"Dai Ichi, Dai Man, Dai Kaichi."大一大万大吉"All for One, One for All, and may Heaven Bless the Land." "They are a rough and a fearless people, lambs in their own country, but well-nigh devils outside of it." UEG Officer recalling a 1615 quote by a Dutch commander. Dai Ōkami BakufuThe Ōkami Shogunate's throne world, Ōkami, is located at the midway point between the Sol and Fantoma Sectors, roughly 3000 light years from each. The systems primary, Amatarasu, is a K1-IV Class Orange Main Sequence Star orbited by eight planets and two asteroid belts. Ōkami is a lush and verdant blue green sphere with a vibrant and diverse biosphere and is orbited by two small terrestrial moons.
Contents
New BeginningsA century or so has passed and Ōkami has expanded her borders considerably in that time. This expansion for the most part went unopposed and largely unnoticed due to the Shogunate’s isolated place in the galaxy. From a single system the Shogunate now holds sway over a sixteen system domain. But this says nothing of the Ōkami Shogunate’s rise: (2053 – 2060)Three and a half years later after some trial and error and a lengthy journey, the final pieces of the Dai Torii (Great Gate) was delivered and installed in a system 2.65 ly distant; the first system colonized by the Shogunate. Dubbed Usagi-na (Rabbit-hole) the world’s surface settlement served as a base of operations and supply center for the massive trade terminus of which the Dai Torii would be a part. Eventually the settlements utility to the Dai Torii would disappear and the surface settlement would expand separate from the Nanban Terminus. Retired after long last, Ishida Suki no Ōkami, Shogun of the Dragon Throne left her service in the Republic Expeditionary Forces (late of the UEEF) as a Major General (O-8) and one of the most highly decorated officers in the REF. Leaving behind a distinguished career, she returned to her new home to take up the reins of leadership. Unconcerned with the Sol or Tirol Sectors in so far as what benefits could be gained from them, the Shogun set about the task of consolidating the Ōkami system, building her industry and expanding her trade and banking empire as well as the military necessary to protect it. With the Dai Torii operational the transit time from Ōkami to the Settlers Gate in Tirol space was reduced from a 9 month 4 day transit to a mere hour. A roundtrip from the Settlers Gate to Aquilae, Ōkami’s first and foremost ally within the Sol Sector, was cut in half, from 3 years to 18 months. It was this shortened pipeline that dramatically altered the course of the Earth-Colony War. As the Dai Torii project neared completion the forces of the UEG (United Earth Government) made their first militarily overt bid to reclaim, or otherwise reassert dominion over, their nearby colonies. The first was Haven, which fell willingly back into the fold when presented with Earths new fleet. The colony of Edea fell next after a brief yet spirited defense. Anticipating that Aquilae would be the next target the Shogun instructed the Red Seal ship Adams Maru’s escorts to remain in the Aquilae system while dispatching the entirety of the OSN’s (Okami Shogunal Navy) Dai-roku Kantai (6th Fleet) in accordance with treaty edicts. This marked the first time OSN vessels engaged in set piece warfare. As the combined Aquilae and Ōkami Fleet(s) weathered the initial assault, the Dai Torii terminus was opened to foreign traffic for the first time, allowing the SC’s (Sentinels Confederation) REF (Republic Expeditionary Force) Task Force 99 alongside Ōkami Keibi Kentai (Guard Fleet) reserves to sail to Aquilae’s defense. With the additional ships, and clear declaration of support for her allies the shattered UEG’s counter attack withdrew. Shortly thereafter the UEG sued for peace and went on to pursue easier targets. With hostilities ended the Guard Fleet reserves were returned home and the Adams Maru and her escorts were returned to their commerce duties. The 6th Fleet was replenished and would remain in Aquilae space for over a year to guard against UEG intransigence. The unfortunate loss of an open and willing trade partner within the UEG, (however limited prior trade had been), shifted economic priorities for Ōkami. While still reaping decent income from Aquilaen trade and transshipment with Tiresian destinations and vice versa, a more concrete form of export was sought. To that end raw and processed ore production was increased and funds were made available to vastly increase the research and technological development programs already in place. Focus was made on integrating Invid Bio Technology with Trow Mana Technology with good old fashioned Earth and Tiresian Robotechnology. These resource and technology efforts would pay high dividends later. (2061 – 2078)Adopting a pragmatic advance the Shogunate would focus on internal consolidation and infrastructure even as operatives were seeded within rival, and even friendly, neighbors; in the later case, among the embassy staff. When incidents of merchant corruption were noted, Keisetsu (Civil Police) diligence and Shogunal action carried the day, and a series of reforms to the Red Seal Trading Company’s practices quashed the corruption while maintaining efficiency. Commerce raiders later identified as privateers and pirates allied with the UEG, would, in reciprocity to OSN involvement in the Earth-Colony War, target Red Seal shipping within the Fantoma Sectors Eastern Expanse. Due to the initial high loss ratio among the raiders to the better equipped and well trained crews of the Red Seal and their OSN escorts the Shogunate was content to remain publically silent on the matter albeit lodging formal complaints in private. With the Dai Torii, OSN support to the Red Seal in the Fantoma Sector was fast in arriving when called for and the reinforced trade fleets shredded all opposition with minimal loss of life and material - to the OSN. It would take two years before the surviving Eastern Expanse pirates turned to less deadly targets. Within the Kirin Belt, an asteroid cluster nearest the systems primary being mined for the relatively low hanging fruit of Nickel and Copper, was found to have massive fields of Ruthenium; a wear-resistant ore used in superconductors, platinum alloys, and microelectronics. Moving swiftly, infrastructure improvements were ordered to exploit the deposit. On a southern Ōkami continent, explorers from the pre-existing Tireisan colony of Nous Triol, founded many decades ago by the cast off young and elderly of the Robotech Masters long march to Earth, at long last made contact with Ōkami Shogunate in 2075 and learned that not only were they not alone on their world, but that the Shogunate held primacy in all respects over it. Nigh medieval in overall technology, but for a few functional Bioroids and other trappings of technology the elders were able to train their young to use and maintain, the colony of Nous Tirol was known to the Shogunate; who had decided long ago to pursue a policy of non intervention, despite watchful eyes from orbit tracking and cataloguing their progress and growth. Initial tensions and social palpations were fast in coming as the question of what to do burned in everyone’s mind. The Tiresians were thunderstruck with shocked impotence, no longer the master of their own domain, and learning that that had been the case for the last twenty years without their ever knowing it. This, coupled with the realization that there was nothing at all they could do to alter that fact, was a bitter pill to swallow. Culture shock regards such things of Tiresian patrilineal leadership butting up against Ōkami matrilineal rule would be among the more prominent issues. Long anticipating the eventuality of contact, the Shogunate was ready with an initial bevy of diplomatic solutions and offers. It would eventually be agreed upon that Nous Tirol would become an autonomous region with its own borders. Trade would be established and a Shogunal legation would establish a mission nearby. To guard against the possibility of mass emigration from Nous Tirol to the more modern cities of the Shogunate, a generous technology transfer would see to Nous Tirol’s modernization and quality of life improvements. Never-the-less, many adventurous boys and rebellious girls with independent streaks would be drawn to the ‘big cities’. Provisions were established to accommodate plebiscite votes in the future for full integration into the Shogunate. The issues diplomatic triumph was only darkened by the long expected, yet tragic, death of Sen no Aki, Regent of the Dragon Throne, in 2077 at the age of 92. (2079 – 2086)With the passing of Sen no Aki, a strong and feared leader, some within Ōkami; and upon learning of the event, outside; felt an opportunity to wrest leadership from the Shogun was not only desirable, but also possible. They could not have been more mistaken. Collaborating with elements of the UEG’s GMP (Global Military Police) several influential Daimyo and Ko (merchants) arranged for UEG forces to array within the Fantoma Sector. With this threat leveled against Ōkami interests action would be needed, and, it was argued, in light of recent provocations by the UEG, decisively so. The Shogun was advised in good faith by her military leaders (unbeknownst the treacherous information of complicit Daimyo and their underlings within the OSN) to send the OSN Ni-roku Kantai (2nd Fleet) under the leadership of the Shoguns daughter Ishida Karin, with her elite, and loyal, Samurai to deal with the threat. With the 2nd Fleet in motion, complicit Ko and Daimyo moved to isolate the leadership using favors and bribery to request official functions across Ōkami and her system settlements designed to tie up the Shogun’s wife and other key retainers. The coup would have worked had the conspirators not gravely underestimated the Shogun’s mate. Once word had reached her that communications with Ishida Castle was interrupted and that reports of a firefight was taking place there, she quit the function she was attending and returned to her wife’s side and spirited the Shogun, and her beleaguered and soon to be overrun bodyguards, to safety. With the quarry rescued the attackers committed suicide rather than be captured alive, thereby precipitating an investigation that threatened to devolve into a full blown purge and witch hunt. The Shogunate held its breath, and then heaved a sigh of relief as the Shogun recused herself and her Han (Domain) from the investigation beyond providing statements and opening Ishida Castle to the Keisetsu and Kempeitai (Military Police). It would take four tense years before enough information was gathered by the Joint Civil and Military Police investigators and Oniwaben operatives in and outside the system to break the veil of secrecy shrouding the plot. When the depth and breadth of the conspirators involvement was realized the Shogun was informed, and advised to keep the fullness of it covered up lest it provoke a crisis. Appreciative of the advice, and understanding of the possible implications, the Shogun made her decision. Those so named in the investigation would be taken into custody in a coordinated operation designed to sweep up as many at one time as possible. Those with holdings would see their Han seized and their assets frozen. Measures were then taken to ensure the social and financial stability of the Shogunate. Only then did the Shogun address the Shogunate and summarized what had been uncovered. The stability measures proved prescient, and in many cases, thankfully, overkill. The political and societal heights and the positions that some of the conspirators had been entrusted with reached very high indeed and it took all the Shogun’s political acumen to assuage fears and reduce tensions over the two years of trials and convictions. In the end the conspirators were all put to the sword, their personal holdings seized by the Ōkami Han, and their public holdings privatized and turned over to the people. (2087 – 2100)Recovering from one crisis, the warning of an impending natural disaster was at the same time an emergency and a godsend. Increased activity from the systems primary forecasted the impending release of