The Tsume and Katogama Vassal Families
The Tsume Vassal Family
The Tsume family was founded by Doji Kigura, a simple ji-samurai and lowly courtier. He was brought to the home of his lord to participate in Winter court. Kigura was a humble man whom most thought harmless, but when a rival Bayushi’s plot threatened to ruin his lord, Kigura stepped forth and showed a mind as sharp and deadly as a katana. Using subtle manipulation Kigura tore apart the Bayushi’s complex web of lies and exposed the Scorpion plot.
In return for his service, Kigura’s lord partitioned a small parcel of land to the young samurai. “Tsume” (the ‘Talon’) Kigura built a small stronghold in the Kintani Valley and attracted a small body of samurai to his lands. His family shared the valley with the Lion and the Phoenix in peace for two generations, but more recent events have threatened it.
The Katogama Family
Nearly eight hundred years ago, the Crane suffered its first major war and with it the greatest betrayal they have ever had to endure. The Yasuki split and the resulting conflict with the Crab left the Crane with few fond memories of their former brethren. Even more importantly, it left them wary of betrayal within their own clan.
Three hundred years later, as the Bloodspeaker Iuchiban rose to power and threatened the Empire with his dark magics, the Crane felt the sting of betrala again. Iuchiban’s chief lieutenant was a prominent Asahina, and had turned his peaceful family’s mastery of Tsangusuri toward crafing the terrible Bloodswords. Doji Hejiko, the Crane Champion, took it upon herself to destroy the traitor. The Asahina was punished for his transgressions and Iuchiban’s forces were thrown down, but the ripples of Yajinden’s betrayal spread throughout the clan. If even a sworn pacifist like an Asahina could assault the Empire without the Crane Champion’s knowledge, did she truly deserve to lead?
Hejiko considered this question for years until she finally came to a difficult decision. She called in two of her greatest retainers – men that had aided in apprehending Yajinden – and shared her quandary. Hejiko informed the two that she intended to create a safeguard within the clan in an attempt to find all potential traitors to the Crane. Doji Katomara, the older of her two retainers spoke up and told his lord that this action would cause turmoil within the clan. The second retainer, a magistrate named Doji Machigama, agreed and offered up a different solution.
By the night’s end, Hejiko had declared the two retainers to be the daimyo and master sensei of a new vassal family. Officially, their duty called for them to journey through the numerous Crane provinces keeping the peace, monitoring troubled areas and reporting back to the Champion. Unofficially, they were to train ji-samurai to become effective spies loyal only to the vassal lords and the current Crane Champion. Thus were the Katogama born.
The Tsume family was founded by Doji Kigura, a simple ji-samurai and lowly courtier. He was brought to the home of his lord to participate in Winter court. Kigura was a humble man whom most thought harmless, but when a rival Bayushi’s plot threatened to ruin his lord, Kigura stepped forth and showed a mind as sharp and deadly as a katana. Using subtle manipulation Kigura tore apart the Bayushi’s complex web of lies and exposed the Scorpion plot.
In return for his service, Kigura’s lord partitioned a small parcel of land to the young samurai. “Tsume” (the ‘Talon’) Kigura built a small stronghold in the Kintani Valley and attracted a small body of samurai to his lands. His family shared the valley with the Lion and the Phoenix in peace for two generations, but more recent events have threatened it.
The Katogama Family
Nearly eight hundred years ago, the Crane suffered its first major war and with it the greatest betrayal they have ever had to endure. The Yasuki split and the resulting conflict with the Crab left the Crane with few fond memories of their former brethren. Even more importantly, it left them wary of betrayal within their own clan.
Three hundred years later, as the Bloodspeaker Iuchiban rose to power and threatened the Empire with his dark magics, the Crane felt the sting of betrala again. Iuchiban’s chief lieutenant was a prominent Asahina, and had turned his peaceful family’s mastery of Tsangusuri toward crafing the terrible Bloodswords. Doji Hejiko, the Crane Champion, took it upon herself to destroy the traitor. The Asahina was punished for his transgressions and Iuchiban’s forces were thrown down, but the ripples of Yajinden’s betrayal spread throughout the clan. If even a sworn pacifist like an Asahina could assault the Empire without the Crane Champion’s knowledge, did she truly deserve to lead?
Hejiko considered this question for years until she finally came to a difficult decision. She called in two of her greatest retainers – men that had aided in apprehending Yajinden – and shared her quandary. Hejiko informed the two that she intended to create a safeguard within the clan in an attempt to find all potential traitors to the Crane. Doji Katomara, the older of her two retainers spoke up and told his lord that this action would cause turmoil within the clan. The second retainer, a magistrate named Doji Machigama, agreed and offered up a different solution.
By the night’s end, Hejiko had declared the two retainers to be the daimyo and master sensei of a new vassal family. Officially, their duty called for them to journey through the numerous Crane provinces keeping the peace, monitoring troubled areas and reporting back to the Champion. Unofficially, they were to train ji-samurai to become effective spies loyal only to the vassal lords and the current Crane Champion. Thus were the Katogama born.
