History[]
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Origins[]
The House of the Hu-Fung established themselves around 680 BCE, and was a wealthy landowning household in the court of Queen MengHai Pyamiko, in the Pyamiko Empire. However, once the empire collapsed after the death of Queen Hoshimi, Xueji Hu-Fung and his wife, Satsuki left the capital city of Taiyoo-to and went to Ito, the capital city of the Ningen Empire, and met with the court of Emperor Yazhong. After a deal, they were provided with some land to profit off of.
Over the next several generations, the Hu-Fung Province became larger and became a centre for art and fashion in the empire. Koukou Hu-Fung (I) eventually declared his territory an official province of the empire, with Yazhong's permission, after marrying Yazhong's illegitimate daughter, Miyami, who was half-Tamamo.
Years later, during the rule of Hirohiko Hu-Fung and Hanami Hu-Fung(nee Qi) when Yazhong's heir, Yoroh tried to lead an invasion on Ashyateata, the capital of the Morcaracalalando Czardom but failed, and the armies of the Czardom and the Tundrian Queendom surged into Ito, and the empire collapsed. Hirohiko and Hanami's sons, Ryu and Hiroto fled Ito and survived.
Formation[]
Ryu, Hiroto, and Ariko- Ryu's girlfriend-- would build a small village for them and the few other people that came to them. Many of the people that came to the village were either martial artists or users of magic, Ryu and Hiroto were masters of Forbidden magic themselves. While Ryu, Hiroto, and Ariko were acknowledged as the 'founders' of the village, they ultimately lacked authority over the villagers and were treated like everyone else. Over time, other families came into Akaru Village, which caused conflict, due to clashing beliefs and traditions. The main families were the Koyama, Asagami, and Umeji, families. They, in particular, gained a lot of power in the village, The larger the family, the more land they needed to have, and since the village lacked any form of governing, the large families simply took open land for their families. They would quickly realise they needed to feed themselves, so they started paying the small 'lesser families' to farm and harvest for them, sometimes repaying them in small sections of land or extra food.
In roughly 30 BCE, the neighbouring Oni and demons started targeting the humans in Akaru Village. As they needed to protect themselves, the large families who had since been profiting off of their large portions of land, paid members of lesser families to go after the demons and protect their land, promising them land in return. The main families up for hire were the Ashitomi, Shimonseki, and Kazoku family, though there were other smaller families. However, these warrior families were mostly divided, and never worked with each other, and even clashed on occasion. Once most of the Oni were fought off, the Aelaa Azhimiku Tribe declared war, and invaded the village, which had become more fortified. Ryu would successfully fight off the invasion with his supporters, and won the people over, who recognised him as the 'leader' of the village, which was growing very quickly. Even with the threats defeated, the warrior families never disbanded and would form small samurai groups, or 'sub-clans', using the land they had been given to profit like their previous masters, and fund their missions. The main samurai sub-clans would be the Kosui-Koyama, Nenshou-Kazoku, and Kaen-Umeji-Asagami.
After marrying Ariko and having a son, Mazakai, Hiroto would marry Amami Bygonbourne, and left Akaru Village for the Bygonbourne Clan. In 25 BCE, the Hu-Fung Clan was founded by Ryu and the Hu-Fung Family was declared the rulers and royal bloodline of the clan. Afterwards, Akaru Village would be re-named Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and was made into the clan base, and continued to grow as more families and people were allowed into the clan. However, they became increasingly divided, as clashing traditions and beliefs entered the clan through the growing population. As Ingloyism traditions were also brought into the clan, many began to turn to religion and spirituality, as was typical of the era. The clan's noble families mostly focused on the concept of blood purity, and what made one pure in their eyes was pure human blood, due to long-lasting demon prejudice. Originally, their beliefs were very basic, to remain 'pure' one had to remain solid in their high social class, so marrying other nobles implied retaining 'blood purity', though, over time, their beliefs evolved to imply that 'blood purity' required incestuous relationships. As time went on, the landowning families from Ryu's reign had grown much more rich, as well as the warrior families who were hired for them. As wars outside of the city raged on, the noble families who lacked warriors, began hiring out the samurai sub-clans, who, instead of just employing their family members, started employing farmers and craftsmen, and gave those who did their job well land to use as they pleased. As was expected, the larger families who did better due to larger numbers were given more land, to which they would sell to others for money, further creating a very complex landowning cycle system.
After Ryu and Ariko died in 78 CE, Mazakai succeeded them, assuming a tyrannical demeanour, and waged war against every nearby demon settlement, after he was humiliated by an Oni girl named Fumiko Azi. He would have every demon within the clan put to death, or tried to. He would ban the documentation of history, and had nearly all books and scrolls burned, however, some were snatched and hidden by scholars. Mazakai would endorse the sub-clans who enforced his laws, notably favouring the Nenshou-Kazoku and Kaen-Umeji-Asagami, the largest sub-clans, in his court. In return for them enforcing his laws, he gave them more land, to which they sold to others. However, during this time, there was no division between the upper-class and lower-class, so Mazakai ordered the building the four great walls of Akaru-sa No Kodomo, which divided the upper-class from the lower-class, with the peasants living in the first and second walls, while the nobles lived in the third walls and the Hu-Fung family lived in the fourth wall. In the fourth wall, Mazakai ordered for the construction of Subarashi-kagayaki Palace, the imperial palace, for him and his family. Once the walls were built, the people started hoarding the wealth they had, and the landowning cycle stopped, and the usage of currency was instituted.
Mazakai would marry Timiko Abe, and ad such, Timiko's family gained a claim over Mazakai's wealth and were given land, which was extracted from the Shukketsu-Ashitomi Sub-clan, and they clashed with the Abe family for a while,e until the Abe family established the Hirogaru-Abe Sub-clan, and defeated the Shukketsu-Ashitomi's.
