Tekkan
The Island of Steel and Dread
An island distant from the mainland of the world, Tekkan is known for its high population, mining facilities, technology, and loss of tradition. Before Yamamura, the legendary samurai of the Seigun shogunate has watched over Tekkan and its cultivated principles of honor for hundreds of generations. This strict code appointed by the shogun limited the military from allowing themselves to fall to the levels of their enemies and be corrupted by the temptations of vengeance, rage, and cruelty. This was once the true identity of Tekkan, but has now fallen to evolved weaponry.
After the great yokai war of Yamamura, the samurai of clan Tatsu, warriors who harvested the great magic of azure oil, have overthrown the Seigun shogunate, while reinstating a new one. The Tatsu shogunate grew strong with an iron fist, but without the old cultivated principles of the Seigun—the shogun and daimyo of Tatsu grew corrupt and sought power. Their conquest soon drove the country to madness and the genocide of the remaining ronin of clan Seigun who stood against their tyranny.
With the military in crumbles after the Seigun rebellion, the shogun continues to rebuild his army to one day continue his conquest. Tekkan today is currently symbolized by the Tatsu capital, an immense city riddled with bandits and demons that thrive off the inventions of azure oil technology. While most factions around the world stay fairly close to their traditional roots, the island has almost completely lost theirs.
Castle Tatsu (3039 RH)
Capital
Tatsu
Form of Goverment
Shogunate (Military Goverment)
Ruler(s)
-
Tazuki Hamamoto (Emperor)
-
Kuroda Tamayuiki Tatsu (Shogun)
-
Former Seigun Shogun
-
Former Seigun Emperor
Military Captain
Kuroda Tamayuiki Tatsu
Climate
Moderate
Population
65 million
Population
(Post Yamamura)
61 million
Based on:
Japan (Sengoku, Edo, Meiji Restoration)
History
400 - 1150 RH (2,650 years ago)
Over two-thousand years ago, the islands of Tekkan were once a single peninsula that connected to the mainlands that were governed by the Shilon Empire. Once the dark ages of Kudao came to an end, Seiryu, The Azure Dragon of the East, threw in a fit of rage and abruptly cursed the oceans with a five-hundred-year storm. Causing the sea levels to rise and flood the prefecture, all became ruins at the bottom of the sea but the islands at the very end of the peninsula. The people and once exterior kingdom of Shilon were trapped inside the violent typhoon. Any attempt to sail across the oceans for help meant instant doom to those foolish enough. For hundreds of years, the islanders were isolated, living off fish and the scrapes of their scrubby rice farms. But even during such a harsh trial, the mortals lived on and somehow prevailed. During the five-hundred-year typhoon, the island managed to recreate its own culture, government, and beliefs into something new.
When the storm finally subdued after centuries, the Shilon Empire was in shock when it was revealed that a small part of their fallen peninsula had remained. The emperor sent a fleet of ships to reinstate the kingdom, but the people of the islands had grown from their relationship with the empire and demanded independence. The emperor did not accept their plea and tried to force the islanders to accept Shilon rule, but they resisted. A conflict broke out between a divine empire and a small nation of rice farmers. What was thought to be a pathetic attempt to defend your land, the islanders called out to the White Tiger of the West, Byakko, to lend them their aid. Byakko, who suffered greatly from the Azure Dragon of the East, accepted their call to send the shilonese back to the other side of the earth. With the villagers viciously defending their land from the shilonese with the essence of the white tiger, the emperor of Shilon surrendered and retreated their occupation on the islands, which were now titled Tekkan, named after a significant elder that enforced the nation's independence, Haramoto Tekkan.
Azure Dragon of the East.
Kotaro Shima demonstrating Azure Oil.
Years 1150-3100 RH
The Seigun Samurai
Following the events of Tekkan's independence, the age of a royal line of warriors was instated. Also known as the samurai, the military of Tekkan consisted of very powerful warriors who eventually forged their own government that overthrew the emperor, now known as the Shogunate. The first shogunate was the Hagi shogunate, who were known for fighting against the Shilon forces during their attempted re-annexing. Unfortunately, their reign was briefly lived when the country was tragically invaded by the Batukhan tribe in 1151 RH shortly after their independence. Many samurai clans were established over the years during the Batukhan's subjugation, many fell into quarrels with each other that would lead the country into a chaotic war. This era of conflict lasted until the samurai of clan Seigun overthrew the tyrannical and appointed themselves the official shogunate, reestablishing peace and order to all the clans.
