Shimazu clan - the fallen families of Kusari

[SimonBlack]

Shimazu clan

The old reign
65 A.S. 300 A.S.

Shimazu clan consists of a wide collection of all Shimazu families from its genealogical tree. Based on southern half of Kyushu the Shimazu were known as most liberal political force in Kusari at that time. Shimazu were naturally good at combat, prudent and open to new innovative ideas, even if they were coming from other cultures. The Shimazu right winged ideas and encouraged open market policy predates Kishiro Technologies, known as one of the few Kusari corporations to deal with foreigners, was even founded. The ideas of Shimazu clan will prove advanced in the future, but for this period of time the Shimazu were often at conflict with other conservative clans of Kusari such as the Takeda.

Golden age
300 A.S. - 400 A.S.

Dating the construction effort of Shikoku-New Tokyo jump gate in 300 A.S. and foundation of Tau 29 the golden age of the clan has begun. The new route to Shikoku opened Hydrocarbons trade and a possibility to efficiently and quickly deal with foreign entities. The Shimazu were slowly gaining more wealth and power within Kyushu system as well as increasing its influence within Kusari society and beyond. However such progress has attracted a powerful enemy. By then an opposing criminal syndicate has risen to power. The Hogosha having high influence in the Kusari government and taking higher stakes in Samura Industries, Kishiros rival, was blooming as well.

Downfall
521 A.S. - 600 A.S.

Dating trade lane dispute in 521 A.S. the borders of Kusari have been closed and foreigners expelled out of the House for centuries to come. This has triggered the fall of Shimazu clan. Loosing many contracts from foreign businessmen the Shimazu was growing weak, while the Hogosha continued to rise into power. The process has accelerated in 600 A.S. with collapse of Denver industries. Seeing this opportunity fatal blow has been struck to Shimazu clan.

Shimazu clan has been dealt with by Takeda clan and later the Hogosha agents. Weakened clan could not resist its enemies. The Shimazu were scattered and completely wiped out of Kyushu system. The bloodline could not be destroyed, however.

Present day. 816 A.S.

Shimazu clan has long been forgotten. The few remains of the clan pose no threat and play no role in todays Kusari society. Few of present day Shimazu are even aware of the secrets hidden by their names. The clan has been scattered for a long time and many of its branches have flourished. Many others are now part of other families under alien names. The very few full blooded Shimazu have their bloodline preserved, but none of them are aware that it has effected their lives so greatly. Nowadays, with only a handful of Shimazu remaining, the few of its offspring ended up in various liberal entities such as Gas Miners Guild, Golden Chrysanthemum movement for women rights and even foreign corporation such as Synth Foods.
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Name: Isamu Shimazu
Faction: Gas Miners Guild
Callsign: Delta 1
Nickname: N/A
Birhtplace: Planet Honshu, Honshu system
Current residence: Gas Miner Naha, Sigma 13 system
Race: Kusarian
Age: 42
Sex: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 6
Degrees: Basic flight and combat, Honshu naval dojo. Advanced combat flight, Aomori station.
Confirmed kills: 2
Traits: Shimazu offspring. Natural command talent. Veteran spacer. Rational. Good Commander. Gas Miners Guild pilot.
Background: Isamu Shimazu has been born on Planet Honshu. His parents raised him loyal to his roots, as a true and honourable warrior. Isamu has known about the Shimazu clan since youth from stories of his parents.

His combat abilities were advanced even for the Shimazu bloodline. Natural talent and years spent training these skills on Honshu and later aboard Aomori station turned Isamu into a pilot of considerable strength. Years served as Gas Miners Guild fighter pilot securing gas clouds has gained respectable amount of experience in warfare.

Only now that his many goals are fulfilled and acknowledgment among the Gas Miners Guild is reached Isamu Shimazu is reflecting on his memories more and more each day, thinking of his heritage. Sadly he has little information regarding the history of his past and is not even sure if there are any other remains of the clan in existence, but the interest is increasing.

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Name: Fumiko Shimazu
Faction: Golden Chrysanthemums
Callsign: Theta 3
Nickname: Blossom
Birhtplace: Planet Tokyo, New Tokyo system
Current residence: Ainu Depot, Hokkaido system
Race: Kusarian
Age: 28
Sex: Female
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 56
Degrees: Journalism and public connections, New Tokyo university.
Confirmed kills: 2
Traits: Shimazu offspring. Talented commander. Intelligent. Na?ve. Golden Chrysanthemum.
Background: Fumiko Shimazu has been born on Planet Tokyo. Completely unaware of her origin she grew up taking interest in politics and culture. With the start of her journalism studies in New Tokyo university in 809 A.S. Fumiko ended up right in the middle of Golden Chrysanthemums recruitment centre. Universities were a popular place for new ideas and many young, politically active women have joined Golden Chrysanthemum cause. Fumiko wasnt so quick to jump into the train although she was fascinated by its ideas like any other young Kusarian.

Fumiko lost her journalists job in 814 A.S. at the start of Kusari-Bretonia war. She contacted one of her ex classmates on Ropponogi and became a Golden Chrysanthemum soon after.

Though having no combat experience Fumiko Shimazu was a natural fighter. She does not know that it was the case of her bloodline up to this day. Fumiko soon learned to fly and made a significant progress in her new home. She has since became Chusa (Commander) leading a small strike force of her own.
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Name: Ryo Shimazu
Faction: Synth Foods, Inc.
Callsign: Escort Alpha 5
Nickname: Snooze
Birhtplace: Deshima station, Shikoku system
Current residence: Deshima station, Shikoku system
Race: Kusarian
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Hair: Black
Eyes: Brown
Height: 5'10
Degrees: Basic flight and combat, Deshima station escort training program.
Confirmed kills: 0
Traits: Shimazu off spring. Blessed with looks. Lucky. Good nature. Lazy. Relaxed. Synth Foods escort fighter.
Background: Ryo Shimazu has been born and lived on Deshima station in Shikoku system among the many of its foreigners on board. He is a good but often very absentminded and lazy man. Ryo is aware that Shimazu name comes from long ago and was part of a once proud clan, but its all he is aware of and frankly does not intend to search any deeper.

Ryo joined Synth Foods as an escort fighter, because he needed credits. It was the fastest and easiest way to get a job. His talent is easily wasted with little to no training and time spent sleeping during training course. It does pay some bills, since Synth Foods pay generally well, but Ryo is not advancing anywhere in this attitude and pace.

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Character background summaries:
Red Hessians Major Matthias Schwarz
Golden Chrysanthemums Chusa Fumiko Shimazu