Kenshu

The Kenshu of Yoe Tao are renown for being formidable in times of war and peace. Founded by Maro, Lady of Steel and trained as fiercely capable warriors and well spoken diplomats, they are among the best-equipped soldiers in Ilucin. This group of military elites is a cultural icon of Yoe Tao and is older than the city itself. They are the only group of soldiers known to use weapons and armor forged from malachite, the rare mineral unique to the island of Gadene in the The Isles of Soemerild. Though practiced in the use of many types of weapons, each Kenshu would have a unique favored fighting style. Consequently, they can be seen wielding a wide variety of weapons in armor in combat.

Structure

Masters, Elders, and Apprentices

The Kenshu Masters all carry equal power when commanding a military force or negotiating with diplomats. The Masters ensure their strategic decisions are unanimous through a daily ritual of discussion that takes place in their stronghold, the Bastion, on the north side of the city. The number of masters at any given time is not fixed but deviates little from about 100. Once a master has become too injured or old to fulfil their duties, they become a Kenshu Elder. The elders either stay in the Bastion or travel to one of the three malachite forges and learn the art of crafting weapons and armor from malachite. Those who live in the Bastion serve as a source of wisdom for the current masters and apprentices when they seek council as well as help train apprentices when their master is unavailable. Elders who move to the forges take on the responsibility of crafting the gear of upcoming masters. These elders first go to the Armor Forge in central Yoe Tao to first learn the technique. If they choose, they then move to the Blade Forge or the Hilt Forge at the highest points in the Emerald Peaks.

Becoming a Kenshu

Apprentices are taken on by a master entirely at the discretion of the master. When a master takes an apprentice under their wing, they take them on a journey to the three malachite forges starting with the Armor Forge and ending with the Blade Forge. During this journey, the master acts as a guide and the apprentice gets their first pieces of Kenshu gear to call their own, though it is made of steel and not malachite. The journey is perilous, there are no paths to the forges in the peaks and the mountains are teeming with dangerous flora and fauna and usually takes several weeks, at least. Upon returning to the Bastion, the apprentice begins their rigorous training with their newly acquired gear. The master oversees this training and ensures their pupil learns techniques in fighting with all weapons types in the Kenshu arsenal before allowing them to choose a preferred weapon. After selecting a weapon of choice, which often takes over a year, the apprentice trains for years to master their desired weapon, training with master and other apprentices alike. When the master deems them ready, their apprentice begins what is known as The Trial. This involves journeying alone to the Hilt Forge and Blade Forge to receive their own weapon of choice forged from malachite. Much like the original journey with their master, this is dangerous and takes the apprentices several weeks. Many potential masters perish during The Trial. If too long has passed and the apprentice does not return, their master follows their tracks and finds their remains to give them a proper burial where they lie. Failing the Trial is not seen as a disgrace or a failure, but is instead viewed as fighting until the end for survival. Even the Kenshu Masters never underestimate the wrath of nature. The master then completes The Trial in their stead and marks their grave with the weapon they would have received. When an apprentice completes The Trial, they return to the Armor Forge with their weapon in hand as proof of their triumph. The elders there then begin forging a new armor set and the apprentice is named a master.

The Blade Forge

Public Agenda

Tasked with defense of the City of Yoe Tao as well as the entirety of the Isles, the Kenshu directly oversee and command the military forces and technology of Yoe Tao. It times of war, the Kenshu masters would always be found leading a charge into battle, bearing their characteristic malachite gear. In times of peace, they act as dignitaries and diplomats to keep relations with other cities healthy. They also serve to provide consultation and advice for the Gazu and Seijura of Yoe Tao. The Kenshu also, sometimes, will seek the advice of these seats but it is far less common.

History

The predecessors of the Kenshu order date back to before the Crimson Eclipse. The Bastion was the original structure built in the Nenshiito River Valley during the Incursion, it’s exact age or time of construction are unknown. It is well documented, however, that it was a stronghold against the Eldritch monstrosities that roamed the world. Those who sought the locations believed the southeastern The Isles of Soemerild would offer some respite and isolation from the terrors that roamed the mainland. Unfortunately, they were wrong. The commander of the Bastion at the time -- Maro, Lady of Steel -- realized there were very limited forces to protect the Bastion. Even when General Brisit condemned the Bastion and denied them reinforcements, Maro refused to flee or give in to a grim fate. She resolved to train her soldiers to be the most refined soldiers possible, both physically and mentally. Without access to magic, she knew their only hope was swordsmanship and discipline. This group of soldiers marked the beginning of the Kenshu order. Malachite was not discovered until the year 89 ACE. It was not until year 240 ACE that the Kenshu discovered a successful method for forging malachite. Molding this rare mineral into form required dangerous temperatures that most Forges cannot withstand, as a result there are only three Malachite Forges to this day, each built around a natural “dirty malachite” formation. Called “dirty malachite” due to its dark, grainy appearance in comparison to the malachite used to Forge weapons and armor, it is much stronger and resilient to heat. This formation serves as the furnace in which the malachite is heated for shaping and forging. This discovery lead to searches for other similar formations, but only two were found to be comparable, these became the Hilt Forge and the Blade Forge at the top of the Emerald Peaks. It is believed that more forges lie within the mountains themselves, but have yet to be discovered. Ever since the founding of the malachite forges, the Kenshu have relied on this material for constructing their equipment as well as modifying city defenses.