Unlike most samurai clans, the Seigun samurai drew their powers from their cultivated code of honor and strict training tactics. Founded by a former monk who came in contact with a celestial being, giving him the gift to teach others and reinvent the way of the warrior, representing the third tao; precision. The training involved was extraordinary and unforgiving, for a Seigun's purpose is his country and the weapons he or she wields. Once mastered, the average Seigun is said to be able to parry and redirect any projectile with their sword, varying from arrows, artillery, and even gusts of wind. Unfortunately, the cost of positioning such nobles was high, due to the years spent on mastering the strength and level of skill. Seigun who disagreed with their superiors would fall from their rank in dishonor, eventually bringing birth to the Red Crow ministry—a clan of rouge Seigun and other mercenaries with ambitions that cannot be contained, whenever right or wrong.
Centuries later, in 2927 RH, a couple of coal miners discovered a peculiar and undiscovered raw iron deposit in a hidden cavern system in the Tatsu region. The resource being a blue iron-like hollow material that contained another resource known as azure oil. A discovery that became a technological and industrial breakthrough for its potential and soon-to-be inspirations for inventions such as self-efficient electricity, tram systems, machinery, and augmented weaponry. An invention that would be condemned by the Seigun Shogun at the time, but due to Clan Tatsu's economic growth in the country their power became too much for the Seigun to handle.
With Tekkan's new reign, the invention industry continues to expand. New technology arrives such as lighting, factories, tram systems, and most importantly, weapons. Deadly weapons such as firearms, explosives, enhanced traditional weapons, and even the animated metal men known as Bunrakus.
Years 3100 - 3130 RH (Present)
Tekkan continues to scavenge its discovery of technology. With new weapons being invented every year, the nation questioned its own need for the Seigun Samurai and their service. The Seigun clan has served and protected the island for hundreds of years, their traditions are the face of Tekkanese culture and the importance of their culture is second to none. The country is now torn between tradition and change.
When the demon Rou Shan tore a hole through the earth in Surochi, an endless legion of yokai swam across the entire ocean from Surochi to Tekkan and trampled over the land. Beasts larger than buildings brought destruction and terror until they were eventually taken down by the joined forces of the Seigun Samurai and Tekkan's newly empowered military; the Tatsu Samurai. The Seigun fought true, but if it weren't for the Tatsu Samurai and their upgraded weapons, all would have been lost.
Traditions paved in iron
After Tekkan took part in the battle of Yamamura and fought along with the Shilon and Monkhu empire; Tekkan was left crippled and bruised. Yamamura, just like the other countries, revealed a dark side to their own land. With their economy in shambles, and the result of the attack on Tatsu proving the Tatsu Samurai the most dependable defensive forces for their people. The debate that has waged far before the war has finally been decided.
An agreement was settled, and the Seigun were removed from their hierarchy and replaced with the armed men known as the ashigaru of Tatsu. With the country run by a new shogunate, Tekkan turned into a land of greed and despair. Crime became more common due to the exposure to greater power, pollution to the air, and an overhaul dishonorable example given to the people by the current corrupted samurai clan. As the economy grew, tensions of overthrowing other countries did as well.
The former Seigun, now ronin, noticed the vile actions by the current shogun and banded together once more to bring back the balance between power and peace. After they interfered with the Tatsu samurai beginning a conquest to invade the mainland, Lord Kuroda; shogun of the Tatsu samurai, ordered them to step aside with the slightest amount of honor they had left, but they refused.
Lord Kuroda
Samurai during the battle of Yamamura.
3110 RH
Battle of Azuhanto
Near the shores of Azuhanto; the last
Seigun, General Suda Shioh was finally slain by the overwhelming might of Lord Bakuma Murosawa; Tamer of the Hundred-Legged-Beast.
(Year 3124 RH)
Ghosts of the Past laid to rest
The Seigun fought fearlessly with sword facing the gun. But being outnumbered, it wasn't enough. It was the final stand for every last Seigun, bringing an end to the ancient traditional culture. But for 500 Seigun defending against thousands of armed imperial forces, they sure made the most of the battle. For every Seigun killed, 50 imperial samurai were slain. The Seigun rebellion was glorified, and the legacy will continue on as long as the people of Tekkan recognize their sacrifice and immortalize them.
