¶ Yamata
Nojingo, the Witch-Queen of Yamatai is the most famous and well-known Yamatai figure. Nojingo's fahter was Tawaralin Sho. Nojingo summoned the wind demon, Vuu-Shiin. Tawaraline Sho awakened Yuro-Jiin, believed by many of old to be the huge tortoise on whose back all of Yamata was said to rest.
Records of seafarers record their journey to Yamata "Going south by water for twenty days, one comes to the country of Toma, where the official is called mimi and his lieutenant, miminari. Here there are about fifty thousand households. Then going toward the south, one arrives at the country of Yamata, where a Queen holds her court. [This journey] takes ten days by water and one month by land. Among the officials there are the ikima and, next in rank, the mimasho; then the mimagushi, then the nakato. There are probably more than seventy thousands households."
Yamata holds to a caste system that adheres to the Celestial Order. This is the idea that your birth dictates your rank in society and that is set by how close you are to the Kami (gods). This is considered a divine order and any violation of this order is considered to be one of the highest crimes one can commit. Typically, a person is born into a caste and remains within that caste for their entire life, although exceptions are possible.
Hierarchy:
- Emperor
- Shogun
- Imperial Champions
- Daimyo
- Kuge (nobles)
- Buke (those who serve but are still of noble caste)
- Bonge/Heimen (considered half-people. Most of the Empire's population falls into this group. They are the workers who keep things operational within the Empire, farmers, craftsmen, etc.
- Merchants (although considered Bonge, they are at the bottom of the order because they do not produce anything for the Empire)
- Hinen/Eta (considered non-people. They are the torturers, the jailers, and any who touch or interact with unclean things, such as skinning animals or touching dead flesh. They are mostly ignored by the rest of the population and generally have no rights.
- Geisha tend to fall into this category, but they occupy a unique position given their duties, for most of the time, are to entertain and cater to the noble caste.
Monks fall into a special category themselves. Although considered hinin/eta, because they are also the keepers of the religious traditions, they are treated with higher respect than other hinen. Most monks are treated with deference and are often called in to consult with Daimyo or Buke on religious matters.
Honorifics and Manners
In Yamata, manners and decorum are important enough to warrant death if breached. For foreigners, this can be difficult to adapt to, but here are some general guidelines for interacting with Yamatai nobility:
- Sama - this is the term used at the end of someone's name when they are higher ranking than you, or someone you hold in high regard.
- San - this is the term used at the end of someone's name when they are equal rank to you or respected by you regardless of their rank.
- Kun - this is the term used at the end of a male's name when they are close to you (relative or friend)
- Chan - this is the term used at the end of a female's name when they are close to you (relative or friend) can also be used with males who are very close or cute. It is also used for animals, or lovers.
- Sensei - this is used to describe a teacher or doctor - you can also use the honorific O in front of their name to signify their status or importance, although this is usually reserved for those only of th ehighest rank and reknown.
Religion is more spiritual than god based, and there are multiple realms, each holding different types of spirits. Ancestor worship is the most common form of worship, with all Yamatai seeking guidance and approval of their ancestors. If one has lost favor with their ancestors they must seek atonement.
Shugenja are spiritually awakened at an early age and can trace their lineage directly to one of the Great Kami. Just having a direct lineage to one of the Great Kami does not mean you are a shugenja. This is a limited role play specialization that is not available to players without admin approval. It is rarely, if ever given to players as a background. You MUST be Yamtai, the kami (spirits) begin to speak to you as a baby and you can speak to kami. Once it is clear to other shugenja, the child is brought into the temples and trained using ofuda (slips of paper). You cannot "suddenly" become a shugenja, or learn that you are a shugenja after childhood. Shugejna also have very limited role play. For these reasons, you must apply and be approved for this background BEFORE you portray yourself as a shugenja.
We pull VERY LOSELY from L5R for some of the lore in place for Maelstrom, however, MOST of what we use does not line up with L5R.
Major Clans: Crab, Crane, Dragon, Lion, Mantis, Phoenix, Scorpion, Unicorn, and Spider.
Minor Clans: Badger, Bat, Dragonfly, Fox, Hare, Monkey, Sparrow, Tortoise.
The magic used by L5R is not in use by Maelstrom other than Maho, which we use as bloodspeaker magic. This is very limited in nature and scope, and it is well protected and not commonly known or discussed openly by those from Yamata. Those who do not have the proper approved background have no information on this type of magic, and even then it will be limited.
Players can be from noble families, but they cannot be major or minor clan daimyos without prior approval. Additional information will be added here soon. If you are unsure of what lore is in place please ask an admin before you begin.
Common knowledge is that Clan Crab built a wall along the border of the Shadowlands to hold back the creatures from invading, or even entering, Yamata. They have, for as long as they have existed, been the first and best defense against The Shadowlands. Anyone who wishes to have more specific information on a clan should open a ticket in discord.
SPIRITUAL REALMS
Ningen-do - physical realm (where people live)
Chikushudo - realm of animals
Gaki-do - realm of the hungry dead
Jigoku - realm of evil
Meido - realm of the dead
Sakkaku - realm of mischief
Tengoku - celestial heavens
Toshigoku - realm of slaughter
Yomi - realm of the blessed ancestors
Yume-do - realm of dreams
In his youth Conan encountered a famous Yamatai blind warrior, Shimata Kawa, was known for his skill and prowess with a blade, despite his lack of sight. He would later face
Reference: Conan the Adventurer #1, Savage Sword of Conan #194, Savage Sword of Conan #195
- Population: 8,900,000
- Capital: Kazuraki
- Ruler: Emperor Mikoto Kamu
- Major cities: Yamada
- Resources: Rice, lumber, silk, fish
- Imports: Metal
- Allies:
- Enemies: Khitai
- Tech level: Oriental
- Religion: Amaterasu - goddess of the sun and goddess of the Universe, Tsukuyomi - god of the moon, Hina