While the Eorzean alphabet was gradually developing into that commonly used today, far to the east, the letters of Nagxia, Yanxia, and beyond were experiencing a much different evolution. This supplementary column will attempt to serve as an introduction to the peculiar script of the Far East.
Origins
The Origins of Far Eastern script can be traced back almost two thousands years ago to a system of writing developed in ancient Yanxia. Unlike Eorzean, which employs letters (graphemes) to construct the literal representation of a word’s pronunciation, Yanxian was made up of logograms-- thousands upon thousands of unique characters representing individual words or parts of words (morphemes). A principal drawback of this system, however, was that literacy was dependent on the memorization of these countless characters, a task that proved impossible for all but the educated elite.
From Yanxian script slowly evolved a series of syllabic letters that removed the meaning from simplified renderings of older characters, while retaining their pronunciations. These new “Kana” could be arranged much like the graphemes of Eorzean to form sounds and words, effectively reducing the number of characters to be put to memory from over ten thousands to approximately one hundred, and opening the door for the majority of Othardians to learn their letters.
PD: This is from the Lore book volume 2 and transcribed from there!. I will be posting about Doma and Hingashi today all the words come from the lore book remember this is not a resume of mine!.
I’ve been trying to place the destruction of Rabanastre on the timeline (specifically, the Dalmascan timeline itself, which I plan on putting into the full XIV timeline afterwards), however I’m not finding anything super solid on when it was destroyed.
If I’m recalling correctly, the image of Rabanastre being destroyed, and mention of the event, occurred well before the post-Liberation uprisings that are mentioned in the more recent MSQs, due to the fact the Return to Ivalice series starts out with the ruined Rabanastre. So I don’t think that it’s the uprising mentioned by Hien in the MSQs that resulted in Rabanastre being levelled.
Jeromis mentioned he was there seventeen summers ago (which is also a bitch to place cus of the wonky time compression the game is currently using - it doesn’t align with how long the game has been out in the slightest), as that’s when he picked up the necklace that turned out to be Prince Rasler’s heirloom. This seems to contradict what the Wandering Dramaturge says, as his wording makes it sound like Nalbina fell, and Rabanastre was destroyed right afterwards (though that could just be shite wording).
That places the destruction of Rabanastre at least thirteen years after the fall of Nalbina. But from there, it seems a bit unclear as to when Rabanastre was destroyed.
The Barheim incident seems to be what triggered the destruction of Rabanastre, from the wording the Dramaturge uses there, but it doesn’t quite give much of a clue as to when it occurred either.
I’m also taking a guess that with Rabanastre destroyed, Lea Monde has become something of a defacto capital, of sorts. It’s currently the only other city that anything mentions, and I think it was like the second or third largest city in Dalmasca anyway.
@mirkemenagerie - any guesses as to when Rabanastre actually fell?
For two and half decades, this once-grand kingdom on the shores of the One River was subject to Garlean rule. However, with the expulsion of imperial forces, Doma is free once more to control its destiny.
Flag: The Doman character for the nation’s name adorns the center, and the crimson border surrounding it represents the royal family’s ancestral role as gatekeepers of the One River. The field upon which rests is green like the color of the rice plants which grow in Doma’s many fields.
Motto: By the Righteous Blade We Are Delivered
Government: since Doma’s founding, the Rijin clan’s sons have ruled as kings with the support of an educated samurai caste. During the twenty-five-year Garlean occupation, an imperial viceroy held absolute authority, but the recent liberation has seen return of the old government, with the leader of the rebellion and head of the Rijin clan restored to the throne.
Leader: Hien Rijin
Ruling Body: Though the king of Doma has the power to intercede in all matters of governance, he delegates much of the minutiae to a cadre of samurai advisors.
Racial Distribution: Far Eastern Hyur (60%), Far Eastern Roegadyn (20%), Au Ra Raen (10%), Other (10%).
Religion: On the whole, Domans tend to practice their faith in private, and do not proselytize nor judge those who do not share in their beliefs. As is the case in many regions of the Far East, they worship a host of spirits referred to as the kami. Though some of these divines beings can be likened to personifications of nature, enlightened sages and long-lived animals of legend may also be defined as kami. Further complicating any attempt to categorize these entities is the variety said to inhabit ancient relics.