Even though the Seigun were defeated, it cost the country greatly, in both men and resources. Tekkan is now in an economic crisis, and their plans to seize domination lay to rest. The Seigun did their part, and what is started has to be finished, and may one day, a small candle of light will overthrow this reign of madness, and restore the peace that’s been stained.
Tekkan today is a dangerous and crowded nation of steel, represented purely by its main capital; Tatsu, a city so large it takes up more than half of the island. Being the most populated factions in the world, Tekkan thrives in its revolutionary mineral, whenever it rightfully represents what Tekkan is or not.
Culture
Before the fall of the Seigun shogunate, Tekkan lived by a culture of honor, perfection, and forgiveness. But the yokai invasion of Yamamura left the entire island in bitter despair with the amount of damage the country and people have suffered, and have forgotten these traditions. Without the prosperity and order the Seigun brought, Tekkan is now a land ruled by bandits, corrupt samurai, and steel. However, some of the moral and religious values remain even during times such as these. Worshiping the divine deities of Shilon is still practiced commonly among Tekkanese folk, often referred to as 'kami' are thought to use animals as messengers to deliver blessings to humanity.
Tekkan is thought to be built around a royal monarchy due to having a traditional emperor (Emperor Tazuki Hamamoto). But unlike other countries, the emperor of Tekkan has little to no power and are merely figureheads. The true leader of Tekkan belongs to none other than the shogun (Shogun Kuroda Tatsu), who are powerful military dictators that were the actual rulers of Tekkan. Ever since the Tatsu shogunate came into power, Lord Kuroda declared the entire country into sakoku, meaning all foreigners and citizens were barred from entering or leaving the country.
Reigons
Murayama
A mountainous region located in the far north of Tekkan, known for its cold weather, black pine forests, temples, and locations that inspired many authentic Tekkanese paintings. However, the mountain ranges have been known to hold the dwellings of various dangerous yokai such as the Oni.
Azuhanto
A region home to vast marshlands and plains as well as the location of Castle Seigun before it was torched to ruin shortly after the Seigun ambush of the Tekkanese Empire on the shores of Azuhanto. Due to the vast open land and access to water, hundreds of villages have made themselves rich by providing the islands with high-quality crops such as rice, barley, and tea.
Tatsu
The currently extending city capital that began as a small quarry mine back when Tatsu was a smaller vassal of the Seigun hundreds of years ago. Before its construction, the canyon that surrounds the capital was once under the name of the Ozen plateaus, which spread vast open plains, forests, and villages that lived in peace. When the Tatsu clan earned their honorable title by discovering azure oil within their mining facilities, they created a quarry that continuously expanded for hundreds of years until the plateau became nothing more than a man-made crater that reached depths up to hundreds to thousands of feet deep. And when all the iron, copper, and other resources were extracted from the ground, they settled upon it. Tatsu continues to get deeper and deeper to this day, some districts require respirators due to the toxic chemicals and lack of oxygen.
Nagashi
The former capital of Tekkan during the Seigun era. Nagashi now has been riddled down to an extension to the Tatsu capital. Valued for their blacksmiths and forges where they assemble technology such as refined metal, electricity, weaponry, and bunrakus.
Otsuhama
Mountainous canyon region located on the outskirts of Nagashi home to hundreds of villages that provide resources similar to Azuhanto. Except here they are not so fortunate, as their region is ruled by the Murosawa Clan (Also known as the Murosawa Stag Riders), who are former "bandits" that were appointed by the Shogun for their aid against the Seigun in Azuhanto. The people here are often exploited due to their lack of understanding and connection to the Tatsu capital to the point of starvation or sickness.
Kishima
Southern provinces that are distinguished by multiple islands. Being arguably the furthest region from the Shogun and Tatsu's industry presence. Due to this, it is easier for valleys to remain a fraction of the old ways. They are known for being Tekkan's main source of fresh fish and other seafood materials.
Murayama
Azuhanto
Tatsu
Nagashi
Otsuhama
A mining faucility in Nagashi
A village in Murayama Tekkan that thrives in its traditional roots rather than its counterpart, Tatsu.
Gallery
