Post by Shiro on May 6, 2017 22:57:35 GMT
Village History
"When I had first traveled to the land of Frost, I didn't know what to expect. By all accounts it was a barren land full of nothing but cutthroat tribesmen who sought only their own survival. But what I found was the contrary - it was close knit society constantly teetering on the brink and always staring at death squarely in the eyes. A plethora of different tribes roamed the frozen wilderness for years at a time without ever running and never communicating unless it was absolutely necessary. This nomadic lifestyle on the ice fields had simply been the way of life for centuries - perhaps even back to the great calamity of the last era. In-fact, the only noticeable form of "authority" that reigned in this land was the Damiyo, who hardly batted an eye at the northern, frozen provinces that housed these tribesmen. But when the Hidden Lantern was formed in the Land of Temples - the Damiyo knew that in order to maintain the power of his country, he would have to form a village of his own. Messengers were dispatched to the last known area of each of the tribes and the decision amongst the leaders of the tribes were unanimous - a great Kaigi (moot) was to be held.
Now before I go any further, I feel it is important to note the location of the great Kaigi. The Kaigi was a sacred event for the tribes of the Northern tribesmen and such an important event called for a sacred location. This location, which would come to be the site of Hidden Glacier Village as we know it was a massive glacier towards the most northern tip of the land, known as the Kōtta kokoro (Frozen Heart). This glacier was gargantuan in size with an single entrance - the entrance itself grand enough to fit the entirety of any of the other villages. What made the glacier such a grand location was the fact that when the glacier formed, it formed over a massive and sprawling mountain range; bristling with geothermal activity. The innards of this seemingly endless glacier were the stark opposite of world around it. Warmth given off by the naturally occurring geysers and hot-springs created an area suitable for trees and other natural life. Within was a biome suitable for human habitation and it was decided in this spot - the seeds of the future would be planted.
Now, back to the great Kaigi. As the leaders of various tribes convened at the frozen heart, the discussed amongst themselves while they awaited the arrival of the Damiyo. Many days of aggressive arguments, diplomacy, and debate raged continuously pausing only when a majority of the members felt the need to eat or sleep. At the end of it all, it was only the word of the Odoroku Karasu (Great Raven) that united the tribes under a single, unified banner. The Odoroku Karasu was a man of infinite wisdom, whose knowledge and strength were known to each and every tribe. This man, whose true name was Kenjin, would become the first of the Shimokages - The Frost Shadows. With the approval of the Damyio, Kenjin set out in forging a village out of the nothingness. The Frozen Heart was fortified into an insurmountable fortress of ice, and it's innards forged into a village where all born here would know peace and a life that they would have never known outside the walls. He had created a village. A home. A future. "
- Sukurību, Historian.
Village Culture
As opposed to other villages where a heavy emphasis is placed on families being strictly by relation of blood; the meaning of family is quite different. Family to a Glacier nin is anyone who they have survived a harsh freeze with, anyone they hunted with to avoid starvation, anyone who would willingly out with them onto a great hunt. To a glacier nin, family is not blood but someone with whom you would have no issue with fighting and dying beside. It is this view on family that has forged an unrivaled sense of camaraderie in the Glacier village. Now, this is not to say that this village does not have "family" in the traditional sense, as many powerful clans and families exist within it's ranks known for producing powerful shinobi and to hail from one of these families is a badge of honor to be proudly displayed.
As should be evidenced, there is a heavy emphasis placed on survival within it's ranks. Where as other village's have an academy graduation where skills are displayed in monitored spars - the Hidden Glacier dumps its students into the wilderness and tasks them to survive. These students are not left to die however, as they're constantly monitored. And those that show great initiative and drive to survive are passed - even if they failed the initial objective and had to be rescued. Those who pass are considered to be blooded, where boys become men and girls become women. They are grouped by a variety of factors into a "pack" (think genin squad), each of them assigned the name of an animal they most resemble and they begin their lives as shinobi - forever in service to the greater good of the Hidden Glacier. This emphasis on survival teaches a profane sense of humility amongst their ranks as each shinobi understands there is no force greater than nature and they exist only by nature's blessing.
