Onnala Kin'toni Clan

History

Founded by Onnac the Stout, the Onnala clan found shelter in the shadow of the highest peak of their mountains. Under Onnac’s instruction, the clan carved into the rock face and fashioned a vast structure with tunnels deep into the mountains. Within, they discovered more robust stones and materials for more durable weapons. The further they delved, the more they discovered. However, they were unable to use much of what they found for anything other than crude decoration. It was Nala the Stone-minded that began experimenting with ways to use the different materials in their weapons forging.

They discovered that two of the materials were easy to melt down and combine in heat. Nala began testing different combinations until they found one that proved stronger and more durable than the rock and stones they had used. They began using the new material, the metal bronze, in much of their life. Their weapons changed to reflect not just their mountain home but also the benefits of the new metal. They began wearing plates of bronze as armour. Over time, the armour became fashioned to their wearers, and some included helmets and arm and leg pieces for more protection.

A bronze crown was fashioned for Onnac, who became the first king of the mountains. The clan became known for how light glinted off their armour and blinded those who came across them on the mountain passes. When Onnac was slain in battle against a neighbouring clan, the bronze crown to Onna the Axe-clawed who was amongst the first of Onnac’s chosen. Under Onna, the clan closed their borders and began attacking any who crossed their path. As aggressions rose between the Onnala and the other nearby clans, the warriors started using large stone shields that had bronze poured over the entirety.

This made them extremely heavy but also useful against most melee attacks and some ranged ones. The added weight made it harder for them to run after their prey. Instead, they began using the tunnels and caverns of the mountains to get clan members in different positions perfect for trapping unsuspecting targets. The clan became more prone to aggression amongst each other. Several of their members died during hunts by the axes of their hunting party. Onna was eventually killed by a Zu’Aan who used poison to kill their attacker. The crown was given to Nala.

Who rejected the authority and gave it to Olnac of the builders. With Olnac in charge, the clan moved away from overt aggression against the other clans. They instead focused on strengthening their sanctuary and experimenting with the other materials they mine from their mountains. They have yet to make much progress besides a better grasp on the forging of bronze weapons, armour, and other tools. The passes are no longer heavily patrolled, and yet those who brave the journey seldom return.

Those who have warned to stay away from glittering holes and the sounds of clanging tools on rock accompanied by singing.

Biology

With a variant of the normal Kin’toni eyes, the Onnala clan’s eyes have light green irises with white sclerae and crescent pupil. These eyes are used to seeing in the darkened tunnels and caverns as well as adjusting well to the light outside their sanctuary. The eyes are slightly larger for better dark vision as well. To compensate, the rest of the head is broader, as is the entire frame of each clan member. Due to living in the mountains and the use of tunnels to get around, the clan is collectively among the shortest of all Kin’toni.

Standing two heads shorter than most Zu’Aan, the Onnala rely more on their strength and knowledge of the mountains. This reliance has caused their torso muscles to be more pronounced and allows them to lift exceedingly heavy objects. However, their stout nature has dramatically reduced their speed and mobility, making them easy to outrun when on open ground. Their skin is only slightly tougher than usual and only protects from blunt hits. This leaves them susceptible to most sharp weapons. To attempt to compensate for their weaknesses, the clan wears armour.

And some even carry large, heavy shields. While it does protect them from most slashing attacks, a skilled archer will be able to hit in between the plates of armour. Used to the cold climate of their mountains, the clan is weak to extreme heat and direct contact with fire. However, they are not accustomed to direct freezing temperatures and wear layers to prevent exposure to the icy weather. While being in their tunnels and caverns give them the advantage due to knowledge of their home, a bright light in such a dark space can cause momentary blindness and disorientation.

The same can happen if they leave their tunnels for the outdoors during the brighter times of the day. This can be used to either attack or escape as their shorter legs prevent them from gaining on any running prey. Also, their short stature can make it difficult to get at prey from raised positions. They can climb using their upper body strength and natural forming handholds. This allows them the opportunity to get to otherwise hard to reach places. Their natural strength allows for their attacks to hit harder and makes them able to cleave unarmoured prey in two with a couple of swings.

Being caught in their grip can be worse than being hit by their weapons. Their grip strength has developed to the point that they can snap thick wood in one hand. They also can easily throw heavy objects ten to twenty paces, which when in their tunnels and caverns means that the object will hit the rock walls with tremendous force. While they are impressively strong, they are not dexterous, and their attacks can often be avoided if seen and with room to manoeuvre. The strain of the weight of the armour and weapons they use have made their joints prone to weakened cartilage, making them natural weak points.

