History of Yukigakure no Sato

compose a reply
History of Yukigakure no SatoFeb 17, 2016 16:22:35 GMT -5
Saya Yoi
Nindo Goes Here: Edit Profile > Personal > Most Recent Status
quote
Saya Yoi Avatar
groupnull
age birthday rank occupation
History of Yukigakure no Sato


This history was written in connection to the site's timeline. It reflects on how major events in the world have shaped the village, and how the village's involvement had shaped them. There's a lot of text, so bare with me =)
_________________________



Tayuya Odo, First Lord and Founder of Yukigakure

• 85 - 75 SD. The age of country at war


The ninja village of Yukigakure was founded roughly 75 years ago. But to look at how ninja arts have started to spread throughout this cold, barren desert of snow and ice, we need to look somewhere else. Across the cold waters of the ocean, lies Kuma no Kuni, the land of Bears. And 75 years ago, it was at war. War was not uncommon back then, and power-hungry warlords have always found excuses to spill each other’s’ blood. This land was ravaged by civil war.


Two prominent clans have fought over control of the land. The Tayuya clan, under Tayuya Odo, was in control of cities and settlements along the coastline, and had a powerful military and trade flotilla at their disposal. Their adversaries – the Ashikaga clan, led by Ashikaga Minamoto, united smaller clans under its command, and held sway to the territory deeper within the country. Neither half of the country was capable of becoming powerful without the other half, and so a war was fought. Both leaders wanted to unify the country, and both wanted to be called Daimio. But only one succeeded.


Both sides trained and used ninjas in this war. It was not as centralized as it is now, but the shinobi had made their impact. The Tayuya clan was known to produce the better ninjas out of the two, but the Ashikaga were more numerous, they had more resources and manpower in their hands. That, was enough to tip the balance in their favor. A lot of battles were fought, and a lot of blood was spilled. But in the end, the cause of the Tayuya was doomed. They were down to their last port town, surrounded, outnumbered and hopeless. They knew that no quarter will be given, once the battle is lost. In that situation, Odo had made a decision.


He assembled all the boats and ships he still had left, and put everyone he could, on those boats. Men, women, children, elderly. Ships were cramped, almost drowning from too much weight put unto them. But nobody wanted to remain and face certain death. The flotilla had set sail, towards an unknown fate. Odo was the last to embark. Before he did, he vowed that one day he would return, and reclaim what is rightfully his.


• 75 – 72 SD. Exodus and founding of Yukigakure.


The exiled flotilla set sail for a land across the ocean, known as Land of Snow. Tayuya Odo had known of it, that there were mining colonies established there to dig for precious minerals and metals, buried in land deep underneath the layers of snow. It was a harsh, barren land. But he, and the people that came with him, had nowhere else to go. The journey was harsh, crossing the waters willed with drifting ice and icebergs, without proper charts and guides, was a nigh impossible task. Many ships were smashed to bits against the icy walls, people drowned and froze to death in the cold waters.


Eventually, the ships reached the frozen shores.


The land that the exiled would call their new home was just as inhospitable as the sea they just had to cross. Blizzards, low temperatures, no sun, and a land on which nothing grows. They were doomed to die here. However, Odo refused to succumb to whatever plans fate had for him. He had reached out for the inhabitants of the land, for help. But it was not a plea – the man was too proud for that. It was a proposition to the Daimio of the land. Among the people Odo had brought to these new lands, many, including himself, practiced ninja arts. In exchange for supplies, they would become the land’s military force. If their proposition were to be met with refusal, Odo threatened to simply take what he needs, since he and his people have nothing to lose. Faced with such an ultimatum, the Daimio agreed. That same year, a settlement was built to house the exiles. That village later became known as Yukigakure.


Life in Yukigakure was hard for its populace. Endless snow, low temperatures, lack of any vegetation – it was a terrible punishment for those who lived in a land covered with forests, all their life. Many have regretted to not have stayed, preferring to face a quick death in battle rather than a slow one in here. Tayuya Odo, more than anyone, shared these concerns. The feelings kept bottling up. One day, that bomb was going to explode…



• 72 – 68 SD. Yukigakure’s participation in the First Shinobi War.



With the start of the First Shinobi War, Odo and his generals saw an opportunity to reclaim their land, return their people from exile, and exact vengeance on those who drove them out. Forging secret agreements with Sunagakure and Kusagakure, Odo’s army had entered the war. Their first action in this war was a full-blown assault on the Land of Bears. Morale was high, many clamored for war and battle. The plan was to catch the foes by surprise, as none would expect a clan long forgotten and sentenced to die, to be able to mount a powerful strike.


However, the plan was not without its flaws. Although very well trained, Odo’s force was not numerous. Its transport ships were those used in the Exodus, what were left intact anyway, as many have succumbed to frost and snow. Still, with how much drive and determination his men were showing, Odo believed nothing is impossible. The invasion flotilla was launched, to reclaim the lands once lost.

Initially, the plan was successful.


