Age of Blood

The Age of Blood is a long-lasting period in Hingashi history after the ruler died with no heir, plunging the nation into a bloody war of succession. Several great lords under a ruler from the east and west sought to conquer the land, waging endless wars across blood-soaked battlefields. The soldiers of these great lords were known as Samurai, warriors who wielded Katanas and formed their art through the crucible of battle. These Samurai would lay their lives down in honor of their lords and their feuds.

The Age of Blood lasted for over fifteen hundred years, with the rulers of the east and west kingdom passing their war down through their lineage. To continue growing in martial power, these rulers would reach out to the various clans of their kingdoms, promising the heads of each clan power and privilege. Thus did each clan send its warriors to battle against the opposing nation, in a seemingly endless battle. Eventually, the kingdom to the east had won, however due to the power given to them by their ruler, their emperor was nothing more than a figure head, and the great lords turned on one another, again battling for supremacy.

For the next six hundred years, more war and bloodshed would consume the nation. Due to this, those who had strength in arms found a new way to rise up and better their lives. Through warfare, those who led simple lives could move on to become lauded generals. Those who rose could also find themselves falling to a vassal seeking their power. None were safe in these times.

During this time, a member of the Clan Mitsurugi, Kanzan Mitsurugi, managed to rise to the top. Instead of using war and violence, he sought to build alliances through marriages and peace talks, and employed Ninjas to gather intelligence on the other clans. Slowly but surely, he gathered power and numbers to his side. So numerous were the defenders of the Mitsurugi Clan, that they were able to easily rebuke any attacks made on them. Finally, when the decisive battle came, none could stand against them. Once again demonstrating his foresight, Kenzan would reinstate the imperial house to power, then declaring the mandate that he should rule as bequeathed by the Hingan emperor. Those who sought to return to the ancient ways before the Age of Blood harkened to this, and finally the people were united under a single banner, and the Mitsurugi Bakufu was born, ruling from behind the emperor.