Background - IC
A Clan situated in the haunted province of Omikawa, Clan Jizutsu have always been a family steeped in secrets and blood. In legend, the family began when a wandering warrior used his cunning and guile to rescue a man pursued by his enemies, and thus Ujikore Jizutsu was made Hatamoto to Lord Aritsune. Over time and service, the progenitor of Clan Jizutsu was given a stronghold and built his family around one creed - 'Find honor in completing your duty whatever the cost'. As generations passed, the warriors of the Jizutsu became the spymasters, courtiers, and executioners of the Aritsune and by extension the royal house of Rijin. The Jizutsu were the masks of the Ariitsune, as such wore masks at all times to remind them of their duty and fealty. A fealty put to the test with the arrival of the empire.
By the time of Takamoro Jizutsu, the clan had perfected its craft; the scarlet clad warriors leaving the mountains at the call of the Aritsune and the crown. The Jizutsu were called when the empire first invaded and they made a grand, if bloody, stand, targeting imperial officers to sow discord. The tide turned as the attention of Garlemald was turned on Doma, bringing the samurai of the nation to their knees, and when Kaein called for his warriors to stand down the Jizutsu obeyed. During the occupation, it was the goal of the Jizutsu to place themselves in positions where they could support the rebellion and when the time came for the banners to rise, to sow as much confusion and chaos that could be spread as they took to the field over the garlean dead. In this guerilla war that followed the members of the Jizutsu hid amongst the enemy, funneling information to the resistance only to return to their comrades if found out, leaving as much damage as they could in their wake. With the arrival of Zenos the Jizutsu proved they lived by their founders creed. As the people of Doma began to cross the sea the Jizutsu were one of the first families to volunteer to act as a rear guard, undertaking every method they could to steal the attention from the fleeing refugees. Giving their lives, the Jizutsu’s dedication culminated in an event dubbed 'The Night of Blood', a garrison butchered and a fort put to the torch. While the details of this event are often speculated, its architect was known, the last known member of the main branch of Clan Jizutsu, Keiho Jizutsu.
Duty fulfilled, Keiho joined the retreat, traveling to Uldah. Once on the shores of the west however after a series of adventures the call to duty rang - one Keiho would not ignore. At the request of a priestess, Mishi Mizuchi, the samurai lent his expertise to a greater enterprise. Keiho took up the mantle of warlord, helping lead and organize a new resistance cell that would come to be known as the Magpies. With this force, with over two hundred volunteers, the pair led the way to war with the empire, culminating with them joining Battle Of Doma. With liberty won, Keiho, as the last son of the Jizutsu, was commanded by the new crowned King of Doma, to return to the haunted wilds of Omikawa and bring it to heel under the restored government. Under Lord Keiho’s leadership, Clan Jizutsu recruited from both East and West, and can be found at the forefront of every battle whether it is on the open field or delving into dark corners against foes unseen, anything to protect and ensure the prosperity of the east.
Clan Leadership
Jizutsu no Keiho - Daimyo
A stoic man with a devilish glint in his eye, the soft spoken Daimyo of Omikawa has gone from revolutionary to warlord while losing none of his zeal. A passion for war and a capable administrator he has answered the call to arms from the house of Rijin, leading the charge personally. A red and black dragon that is never far from the battlefield, the scion of the Jizutsu has a protective streak, treating his retainers as kin and looking upon his mates and children with unabashed warmth. Despite this inclination to the paternal however it doesn't take much for the iron will to resurface, ever ready to prove just how he has garnered his reputation and just how real the fear from imperial soldiers is...
Jizutsu no Akemi
Bio - WIP
Farrson Odim
A man with a near constant and easy smile. Brash, stubborn and outspoken at first; His position as hatamoto sees his work revolving around the well being of the other clan members. Some outside the clan will seem him as careless and his blunt way of speaking telling of a dulled intellect. And Farrson wants them to think that. For under his outward appearance and personality, lies a man with a startling range of awareness.
Tsukiko Yorutsuki
"There is not much known for certain about the enigmatic head physician called Tsukiko, save for a few facts that anyone who spends more than a few minutes with her can discover. She is dedicated to her position as hatamoto, ensuring the health and well being of everyone almost to the detriment of her own health at times. She is fiercely loyal to the clan, to this group of people who accepted her and gave her a home and family. And lastly, you don't want to threaten those in her care, lest you discover firsthand what she keeps in her mysterious freezer."
Jizutsu no Sumire
Known through Ul'dah by Syndicate and Royalist alike, as a gentle, intelligent young doman courtier - Sumire serves as Voice for the clan, heading up the diplomatic branch, the clans Shita. Despite her apparent youth, she speaks multiple languages, and is a capable healer, often seen on the sidelines of the Grindstone, healing at the weekly event. Little is known publicly of her private life, beyond her relation to her clans damiyo - her cousin. Everything else is carefully hidden behind a calm smile and ever-present mask.
Clan estates
Omikawa
To the north of Doma, settled close to the maw of the Fanged Crescent that cradles Yanxia herself lay the province of Omikawa. A haunted and secretive place some distance from the capital and bordering on the steppes becoming a place cultivating warriors as strong as the metals drawn from the mountainside and as wiley as the spirits they live alongside. Despite the metals and herbs that come from its borders the Clan has always been reserved the masked scarlet bushi seldom leaving save to trade arrows with Steppe raiders - or at the call of the house of Rijin leading to a belief by their neighbors that armies of yokai would depart in the night. With an almost fanatical zeal they answered the call to arms against the empire and with the success of the revolution remain determined to safeguard the realm at large, more open to diplomacy then in the past but ever vigilant.
Bansenshukai HQ
A reward from the Shogunate for volunteering their swords to the aide of the Sekiseigumi in putting down a revolt threatening citizens of Shirogane - the Jizutsu compound is an imposing estate equal measures comforting and menacing, a trait shared by its residents. Part secondary home, part office, part compound for Yanxian efforts abroad it has been dubbed the Bansenshukai and serves as a bastion for all who seek its inhabitants aide. Easy to get lost in with the dense feeling that the walls have eyes and ears wherever you go guests find themselves welcomed with a sense of security, those of ill intent never failing to realize there is always another corner to peer behind. In spite of this - the Clan opens its doors to any who come calling whether for business or sanctuary. When not in battle or in Omikawa, the Jizutsu operate from here most of all.
Jizutsu Consulate - Ul'dah
Seat of their diplomatic outreach into Eorzea, the Jizutsu Consulate can be found within the Goblet - currently located within the Sultana's Breath. Believing in an open door policy these facilities are available for cultural outreach - both casual and structured. With seating areas for tea service, both in eastern and western styles, a full conference seating area, garden - as well as private relaxation areas where the local tradition of communal water pipes can be utilized.