Odo’s army successfully landed on shore. Then, they managed to storm and capture several cities along the coastline.


The attack had caught the Ashikaga unprepared. In order to answer this new threat, they had to pull out of all allied operations, and engage the invading Yukigakure ninjas in combat. Until they fully mobilized, Odo had the advantage. But once the Bear country focused on the intruders, the advantage began to dwindle. It was then, when the main flaw in Odo’s plan was discovered. He did not expect the Ashikaga to found their own ninja village – Hoshigakure. With trained ninjas on both sides, those with more numbers and resources had the advantage. Just like during the civil war.


Yukigakure’s attack managed to remove Hoshigakure forces out of the main theater of Shinobi War completely. But in the end, they were forced back into the sea once more. Odo himself was injured in one battle. His army embarked ships, and set sail once more. Returning to the Land of Snow, beaten, crippled, defeated, and ashamed. They say that the peoples’ hope to return to their homeland died that day.


68 – 43 SD. Change of the guard. Rise of Furuikazan Yuriko.



Furuikazan Yuriko, 2nd Lady of Yukigakure

The defeat of Yukigakure forces in its war against Hoshigakure during the first Shinobi War had delivered a crippling blow to Odo’s reputation as a ruler. The look of beaten, demoralized troops, as well as a long list of casualties had made many question the man’s ability to rule effectively. Opponents of his rule, which kept quiet while Odo was the charismatic and beloved leader, had decided to make a move.


In year 66 SD, Tayuya Odo died. The official announcement to the population was that the man died of heart failure, however there are speculations that he had been poisoned. After the man’s demise, the power temporarily was given to the council of elders, which promptly elected another ruler to lead the village.

The name of the new ruler of Yukigakure was Furuikazan Yuriko. She was the leader of opposition to Odo’s course of action, and his plans, so it was no surprise that after his fall she filled the power vacuum that was left after Odo’s death. Some had blamed her for death of the old leader of the village, but none dared to voice their suspicions aloud.


Yuriko was a strong proponent of military isolationism of the nation. She had announced that never again Yukigakure would use its forces to engage in full, head-on and useless wars. At the time, that sentiment was shared by many, after 2 failed attempts to reclaim their rightful home. People were tired of fighting, and were content on making a life on the cold, lifeless frozen ice-cube which was the Land of Snow.


However, it did not mean that Yuriko was going to disband Yukigakure as a military force. Instead, she repurposed it. Shinobi of the land of Snow were now focused on running missions for clients, and even other villages, for money. Mercenaries, supplied to any conflict, big or small, where they fought, and brought riches to their village. She had created a very rigid contract system, which prevented the employers from sacrificing Yukigakure ninjas needlessly, due to a much greater fee to be paid in case of a ninja’s demise. At this time, her village started gaining notoriety as ‘village of exotic mercenaries’. But efficient, non the less.


It was a time of rapid industrial growth. Money earned from mercenary work was used into building up the village, its industrial and mining complexes. The infamous Snow country railroad net was founded in 60 SD, and finished in 45 SD.



43 SD – 38 SD. Yukigakure’s participation in Second Shinobi World War.


Despite being a strong proponent of getting involved in any large-scale war effort with her troops, Yuriko had joined her village in a coalition with Kumogakure, Iwagakure, Amegakure, Kusagakure, Otogakure and Takigakure. Although the war was not theirs, there was a reason for such a grand action on her part – the coalition had offered her a prize for participation – a six-tailed Bijuu.


Like all grand wars before and after, the powers behind each were too strong to be overthrown. A lot of blood has been spilled on both sides.


This time, although a tempting target, Hoshigakure wasn’t the object of Yukigakure forces’ advance. Instead they were deployed in the icy region of Shimogakure, where the familiar terrain and weather conditions had helped them overwhelm and eventually defeat the land’s shinobi force, and lay waste to the village.


Hoshigakure had attempted its own war effort against the land of Snow – a full-fledged invasion force was dispatched towards the land, in a flotilla of ships. Their ships were strong and sturdy, however the attack plan was flawed – they did not account for the drifting ice that surrounded the island like a frozen barrier. The attack never reached the shore – losing half the ships, Hoshigakure forces were forced to turn around, and sail back, where they had to repel attacks coming from Iwagakure border.


The Second shinobi war came to an end only after the death of lord of Yugakure, who was a friend to many, and not a part in this conflict. There are speculations that he had been assassinated, in order to stop the conflict, but no actual clues to whom. The end of the war was beneficial to Yuriko and her village, as the profits they earned were about to be outweighed by the losses.


37 SD – 28 SD – Yukigakure’s participation in 3rd Shinobi World War.


Yukigakure largely sat out of this one. Second Lady of Yukigakure felt that it was too soon to engage in another conflict, and wanted to give her village time to recover. However, there have been reports of sightings of Yukigakure shinobi in camps on all sides of the conflict, which suggested that the village supplied mercenaries to all, for a price.


