Report on House Tenshi of Kirishai

By: Prana Gabe Yamato Bokenjen, First Apprentice Historian (approx 597ER)

I shall try to give a clear and fair report of their history and current political structure. This ?orphan house,? known for taking in Vornae who have been lost from their culture, has a strong, well-rooted history. Those who view the House only in terms of the past four or five years will miss the significance of the political undercurrents which are brewing there. History shows a volatile and precarious political structure that could crumble at any moment and yet the current Council has continued to maintain the House well in the past few years.

Current Leadership: Heptarchical Council

Council members are:
Ryuk son of Sekama
Kaima daughter of Sekama
Phyrra daughter of Shaila
Soo-yin daughter of Minoi
Settra daughter of Minoi
Kouri son of Yuko
Shoyeido Hyuma Tenshi

Lineage of Council:

This House began as one of the middle houses in the Kirishai social structure. Its ancient history is fascinating but others have written on that subject. We will begin in more current time. In the 300?s through the late 400?s, the House was led by Sumiko Tenshi. Sumiko bore six children, although only four lived to adulthood.

Sekama, First daughter, was well known as a templar and worked well with both the Sei Igi and Majutsu. She had a strong, forceful personality, but it was usually tempered with common sense and honor. As eldest, she was the most likely choice to fill her mother?s position when the time came. Her son, Ryuk, seems to have inherited both her common sense and her strong personality, while her daughter Kaima certainly received her share of a sense of honor.

Second daughter was Shaila, a warrior and tactician. Her skills in strategy and her prowess of arms made her seem unusually gruff, but she always softened around children, a trait her daughter, Phyrra, has received in full measure.

Minoi, Third daughter, was a natural at magic, particularly healing. Her sweet nature is not attuned to politics, although she has risen to a modicum of power in the Uchi Shinda and maintained the duties required by the House. Those who know Minoi are pained to see her children Soo-yin and Settra squabble for power like rival scorpions in a nest.

Sumiko?s only son, Yuko, was a darling child who instantly enchanted everyone he met. As a man, he was always ready for a good laugh or a good fight. An alchemist by trade, some rumor he was the friendliest assassin ever seen in Kirishai. Kouri is his father?s child, both in his good nature and his understanding that what must be done will be done to ensure the House?s survival.

History of Ascension:

In 467, Sumiko Tenshi died and left Sekama as her heir. The change in power was initially fairly smooth and everyone expected Sekama to rule well and long. In 468, Ng Hyuma, an upstart in House Hyuma challenged Sekama?s leadership and began trying to claim rights of inheritance to House Tenshi through a convoluted history of bastard children and questionable documentation which we now know to be false. In 482, Hyuma had worked up enough support to begin preparations for war. In 491, the Magistrates, the First House Mother, and the Mages' Council met to decide whether to allow the war and in 493, they finally agreed that the two Houses could engage in open battle.

The war began in 494, and in 502, Sekama Tenshi and Ng Hyuma met honorably on the field. They both took such grievous wounds that within a few minutes of death it was clear Ng would not resurrect. Sekama?s spirit attempted to resurrect in the Uchi Shinda and even her sister, Minoi, and the Healers' Council could not manage to bring her back. Though she died honorably in the final battle with House Hyuma, some say her spirit still wanders the passages of Tenshi?s Council hall, ensuring that all is well with her beloved home. While the loss of Sekama was great, Tenshi was declared victor in the war and gained numbers, honor, and was granted leave to expand their household in a choice location near House Eukie-ni-Kurai. Their rank was slowly increasing and they would soon be considered one of the primary houses in Kirishai.

Shaila, Minoi, and Yuko met for almost a year in council before deciding to rule as a Triumvirate until Sekama?s daughter, Kaima, was of proper age and ability to take over as House Mother. Kaima was immediately sent to the Academy Arcanum to begin her studies and prepare for her duties. Whether all three of Sumiko?s remaining children were in agreement on the choice of Kaima is unknown, although it is suspected they all wished to see their own children placed prominently if they themselves could not rule the House.

The Triumvirate worked to assist in the assimilation of the former members of House Hyuma and to expand House Tenshi. Their rule was a time of flourishing and rebuilding after the war and the siblings worked well together in their efforts. Then in 569, Shaila died at a feast from a powerful poison and did not resurrect. It marked the end of the Triumvirate and the end of a peaceful time.

Minoi and Yuko lacked a strong military arm without Shaila and in 572, Shoyeido Hyuma Tenshi, Ng?s brother, was added to the Council over the protest of many of House Tenshi?s citizens, the memory of Sekama?s death still fresh in many of their minds. In 580, Kaima returned from her studies and was soon added to the Council with the understanding that once she acclimated to her position, the other council members would step down, and she would become House Mother.

In 583, Soo-yin and Settra, Minoi?s daughters, began making a play to join the Council. Disgusted with her children?s overzealous ambition and with Kaima?s wholehearted endorsement of her cousins, Minoi stepped down from the Council and retreated to the Uchi Shinda. She does not speak of House politics to anyone, preferring to spend her time with other healers, mages, and wizards. Once a month, she and a small group of healers are escorted by the Guard to the Suramu to provide healing and tend to the sick there. In recent years, some comparison has been made between Minoi and Phyrra in their efforts to aid those less fortunate, although most claim their hearts are as different as beautiful night and surly day.

When Soo-yin and Settra joined the Council, Yuko began promoting Kouri as a member. As soon as Kouri was accepted into the Council in 592, Yuko resigned his position. Without another word, he bowed formally and walked out the hall. He has not been seen again to any living person?s knowledge, but many surmise that those who do see him see nothing else afterward.

In 593, Kaima brought her older brother, Ryuk, onto the Council. He was a popular choice and those who knew their mother see much of her in Ryuk. His wisdom and planning has helped keep Soo-yin and Settra in check and has perfectly complemented his sister?s high sense of honor.

In 594, Phyrra joined the Council of House Eukie-ni-Kurai under the leadership of her lover, Sorn Everhate. When Sorn left the House in 595, Phyrra assumed the position of Council Leader, Raishukoto of Eukie-ni-Kurai. Shortly after that, the House Mother returned from Hollym and Phyrra gave up her position since the rightful ruler had returned. The House Mother was pleased with Phyrra?s efforts and agreed to promote House Tenshi to status of Second House if Phyrra would be allowed to join the Tenshi Council. Kaima and Ryuk immediately agreed, with Shoyeido Hyuma Tenshi and Kouri consenting soon after. Soo-yin reluctantly gave in, while Settra retained her dissension. Through a majority vote, Phyrra was asked to join the Council of House Tenshi in 596.

Most recently, Phyrra was asked to act as the ambassador of Kirishai to County Tyrangel, Evendarr. With an Evendarrian Barony on the surface just above Kirishai, the Council clearly wishes to establish good relations. In addition to Phyrra?s appointment, Soo-yin has recently ventured to the surface as well, visiting the county seat, Tyrangel. One can be sure that both women are working hard to preserve their interests and promote the well-being of their House.