Era of War & Instability[]
During Ryu's rule, he put in place a Council of Advisors, which Mazakai's youngest daughter, Ayano, would eventually become head of. during Mazakai's rule, a war between the Hu-Fung's and the Namontak Clan broke out. Narumi, Mazakai's second eldest daughter and successor would continue the war with Lord Nissho in her father's name. Narumi, while she was a skilled and resourceful leader, she often neglected her family, refusing to assist her older sister, Aneko, in getting custody over her son, Isao, after Aneko's divorce. Due to the clan lacking a set military and still having the old samurai sub-clans, most battles were fought by the Hirogaru-Abe sub-clan, who were loyal to the Hu-Fung family. At the height of the war, the smaller sub-clans began to clash and compete for the nobles who were paying them to protect their land, while the larger sub-clans had little to no part in the sub-clan clashings. This led to Narumi starting the Samurai Restoration, the first of her reforms, and it would abolish the individual sub-clans, forcing them all to serve the clan as the clan army. This would be the start of the military-class, and Narumi appointed her brother, Kodakona as the Head General. However, even after the reform, the landowning families that once had their own sub-clan remained very privileged in claiming military titles, due to still possessing greater resources that the lower-class, as they had been profiting off of peasant labour and landowning prior. Narumi would also undo most of her father's anti-demon laws, due to being half-Tamamo, as Timiko was secretly a Tamamo, making the Hu-Fung bloodline and all other families who had married into the Abe family partially Tamamo as well. Her second reform allowed those of demonic ancestry into the clan, in addition to popularising the use of magic, which originated from demons and Dragons, and many noble families started marrying into Oni and Dragon families, even though some already had, through relation to the Hirogaru-Abe's. This was arranged predominantly by military families, which was good for the demons, who had been targeted by Oni Hunters. Unfortunately, Narumi would ultimately be poisoned by Aneko and her ex-husband, Hideyoshi's brother, Hideharu, and sister-in-law, Tamaya as revenge.
Due to political unrest, Aneko was hastily made into the leader, and her first order was to declare war on her ex-husband, Hisateru Megano's clan, the Megano Clan, and invaded their base of Gin Hagane-mura, killing Hisateru and taking Isao back to Akaru-sa No Kodomo, which was regarded as a bad move by her advisors. Aneko was not very efficient at running the clan's military, and as war with the Namontak Clan was still happening, she mostly left Kodakona to run things for her. As he couldn't run the army on his own, he would assemble some of his very skilled soldiers to form the Council of General, essentially a council for warfare. During Aneko's rule, the Tundrian Shinli Dynasty were spreading their empire across the world along with the Morcaracalalando. When Isao was sixteen, the Tundrians crushed the might of the clan, and took Isao and Aneko to Myty, while his aunts and uncles all fled to the Sykow Clan. Isao remained imprisoned in Myty. Aneko later died in prison before they were rescued by Sakiko Kobayasho and several Sykow Assassins three years later. Isao would go to Chiu City, where he addressed the Hu-Fung supporters who resided in the care of the Zhao Royal Family, and after training and getting their strength back up, went out to fight Royal Queen Miraah Shinli and her army. In the end, Isao killed Miraah, and her army fell apart once the Sykow assassins started attacking them from all sides. Isao went to Akaru-sa No Kodomo and tore down the flag of the Shinli Dynasty, and restored the Hu-Fung clan. He then began awarding his supporters who returned to the clan with high ranking positions in his court, though in the mess that was getting everyone situated back into normal life, Ayano and the 神聖血液 began exerting religious authority over the people, by convincing them that in order to rule and attain status, they must be pure of both heritage and social rank. Over time, the main populace of the clan began believing Ayano and her cult, and using her power, isolated the lower-class from the upper-class, forcing them back behind the first and second walls. At the same time, Ayano was also exerting religious authority over the upper-class, forming what would later become the traditionalists, convincing them that to maintain their wealth and status, they must maintain their heritage and social rank, instituting strict laws and mannerisms that kept the upper-class uptight and strong, casting and isolating anyone who stepped out of line. At the same time, Isao would marry Sakiko, and the two had four children, Hayao, Haruto, Hanoka. and Hiroji. With Ayano still at the position of Head Advisor, she maintained her control over the upbringing of her great-nephew, Hayao, indoctrinating him at a young age, even though he never really cared for her cult, though her beliefs were taken in by Hayao's twin brother, Haruto.
Years later, when Hayao and Haruto were both sixteen, Sakiko would be assassinated, and Hayao, having completed his training in becoming a fit heir and nearly seventeen, became clan leader after Isao abdicated in his favour. During the last few decades, Ayano's blood purity cult, the 神聖血液 would become very prominent in the clan, and many converted to it. Hayao, being closeted due to the 神聖血液's underlying homophobic traditions, would fall for Hiroki Bygonbourne-Alto, the heir to the Alto Clan, after fighting in the Alto, Hu-Fung, & Fujimori - Tundrian & Gaizhon Wars. As Hayao's infatuation for Hiroki grew, he became more of a Yandere-like lover. When Hiroki married Mariyah Fujimori, Hayao sent an assassin after her, though they failed and he attempted to use the Spirit breaking Spell on her, though it backfired and he fell under its effects. He became a tyrant corrupt with greed, similarly to Mazakai. His great-aunt Ayano enjoyed the havoc he caused, and his corrupt allowed her to manipulate him easier. However, the spell wore off and Ayano prepared to kill him off, but with instead killed by her daughter, Mayura, who later killed Hayao, expecting to become clan leader, however, Haruto had been chosen in secret. Instead of killing him, as she suspected some members of the Elite already suspected her, decided to instead manipulate Haruto. Being his Head Advisor and the High Priestess of the 神聖血液 after Ayano's death, it wasn't that difficult of a task.