Industries
Agriculture: The banks of the One River have long been considered to be some of the most fertile farmland in eastern Othard, particulary the region surround the river’s mouth in Yanxia, Rice is the crop of choice, though persimmons and plums are also quite profitable.
Fishing: Domans have lived off the One River and the Glittering Basin since antiquity. As the kingdom expanded outward, so too did her people, who built villages on the coast of the Ruby Sea and from where ventured farther and farther west. While sources of food are abundant, some of the adventurous fishermen have made a living hunting sea tortoises for their shells, which are highly valued by all manner of artisans for use in their crafts.
Papermaking: The fibers of the Yanxian mulberry and the waters of the One River are key ingredients in the production of Doman Paper, which is prized the world over for both its durability and its beauty. Not only is it considered ideal for scrolls and documents that must be preserved, but it is also a medium in which artisans may craft fans, lanterns, and more elaborate displays. Though the industry languished during the imperial occupation, masters of the craft managed to preserve the knowledge of their techniques, and in the wake of Doma’s liberation they set about rebuilding the mills and resuming production.
Beliefs: Loyalty is perhaps the most virtuous quality to the people of Yanxia, be it to Doma, her king, or his vassals. The samurai would trust in the Rijin, and the people would in turn trust in the samurai. Many Domans would attest that one need only look to the carnage born of betrayal in the past to see this wisdom in this.
Diet: As one would expect given the amount of farmland devoted to it, rice is part of virtually every Doman meal. Aside from that common element, however, the cuisine of the central and coastal regions can differ to a surprising degree. Pork, and other meats are favored in the heartland of Doma, where seafood is far more common along the coast. The seasoning used in preparation are somewhat dissimilar as well, with the coastal villages preferring the more subtle flavors of Hingashi while stronger spices imported from Radz-at-Han are regular incorporated into Yanxian fare.
The Feats of Ganen
For all intents and purposes, the history of Doma begins with one man: Ganen Rijin. Eight hundred years ago, following his father’s death in battle when he was still but a boy if fourteen summers, Ganen became leader of his clan. Even at that tender age, he immediately understood that the Rijin, a clan little renown and meager holdings, would be judged easy prey too tempting to ignore, and would soon be attacked by one larger and more aggressive clans that were locked in a constant struggle for supremacy. Sure enough, it was not long before his scouts brought word of enemy troops massing near their borders. While formulating his defensive strategy, Ganen first considered how a small contingent of soldiers might defend a fortified position against a larger force, which then led him to devise a most cunning plan. Then the invading clan’s cavalry first sighted the Rijin soldiers, they were surprised to find them woefully underequipped-on foot and bereft of chain and plate. They fled, and the eager invaders gave chase, only to become caught in wetlands and weighed down by their armor. At Ganen’s command, the trap was sprung and hidden host archers rained arrows down upon the helpless army. Thus began the legend of the boy general who would later found a kingdom.
The Birth of a Kingdom
Many accomplished warlords have left their mark on Yanxia over the centuries, but Ganen had two qualities others lacked. For one, as a child he had learned the art of geomancy from a wise hermit. He could read the elemental energies as well as any practitioner, and use this knowledge to his advantage when deciding on the time and place to engage his enemies.
Ganen’s other strength was his disregard for birth and background. Whether farmers, fisherman, or even former bandit, he would accept any recruit into his service so long as he believed them possessed of ability and wisdom. Races such as the Lupin who would be considered lessers by many Eorzeans were man’s equals in his eyes, and he welcomed them into his service with open arms. Ganen showed mercy to his defeated enemies and in so doing earned their respect and loyalty, further bolstering his armie’s ranks. With every victory the Rijin grew stronger, and in the span of twenty years they controlled the whole of the One River’s eastern bank.
