Ninja Clans

The Takenaka Are the known mystics of the Ninja clans, and are tied often to those in power, due to their useful abilities as healers, seers, and gaurds. many of their number are versed in either arcane or divine Divination to a degree. Many are healers, with a single family's bloodline rumored to be tied into a magical being hundreds of years ago, and occasionally a child of that family is born with Sorcerer powers, though when this happens they are watched carefully and trained to control themselves and their gifts. If they cannot, then they are removed, to protect the clan and the country.

The key differences with the Takenaka Is that they are the one village that is exclusive in who it will allow to train with them. They will only accept those who show some degree of magical ability, and even then it must be Divine, and the only sorcerers they will train are those of their own clan, Often marked with a claw shaped tattoo on the left of their face under their eye. They will accept only Human students, as well. They focus on the use of the Shikome-zue, Ninja-to, and the use of spells. The divine casters are all of the Jeng Heping Faith.

The Takenaka are also known for their amazing foresight, and often when one seeks a sage, they seek the Takenake clan. They are often called upon for auguries and many prophecies come from within the ranks of the Takenaka.

It is rare to see a member of the Takenake clan outside of Haung Cao, as the ruling body does not wish to allow many access to their talent. Often if one is found outside of Huang Cao, it is because they are there either on assignment or they managed to slip out of the village without permission, and are vigorously hunted, especially the ones of Sorcerer blood.

One of the biggest differences between the Takenaka and the other clans is that the other clans often come to the Takenaka for their formidable ability with prophecy, and this allows the Takenaka some leeway when dealing with the rest of the clans. Everyone knows that the Takenaka know the greatest secrets, even their own.


Clan Colors: Green and Purple

Symbol: Green Crane on against a Purple Sun

Favored Weapon: Spells, Ninja-to, Shikome-zue

Favored Feats: Weapon Finesse, Spell Focus: Divination

Races allowed in Clan: Human (all must be of Chen kai blood)

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The Yukimura clan are a clan of purists in that they will only ever accept those of Full Chen Kai blood, believing that only the pure can truly understand the path that they teach, blending Ninjutsu and other martial arts to create an art that transcends the worldly and becoming what the ancestors wanted them to be.

Many officials have members of the Yukimura clan as members of their entourage. Known for being wise, even at a young age, and level headed, rarely roused to anger. A proverb from Huang Cao is " The Mountain holds the beast', referring to the near frenzy taht becomes a member of the Yukimura when they join battle. While it may seem a battle frenzy, a perceptive person can not that they are fully in control the entire time, which only makes thme that much more frightening. They specialize in bludgeoning weapons, specifically themselves, Quarterstaves, and the three section staff, and are rarely seen wearing any armor.

The Yukimura are also known for having a near goldlike ability to withstand heat, cold, and punishment. THey train themselves to withstand it all, and their seeming immortality lends itself to further their legendary status.

The few members who do leave the village and stay gone for long periods of time are often sent out to learn of the world, to satisfy their thirsty curiosity, though almost all return to the village, one way or another. Only one has stayed gone, and he does not take pupils, simply living a quiet life as a farmer somewhere near to Tel Vinrae.


Clan Colors: White and Grey

Symbol: Grey-White mountain against a grey Moon

Favored Weapon: Unarmed, Three section staff, quarterstaff

Favored Feats: Toughness, Endurance, Diehard

Races allowed in Clan: Human (all must be of Chen kai blood)

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The Hamasaki clan are one of the few known to openly accept the half bloods of other families for training, and nearly half the village is filled with Halforcs and Halfelves, many of whom are among the strongest the clan has to offer, not due to inborn talent, but through sheer determination.

The Hamasaki make themselves known through the use of open fighting with their enemies and the use of the katana, though they almost exclusively use Iaijustu, and as a clan focus on this form of using the blade.

While they are not above employing stealth, and often do, when one wants an open conflict or an open assassination, one almost exclusively goes to the Hamasaki. They are known for being brutal and yet still Honorable. They will not use Poisons, but are not unwilling to employ other alchemical means in their warfare. Known far and wide to be willing to do almost any job that is not downright dishonourable, when most hire a clan outside of those that work for specific lords, they hire the Hamasaki. Partly because they are known and feared, and partly because the Chen Kai know that many of their number are made up of half-breeds, and see no problem throwing their lives away as fodder.

Not unlike the Ito, the Hamasaki clan will often send young ninja out into the world, and often they are found in mercenary companies, palace guards, thieves guilds, pretty much anywhere a strong, brutal yet loyal thug could be appreciated.

One thing that set the Half-orcs of the Hamasaki are raised to be more intelligent than their 'kin' from around the world, and though they often play the part of dumb beasts, it is a mistake to think that they are not at least as smart as the average human. The Humans and half-elves of the clan are taught to be just as or even more so intelligent, and it is not unheard of for the dumb brute who was working for the bandit camp to suddenly be in charge, the former leader now dead as a warning, with the Hamasaki having increased its hold further in the world.

Clan Colors: Red and Gold

Symbol: Red background with a rampant Golden Tiger

Favored Weapon: Katana wielded with both hands

Favored Feats: Weapon Focus: Katana, Quick Draw

Races allowed in Clan: Half-orc, half-elf, Human (all must be of Chen kai blood)

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The Ito Village is a small farming community that produces rice, wheat, and corn, along with various meat animals from pigs to cattle to goats. it is located a mere two miles from the capital of Huang Cao, and under the jurisdiction of a very old elder/mayor.

Unknown to any but those of the village and their superiors in the capital, however, it is also a ninja village, one tied directly to the ruling body through lifetimes of servitude. The Ito style of Ninjutsu focuses on stealth, infiltration, and assassinations, though they do have a rather unorthodox form of teaching their most promising students. After a Student has proven his worth, usually by assassinating a lesser official that the village has been tasked with, they are cut loose into the world, and sent out for at least 5 years of Adventuring, so as to learn the many ways of the world. This allows them to better be able to fit in in other countries when tasked with more important jobs upon their return to the clan and village. The adventuring Ninja are taught before they leave that they must look and act like any other adventurer, and thus they do not attempt to draw attention to their fighting style.

A major thing that sets the Ito Clan apart from other clans is that it will not allow those of other races into its fold, for any reason, save for a blood bond to a current member of the clan. It is not unheard of, though very rare, to see a half-orc or half-elf child training in the village's monastery, if one can find their way to it.

The Ito Ninjutsu focuses on ending conflicts quickly, through stealth and often poison use and attacking vulnerable spots. They use small, light weapons, and never use anything that requires both hands, though some do train to dual wield. Masters of thrown weapons, including Grenade weapons, Stealth and swiftness are of the utmost importance for the Ito clan. To aid in their assassinations, they also train to disarm traps and pick locks.

Clan Colors: Black and White

Clan Symbol: Black Dragon on a white field

Favored Weapons: Light weapons, Kusarigama

Favored Feats: Improved Initiative, Stealthy

Allowed Races: Human (even non Chen Kai), Half-elves, Elves, Dwarves

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