Conflict with the Nije & Aishi Clans, Corruption[]
During Haruto's rule, he spread the territory into neighbouring clans, and many began to acknowledge the Hu-Fung Clan as an empire and many clans' territories were considered part of the empire, and the clan that governed that territory, respectively, had to give proper payment to Akaru-sa No Kodomo. From the gradual increase of money, Haruto became rather arrogant, and he began flaunting his growing wealth to the people of his clan, earning him a bad reputation amongst the lower-class, though none cared enough to stand up for themselves, mostly due to believing that the Hu-Fung family and their supporters deserved their wealth, as they were 'pure'. Prior, Haruto married his cousin, Aiko Kobayasho, and under the influence of Mayura, made the 神聖血液 more rooted in the clan by making almost all members of the Council of Advisors devoted 神聖血液 supporters. Later, Haruto's empire spread into the territory of the noble Nije Clan, and Empress Koken Nije ordered all the Hu-Fung soldiers residing in the outpost to be killed. In retaliation, Haruto orchestrated her assassination, believing the Nije Clan wouldn't go to war against the might of the Hu-Fung clan. He was mistaken. Emperor Akiyo Nije, Koken's son and successor, plotted an attack on Akaru-sa No Kodomo, but he was betrayed by his daughter, Aika, who warned her secret boyfriend, Arakan Hu-Fung, Haruto's son, of the plan, and Arakan told his father, and Akiyo was killed while Aika and Arakan ran away and eloped. Emperor Eiko, Aika's brother. took the throne and waged a bloody brutal war on the Hu-Fung clan. Haruto and Aiko would later be assassinated and Haruto's daughter, Nagita took the throne. However, Nagita never trained in becoming heir, so, Keita Shimonseki would be appointed her regent by the Council of Advisors, and would rule of her behalf while she completed her training to become a fit leader. She was married to her cousin, Fujitsu, and after Nagita's training was done, Keita was forced to step down, and the two were crowned the supreme leaders of the clan, and they would keep the war going for many years.
Nearing the end of the war, Mistress Pimikoyo Aishi would be killed by an unknown Hu-Fung Assassin, and Fujitsu's brother, Fumetsu would be killed on the orders of Adasa Aishi, and Ayu Aishi, Pimikoyo's successor would be killed in retaliation, and then Nagita and Fujitsu would be murdered in their sleep by an Aishi Assassin, and Nagita's son, Suki took the throne. Suki, like his mother, hadn't completed his training, and he was also underage. For these reasons, his Head Advisor, Daihachi Tadahashi, who was also the leader of the 神聖血液 at the time would make Liuxian Kang-Yan his regent, and she mostly handled political matters, while Suki was either training or living his childhood with his boyfriend, Atsushi Tsuji, who was from the second wall. During Suki's time, several modernising groups rose in the clan, wishing to undermine the traditions and 神聖血液, and he began elevating several commoners to high ranks, by demoting many nobles. His actions would damage the control the 神聖血液 had placed over the people, and he became very disliked by the priests and priestesses. Suki later joined the Hiroshi Clan, the largest of the rebel groups in secret. After joining, he began elevating their members in his court and began removing and rendering many traditions irrelevant, much to the dismay of the traditionalists, and due to the majority of the upper-class being very rooted in tradition, few refused to associate with him, with some even claiming him to not be the true leader. As such, Suki retained a small group of loyalists. When Suki was sixteen, a year before he would be of age(he had already finished training) and Liuxian would have to step down, she tried to poison him, but although she would be caught and executed. Afterwards, Atsushi would be murdered by Daihachi, who had attempted a coup and tried to seize power for the Tadahashi family, though his loyalists intervened and Daihachi would be executed. Later, Okuda, Daihachi's son would send an assassin after Suki, who, by this point, was heartbroken due to Atsushi's death, would kill the assassin and then had his guards kill Okuda, and he then banished the entire Tadahashi family from the clan. Suki was later approached by Mike-Hua, a woman who was deeply in love with him, and she proposed. He would accept, though was plotting to kill her off. During that time, Ayukami Aishi re-started the Hu-Fung - Aishi War and tried to scorch Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and dispatched her legions of sorcerers. However, they were fought off by Head General Hayanari Ashitomi.
A few years later, the Tundrian Queendom under the authority of Royal Queen Sajai of the Nyili Dynasty ordered all the clans to leave the area, threatening to bring the entire force of her queendom down on them. Using this as a ploy to move the Hiroshi clan and their supporters out of Akaru-sa No Kodomo and to turn the gazes of the traditionalists and 神聖血液 away from the Suki would abide Sajai's orders, and left, although Suki left some assassins to make sure nothing was disturbed. During the creation of the settlement, Suki exposed as a Hiroshi clan member by Mika-Hua, as she had fallen for another man, and Suki would be chased out along with his supporters, and they would found Mazushi City. After his forced abdication, Liong, his second-cousin, took the throne for himself, despite having no training, and with the council of Advisors powerless, he had no regent for him. As political tension was brewing between the Hu-Fung's and Nije's due to their past conflicts and clashing views, Liong would have Ozuru killed off along with his daughter and nephew/son in-law, and in retaliation his eldest children, Rokuro and Kyoshi would be killed. Shocked, Liong declared war and many battles ensued. Raidon, Ozuru's successor would ultimately force the Hu-Fung's out of the settlement, even the commoners, and Liong went back to Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and reassembled the Elite and councils, resuming life as normal.
Liong Period[]
After marrying Osoro Nishimiya-Domen and having a son, Kumuro with her, Liong was murdered by her. Osoro, being his wife, was given the title of Temporary Leader, and she would fit the clan's views to reflect her own. She greatly altered the art and fashion in the clan, much to the dismay of the traditionalists. Her changes ultimately led to her being cursed by a group of rogue sorcerers, and she was placed to rest in the Hu-Fung Tombs. Afterwards, Kumuro, who was six would be placed on the throne, though he would provide a regent named Kunsaki Kazoku by the elite. As Kumuro grew up, he was a rather distant leader, mostly benefitting from the growing wealth of the empire. Kumuro, though he remained unmarried, had several children. Two of them, Touka and Shifen, he got custody over, and raised them, until he was killed by his older half-sister, Noriko, and Shifen took the throne while Touka became his Head Advisor, after the position was left vacant for Osoro and Kumuro's reigns. After having his own children, Sajara and Edomi, he was killed by his half-brother, Jun, and Touka succeeded him. Years later, after getting the clan through a famine, Touka abdicated in favour of Sajara, however, Edomi would stage a coup. In the coup, Touka, Sajara, Sajara's wife, Chinoko, as well as their son, Sai were all killed, and Edomi assumed the throne.