a G4 or 5 Level CME (Coronal Mass Ejection). Thanks in large part to the solar observatories present to safeguard the Kirin Belts Ruthenium mining operations the Ōkami system had a fair amount of forewarning. Measures were taken to mitigate the effects of the event and damage was minimal with the worst of the damage incurred by the Kirin Belt infrastructure that could not be moved as well on Hinotama where asteroids of the Kirin Belt, dislodged by the energy wave, impacted near some of the planets settlements. Towards the end of 2090 the final effects of the failed coup were felt as Oniwaben agents of Ōkami successfully infiltrated Sol space and poisoned the GMP Director whose office had been behind the UEG’s involvement. It was during this operation that a network in the Sol system was established for information gathering and further Oniwaben activity should the need arise. While no proof was left behind to implicate a guilty party, the manner in which the GMP official had been killed coupled with his connection to events on Ōkami left no doubt in many minds about who was responsible. Protestations in the political realm where forthcoming as the UEG wrapped themselves in the armor of victimhood; accusing Ōkami of paranoia, adventurism, murder, provocations, and slanderous lies while trying to blame the UEG for involvement in Ōkami affairs. With few foreign allies the UEG’s chest thumping and self righteous mewling was met with the political equivalent of a yawn. As UEG demands for justice reached a fevered pitch and her rhetoric became ever more strident the Shogun simply allowed the proof of UEG complicity to be released into the public record. Incensed that the Shogun would have the temerity to expose their lies the UEG sought avenues in which to restore their stature. When the UEG moved to retaliate by sending out spies of their own, as well as an enlarged military presence of commerce raiders into the Fantoma Sector, real this time, the spy network earlier emplaced was able to provide details. Thus forewarned, the spies were met by the Kempeitai and the commerce riders were met by 2nd Fleet. (2101 -2139)Despite a state of Cold War existing between the UEG and Ōkami the fiery rhetoric subsided considerably as, in 2133, a more moderate UEG administration entered power. Meanwhile Ōkami entered into a period of unparalleled prosperity and her steadily growing population topped 30 million. On a blustery winter day in 2102 the Shogun’s first born daughter gave birth to her own first born named Hiyori. Some years later the now city-state of Nous Tirol voted in open plebiscite to formally join and integrate into the Ōkami Shogunate. It was around this time that nearby planetary systems were discovered that held mineral and other natural resources. Colonization efforts centering on resource extraction were initiated, and in a few short years the Shogunate grew from a three world single system polity to one with ten worlds in six systems. Begun in theory and prototype stages decades earlier, the Ōkami Horo or ‘Nyx Array’, designed to protect Shogunate holdings and territory from unauthorized Fold Transit, becomes effectively operational. With enough Fault Generator drones at the ready, all tied into the Kagami Array and overseen from Oikago Station the Shogunate gained the ability to counter all but the most comprehensive ‘all aspect’ intrusions. With unparalleled prosperity the inevitable foil of power grabs and cronyism in time reared its head as a series of Daimyo on worlds further away from Ōkami sought to carve personal fiefdoms out of the Han’s they had been entrusted to oversee. Once word of this had reached the capitol investigative units were dispatched and within a year most of the egregious offenders were made an example of. Realizing that far flung colonies was a reality that Ōkami would have to deal with, the Shogun called a conclave of her Privy Council and Council of Regents in order to reform existing processes and employ a system of governance and oversight that maintained a balance between strong central and empowered colonial government. In the end the issue of governance needed only slight alterations, as the existing Daimyo and Han system was sound. Regards oversight, to ensure that the laws and edicts of the central government were followed, the special operatives known as Metsuke were increased in number, specifically trained for duties away from Ōkami and dispatched to colonial capitols and settlements throughout the Shogunate. These operatives, some overt, some covert, would act as the Shoguns eyes and ears and reported to officials in Ōkamikyo-shi who in turn reported to the Shogun herself. These measures were well received by the populace in general and the colonies in particular. It was after this time that Ishida Tatsuko Karin retired from military service in 2108 at the age of 60 and was named Shinpan Daimyo and given Usagi-na and the Nanban Terminus as her Han, thus creating the Usagi-Han under the leadership of the Tatsuko-shi (Clan of the Little Dragon). With the newly discovered resources, and the new hybridization technologies, focused on more than sixty years ago, having now borne fruit, an entirely new family of ships classes with hulls grown in microgravity and engines capable of bypassing fold faults, mounting powerful energy and missile batteries, began to slip their moorings to replace and augment their predecessors. As these ships entered construction, technologies advanced on a smaller scale were being introduced into power armor and mecha. Power armor units were able to mount small single point shields, while larger mecha were fitted with pin point barriers writ small. Aerospace variable fighters were now able to self deploy into fold space with the advent of Tatami-do Fold drives while the Dragons of Okami had been altered in size and intelligence to allow human riders to take to their backs as Tatsu Butai (Dragon Soldiers). It was said that the first sight of armored riders upon armored dragons with 200 ft wingspans caused quite the stir among the Zentraedi and Tiresians of the Fantoma Sector and worried and covetous eyes began to take closer looks at the Shogunate. Information decoded from the Hinotama ruins in the late 30’s pointed to the location of a Settlers Gate within 10,000ly of the Dai Torii. After much internal debate it was determined to take the road less travel and attempt the crossing. On the other side, the survey fleet discovered another Settlers Gate, dubbed Looking Glass I, rested in high orbit over a terrestrial world teeming with non sentient life. The world itself was found to be rich in resources natural, minerals and game, and cultural, long abandoned ruins of Settler origin. (2140 – 2149)While debate raged over the next five years regards the implications of such far flung colonization, a new leg in the Gate Network was logged, charted and explored. On the far side of Looking Glass II rested a cluster of stars which held five inhabitable worlds near enough to the gate to allow colonization, one of which boasted an indigenous population of medieval / early industrial era humanoids. With the discovery of such a large amount of potential colonies, along with a native civilization, the decision was made to suspend further gate exploration while assessment and consolidation was underway. Now a kingdom of sixteen worlds among twelve systems, Shogunate colonization efforts in the newly dubbed Kyudoka Shuukai (Archers Cluster) continued apace. As colonization and resource capitalization efforts proceeded beyond the Looking Glass gates, new trade and transshipment opportunities began to present themselves between a more moderate UEG and the SC. The first tentative overtures would be received with guarded cynicism from the Shogunate whereas within the SC the reaction ran the gamut between outright skepticism to clamoring acceptance. The Shogunate would enhance security and carrying capacity at the Nanban Terminus as well as lay down the keels of additional Red Seal hulls in preparation for any increase in trade volume due to relaxed trade restrictions; even though certain items, those with military applications, were still prohibited under ITAR regulations. The decision to suspend further gate exploration and strengthen Shogunate holdings proved to be prescient and astute. The 9 years of consolidation efforts that occurred between the initial survey mission and the Norikazu Incident would allow the Shogunate’s frontier holdings to weather the appearance and subsequent attack by an alien race known as the Doakraxathi. (2150 – 2154)In early 2050 the Norikazu Tankan Kantai (Norikazu Exploration Fleet) was conducting survey missions within the Kyudoka Shuukai. While gate exploration had been put on hiatus, the exploration of the space around the new colonies was open and active. Surveying an area some 100 light years from The Looking Glass II gate the Norikazu Fleet was approached by an unidentified flotilla of modern spacecraft. First contact was made as the Norikazu identified itself. Shortly afterwards larger ships of the same architecture as the flotilla arrived, demanding the surrender of the Norikazu and her escorts. Upon refusal and attempting to reverse course and withdraw the Norikazu was fired upon. Her escorts fought valiantly, sinking several of the smaller ships, one of the line, and damaged many others. However the weight of numbers stood against the Norikazu and the fleet was lost. The only survivors were two escort vessels who folded out with large portions of the Norizaku’s hull within their Fold Spheres; a desperation move that managed to save much of the Norikazu Tankan Kantai’s surviving crew. Shortly afterwards, one by one, the three outermost colonies within the Kyudoka Shuukai sent reports of alien ships in orbit, followed by reports of alien attack. Even with the dispatch of the Dai-san Kantai (3rd Fleet), (ordered into the Cluster within minutes of the Shogun learning of the Norikazu Tankan Butai’s fate) the existing advance units of the OSA (Ōkami Shogunal Army) and OSN; while unable to halt the alien advance, where able to engage in holding actions which allowed the beleaguered colonies to evacuate most of their citizenry while dealing grievous losses upon the enemy. Over the next two years 3rd Fleet would scour the area around the remaining colonies as well as spearhead operations to the three lost colonies, rescuing as many survivors as they could. All the while 3rd Fleet would hunt Doakraxathi ships, sinking them without mercy. For a year afterwards the Doakraxathi all but disappeared and sightings became ever rare. This apparent victory helped add to the happy mood as the Ōkami Shogunate celebrated its Centennial Anniversary and the year 2153 was marked with celebrations, dedications of new construction, and other commemorations. The celebratory mood was not to last; in 2154 the Doakraxathi made their return and using their ‘home court advantage’ maneuvered 3rd Fleet into a decisive engagement. Surrounded by many times their number, the ships of 3rd Fleet fought with skill and bravery and only by the skin of their teeth were able to break out from the encirclement. Battered, beaten, and no longer a combat effective command, 3rd Fleet limped back to the Looking Glass II gate and prepared to hold the line over the Regional capitol of Shuukaido as the Doakraxathi, emboldened by their victory, advanced. It would be the near total destruction and sacrifice of the Dai-kyu Kido Sentai (9th Mobile Division) which, hurriedly deployed and bravely charging into the teeth of the enemy, provided the time for the Shogunate’s elite, the Dai-ni Kantai (2nd Fleet) under the command of Ishida Hiyori, to mobilize, maneuver and subsequently engage the now exhausted and overextended Doakraxathi Fleet. While taking losses, 2nd Fleet battered the Doakraxathi Fleet into debris and forced the withdrawal of its surviving ships. In a deft political move the Shogun, rather than pull her premier fighting force back home, ordered it to remain in the Kyudoka Shuukai as a message to her subjects, that even at the furthest reaches of the realm, they would be defended by her own blood. The unspoken message