Post by Himawari Hirameku on Jun 30, 2014 21:42:49 GMT -7
HIRAMEKU ― 閃く
Head Family
Clan Patriarch & Head: Hideaki Hirameku (NPC)
Clan Matriarch: Haruko Hirameku (NPC)
Hikaru Hirameku (♂; deceased heir apparent)
Himawari Hirameku
Hikari Hirameku (♀ NPC unless otherwise)
Clan Elders
Youshirou Hirameku (♂ NPC)
Youta Hirameku (♂ NPC)
Youko Hirameku (♀ NPC)
Clan Members
Haruki Hirameku (brother to clan matriarch)
Female PCs (0/??)
Male PCs (0/??)
History
Lore of the Hirameku says that the eight-tailed beast, Gyuki, taught their ancestors how to harvest lightning. They were a nomadic group once concentrated around the present day Kaminari no Kuni, the Land of Lightning, and were one of the more pugnacious clans during the Warring States era. Initially, they were quite small as a result of the mortality rate of infants by the Hotarubi. However, their eventual solution to the premature deaths led to an immense growth in their numbers and hostility. By the second half of the Warring States era, the Hirameku were known to be constant aggressors, declaring war and engaging battle with not only other clans, but with the other factions within the clan itself—often times, over minuscule disputes and complications. It was an unthinkable development for the Hirameku, as they had once been more like the patient and mild insect they were based upon.
Upon the formation of the Elemental Nations, the Hirameku naturally opted to stay within the borders of the Land of Lightning. However, as a result of their perpetual and malignant warfare with the majority of the clans that joined at Kumogakure, they separated themselves to a more isolated, northern portion of the Land of Lightning. There, they began to revert to their more peaceful nature as they rebuilt a new home among the mountains. The lull did not last long though. The accumulating prevalence of the Hotarubi came hand in hand with the proliferation of destructive behaviour. After the death of the Clan Head, far from their former enemy clans, the Hirameku fell into chaos; the true-born heir and the bastard son deepening the divison within the clan and starting a civil war that would last two decades. Under the assurance that it would not spread farther than the Hirameku claimed lands and would not involve outside forces, the conflict was blatantly ignored by the majority of the shinobi world as it neared the First Shinobi World War. Due to the casualties they suffered during their own civil war, they declined Kumogakure's request for their shinobi. Although an understandable decision, it did cause tension between the village and the estranged clan.
They did however join the fray under Kumogakure at the Second Shinobi World War. It was a foolish decision. Even the Hirameku of the time knew that well, yet they followed the rash agreement. They were barely recovering with their clan an odd split of the elders who survived, and the generation, birthed out of the effort to recuperate their lowered numbers, barely entering adulthood. At the end of the Second Shinobi War, the Hirameku would once again find their numbers decimated and bitterness festered within the clan. Factions were redefined, namely amongst the elder generation and the younger generation, and when a staged coup d'etat failed, the Hirameku would yet again go into a civil war.
It was dubbed the Raika War (雷火戦争; Fire Started by Lightning War) as it was seen as a "fire" ignited by the aggression bred through consumption of lightning with the Hotarubi. Many began to reflect and speculate how their clan had once been fairly tranquil and pinpointed the beginning of change at the growth of the Hotarubi. The opposing sides took the names of firefly species, manipulating the use of kana to reflect their stances within the conflict. The faction containing the majority of the elder generation and the Head Family, were referred to as Himebotaru (媛ボタル; Princess Firefly) owing to their leader being the widowed matriarch. The usurping group was titled a homophone for "gold firefly", Kiinbotaru (起因ボタル; Firefly of a Waking Origin), after their drive for a new beginning for the Hirameku Clan.
The Raika War ended in slaughter like wars often do. The Kiinbotaru came out as victor at the beheading of the widowed matriarch and the eventual trial and execution of the remaining elders for their war crimes. Though the Kiinbotaru offered amnesty for the few members left of the Himebotaru faction, they either resisted and died in the attempt or departed ways. Accepting that the Hirameku's aggression was fueled by their persistent subjection to the lightning of the land, the remaining Hirameku―who now could hardly be called a clan―set off to find a newer home. It was not long until they found shelter within Kirigakure, however suspicious the village was to them by reason of their former alliance. The compound was built towards the outskirts of the village, though the Hirameku did not particularly mind. They acknowledged the reasonable distrust and the placement had appeased their age old preference of seclusion. It was not until the Hirameku, despite their meagre population, swore to the Mizukage and participated in the Third Shinobi World War under Kirigakure did the scepticism begin to dwindle.
The Hirameku seemed to have come to a near full circle; their bellicose temperament slowly dissolving. The power they wielded during their glory days would most likely not be restored, though many Hirameku find relief in this fact and believe it for the best. As time continues to pass, however, the Clan Elders narrow their eyes at the tension, redolent of their atrocious period of unrest, unfolding among the Hirameku. At the untimely death of the heir apparent, Hikaru, the succession to the head seat is in abeyance. With the existence of two possible heiresses―a true-born heir without the Hotarubi and a bastard-born child―thin lines have been painted between the Hirameku yet again, leaving the Clan Elders wondering if it were really the lightning that caused their chaos.
The Hirameku seemed to have come to a near full circle; their bellicose temperament slowly dissolving. The power they wielded during their glory days would most likely not be restored, though many Hirameku find relief in this fact and believe it for the best. As time continues to pass, however, the Clan Elders narrow their eyes at the tension, redolent of their atrocious period of unrest, unfolding among the Hirameku. At the untimely death of the heir apparent, Hikaru, the succession to the head seat is in abeyance. With the existence of two possible heiresses―a true-born heir without the Hotarubi and a bastard-born child―thin lines have been painted between the Hirameku yet again, leaving the Clan Elders wondering if it were really the lightning that caused their chaos.
Biological Traits
Members of the Hirameku are often tall and yellow eyed with brunette hair, though those with the Hotarubi tend to end up with white hair over time. In terms of skin colour, they tend to be of varying shades on the darker colour of the spectrum. Generally, those born in the Hirameku Clan have large, volatile chakra pools―even those without the Hotarubi, though it is to a lesser extent. Their frames are built more for agility rather than strength and they take advantage of it, often leading to the horrible quip of their being "as fast as lightning". The lightning affinity is prevalent, but it's not too uncommon to find members with a water affinity.
Kekkei Genkai
Hiden Jutsu
N/A
Additional Information
The Hirameku love their kenjutsu and their summons are often to be fireflies. They have the habit of naming their children with the same kanji within the generation, hence the similarities in some names. It was once a mandatory tradition, but it has now been reduced to a quirk that some insist on following (the Head Family and Conservatives) while others ignore. Thanks to their love for the firefly, the Hirameku hold little festivals in their compound during the summer and even welcome outsiders to join. There are now growing factions within the Clan decided by who supports which child to be heiress. In favour of Hikari becoming heiress, Haruki is one of the more vocal supporters. If you kill a firefly in their presence, or admit to killing a firefly at some point in your life ever, they'll probably hate you or something.