Edomi's rule was largely exaggerated, as most likely on her orders. What is true is that her forces did take the cities of Ztrazvetiet, a large city in the czardom, as well as Shengkai-de-Haizei, and Zing-Yuh. Edomi ruled for around 50 - 60 years before she was overthrown by rebels who had sprung up against her rule. After Edomi was dethroned, a power vacuum was created, and as the noble families tried to claim the Crimson Throne for themselves, Shimon Hu-Fung-Satō, Sajara's illegitimate son would arrive and took the throne, after proving his heritage, much to the dismay of the other noble families. After being crowned Lord and Emperor, his mother, China, fashioned the position of "Clan Mother" for herself, so that she could maintain political power and assist her son in political affairs. However, many noble families still desired the throne. The Koyama and Umeji families with the help of their respective heads, Mikazuki Koyama and Tsutomu Umeji, would try and stage a coup but failed and Mikazuki and Tsutomu were executed, and the Koyama and Umeji families were stripped of their noble titles and banished. After dodging several more attempted assassinations, Clan Mother China would pass the Imperial Division Act, which separated the affairs behind the fourth wall from the rest of the clan, and the Hu-Fung family became much more isolated from the outside worlds, and stopped associating with the other nobility, though still maintained absolute control over the empire. Shimon later had a daughter, who he named Kuniko. Kuniko later married Li Hei'an, and the two had three children, Masakado, Hinata, and Arisu.
Throughout Shimon and Kuniko's reigns, the 神聖血液 and upper-class grew powerful and unhinged, and the values of the 神聖血液 became more ingrained in the clan's laws and traditions, and the Hu-Fung family were to reclusive and wealthy to care.
Warlord Era[]
The Warlord Era was a long period started the Warlord Masakado Hu-Fung and ended by Okuninushi Hu-Fung. It is regarded as the most violent of all periods in the clan. It saw bloodshed, war, and the murders of various members of the Hu-Fung family.
Notable Events:
- Masakado becomes Head General, and the military seized control of the third and fourth wall, who had spiralled into political corruption, and enforced his laws that would put the upper-class in their place.
- Through his takeover, the Elite was made powerless by Masakado, who declared the council of Advisors powerless, also.
- Masakado would be killed along with his lover, Hiromasa Agata, a lower general, by his brother/brother in-law, Hinata, and sister/sister in-law, Arisu, and the two took the throne.
- Hinata and Arisu would reinstate the Elite and Council of Advisors, lifting many of Masakado's strict laws.
- Hinata and Arisu would be murdered by their son, Hiruu, and they were going to execute their daughter, Homura, for homosexuality. Hiruu, having despised the 神聖血液 his whole life, outlawed it, and went as far as to execute every member of it.
- The Ozai Cult is conquered and forced to bow before Warlord Katsuto Hu-Fung.
- Himehito murders Lord Katsuto and Heir, Tekkan Hu-Fung, his father and older brother. He later marries Yukihana Ozai.
- Himehito is assassinated, the throne would go to Yukihana, as she is his wife, though she would pass the throne onto Himehito's younger brother, Setoku, however, he was a tyrant, and after a year, he was executed. Again, the throne would go to Yukihana, as she had re-married Setoku, though she would reject it, and passed the throne to her and Himehito's eleven-year-old daughter, Iyo, though would prop up Jiang-Hua Asagami as Iyo's regent.
- Iyomi "Iyo" Hu-Fung takes the throne at fifteen, after assassinating her regent, Jiang-Hua Asagami. Iyo then works to turn the Hu-Fung Empire into a utopia.
- Iyomi lives on through Warlordesses Hoshiko and Kiyomi, using demonic magic, until she was discovered by Kiyomi's son, Kaitoko, and was trapped in a mirror shard.
- Incest became a much more valued tradition in the clan.
- Kaitoko married his cousin, Meiya, and they had a daughter named Jitomi 'Jito" Hu-Fung.
- Jitomi married her half-brother, Junjo and they had three children, Fuyumi, Fefang, and Faning Hu-Fung.
- Fuyushi had two children with his cousin, Ritsuyo, before she was killed by his mother, Clan Mother Fefang, who didn't want any more incest grandchildren.
- The Wedding between Fuyushi Hu-Fung and Suiko Koyuki was crashed by the Kurotama Rebellion who murdered the entire Hu-Fung family excluding Princess Changying.
- Kurotama Leader, Hirosada Koyuki would marry Princess Changying and makes himself Head Advisor. The Kurotama Rebellion seizes control of Akaru-sa No Kodomo.
- Throughout Koukou II, Okiku, and Okuninushi's reigns, the values and traditions of the Kurotama Rebellion became much more prominent, and though most of the sexist views were altered by Warlordess Okiku's rule; pure demon blood, magic-users, and the wealthy became much more important in the eyes of the clan, more than it was previously.
- Okuninushi ends Warlord Era after the last Kurotama supporters merged with the 神聖血液.
- Okuninushi, being heavily influenced by the Kurotama in his youth, instilled many traditionalist laws and policies, raising his son, Jotaro, to do the same.
'Modernisation Period'[]
After the Great War, many alternate forms of tech came to the world, and with the Ninjago Imperials adopting this technology into their society, the Hu-Fung Elite felt inclined to modernise the clan. Jotaro, however, was completely against this, preferring the traditional way. While the clan added aqueducts and more modern ways of farming, Jotaro prevented most of the reforms from happening, training his son, Akifauno to do the same. During Jotaro's rule, he made his friend, Kohi Dailor, the Head Advisor. Kohi would later descend into magical corruption. In his corrupt state, he killed Jotaro's sister, Hisako, and kidnapped his girlfriend, Kireina, however, she would be saved by several assassins. Kohi led an army to Akaru-sa No Kodomo but was defeated, and Kohi retreated, only to die some months later. Once Jotaro died, Akifauno ascended the throne, and Kireina became Clan Mother and assisted him in political affairs, and at some point afterwards became Head Advisor.
Akifauno later went through with a marriage with Akari Aiikoai, the daughter of the Aiikoai Clan Leader at the time, and they had two daughters, Meilan and Weilan. Both girls were very magically gifted, though Weilan, the youngest later abandoned her studies while Meilan continued and won the favour of her father, becoming his heir. When Meilan was seventeen, she was arranged into a marriage with Kaoru Hu-Fung, originally from the Akagi Family, who claimed to descent from the Ashitomi Family. When Akifauno died, Meilan became the clan leader, though she was busy caring for her eldest son, Lee, and Akari became Empress(dowager) and ruled for her daughter, sort of. Meilan later banished Weilan and had three more children: Ren, Mai, and Sora. All four were born into a period of time where wealth and art were bountiful, for the upper-class that was...
