Rodia Kin'toni Clan

History

The Rodia kin'toni Clan is an imperial and august race of tall and powerful kin'toni. They are one of the few kin'toni clans which have definitely chosen civilization over barbarism, in the measure their biology allows them. They were founded by Emperor Tha'haar the Great, a once-mighty zu’aan conqueror reduced to feed on blood upon being turned by the Plague. Refusing to let his glory be tarnished, the Emperor reorganized the top strata of his military by granting positions based on his greatest generals becoming kin'toni themselves as a mark of loyalty.

The scholars followed, and Tha'haar generated thus a very loyal and dedicated core of adepts. Thus civilization in his empire, called the Iirla Empire was preserved, at least at first, and the commoners were forced to endure the predations of the high caste. Taxes were paid in blood and it took decades until the zu’aan realized the extent of the corruption and what it meant to them. While in the first years the blood tax was small and lax, more and more of the military was being turned into kin'toni due to greedy generals – and the new “recruits” demanded blood of their own.

The blood tax in the fourth decade of the Rodian Refoundation was ten times higher than the average in the first five years. Something had to be done, and the zu’aan peasantry and artisans would fight back or die trying, as they were dying anyways. The sickly were already on their death beds and the imperial population has declined by over 25% when the first mass uprising happened in all cities at once. In the end, the zu'aan revelers were not enough to stop the Iirla Empire, but they did manage to kill most of its leaders and take control of several major cities.

In fact, in the counter-attack, the kin'toni forces managed to wipe out all resistance in that time, period. The emperor lay dead and the consul Agustinus Xeropulous took control. The rebels later tried to launch another revolt against the Iirla Empire, but this time they failed completely, as their dissent was anticipated on advance and their best and brightest were murdered in nightly raids. The Rodian people have always been a proud and honorable lot, but this rebellion showed them how far the kin'toni corruption had advanced over their people.

The zu'aan began to slowly starve out in the remaining towns and cities, leaving only those with large amounts of food stores and a strong will left alive. Those who could not resist were either killed outright or had their throats slit by the kin'toni guards. It wasn't long before the last remnants of rebellion fled from Rodia altogether, taking any slaves they found with them.

Only the kin'toni remained in power. The second emperor soon died of poisoning, but his children ruled in his stead. These emperors were more merciful than their father and grandfather, and the vampirical nature of the rulers was kept secret from the Iirla Empire's trade partners. Instead they were merely told that the average life expectancy had increased greatly thanks to medical advances and better conditions. Indeed, they were actually partially right, in a way.

Biology

Members of the Rodia kin'toni Clan have orange irises with black sclera and vertical beaded pupils. Their skin is paler and their hair is of a darker shade than when they were zu'aan, although hair color varies more than before. Their fangs are much longer and sharper than a regular zu’aan’s ones, although the can still retract them if desired. Their fingernails grow at a faster rate as well, often causing them to have curved claws when no weapon is available. Their body is able to withstand more pain than the average zu’aan, although they can still feel it.

The effects of this ability are more pronounced if they regularly drink blood, although not necessary. Furthermore, the healing factor enables them to regenerate from most wounds given enough time, and even reattaching severed limbs is possible with enough care. The downside to all this is the requirement of blood to sustain them. Without it, they slowly weaken and become comparable to a zu’aan in their 70s or 80s. The older the kin'toni, the longer it takes for them to regain strength. Svelk kin'toni may be able to regenerate from near death faster or even stay young forever, but such tales are myths at best.

The sense of sight of members of the Rodia kin'toni Clan is different than the average zu’aan. They see farther into the UV spectrum, although this isn't consciously controllable. Blood looks brighter to them, which is why it's easy to find someone suffering from blood loss. On the other hand, their night vision is not quite as good as other kin'toni clans'. This trade-off is more efficient in their eyes. They also find themselves slowly driven insane over time. Memories are not retained as strongly as a zu’aan remembers them, although the events in their dreams still influence their behavior.

