The Factions
There are three distinct factions within Tir society; these are the Kagemusha, the Kijutsu, and the Senku. Each serves a separate and important purpose. In order to gain admittance to one of these factions, you must prove yourself through a series of tests set by the Shuryou of the faction who are also the advisor to the Queen.
The Kagemusha are an elite unit of warriors that are trained in the use of the Kokutanittou. This weapon is similar to a long sword it length, but it is made from Blackwood and has a slight curve from the hilt of the blade up to the tip. This wood is the hardest wood of all the known woods and can only be found in a small area of the An’Tier forest. This area is kept heavily guarded. The weapon is forged over the span of a year through various Alchemical mixes and magic. This weapon is not as sharp as a metal blade, but it also won’t lose the edge that it does have and has been known to snap metal blades upon impact. The Kagemusha (called shadow warriors by the humans) are the only faction of Tir that wear any sort of metal armor, and that is their helm. The helm itself is made of metal and is designed by the wearer of the helm so that no two are alike. The helm of a Kagemusha is designed with the intent to cause fear, as if seeing a Kagemusha isn’t reason enough to fear.
The Kijutsu are the elite practitioners of magic. Their magic is strictly used for purposes of warfare. The Kijutsu use no weapons other than their magic. When engaging in battle the Kijutsu wear a veil that covers the lower half of their face revealing only their eyes and hair. The Kijutsu are disliked by most, even the Tir, but they are feared by all when they are veiled. Only the most powerful Tir Mages are accepted into the ranks of the Kijutsu.
The Senku are assigned with the protection of the An’Tier forest, they keep unwanted creatures and people out. Like all other Tir, their armor is wood, but unlike all but the Kagemusha, their armor is made out of Kokutan, the Blackwood. The Senku also wear a wood mask to cover their faces and provide protection. The Senku have a fearsome reputation for being able to kill you without you having ever seen them. The Senku make use of two weapons, both being made out of Kokutan. The first weapon they use is the Kokutanteiin, or the Blackwood Staff and the other is the Kokutanyumi, or the Blackwood bow.