The Kyudoka
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Contents |
About
Of all the divisons under the Daimyo's rule in The Bujin'Kai, the Kyudoka quite possibly enjoy themselves more than either the Kenjutsuka or the Yarido.
When not smoking nightshade, eating fine foods or appraising the local women, the Kyudoka are often sleeping, relaxing or researching some ancient (but interesting) lore, for many Kyudoka love the art of story telling (or "Lying" as jealous listeners would say). Some call them lazy, but they usually dismiss this with a wave of their hand and a smug grin.
Many Kyudoka enjoy art in it's many forms; music, painting, poetry and dance, and those who do not often claim to do so merely in order to ask some attractive woman (or man) to pose while they paint them.
Most Kyudoka consider their profession an art rather than a skill and, although mostly men of leisure, enjoy testing their skills with the Kyudo.
Before the battle, the Kyudoka help and order the Ashigaru, Doshin and Bushika to make the famous "Kyudoka outposts", in which they conceal themselves, ready to fire on any they are ordered to.
In battle, the Kyudoka work in tightly knitted groups, supporting the front line and taking down even the strongest of foes with endless vollies from their yumis.
After battle the Kyudoka, victorious as always (or so their stories tell) often return to their nightshade and/or tell anyone who will listen (especially the women) how great they were in battle.
Of course not all Kyudoka are like this and for some the only bond with others is their respect for the Kyudo. This deosn't bother the other Kyudoka, partly because they are glad of any company, and partly because nightshade smooths over many differences...
Uniform
- White Shirt (Rumour has it that the division Teisho will hand out a special green shirt to those who complete their training).
- Black Skirt
- Red Bandana
- Brown Sandles
- Dull Copper Chainmail Tunic/Studded Leather Tunic (Dyed Dull Copper)
- Dull Copper Chainmail Leggings/Studded Leather Leggings (Dyed Dull Copper)
- Dull Copper Platemail Sleeves
- Dull Copper Ringmail Gloves/Studded Leather Gloves (Dyed Dull Copper)
- Dull Copper Platemail Gorget
- Dull Copper Norse Helmet
History
Since the time the first warriors emerged in history the Yumi (bow) has been used on many ocation, from hunting to war. Although not as flashy as the practitioners of the kenjutsu or yarido, it always has had it's share of followers. Till the battle at Mujamori the bow was seen as a second weapon.
Long long ago on a hill overlooking the plains of Mujamori a group of 100 warriors where orderd to delay an army of undead for as long as they could. Aa rival daimyo had ordered his monks to raise an undead army from the grave; and ten thousand were now ravaging the lands, quickly working their way towards the capital. The attack, by an army that would require nor rest nor suplies, surprised the first lines of defense, which where quickly overrun.
To give the Shogun a chance to rally all his men a group of warriors who where all trained in kyudo, were placed at the top of a hill overlooking the Mujamori plains to try to hold them off as long as they could. As the enemy marched on towards the hill the warriors rained arrows on their ranks, if each arrow had been a drop of rain the plains would have changed to a lake. The bodies of hundreds of undead lay all over the ground, but still they advanced. As their arrows ran out each of them grabed there ken. One hundred wakizashi and katanas reflecting the light of the sun transformed the crest of the hill into briliant beacon of light. Then as if the kami had wispered it into there ears they all yelled there battlecry and stormed down the hill into the enemy ranks.
A few weeks later the Shogun visited the site of the battle. After having defeated the undead army he received reports of eye withnesses of the battle at the plains of Mujamori. When he reached the top of the hill he looked down upon the fields below and saw there over two thousand fallen foes scattered everywhere. He orderd that all the all the bodies of the warriors should be recovered and given a proper warriors burial.
Those 100 brave warriors had shown how efective an yumi can be in battle when used right. Because of this the Shogun ordered the creation of a new division in his dokoro, "The Kyudoka".
Members
- Fujiwara Jutaro
- Ishikawa
- Ito Ittosai
- Jerrichu Katsuteru
- Jinmu Nigosama
- Kogaratsu
- Saigo Katsura
- Waotaka Usami
- Yunosuke Sonada
Initiations
To become a Kyudoka a Bushika must complete their initiations. These are set by the highest ranking Kyudoka and can only be given when the Daimyo had decreed that they are ready.
The initiations consist of many small or large tasks, such as leading a hunt, creating an event, dueling, collecting resources or even something as trival as learning to whistle a tune (and the Kyudoka, whimsical as they are, will often do such a thing).
There is no time limit on the initiations and the Kyudoka will be more impressed by the style with which the Bushika completes their tasks, rather than the time taken.
Any bushika wishing to join the Kyudoka will (needless to say) have the full support of the entire divison and should take good advantage of this during the initiations.