Culture

The culture of the Rodia kin'toni Clan is still august and imperial. Whenever possible, they dress in elegant robes made with expensive magenta and purple dyes. The dyes themselves are made from rare flowers found on a small forest area near the edge of the Iirla empire. Their language is complemented with a strange mix of sharp whistles, clicks, and hisses. These elegant creatures are known to only drink the finest wines and eat the choicest meats, although it's usually in the form of an unusual dabbling in seafaring gastronomy. Their august appearance hides their brutal base nature.

As Rodians are still kin'toni and they're simply willing to eat their own young if it ensures their survival as a species. The Rodians use their unnaturally long lives to amass great power and resources. What plans they may have in store for the future are unknown. Full of ancient heroes, daring conquests, and great villains, their history is a tale which spans two and a half centuries, chronicling both the great feats of glory and the abject depths of villainy. While most of the tales of their fall and rise are long lost to the ages, some still remain in the form of carved stones telling their tale or through oral tradition.

The most famous of these tales belongs to one known as the Bane of Klyton, a Rodian with a legendary capacity for spite and malice. His tale is well known among the Rodian people. One of the first steps of vengeance taken by the Bane was to lure a Klyton (a coastal town) vessel with his beautiful singing, which the Bane had taken great care in perfecting. When they answered, he used their own weapons against them, destroying the entire crew save one, whom he kept as his slave. From there, he plundered their cargo and began to plot his rise to power.

The Bane was a champion gladiator, known for his cruel nature and love of bloodshed. He took great delight in combat and the suffering of others, and he had little regard for his own life, having nothing to lose and everything to gain from a victory. He slaughtered thousands in the arena before he was finally put down. It is said that at his greatest he challenged the entire Klyton navy with his pirate band, and destroyed them without the loss of a single one of his vessels. Though the Bane's name became reviled by the citizens of Klyton, he was widely respected by his people and those under his leadership.

Though it is a little known fact that he never commanded an entire nation; he was merely a general who served under the august dominion. His name still brings fear to other kin'toni, even to this day. Nowadays, only the most traditional Rodian families and clans still mention him. The populace prefers to remember the great (but fictitious) exploits of Jagada the Brave, a Rodian hero who defeated the entire Ka'cha zu'aan navy by herself after they refused to give her a mug of Gluhk (an alcoholic tea). The Rodians have never allowed themselves to be ruled over by anyone but their own.

And tell tales of how their ancestors defeated a great wyrm on the eve of the First Age. This is a fairy tale fit for younglings and not to be taken seriously.

Government

The government of the Rodia kin'toni Clan is based on the undefeated image of a powerful Emperor. There have been seven Emperors so far, the reign of each never exceeding 40 years despite their potential immortality. This limited rule is due to a combination of natural causes, assassination and coups. The only one who can take the title of Emperor is the reigning one's acclaim-chosen successor. Upon death, the Rodians choose their new leader in a free election. This causes complications sometimes, but so far the system has worked well for them.

Nobody wants to see a tyrannical ruler take charge of the nation, so the people elect someone they believe will do the best job. The Emperor has a great deal of power, but not enough to make him a dictator. His powers are checked by the fact that he must have the support of the people to rule. If he makes a decree that they disagree with then it is very unlikely to be enforced. The system works well in keeping corruption and tyranny at bay, and though there are those who would love to see it fail, most rodians are content.

The current Emperor, Kivan the Just, rules from his throne room in the capital city of Praetor. Praetor is the largest city of the rodians and by far the most technologically advanced. It even has an acceptable degree of iron metalworking, from which a great amount of short swords and sharp spears are made. The city is surrounded by a 15 foot tall stone wall with several guard towers. The gates are made of wood and iron, and guarded day and night. Inside the city is made up of many different districts. Most distinct would be the Imperial District, which is where the Emperor and his palace reside.

