Isseian history is the history of snow and ice; of periods of existential unity against the snow demons contrasted by prolonged periods of ‘internal strife’. The people of Isseio Alpha – Tsuchi in their language – had never been unified. Like most of elven history, they were at best split across petty kingdoms and clans whose power would wax and wane with the centuries.

The exception was the equatorial islands that make up the Hayato Kingdom. They’ve remained unified for centuries, exporting their culture and language east and west.

In the landmass to Hayato’s west, the Soga clan resided.

At times warlords of their own petty states, at other times vassals for a dominant power, sometimes even Hayato. The Soga survived through snow demon invasions, famine, and diseases, at their peak reaching over 75,000 members and controlling 3,000 fields.

Recent decades saw the Soga considered a minor clan. Great historical prestige and the guardians of several mountain shrines, but only 314 members and 11 fields.

When the Hayato Kingdom invaded the mainland, the Soga clan’s chieftain upheld his oath and marched under the Tairiku’s banner.

They were then all killed by old, cheap, surplus bolt action rifles.

The Hayato gave each defeated clan a choice. Resettle to the fringe of the habitable zone as a vassal or exile. This ultimatum was considered incredibly belligerent for isseian history, but the remaining 150 members of the Soga chose to leave the planet.

The travel to Arasuka was long and bitter, but they arrived in 716.

The Soga have used their religious expertise to travel the frostlands, building shrines and temples to their old gods, and administering rituals for their forlorn, exiled peers. Their territory is already 50 standard fields, and the vast array of clans rely on them for religious continuity with their homeland.