On the western bank, however, other clans observed the Rijin’s expansion with growing fear. Led by Koboku, they assembled a massive army, and it soon became lear that confrontation was unavoidable. For eight years the war ‘twixt east and west raged with hardly a day of rest, until General Ganen at last led his armies to victory with the aid of the Namazu messengers and spies, who provide invaluable military intelligence. Having united all of Yanxia beneath his banner, he then decreed that the kingdom of Doma was born.
Primarily, “samurai” refers to a position of standing in Hingashi society---a martial vassal who serves his liege in return for certain privileges. The word itself derives from the root “saburau” meaning “to serve”, which reinforces the fundamental nature of their status. Records of this arrangement became common some six hundred years ago, but examples of the samurai art of combat can be found earlier in history.
The fighting style distinct from mainland practices---was founded by warriors who favored the katana, and honed over lifetimes of conflict. As well as devising techniques to infuse their uniquely curved blades with “Kenki”, samurai also mastered the meditative state of “Sen” which paved the way for “Iaijutsu” and other elevated form of swordmanship. The samurai arts eventually found purchase on the continent, and saw the birth of numerous variant schools. In a realm coddled by relative peace, however, the title of samurai has become largely hereditary, leading to fears that this once hard-earned honor being replaced by empty tradition.
Equipment
Myochin Armor
Crafted in the haori-and-hakama style by armorers of the longstanding Myochin clan, this set of armor is common garb for present-day samurai. Whilst it appears little more than a decorative kimono, the cloth is woven in such a way as to promote the flow of aether.
Kiki-ichimonji
Kiku-ichimonji was forged by a legendary Hingan swordsmith, the proof of which can be found in the engraved signature---the character for “ichi” of “one” the sword features a broad point, and an elegant, undulating temper pattern along the length of the blade, whilst sheath’s sepentine ornamentation amplifies the wielder’s energies when performing Iaijutsu.
Nameless Armor
This most elementary set of armor was designed for samurai initiates. The togi and hakama are both woven with enchanted silk to enhance the wearer’s sensivity to the flow of aether, effectively aiding the novice in learning to recognize the sensation of Kenki gathering in blade and sheath. Dyed entirely in black, the color of the attire mutes any lurid splashes of blood either from the enemy or the wearer.
Katayama
This masterpiece was forged by the Katayama branch of the Ichimonji school of swordmansmiths. Although Kiku-ichimonji, a katana crafted by their forebears, is considered a superior in sharpness and beauty, Katayama (or in full, Katayama-ichimonji) is still celebrated for its exquisite workmanship. The blade changed hands many times, until one wielder carried it on a warrior’s pilgrimage to the west, where it was lost for long years. It was later discovered that in his quest to find worthy opponents, the overconfident samurai had entered where no man should tread, and perished at the culmination of an epic battle.
The Katana
When the earliest settlers crossed the Ruby Tide to Hingashi, they brought with them the weapons of their ancestors the most prominent being the traditional Yanxian longsword. These dual-edged straight-blade swords continued to see use on the island nation for centuries, their design changing little from those which had made the original journey from Othard. The longsword, however, soon fell out of fashion on the continent, and was replaced by the single-edged, sharply curved scimitars popular among Nagxian cavalry. This change eventually made its way to Hingashi, though a lack of a true cavalry on the islands lessened the necessity for such a pronounced grade of inflection. The outcome was the modest curvature seen in a modern-day katana.
Still, for many years, swords of Hingan origin were considered far substandard to those forged in Yanxia---Hingan blacksmiths unable to do more than merely copy techniques refined across the narrow sea. This all changed when a swordmaker from Kugane discovered and perfected a method of folding steel---a process that, when performed correctly, result in a highly tensile core encased in a nigh-indestructible shell. The blades’ strength and beauty (exotic pattern in the steel a by-product of the folding) made the katana attractive in Hingashi’s samurai caste, whose demand for the weapons fueled not only the advancement of further blacksmithing techniques, but also saw the emergence of scabbards as aetherial vessels wherein a warrior’s “Kenki” might be stored.
Prominent Designs
Chokuto
Though rare today, history shows there were ages in which straight-bladed single-edged katana were used throughout the Far East, albeit largely for ceremonial or ritual purpose.
