The Splintering (Shigenobu Clan)

[GlugGlop]

"Come to me, children of the light. Come to me, children of the dark. For here, you shall find family."

Due to recent events the former Hatamoto of the Shigenobu clan, Shirin Shigenobu, has come to a conclusion: The family under its current leadership will collapse without a changing of the guard, those who lead the sect she came from simply cannot provide the chance she was given in the past... Something she wishes to change. 

As such, a second independent splinter group has been formed under the watch of none other than the banished Hatamoto. This faction of Shigenobus is based in Gloomlight, and seeks to provide a safe haven for both members of the clan who fled the oppressive rule of the Nakashima and those who were disillusioned by Viscountess Shiri Shi Shigenobu's erratic actions and declining mental state.

In addition, a unofficial practice among Shiri's group, the acceptance of non-blood related Shigenobus into the family based on merit rather than birth, has been included into the core doctrine of this freshly birthed gathering.

Word spreads quickly through the Meranthe in certain circles via rumors, saying any who are in search of a truly loyal family are implored to seek out the lilac faeborne in Gloomlight and see if they can find a new chance at life among the ranks of the new order of Shigenobus. All save for the Fel are welcome to reach out, and are promised to be considered for a spot.

Despite the rather broad audience she speaks to, as it appears she's even allowing those with no true familial ties a shot of getting into the clan; one condition is placed upon becoming a member of the family:
Any who wish to join are expected to learn of the clan's customs and some parts of its history, in order to ensure that a member is well versed and willing to follow by the core traditions of the Shigenobu name that Shirin still sees as valuable. Not all will be the same, but certain aspects of more set in stone ideals remain... Those unwilling to at least give these rules a chance will not be accepted.

As for which traditions remain and which will be tossed aside in the search for a more unified and healthy future, that unfortunately has not been publicly announced yet.
Regardless, perhaps some will be inspired to leave their old homes, to find opportunity in this announcement... To join Shirin Shigenobu in her efforts to rebuild her family into something greater than it once was, and to see it last under new guidance and new members.

A letter finds itself on the desk of the Viscountess from her estranged sister, stating:

"This is for the best, Shiri... I admit it fully, without you I would not be the woman I am today... I would have never left Xuefeng.

But you can longer provide those like I was with that spark of inspiration, that push they need to find a -real- family. So I have taken it upon myself to give the others out there who might be just like the younger me, miserable where they are, yet too afraid or lost to truly achieve anything the chance they deserve at life.

I'm sure you'll find some way to twist this into a act of manipulation or spite, but I have no such intentions. I merely wish to see this clan flourish once more, and I doubt your ability to nourish us as it stands.

You are too blinded by your own delusions and ideals to lead anymore."

(For those interested in making new Shigenobu characters, a new emporium will be set up soon. Please be patient while I work on it! Until then, feel free to DM slugslob on discord for any questions you may have!)

[Benyah]

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In reality, the Viscountess remained by and large, oblivious of what might've been occurring within her clan as, most of her days as of present are spent within her residence secluded from the world. That was until, a letter was dispatched to her desk directly from Shirin. Perhaps, she would be excited if not for the contents of the letter in question. Despite her efforts over the years, and how she had toiled to build her clan from nothing, it seems the end result was having it all taken from her, to which she could do nothing about it, really, many of those whom called themself Shigenobu in some regard had left the continent, died, or outright opposed her. She felt quite powerless to these circumstances.


As such, a response is left to Shirin in kind, dispatched to her directly in a very strange twist of events. It reads:

"Shirin. You are of the perception, you are an enemy to me.

You are not. I fully encourage and approve this, please thread your own path and live your own truth. I hope, with this advent, you can finally leave me alone in perpetuity should you continue to perpetuate hostility.

As you say, I cannot nourish as I once had, this is true, for I found my castle stood upon pillars of salt, and pillars of sand. 

I want to know, Shirin. When others seek to oppose you as a means of establishing themself as superior or at all, when you realise you are a slave to those you 'nourish' rather than the other way around, when you realize your very identity is defined by your failure to help those you claim to be your people, or even the knowledge of such aid being successful being unknown, I want you to tell me if it was worth it. 

When you are alone, and the only one you can depend on is yourself, and you can't falter, fail, show weakness nor lose. 

When it all depends on you, and no one else;

What will you do?"

"You know what I've done.

Now let's see what you've got, dear sister."

Attached to the letter wields the seal of the Shigenobu clan, though its rose pedals are strangely, colored pink, and velvet. Perhaps, this represents Shirin and Shiri in some manner?