Culture

The harsh cold of the mountains caused the clan to seek shelter within the tallest peak. They hollowed out a large section and used the stone to build walls and a roof, turning the peak into a giant sanctuary that hides them from the elements. To protect themselves further they clad themselves in leathers and furs. Once they mastered armour forging, they began wearing their armour over the leathers and under the furs. They fashioned the furs into cloaks to wrap around them during the harshest nights. Many of the leathers and furs are dyed to match the surrounding environment to help them blend in when laying in wait.

Once they began experimenting with forging bronze, they started using the process to brand markings and even rank insignia into their flesh. While the more aesthetic designs could be placed anywhere on the body, the rank marking is placed on the back near the base of the neck. The lowest rank all receive the same basic mark, and with each new rank more is added. The basic mark is that of a shield. At five ranks up, they add a hammer at an angle over the shield. Ten after that they add an axe crossing the hammer. At the highest rank, they add a crown above the rest.

All other ranks are designated by small diamond shapes. The clan is predominantly male and function as a kingdom of miners, smiths, and warriors. Many of the clan work in multiple roles as needed. The few women who are taken into the clan act as tacticians, crafting and forge masters, and scientists with the goal of improving the clan. While the crown is passed to a chosen male, the few women are seen as the actual hope for the future of the clan. The highest position they can attain is called the High Tinkerer. Mostly living in isolation from the rest of the world.

The clan has only recently begun trading bronze for Zu’Aan to turn. However many of the neighbouring clans are hostile and seek to take the mountains for themselves. Much of this is due to the actions of the clan under a previous ruler. No one goes through their mountains without being noticed. The clan makes a point to leave jewels at the entrances to their tunnels. This is both to lure explorers and to mark the entrances to warn clan members of the potential change in light. They sleep within a single large chamber within their sanctuary and do not need privacy amongst their own.

When mining their mountains, they split up into small five-person teams with a single team leader. When they are hunting, they all work together using lanterns to signal through their tunnels and keep in touch across far distances. Such communication is common for most parts of clan life amongst the Onnala. The forge masters and scientists are considered leaders when the clan is not in battle or on the hunt. Otherwise, the clan look to the tacticians for guidance.

Government

The Onnala clan works as a patriarchal monarchy. The head of the clan wears the bronze crown that is passed down to a chosen successor. The first king was the founder Onnac, whose rule was marked with growth and prosperity. When he dies in battle, the crown was passed to Onna the Axe-clawed. His reign was marked with aggression and turmoil. As he died without naming a successor the crown was passed to the first High Tinkerer Nala. However, Nala refused to take power and instead crowned a forge master named Olnac. Olnac brought peace to the clan and focused more on strengthening the clan in other aspects than battle.

Under the king, there are numerous leaders who control different aspects of life within the clan. The High Tinkerer directly serves under the King and controls the aspects of forging, experimenting with materials mined from the mountains, and crafting. The Royal Tactician serves alongside the Generals in leading all military aspects of the clan. Under the High Tinkerer are the forge masters who make weapons and armour, the crafting masters who control the construction of their sanctuary and the tools for every aspect of daily life.

And the scientists who are charged with figuring out how to progress the clan through the use of materials taken from the mountains. Every other member of the clan works many different roles under the guidance for their higher-ups. While the king is chosen by their predecessor or the High Tinkerer, the other roles are filled as a clan member moves up in the ranks of the different jobs. After ten ranks up, the member chooses which job they want to specialise in. All decisions for the clan as a whole is determined by the will of the king and the plans of the High Tinkerer.

The rest of the clan works with each rank responsible for the safety and productivity of those underneath them. The few female members of the clan are trained in the jobs under the High Tinkerer and are not allowed to join the warriors. However, they are not treated differently in any other regard. The only one allowed to create new clan members is the king. He chooses who is worthy of being a member of the Onnala. All other Zu’Aan are given to the clan members in order of rank to be drained and skinned for materials for the crafting masters.

If any clan member is found to be attempting to turn a Zu’Aan, or to be hiding one for extra food, they are stripped of their clothes and tied to a spike at the top of their sanctuary for a month. They then have their rank brand cut out of their back and are not allowed to gain rank ever again. Disobeying a superior rank leads to a fight to the death between the two clan members. The winner is given a rank up. The only exception is if someone disobeys an order from the king. They are set on fire to fuel the forges.