Tachi
Designed for use on horseback, tachi are long and markedly curved to improve reach. A tachi’s maker can be identified by gauging the severity of the blade’s “shinogi”, or the slight ridge rising from the flat.
Chokken
The oldest of all Far Eastern katana, the design of the chokken, or longsword, can be traced back to the of the most holy of blades, Ame-no-Murakumo. Unlike most katana, the blade is dual-edged and uncurved.
Kenki
In the lands of the Far East, one’s aetheric flow is often referred to as “Ki”. The Kenki of the samurai is a harnessing of these energies, allowing the swordsmen to accumulate ki within their blades and thence unleash various deadly techniques. In this respect, such “Hissatsu” might be interpreted as a martial form of magecraft.
Iaijutsu
These techniques are performed by building aether in a sheathed katana, and then unleashing the entire store of energy the instant the blade is drawn. Executing Iaijutsu correctly requires complete control over one’s state of mind----a feat achieved by entering a battle trance kown as “Sen” . Samurai attain such meditative mastery only through intense discipline and training.
Tricks of the Trade
Doom of the Living
All those who live are fated to die. The samurai portrays the foe’s life with innumerable slashes of the blade, ends that life with a single, aether-infused stroke, and then sheathes her weapon in a symbolic depiction of transience.
Hissatsu: Kyuten
One of the most samurai’s formidable Hissatsu techniques, Kyuten is a word which expresses nine directions--the eight compass points joined by the center. Devised to cut down all surrounding enemies with a single strike.
Tenka Goken
A form of Iaijutsu wherein the samurai fashions his katana’s accumulated aether into phantom blades, and strikes as if wielding the five swords of a legend---the Tenka Goken.
Midare Setsugekka
Setsu. Getsu. Ka. It is said when one occupies all three states of Sen, the thread of a foe’s life comes into focus. This sublime Iaijutsu was devised to cut that thread.
For seven centuries, the Rijin clan remained firmly in control of Doma, though their largely uneventful rule was punctuated by occasional periods of unrest. One notable example was the reign of King Seien some three hundred years ago, who even from childhood seemed destined to wreak havoc. He was a brash, impulsive ruler, with no consideration for the cost. As Doma’s coffers ran dry, he turned to merchant clans for financial assistance, and when the time for repayment drew closer, he taxed his subjects to raise capital.Seie, was in every aspect, unfit to lead.
In these troubled times, the kingdom found salvation in an unexpected ally. Sasuke, a shinobi of the Kagekakushi clan who had come to Doma to carry out a secret mission, was moved by the plight of the people. After fulfilling his duties, he sought out Seien’s younger brother, Shoen--- a far more sensible man whose attempts to restrain the king’s appetites had only drawn his ire and freed him from captivity. Together, the two led a rebel army and overthrew Seien, and in doing so brought an end to a dark chapter of Doman history.
The Garlean Occupation
The newly crowned Shoen implored to his friend Sasuke to remain in Doma, but not as a mere retainer. Rather, the king feared what might become of the realm should another like his brother claim the throne, and saw the shinobi as a check against tyranny--defenders loyal to Doma, not her leader. Sasuke shared Shoen’s concern and readily agreed to his proposal, and shortly thereafter founded the hidden village of Shinobi-no-Sato deep in the mountains of Yanxia. Thre he trained others in the arts of ninjutsu, and for nearly three hundred years the Kingdom of Doma enjoyed peace and tranquility.
Alas, such things are not wont to last. During the reign of the forty-third king of Doma, Kaien Rijin, the Garlean Empire invaded Yanxia from the west. After establishing a beachhead on the One River, imperial forces were reinforced by massive airships used to secure floating isles as part of a multi-pronged attack. With the support of the hastily constructed Castrum Fluminis, the Empire was poised to bring the Kingdom of Doma to its knees. At first, Lord Kaien and his vassals were determined to drive the Garleans from their lands, but as the invaders brought their airships and armor to bear and losses mounted, it quickly became clear the the defenders were outmatched. Doma surrendered, and for the next twenty-five years was subject to imperial rule, until a group of rebels finally rose up and cast down their oppressors to reclaim their freedom.
