Fubuki Clan

Fubuki Clan
General Information, Relationships, Traditions and History
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- Overview -

A clan built on friendship and unity; internal conflict is almost nonexistent here. Their close relationships are what ensures their survival in the cold conditions that make up the most of their territory. The clan is famed for their more strategic fighting style, using various combinations and unique variations of moves to defeat their opponents. Despite this, they are a mainly peaceful clan and most would prefer to avoid conflict altogether if such an option is present.
Every summer the Fubuki Clan holds a competition, akin in nature to that of contests, where participating clanmates show off their skills with move combinations. The competition style alternates each year between single and paired contestants.


- Relationships with Other Clans -

Most Fubuki Clan members attempt to keep to themselves and keep conflict to a minimum, under Eira's leadership more so because of her past; she doesn't wish to lose others in pointless fighting.

-Kusa Clan-
Relationships with Kusa Clan are often found to be very tense due to a long standing conflict over the border within Musei Forest. Relationships were especially uneasy after Fubuki Clan lost a group of scouts, including the Head, after the Kusa Clan attempted to claim Kajitsu Thicket near the long disputed border and so, though time has passed, a few members of the Clan still hold a small grudge against Kusa members.

-Mizu Clan-
The clan has a mostly positive relationship with those of Mizu Clan and wouldn't hesitate to help them in a time of need as a result. They respect their clans and their ability to easily adapt to other situations, considering them allies in times of need. Patrols of both clans meeting on a border are often found to engage in friendly conversation before moving on.

-Kasai Clan-
Most clans are still wary of Kasai Clan due to the infamous reputation and deeds of the clan's previous leaders but as Fubuki Clan do not directly border with Kasai and are arguably the furthest away from their territory, they are one of the less wary and are not usually as quick to judge as other clans.

-Rikai Clan-
Fubuki Clan are well aware of Rikai Clan's general opinion of them and so some clan members show disdain in return. However most Fubuki Clan members feel that the Rikai way of life, stealing for most of their food, is dishonourable and would be more respecting of them if they asked for the help of others instead of deceitfully thieving from the territory of others.

- History -

All young pokemon in the clan are told the stories and legends of the first leader of Fubuki Clan, and with it the origin of the Kōrihino lanterns that can be found throughout the Frost Caverns that they call home. Though the other clans often do not know the story, it is common knowledge to all of Fubuki Clan.

The story goes that one summer a group of fire type pokemon made camp in the snowy moorlands beneath Fubuki Peak. In their carelessness they disturbed the pokemon already living there, melting the snow with their firey attacks. Though the residents of the moorlands pleaded with them to control their flames but the pokemon just laughed at them. As news of the inconsiderate pokemon spread, a nameless Glaceon took it upon himself to stand up to the pokemon who were disrupting the peace of his homeland. He challenged them to a battle, with the condition that should he win, they leave the snowy lands and their residents in peace. Laughing at the Glaceon's challenge, the fire pokemon agreed assuming it would be an easy win.
The tale goes that during the fight, the Glaceon sealed the flames of the fire pokemon's attacks inside his icy ones, preventing them from melting the snowfield further and winning the battle. The firey group, intimidated by the Glaceon's power honoured the agreement and left, the Glaceon vowing to protect those that lived on and around the mountain for as long as he lived. The pokemon of the mountain rallied before him, accepting him as their leader and protector, and becoming the first members of the Fubuki Clan.
The new members of Fubuki Clan wished to have a name for which to call their new leader, and so he allowed them to choose one for him. The Clan eventually put forward the name Ferrell, which has the meaning 'hero, man of courage.' Since the first leader, the word Ferrell has become synonymous with the terms 'leader' and 'protector' in the Fubuki Clan and thus many leaders are reffered to as 'Ferrell', or 'Ferrell leader's name'.
The flames that were sealed in an icy sphere by the Glaceon during the battle became the very first of the infamous Kōrihino lanterns. It is kept within the Leader's Grotto where it might inspire all leaders that succeeded him.

In more current history, the leader before Eira the Absol was a Swoobat who went by the name of Runa. She was a kind soul who always took others into consideration before making a decision that would affect the whole clan. Loved by her clanmates, her death was mourned by all after she became ill and fell to the illness shortly after naming Eira her successor.


- Traditions -

-Leader's Ceremony-
It is a long standing tradition for the Fubuki Clan leader to know at least one ice type or fire type move so that they may partake in the creation of a mystic Kōrihino Lantern. The creation of a Kōrihino Lantern is part of a ceremony that all Fubuki leaders participate in before they are considered a true leader by the rest of the clan.
The first half of the ceremony consists of the leader doing their part in the creation of a Kōrihino Lantern, whether it be lighting the torch with a fire move, or creating the thick casing of ice that seals the flame within, or both. The latter of the two requires much skill, and thus leaders-to-be often practice on their own before the ceremony begins. The whole clan will bear witness to the creation of this lantern in the centre of the Frost Caverns. If the leader-to-be doesn't know either a fire or ice type move, then a volunteer from the clan will perform the respective part of the lantern creation. If a prospective leader knows neither a fire or ice type move, they must carry the torch that the flame is initially set upon; though it is considered by the clan to be a bad omen if the leader cannot participate in the creation of a lantern. In the entirety of the clan's history only three leaders have been unable to do so.
In the second half of the ceremony, the leader-to-be is accompanied by the remaining Heads of the Clan to the warm Oasis in the snow covered moorlands. The leader-to-be will sit vigil with their newly made Kōrihino Lantern until dawn whilst the remaining heads guard them. The prospective leader watches the lantern throughout the night. If the flames within the ice turn purple by morning, it is said to be a sign from Arceus and the previous leaders that the new leader has been accepted by them. If the flames within the ice remain orange or blow out, then their leadership can be questioned and contested by any member of the clan.

-Elder Responsibilities-
When elder members of the Clan retire from their job, whether it be as a Healer, Scout or Knight, voluntarily upkeep the icy flowers that litter the entirety of the Fubuki Clan's base. Though it is entirely an optional chore, most think of it as a peaceful way to spend their days and willingly look after the blooms.

-Apprentice Training Regimes-
As an apprentice, members of the Fubuki Clan are urged to make the best of their moveset, often developing specialised combinations with the help of their mentors. As a result of this method of training, most if not all of the Fubuki Clan are very close with one another, and can easily work with each other in times of need to defend their territory and home. As part of their test before they can become a fully fledged member of the field they chose, apprentices are often asked to demonstrate the move combinations they have worked on during their time as a student to their mentor.

-Friendly Summer Competition-
During the summer, when food is easier to come by and it is considerably warmer in areas of Fubuki Clan territory such as Musei Forest, there is usually a clan 'contest' that comes from their nature of combining other moves to produce an a desired effect in battle to gain the advantage on the opponent. The contest is popular both with apprentices and adults and is a good way to show off your skills to the rest of the clan, as well as promoting bonds between others. The competition is often judged by the leader, heads and elder pokemon; however it is also commonplace for the leader and some of the heads to participate in the spirit of fun. The competition style alternates each year between single and paired contestants.


- Notes/Other -

Kōrihino lanterns are 'lanterns' created by encasing a flame within a thick layer of ice. The colour of the ice tints the flame a purple colour, the colour becoming more vibrant over time. They act like the 'will-o-wisps' of the Frost Caverns, using their light to lead unwelcome visitors astray within the vast network of tunnels. It is It is said that only a true Fubuki Clan member can find their way to the inner caverns.