was that; with a relative of the Shogun guarding the gate, there would be no retreat lest the Honor of the Ishida Han be sullied. (2155 - 2157)With the Doakraxathi thrown back and the remnants of 3rd Fleet in Ōkami space for repair and refit 2nd Fleet absorbed what remained of the 9th Mobile and reinforced its position to deal with any further ‘Doak’ incursions or raiding parties. Provisions were also made to defend the hitherto undisturbed native populations of the inhabited world located 28 light-years away from any possible Doakraxathi invasion in the event that the Doakraxath did not make the distinction between them and the colonies of the Shogunate. Once the area around Shuukaido and Looking Glass II was secured to satisfaction Army and Navy patrols would be dispatched to counter the growing presence of Doakraxathi, with special attention paid to the ‘Lost Sisters’ and the ‘Doak’ bastions being established there. With the new Red Seal mega-hulls having cleared their slips and taking advantage of the trade agreements signed by the UEG and SC, coupled with the Nanban Terminus’ new improvements now in place and operational, the Shogunate was able to reallocate the capital needed to support a military buildup sufficient to deal with the situation in the Kyudoka Shuukai. It was at this time that odd whispers began to reach the ears of the Plenipotentiary Council and the UEG; mainly from third hand accounts of merchant captains who had witnessed the impressive deployment of 2nd Fleet and the 9th Mobile Division through the Dai Torii. When none of these ships turned up at any of the known Gate’s in the Fantoma and Khel Sectors, the natural question became, where exactly did they go? Having secured Shuuakido and the nearby space from Doakraxathi incursion, the stage was set to retake the Three Sisters. Advancing into the held territories, the Shogunal Navy began the process of engaging and destroying Doakraxathi ships patrolling the region and those within orbit over the Shogunate's worlds. As this operation was taking place, advance teams of Pathfinders and Special Forces were deployed to the surface of the Three Sisters to locate, catalog, and call strikes down upon any Doakraxathi redoubt or other position they could find. Meanwhile, units fresh from the various service academies throughout the Shogunate were blooded in mop up operation's on the surface of Shuukaido, culminating with the Battle of Nikanto. Within the system at large, orbital fortifications, listening posts and patrol routes were placed. Key among these would be the Kyudoka Horo (Sister to the Ōkami 'Nyx' Array) and its support facility; Kagami-ni, or K-2. As units were freed up during the 'Shuukaido Sweeps' they were transported to the various Sister worlds and deployed in support of the already ongoing operations there. These deployments also saw the first operational use of the Shogunate's new Yashima Class planetary assault ships; massive vessels patterned after the massive LST's used by the Meltrandi. While certainly invested in their operations within the Kyudoka Shuukai, the Shogunate, as a 'Great Power' was not absent from the Geo-political scene in the Fantoma Sector. Aloof to most if not all of the comings and goings in that region, the Shogunate certainly looked after her own interests. In a supreme and audacious display of the Bushido precept of Rectitude, agents of the Shogunate, in furtherance of their anti-piracy activities obliterated a massive Pirate 'Cove' (along with a large number of pirate leaders), much to the embarrassment and chagrin of the local power blocs; who had been unable, or unwilling, to do so themselves. Relations were further soured as a cargo ship from a prominent and well connected Fantoman shipping line was interdicted by the OSSG (Ōkami Sector & System Guard) at the Nanban Terminus. The ship and it's cargo was confiscated and the ships master and complicit crew, interred for smuggling illicit goods; goods intended to be either sold, or transferred to the UEG in violation of existing ITAR restrictions. It was also during this time that the Oniwaben within the Shogunate were tested again by several incidents on separate worlds. On Matsu-shima and Ishiroken, assassination attempts on regional and local leadership figures were defeated. On Yukiyama, within the Ōkami system itself, a manhunt assisted by troops from the Arctic Training Center, was able to run to ground and capture an agent of the UEG. This was followed a year later by the covert identification and elimination of the UEG Station Chief for the Ōkami Sector. The obligatory interrogation netted contacts, dates, and other vital intelligence on UEG operations and assets within the Ōkami Sector. Upon the sweltering world of Hinotama a freak wildfire, uncommon due to the high levels of ambient humidity, raged over a 100 acre area of the southern most continent. Survey teams sent to catalog the blaze's aftermath were astounded to discover within the burn zone the ruins of another abandoned settlement belonging to The First Ones. While archaeological teams under the aegis of the Order of the Black Lotus are assembled to investigate the valuable find unmanned drones begin the preliminary site survey. As the site study progressed dormant security devices reactivated and began attacking the archaeological teams and their escorts, with other security devices marshaling towards the original Hinotama Dig. Units from the Jungle Warfare School were deployed with follow on support from other in-system assets quickly sent to their aid. In the short span of a month the awakened security drones were defeated and the settlement secured to reveal a treasure trove of salvageable technology. (2158 - 2160)With the centenary anniversary of the Battle of Aquila upcoming the Aquila government sought to commemorate the event with an Olympiad style series of games with the invited attendee’s members of the military of the allied parties. The offer was cheerfully and warmly received by the Shogunate and would include an official state visit by the Shogun to Aquila. Politically the games were held to show solidarity in the face of increasing UEG provocations. Shortly after the conclusion of the games a Red Seal ULCV, the Joostan Maru was set upon by mercenary forces of a Zentraedi fleet. It was fast learned that the mercenary band had embarked upon their deed without sanction by their Fleet leaders and had received their payment from GMP agents based on the UEG colony world of Haven. Shogunal action was swift and lethal. From the mercenaries the price was the lives and ships of the band complicit in the attack. Over 5500 of the guilty would be put to the sword over the span of a year. From the UEG, demands for restitution and apology were tendered. They were rebuffed out of hand. Thus the matter would be resolved by military means in Operation Backhand. Related Op-Ed In a combined fleet action three fleets of Shogunal vessels descended upon Haven in a lighting strike that removed, figuratively, and literally Haven’s ability to make war. Those involved with the attack on the Joostan Maru were captured and interred in Okami jails to face judgement. Monetary restitution was also exacted, the amount covering the Shogunate’s loss of life and material suffered in the Joostan Maru Incident as well as in the raid upon Haven. The raid on Haven had other successes, over 65,000 slave laborers, Edean dissidents who had 'disappeared' and long thought dead by their families were rescued and repatriated. Proof of UEG and GMP atrocities were found and the data centers on Haven were made to reveal their secrets. The information found within would identify over 300 deep cover GMP and UEG operatives which in turn uncovered more then 2,000 radicalized supports plus another 15,000 sympathizers to be placed on Kenpaitai watch lists. Amidst the conflict the Leonard Administration suffered a grievous blow as a bomb ripped thru the Mars Shipyards during a state visit. The explosion was blamed on the Shogunate as a revenge attack for the defeat of Shogunal Fleet over Haven. However, the Shogunal fleet had not been defeated, but instead stood victorious. Due to the fog of war, it was revealed that the explosion had not been an Okami actin, but that of a coup. Withdrawing from Haven, with their task complete, the fleets of the Shogunate then descended upon the nearby UEG colony world of Edea to fulfill an almost century old debt. Edea, a world annexed forcibly by the UEG many decades ago had languished under Earth’s yoke. It had always been the Shogunate’s design to liberate the beleaguered world. With her fleets in the vicinity and the UEG fleets either broken or sailing at best speed back to Earth to bolster the position of the new UEG leadership, or to Haven, a world they had already left, the time to strike had come. Within the Fantoma Sector the Ancyra Accords had been agreed upon and over the destitute world of Ancyra the Shogunate established the Ancyra Tradeport. This massive facility would shorten the transit time to the Sentinels Confederations core worlds significantly, while eliminated the need to pay transit taxes to various unsavory polities located in lawless regions between the Settlers Gate and said core worlds. In retribution, numerous pirate raids, and some halfhearted deep range UEG actions, sought to disrupt the opening of the Tradeport only to be swept aside by ships of the OSN. In the Kyudoka Shuukai the construction of the Yokai Mizuki nears completion. Comprised of three phases, the ‘Demon Moat’ separates with Nyx Arrays, the Shuukai and the worlds ‘Beyond the Vail’ using the Doak-Lands as a buffer zone, as a moat. Connecting the separated areas is the Horo-Yagura, or Grand Canal within which rests the Nimaru Terminus. Guarding each approach are a pair of Gate Worlds which hold military installations and outposts and support facilities for the various Taihosama defense forts. Once completed these facilities will provide a guarded point of access to the lands ‘Beyond the Vail’. Present Day…Technology Overview:The technology level within Ōkami Shogunate runs the gamut from state of the art Protoculture fired reactors to water-powered mills depending on where one is and what one is doing. Looking at the technology from the top down, one finds the largest concentration of ultra tech among the Shogunate's orbital and deep space infrastructure. Space based farms, refineries, factories, shipyards, defense installations, communications and sensor arrays are all top of the line and what one would expect from a space-faring society. The available tech level is high in the capital and larger cities of the Shogunate, but purposely subdued. Low set structures no more than 6 to 10 stories spread out over kilometer square areas, yet are built of state of the art materials. Under a façade of wood and stone are the advanced and hardened power and communications networks and other trappings of technology one would find in any modern metropolis. Within the outlying farming towns the tech level is far lower overall. These areas are the dwellings of the traditionalists from Earth that wished to return to older, simpler way of life. These agricultural hubs harvest fields and rice paddies, tend livestock and hunt game while artisans produce hand crafted works of art, and other consumer goods. It is also here that village weapon-smiths create the formidable katana for Ōkami Samurai. While a plasma forge can easily produce a finely crafted blade (and do), no mass produced sword can match the exquisite craftsmanship and beauty of a hand crafted 16 fold blade. Some trappings of modernity do reside within these enclaves, but they are mainly used to summon aid, and see to an enclave’s health (e.g. water filters, irrigation systems, medicine) and safety (e.g. fire suppression.) Enclave dwellers could conceivably, and be perfectly content to, live their entire lives without seeing, let alone using, a computer or other modern appliance. Similar country villages and towns maintain the same old world aesthetic yet are wired for power and communications. Technology TypesThe Ōkami Shogunate takes advantage of some highly unique and diverse technology traits. The