#wolqotd We still have a lot to learn for Dawntrail. However, do you know what awaits your WoL personally? Any ideas for their own personal arc, or maybe a new job? Theo will be looking at self-discovery and self-love, and how this helps him be the protector he wants to be."
Deme will be following Emet-selch's prompt to explore what he hasn't…and enjoying the culture, and food. He is grieving the loss of his friends (Ancients/convocation) so he will be looking forward to a change of scenery. He's MOST excited for an excuse to fight his friends. 😂
To the east of Othard, across the Ruby Sea, lies the nation Hingashi. Though it is now known to be the birthplace of the ninjutsu and samurai traditions, little else can be said with confidence about this isolated land of its reclusive peoples.
Flag: The flag many associate with Hingashi that of a black circle with three waves curving inward is in fact not a national standard, but rather a banner of the Mitsurugi clan, which currently rules Hingashi.
Motto: Live with Conviction
Government: True power Hingashi rests in the hands of the bakufu, a military government. However, the official head of state is the emperor, who “entrust” matters of governance to the shogun and his officials. For generations, the royal household has seen fit to favor the Mitsurugi clan, whose sons have served as strong leaders. It should be noted that while the current figurehead is male, the right of succession is not restricted to men alone absolute primogeniture is the Hingan tradition.
Leader: Emperor Reigen
Ruling Body: The Mitsurugi clan leads the bakufu at present. Their influence over a given region can vary greatly, though, as they must retain the support of many wealthy families which have their own agendas.
Racial Distribution: Far Eastern Hyur (50%), Far Eastern Roegadyn (15%), Au Ra (10%), Other (25%).
Religion: The people of Hingashi generally profess a belief in the kami, a legion of divine spirits said to exist in all aspect of nature, from mountains and rivers, to the very crops Hingans grow and consume. These kami feature prominently in several creation myths, though the particulars of each tale differ from region to region. To declare such myths part of a formal religion may be misleading, though, as the Hingans do not engage in any standardized rituals, nor do they consistently favor any given kami over another---a being deeply venerated in one land may be virtually ignored in another. Their faith might be best described as a pragmatic amalgamation of those practices which appeal to the individual most. Suffice it to say, the average of Eorzean may struggle to comprehend this approach.
A Forgotten Past
Regrettably, there is little to no information concerning Hinganshi prior to the Fourth Astral Era. Extant Allagan records currently available for study make no mention of the islands either. Therefore, it must be assumed that while the Allagan Empire ruled the Three Great Continents at the height of its power, its dominion did not extend to what would later be known as Hingashi. This presumption is further supported by the fact that, in the limited archaeological surveys of the island undertaken with the permission of the bakufu, not a single Allagan ruin has been discovered. This is not to say there was no evidence of Allagan influence whatsoever, though, as small artifacts such as jewelry and tomestones were unearthed. The prevailing theory at this time is that the islands were either deserted or home to only a token population prior the to the Fourth Umbral Calamity, at which point refugees fleeing the collapse of the Empire came en masse. The Allagan trinkets found in Hingashi were brought by these new arrivals, who subsequently cast off the last vestiges of their fallen society and strove to create a new one free from the trappings of the past. Again, it should be stressed that this is a theory based on limited evidecence, and it should not be taken as incontrovertible fact.
The First Emperor
The oldest surviving primary sources discovered in Hingashi are wooden tablets which date back approximately three millenia. They were found on Koshu, the nation’s largest island, and appear to be a record of taxes owed to a wealthy landowner. From this we can conclude that Hingan society was sufficiently developed to support complex system of taxation. Only two hundred years later, a clan in the western plains of Koshu rose to prominence following the fall of its neighboring rivals. The clan’s head declared himself a great king and launched a campaign to bring all others to heel, and in the whole of western Koshu beneath one banner. As time passed, subsequent leaders were declared emperors, and if records are to be believed, the current imperial household can trace its ancestry all the way to his first ancient king.