It is decorated with beautiful gardens, fountains, and sculptures. There are many different roads leading into various parts of the city from here. The Market District is also very busy. People come from miles around to barter for goods and services. The Emperor's knights keep a watchful eye on things, to make sure nobody gets too aggressive or tries to pick a pocket. The slums are the worst areas of the city. Most of the poverty-stricken Rodians live here. There is very little security and many of the younger thugs and criminals make this area their territory.

The Craftmen's District is where the more successful artisans and their customers dwell. The Farmlands are several miles of land surrounding the city, where farmers grow the "crops" to feed everyone in the city. There are many small villages of Rodians who make their livings as farmers. The Rodians produce a lot of "food", but much of it goes to feeding the lower class and keeping them alive. "Ranching" is by far the most dark Rodian profession, as their "cattle" is actually zu'aan slaves. A small group of Rodians left the city to settle the island of Honorum across the channel.

They quickly set up a thriving fishing community there. This city is made up of small homes and has few walls for protection. It's location in the channel makes most Rodians feel safe enough that no guards are set.

Military

The military organization of the Rodia kin'toni Clan is a relatively small, but effective fighting force. It consists of three major groups: the No'vak, the regular military; the Tajji, the defenders of the hives; and lastly, the Najji-clanzi, or Clan Raiders. Those wishing to join any of the three groups must pass through a ritual that involves drinking a cup of zu'aan blood. Those that do not vomit immediately due to overconsumption are seen fit for service.

THE NO'VAK

The No'vak are the "Navy" of the rodians. They consist almost entirely of warriors aboard ships that patrol the southern oceans and shores.

THE TAJJI

The Tajji are, as the name might suggest, the defenders of the hives. They are not required to travel outside of cities, and defend them at all costs.

THE NAJJI-CLANZI

The Clan Raiders are the "special forces" of the military. They are a new addition to the military, and their existence is often a secret to most rodians who are not immediately involved with the organization. Their sole job is to scout potential zu'aan revolts and stop them before they start. In the event of a larger revolt, their job is to sabotage the revolt leaders and cause as much chaos for the zu'aan as possible. To this end, they are trained in stealth and guerilla tactics. They also use a new weapon of the modern zu'aan counter-revolt: the Blazing Flame.

The Blazing Flame is a mixture of phosphorus powder, fire salts, and other volatile elements. It ignites with the slightest friction, such as a quick slash of the blade or a firm kick. It is impossible to put out, and only a small amount can set an entire village ablaze.

The No'vak and Tajji use less "destructive" weapons, such as traditional broad-blade swords, spears, nets, and tridents. The No'vak use mainly nets to capture escapees or stop seafaring raiders. The Tajji favor the spear and the trident, but will often wield longswords and halberds as well.

Soldiers of the Iirla Empire are sorted in one of three ranks:

The Zr'kuni (pl. Zr'kun) is equivalent to a zu’aan captain. They lead groups of Tajji or No'vak, and report directly to a Lt. General.

The Fl'tiki (pl. Fl'tikim) is equivalent to a zu’aan lieutenant. They lead groups of soldiers and report directly to a Zr'kun.

The Tjani (pl. Tjaniym) is equivalent to a zu’aan sergeant. There are three Tjani for each Fl’tiki, and they are to give their best if they wish to ever earn a promotion.

The military hierarchy is very proud and extremely competitive. To be in the military is seen as an honor and considered as part of the Clan’s elite. The Rodian military's only obvious weakness is their tendency to hoard weaponry and other supplies for later use. It is not uncommon for a Rodian commander to order his soldiers to retreat and return with better equipment before storming an enemy position. This has resulted in many Rodian victories turning into stalemates, due to the lack of soldiers when they are needed the most.

Religion

Life in the city is busy and many Rodians are content with their lives. Despite this, there are some who feel as if there should be more to life than working to survive. These Rodians usually turn to religion, a very common pastime in Rodian culture. There are several different religions practiced on the island, but mostly revolve around the worship of one of two main gods; Karack or Yag. The most popular religion on the island of Riod is the worship of Karack, the god of dawn. Karack is seen as a creator and bringer of life. Most Rodians worship Karack, but some worship Yag instead.