bedrock technology is Human and Tiresian in origin. But, unlike other nation states, the Shogunate is neither wedded to, nor emotionally invested in, either. With a sizable Invid population, Bio Tech is an integral discipline and the Trow population brings with them Mana Tech. With the Settler ruins on Hinotama, Shuukaido and elsewhere having been searched in detail, it's technology and technological practices has been integrated into the mainstream as they are recovered, reverse engineered, and duplicated. Overall, with four unique forms of technology to draw upon, the Ōkami Shogunate has a myriad of options as well as layered dependency mitigation. This synergy of technology disciplines also allows for unique and promising applications. The Quantum AgeHumanity has gone thru many technological epochs, the Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Machine Age, Atomic Age, Space Age, Information Age, Application Age, Interstellar Age, and now the Quantum Age. While all major polities are in some manner within the Quantum Age, it is the Shogunate with their ready access to the ruins, and therefore technological treasure troves, of the ancient Puroto Kerlchuun that has taken the overall lead. Overall is a vague term and referrers to the technological applications as an aggregate whole. Some polities, such as the Tiresian Republic has been and still is a leader in cloning and genetic research, the Pyrtonians in gravity manipulation, the Invid in bio-technology and so on. Where the Shogunate excels is in Quantum Theory, Computing and Mechanics. While other races have had their own quantum luminaries, such as Max Planck, Miguel Alcubierre, and Zor Deralda the Shogunate has direct access to theories millennia more advanced and refined. Therein lies the rub, access does not necessarily mean understanding. The RDF learned this the hard way when the Anti-Gravity Pods broke free of the SDF-1 upon it's maiden launch, and again with the disappearance of it's entire Fold Drive upon it's first use. However access does provide a road map, and the Shogunate has a very highly detailed one to work from; this is what gives the Shogunate the leg up, they can see the potholes ahead of them and avoid them. In most cases where a map is found, adherence to the path is psychologically implied, you know the route is safe so there is no desire or motivation to stray from it. Luckily for the Shogunate, while there is a fair amount of the aforementioned following of the defined path, since the path is so well defined there is ample opportunity to take the occasional off ramp to explore with out the worry of losing progress. If an off ramp ends up in a dead end, so be it, back to the main road and on to the next potential application. To return to the SDF-1 analogy, had it's Fold Drive not disappeared the Pin Point Barrier system and later Omni-Directional Barrier would never have been discovered, or at the least not so soon. With the main highway plotted the opportunity to branch off is more readily available for adventurous theorists, and the Shogunate willingly and enthusiastically supports those 'explorations'. A few of those explorations have resulted in practical and highly efficient 4D IC's (Four-Dimensional Integrated Circuit), Quantum Vacuum propulsion in pursuit of reaction-less drives, and incredibly powerful crypt-analysis software for both encryption and decryption. Other breakthroughs in Quantum Theory, have been Quantum Shielding (both the pin-point and omni-directional version), weaponry in the newly developed compact Quantum Beam Cannon's, and more efficient Fold Boosters designed to integrate with mecha rather then be mounted externally. Technology Examples:Energy Conversion Armor (SWAG/SWGA Energy Conversion Armor)An OverTechnology which redirects excess power generated by a vehicle engine into the specially designed armored hull of the vehicle, resulting in a significant increase in armor strength. The system is composed of OverTechnology-derived laminated layered armor which increases in strength by applying electromagnetic pulses. The earliest variable fighters, VF-1 and VF-4 etc., relied upon over-tuned conventional engines producing enough power to increase armor strength comparable to that of a tank. Later variable fighters utilized similar SWAG energy conversion armor, but featured far more powerful thermonuclear reaction engines. Large spacecraft also make use of Energy Conversion Armor. There are currently three specifically defined types of Energy Conversion Armor (ECA):
The implementation and usage of ECA is widespread. The Type-40 (Ki-49) Akesen and variants are outfitted with the APS-25A/MF25 Armor Pack that features ASWAG Advanced ECA. Also, the anti-projectile shields of the Type-40 Akesen series of variable fighters are made of a 2nd generation type of enhanced energy conversion armor that is also used in the Armored Pack (Tatami-Do). Newer platforms will utilize ECA II augmentation once fielded. There are many defined types of Energy Conversion Armor (ECA): Light, Layered, Heavy, Enhanced, and Reinforced. Two of which will be described below:
MedicineCyberneticsWIP Installations/Military BasesKuroyousei Station:
One of the largest out-sphere bases operated by the Ōkami Shogunate is Kuroyousei Station. Located on the Khel Sector side of the Settlers Gate, this base is mounted to the enormous ancient megaferri of which the Gate is part. Strategically placed as a prominent sentry over the Gate aperture the base houses the detached OSN (Ōkami Shogunal Navy) vessels used to tend and escort Red Seal Ships, as well as allied shipping upon request. These ships next priority is to patrol the Gate terminus, interdict pirates and in concert with Kuroyousei, protect the Gate from any attacker or would be conqueror. The installation also hosts the OSA's Dai-go gun (5th Army) consisting of five Divisions. Kuroyousei, alongside a Trow and SC base, also sees to the Gates O&M (Operations and Maintenance). The location of the base was specifically picked to make easier its secondary function; to conduct archeological expeditions into the megaferri and recover any and all Settler technology and artifacts it can. Kuroyousei was instrumental in furthering the Shogunates’s Dai Torii project. Kadoshiro Station:
This facility is as vital and larger then Kuroyousei Station with its mission virtually the same. Tasked with joint Gate operations and security alongside the SC’s Gateway Station, Kadoshiro maintains slips for escort vessels as well as service and repair facilities. Kadoshiro Hikōjō (Airbase) houses the OSAAF's Gateway Defense Command and Dai-yon gun (4th Army) which also consists of five Divisions. Kadoshiro also plays host to the Shogunal Navy’s Dai-roku Kantai (6th Fleet) and Dai-hachi Kido Kantai (8th Fleet) both fleets consist of 288 hulls each, centered on their respective flagships, the Yamashiro and Echizen. These military formations patrol both sides of the Settlers Gate providing security to both Kuroyousei and Kadashiro Station as well as providing escort to Red Seal trade fleets should the trade fleets own defenses need augmenting. Beyond the Home Sector this is the largest concentration of projected Shogunal military might outside of the Kyūdōka Shuukai Washiryu Torii:
It had been long desired to place within close proximity to the Aquilae system a sister gate to the Dai Torii. This was not only desirable to Ōkami, but to the Aquilaen government for all the same reasons. Trade ship transit times would be significantly reduced, and the response time to any military threat one side may face would likewise be reduced. The location for the Aquilae gate, dubbed the Washiryu Torii (Eagle and Dragon Gate) is a system on the edge of Aquilae space where the gate has been joined to the side of a massive mineral rich asteroid. Within carved out sections of the one hundred and twenty mile long asteroid rest comfortable living and administration areas, expansive shipping berths, as well as their accompanying warehouses. Civilian shipping carriers maintain free floating stand-alone ‘pallets’ for their ships to stage and transship cargo. An Ōkami naval base occupies another portion of the asteroid and has the infrastructure to support a pair of Fleets worth of capital ships as well as maintaining an ‘airfield’ for defense fighters and drones. Hiiro Torii:
After extensive negotiations with both the leaders of Ancyra and the Sentinels Confederation a new gate terminus has been placed over the independent world of Ancyra. The exorbitant transit fees required, some would say extorted, by the polities in the Eastern Expanse, a region of space trade ships are must pass through on their way from the Settlers Gate to the rest of the Fantoma Sector, and the large amount of state sponsored piracy within the same region required a solution that didn't involve a shooting war. Thus the Shogunate, with the blessing of the Fantoma Sectors major trade houses proposed the installation of a gate terminus that could act as a bypass. Chosen from a bevy of applicants in a selective bidding process Ancyra was ultimately picked due to it's central location within the Fantoma Sector, being roughly the same distance to all the capitol worlds of the major Confederation powers. Other factors were that Ancyra was a beleaguered world, in dire need of assistance due to years of corruption, neglect and the ravages of pirates, raiders and other criminal elements, and the fact that Ancyra was an independent world, not a charter member of the Sentinels Confederation. The Hiiro Torii, or, Scarlet Gate, is a massive series of facilities located in the L5 point of Ancyra's orbit. Alongside a vast trade terminus is a large Naval base for Shogunal ships of the wall. Open for passage in early 2159 the Scarlet Gate has seen a large amount of traffic although the leery eyes of some Confederation worlds, mainly those that are still incensed at having lot their bid to a 'insignificant backwater'; watch the OSN movements like a hawk. An unintended, but not unexpected, consequence of the Gate's opening has been the destabilization of a sort within the Eastern Expanse. Suddenly deprived of a crucial source of revenue the kleptocratic, and some, despotic, oligarchs of that region are now strapped for cash as their coffers begin to steadily run dry. Already pirate and mercenary ships have made aggressive moves towards the gate, and in some cases have outright attacked, sometimes alongside ships of the UEG, until the ships from Earth withdrew in late 2159, their presence needed elsewhere far more urgently. Things have quieted down some, but the regimes of the Expanse seethe with anger at both the Shogunate for their accursed gate, and the Confederation, to a lesser degree, for allowing it. EmbassiesOkami Embassy: Khel
The Ōkami Embassy in Khel, houses the offices of the Ambassador, her staff and see’s to the interests of the Ōkami Shogunate. Located within Chel’s capitol city the Embassy is guarded by specially trained units of Teishin Butai. Embassy staff are single to allow for the inevitable, and amorous, negotiation and cultural exchanges common within Trow culture. All embassy staff are trained to some degree in the use of the katana and wakazashi as well as small arms. Okami Embassy: Tiresia
This facility is the Ōkami Shogunate’s Embassy to the Tiresian Republic and the SC. Relatively small and unobtrusive in comparison to other, larger polities such as the Karberran Hegemony, the Ōkami Embassy grounds here; as do all Shogunal embassies, showcase Ōkami culture and architecture and are guarded by specially trained units of Teishin Butai. Okami Embassy: Eagle Harbor
This facility is the Ōkami Shogunate’s Embassy to Aquilea. Set aside from Eagle Harbor on spacious grounds, this compound, like her sisters, is a model of Ōkami culture and architecture complete with Shinto shrine and Zen gardens. The compound is guarded by units of Teishin Butai. As in all Ōkami Embassies, part of the compound is set apart lodging, or Honjin, for Ōkami Daimyo or other representatives of the Shogun, including Hatamoto. More often than not the Ambassadors official residence and the Embassy Honjin are one in the same.