An Age of Blood and Strife
For nearly a millennium, an unbroken line of emperors held absolute power. However, fifteen hundred years ago, at the dawn of the Sixth Astral Era, a dispute over succession plunged Hingashi into civil war. Two ruled an emperor in the east and an empress in the west---and for the better part of three centuries their descendants fought against one another. The resulting chaos greatly reduced the power and prestige of royal bloodline.
In order to claim victory, the royals increasingly turned to the vassals sworn to serve them. To secure their martial support, they granted them new rights and promised new privileges. So focused were the royals on defeating their hated rivals that they did not consider the wider implications of their generosity until it was too late. When at last the dust settled, an emperor in the east reigned triumphant, but as a figure head, for he had surrendered nearly all his power to other clans. Emboldened, these clans then turned upon one another, and a new struggle for supremacy began.
The Rise of the Mitsurugi Clan
Over the course of six hundred years, Hingashi was ravaged by the fires of war. Clan seized every opportunity to strike at their enemies, and were in turn attacked by other equally ruthless foes. Those born into poverty could rise prominence through strength of arms, and indeed, there were farmers that became landed generals. Those who lacked such talents could resort to trickery and deception, and indeed, there were tales of foolish lords betrayed by their vassals. No one was safe, and naught was guaranteed.
So it was that Hingashi was awash with blood until the Mitsurugi clan, rulers of Onokuni, came to power. Though their leader, Kanzan, was not skilled in the arts of war, he was a peerless politician and strategist. While others resorted to violence to achieve their ends, he forged alliances through marriage and employed ninja to gain vital intelligence. In this way, he not only defended his clan's holdings from outsiders, but outmaneuvered his rivals so that when at last the decisive battle came, the Mitsurugi clan alone stood above all others. Kanzan once more demonstrated his foresight when he restored the imperial household to power, declaring that the mandate he had to rule had been bequeathed to him by the Hingan emperor. In doing so, he appeared to honor ancient traditions and appealed to those who had yearned to return to the halcyon days, even if in sooth the Mitsurugi clan remained the true power behind the throne.
The Opening of Kugane
Though the Mitsurugi Bakufu faced resistance from several clans, it was a far cry from the chaos which had once consumed the island nation. Peace had come to Hingashi, and while the clans were not wont to relinquish their independence—and indeed took many measures to preserve it—they could not deny that there was some benefit in cooperating with the new government. No longer preoccupied with internal strife, the people were, at long last, free to look beyond their borders and see what wonders the world held—and many were quite eager to do so.
In recent years, however, the bakufu has grown wary of foreign interests. The rise of the Garlean Empire and its aggressive expansion with the aid of magitek has not gone unnoticed, nor has the struggle of the Domans across the Ruby Sea not been a source of some concern. The fall of Dalmasca served to underscore this, and spurred Hingashi to, like Radz-at-Han before it, formally declare themselves neutral with regards to Garlemald's actions. As such, they will not intervene in the affairs of Yanxia nor Nagxia.
For the time being, the bakufu maintains its strict isolationist policies and devotes the majority of its attention to internal affairs, whilst permitting only a small measure of foreign trade to take place via the port of Kugane on Shishu. The port is also home to several embassies, including most notably that of the Garlean Empire. Indeed, Kugane could be said to exemplify the nation's precarious position: all are welcome, but none are friends.
Organizations
The Imperial Court
Presided over by Emperor Reigen, the imperial court was once the center of Hingan political power, but over time has lost virtually all influence. By all accounts, it continues to exist only as a concession to historical tradition. In accordance with said tradition, the bakufu is “permitted” to rule by the grace of the emperor, but there ends the court’s official involvement in matters of governance.
The Bakufu
Hingashi’s true heart of governance, the bakufu was first established by Kanzan of the Mitsurugi clan following a prolonged period of internal strife. Successive leaders have all come from this powerful family, which rules from the capital of Bukyo, between Onokuni, their ancestral home on the island of Koshu. The bakufu has consolidated its political and military might at Bukyo Castle, where many samurai are called to serve as bureaucrats for a time. Their power is far from absolute, though, as many regions and clan retain a measure of autonomy, resulting in a system that may be best described as federalism.
