, acceptable roles within a society. The policing of a noble’s estate and demesne, repelling bandits and border raids, and other tasks in which a swordsmen without a lord might excel in. It has been known, however, for these warriors to turn to more unacceptable practices, such as extortion and the one thing they were created to destroy: Banditry.
The White-Suns eventually were lifted to the status of a Great Banner Regiment, and their training and professionalism were greatened to make them the most well-respected army among all of the banner regiments. Often being used as a means of intimidation or to truly defeat an enemy without reprieve by the Setsen Dynasty. - To join the Regiment is considered one of the highest honours a Samurai can attain. Although many seek the appointment, the vast majority never receive the red letter with the black seal bearing the crest of Azuchi.
Marriage, Social Status & Sexuality
Marriage to the Azuchi is important, and the union between a woman and a man is not just a mere event in the two individuals' lives but a great celebration that often comes with various displays, acts and a feast to boot. The wealthier the family, the greater the celebration. Often with the more known nobility, they will partake in a contest for the grandest host for weddings.
Such unions in Azuchi society are only permitted between women and men.
Socially, the status of women and men is similar though there is a distinct preference for women in areas of Rulership and management. The military arm of the Azuchi is, however, dominated by men.
Orientation and preferences among the Azuchi are kept a secret as openly showing affection for anyone is often considered rude and weak-willed. All displays of affection and desire are to be kept in private.
When it comes to non-standard relationships, they cannot be official nor can they replace the duty of marriage, but they can be expressed in private and maintained as a life-long commitment besides their husband or wife. In general, having sex for both health and enjoyment is accepted so long as it does not interfere with someone's charge, duty, or honour.
"Honour my lord, honour my family."
- A common mantra of Azuchi warriors
Azuchi:
Reputation & Interactions
The Azuchi have had little impact on the world outside of the Dynasty, with only some interaction with traders from Marakand and Sasan. While most of their fighting has been against loyalists to the Setsent Dynasty, the Bandit Kingdoms of the West or other rebellious forces within Shenzhou they have not had the station to establish many formal arrangements outside of their homeland.
Eager to trade with the lands of Shenzhou, the Great Powers of Atlan and Persos have all vied for open ports and ease of exchange of goods and money. All seeking to partake in the riches of Shenzhou.
With Humans
The Azuchi are honour-bound to hunt down and bring to justice any of the remnant rebels who fled the country after the assassination of the Heir. To this end, they had followed the sailed path to Awenasa to bring justice upon them.
The clan on the other hand has little interaction with many outside forces beyond Sasnshahr with which it is a trading partner by standing tradition. Though the clan is courting the interests of other powers to further boost its new rule.
With Amura
Azuchi like the Amura, though it takes a strange form. They regard the people of Amu-Tep as aesthetically pleasing; like a gilded human, blessed by the favour of Hikari. Though they don’t particularly enjoy the Amuran style of dress or architecture, their physical forms are quite embraced and they are regarded as suitably civilised.
In very recent years, the few Amura that cross the seas have often ended up as courtesans across Azuchi territory. It is yet to be revealed how many of those may be serpentine spies. When speaking with Amura, they are typically given the prefix of Kurome, e.g., Kurome-Keket, which tonally conveys a meaning similar to ‘Lovely Foreigner,’ but literally means Black-Eyed.
With Elves
The exposure to the Elves is minimal at best. Though the first interactions have seen some hostility from Elves of House Daramos, there has been little to cause further strife.
With Dwarves
Most Custodes will have never heard of the Azuchi before, let alone ever met one. Their interactions to come will decide the fate of relations.
The Ancient Dwarves on the other hand have been welcoming to the new arrivals, including the Remnants. Although this has caused some problems among the groups, the Dwarves are not a wise enemy to gain. So the Azuchi do their best to avoid confrontations.
With Banen’Rhûn
With the Azuchi being a relatively new arrival to Awenasa, they have not had the pleasure or displeasure of interacting with the Banen’Rhun.
With Turak
Too few interactions between the group exist for a proper opinion to form on either side of the aisle.
Author: Hokan
Contributions by: Oakbug & Afric
Page Created by: Hokan