Discovery Gaming Community

The Blood Dragons

Note From Author

After rummaging through the files and archives on Sendai and Kyoto, I've successfully completed the following document on Blood Dragon history, as ordered by the Shogunate. It is my hope that this document may serve to remind us of history long forgotten or new insight into our culture.

~Akiko Miku

Synopsis

The Blood Dragons are a revolutionary criminal organisation within Kusari, seeking to overthrow the current government to restore the political system to its former glory. They are the remnants of old Imperial Guard that protected the Shogunate back before the year 321A.S. The Blood Dragons can trace their lineage back to this time and some even back to the old Shogun, Shogun Hideyoshi.

The coup of 321A.S. was backed by the Kusari Corporation, Samura Omotai Zaibatsu (広明重たい財閥 in the Kusari tongue), and caused the exile of the Blood Dragons who retreated to their hidden home deep within the uncharted Chugoku system. Over the next several centuries, the Blood Dragons will continue to rebuild themselves, in hopes of one day returning Kusari to the way it was meant to be.

Early History

Shortly after the coup of 321A.S. the Blood Dragons were forced to flee into exile, now criminals in the nation they helped to create. For many generations, they barely survived as they had to rebuild their lives and organisation, and Kyoto base in the Chugoku system was still being developed into a home for their people.

Blood Dragons are not tolerated anywhere in Kusari for the events that occurred over five centuries ago, and a result they have built a slight dependency on their allies who provide food, water, and other vital supplies. Kyoto has only suffered from a major shortage of supplies once in its existence, but the Dragons are always trying to remain well stocked. As a result of this, they are not keen on giving out supplies unnecessarily.

Due to the dishonour caused by Shogun Hideyoshi at the time of the coup, Blood Dragons have always cared deeply about their honour, more than any other Kusari faction. Shogun Hideyoshi killed himself through the act of Seppuku, in order restore the last shred of honour to his clan, and this has stuck with the Blood Dragons ever since. Carrying a weapon at all times is frequent among the Dragons as failure to do so would be considered dishonourable.

When the Blood Dragons fled in 321A.S. they took with them many Togo class battleships. In their time, the Togo was a formidable battleship, but time has worn their effectiveness down. Due to their resource shortages, most of the ships of this class were left scattered around the Okamura Cloud as derelict wrecks- awaiting a time when these ancient relics could be reactivated to serve the Dragons once more. There was a time, long ago, when these ships were mass produced in the Shogunate shipyards within Tokoku, but that time has passed, the knowledge required to create them has long since been forgotten.

Shortly after the year 648A.S. when the Goldern Chrysanthemum movement gained traction, the Blood Dragons found themselves in the company of some slightly like-minded women who were bent on the total reform of Kusari. Despite numerous ideological differences and goals, the two groups assist each other to help reform Kusari and create a new age within Sirius. When this time comes, however, it is unknown what will happen to this fragile alliance.

Through the ages much information on the plight of the Blood Dragons and their history has been lost and forgotten, with only snippets being passed on through a family, from father to son. This has caused much speculation to be thrown in the direction of the Blood Dragons, and why new clans of them are able to spring up unexpectedly. As time goes on, new stories and legends are forged through the fire of battle, whether they stand the test of time will remain to be seen.

Current Day Dragons

In the last twenty or thirty years the Dragons have undergone some drastic changes and begun some massive projects. In this time alliances have been born and broken, enemies found and destroyed.

In the year 801A.S. Governer Tekagi was assassinated by Lt. Ozu of the Blood Dragons when they, in coordination with the mysterious criminal organisation, The Order, launched a surgical strike against the Tohoku Planetary Arch, Heaven's Gate. This attack is considered the most daring move by the Blood Dragons to date and is potentially one of the most important operations performed by them.

The Order and The Blood Dragons have maintained an uneasy relationship over the course of this time due to The Order's alliance with the Corsairs, that was formed in 796A.S. Despite the breakdown of the alliance relations are never fully restored to those of the time of the assassination, however, the relationship is slowly on the rebuild thanks to the failure of the alliance.

In 825A.S. the then Shogun, Shogun Natsumi Hideyoshi, granted independence to clan Kijima, allowing them free reign over the Rishiri system and independent movement within Kusari. This decision was not widely agreed with and brought about many concerns with it, but many remained silent for fear of punishment.

