Information Thread

[Alligot]

This thread will be dedicated for topics relating to the factions, events, and other such things that someone might need to know!

[Alligot]

The Yakuza

The Yakuza itself is not one whole gang, it is a collection of multiple families, groups, and smaller gangs that operate under a singular leadership. It's name is derived from the worst possible hand in Oichu-kabu, a blackjack-like game played in many illegal gambling dens in the Edo period.

It's membership includes many different demographics from many different classes. The Tekiya, (Peddlers/Street merchants) Bakuto, (Those involved with illegal gambling) and Machi-Yakko ('City servant', honorable Ronin who still abide by Bushido and often fought against the more brutish Kabuki-mono) were the first three types of Yakuza members. The Tekiya banded together to protect their stalls, Bakuto corresponded to avoid legal pursuit and to track debts, and the Machi-Yakko provided services and protection to both in exchange for other forms of aid. Eventually, the Yakuza started to accept anyone, no matter your class, your country of origin, or whether or not you were human. They took on the guise of looking for the downtrodden and the misfits in their rapidly-changing society, and their numbers exploded.

Loyalty and family ties are strong in the Yakuza, more so than many other gangs or organizations, and is based on a hierarchy structure. The leader of the Yakuza is often referred to as the Oyabun (Father/Boss). Beneath the Oyabun are the Wakashu (Children) and Kyodai or Shimai (Brothers, Sisters). Also beneath the Oyabun is the Saiko-komon, an adviser that sits out of the established hierarchy and typically handles more domestic matters such as accounting, (legal) business, as well as dealing with stock and supplies.

The Oyabun has a lieutenant, Waka gashira. Though there are others who are higher in rank, the Waka gashira is in theory the second in command, and directs most if not all "Children". There is also the Shatei gashira, who helps the Oyabun direct the higher ranking "Brothers", but despite being of higher rank themselves than the Waka gashira, they hold less actual authority.

The Oyabun runs their own portion of the Yakuza, with the Waka gashira and Wakashu reporting directly to them. Kyodai, the "Brothers", often run other, smaller portions, likely in different cities. The Kyodai's subordinates are referred to as Shatei, or "Younger Brothers", and answer only to their respective Kyodai or Shimai. Yet, even for them, the Oyabun's word is law.

Some Children might even govern over their own smaller sub-gangs or groups, with their own similar hierarchies.

The Yakuza operates with a principle that those above protect those below them. It is the Oyabun's personal responsibility to protect his Brothers and Children, and it is the Kyodai's responsibility to protect their younger brothers, and so on. If a subordinate is hurt, injured, or otherwise shamed, it falls to the role of their boss to help them or to gain revenge, otherwise they've failed in their role. Likewise, it's the responsibility of the Children to obey their bosses without question, and to protect their own subordinates.

Many members in the Yakuza are known for having beautiful, complex tattoos that sometimes cover their entire body. Known as Irezumi, these tattoos are a show of strength of endurance, as the process is incredibly painful and can take hundreds of hours. In addition, some members are often seen missing segments of their pinky finger. This practice is a form of penance known as Yubitsume, or finger-severing. When a member commits a severely dire offense against their boss or the Yakuza as a whole, they are required to sever the tip of their finger in order to weaken their sword grip, making them more dependent upon the 'family' for protection. Of course, even though it's a severe punishment, it does not allow for just any crime to be forgiven.

[Alligot]

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[Pandora's Melancholy]

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Not much is known about these beings who have been exalted in a pedestal of godhood and immortality. Their very existence represented the various evolution of the world and through them, the knowledge of fate was known as a mere whim unchallenged and beyond that of any understanding – at times, even the yōkai have no idea of their own limits which only furthers the mystery which allures men of all stature, no exceptions.

There are indeed various kinds of yōkai written across the olden scrolls of yore. They all command elements which comprises that of the world in which no human could do. The well-known are that of the Oni, ferocious beasts with unparalleled strength that have the taste for human flesh, Kitsune known for their tricks and deceptive lores, Tengus who are harbingers of misfortune and command horrendous gust of wind, Kappas who inhabit rivers that drown men to its depth, and so on... Each unique from one another, have their own customs, leading to a belief they were a civilization of different proportions. Therefore, they were feared for their reputation, but all of them complete a circle of balance they hoped never to be broken, which is maintained by mutual respect.

Humanity embraced their presence much like that of a wind that gives life yet can also bring scornful vengeance If taken for granted. To mortals, they were the explanation of many natural occurrences that the mere human mind could not comprehend. And because of that, a coexistence existed between them and the humans, during those times, harnessed a delicate bond composed of fervent belief, respect, fear, and a keen sense of friendship. This created an era of fantasy and mythical proportions centered in the ideology of ancient spirits and demons.

Yet, there is as they say… things are meant to END.

Time moved on which provided many doors for men to develop a separate identity apart from such mystifying lore. This lead for yōkai to be seen as a threat to a new world order founded by the Tokugawa lineage. They made sure that many memories of old Japan were wiped clean. They had established nationwide yōkai hunts through the pretense of eradicating the darkness known as yōkai that firmly guides this country to destruction. For them, these ancient spirits were reminders of a crude, barbaric, primitive Japan, and like many other relics of the past, they had to be dealt with in the most efficient manner, elimination.

