The Tortoise Clan was a minor clan with a reputation as smugglers. They carried more political weight than most minor clans due to their position as the representatives of the minor clans in the Imperial Court.

Contents 1 Families of the Tortoise Clan 2 Tortoise Lands 2.1 Major Totoise Holdings 2.2 Minor Tortoise Holdings 3 Early History 3.1 Foundation 3.2 Ancestral Duty 3.3 Alliances 3.4 Attitude 4 Recent History 4.1 Yoritomo's Alliance 4.2 Four Winds Era 4.3 Fall of Otosan Uchi 4.4 Treaty with the Unicorn 5 Details 5.1 Mon 5.2 Samurai 5.3 Kizoku of the Tortoise Clan 6 School and Paths 6.1 Schools 6.2 Paths 7 See also 8 References

Families of the Tortoise Clan Edit

The Kasuga family was not the only family in the Tortoise clan.

The Vassal family of the Hyobe made up the officer corps of the small Tortoise Clan Army. They oversaw the defenses of Otosan Uchi. ^{[citation needed]}

The Vassal family of the Someisa, which were the caretakers of the eternal flowers, babbling brook, and eternal tortoise within Kyuden Kasuga. ^{[citation needed]}

Tortoise Lands Edit

The Tortoise were settled exclusively upon the northern White Stag Peninsula and coast north of Otosan Uchi. ^[1]

Major Totoise Holdings Edit

• Dawn Tower (A7)
• Golden Sun Bay (Shared with Doji)
• North Hub Village (A5)
• Otosan Uchi (A9)
• Peninsula of Dawn
• Port of the Golden Sun
• Shiro Kasuga, south of Dragon's Guard City (A4)
• Sunset Tower (A11)

Minor Tortoise Holdings Edit

• Distant Turtle City
• Taimana Choryu ('Slow Tide Harbor")

Early History Edit

Foundation Edit

The Tortoise were founded in 442 after the Battle of White Stag and Battle of Raging Seas. The Emperor Hantei Muhaki assumed the throne after the death of his niece, Hantei Yugozohime who was killed by the gaijin during the battle of White Stag. He bestowed minor clan status on Agasha Kasuga and his followers despite the fact that they apparently helped the gaijin leaders to escape from Otosan Uchi. To this date the reasons for the Emperor granting this status were known only to Kasuga and Muhaki.

It was formed from a mixture of Yasuki ship captains, hidden gaijin refugees, and the family of Agasha Kasuga. They became smugglers and spies, watching foreign ports and maintaining covert contacts with the Thrane and Merenae civilizations. ^[2]

The title of Kizoku was given to the decendants of Agasha Kasuga who provided guidance and advice to the Tortoise clan prior to the creation of a Tortoise Clan Daimyo. At one point, the Kasuga were considered Stewards of the Hantei Dynasty. ^[1] A collection of the accomplishments of the Hinin and Heimin was called the "Kinkyo no Kida" (The humble path) and was one of their most studied scripture, this was addition to normal treatises on Shinsei and Bushido. One unique aspect of the Tortoise Clan was their open invitation for inclusion to ronin, refugees and heimin. ^[3]

Ancestral Duty Edit

After his return Kasuga had convinced Hantei Muhaki to conduct covert trade with the overseas gaijin in order to spy on them, which became the ancestral duty of the Minor Clan. ^[4] They were known as merchants and diplomats. ^[5] They conducted minor trade with the gaijin tribes to Rokugan's north, spreading disinformation and inaccuracies to all they met about the Empire and those who dwelled within it. ^[6] Even well-intentioned Emerald Magistrateshad been quietly and discreetly eliminated to preserve the honor of the throne. ^[7]

They guarded Golden Sun Bay from any assailant, and were charged with keeping the walls and structures of Otosan Uchi clean, safe, and well-maintained. ^[8]

They were also responsible for keeping a small number of records for the Imperial Houses, thought mainly to be historical accounts and anecdotal information from peripheral sources. ^[9]

Alliances Edit

Primary positive relations between the Tortoise and other Major Clan Families pre-11th Century were as follows: ^[10] Yasuki (Strong Allies), the Phoenix Clan (Primary Allies), Several Crane Daimyo, the population of Otosan Uchi

Attitude Edit

The sardonic Tortoise Clan was the most socially adept to sadane, a game were two contestants exchanged politely worded insults for several minutes until one was unable to response. It was the only way they could survive given the generally dishonorable nature of their daily activities. ^[11]

Recent History Edit

Yoritomo's Alliance Edit

The Tortoise eagerly joined the Yoritomo's Alliance, when it was offered by Yoritomo in 1127. ^[12]

Four Winds Era Edit

After the death of Toturi I, the Tortoise threw their lot in with Hantei Naseru, the younger of the Four Winds, as he seemed most likely to support the purpose and philosophy of the Tortoise Clan. ^[7]

Fall of Otosan Uchi Edit

After the Fall of Otosan Uchi in 1159 the Tortoise began to leave the East Hub Village, and mantained a nominal presence there. ^[13]

Treaty with the Unicorn Edit

During the Winter Court at Kyuden Otomo in 1168 the Tortoise and the Unicorn made a treaty. The Tortoise should spread the worship of the Shi-Tien Yen-Wang, constructing shrines along their trade routes and in their ports. Secondly, Tortoise should be granted access to and passage through Unicorn lands, for the purpose of conducting matters of trade. ^[14]

Details Edit

Mon Edit

The mon depicted a tortoise and the clan colors were blue-black and gold. ^[15]

Samurai Edit

See Samurai of the Tortoise Clan for a listing of notable members of the clan, both current and historic.

Kizoku of the Tortoise Clan Edit

The following were the known kizoku of the Tortoise:

Agasha Kasuga	442 - ?
Kasuga Genjiko	? - ?
Kemmei's father	? - (c. 1124)
Kasuga Kemmei	(c. 1124) - (c.1150)
Kasuga Taigen	? - Present

School and Paths Edit

Schools Edit

The following were the basic Schools within the Tortoise Clan:

• Kasuga Bushi
• Kasuga Courtier
• Kasuga Smuggler

Paths Edit

The following were the Paths within the Tortoise Clan:

• Kasuga Deceiver
• Hidden Dagger
• Tortoise Guard

See also Edit

• Kasuga family/Meta

References

• Emerald Empire, 3rd. ed p 97, 103, 128
• Fealty and Freedom, 3rd ed. p 95-102
• Art of the Duel, 3rd ed. p 139, 142-143, 152
• Prayers and Treasures, 3rd. ed. p 47
• Masters of Court, 3rd. ed, p 167
• RPG Rulebook, 4th ed. p 225, p 360, 364
• RPG Rulebook, 3rd. ed, p 71-72, 153, 317
• Four Winds, p 186, p 188

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