However, the brother of Shogun Natsumi, Kohaku Hideyoshi, disputed this action with the Shogun, claiming that granting a group of fantics independence would create an instability within the clans, and allow the Kijima clan to upset the balance of power. The result of this set of events was Kohaku Hideyoshi becoming Shogun of the Blood Dragons, and bringing Kijima clan back into the fold.

Diplomacy

The Order
The Gas Miners Guild
The Golden Chrysanthemums

Crayter Republic
Bretonia Armed Forces
Sirius Coalition
Die Weiße Rose
The Junkers Congress
Secret Intelligence Service, Bretonia
Independent Miners Guild

Zoners
Known freelancers
Lane Hackers

Unknown Groups and Organisations,
Gallic Corporations
Gallic Criminals

Imperial Kusari Navy
Kishiro
Kruger
Daumann Heavy Construction
La Marine Royale Gauloise
Gallic Royal Police

The Hogosha Association
Farmers Alliance
Corsairs
Büro des Marinenachrichtendiensts

Samura
Nomads
Wild
Kusari Naval Forces
Kusari Police

Technology

The Blood Dragons rely on technology that is both modern and up-to-date, but also technology that is more akin to archaic relics from a bygone era. As time has progressed, the Blood Dragons have made upgrades and updates to their equipment, but only when truly required. It is, for this reason, the Togos, battleships that are centuries old, are still in use today.

The Dragon Snubcraft

The Dragons have survived generation after generation by being resourceful and adaptive, it is rare that numbers are on their side so they must rely on their equipment and pure skill. Each fighter is based on a similar design from the Kusari Navy, as they are all derived from the same origin technology.

Each fighter has its own strengths and weaknesses, with each one being designed to fit into a particular role, for example: The light fighter, Tanto, is designed to be an agile scout that doesn't hang around for combat. If caught in conflict it's designed to strike swiftly and rely on its agility for survival.

The Dragon Light Support

The two main vessels that fit into this category are the Blood Dragon Cruiser, named "Kagutsuchi", and the Blood Dragon Gunboat, "Hachiman".

The Kagutsuchi is unique in many ways, serving as Blood Dragon's main offensive weapon within its fleets. The Kagutsuchi has a forward cannon, like many Cruisers in Sirius, but the Kagutsuchi's main cannon is special. It launches out of the barrel in a blaze of glory like a firework, showing off its ferocious beauty, before hitting its target and, along with the enemy, disappearing into dust.

The Dragon Heavy Support

The Blood Dragon's heavy assets currently only consist of the venerable relics, known as Togos. The Togo is an ancient warship but manages to command respect and fear within those that see it. Togos are still a rare sight for most, to the point that some Navy officials deny their existence.

The Blood Dragons are highly protective of these ships because of their inability to produce more, and as a result, they are seldom seen outside of Chugoku and Tohoku.

Political System

The Blood Dragons, since their creation, have divided themselves into micro-factions that governed independently of the main governing body, the Shogunate. These micro-factions are the clans of the Dragons, and to be the clans of Kusari, one day. Each clan is controlled by a Daimyo, who answers directly to the Shogunate, and the Shogunate alone.

Each clan is given a particular sector to control and oversee. While they are not limited to that sector, they can be looked upon with suspicion if they frequent the territory of other clans. Clan rivalries are not infrequent and are prevalent throughout the history of our culture. There have been many documented cases of skirmishes taking place between rival clans that have not ended until the Shogunate was forced to intervene.

Due to the strong sense of honour each Dragon carries, there is a large amount of inter-clan competition which drives us forward to our goals, allowing us to achieve them quicker with better results. There is an element of Blood Dragon culture that is bred into every newborn child in the Dragons that causes to strive to be better than those of other clans and with it carry undying loyalty to our Daimyo and the Shogunate. Not all outsiders or initiates share this trait and that can cause issues among existing clan members.

Daimyo

The Daimyo is the role given to the leader of a clan. The roles and responsibilities of a Daimyo differ from clan to clan, but there are some general characteristics that are required for a Daimyo and some responsibilities they all share.

Like any leader, the ability to lead and command is an essential skill that almost every Daimyo in Blood Dragon history has been forced to show at some point prior to being given the role by the Shogunate. While some people are never, realistically, going to get close to such a prestigious duty, others are born to fulfill the position and lead the Dragons the glory. Generation after generation, there are some that leave their mark on their clan and the Shogunate through their actions and are offered the responsibility that taking the title entails.