Law & OrderAs mentioned above, within the Ōkami Shikimoku is the Ritsuryo, and within that, is the section pertaining to the criminal code, Ritsu. It is within the Ritsu that criminal activity is identified and consequences established for committing them. The following list is an example of some crimes and their punishments. Low Crimes:'Misdemeanor':
Vehicle Infraction:
Petty Theft / Vandalism:
Middle Crimes:Assault (Minor):
Assault (With intent to do great bodily harm/kill/harass):
White Collar Crime:
Grand Theft:
Manslaughter:
Murder:
High CrimesIllegal Drug Smuggling / Pushing
Piracy:
Rape:
Trafficking of Sentient Beings:
Grand Treason:
Places of InterestNodokashima:The Quiet Island, Ishida Suki’s private retreat. Located in the northern Haritaikai (Crystal Ocean) the island is 54 square kilometers in size with a small lake and waterfall. Facilities include Azuchini Palace, guest and staff housing, a marina and VTOL pad, horse stables, open air and indoor Onsen, dojo, and Shinto temple. A smattering of smaller Shinto shrines dot the island in places determined to house Kami. The island is at a high enough latitude to allow for snowfall. Ōkamikyo-shi:This jokumachi (castle town) is the Capital City of the Ōkami Shogunate, located 15 miles inland from Seigyoko Bay. Nestled next to an inland lake which connects to Seigyoko Bay via the Unagi-gawa River, it is here that Ishida Castle rests, upon a hillock overlooking the lakefront. Located in the capitol are the Futsushi Naval Academy, Ōkami Library, Hyobu Hakubutsukan (Military Museum), and the Ōmikami Shrine. Kanagariba:First Landing, this location has been set aside as a monument to the first human’s to set foot on Ōkami. Nearby is the Tatsukaigan (Dragon Coast). Red Seal Trading CompanyWhile similar to the original Red Seal system that benefited favored lords of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Ōkami Red Seal System is akin to the East India Trading Company, and operates like a government owned trading guild. While the Shogunate has overarching control, the administration of the System is a private operation with government oversight. Ships with Red Seal Permits are exempted from tariffs levied at the Nanban Terminus (offset by the permit’s fee’s, which are issued for 5 years), preferred berthing and transshipment services at the Nanban Terminus, and protection against piracy by the OSN (Ōkami Shogunal Navy) with ships over 1.5 million tons are allowed a dedicated escort. Thirty ships, all Shihon Class ULCV’s, are wholly owned and operated by the Shogunate and aside from the other privileges afforded to a permit holder, they are, due to their sheer size and monetary value, allowed a dedicated OSN escort. These ships, despite their direct link to the Ishida Han are nonetheless treated administratively as any other private or family owned Permit holder. The larger ships, such as the Shihon and Nagasaki Class are essentially family owned and the crews and their dependants reside aboard ship. While anyone may apply to join those crews, positions aboard these massive vessels have become, over the years, traditionally hereditary. Red Seal ShipsRed Seal Ships or Shuinsen are those bound for ports within the Sol, Khel, and Fantoma Sectors, and in possession of a Red Seal Permit (Shuinjo) issued by the Ōkami Shogunate. The ships of the Red Seal Fleet are the primary and most visible contact most non citizens will have with the Ōkami Shogunate. The Red Seal ships come in various shapes and sizes, from intersystem transshipment carriers and short haul transports to the massive Shihon Class Ultra Large Cargo Vessels. (ULCV’s) Shihon Class ULCVRoughly a third the size and mass of a Zentraedi LST, these gargantuan fold capable vessels are able to carry over 77 million tons of cargo. Utilizing the latest in logistics tracking and handling software and hardware the ships are able to off-load and on-load cargo at a rapid rate. Faster if the facility it has called upon has the proper infrastructure and yard space. To speed up cargo transfer, transshipment carriers are preloaded with all the goods for a given location and transfers the load(s) in bulk leaving the carriers behind to be loaded with outgoing good which are picked up later by either the same ship on the return leg or by another ULCV making her rounds. Despite the ships large size, they are capable of atmospheric operations and can offload directly to the surface of a world if needs be. Due to the vast amount of cargo the ship is intended to carry the ships are well defended for their type. Each carries a pair of Corvette Flotilla’s (24 Corvettes) as well as a quartet of Drone Squadrons (48 Drone Fighters). Providing a more robust defense is a dedicated six ship destroyer escort. These destroyer's function in the same manner as the escort for a Trebuchet Class Monitor; up to a pair may be sent to investigate nearby phenomena or distress calls, but nothing short of an Shogunal Decree can detach more from their charge. An embarked Marine detachment provides for internal security as well as defense from boarders. Due to the long transit times between major trade zones, as well as extended periods of time within those zones, the crews of these ships can be looked at as more of a family, or a small township. Interior space is sufficient to allow for traditional dwellings that approximate an archetypal terrestrial town one would expect to see on Ōkami; complete with holographic sky, foliage and non-invasive wildlife. These townships hold the crew, the crew’s family as well as the accommodations for the crew of her escorts. These towns also feature a Honjin and hold a small Diplomatic and Immigration Office, with enough room to house up to 100 perspective migrants. Specifically designed passenger carriers can be loaded and can accommodate 3000+ travelers in the same comfort one would expect to see on a cruise liner. If called to, a single Shihon Class ULCV can carry upwards of 200,000 people!
Currently there are thirty plus Shihon Class ULCV’s of varying types in operation. All Red Seal Ships are named after famous merchants or explorers from Japanese history with the exception of the Hideyoshi Maru; which is named after the Taiko who championed the Red Seal system of ancient Japan. Such is the strength and genius of their construction that the Original Eight, some built over a hundred years ago, are still in active service.
Ōkami-jinLike her territory, the Ōkami Shogunate's peoples are just as diverse, and her population of over 17 Billion is made up of Garudan, Human, Invid, Karbarren, Pyertonian, Tiresian, Trow, and Zentraedi all living under a single banner, all Ōkami. Despite the racial differences and disparate systems of their ancestors, the citizens of the Ōkami Shogunate are bound together into a homogeneous whole based on a common language, common religion, and common culture. The three pillars of Japanese, Shinto and Bushido make the Shogunate what it is, and Ōkamijin who they are. The diverse races that make up her people came from cultures that allowed easy integration; the Zentraedi, Trow, and Karberran are warrior races at their heart to which the precepts of Bushido fit. The Garudan concept of Hin is about as close to Zen as one could get and Pyrtonian mysticism complimented Shinto spiritualism easily whereas the Invid, with no prior culture to call their own, just went with the flow. Garudan:
Ōkami of Garudan decent, affectionately called Neko-Jin, can often trace their linage to the Kokiri system as members of the Unmasked. Early in the Shogunate’s history the Shogun extended to the Governor General of Kokiri an open invitation that she and her people would be welcome on Ōkami should the sectarian strife between the Unmasked and the Children of Gaea persist. This invitation was accepted some years later. Almost overnight the Kokiri Colony immigrated alongside many of the Unmasked still living on Garuda. Ferine Mara was named Hatamoto and her people were welcomed with open arms. Anime tropes aside, the Ōkami Neko comprise 5.24% of the population and occupy all walks of life. They make fierce and dutiful warriors, and many have careers in the Kempaeitai or Keisetsu. It is rumored that the Shogun employs trusted Neko-jin psychics as part of her Castle Guard and one, with formidable precognitive and clairvoyant ability, serves on the Council of Regents. They are utterly dedicated to the Shogunate and are quick to react to any perceived slight against it. Human:
The most numerous demographic on Ōkami, humans comprise 64% of the population. Of this number 82% are of Japanese descent. Many of the original human settlers were members of the Ishida Han of Earths Japan. They followed Sen no Aki to Ōkami and laid the foundation, physically and culturally, for the Shogunate at Ishida Suki’s behest. Follow on émigrés from Japan were both solicited for their skill sets, or, looking for a more traditionalist lifestyle away from the UEG, left the Earth behind to start a new life. Others emigrated from other nations on Earth, many of whom were married or related to non humans seeking to avoid the UEG’s fascist and xenophobic dictat’s. Invid:
Of the myriad races found on Ōkami, the Invid had the hardest time at the onset due to the lingering hatreds and fears towards them. It was a bitter pill to swallow for all involved. It would take almost four decades before the last vestiges of hatred receded as the Ōkami Invid buckled down, turned the other cheek and got about the business of living their lives. This was helped along by the Shogunate’s leadership, as the Shogun, who's mate is Invid, led by example by embracing her wife and showing pride in her. It was a soft touch approach that frustrated some, but the Shogun understood that in this matter the change had to come from the bottom up. In the one arena that could be sanctioned by decree, Shogunal Law would be applied without bias, and those that thought that the Keisetsu would be lenient, or look the other way, because their victim was Invid soon learned a very harsh lesson. Likewise, any Invid, be it the individual or the community, that sought to use their minority status to play the 'race card', also learned a very harsh lesson. Fairness in the law would be maintained, but first and foremost was the expectation of Personal Responsibility. The Invid have taken to their new home and culture with fervor and are some of the Shogunate’s staunchest advocates and passionate defenders. Non-Invid joke that the Ōkami Invid fight so hard to protect the Shogunate because it’s the only place that will take them. This is not far removed from the truth, but; ask an Ōkami Invid this, and they will just wink and say it’s because they like the cherry blossoms. Many have taken up the mantle of healers, priests, and scientists. Those that make a career out of the military bring their unique abilities to bear and Shogunal battle doctrine incorporates this into their tactics and strategy. Ōkami Invid are considered a prize catch among the Oniwaben for those very same abilities and are an asset to any operation to which they are attached. Karberran:
