Speardancer
The Speardancers of the Deer Clan were yōjimbō and shinobi [1] who protected charges whose work was vital to the empire and ushered death to those too powerful. [2] They were fleeting protectors, and they were rarely noticed by their charges. [3]
Duty[]
Speardancers protected Kyūden Shika performing aggressive counterattacks through the Aokami Forest in case of attack, using their superior mobility and command of the overgrown terrain to outmaneuver offenders. [4] Many trees in Aokami Forest were modified to serve a purpose: ropes, balancing pegs, and climbing walls made the wood an immense training ground for Speardancers, who trained and lived in the forest, surveiling their lands from elevated platforms that criss-crossed the trees. [5]
First Speardancer[]
The tradition of the Speardancers began with Daidoji Kokoro, who married for love with Asahina Takuya, becoming rōnin to flee from their families and clans. A master of sōjutsu, years on the run had taught her to be cunning and cautious while training in the wilds had taught her to mirror the balance of the natural world around her. As she observed the deer, she created an acrobatic new style of combat with a unique weapon, the tsuno-yari. Its design made it ideal for controlling the flow of battle, allowing its wielder to easily pin opponents and ensnare swords. It also served as a tool for vaulting, climbing, and spinning kicks. The grace of Kokoro's students eventually earned them the name Speardancers, protectors of the mystics trained by Takuya in the art of Musubu. [5] The title of First Spear was given to a master of the yari and leader of the Speardancer in times of war. [6]
The Antlers[]
The Speardancers began as the clan's protectors, later they also became guardians of people beneficial for society, and ushers of death for those too powerful. The Speardancers employed shinobi tactics while playing the role of guardians, and Speardancers were rotating between tasks, to prevent any one warrior from having to bear too many unsavory missions. In the pursuit of gathering information, the Speardancers offered their services as swift, discreet messengers. Many Speardancers were trained in coded languages and kept thorough journals of what appeared to outsiders to be obtuse poetry or mere observations on local wildlife, but could be read by other members of the clan. Unfamiliar social environments with other clans was foumd by most Speardancers as least comfortable, however they were trained enough in social niceties to function as yōjimbō. [7]
School Ability[]
See also[]
References
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