They were all raised in this household, However, due to the Imperial Division Act, no one ever saw the controlling and toxic environment that the Hu-Fung children grew up in. After failing the test, Ren was abused and neglected by Kaoru, who wanted to "man-up" Ren. At the same time that Sora became an assassin, he was almost betrothed to Izanami Ozai, but Izanami threatened to kill herself, and the arrangements were abandoned, much to the dismay of Kame and Asuja Ozai, Izanami's parents. As they all grew up, the siblings all drifted apart, and Lee, while he wasn't supposed to learn magic, he gained a special interest in Forbidden magic, and trained himself in it privately, and would begin to neglect his heir training as he became more and more obsessed with it. In early 2030, Meilan was injured in an attack, when Rendi and Peiyi Sykow of Zhao stole the Blade of Masahiru from the temple. With Lee deemed not ready to become leader, the Elite would gather, and Kaoru was made into Temporary Leader, and called for the Sykow clan to be destroyed, and attacked Xiaoqing, taking Mistress Zhiruo prisoner and leaving most of the Sykow refugees to seek refuge in order clans. Izanami had since become Mistress of Ozai House after she murdered her parents, Kame and Asuja with the help of Sora, and after orchestrating the murder of her siblings, became Mistress of Ozai House, and entered the court, initially as a mere official.
Kaoru, having previously joined the Black Lotus organization privately, would gather the Council of Generals and swore allegiance to the Invoker, and many Black Lotus would come to live in Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and Kaoru's position in the order was elevated to that of an Onyx Armada member. Later, the Invoker would order the Hu-Fung assassins to kill the Emiko family, and Sora, despite not wanting to, he went along with it and took Arata and some other assassins to carry out the assassination. Ren, having previously been in a depression, decided to make a difference, and went ahead of them, warning the Emiko family. However, after they safely got out, he would be caught by Arata and the other assassins, and he would be taken back to Akaru-sa No Kodomo, where he would be disowned by a distant Meilan, who had since made a partial recovery. Very quickly the Invoker's presence quickly became unpopular, and as he continued utilising the assassins to eliminate his rivals. Sora and some of his friends grew fed up, and they would rebel, and Kaoru would quickly disown Sora and banished the rest. During Sora's brief rebellion, Kaoru would have a fling with Izanami, as he was impressed with her influence in the Elite. Almost immediately, Izanami began using her unborn child as blackmail, and had him make her Head Advisor, and removed Lee from that position. With her new position in court, she started spreading a lot of propaganda around the clan, as she wanted the Black Lotus made irrelevant, as well as expanding the wealth of Ozai House, and imposing those who opposed her in court. The Invoker would soon trace the source of the propaganda to Izanami and essentially told her to shut up.
Fall of the Hu-Fung Clan[]
In 2031, after Meilan suffered a self-inflicted stab wound to the stomach, she would abdicate the throne for Lee, and Kaoru was to step down, shortly after disowning Sora, and banishing him and his assassin friends who attempted to rebel against the Invoker. After Sora's banishment, he joined the Dragon's Lotus, and Arata Kazoku, Sora's rival, would replace him as Head Assassin. Despite acting as a supporter for the Black Lotus, Lee deeply hated it, believing it was taking the power from the Hu-Fung Family. Under these beliefs, Lee founded his own rebel group, using Forbidden magic is mind control people for his cause, also working with his girlfriend at the time, Keiko, to do such things. Izanami had since remained Head Advisor, and the entire council swore complete allegiance to her, all fearing her, as she had been gaining a reputation for her cruelty, and due to her influence, the likelihood of her being served justice was low. The High Priest at the time, Shiou, was a corrupt official, who opted for Black Lotus rule. Within the palace, Lee had been controlling all who discovered his plans, including Mai, who he would use to assassinate Lord Predaki Bygonbourne, sending the Bygonbourne clan into a succession dispute. While many upper-class citizens despised the Black Lotus and the Invoker, the military and Council of Generals fully supported them, though Head General Shanshi's trust the Invoker eventually dwindled.
After three years of Lee's rule, the Black Lotus seized control of the clan's upper-class, forcing Lee and the Hu-Fung family into house arrest in Subarashi-kagayaki palace, while the third and fourth walls were patrolled by the Black Lotus and Hu-Fung soldiers. After around a year, the third wall would be released from house arrest, however, the Hu-Fung family remained locked up in the palace. In 2036, after the bombing of Chin-Tu City and the attack on Dragon City, the leaders of the Aishi clan, Yanuka and Nobu would be murdered by their daughter, Irene, who then led an attack on Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and the Invoker, Lee, Mai, Kaoru, Meilan, and many others would flee to the Imperial Vaults of Iwanai, while others fled to Moonlight City, Utsukushi Teikoku, and Seimei No Hikari-shi, Kogane No Yosai and the Aiikoai clan, or Akai Kage No Akuma and the Bygonbourne clan. However, Irene later took Utsukushi Teikoku, then, Seimei No Hikari-shi, and then Moonlight City. While most the clan's common people were spared, those of high ranks who failed to find refuge were killed by the Aishi clan, Samurakami clan, or Warlordess Asami and the Elder clan. Within Iwanai, the Hu-Fung supporters kept a low-profile, and no one ever discovered them, not even when Irene took Iwanai for her empire. Sometime after Irene's defeat in Ninjago City and the freedom of Iwanai, the Hu-Fungs and Black Lotus seized the city, and their long-lost Empress Iyomi Hu-Fung returned to the clan members striking a deal with the Invoker. Iyo would be given ownership of the Hayosai Assassins and would lead a conquest on the smaller rebel groups that a sprung up against Black Lotus rule.
Reformation[]
In 2031, after the smaller rebel groups Iyo was chasing united to form the Oni - Dragon Rebellion, Iyo returned to Iwanai with her assassins. The Invoker would call for the Onyx Armada to gather, soon after, the rebellion attacked with their full force, re-taking Iwanai, and Lee, Iyo, Rieko, and the Invoker would flee to Narumi No Kyoten, formerly known as Kryptarium Prison. After the Gem of the order was smashed, Mai and Azumi slipped away to Theimen Village, where they were taken in by Sora and the Dragon's Lotus.
