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Oni
 

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The Oni are the storm that brews in the heart of the northern seas, warriors as fearsome as they are honorable. With tusks like ivory daggers and eyes burning with the fires of ancient codes, they sail from their island homes, bringing swift justice or brutal conquest. Their raids are legendary, but so too is their loyalty to the traditions of their ancestors. Beneath the savage exterior of an Oni beats a heart bound by oaths older than kingdoms, and when they fight, they fight with the fury of the gods themselves.

High in the mountains of every continent, the Oni live in scattered yet grand communities. Descendants of ancient beings from the Outer Void, their appearance often earns them the labels of demons, fiends, or devils. Oni are easily recognized by their red or gray skin, black eyes with red pupils, and long tusks. Some possess a third eye in the center of their forehead, while all Oni have horns of varying lengths growing from their heads. Standing at an impressive average height of 7 feet, both male and female Oni are towering figures.

Despite their fearsome appearance, Oni culture is rich and refined.

 

While many Oni leave their mountain villages to become warriors for hire in the lowlands, those who remain are known for creating beautiful works of art and pottery, which are the chief exports of their tribes.

 

Oni are also born with a small spark of Mana, a legacy from their Void ancestry, allowing them to cast the spell Hallow once per day without expending Mana. They gain a +1 bonus to Constitution and Intellect, speak the languages Merchant and Void, have a lifespan of 120 years, and a movement speed of 30 feet.

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Clan of Gerra

Hailing from Pannik Isle, the largest of the Nittok island group, the origins of the Oni have been lost to time. As far back as anyone can remember, the Gerra clan has held settlements on the island. Known for their martial prowess, especially in archery and infiltration, Clan Gerra had, by the time of the Elven Descendancy in the year 900 of the First Age, established itself as a respected mercenary force—costly, but worth every coin. This reputation led the Duchy of Hollowthorne to employ a great number of them to aid Valhare in its time of need. The Oni war bands proved invaluable, and those who returned were honored and rewarded with riches for representing Pannik Isle with such skill and valor.

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Years after the Descendancy, Clan Gerra became known as the great unifiers of the five Oni clans, bringing all the islands under the leadership of their War Chief, Osha. This unification was achieved to initiate a campaign called the Sacred Landfall in the year 2210 of the Second Age. The aim was to claim the now-empty lands west of Hollowthorne. However, their ambitions clashed with those of the Golden Horn orcs, who had the same plan in the same year.

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A day after the Oni made landfall on the Crag Peninsula, west of Hollowthorne and north of Jagg Bay, they were met by the orc legions. Though the Oni fought fiercely, they were outnumbered ten to one and were eventually forced to retreat into the surf. The Oni warriors turned the waters red with battle, but they lost both land and lives in the attempt. It was the single greatest defeat of any Oni clan, and it marked the first time all the clans had fought as one.

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The bitterness of this loss ran deep. The unified alliance of the Oni clans fractured before they even returned home, and they have fought separately ever since.

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Clan of Mekar

The Sword Lords of Rannik Island, the largest of the Nittok Island group, are famed for their hot springs and their strict codes of the blade. These warriors are celebrated for their raiding seasons, during which they sail to the continent and wage swift, calculated warfare against strong and wealthy opponents. True to their code, they refuse to sully their honor by engaging weaker foes, preferring only to challenge and conquer the worthy.

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During their war against the Golden Horn, the Sword Lords distinguished themselves with unparalleled ferocity and precision, surpassing even the strength and savagery of the orc horde. Their reputation became so legendary that even the orcs spoke of the Mekar ships crashing onto shores, with Oni warriors pouring into their ranks, striking with rapid precision and brutal efficiency.

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However, after the disaster of the Sacred Landfall campaign, they retreated to their island, returning to their old ways, upholding their traditions, and continuing their relentless pursuit of worthy battles.

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Clan of Kalla

Renowned as expert hunters and masterful trappers, the Clan of Kalla resides in tightly knit coastal villages scattered along the rugged shores of their island, Derik. These settlements, often adorned with vibrant banners and the fragrant aromas of smoked meats, are bastions of community and tradition. The heart of their island is a verdant sanctuary, a protected expanse of rolling hills and dense forests, where wild boars roam freely. This reserve is meticulously maintained, ensuring a sustainable and thriving population of boars for both sport and sustenance.

 

The boar hunts of Clan Kalla are legendary, not merely for their skill and precision but for the rich cultural traditions they embody. Central to their way of life is the coming-of-age ceremony, marking the transition of young Oni into adulthood. When an Oni turns 16, they are given a single spear and simple clothing before being sent deep into the forest. Their task is to seek out an old boar, one whose time is near, and grant it a final, glorious fight. This ritual honors the elder ways, symbolizing their passage and the dignity of age, as the young hunter takes their place as a mature member of the clan.

 

After the hunt, the young Oni must cook the boar’s meat over an open fire, savoring the moment of self-reliance and respect for the life they have taken. They then fashion the hide into a headdress, a tangible mark of their accomplishment and transformation. Only upon returning to the village with the headdress may they be recognized as an adult. These headdresses, often personalized with intricate carvings or symbols, are worn with pride, serving as a reminder of the Oni's journey and the values of the clan.

 

The meat of these hunts, whether from ritual or sport, is widely celebrated. Spiced and cooked to perfection using closely guarded family recipes, Kalla boar meat is a delicacy sought after by neighboring island clans and distant traders alike. It is said that the meat carries not just exquisite flavor, but also the essence of Kalla's rich cultural heritage.

 

Despite their prowess with bow and spear, Clan Kalla seldom engage in warfare or offer their skills as mercenaries. They hold a deep respect for life and see violence as a last resort. Instead, they pride themselves on their skills in honorable hunts, their culinary artistry, and their ability to mediate disputes through diplomacy and trade. When conflict does arise, the clan's warriors fight with the same precision and strategy that defines their hunts, using the terrain to their advantage and minimizing unnecessary bloodshed.

 

To outsiders, the people of Clan Kalla may seem insular, but their hospitality is unmatched for those who respect their ways. Guests invited to partake in a Kalla feast will find themselves treated to a banquet of flavors and traditions, often including tales of great hunts told around roaring hearths. Through their unique blend of tradition, diplomacy, and artistry, the Clan of Kalla has established itself not just as a community of hunters but as stewards of their island and ambassadors of their way of life.

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©2024 by MadGuardian

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