WhatTheChineseScholarToldYou

Ref: TheMirrorAndTheBearCampaign

What the Chinese Scholar Told You

NOTE: This is a made up campaign history based on real events some of them have been interputed to create a single fantasy history that the character might have been told.

First Golden Time

A long time ago there was the ShangEmpire in ChungKuo . Our ancestors lived there like many of the great clans of ChungKuo, ChaoXian , XiaoLiuqiu and Japan. The Empire was destroyed because they lost TheMandateOfHeaven. ^(1000bc) . It was replaced by a great civil war where family fought family over the ashes of the old empire. Over time the Chou became the most powerful family but never quite rebuilt the empire. Much was forgotten from that time, like the mysteries of how we once talked to the gods by marking the turtle bones or the correct governance of the people.

Blown by the Wind

Like a dandelion that explodes from the force of the wind, the many clans left central ChungKuo and fled to the four seas. Some of them went to ChaoXian, others to Japan, and still more are lost to us. We arrived first at the Island of Kyushu to find the JomonPeople already here. ^(250bc) They were a strange people with their own language and ways. They believed in the mysterious Kami and were frightened by the forces of nature. They ate the DryGrains of the field , varied fishes from the sea, and trapped animals for food. They fished with ancient bone hooks and we showed them how to use nets. We also came to the Japan with the secrets of Iron, Bronze, Rice, Cloth and Pottery and we were like gods to them. They called us the YayoiPeople after the way we made out pots. The Jomon welcomed us and we became their lords, some of the Jomon were killed before they accepted our lordship over them, but that is a long time ago now.

The Anger of the Gods

We had not been here long when we too discovered the power of the Kami, they are the wonderful and powerful Gods that the Jomon have always paid homage to. But they are also quick to anger. It did not take long before they were upset with our ways and made it known to us. Being a practical people, who normally only prayed to our ancestors at our family shines, we soon found it wise to follow the Jomon customs and prayed to them as well. The duties of looking after each Kami were split up amongst the great families so no Kami would be forgotten and hence be angry with us again. Jomon shamans taught our priest's their many secrets and it was not long before a new religion formed from both traditions, the Jomon named it Shinto in their language, and we respected their name for it.

Overtime we spread from Kyushu and on to Shikoku Island and then on to Honshu. At first the local Jomon clans resisted us, but once they saw our superiority they kowtowed and became our servants like the other clans before them. It was at this time that the unified Kuge families started to war amongst themselves. Some clans moved to different parts of the island and over time stopped accepting the lawful leadership of the council of clans. It was also a time of great war in ChungKuo as the Ch'in family started to conquered or destroy other families that were in their way to recreate the ancient empire ^(220bc). The clans of Japan were both relieved and upset that the ChinEmpire? did not turn their eyes to our sacred islands. Relieved that we to were not destroyed, and upset they did not think we were worthy to be part of their new and mighty Empire. It was at this point that some families decided that the ChinEmpire? were mere shadows of the former Empire and that they could form a truer one without them. It was only a matter of finding the right family to rule the land.

Time of War

Gold and silver were discovered in the mountains which we had not explored, due to the difficulty and danger of investigating them. There are many tales of monsters and demons in the wilderness and some are still reported of to this day. Only the mad would go there without a large escort of men, but those families that dared to anger the Kami, Oni and whatever may live there, gain the many riches that were concealed their. This wealth only fueled the war further and many ordinary people died.

In time, the ChinEmpire? Dynasty fell and the HanEmpire formed in it place ^(200bc). The Han sent several emissaries to ourselves and the ChaoXian'ns. These ambassadors informed us that we were now part of their Empire. The ChaoXian'ns refused their invitation, and the Han then invaded with a massive army and captured the northern part of their land. Many families of Japan then decided to send tribute to the Han court. The Han informed the Wo, as they call us, that we could rule ourselves as long as we acknowledge them as our lord and paid tribute in much gold and silver each year.

The First Empire

There was a long period of civil war, as first one, then others of the original hundred families where either conquered, or destroyed. Soon only 30 great clans were left and it was looking like the war would never end. At the same time much new learning also came from ChaoXian and ChungKuo in this period. The lost art of writing was reintroduced, the ancient lore of governance were at last re-learnt and strange new religions like Confusenism and Toaism were introduced from the mainland.

As the Yamoto family had access to the largest number of gold and silver mines it's power grew. Seeing their moment, at the fall of the house of Han, they hired mercenaries from ChaoXian and attacked the remaining clans. In a short time QueenHimko? of the Yamoto with the blessing of their families Kami and ancestors overcame the other clans. She was hailed by all as the first Empresses of Japan ^(250ad) . She set up her capital at Yamatai on the coast of the Kyushu by the mild inner sea.

The Yamatai court was setup in the ancient Ch'in model with a system of Rank and Honor. The land was divided so that each man had an lot and from his lot he paid his taxes to the Yamoto. Honorable service to the state gave a family tax free status on all their lots, hence many rushed to help the court in any way that they could. All was well until the Queen died and there was no direct heir to the Yamoto kingdom ^(270ad) . Then the country fell back in to yet another civil war as the branches of the Yamoto family fought for the right to be Emperor. This war continued until the true heir of the Yamoto clan untied the clans under his leadership in Kyoto ^(370ad). He once again brought peace and stability our great land.

Peace at Last

With peace restored within the Japanese Empire there was a time of plenty, and trade with the Eastern Chin Empire started. It seemed that the peace that was hard fought for would last forever. But it was not long before the northern tribes of AinuPeople rebelled and we lost control of the most of Northern Honshu and even our strong holds of the Kanto plains were under the continued threat from the Barbarians clans. In the last hundred years the Emperor has granted several charters of Shogun powers to Kuge lords to lead armies and fight and to regain our the lands, most recently to Suzo Uamito. None have so far succeed, although the attacks of the AinuPeople have recently stopped ^(500ad).