Lee would later be ordered to kidnap Mai, as the Celestial Eclipse was drawing closer. Azumi, Mayumi, Masume, and Cho would follow, though by the time they arrived at the Red Eye Valley, they were attacked and the ritual went forward. While fighting Mai, Lee would be killed. Soon afterwards, Redai would be freed, and he began to drain those around him of their power. Most of the rebels, weakened, fled to the woods, while Iyo proclaimed herself the new Invoker, and went with Redai to re-start the world anew. However, he would fight his sister, Firstbourne, the Dragon Queen, who would ultimately defeat him, though she would die from her injuries. Iyo would later be trapped back in the Mirror shard, and Azumi would hide it in the Iwanai palace vaults.
After the ordeal, Mai and Azumi would take a vacation together, to sort things out between them. After the collapse of the many other clans, as well as WongYi Imperial House, Mai and Azumi would decide to re-establish the Hu-Fung clan, as many people had been displaced to the collapses of other clans. When she announced this, she returned to Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and many of the noble families would try to reclaim power, however, Mai would call for the walls to be torn down, and abolished many acts that restricted the lower-class, and started taxing the noble class. She and Azumi later married and had their own daughter, named Akemi.
Beliefs & Traditions[]
Marriage Within' The Clan[]
The idea of marriage varies depending on the rank and the social class. For the upper-class, marriages are more about maintaining ancestral lineages and preventing the lower-class from climbing the social ladder, therefore solidifying their wealth and status. For these reasons, arranged marriages become much more common and preferred, and while, sometimes the arranged spouses can have a say, usually they don't, and marriages are arranged by the parents. While they can be betrothed at any age, two arranged spouses can only marry once they both turn seventeen, and can only have children at ages 20-21.
For the lower-class, marriages are more for feelings, either that or possibly marrying up, though this rarely happens. While there are some arranged marriages in the first and second walls, this is rare and considered quite odd. Regarding homosexuality, within the third and fourth walls, 'homosexual relations' are not illegal, though they are heavily discouraged, mostly due to the 神聖血液 emphasizing on the importance of continuing the bloodline. For those in the military class, it depends on the individual soldiers' rank. For those in the 'lower military class,' it is somewhat common, and accepted, while in the 'upper military class' it is still discouraged. In the lower-class, it is widely accepted, and due to no one really caring about blood purity in the lower-class, it can be found commonly.
Unlike few other clans, child marriages are outlawed, and in the case of an arranged marriage, arranged spouses are required to be close in age.
Incest[]
Incest was traditionally used to preserve blood purity, as it was seen as very important in the clan, and went hand-in-hand with arranged marriages. Over time, some families avoided incest, but some kept the tradition going throughout the Warlord Era until the practice was banned by Okuninushi Hu-Fung after the Hu-Fung and other noble families were suffering from haemophilia and other mutations.
'The Test'[]
During the Warlord Era, when the clan became much more military-based and the population of Akaru-sa No Kodomo continued to increase, Masakado created a test for all children in the clan, that would determine their place in the clan. The only people excluded from the test were the heir to the Crimson Throne, as well a Senshi, who are chosen at birth. Though every other eleven or twelve-year-old had to participate. While it's original purpose was used to gain soldiers in the then very military-based clan, it also provided the noble families were servants, as those who failed would be subjugated to a life of a servant with little pay.
Crime & Punishment[]
The Hu-Fung clan is infamous for their brutal punishment for crime. As a result of the strict and controlling laws and traditions lining out those of high status, punishments are generally worse for those who step out of line, though in many instances, the nobles in question have used their influence to get off scot-free, though there have also been social repercussions when such things occur. Over the clan's history, there have been many laws and policies instituted, abolished, and reinstated, depending on the leader or the state of the Elite's influence. Most notable were the Imperial Division Act, which would be the cause for the reclusiveness of the Hu-Fung family, as well as the policy that outlawed the romantic and sexual relationships outside of one's social status, which remained in motion until the clan's reformation in 2040, when it was banned.
Amongst the lower-class, due to its size and the relative poverty, crime is considerably high, and as they are not as closely restricted as the higher-class, often get away with things, and the Elite often rely on the clan's 'peacekeepers' to keep things in order, though they have been known for corruption and bribery.
Hu-Fung Aesthetic[]
Popular Garments & Accessories[]
In the Hu-Fung clan, kimono and hanfu are the most popular type of dress, and have varied throughout history. In ancient times, kimono and yukata were very bland, with no designs. The dresses themselves were a bright red colour with black trim and obi. As the centuries progressed, and the wealth and art in the clan grew, clothing was provided in varying shades and designs, although those were usually for the upper-class. The most popular designs are cherry blossoms and foxtails, with blue fire and peafowl feathers embroidery also gaining in popularity. The obi and trims also became much more detailed and patterned, and extra layers of translucent fabric were sometimes sewn under the obi. By the time the Warlord Era arrived, hanfu styled dresses were on fashion, especially in quju shenyi and qiyao ruqun styles. Sleeves became much flowier and were patterned like the obi, while daxiushan or uchikake coats were worn with pibo scarves draped over the arms. As the Warlord Era was coming to an end, furisode was very common amongst unmarried woman, and still is to this day.
For accessories, jewellery and hair accessories were very limited in ancient times and were never worn by anyone other than the Clan Leader and sometimes members of the Hu-Fung family and some other important members of the clan. However, as their wealth and possessions grew, they became very flaunted about it. For both men and woman in the upper-class, onyx and gold ji became common hair accessories, while the more elaborate and decorated the hairpins are is symbols of status. Gold buyao/fengguan headdresses and diadems decorated with jade, jewels, pearls, and dangling gold chains are common hair decorations for women in the upper-class. Other jewellery such as necklaces and earrings also was common. In the Warlord Era, it was very common for men and women alike to wear red mouth coverings, although fell out of fashion by the early 1900s.
Beauty Standards (male)[]
The 'ideal' man outside of the military ranks is at least 6', though anything above 6'5 can be seen as unattractive. Athletic builds along with profound cheekbones are considered quite attractive amongst men, regardless of rank. For unmarried, young men, being clean-shaven is preferred. Facial hair is mostly reserved for older, married men. Pale skin can be considered out of place in the clan, and olive-toned or tanned skin is seen as much more natural. Black or dark hair is worn out or in a top-notch are very common for men in any rank. Thick, though well-kept eyebrows are seen as attractive, along with clear skin and thin-ish lips.
