The Hojo Clan (Blood Dragons) (Faction Information) (Feedback welcomed)

[AlphaWolf215]

~The Hojo Clan~

Any Dragons flying with the identification of “BD|” preceding their name is from a warrior family, known as the Hojo. Hojo is a proud family, with its origins dating back to the days of the Emperor's guard. They were proud, noble warriors who valued honour and an honourable death highly. To be a coward was frowned upon, and to give yourself up for another cause was punishable by death. This ensured that prisoners would be treated with contempt. This tradition is still valued today, but not to that extreme extent. The warriors of the Hojo are comparable to the Samurai of the Earth nation “Japan”. The Families origins are based upon these ideals, but have evolved to incorporate modern life. Since the Hojo joined the Blood Dragon movement, they have been gathering followers and building up their power base. They are biding their time and awaiting the moment to seize control to restore the Dragons to the glory they once held and believe they deserve.

With the demise of the the previously ruling Rising Suns, a power vacuum was left causing a time of great turmoil. During this time the Hojo Clan, who had been patiently waiting, seized their opportunity. They do not, at the moment, fully control the Dragons but have become one of the most influential clans. They have begun to build their influence with outside groups to gain greater support and increase their power base.

The family is led by Shogun Hojo Hirotoki. Hojo, a tireless man, proven warrior on the battlefield, on many occasions, and a man who has gained the respect of his family. He has risen through the ranks, finally achieving the position of Shogun. These days he is rarely to be found flying in battle due to the constraints of running the Family. If he is found flying in space, some of the warriors have reportedly said they would rather face insurmountable odds, than the wrath of his katana.

Ranking System:

The “Official” ranking system of the Hojo family is as shown Below:

Shogun: The most proven warrior of the Dragon Warrior

Daimyo: Proven Field Commanders and trusted Advisors to the Shogunate. These warriors are distinguished, and possible Heirs for the Shogunate. These have proven their worth countless times, and have earned the right to forgiveness of Hojo’s wrath. These Warriors are more likely to be seen flying in place of Shogun Hojo.

Roju: Aspiring Warriors of the Hojo, they are looking to complete final tasks to prove themselves to Hojo himself. They may conduct operations outside of Kusari ALONE with the permission of a Daimyo or Shogun. Taking Hatamoto with them is at the Shogun’s Discretion.

Hatamoto: Hatamoto are the backbone of the Dragons. The standard Dragon rank, and those who have proven themselves devoted to the Blood Dragon Movement and the Shogun. Skilled warriors in their own right, they have earned the right to fight alone within Kusari space, and are allowed to take Oban to train them in the ways of the Dragons.

Oban: Oban are the recruits to the Dragons. They must stay within 14K of any Dragon base, request permission to move between them, and are allowed to go with a Hatamoto (and above) as requested for training. This is a temporary review/evaluation rank.

Equipment Permissions:

Weapons:
-All Blood Dragon Weaponry
-Debilitator Weapons
-Codename Weaponry
(NB all other weaponry is to be approved by command members (Shogunate))

Ships:
-All Blood Dragon Fighters and Bomber (All ranks)
-Blood Dragon Gunboat (Roju, at special request with good reasoning and evidence, Hatamoto [and up])
-Blood Dragon Cruiser(Daimyo, and at special request with good reasoning and evidence, Roju)
-Blood Dragon Battleship, “Togo” (Shogun, and at their discretion, Daimyo)

(NB: Oban are restricted to Fighters until a Roju says they can handle a bomber class vessel)

Zone of Influence

Kusari, Sigmas, Kepler, Galileo, Tau-29

(NB Tau-23 is only to be used for reconnaissance. Nobody is to initiate combat within that system. Nothing higher than VHF/Bomber is to go there)

Diplomacy

Allied: Golden Chrysanthemums, Order
Friendly: GMG
Neutral: Bretonian Lawfuls, Outcasts, Bundschu, Junkers, House Revolutionary/Criminalistic groups not listed.
Unfriendly: IMG, Kishiro, Corsairs, BHG, Other House Lawfulls, Gateway
Hostile: Samura, Hogosha, Farmers Alliance, Kusarian Lawfuls not previously mentioned, Kepeitai, Wilde, Aoi Iseijin, Nomads

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[Thexare]

I'm kind of surprised you're not using a variant of the historical emblem of the Hojo clan. I've always liked its simplicity.

Your Recruit limitations are particularly harsh. Limiting them essentially to base patrol makes sense in-RP, but keeps them from RPing with anyone outside the Blood Dragons - and I would consider how they RP with other factions, enemies in particular, to be the most important test.

But that all hinges on how long the Recruit period is expected to last. Which is?

[AlphaWolf215]

In regards to the original Logo, I personally am not too fond of it. I prefer this as, in my eyes at least, it fits the blood dragons/Kusari better for a house symbol type thing, for the house of Hojo, but regardless , thank you for bringing that up.

As for the Oban rank, it should only last around a week, hopefully less. You do raise a good point though, which I will be thinking over today.

Thank you for your comments Thexare, please let me know your thought on Oban still with the review period , now given a time period.

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[Thexare]

I have to be honest, one week with limitations that severe is a bit much. I'd try to get the entire training period done within a day or two if it's going to be that strict. If, however, patrols with higher-ranking players can speed it along, it's not quite as bad, but even then they basically can do nothing until they're promoted unless time zones line up such that someone else can jump in with them.

[SummerMcLovin]

Going to echo Thexare's comments on the recruit rank restrictions, and I generally don't see why people are limited away from bombers in any faction. Limiting ZoI is also not that great a move, missing out on all the stuff that might be happening outside Kusari (you know, 99% of server activity ) isn't going to encourage someone to play all that much. Even as a faction, why not Tau-23, a very large hub of activity? Remember your ID includes Lyonnais now.

Diplomacy wise seems ok, although I'm surprised that the IMG and Corsairs are in the same category - the former has had dealings with Dragons in the past and I thought Corsairs were dead-set enemies of GC/BD so worthy of full hostility. No specific mention of Gallia or the Exiles which is effectively all the new stuff around Kusari.
Just some minor spelling points I noticed (not taking points off or anything, don't worry): Bundschuh, Kempeitai, Other House Lawfuls (with one L).

Other than that, good luck!

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Kingdom of Bretonia
Colonial Republic
Independent Miners Guild
Ex-Admin

[AlphaWolf215]

@Thexare: The evaluation period is only that long so it gives a sufficient time space to allow myself (or ranking members) to get on with the recruit. If it can be done in a day or two, it will be. The "one week" thing just covers problems of time zones and when people can get on.

@Summer: I will have a rethink on ZOI. You do raise a very good point there, in which I was only thinking RP limitations (lack or resources etc..), but not the fact that it very possibly could turn players away. Thank you for raising that. Corsairs, I think your right there, and I should probably rethink that. They are too close to the Hogosha through artifact trade, which dragons wouldn't accept.. As for IMG, I don't think we currently have a reason to make them any friendlier. Perhaps reclassify them as neutral for now, see if we can work something in the future... But yes, they do require some more thought, you are right. Thank you for your comments (and I'll fix those errors today)

Thank you both. If anyone else wishes to add anything, please do. I will try to update the post today with the changes I will likely make.

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