Narasign

The Narasign are bipedal catmen with man-like arms and hands, but pawed feet, and cat-like heads. The Narasign resemble many large cats such as Lion, Panthers, and Tigers. Although resembling such powerful creatures the Narasign are very lithe and agile.

  The Narasign are a warrior subspecies. Both males and females are given a curved blade (katana) upon their naming day. The Narasign train with their blades every day thereafter. Many also take up training with spear and bow as well.

The Narasign live in familial clans, although non-familial members can be accepted and adopted into a clan. These clans are led by a “Battlelord” or “Lord” for short. A curved blade is passed down from parents to children and may be exchanged during marriage, or as a sign of respect or fealty. Any time blades are exchanged it is known as an exchange of blades and considered sacred to the Narasign. Battlelords are responsible for the distribution of their vassal’s blades should their vassals have no heirs. Battlelords may also have Naming Day blades forged. Blades can also be taken from a defeated foe in a duel, after which many Narasign are seen as “Honorless”. An honorless Narasign may retrieve their blade and their honor many ways. These include serving the bearer of their blade as a servant for 3 years, swearing fealty to the bearer of their blade as a warrior and serving in said capacity for 2 years, or challenging and defeating the bearer of their blade after 1 year’s time. Many choose the second option, although are usually ordered into battle against their own clan. The bearer of the blade may also return their blade early to them as well.

After the Sundering the Narasign arrived to the forest nation of Enilaar. Along with the Wasir, the Narasign swore fealty to the Essanti in exchange for sanctuary. During the War of the Fallen King, fearing the forces of the Grand Republic were planning to invade, the Essanti promised the Narasign their freedom if they traveled out of Enilaar to prevent any outsiders from reaching their borders. The Narasign traveled outside Enilaar and confronted the forces of the Grand Republic who were marching on Serulia, not Enilaar. Upon receiving this information the Essanti stated the earlier pact was null, as there was no invading force, yet many Narasign clans felt otherwise. Also, at this time the Narasign learned many clans had survived the Sundering within the Alliance territories, and had been set free by Leolen Alderray, leader of the “Eight”, also known as “The Guardian”. These clans now willingly followed Alderray to oppose the Fallen King. This caused a rift among the clans still serving the Essanti, which led to civil war. The civil war lasted throughout the War of the Fallen King and ended with the Essanti ordering the loyalists to allow the “oathbreakers” to leave. Nearly half of the clans left Enilaar deciding their ancestor’s oaths were fulfilled and joined either the Grand Republic or the clans of their long lost brethren now led by Okai Naomasa, member of the “Eight”, also known as “The Oathsworn”. Naomasa led the clans to conquer the Murakami Isles, a feat thought impossible by the other races, due to the constant attacks from the Legions of the Deep. Naomasa established Naomasa castle, on the northern-most isle. Smaller keeps exist on the mainland, called Oni’s Fang Keep, on the western-most isle, called Tengu Steel Keep, and southern-most isle, called Kappa Springs Keep. The eastern-most isle has yet to be held, although Naomasa had begun to build another fortress, which he planned to call Kitsune Flame Keep, before his death. Although the Narasign are in a constant state of war with the Legions of the Deep they have established massive fishing enterprises, another feat once deemed impossible, and trade with the Grand Republic, becoming a very wealthy nation. After the death of Okai Naomasa the clans separated with various battlelords claiming they should rule the clans. The most powerful clans are the Onata Clan which controls the southern isle, the Atsutaka, and Kazutane clans which vie for control of the Western isle, the Uchinaka, Yorikiyo, and Mitsufusa Clans which vie for control of the northern isle. In the mainland to the north the Harunari, Mochimitsu, and Takahira Clans vie for control. Keiji Naomasa is the last of the Naomasa line but was kidnapped as a child and it is questioned if he is even still alive.

All Narasign slingers can access the sphere ability of Agility. Narasign do not have any special title for their slingers.