Ardent Tiger Clan

Lead by the Daimyo Karuvar, the Ardent Tigers are a militant clan of passion and action that seek to bring honor and glory to the empire by exulting in that which frees the spirit from the shackles of suffering. Often considered impulsive hedonists and thrill-seekers, the Ardent Tigers nonetheless argue that Shinnyo is discovered in true acts of abandon (be they ultimate pleasure, or ultimate sacrifice). In these moments, the mind is pure, shedding itself of worldly concerns and opening itself to the ultimate truth of the universe.

The military of the Tiger, while currently small (as is most everything, post-Tenpenchii), is ferocious. Presently, the Tiger is best known for ranging far and around the Amatsu-Kyo area for the sheer joy of exploration and thrill of combating the lingering forces of Yomi. As such, they are a relatively familiar name amongst the area, and one positively associated with bravery, honor, and service.

## History

The clan began with an unstoried dynasty; the honorable Kaihou family lost most of their holdings during the Tenpenchii's upheavel. It was a time of great sorrow and suffering, brought to an end upon the discovery of Karuvar as well as his zest for life and ceaseless joy. His philosophy of freedom from suffering compelled the family to shed their burdens and sorrow, ultimately adopting the man as their leader.

Only recently has the Tiger begun to piece together some of their traditional holdings.

### Allies

**The Jade Tortoise Clan**: The Tiger and the Tortoise are linked by a recent agreement wherein the Tiger have assented to act as a military and police force for the fledgling Empire. While their personalities and motivations often Do Not gel, there is a mutual, if grudging respect between the two clans.

### Enmities

**The Black Walkers Clan**: For a variety of reasons, the Tiger Do Not Like the Walkers. Foremost, the Walkers poach on Tiger land and ignore the boundaries of their territory. Less important to the Tiger (but more important to the Jade Tortoise), the Walkers represent a destabilizing element that does not recognize the authority of the Empire over that of the Walkers' clan mission.

## The Revelations of the Tiger

* True freedom is an absence of suffering.
* While pain is a fact of life, suffering is a choice.
* A life of service helps one overcome suffering.
* A life of joy makes it an easy choice.

## Families within the Ardent Tiger

 * Karuvar

### Resources

High Grass Hunting Grounds (Agricultural Holding; +1 Meat, +1 Fur)
A broad area awash with bamboo groves and forests that are Takaitake's namesake. Wild pig, deer, and an assortment of other beasties roam the area.
### Structures

The Burnished Dojo of the Ardent Tiger (Clan Holding)
A joint venture between the Jade Tortoise and the Ardent Tigers, the Tortoise loaned the clan resources to build this Dojo in Amatsu-Kyo per an agreement that the Tiger would patrol the Amatsu Plains and keep it safe from bandits and Youkai.
* Provides the Clan with a city estate and library (allows Lore checks for lost locations, artifacts at + 1) that houses the Tiger's collected esoterica from adventuring. (Built with loaned resources.)

Hidden Paths of the Smiling Hunter (Infrastructure Holding)
A series of hunting and animal trails that allows for quick movement around Takaitake's Hunting Grounds, expanding its effective size.
* Combines Takaitake's Holdings into effectively 1 Holding for purposes of military protection and maximum holdings. Only holdings that fit the hunter-gatherer profile are allowed. Current Max: 2. (Can be upgraded.)

### Personnel

Wildcat Contingent (Military Holding)
The famous unit of the savage Wildcats. While individual Wildcats will roam the Empire as part of their training or while on individual assignments, the bulk of them stick to the clan seat at Takaitake.
Takaitake ("High Grass"; Level 1 Municipal Holding)
Given the nomadic nature of the Ardent Tiger, Takaitake is a Kaihou family settlement permanently on the move around its expansive hunting grounds.