Kugane Bugyo
The hand of the bakufu in Kugane, the bugyo is the most senior official in the local government. As Kugane is the sole open port within the whole of Hingashi, the expectations and burdens headed upon this magistrate far exceed those his peers in other domains must endure. Should a foreigner commit a crime, for example, it would fall to the bugyo to administer appropriate punishment. However, in such matters he must consider the wider circumstances, as reckless action could lead to an international incident. Therefore, the position of bugyo of Kugane is not awarded lightly, and familial connections alone will not suffice. One must possess a keen mind and a talent for navigating politics domestic and foreign to even be considered eligible.
Sekiseigumi
Per an agreement with the bakufu, the financial burdens of these protectors of Kugane must be shouldered by the Buhen, which is why roughly half of those who serve have ties to the clan and its vassals. The other half in comprised of them and women who come to the city from all across Hingashi out of an earnest desire to uphold the law. By and large, those who joined out of familial obligations seek only to fulfil their responsibilities without incident. They may be competent and diligent, but unlikely to go above and beyond the call of duty. The other sort take to their duties with greater passion, be they training or peacekeeping, and while there are those who praise their dedication, the more zealous Sekiseigumi have a reputation for being quick to draw steel. Needless to say, it is constant struggle for a captain to balance the concerns of both factions.
Now converted for the viewing pleasure of Tumblr. Figured I should start using this blog for something.
Also, converting everything from BBCode to HTML is a pain in the ass. I need to find an easier way of doing this.
Note: This post contains spoilers for the Ninja quests!
Overview
A ninja, referred to as a shinobi by Domans, is a covert agent who engages in espionage, sabotage, reconnaissance, infiltration, and assassination. The majority of Doman shinobi serve as retainers to different lords in a variety of functions such as being a spy, a scout, or a bodyguard. Unscrupulous shinobi may also work as mercenaries or engage in activities that serve their personal agenda.
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Soul Crystal
Shinobi each carry their own soul crystal. Whether or not each crystal is individual or passed down by tradition is unknown, and how necessary the crystal is in using shinobi abilities is also unknown, although it is tradition to return the soul crystal to the deceased shinobi's village of birth.
"Peasants By Day, Ninjas By Night" wrote:
Oboro
Ah... You have my gratitude. When one of our kind falls, tradition dictates that we return their soul to the village, that it may rest with our ancestors.
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Skills and Abilities
Shinobi abilities are referred to as ninjutsu. While the term ninjutsu technically encompasses a mix of martial skill, infiltration tactics, and various esoteric aspects of guerrilla warfare--real life ninjutsu disciplines include but are not limited to geography, meteorology, swimming, and spiritual refinement--the ninjutsu of Final Fantasy XIV specifically refers to a shinobi's ability to channel and manifest aether using handsigns called mudra.
"Peasants By Day, Ninjas By Night" wrote:
Oboro
We draw power from the world around us─the heaven, the earth, and the hearts of man─and channel this power into physical form. I am told that this is similar to your concept of...ay-ther, was it? I must confess that Eorzean words and ways remain unfamiliar to me.
Oboro
How does one channel this power, you ask? Through the use of mudra, hand gestures that call forth each of the three forms of energy of which I spoke. The first mudra I will teach you will call power from the heavens. In Doma, we call this Ten.
The use of mudra allows a shinobi to shape aether to various physical forms, whether it be a giant shuriken, a vertical bolt of lightning, a ball of fire, or so on. It is unknown if any additional mudras or ninjutsu techniques exist among Doman shinobi outside of those available in-game.
Using mudras is known to exhaust the spirit, and additional time is required to settle the mind sufficiently to use mudra again. It is emphasized that one's mind and focus must be clear in order to properly utilize mudra, or the ninjutsu will fail. This limitation is surpassed when a shinobi utilizes Kassatsu, although that too has limitations.