For men in the military ranks, scars can be seen as 'trophies' or achievements. Scars over the nose, mouth, or eyes, are seen as attractive, while scars on the arms and back are seen as signs of struggle or weakness. Bulky, muscular builds are ideal for men within' the military.
Beauty Standards (female)[]
Young girls are never expected to have a certain figure, nor is there a preferred one. This is due to the somewhat bulky style of a kimono and obi or flowy style of hanfu obscuring all figures. Aesthetically speaking, the 'ideal woman', outside the military ranks, has long silky black hair to her hips and a small face, well-defined heart-shaped lips and rosy cheeks. Olive-toned skin and high cheekbones are considered very attractive. While Tamamo and other demon-related abilities such as magic are desired in the clan, actual demon traits such as horns or fangs are seen as unattractive, and Tamamo-human hybrids are usually taught shapeshifting to hide their appearance.
A lot of makeup is generally reserved for special occasions, although more casual makeup is common for women and girls of the upper-class and consists of mainly red coloured products, like lipstick and blush. Women are preferred to have long, flat eyebrows with long, slanted eyes with black eyeliner. Sometimes eyebrows were also drawn with red product. Huadian lotus designs on the lower forehead were common for young, unmarried women, and huadian in the style of a plum blossom was more common for married women in the upper-class. Red dots called yedian were drawn on the dimples of women of all ages.
For women in the military ranks, muscular builds with scars are seen as trophies. The clan tends to think more highly of their female soldiers than their male soldiers. Scars over the face or eyes are seen as attractive, while scars on the arms and back are considered as signs of weakness.
Clan Ranks[]
(from early on, the Hu-Fung clan had a very rigid hierarchy)
The high-ranking, respected families that have maintained power since the clan's founding make up the clan's upper-class. They are the wealthiest, and the privileged, and profit off of peasant labour.
- Clan Leader - The clan leader(often addressed as Lord or Lady) has complete control over the clan, and must be related by blood to the Hu-Fung bloodline and carry the Hu-Fung surname. Although the clan leader can reign however they wish, if the Council of Advisors deems them a tyrant, then they can be dethrone, though this is uncommon. If the Clan Leader is absent, and the heir unqualified to rule independently, then the spouse could be deemed the Temporary Leader. Though the temporary leader would effectively be the clan leader until their spouse heals of the heir become qualified to rule, they cannot make major decisions for the clan, and often after overseen by the Council of Advisors. In the case the clan leader is absent, the heir is unqualified, and there is no spouse to rule temporarily, then a Regent will be appointed out of the leading officials in the Elite, and will rule for young clan leader and have considerable influence in the child's' life.
- Advisors - Led by the Head Advisor, the advisors all form the Council of Advisors and helps the clan leader make decisions by offering advice, although the Head Advisor has much more influence then the other lesser advisors. The council has a quorum of four, out of the nine total, and are present at all major decisions in the clan. While typically, the Head Advisor is a close ally of the clan leader, lesser advisors are usually allies of the Head Advisor, or wealthy, upper-class citizens of which the position is bestowed upon them by the Elite. While each Advisors' role is to offer advice to the clan leader and Head Advisor, they also act as a way to balance out the power of the Head Advisor, so that they don't manipulate the clan leader.
- Clan Mother - Typically the widowed wife of the previous clan leader, though alternatively she could be the retired Lady. The Clan Mother often assists her child in political affairs, and in some cases, can hold more power than the clan leader and Council of Advisors.
- Heir - The heir to the clan, typically the ruling clan leader's eldest child, regardless of gender. As they are supposed to be chosen at birth, heirs are taught and trained from youth. While it is common that the ruling leader's eldest children will be heir, it is possible that the heir will die and thus the rank will go to the next eldest child, regardless of gender. If all the clan leaders' children die, or they have none at all, then the position of heir will go to the leader's younger sibling. In the case of twins, it will up to the choice of the clan leader who to make heir.
- Hu-Fung Elite - The leading council consisting of all the heads of the major families, the Council of Advisors, Council of Generals, heir, and the Clan leader. Commonly referred to as the 'court', the Elite decide the fate of the clan. While in the past, the Elite had a large part in the lives of the clan leaders and policies made by them, in recent decades, their power became more and more limited, and when the Imperial Division Act was instituted, the Elite had little to no part in the lives of the clan leaders, and only gathered when important decisions were being made that affected the entire clan, such as the potential appointment of Temporary Leaders, regents, war times, or the making of alliances.
- Ambassador - Someone who shows recent members of the clan around. They also act as spies, and try to detect contraband. They often take on a variety of appearances, many dressing up as servants or normal people.
- 神聖 血液 Priests/Priestesses - The various blood purists of the 神聖血液 religion, and are headed by the High Priest or Priestess, who acts as a religious advisor to the clan leader, although is independent of the Council of Advisors. Traditionally, the title of Priest of Priestess was given to a highly trained sage or shaman, who was keen with the connection between soul and blood, and were recruited to join the 神聖血液. Prior to their dissolution, however, the title was simply bought and given out to the High Priests' allies, allowing for a rise of unqualified 'sages', this being the main cause for their widespread corruption.
The soldiers and magic-users of the clan make up the military-class. They protect the clan and its territory, and enforce the laws of the clan leader. Though the Military Class are considered separate from the upper-class, many high-ranking military officials come from noble families.
- Senshi Kyōkai - The Senshi Kyōkai is the most respected force in the entire clan, and are the sort of royal guards, who dedicate themselves to protecting the clan leader and Hu-Fung family. The Senshi are the best paid, perhaps besides the the Head General, and are chosen at birth from the most noble military families and begin training at ten years old to become the full-time soldiers and protectors of the fourth wall and palace.
- Generals - The Generals are the highest-ranking military officials in the clan, and are led by the Head General, and form the Council of Generals. Generals work with the clan leader and Advisors to work out strategies, conscript, and oversee the training of the military. While the positions of general is open to anyone with the skill, members of the Ashitomi and Shimonseki families usually claim these titles, due to having the resources.