This period is also known in the land of Snow for construction of Castle of Black Ice – a powerful fortress on top of the mountain overlooking the village. Made of black ice, it towers above the village, and served as the seat of power for Second Lady of Yukigakure, and all that came after her. Inside the powerful and magnificent fortress there is a palace made of white ice, a much smaller and delicate structure, the beautiful ‘soul’ of the structure, surrounded by the fortress, like encased in armor.


This period is also known for the arrival of the Yoi clan on the political arena of Yukigakure. A small and unnoticeable clan of scientifically-inclined individuals that were bent on improving human race, they quickly gained favor of Yuriko, though reasons for such sudden adoration remained unknown. She makes several representatives of the clan her closest advisors, thus securing the clan’s political foothold.



24 SD – 6 SD. Age of peace and stagnancy.


After the end of the 3rd Shinobi world war, the world was caught in several decades of peace. The lands needed a breather after 3 consecutive and devastating wars. However, it also meant that Yukigakure’s main source of income was steadily decreasing – large military contracts were forgot, in favor of one – shot and small-scaled missions. This was hitting Yukigakure’s economy.


During these years Yukigakure focused on building up its infrastructure and industry even more. Trade was made with other regions, as the country exported minerals and metals, and imported food and supplies that it could not grow or create on its own.


The greatest achievement of the peaceful period would be Yukigakure’s alliance with a very far away land known as Ranmataru empire, which was achieved by marrying a member of the Yoi clan to the king of that land. Such marriage secured a very profitable trade agreement, through which the village has received healthy shipments of famous Ranmataru steel – one of the strongest alloys available to a shinobi, excellent for creating both weapons and armor, and worth a fortune to foreign market.


However, mercenary activity continued, whenever a chance presented itself. Yukigakure mercenaries have participated in both a border conflict between Sunagakure and Amegakure, known as the Pipeline War, and in a war between Shimogakure and Kumogakure in 12 SD. Rumors say that one of the mercenaries was responsible for assassination of Kumogakure’s kage, which had ended that war in a separate peace.



5 SD – Present.


Yoi Saya, The Third Lady of Yukigakure

On October 25th, 5 SD, Furuikazan Yuriko, the second lady of Yukigakure, died of old age. She left a memory of herself as that of a smart and efficient ruler, even though she did like to indulge in lavish living. The people were approving of her way of ruling the village, and her death was … expected, but mourned.


After she died, the power went into hands of the council again. However, instead of simply electing a new Lord or Lady of the village, the council had made an odd decision. Instead of election, a tournament was held among the shinobi of the village, to determine the strongest combatant, worthy of leading the village. It was a bewildering event, and some suggest that the council members were manipulated into it through bribe or veiled threats, but these accusations have never been given much proof.


In a series of duels between the contestants, soon a winner had emerged. It was a member of the Yoi clan, which went by the name of Yoi Saya. Her name was well-known in the village – she was a relatively young (only 26 by the time of the tournament) but a famous mercenary for the village, known for her exploits during the Pipeline war and the Shimo – Kumo conflict. After winning the tournament, she was given the title of the Third Lady of Yukigakure.


She ruled Yukigakure with an iron fist. Her style of leadership was starkly different from that of Furuikazan Yuriko. Adopting a Spartan way of life and introducing it to the rest of the village, Saya took course for self-sufficiency of the country and gradual renouncement from imports. Despite lack of potential large military contracts, military spending doubled, and many resources were invested to building a standing navy. Saya disliked the village’s reputation of being ‘a backwater country where one can hire mercenaries’, and she looked to change that. Her rule signified an increase in the country’s nationalistic opinions, with ambition of becoming a major ninja village. Eventually her nationalistic opinions went too far and she began, under the nose of her shinobi and the nations Daimyo, to plan an invasion of Hoshigakure. When this plot was discovered, she was quickly ousted from the position.

Her rule was followed by the short rule of Nakajima Emiri, Fourth Lady of Yukigakure. During Emiri's rule, Yukigakure came down hard on mercenaries and criminals, seeking to bring rogue soldiers under the element of Yuki leadership and formalize their commitment to Yukigakure, or else arrest them. Under her authority, pirating and mercenaries saw a sharp decline and the prison population a sharp rise, but many groups remained at large. Eventually, though, Emiri went missing.

During the search for her, Yuki Shuka, a long-standing diplomat and experienced shinobi, was enlisted to temporarily take her stead. When Emiri did not turn up, this position became more official, leaving Yuki Shuka as the Fifth Lady of Yukigakure. Shuka has attempted to turn the nation away from harsh militarism and back into a caring and strong community. While she has continued to emphasize shutting down criminal activity and rooting out mercenaries, she has also focused her rule on community events, youth education, and diplomatic endeavors. Her repeated efforts to make allies with other shinobi villages has sometimes put her at odds with Yuki no Kuni's Daimyo, who favors isolationism.

last edit by cocoa on Aug 29, 2022 11:06:53 GMT -5
has written 718 posts