The worship of Yag as the creator god is less popular than Karack's worship, but still has a considerable number of followers. Followers of Yag believe that life evolved from slugs and other unsightly creatures. This disgusting concept is very unappealing to most Rodians. It is uncommon, but some Rodians reject religion entirely and believe that there are no gods at all. They believe life began on Riod naturally with the coming of the sun. These Rodians are seen as slightly misguided by most other Rodians, but their beliefs do not cause enough animosity for any major social rejection.

There are many other gods that are worshiped by smaller groups of Rodians. The most prominent of these are the god of war, Bol; the god of shadows, Kelso; and the goddess of trickery, Ulivik, the deity of pain. There are many different gods worshiped by the Rodia kin'toni Clan and although most of them are believed to be in their own realm, others are thought to still wander the land. Most Rodians worship a god or gods that they feel best suits them or had the most impact on their life. Most people believe one god is not superior to another; rather each has its own strengths and followers.

Different circumstances in life call for different types of guidance and prayer. The most important thing is to never forget the ways of the past and honor your ancestors, no matter which gods they worshiped before they died. For the Rodians, there is no wrong or right way to worship the gods, only what you feel is right in your heart. All gods have something in common however, and it is that like kin'toni themselves, they are fed by the blood of the zu'aan. This blood does not need to be drink, but it is also any blood spilled in combat.

Life for a zu'aan captured by those of the Rodia kin'toni Clan is one of constant torment and abuse. They are enslaved, beaten, and worked until they die. Even after death, their bodies are still not treated with the respect they deserve, but are instead eaten by the Rodians that killed them. zu'aan is not a word in the common tongue of the Rodians; they prefer to use the expression "Tarun'nivas". This is a word created by the Rodians to describe their old selves with contempt. Tarun'nivas translates loosely into "meat-bags" or "poor, pathetic creatures".

To be a zu'aan is the worst thing one can be in the eyes of most Rodians. The regular zu'aan are not even allowed to learn how to read and write, let alone learn battle tactics or military training. They are seen as nothing more than farm animals or pets by many Rodian nobles. However, a few of them are respected and can gain notable positions as aides still, if they prove their worth.

Miscellany

The current leader of the Najji-Clanzi, and perhaps ruling de facto instead of the Emperor, is Lt. General Vos'kar, who has been at the top of the military for forty-seven years. He leads the military, the council, and everything else, really. By Rodian standards, he is fairly young, and is far more organized than most leaders. Most rodians are happy with his reign, as he has organized everything into a more efficient form of government. With the recent zu'aan conflict, he has sent many Tajji and No'vak to fight. It is likely that he will soon draft more troops from the clans.

He has also recently annexed a few smaller cities on the shores, mainly for the resources and to keep the zu'aan from getting them. It is unknown what his true long-term goals are; most Rodians just take advantage of the new land they now control. There are rumors of a large zu'aan coalition gearing up for war with the Iirla Empire. The Zephyr Cities have set their sights on Praetor after the new annexations have caught their attention. If they attack before the new Tajji reinforcements arrive, it could be a very serious problem. The military is currently attempting to find a weakness in the tactics of the zu’aan of the Zephyr Cities.

So far, all attempts have failed, resulting in stalemates. Zu'aan bandits have been rampaging through the countryside, adopting a new trend of mobile warfare, while the Najji-Clanzi can’t use Blazing Flames for punitive expedition against these foes; since their place of origin is unknown. This could get ugly for the Rodia kin'toni Clan, as it is rather likely some of these bandits are actually mercenaries and trained assassins, paid for by the deep pockets of the Zephyr Cities.

Nearby Groups

Unknown

Rodia Kin'toni Clan

Unknown