"Master and Student" wrote:
Oboro
Body or mind─by any measure, you are every bit my equal as a shinobi. Save for one final technique which I will now impart to you: Kassatsu
Oboro
Use it to rearrange the energies channeled into your body, and unleash powerful ninjutsu techniques one after the next. But be warned. In our tongue, it means quite literally “life and death.” Which one it means for you will depend entirely on your presence of mind.
There are also esoteric abilities such as shukuchi and underwater surveillance using bamboo flutes.
"Pirates Versus Ninjas" wrote:
Oboro
The time has come for me to impart to you another technique, which we call Shukuchi. You may think of it as compressing the physical space around you, allowing you to cross great distances in the blink of an eye. Go ahead, give it a try.
Shinobi specialize in using two weapons in tandem, but little mention is made in-game of their actual fighting styles or combat doctrine.
Outside of combat abilities, shinobi also act as infiltrators and saboteurs. Like their real-life counterparts, they often disguise themselves as lowly peasants or servants in order to gather information. When that's not an option, a shinobi can utilize their agility to infiltrate a location with a more traditional stealthy approach as well. In addition, each shinobi would have a basic understanding of pyrotechnics in order to use devices such as smoke bombs, which may extend to other explosive devices. Mind you, a shinobi is not exactly going to be throwing blocks of C-4 plastic explosive, but basic thrown grenades and flash bombs are not beyond the realm of possibility.
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Ranks and Training
Doman shinobi are given a rank based on their mastery of mudra.
"Once Upon A Time In Doma" wrote:
Oboro
Chunin is our word for a shinobi who has attained full mastery of two-mudra techniques. In our tradition, when a student is deemed by his master to show such potential, she is led to a waterfall outside the village to conduct intense training.
A genin is a student who has mastered a single mudra, and a jonin is one who has mastered all three mudra and the combinations that come with it.
Doman shinobi are raised to be shinobi at a young age, with training starting from childhood.
The nation of Doma was introduced to shinobi and ninjutsu via the shinobi Sasuke, who came from a land east of Othard. Doma is the only known nation to practice it, although the Garlean Empire have begun training their covert operatives in the techniques of a shinobi through Doman defectors. Garlean shinobi are referred to as "Imperial shadows". However, after the death of Master Gekkai in the Ninja questline, the Imperial shadows disbanded, and the remaining Imperial shadows became bandits or mercenaries.
"Ninja Assassin" wrote:
Oboro
...Unless he [Redway] was one of Gekkai's shadows. The imperial shinobi lost their place in Garlemald when the unit was disbanded after the man's death.
Oboro
That would be cause for them to sell their blades. I imagine the demand for mercenaries with ninjutsu would be great among people with money enough to trade in Far Eastern treasures...
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Philosophy and Spirituality
Traditional shinobi philosophy is centred around the concepts of devotion, clarity, and the unity of body and mind. Meditation is performed often in order to centre a shinobi's sense of self.
"Strangers In A Strange Land" wrote:
Oboro
As you know, we are blades, and missions are as whetstones to us. Through duty and service, we sharpen our skills and our minds. This is the next step on your path.
"The Impossible Girl" wrote:
Oboro
But your mind is full. Still your thoughts. Listen to what your heart says in the silence. In so doing, you will grow as a shinobi.
"Ninja Assassin" wrote:
Oboro
Now, I will leave you to your meditations. Allow them to further sharpen your mind, so you will be the blade when the time comes again to strike.
"My First Mudra" wrote:
Oboro
Heed my words well. For the shinobi, blade and mind are one. The weak mind gives rise to a weak blade. The false mind gives rise to a false blade. But the mind that is strong and true? That blade will know no equal.
Oboro
Such were the teachings of my master, his master, and his master's master before him. The shinobi must keep presence of mind at all times, or his blade may as well be one of grass.
Domans in general are also known to practice a form of Shintoism, though it lacks a canon name within FFXIV.
"Once Upon A Time In Doma" wrote:
Oboro
My people do not worship your deities twelve. Our gods are all around us─in the trees, in the soil, in the crashing waters before you. Close your eyes and open your heart to the sound of the rushing falls, that you might purge your mind of all worldly thoughts and distractions.