Colloquially known as Kuma-jin the Karberran that originally migrated to Ōkami were engineers, mining specialists, and weapons designers recruited for their skill sets. Despite their initial misgiving about the Invid population, one that has given way from hatred to friendly rivalry, the immigrants decided to stay on and put down roots. While only 1% of the population they are an integral part of society and are synonymous with the mining industry. Soft spoken and gentle they are adored by children throughout the Shogunate. Pyrtonian:
One of the oldest races in the Fantoma sector, the Pyrtonians can trace their lineage back to before the appearance of the Tirolian Republic. Many of their kind have immigrated to Ōkami and occupy all walks of life. Due to their nigh mystic ability to manipulate and mold the ethereal into the physical, they are known respectfully as Onmyoji, a title that had been given to Shinto mystics of ancient Heian period Japan. It is because of this mystical yin and yang connection to the universe that many Pyrtonians find the allure of shinden and shoin-zukuri architecture irresistible. The Onmyoji known as Void Mage are a welcome subset of Ōkami culture and the last world in the Amatarasu system, Chiisai-yarasu, is the location of their most sacred shrine. Various smaller shrines dot the Kirin and Shishi asteroid belts. Thanks in large part with collaboration with Trow manatech’s, Pyrtonian engineers have brought their antigravity technology to new heights and it is the rare ship in the Ōkami fleet that does not utilize solid state AG in some manner. Tiresian:
Tiresians within the Shogunate more often than not trace their linage to the city state of Nous Tirol and are descendants of the Masters mother-ships Neuparszietsch 07, originally known as Qlispitsz (Utmost Accuracy), and Neuparszietsch 12, known as Buoquolin (Efficiency), abandoned over the world on their long trek to Earth. Others are transplants from Earth, fleeing the UEG’s discriminatory laws against non-humans. Inquisitive and adventurous the Ōkami Tiresians, since voting for integration, have entered into mainstream society in even greater numbers and intermarriage is commonplace. Trow:
Ōkami Trow are, by far, one of the most numerous of the immigrated races due to the near instantaneous travel between the Ōkami and Khel Sectors due to the Dai Torii Gateway. Trow of ‘Lath heritage have moved to Ōkami out of adventurous curiosity and opportunity seeking, while those of ‘Ssu heritage have moved for greater equality as the ‘Ssu subspecies is a minority in the Khel Sector. This immigration has seen a near parity in demographics amongst the Trow with a slight 'Ssu majority. It is interesting to note that much of their ancient mythology mimics the events of the Protoculture Schism War and subsequent Ash War. Where the sundering of their worlds may represent the foundering and collapse of the Steller Republic, the demons and tainting mentioned in their lore may represent the Protodelvin and the brainwashed Supervision Army. Due to the Trow population there is a very robust and renowned chocolate industry in the Ōkami Sector with Cherry and Cherry Blossom infused dark chocolate a popular export. Zentraedi:
Another large portion of the population as well as a welcome and important one. Many are from Earth, and like their Tiresian cousins, emigrated to avoid the UEG. While predominantly micronized (99.99%) in order to foster integration most can take advantage of a Protoculture Chamber for re-sizing if their employment, or the situation, calls for it. The sight of full sized Zentraedi practicing Iaido or Kenjutsu forms with weapons made for their giant size is quite a thing to see. Becoming Ōkami-jin: Shogunal Immigration PolicyŌkami-DoŌkami-Do, or the 'Ōkami Way'. These are the values that make Ōkami what it is. It should be noted that since the majority of the leadership of the Shogunate spent their formative years either aboard star-ships or within space stations (Luna Base) a form of 'shipboard discipline' is strongly ingrained in all levels of society. Simply stated, the individual member of Ōkami society is not quite as "free" (in a certain sense) as a 20th century western man (or counterpart in an other polity), because the individual is strongly constrained by a set of expectations and responsibilities. The individual is expected to be an active citizen, and is conceived of as having both civil liberties and responsibilities. The fragile ecological and social environment found on ships and station has lead to the development of society where the individual is expected to take his social role very seriously, and to contribute to the working of things around him. Consider this example; on a spacestation, if a civilian saw something like an air leak in the hull, and didn't report it to anybody, they would be endangering not only their own life but also the lives of everybody on the station. So, that is a crime. This aspect is reinforced among immigrants processing thru Acculturation Centers, as the two largest (of three total) Acculturation Centers are, in fact, large space stations. The individual is expected to behave in an intelligent, responsible manner, and to be aware of the implications of his or her actions. Citizens are expected to be aware of the long running consequences of their actions, and to act accordingly. In another example; if a person is injured, it is the civil duty of passers-by to assist that person however possible. If a passer-by refuses to aid the injured party, or pretends to ignore them, then the passer-by is held to be partly responsible for the subsequent condition of the injured man, and will be charged under law accordingly. Likewise, the tools of an ordered and peaceful society are its security measures, and the co-operation of the common citizen is an expected duty. To an Ōkami-jin, running away from or obstructing the authorities is a clear admission of guilt. The practical upshot of the social attitudes prevalent in Ōkami culture is the creation of a society who's individuals are very, socially, and ecologically aware. The average citizens feel that they have a vested interest in their society and their planetary environment. Forethought and responsibility are highly valued faculties. In the context of culture, "honor" also equates to social responsibility. (See Bushido below) Two primary pillers comprise Ōkami-Do; Shinto, as mentioned above, and Bushido. Ōkami-ShintoŌkami society is heavily steeped in traditional Shinto. (Koshinto, Shrine, and Folk Shinto). This system, or Ōkami-Shinto, espouses hard work, frugality, ancestor worship, harmony with nature, belief in the Kami (spirits), nationalism, and altruism. As Ōkami-Shinto is the religion of the realm and forms part of the backbone of Ōkami society, no other conflicting religions are permitted within the mainstream. One may worship another faith if they wish, in private. No proselytization or evangelism is allowed, or tolerated. Practitioners express their belief through a standard language and practice, adopting a similar style in dress and ritual, dating from around the time of the Nara and Heian periods of ancient Japan. BushidoPracticed alongside Ōkami-Shinto are the precepts of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, and it’s ten virtues;
Bushido is, essentially: chivalry. This has created a pragmatic, brave, industrious, polite, yet direct people who do not suffer thoughtless, obsequious, or cowardly behavior lightly. Slice of Life in the ShogunateEvery child in the Shogunate receives their name in a small ceremony three or so days after their birth. Friends and relatives attend, bringing gifts for the child. At the age of one month the child is taken to the local Shinto Shrine and his/her name and date of birth is recorded and the child formally becomes a member of the community.
A child is given a great deal of love and affection, but from nursery school on, the child is trained in obedience, bushido and duty. Children are brought up with the obligation that they do nothing to bring shame to the family reputation and with the expectation that they will achieve great things.
Many youth programs such as scouting and clubs in various persuasions are commonplace and children routinely participate in competition to hone their skills, bring honor to their family and clubs name, and in general for the fun of it. The most common clubs are combat based, kendo, aikido, karate, shooting, power armor, mecha. To an outsider this bares the hallmarks of a ‘warlike race’; to Ōkami-jin, its Tuesday.
Other popular clubs deal with more esoteric or traditional pursuits like calligraphy, magic, ikebana, and music. Martial arts and martial skills are taught at all levels of education alongside physical fitness and academic acumen. Higher education is prized and is held in the same esteem as the martial pursuits. Students vie for positions in prestigious universities and military Academies. While the selection process is designed to challenge the individual and allow for a good fit of student and school, notably absent is the much condemned phenomena of old Earth Japan’s ‘Examination Hell’.