Military

When they become part of the Onnala clan, every male member becomes a grunt in the military. They are trained in the use of axes, picks, and hammers as weapons of war. As they grow skilled, some begin using shields while others take up a second weapon to use in combat. Due to their short stature, the Onnala use their tunnels so they can surround any prey or enemy travelling over their mountains. When attacking a foe, they move as a whole from all possible directions. Those with shields will block any escape while they all continually attack.

If it is within their tunnels and caverns they push their targets towards where other clan members lay in wait. Hardy and wearing armour, they are likely to keep attacking until their target is dead or until they themselves are killed. Because of their armour, their movements are quite slow yet powerful. Those with shields are even slower but make up for it with brutally strong attacks with their shields. Once in their tunnels, however, their slow speed in attacks and movement matters little as they can easily surround and crush their foes on the very walls.

Their warriors follow a strict hierarchical structure that leads to all the way up to their king. If given orders to attack they will not stop until they succeed. If an enemy makes it to their sanctuary they are swarmed upon by every member of the clan. The structure of their military is determined by the rank of their warriors. In order to gain a rank, the warrior must prove they are a capable and productive member of the clan. With each new rank they receive more responsibility. It is up to the higher ranks to give orders to those under them.

Some have distinguished themselves by leading successful attacks against greater numbers. If their opponents are skilled with ranged weapons the reward becomes greater. This is because the clan as a whole is weak against ranged attacks. To them, any member who can face multiple deadly foes and live is someone worthy of listening to. These people are given the chance to learn to be a tactician or work directly under one of the generals. One of the tactics they use is the lure of wealth from the mountains. They line the walls near the entrances of their tunnels with gemstones and other materials that shine in the light.

This draws any greedy prey into exploring the tunnels and caverns, and gives the clan the advantage when they attack. Another tactic is to use signal fires to message far away members through the system of tunnels. This allows them to not only plan ambushes but to make up for their lack of speed when a target attempts to escape. When Onna was in charge, some of the clan was often sent on campaigns against their neighbours. These campaigns introduced new tactics such as the phalanx and turtle formations as they were forced to adapt to their enemies.

Religion

The Onnala are worshipers of the mountains they inhabit. This is due to all the ways that the mountains have saved them and helped them advance. They are careful with their mining and building to avoid any possible cave-in. To them, a cave-in is one of the ways to hurt the mountains. Another thing that is taught to all clan members is that their tunnels must only exit near a natural path or trail. This is because they feel the path leads them to those locations. They also do not collect or horde gemstones as they believe they are the property of the mountains and must remain with them.

Even when using them to lure passing targets, the Onnala will never allow a gemstone out of the mountains. The forges are carefully watched to prevent accidents that may harm the mountains or their sanctuary. Every morning the clan sings prayers of thanks to the mountains before doing anything else. They also sing while mining in order to soothe the mountains while they work. The forge masters and crafting masters will echo loud prayers of joy and thanksgiving to the mountains while they work. They hum a prayer of safety before going to sleep.

Even when going into battle they chant prayers for victory and strength to have victory. The only times an Onnala are ever not singing is when they are hunting zu'aan, in the midst of battle with another clan, or sleeping. They even hum when they are eating. And all their songs are prayers to their mountains. If there is a cave-in, the clan members responsible are buried alive in the damaged section. If a tunnel entrance is not connected to a natural path, it's builder is sealed in the wall to seal that tunnel. And if a gemstone is stolen.

The thief is hunted down and their heart is used to fill the spot the gemstone once held. These punishments are all overseen by the entire clan so that none are ignorant of the price for their sins. Those who cause an accident with the forges are often not alive to be punished. However in the few cases where they survive the accident, they are thrown into the molten bronze used to forge the repairs. Their reverence for their mountains have led to some refusing to use their weapons while in the tunnels, choosing instead to use their own raw strength and the mountains themselves as the weapons.

Some have even learned to move and hang from the cavern ceilings by holding on with their grip strength. Such zealots earn the nickname the stone heart and are known to kill themselves in battle by burying themselves along with their enemy into the floors of the tunnels and caverns. Those who wield shields will give the forge masters the materials for the shield from their own personal mining spoils. Only materials dug with their bare hands are allowed for the project and they must also have bled on them before the forging can begin.

Miscellany

Nearby Groups

Unknown

Onnala Kin'toni Clan

Unknown