𝐗𝐈. 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

The Hanashōbu (ハナショウブ) Army is the military force of Shinryoku. Much of the army has its roots in the feudalist ways of their homeland, but went under reformation shortly after their migration to Nimoria. Currently, the army’s troops are mostly filled with a mixture of samurai who wished to retain their nobility and former rebels of common birth.

Their symbol is the iris flower, representing bravery, triumph over evil, and warding evil spirits due to their sword-like leaves, originally featured on the rebellion’s war banner. The army is divided into three ranks, each one represented by the number of petals featured anywhere on their uniforms. To prove authenticity, a gold engraving of the Kampaku’s stamp is placed in the middle.

The Hanashōbu army’s structure still has its faults and is fairly new, making its position in the settlement riddled with uncertainty and unease as it continues to develop.

• Hatamoto (旗本)

  • The Hatamoto are the highest rank in the Hanashōbu Army, having direct connection with the Sekkan and access to confidential information. Very few get promoted to this rank, typically limited to one or two people in the entire army. Their work is hidden in secrecy, and those who know of its contents without permission often disappear.

• Hanshi (範士)

  • Hanshi are the middle rank in the Hanashōbu Army. These include a majority of samurai, officers of high education or well-known military families, and only rarely including those who managed to be promoted from the rank of Gokinen. They perform lower-level administrative duties, clerical work, and squad training.

• Gokinen (御家人)

  • The lowest rank of the Hanashōbu Army, composed of Dōshin, patrolling soldiers that act as low-paying guards in common areas, and Ashigaru, enlisted foot soldiers that typically lack a noble birth. The Gokinen answer to their superiors, the Hanshi, and rarely hear orders directly from those of Hatamoto rank.

𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫

Seishin armor is traditionally designed to prioritize foot combat with layers of protection centered around their lower body, the foundation of which borrow elements from the Hyeon-in’s military as they began to lean away from horseback warfare. In particular, armor specific to the Samurai class was very lightweight compared to other types, using small, perforated plates that were lacquered together with silk lacing. Emphasis on the beauty of the armor itself was also held in high regard, as they tend to don bright reds, blues, or even gold. High-ranking officers might even wear bold violets as well.

Years over yonder, Seishin weaponry was originally made for efficiency when drawing on horseback as shown by the lengthy and curved shape of both blades and bows. When their armies grew and tactics changed, weapons were adjusted for close quarters combat, opting instead for lightweight, elegant smithing that allowed for dextrous movement across the battlefield.

• One of the most unique and iconic weapons of the Seishin, aside from the famous katana, is the war fan. Similar to a traditional hand fan, war fans are used among Samurai officers to fight, parry, and signal orders to troops, their bright insignias printed across the reflective metal blades being the first thing an invading army would see.

𝐖𝐚𝐫 / 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭

Having come from a past filled with war, the Seishin do not look forward to another era of warring after their establishing of peace in their new home of Nimoria. They choose to instead keep to themselves and wave off others, practically isolating themselves in any way they are able.

𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 / 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭

Because the Seishin come from a past where they have peacefully exiled themselves, many are keen on the idea of isolating themselves from the problem rather than dealing with it directly. However, this can change if given the power to overwhelm the groups they resist against.