All of these factors have played into making the inhabitants of the Hidden Glacier an almost xenophobic society. Ninja and citizen alike of the Hidden Glacier are weary around unfamiliar faces and anyone who made the journey to the frigid north has felt their cold shoulders as much as they have felt the actual blistering cold. Visitors are often quarantined to the massive market place that makes up the entrance of the village, specially designated inns and shops there to cater to the guests.
Village Architecture
The design of the Hidden Glacier's many and numerous building is a testament to the struggle that they face as a whole. While many villages benefit from an abundance of natural and readily available resources; architects of the Hidden Glacier have been forced to work within the limits of their home. Where other countries have been blessed with the abundance of wood, such a resource is in short supply in the Hidden Glacier Village. Instead, the use of chakra and water infused clay have been used to build up the entire village with houses made of the leaves of the trees that do exist within the village. This style of building can be found as the most common inside the Hidden Glacier, with wooden buildings being reserved for the most important buildings - or as properties of the most wealthy.
Village Myths and Legends
- Yuki Onna - The Yuki Onna is considered to be the "patron diety" of the Hidden Glacier. It is said by the storytellers that many years ago, when the ancestors of the Hidden Glacier's current residents first arrived in the land a benevolent spirit guided the refugees to the glacier that would become the sacred site known as the "Frozen Heart, and eventually the Hidden Glacier. While not worshiped as a god, Glacier-Nin and villagers will say prayers to her during times of crisis and honor her at their many shrines and during holidays.
- Song of the Yuki Onna - Whilst traveling through the land of Frost and when visiting the Hidden Glacier Village, it is not uncommon to hear what many people have come to associate as the voice of the Yuki Onna. When the wind blows through the many caverns of the Hidden Glacier, the sound of wailing wind is often heard as a soft and almost melodic song. Many Hidden Glacier Villagers associate this as a sign of good luck and the song is considered soothing by the residents.
- Knock twice, and bow - In the Hidden Glacier, when visiting a business, place of importance, or home on good terms it is considered proper etiquette for the guest to knock twice and bow while awaiting for the person behind the door to respond. The person opening the door will then bow in return, and allow the guests in. It is considered incredibly rude to not bow in return.
- An Icy Competition - Once every year, during the winter solstice, the village comes together for a tradition as old as the village itself. In honor of the great Yuki Onna, the villagers of the Hidden Glacier hold an ice carving competition on the direct outskirts of the town. There are no rules on what can be made, simply that the participants carve something to honor the Yuki Onna. It may be a carving in her image or simply a symbol associated with her. The winner is awarded a large monetary prize and their carving preserved and displayed at the entrance of the village until the next competition.
- Festival of Snow Flakes - The Festival of Snow Flakes comes directly after the Ice sculpture competition on the winter soltice. The entire village comes together, cooking and celebrating another year survived in the frigid north. Villagers of all ages celebrate from sunset to sunrise, singing praises of the Yuki Onna and enjoying the company of their fellow shinobi.
- Kaijū Yuki (Strange Snow Beast) - The Kaijū Yuki is a myth told by the shinobi of the Hidden Glacier. It is the story of a mysterious yet incredibly powerful monster located many miles north of the Hidden Glacier; taking up refuge in a frozen mountain pass. This monster is associated with the terrible blizzards that plague the north and many believe the Kaijū Yuki to be the archnemesis of the Yuki Onna.
The Military Structure of the Hidden Glacier Village: Warriors of survival and ambush
- Genin
- Chūnin
- Special Jōnin
- Jōnin
- Himitsuri - The Himitsuri are the elite of the elite. Hand-picked by the Shimokage, these elite few answer directly to him/her. They are the tip of the spear, often assigned the most high-risk and dangerous missions - members of the Himitsuri endure rigorous training and indoctrination that would cause the crippling or deaths of lesser men.
- The Kaigi - The Kaigi, while not necessarily the strongest shinobi - are a collection of wise men, selected through years of service that serve as the council of the Shimokage and assist in the day to day running of the village.
- Shimokage