Their numbers from the beginning were never very high which gave them the nature of transient beings. This violent campaign against them proved that their time has ended. And despite being known for immortality and agelessness, they are still vulnerable to the curse of death, especially when their weaknesses are exploited. Through this, the Tokugawa further the idea that they are not gods for they bleed like humans, they are nothing more but abominations. The hunts intensified through the span of thirty years, their numbers plummeted dangerously. Others of their kind who seek to continue their lineage had allowed themselves to create taboo children with the humans who offered affection and mercy instead of disdain and outright hatred towards them. There was even a small hope that these children of two worlds would serve as a bridge for coexistence and harmony of past and future.

These are the Hanyō - offspring of a yōkai and a human parent, Unlike their full-blooded predecessors, they are more human in physiology, they may inherit certain features of their yōkai parent like a tail, ears, and so forth, but never all. Their aging process are more similar to yōkai, but their lifespan are shorter, though inevitably longer than that of a human. They are also prone to lose their mind to the inherent bestial trait present in all yōkai, which made them unpredictable and a danger. Their strength and abilities are weaker than those of their yōkai parent, but they are stronger still than humans. Though, the weaknesses of their yōkai parent is either non-existent or halved, making them stronger in that aspect. This was viewed as more treacherous than the existence of yōkai by the Tokugawa as this was a clear betrayal to the human kind. That is why they are hunted more ferociously to the point of obscurity and death, for they were heresies.

There was no doubt the hunts did their purpose. These fabled creatures are nothing more than a myth, so they officially say. Still there are those who cling to life stubbornly, they existed by assimilating themselves to the current human society. Hiding their features, living in the shadows, isolating themselves, limiting their mythical abilities as not to rouse suspicion which would most certainly lead to their extinction.

Of course, this would lead to quite a round of rumors for those who are not careful or simply had enough with the principle of living in fear. One very popular is the whispers about yōkai openly working with the Yakuza...

But half of what everyone knows about that gang is covered in a fog of blurry facts and crafted lies. In short, they are stories created to strike panic and fear to bad children. That is what is officially said.

However, we do know that somewhere in between, there is the absolute truth.

[Pandora's Melancholy]

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To make way for peace, there will always be the chaos and the violence behind it to make it so fragile, so true and so beautiful. As such, a certain group was created to ensure the pristine glory and the order be maintained at all times. They were given the privilege to wield their swords as a means to right the wrongs and the blunders against the Emperor. This said group is composed of 250 rōnin gathered under the Tokugawa with the purpose of being in the service of the Emperor. They are officially known as a personal army of guards who will serve to protect the Emperor and his family from all threats in his seat of power in Kyoto.

As to how they were recruited, it was either simple or complicated but the origin is same for more which started upon the unification of the lands. Many samurai had become rōnin. It was because their previous lords had been disposed either by banishment or execution. Others had chosen to leave their masters in honor of their bushido. Whatever may the reason be, they were now without patronage and purpose. This was such a waste as most of these rōnin were known to be the best of their craft. It would be a shame to have their blades be blunted or be exchanged to live as farmers or common folks. This was seen as an opportunity by the Tokugawa even more so when another kind of darkness seeped through the land in the form of the Yakuza.

The Tokugawa gave them a new purpose, each may have different reasons to join, yet in the end, they hold true to their own code of honor as a samurai. Of course, there is but a fine print in this service of theirs. They are expendable and would operate in secrecy and be covered in black smoke. This is to ensure that the Emperor would not be accountable for their actions if it would ever come to light for they are permitted to conduct all manners, even if it is brutal or cruel in order to quell any chaos. They operate beyond the perceived law. All of these are in regards to their true purpose, to be the dark hand of justice. With such precipice, they are sanctioned by the Emperor and to ensure that this group would abide by that directive, a commander was detailed to lead this army of rōnin which would be known as the Rōshigumi.

Under this commander, two vice-commanders were chosen from the army itself, These three individuals serve as the primary leaders of the group. They make the major decisions and strategies to be implemented against the enemies of their Lord. There uneven numbers help in the votation if there are complicated situations. It is in these cases that the vice-commanders could even undermine the ruling of the commander, but there is also a special power given to the commander to ignore the winning vote if needed, but this could only be done once. They are also the ones in-charge of making sure their code of honor are followed, even if they are a brutal group, they still adhere to a strict code. Such procedures in leadership ensure the actions undertaken are coherent and reasonable even if their means are at times questionable at best.

Besides the commanders, there are also another set of leaders under them which also came from the group. These would be the captains which command the twelve units which composes the Rōshigumi. These twelve captains are given the freedom of choosing their men, conducting sparring matches to determine this and even creating their own set of rules within their unit provided it would be in relation to their group's code. They also have vice-captains that assists the captain in their duties. These units are the ones mainly doing the patrols around the streets of Kyoto. Each unit is simply named by ordinal. (First, Second, Third, and etc.) Being named the First Unit doesn't mean they're the best, this still depends on their achievements.

Within the Rōshigumi, competition is encouraged to develop the skills of each individual. These are prevalent between the twelve units and even among the captains and vice-captains.These ranges to athletic events, sparring matches, missions accomplished and so on. A simple soldier in rank could even aspire for a higher position if able to defeat any of the officers by issuing a proper challenge of course. They based everything by merit and skill. But, they are also harsh to any misconduct which leads for any of their members to commit seppuku if they broke the code or became a deserter, as an honor of a samurai is hold the highest.

But even with such commitment, it is without a doubt that the Rōshigumi are viewed by nobly samurais with disdain and clear distrust, believing that being rōnin had already depicted them as people who have already fallen, those without morals and a collection of madness. That's why it is always said that they should not be entrusted with the safety of the capital, but they are dedicated of proving those people that they are wrong in that useless assumptions whether by brute force or not.