Sash Quests
Following the fall of the legendary bowman Atoi Nogiyama, his bows were scattered. To become a fully fledged Kyudoka, one must track down one of his 49 bows.
This is no easy task, many perils will be along the road and some may fail. Gaining hold of one often involves skill, cunning and outright strength.
Some will fail, and some will succeed, yet all must try.
Unlike the other divisons, the Kyudoka are not as secretive about their sash quests, but should any other divison in the Bujin'Kai get hold of one of the bows they will use all their cunning, guile and as a last resort brute strength to recover the legendary bow.
For the final part of the sash quest, the Kyudoka must research a 'favoured karaminta'. This task would be explained in private.
Responsibilities in Nihon
Contrary to their dedication to the "way of the bow" these men also greatly enjoy life. They like a good cup of sake, and some good nighshade... and like to experiment with growing new breeds of them. They like to tell wild stories of their deeds, often exaggerating a little, particularly after a few cups of sake or a good bit of nightshade. Their dedication to their jutsu is shown in the care they for the yumi and willingness to teach others to shoot. (And their willingness to shoot others).
Responsibilities in Battle
The Kyudoka are the support unit of the dokoro, and although they can stand on there own in a fight they prefer to work in teams and in combination with the other divisions of the dokoro. Although gaining personal honor is important to them (and of course for bragging rights) they will usually not let that take preference, working for the greater good.
Ocasionally the Kyudoka will ignite their ammunition to create the "flaming arrow" and fire it amidst the enemy strongholds. These flaming arrows tend to create fear within the enemy and cause them to flee and scatter, a further use for the flaming arrow is to fire it where an enemy is thought to have been hiding. The arrow soon ignites the surrounding cover, flushing the cowardly out, and making them vulnerable for the kill.
Common Traits
The Kyudoka are arguably the quietest and the calmest of the Clan's divisions. It is true they seek honour and glory in battle, however, they prefer small skirmishes as opposed to full out battles. The Kyudoka can be considered subdued and watchful due to this, and have slowly picked up the characteristic of keeping themselves to themselves. In taverns they drink in far corners with their own division, speaking quietly of tactics in battle and often complaining of the noise from the drunked Kenjutsuka. At least until a particularly good looking woman appears. Kyudoka are swift to shed their armour once in the haven of Nihon, and they will often walk around the village taking in the beautiful surroundings, the bamboo forests and the crashing ocean waves. They will spend much time in the village houses, smoking nightshade and sipping warm sake, perhaps whilst painting, playing music or creating other things.
Should battle arise however, the Kyudoka are quick to arm and fall silently in position behind the formation, arrows notched and ready. They create whispering circles amongst themselves and with this, pick the same target, so the victim will fall instantly, at least 6 arrows imbedded in his chest before the battle even begins. Once the battle has begun, the Kyudoka may find the enemy approaching hard and fast... should this scenario ever occur, they will shed their kyudo and present the technique of the kenjutsu. Trained exceptionally well with their katana, they will stab and cut with great skill and precision should the fight draw too close.
Quotes
"Will you allplease be quiet? I am trying to aim."
"I tell you friend, aim here beneath the neck, should your arrow dip slightly it will still strike true..."
"This be fine nightshade. I wonder if all has quietened down in the Sake Inn, shall we see?"
"And once you have finished fighting with the Yari? Where do you carry it then? Actually, please, I do not wish to know."
"Let yourself and the target become one.... then release the arrow and it will always hit."
"Mmmmm...the sky is blue, the sea is clear and all is silent, the Village of Nihon is paradise."
Lore
Nightshade
One of the things the Kyudoka are known for in Nihon is their love of smoking, many choose to relax with nightshade in their spare time (and sometimes on duty!).
Vareities of Nightshade.
Whilst all have the general effects of causing relaxation and mellowness, certain crops of nightshade have odd properties or side affects. Many Kyudoka find these amusing and pick a certain leaf as their favoured crop to smoke. A small selection are:
- Dai bakemono - Causes teeth to turn a light shade of blue for one month after smoking.
- Small toe yari - Causes hiccups for a couple of hours.
- Oni's sushi - Prolonged smoking (more than a month) causes the smokers hair to curl.
- Furu tousan - Acellerates the whitening of hair.
- Wooden nose - Causes paranoia after an hour of smoking.
- Legend - The smoker feels an irrational urge to eat the leaves off trees.
- Chonin's end - Causes short term memory loss.
- Green Geiymo - Causes halloucinations.
- Busho ashigaru - Has the opposite effect of normal nightshade (ie agitated, quick to anger and energetic)
- Hawk eye - Makes the smoker think he can fly.
- Beetle's foot - The smoker tends towards romantic thoughts.
Kyudoka are free to breed their own crops of nightshade (with their own oddities and side effects). These will be added here.