- Assassins - Assassins are required to be lean, agile, and have quick reflexes. The assassins are represented by the Head Assassin, who is usually a very skilled assassin with a high kill record. Assassins tend to work by themselves, or in small groups. Most Assassins use daggers, shurikens, and other light-weight weapons that are sometimes enchanted. Although recognised as very important, assassins are generally excluded from military matters, only to be brought up by the Elite if needed by the clan leader for missions.
- Sorcerer/Sorceress - The main magic users in the clan, and are all overseen by one of the Master sorcerers. Sorcerers are often taught how to use every aspect of the magic type they possess, though the clan technically specialises in the arts of Forbidden magic, almost all types of magic are taught, though Dragon and Light magic users are rather rare. While Sorcerers are considered part of the Soldier rank, at the same time, they are separate, being paid separately and having their own system to manage themselves.
- Healers - Healers are the doctors and nurses in the clan, and are often the users of dragon magic and light magic. Though the Hu-Fung clan has a very unique blend of magic-users, very few of the clan's members specialise in either dragon or light magic, so there are few healers. For this reason, during war time, demonic magic and dark magic users are taught to harness specific areas of demonic and dark magic that more revolve around taking pain and easing tension.
- Soldiers - The foot-soldiers are the most common military rank are the least respected. They usually use katana or spears to fight. Many of the lower-class are part-time soldiers, and will serve in the armies during times of war, though once they are payed depending on how they did their jobs, they resume normal life. In ancient times, soldiers would be paid in land, for to use in for their own purposes, though in modern times, they are paid in yen.
- "Peacekeepers" - The police force of the clan, who operate in the walls of Akaru-sa No Kodomo, and are usually repurposed soldiers and assassins.
The poor and servants make up the lower-class. While they are free from the control of the cult-like upper-class, they are treated like garbage, and are put at a disadvantages to those of more prestigious birth.
- Servant - Servants are usually trying to pay off a debt to the Imperial Family and are generally not given the bast living establishments, though after the rule of Lady Nagita Hu-Fung they were treated much better. Alternatively, a servant can be someone who failed to get a rank when participating in 'The Test'. There are several branches that fall under the servant rank. These can include basic helpers, kabuki, geisha, and chefs. While the Lady In-Waiting rank is considered a servant rank, they are paid separately and are recognised as upper-class.
- Farmers - Individuals who produce the food for the clan. Most reside in the first wall or completely outside the city, and tend the farmland and animals. In times of war, farmers may be recruited as soldiers.
- Workers - Shoe-makers, weavers, street-cleaners, artists, craftsmen, and store-owners are all members of the worker rank. Arguably one of the poorest, those who fall into this rank as opposed to the Servant rank didn't find a job for the noble families.
- Merchants - Traders and travellers who are often regarded as shady people, and are usually excluded from clan life, as many of the merchants aren't from the clan, but are simply passing through. Due to the xenophobic tenancies of the clan, outsiders are often treated as outcasts, and merchants not from the clan may be considered shady people and have trouble doing business.
Clan Leaders/Heirs[]
All Clan Leaders[]
House of Hu-Fung[]
- Patriarch Xueji Jang Hu-Fung
- Patriarch Norishige Hirotoko Hu-Fung
- Matriarch Katsue Kaigara Hu-Fung
- Patriarch Koukou Airou Hu-Fung I
- Patriarch Masashi Kisetsu Hu-Fung
- Patriarch Wushan Beike Hu-Fung
- Patriarch Hidekazu Ahiji Hu-Fung
- Patriarch Hirohiko Shin Hu-Fung
Hu-Fung Clan[]
- Lord Ryu Katsumiko Hu-Fung
- Lord Mazakai Erichai Hu-Fung
- Lady Narumi Anara Hu-Fung
- Lady Aneko Hina Hu-Fung
- Lord Isao Kataru Megano-Hu-Fung
- Lord Hayao Narumi Hu-Fung
- Lord Haruto Chisaka Megano-Hu-Fung
- Lady Nagita Hinata Hu-Fung
- Lord Suki Chikorai Hu-Fung
- Lord Liong Kagami Hu-Fung
- Lady Osoro Koharu Hu-Fung
- Lord Kumuro Fuyuno Hu-Fung
- Lord Shifen Khan Hu-Fung
- Lady Touka Sakimi Hu-Fung
- Lady Edomi Reiya Hu-Fung
- Lord Shimon Origane Hu-Fung-Satō
- Lady Kuniko Taira Hu-Fung
Warlord Era[]
- Warlord Masakado Li Hu-Fung
- Warlord Hinata Akifusa Hu-Fung
- Warlord Hiruu Nobuya Hu-Fung
- Warlord Katsuto Ryuuka Hu-Fung
- Warlord Himehito Airihiko Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Iyomi "Iyo" Aoisora Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Hoshiko Akai Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Kiyomi Akigami Hu-Fung
- Warlord Kaitoko Hirohi Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Jitomi "Jito" Mariko Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Fefang Haruyo Hu-Fung
- Warlord Fuyushi Fei-Hong Hu-Fung
- Warlordess Changying Mako Hu-Fung
- Warlord Koukou Hitori Hu-Fung-Koyuki II
- Warlordess Okiku Noh Hu-Fung
- Warlord Okuninushi Hayamura Hu-Fung
'Modernised' Era[]
- Lord Jotaro Natsuyato Hu-Fung
- Lord Akifauno Masakado Hu-Fung
- Lady Meilan Manami Hu-Fung
- Lord Kaoru Harutaka Hu-Fung
- Lord Lee Kyoichi Hu-Fung
- The Lord Invoker (de facto)
- Lady Mai Chiyo Hu-Fung
Potential Clan Leaders/Heirs[]
- Mayura Salrahe Hu-Fung - Would have been heir had Haruto not been chosen by Hayao.
- Kaito Tanyu Hu-Fung - Suki's son and original heir, would've succeeded his father had Suki not been banished.
- Saikou 'Sai' Hojo Hu-Fung - Was Sajara's heir, but was executed as part of Edomi's coup.
- Fuyumi Hoshiyo Hu-Fung - Jitomi's daughter and original heir, would've succeeded her mother had she not died.
- Akemi Kiri Hu-Fung-Kusazuri - Lady Mai and Lady Azumi's daughter, current heir.