Festivals ’Matsuri’ are popular and many emulate the traditional Japanese festivals of old Earth, especially popular is the Bon and Hanami Festival. Matsuri commemorate the beginning of the New Year; Ōmisoka, and the changing of the seasons; Setsubun as well as nature and respect for ones ancestors; Shunbun no Hi, and Shūbun no Hi respectively. Immensely popular is the Hadaka Matsuri. Sports: (Traditional) As mentioned above, many clubs cater to various sports and martial arts. Traditional sports (baseball, football (otherwise known in the west as…soccer), volleyball etc…) remain popular and haven't changed much since the old days. There are city, prefecture, regional, planetary, and interplanetary leagues. They usually run at different times as different planets have different seasons, to the point that in some cases, such as interplanetary matches, private spacecraft, such as the Budokan Class, have been created to include climate controlled stadiums to ensure the sport can be played regardless of planetary conditions. Often leagues that represent larger areas pull the best athletes from smaller areas creating a tiered leagues system. Some traditional sports of Japan did not fare well in their original form and never took hold in the Ōkami Shogunate; one such staple of Nippon to fall by the wayside was Nippon Sumo. Due to the prevalent gene-engineering and Ōkami culture of fitness, a similar wrestling / grappling art known as Ōkami Sumo was created. While the rules of Ō-Sumo are similar, where one wrestler attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring or onto the ground, no longer part of the sport is the massive weight gain required of Nippon Sumo. Another popular sport is professional wrestling between Macronized Zentraedi. Every 6 years Ōkami holds its equivalent of the Olympics, known as the Tōshiya (lit. Passing Arrow). Originally an archery exhibition contest the modern version is open to most modern sports. Contestants are broken down by planet and species. The Shogun officiates the opening and closing of the games. It attracts quite a few foreign visitors and as such is usually held at Usagi Na. It is held on the cusp of Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day) and the opening and closing ceremonies reflect both events. Sports: (Mecha) With the prevalence of Mecha Clubs and the fact that de-militarized mecha are allowed to be privately owned, it was natural that sports utilizing mecha would come into being. Most mecha used are older models from various sources such as the VF-1 and Excalibur Program Destroids, but some leagues utilize current mecha (even if it they are a model or two down from the bleeding edge variant currently fielded). To simulate combat a modified version of the military's combat simulator equipment is used. This S System, or CIEES-S (Combat Information Effect Emulator System-Sport) pronounced (Cease-S) is a declassified version of the virtual simulator system used by OSA and OSN pilots to "see and feel" simulated enemies. Complete with actual performance level feedback, sampled from real combat data. The system is capable of processing minute details like the reduction of weight from mecha expending its ammunition and damage dealt to it's components, and will calculate the effect it has, changing its real-time performance accordingly. Large-scale exercises or, in sport application, events, can be put into motion using data link with other mecha and dedicated equipment centers to provide a realistic simulation. One of the more popular incarnations is Meka-do. It is a form of mecha-based martial arts focusing on using the mecha's hand-to-hand abilties. This league tends to use the more current designs although some niche leagues use older mecha; for the challenge. It is fast and furious and many a mecha pilots of the Ōkami's military find their way to participating in a tourney at some point, usually believing that if they can survive the battlefield they can handle a simple tourney. Many have had their pride shattered at just how inept they are at manipulating their mecha in the MD ring. Conversely, MD champions find easy work as military piloting instructors, and woe be unto the mecha pilot of a foreign power that finds themselves within arms reach of such a pilots machine. One of the non-combat sports that mecha partake in is Mecha Taiso. Literally meaning gymnastics, the events have more in common with dance teams and cheerleaders. The mecha are put through precision handling to perform feats one might expect to see in a half-time show, but would normally leave a mecha a collapsed heap on the ground. Due to the unique stresses placed on mecha to accomplish such complex and demanding maneuvers, many innovations spurred in this field, to strengthen joints and perfect the sensitivity and preciesion of mecha controls, find their way into newer designs within the Ōkami military forces. Sports: (Racing) Racing is broken down into three categories foot, animal and vehicle. Foot races are separated by species. Animal races are more species integrated but separated by type of animal ridden. Vehicle racing has mostly kept up with the technology, though that's not as much as one might expect. So much of technology was focused on military and infrastructure that took the freewheeling Trow to bring it mainstream. F1-style racing is popular, and jump bikes are on the rise. Jump bikes are high-speed hovercycles that can perform boosted jumps. It's a dangerous off-road sport that sometimes have racers jumping off cliffs or over other natural hazards and more than one has lost their life in increasingly dangerous stunt jumping. Air races are incredibly popular with some events using high performance turboprops while others use full up jets and in some cases VF's VF Races are unique in that the course challenges each mode; Fighter, Gerwalk, and Battloid so a racer must be well rounded and adaptable. Many ex-pilots who leave the military gravitate towards this particular type of racing, unwilling to give up the thrill of multi-mode flight. Entertainment: (Traditional) Traditional performance arts such as Kabuki, Manzai and Noh are heavily promoted by the Shogunate and while many attend such events, their popularity depends on the strata of the viewer. Many Ōkami citizens will go to one out of sense of tradition, or if they have a favorite show that is playing. It is mainly the social elite (various Daimyo) the Otaku, and the older crowd that frequents these venues, and many performances become a must-see and a 'who's who' of who attends. It should be noted that sometimes a Daimyo may take part in such plays, usually in a supporting characters role so that they may return to their seat and enjoy the rest of the play. The younger crowd, unless a fan, or moving up the social ladder, avoids the more traditional performances, mainly due to the slow pace found within them. Entertainment: (Television / Film) The silver screen has suffered more than traditional performance arts as they lack patronage, instead letting the various studios succeed or fail on their own works merits. Some are considered time-honored classics, but fewer than a dozen new films are created in any given year. Of those that are created however, the quality is top notch and a rival of any pre-Rain western studio. Television is still popular with game-shows and anime as much the programming staple in the Shogunate as it was in Japan. Anime, oddly enough, is one of the few enduring 2D animated mediums, as 3D modeling has gotten so realistic that it doesn't quite evoke the same whimsical charm which makes Anime so popular. Entertainment: (Holo-Theater) Holo-Theater is the new gold standard in performance theater. It creates a single 3D holographic center stage with each set of seats on either articulated arms or silent hover thrusters to maneuver around the theater, creating a largely different feel for the movie depending on the angle at which it is seen. This has allowed the creators of holo-movies to add a great many more 'Easter eggs' and subtle hints to what may happen depending on one's angle of view, meaning that many people will watch a holo-movie multiple times in theaters to try and catch as much of the movie's hidden content by simply changing the angle of their view, or traversing across multiple angles. Entertainment: (Print Media) Reading has hit something of a resurgence as it can be easily done nearly anywhere, which fills a valuable niche as some of the more recent and far flung colonies find it difficult getting the latest holomovies, and television programming (at the vary least not a 'day of' release). Books are easier to transmit and easy to share. Magazines are of the electronic variety and delivered by email. Some of the more popular ones include:
Entertainment: (Video Games) Video games are done primarily through virtual reality consoles in which a person puts on a helmet or headband and explores the virtual plane in what is called a Dive. Within the Dive, be it a fighting game, or full blown MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online game) the player can feel what their Avatar feels, be it pain, or pleasure. One application of the technology comes in the form of recording dreams; this allows a person to re-experience a dream they had, or even develop it into a full game of its own with the system allowing for the lucidity-editing as well as the media conversion, be it to print or holo. Other applications of Dive technology are naturally employed by the military for training simulations; for education, and within the scientific community. One can well imagine the boon to such fields as materials engineering or chemistry when one can use the Dive to 'manipulate an atom' the size of a basketball with ones own 'hands'.
Game Development can be handled in different ways. While there are a few large Game Developers, most games are independent in their inception allowing for a vast continuum of genre and style. Large Game Developers are always scouting for talent and or IP to be produced under their own label. Despite this, the majority of Creators either self publish (not impossible, but time consuming) or work with a Publisher much like writers of both song and word. Safety within the virtual world is a factor to take into consideration, as is game/virtual addiction. To that end, most games find themselves using stylized imagery in their presentation and avoid using completely photo-realistic environments. This helps keep the player(s) grounded and able to better separate fantasy from reality. Photo-real presentations are most often found in military simulations and within educational media. To prevent a player from losing track of time, games are always made with an alarm clock and auto-logout feature (which can be adjusted by parents for their gamer kids). All VR hardware come with a bio-monitor that will warn a player if their 'vital's' begin to slip, and will automatically log them out when danger thresholds are crossed. Cuisine: (Washoku) Itadakimasu! Food in the Shogunate runs the gamut of styles and tastes but the traditional fare most common finds it origins in Japan with Rice and fish and noodles the staple. With the Shogunate holding dominion of many worlds, the local flora and fauna have been integrated into the collective menu and make for unique local and seasonal dishes. Unlike many older cultures, primarily Tiresia or old Earth where processed foods were the norm, in the Shogunate an emphasis has been placed on fresh produce and with the many Enclaves as well as more modern farms and ranches fresh food is in abundance and is easy and cheap to get. Of these myriad dishes, Washoku are those considered native.
Cuisine: (Yōshoku) Yōshoku, or 'Western Food' are dishes adapted or 'imported' from other cultures and given a unique Ōkami flavor. Many such dishes, like Tempura and Curry were adapted by the Japanese from the Portuguese and British (via the British Raj) as far back as the Meiji Era and are in some ways considered Washoku.
Cuisine: (Regional) Similar to Yōshoku, these are dishes with their own flavor and style and are served as the originating culture intended, rather then as a local adaptation. These dishes are known by their originating culture, hence, Italian Food, German Food, American Food, etc..
Cuisine: (Fast Food) These foods are more often of the Yōshoku variety as their gaijin parentage focused on speed and convenience over nutrition however many Washoku dishes fall into the category such as Ramen and Udon.
Cuisine: (Drinks) What is a meal without a good drink to wash it down? Drinks in the Shogunate run the gamut from the ubiquitous and traditional tea, to the bizarre, such as the imported Tiresian alcoholic beverage Zuryba.
