Nuin Isil
Nuin Isil's colors reflect both the sword and the soul. Jade for wisdom, reflecting their philosophical approach to life, seeking knowledge, enlightenment, and a deep connection with their deity, Dretha. Red for the fiery passion of their warrior spirit, imbued with the grace and discipline of the samurai. Gold for the richness of their community, the prosperity, and contentment that they have successfully fostered under five centuries of peace.
Through these colors, the Orc samurai of Kiyosu Castle stand upon the virtues of unity and wisdom, an ethos that binds their entire clan with a shared sense of purpose that transcends race and origin. As the guardians of the rugged Strm Mountains, they keep the roads safe and facilitate trade between the East and the West, bridging cultures and fostering connections. For Nuin Isil, the clan's honor is more than a word; it is a lived experience, binding everyone with a shared sense of duty, loyalty, and purpose, where upon the heart of each depends the fate of all.
Structure
The wise Oda, venerable head of Nuin Isil, rules the Orcs with a patient hand, his leadership steeped in the traditions of wisdom and strength that have marked five centuries of peace. A council of experienced warriors, sages, artisans, and Oda's sons and daughters, also hold places at Oda's side through merit as much as lineage, all contributing to the clan's governance. Leadership roles within Nuin Isil are often inherited, but they must be tempered by skill, honor, and an adherence to the clan's virtues.
In the bustling fortress-city of Kiyosu, samurai society thrives on a blend of martial prowess and intellectual pursuit. Warrior-scholars are esteemed figures within Nuin Isil, embodying the clan's dual emphasis on physical strength and philosophical wisdom. The streets echo with the clash of steel and the hum of marketplaces, where innovation and tradition harmonize with the more tribal might and pride of the Orcs. Relationships between allies and rivals are nurtured through both diplomacy and honorable combat, forging bonds that extend beyond mere alliances. Children are trained in mastery of the sword, the bow, polearms, mounted combat and the arts from a young age, ensuring the values of unity and wisdom continue to shape Nuin Isil's future. Within the clan, each individual's pursuit of excellence, be it in battle or craft, is viewed as a contribution to the whole, cultivating the sense of shared purpose and honor passed down through generations.
This sense of unity and loyalty extends to their faithful bear companions, revered not merely as mounts but as trusted friends and family members. In both the military and among many households, bears are trained and nurtured with a devotion that mirrors the clan's own sense of honor and discipline. To a stranger, the bond between an orc and their bear may seem odd, but within Kiyosu Castle's walls, it epitomizes the deep connection between the warriors and the rugged mountains they call home, a symbol of their strength and their unbreakable bond with the land.
Influence in Pauza
Nuin Isil's guardianship at the northern edge of the Strm mountains stands as a formidable bastion of security and a bridge between cultures. Through vigilant patrolling and strategic fortifications, they keep the roads safe from marauders, ensuring a flow of goods, ideas, and travelers between the temperate western coast of Pauza and the vast Ogroman desert in the east. Their mounted warriors, known as samurai, uphold a disciplined code of honor and skill that has become a symbol of reliability, offering protection to merchant caravans and facilitating smooth trade routes.
Kiyosu, nestled in the mountains, is also a hub of craftsmanship and commerce on the trade road in its own right. Orcish traders, skilled in both sword and scroll, negotiate and barter with savvy acumen, forging connections that build a thriving and safe marketplace in their mountain fortress. Beyond martial pursuits, the Orcs of Nuin Isil contribute their unique philosophy and art to Pauza's intellectual richness, contributing to the wide acceptance of orcish culture and valor in Pauzan society.
Leadership
Oda has been the head of the clan for many, many decades. He has led, or more accurately supervised, during a time of peace. Without any authentic conflict or struggle ahead. His accomplishments are measured by the city’s growth, strength, and happiness. Oda has many sons and daughters between his two marriages including Nobu ζ and Yuki. There are some who feel the clan is becoming irrelevant in this time of peace.
