Clan Naimaka

The family of Guiding Stars, some call them. The Naimakas are ancient and powerful selkie family with immense systemic power in the March Kingdom of Kakoru and which control the selkie fleets along Larazel and Garadel - specifically, the magic item route, one of the most valuable trade lines in the world. Clan Namaika  leads one of the most prominent factions of selkies in the Khilaia , with substantial power in the Motosui Assembly.
As a Khilaian Faction: The Naimaka champion Garadek and Larazek investment, as well as close partnerships with Samvaran institutions such as Rueka, Pratasam, and the Healing Church . The Naimaka also support Pratasa religious groups in Samvaran territory that dislike Clan Woshalui's secularism. Sees the Khilaia as an alliance of kingdoms. Close with shipwrights, carpenters, and masons.
The Khilaian factional representative is Parab Naimaka, the sneering imperialist. Parab is cautious and slow to move politically and can be quite nice to talk to, but his careful smiles and etiquette mask a deep lack of compassion and basic empathy for commoners and non-selkies. Parab idolizes old imperialists, including Milen the Conqueror, and is a major force for centralism even within his own family. He has a way of embedding himself politely in high society circles, even as he struggled with intrigue; he is a persistent, direct, stubborn force of polite but quietly violent politics. 
As Kakoran Aristocrats: The Naimaka are deeply embedded in the religious and landholding elite circles of the March Kingdom of Kakoru, and have a history of ruling the kingdom in ancient times. Clan Naimaka is one of the oldest selkie families, with their ascension dating all the way back to Triad Period of the 700s ME. Their rise to power was built off of a mix of trade and imperialism, and so has their sustained power. While the family hasn't had an unbroken line of power (and have had better and worse times), the Naimakas have a deep sense of entitlement and belligerence when it comes to Larazel generally. Famously, in the 1700s, a Kuhane (spiritual leader and landed elite) known as Mokshin Naimaka revitalized the family fortunes by inspiring and investing in Westward tropical imperialism, and so the Naimaka have become a colonial family in Kakoru with big fruit and spice plantations.
Currently, the primary title-holder in Kakoru is Duke Kelahel Naimaka, the pious keeper of the status quo. Duke Kelahel is reasonably good at intrigue and is effective at stopping change, and has been working relentlessly to do so - despite some negative effects on his holdings. 
As Samvaran Naval Royalty: Control over the Garadek-Larazek fleets have always been Clan Naimaka's key to power, much moreso than the March Kingdom. The dynasty has a long history of using resistance to their power as a weapon against internal rivals, particularly in feeding potential enemies to Zeshem assassins. Of course, the family's power is not an unbroken line from the ancient times to modern times - Naimaka only regained power in this sphere in 1733 - but they know the magic item game perhaps better than anyone from many generations of experience. This necessarily means tight control of specific trades, which Clan Naimaka does via a complex internal bureaucracy of permissions and licensing. A crop of selkie smugglers and pirates has emerged to circumvent this, which Clan Naimaka has worked to ruthlessly cull. 
Currently, the Selkie Viceroy of the Southern Trade Line is Shahana Naimaka, the master bureaucrat and arch-inspector who masterfully balances tariffs, fees, and profits in a way that keeps most of the merchant companies and dynasties happy while also keeping the clan rich. They are a ruthless pirate hunter, yet have been struggling to actually wipe out the smuggler infrastructure and support bases that keep the problems returning. A friend to spies and accountants alike. The Viceroy is blinded by her hatred of Holy Zeshema, which she blames for all the clan's problems and conspires to destroy. 
As a Dynasty: Clan Naimaka are pragmatists, but pious pragmatists. They aren't hyper-dogmatic ones by Samvaran standards, and are willing to equate Pratasam, Rueka, and even sometimes Halikvar, but they do deeply believe in Halcyon and Lily of Red and in the covenant of heaven. The Naimaka deeply value priests and druids among their ranks, and encourage magical and theological education for all children of the clan. Clan Naimaka cares a great deal about pedigree, and is very selective in who gets to 'ascend' from its 'lesser branches' - unusual for selkies. 
Some minor members of Clan Naimaka include:

• Waihasa Naimaka, Head of Licensing and Security for the Magic Item Trade under the Selkie Arcane Items Security Pact (SAISP). Former pirate hunter and chivalrous warrior, retired to jolly bureaucrat. Well-meaning and kind, but lawful
• Nohal Naimaka, head of the Naimaka Trading House and Business Enterprises. An excellent businessman, no-nonsense but an eerily good judge of character. Kind of a bastard. 
• Kahanu Naimaka, Kuhane of the West and religious leader in the frontierlands of Kakoru. The holy bachelor and pious flirt, though ultimately an idealist who seeks to do good in the world with the faith and clan.
• Konoza Naimaka, Matron of the Estates who manages the family estates, mutual funds, and communications. The sophisticated propagandist of the family, always eager to patronize work that brightens the clan image. A big haughty and erudite herself. 

Clan Naimaka has increasingly developed its major frontier estates in Western Kakoru, which have become the new locus of Naimakan power - but they also cling to ancient ceremonial manors in the old lands.

We Follow the Guiding Star

Founding Date

698 ME

Type

Political, Family