As a Daimyo, one must command their followers to help keep the sector they are assigned clear and secure.

Goals

The Blood Dragons movement initially existed for the sole purpose of survival after the coup of 321A.S. but we have since changed our goals and entire culture. The Blood Dragons have grown to adapt to the ever-changing tide of Kusari, and indeed Sirius on the whole.

Primary Goal: Re-establish the Shogunate as the seat of power within Kusari

Methods Of Acomplishment:
Method A: Subversion

The Blood Dragons aim to subvert the current government by spreading propaganda and information throughout Kusari, increasing support for their ideas and goals. With this expanded influence the Dragons can gain more power within the Kusari Government to lobby for change. In coordination with the propaganda tactics, more diplomatic ties must be established with other Kusari, and Sirius, factions, to help strengthen their claim to the seat of power within Kusari.

Method B: Force and Power

Using the Blood Dragons skill and prowess, multiple attacks and surgical strikes would be orchestrated throughout the house. Over time this is currently being done, but more effort is being placed in the diplomatic system the show of strength. Interception of trade vessels must be done to shut down the economy and slow production and maintenance of ships. Over time the power of the Navy will wane and Blood Dragons can begin a hostile takeover with the GC, and their other allies.

Caution is adviced for this route of action, however. If the situation becomes too dire, Kusari will summon the other houses for help.

ooRP F.A.Q.

This section, unlike the bit above, is completly ooRP.

Faction Name: The Blood Dragons
ID: Blood Dragons
IFF: Blood Dragons
Tag: BD|Clantag-Name

• Q: Why are you neutral with most of Gallia?
A: BD| hasn't had that much RP with Gallic factions apart from loosely siding with Bretonia against the royal navy. We haven't made any plans on what relationship we want with Gallia in the future but have left our relationship with them effectively open. BD|s relationship with said factions will change and develop over time based on the outcome of RP.

• Q: Why have you taken 3 months to apply for officialdom instead of posting straight away?
A: Although applying for officialdom as soon as your faction is off the ground is becoming a norm for discovery, this revival of BD| set out an entirely new HC for the faction. We wanted to make sure that we enjoyed our new roles and make sure that our vision for the faction was actually worth doing before committing ourselves to BD|, our members, and Kusari. After 3 months of playing as BD| we have had some great laughs as well as the odd fallout but ultimately we all enjoy what we've been doing and are happy to see Kusari's activity increase as a side effect. This time also allowed us to fill some gaps such as out of date information and lack of faction laws, as well as the time to fully iron out our Shogun/Clans/Daimyo dynamic which has been trialed well.

• Q: What's changed from BD| recently?
A: We initially set out to retain a lot of what BD| was originally but with a lot of data missing we have had to create a sizeable amount of new content, most RP is new with 1 or 2 threads historical threads being continued. Although I would like to be able to say that this isn't a new faction officialdom request its more of a re-application to recover lost officialdom from last year, that would be incorrect. We have changed too much from the original BD| to be considered the same and none of the previous members exist within the faction. Although we are carrying on the BD| tag of old this is very much a new faction concept for the Blood Dragons.

• Q: Ranking and Structure?
A: The only consistent ranks you will see within BD are Shogun and Daimyo. The Shogun leads the Hideyoshi clan and controls Kyoto. A Daimyo leads their own clan and manages their influence and RP within their respective systems. Ranking structures below the rank Daimyo vary from clan to clan based on what the clan Daimyo decides.

• Q: Explaining the tagging structure.
A: All ships within BD| will start their tag with BD|.
Ships tagged just as BD|name/ship name These ships belong to the Hideyoshi clan Or the Blood Dragon main fleet.

BD|K-name/ship name Kijima Clan Ship
BD|Yu.name/ship name Yubokumin Clan Ship
BD|A-name/ship name Asai Clan ship
BD|Mi.name/ship name Minamoto Clan Ship

Ships with the word "Tear" in the name shows that they were once part of The Tears of Izanagi before the merge.

• Q: How do I join/Become a Daimyo?
A: You can join the Blood Dragons here or PM me to discuss other ingame/inrp routes of joining. You can learn more about becoming a Daimyo in the information links below.

• Q: Can I post in this thread?
A: Yes, yes you can.

Important Links