Kata is an experienced fighter whose battle tactics are rooted in tradition. Kata is known to be very slow to accept any kind of change. Kata believes in what he has seen to be proven truths. He trusts in brute force to fix the problems before him. Trampling over anything that would stand in his way. The greater the force, the greater the victory. Kata is a trusted military leader among Nuin Isil.
Naga is known as the city’s brilliant historian. Naga is very well organized, incredibly intelligent, remarkably clever, and wonderfully inventive. Naga has been critical in Nuin Isil's development. His wisdom and understanding has led to tremendous growth and success within Kiyosu’s market, trade, logistics, and also their relationships with neighboring clans; more specifically with Taur Cuil.
Yuki is an older brother to Nobu ζ and another son of Oda. He is, like some of his siblings & other clansfolk, unsatisfied with the state of the tribe. Yuki however, is much more vocal about it and has been a bit of an agitator regarding the matter. Yuki hasn’t acted against the council yet, but urges them to regain their "might and respect". Yuki desires glory & battle. He isn’t interested in living some mediocre, uneventful, unaffecting, & otherwise fruitless life.
Nobu ζ, younger brother to Yuki and son of Oda, is named after the great uniter of the clan. The first Nobu was incredibly ambitious. Nobu was originally thought to be a fool, as he didn’t care for the traditions of the small village he hailed from, but soon those who considered him so would find out otherwise. Nobu wanted to bring together the surrounding tribes to create a great and unstoppable power, and he was willing to do so at any cost. He managed to succeed as he was a great strategist and an even more ruthless commander. Nobu ζ doesn’t feel like he lives up to the namesake. He doesn’t have a great struggle. There is no goal ahead. He feels frustrated that his name means nothing because there seems to be nothing worth fighting for. Everything is just “fine". Nobu ζ hates "fine". Nobu ζ wants something in life that feels worthwhile. Nobu ζ is one of Han’s oldest & closest friends.
Owar is the clan’s blacksmith. Owar is named for the old province Owari, which used to belong to a tribe that was settled southwest of Kiyosu, but is now part of Nuin Isil. He is a great companion and confidant to Han, who loves to hear out his friends almost as much as he loves telling stories. Give him some mead and he’ll stay up with tales both new and old until he passes out.
Foreign Relations
Relationship with an allied clan
The bond between Clan Nuin Isil and Taur Cuil, the exotic elven alchemists of the eastern Ogroman desert, is one forged through generations of trust and shared purpose. Isolated by the arid desert and the towering Strm mountains, Taur Cuil's safe passage to western Pauza often relies upon the honorable samurai of Nuin Isil. This unique position has allowed a deep friendship to blossom, nurtured by values of loyalty and mutual respect. Nuin Isil's disciplined warriors, with their devotion to safekeeping the mountainous roads, have become essential allies to Taur Cuil, facilitating trade and communication across the treacherous mountains and desert. In return, the elven alchemists have shared their knowledge of herbs and potions, as well as their more esoteric blend of science and magic, enriching Nuin Isil's understanding of the world and providing the Orcs with unique resources.
Relationship with an antagonistic clan
The relationship between Clan Nuin Isil and House Silversail is a complex mix of conflict and recognition. To the disciplined, honor-bound samurai of Nuin Isil, the Silversail corsairs often appear as unpredictable and morally lax, their pursuit of profit overshadowing principles and integrity. The Orc warriors find Silversail's willingness to bend rules and engage in cutthroat bargaining or illegal ventures at odds with the stability and honor that Nuin Isil seeks to maintain in their own dealings. Periodic skirmishes and tense negotiations often mark the interactions between the two factions across the rivers and passes of Pauza's tradeways, but an underlying acknowledgment of mutual dependency also permeates their dealings. Nuin Isil recognizes the vital role Silversail plays in maritime trade and Pauza's supply lines. The samurai may not appreciate Silversail's methods, but they respect their prowess in navigation and commerce, understanding that a balance must be struck for the prosperity of both the mountains and the seas.
Upon the heart of each depends the fate of all.
Theme
Sam Cardon: Watchers on the Wall