Music: (Traditional) With the Shogun a patron, and practitioner of, traditional music, specifically the Shamisen, old world music is popular among the societal elite and can be found in most places. Concerts are plentiful and one can even find the off street musician playing a tune on their preferred instrument. When a gaijin thinks of Ōkami music, traditional music comes to mind, even if it isn't the most popular style in the Shogunate. Music: (Metal) Music: (Other) Nearly every other form of music can be found in Ōkami, though not as extremely popular as the previous two although certain Trow bands are making in-roads. While these other styles, western classical, techno, country, etc., can be found in some form or another, there is a subtle yet inherent nationalistic tendency to consider all non Ōkami forms of music as Yabo, unrefined, and course. All societies have their forms of Adult Entertainment and the Shogunate is no different. Before the brief summaries of the myriad forms this entertainment takes within the Shogunate a few things need to taken into context. Within the basis for the Shogunate, old Japan, the concept of sexuality developed separately from both the West and most of the East (namely Confucian China). Therefore chastity is not as highly valued as it is within other cultures. Also, the Shinto faith does not regard sex as a taboo. One must also consider mores borrowed from such races as the Trow and Praxian. Adult: (Geisha) One of the misconceptions is that a Geisha is a prostitute. This is not true. While some Geisha may entertain their guest sexually, the traditional Geisha is a hostess, companion, and an entertainer versed in dance, music, games, and the art of conversation. Geisha in the Shogunate are highly regarded and, like their old world counterparts, are seen more often among societies elite. Geisha are neither submissive nor subservient and are some of the most financially and emotionally successful women within the Shogunate. Geisha districts, or Hanamachi (flower towns) are found within or nearby high status areas of cities and are frequented by the powerful and well off. All Geisha, from Meiko to full-fledged Geisha all fall under the auspice of the Order of the Willow who's purpose is to see to their training (which can start as early as 5 years old), education and well being (some Geisha, before life prolong, could, and did work into their eighties and nineties, training everyday in their art even after decades of experience. Adult: (Prostitution) Prostitution, the galaxies 'oldest profession', is legal in the Shogunate and the combined sex industry is one of the larger money maker in the entertainment industry. However, to compete, many places have had to specialize in various ways to attract certain clientele. In addition to high-class and traditional Mezon Hana (Flower Houses), themed Mezon Hana have come into being. There are some that are focused on time periods, professions, and others that focus on cosplaying particularly popular fictional characters (imitating real people is illegal, and is considered quite dishonorable). Ever the pragmatic nation, the Shogunate figured, rightly, that such activities are going to take place, so why not regulate and turn a profit from it rather then waste resources trying to defeat the unbeatable. Casual prostitution is fairly common and often done as a supplement to those looking to make additional income. However, the real money (such as it is, very few make more than a typical salary-man of comparable experience) is to be found as professionals, which involves training, health inspections, and fixed locales. These fixed locations, or Yūkaku (pleasure quarter) are located here and there within cities, space stations, and towns. It is within these locations that one can find various Flower Houses. Yūjo (women of pleasure), either professional or casual fall under the auspice of the Order of the Flower. The Order ensures that the Yūjo is adherent to the safety, health, fairness and licensing regulations. They also maintain the Blacklists. These are lists that individual Yūjo maintain and add to, detailing acts they are not willing to perform. This allows a client to be paired with a Yūjo and avoid having to repeatedly deny a request. These lists can also be used to red-flag deviant clients who can be barred entirely from specific, local, or even all Yūjo, Yūkaku, and Hanamachi; and in some cases can lead to arrest. Like the Order of the Willow, the Order of the Flower see's to the assurance of vacation days, sick leave, routine testing and medical needs, fairness of pay, training in not only how to safely perform various acts (Praxian run 'sex-ed' schools are very popular), but also how to defend oneself until a bouncer or other help, can arrive, as well as to ensure a clean and safe working environment. Adult: (Performance) Sex theater is on the rise and comes in two flavors: Live and VR. Members of the audience are NOT permitted to participate, but often have special seats and or toys available for the audience to pleasure themselves or each other while viewing the theater. VR Dive is used in tis manner as well. Live performances run the gamut from Pole and Lap dancing to exhibitions with partners or multiple partners performing on 'stage'. Some performances may actually be contests giving new meaning to the term 'victory roll'. These establishments are located within local Yūkaku, with some high end 'venues' gaining renown, and entering into 'pop-culture'. Adult: (Bars) Unlike Mezon Hana, some Bars and Night Clubs within a Yūkaku do serve food and drink alongside sex. The wait staff are Yūjo and can, and often do, perform sexual favors for expanded tips. In relatively rare instances, the menu will also include sexual services in addition to the food/drinks on the menu, but one must order food in order to order the services. These establishment are also located within Yūkaku. Like their theater counterparts, some of these bars become very well known as 'all the rage' and those that become the favorite of a famous personality can soon find themselves the next 'hot' place to be. All pieces of artwork are Copyright their respective owners.
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"Dai Ichi, Dai Man, Dai Kaichi."大一大万大吉"All for One, One for All, and may Heaven Bless the Land." "They are a rough and a fearless people, lambs in their own country, but well-nigh devils outside of it." UEG Officer recalling a 1615 quote by a Dutch commander. Dai Ōkami BakufuThe Ōkami Shogunate's throne world, Ōkami, is located at the midway point between the Sol and Fantoma Sectors, roughly 3000 light years from each. The systems primary, Amatarasu, is a K1-IV Class Orange Main Sequence Star orbited by eight planets and two asteroid belts. Ōkami is a lush and verdant blue green sphere with a vibrant and diverse biosphere and is orbited by two small terrestrial moons.
Contents
Ōkami-jinLike her territory, the Ōkami Shogunate's peoples are just as diverse, and her population of over 17 Billion is made up of Garudan, Human, Invid, Karbarren, Pyertonian, Tiresian, Trow, and Zentraedi all living under a single banner, all Ōkami. Despite the racial differences and disparate systems of their ancestors, the citizens of the Ōkami Shogunate are bound together into a homogeneous whole based on a common language, common religion, and common culture. The three pillars of Japanese, Shinto and Bushido make the Shogunate what it is, and Ōkamijin who they are. The diverse races that make up her people came from cultures that allowed easy integration; the Zentraedi, Trow, and Karberran are warrior races at their heart to which the precepts of Bushido fit. The Garudan concept of Hin is about as close to Zen as one could get and Pyrtonian mysticism complimented Shinto spiritualism easily whereas the Invid, with no prior culture to call their own, just went with the flow. Garudan:
Ōkami of Garudan decent, affectionately called Neko-Jin, can often trace their linage to the Kokiri system as members of the Unmasked. Early in the Shogunate’s history the Shogun extended to the Governor General of Kokiri an open invitation that she and her people would be welcome on Ōkami should the sectarian strife between the Unmasked and the Children of Gaea persist. This invitation was accepted some years later. Almost overnight the Kokiri Colony immigrated alongside many of the Unmasked still living on Garuda. Ferine Mara was named Hatamoto and her people were welcomed with open arms. Anime tropes aside, the Ōkami Neko comprise 5.24% of the population and occupy all walks of life. They make fierce and dutiful warriors, and many have careers in the Kempaeitai or Keisetsu. It is rumored that the Shogun employs trusted Neko-jin psychics as part of her Castle Guard and one, with formidable precognitive and clairvoyant ability, serves on the Council of Regents. They are utterly dedicated to the Shogunate and are quick to react to any perceived slight against it. Becoming Ōkami-jin: Shogunal Immigration PolicyŌkami-DoŌkami-Do, or the 'Ōkami Way'. These are the values that make Ōkami what it is. It should be noted that since the majority of the leadership of the Shogunate spent their formative years either aboard star-ships or within space stations (Luna Base) a form of 'shipboard discipline' is strongly ingrained in all levels of society. Simply stated, the individual member of Ōkami society is not quite as "free" (in a certain sense) as a 20th century western man (or counterpart in an other polity), because the individual is strongly constrained by a set of expectations and responsibilities. The individual is expected to be an active citizen, and is conceived of as having both civil liberties and responsibilities. The fragile ecological and social environment found on ships and station has lead to the development of society where the individual is expected to take his social role very seriously, and to contribute to the working of things around him. Consider this example; on a spacestation, if a civilian saw something like an air leak in the hull, and didn't report it to anybody, they would be endangering not only their own life but also the lives of everybody on the station. So, that is a crime. This aspect is reinforced among immigrants processing thru Acculturation Centers, as the two largest (of three total) Acculturation Centers are, in fact, large space stations. The individual is expected to behave in an intelligent, responsible manner, and to be aware of the implications of his or her actions. Citizens are expected to be aware of the long running consequences of their actions, and to act accordingly. In another example; if a person is injured, it is the civil duty of passers-by to assist that person however possible. If a passer-by refuses to aid the injured party, or pretends to ignore them, then the passer-by is held to be partly responsible for the subsequent condition of the injured man, and will be charged under law accordingly. Likewise, the tools of an ordered and peaceful society are its security measures, and the co-operation of the common citizen is an expected duty. To an Ōkami-jin, running away from or obstructing the authorities is a clear admission of guilt. The practical upshot of the social attitudes prevalent in Ōkami culture is the creation of a society who's individuals are very, socially, and ecologically aware. The average citizens feel that they have a vested interest in their society and their planetary environment. Forethought and responsibility are highly valued faculties. In the context of culture, "honor" also equates to social responsibility. (See Bushido below) Two primary pillers comprise Ōkami-Do; Shinto, as mentioned above, and Bushido. Ōkami-ShintoŌkami society is heavily steeped in traditional Shinto. (Koshinto, Shrine, and Folk Shinto). This system, or Ōkami-Shinto, espouses hard work, frugality, ancestor worship, harmony with nature, belief in the Kami (spirits), nationalism, and altruism. As Ōkami-Shinto is the religion of the realm and forms part of the backbone of Ōkami society, no other conflicting religions are permitted within the mainstream. One may worship another faith if they wish, in private. No proselytization or evangelism is allowed, or tolerated. Practitioners express their belief through a standard language and practice, adopting a similar style in dress and ritual, dating from around the time of the Nara and Heian periods of ancient Japan. BushidoPracticed alongside Ōkami-Shinto are the precepts of Bushido, the Way of the Warrior, and it’s ten virtues;
Bushido is, essentially: chivalry. This has created a pragmatic, brave, industrious, polite, yet direct people who do not suffer thoughtless, obsequious, or cowardly behavior lightly. Slice of Life in the ShogunateEvery child in the Shogunate receives their name in a small ceremony three or so days after their birth. Friends and relatives attend, bringing gifts for the child. At the age of one month the child is taken to the local Shinto Shrine and his/her name and date of birth is recorded and the child formally becomes a member of the community.
A child is given a great deal of love and affection, but from nursery school on, the child is trained in obedience, bushido and duty. Children are brought up with the obligation that they do nothing to bring shame to the family reputation and with the expectation that they will achieve great things.
Many youth programs such as scouting and clubs in various persuasions are commonplace and children routinely participate in competition to hone their skills, bring honor to their family and clubs name, and in general for the fun of it. The most common clubs are combat based, kendo, aikido, karate, shooting, power armor, mecha. To an outsider this bares the hallmarks of a ‘warlike race’; to Ōkami-jin, its Tuesday.
Other popular clubs deal with more esoteric or traditional pursuits like calligraphy, magic, ikebana, and music. Martial arts and martial skills are taught at all levels of education alongside physical fitness and academic acumen. Higher education is prized and is held in the same esteem as the martial pursuits. Students vie for positions in prestigious universities and military Academies. While the selection process is designed to challenge the individual and allow for a good fit of student and school, notably absent is the much condemned phenomena of old Earth Japan’s ‘Examination Hell’.
Festivals ’Matsuri’ are popular and many emulate the traditional Japanese festivals of old Earth, especially popular is the Bon and Hanami Festival. Matsuri commemorate the beginning of the New Year; Ōmisoka, and the changing of the seasons; Setsubun as well as nature and respect for ones ancestors; Shunbun no Hi, and Shūbun no Hi respectively. Immensely popular is the Hadaka Matsuri. All pieces of artwork are Copyright their respective owners.
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